This Japanese Slice-of-Life Isn’t Lame

Chapter 15: Students Forged From the Crucible of Copious Exam Questions

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

Noticing that Asamiya Hitomi did not want to mention what happened nine years ago, Kitagawa Tera could only hold back the urge for now and calmly ask, “Compared to scientific phenomena, this appears more inclined toward the supernatural, right? Asamiya-san, haven’t your parents brought you to a shrine or a famous monk to pray?”

“I’ve visited all the shrines of the various gods and sought safety amulets and Buddhist prayer beads. But after getting them on the first day, I’ve always woken up the next day to see the safety amulets torn into pieces by something at night and the Buddhist prayer beads being shattered and scattered all over the floor.”

Asamiya Hitomi was someone who lived amid abnormality, and she could clearly sense that abnormality.

When she brought those things along with her, she seemed to have offended something, making it unhappy.

Therefore, regardless of whether it was the safety amulets or prayer beads blessed by eminent monks, they had no effect.

The coldness had enveloped her for a long time, keeping her body temperature below normal and also making her feel chilly all the time.

This feeling could not be eliminated by simply wearing more clothes or drinking more hot water.

The strange thing was that she could feel the cold dissipating when she was with Kitagawa. Her body gradually warmed up, and she could feel a hint of warmth.

It was a very strange feeling. But out of kindness, Asamiya Hitomi quietly reminded him, “So Kitagawa-san, you better stay away from me. My luck has always been bad, and if you were also affected…”

“I’m not particularly concerned about illusory things such as luck. How about letting time tell if the bad luck on Asamiya-san can affect me?”

Kitagawa Tera was very interested in the curse on Asamiya Hitomi. At the same time, he also lacked someone who could tell him about the various situations in Kyokuboku High School.

A kind, quiet, and tight-lipped child like Asamiya Hitomi was someone he would not let get away easily.

Yes, she is still a child. Definitely can’t let her get away.

After hearing that, Asamiya Hitomi raised her head subconsciously.

His nonchalant expression made her slightly dazed.

But she quickly lowered her head again.

She was shy by nature and did not know how to interact with the opposite gender, let alone rejecting the opposite gender.

But the crux was that she also had some selfishness.

The Kitagawa Tera after winter vacation was so different from the Kitagawa Tera before winter vacation. Staying next to him eased her perpetually chilly constitution by a lot. And it felt good to have someone to talk to…

Because of these inexplicable young girl emotions, Asamiya Hitomi did not turn him away again.

After all, she had already turned Kitagawa Tera away several times and reminded him several times.

Since Kitagawa Tera insisted on remaining around her, it had nothing to do with her.

Even if she wanted to turn him away… The bloodstains remaining on the back of Kitagawa Tera’s hands caused her to close her mouth.

Can’t afford to offend him. Can’t afford to offend him.

But…

If Kitagawa-san really runs any problems, I must make him keep his distance from me.

Having made this small decision in her heart, Asamiya Hitomi turned her head slightly and looked at the rostrum in front.

The person standing there talking was a young girl with an awe-inspiring face and eyes that were as calm as a lake.

Despite only wearing the blue and white school uniform, she had an indescribable elegance to her. She stood with her back straight, long black hair down, and eyes glittering with confidence.

Under everyone’s gaze, she composedly listed the different school club systems and the increase in club fees and proposed various solutions to the increase.

“Who is that girl speaking?”

Here it comes again. Asamiya Hitomi could not help touching her smooth forehead. Why is Kitagawa Tera always asking about things that all the students in the school know?

She did not understand, but she still patiently explained, “The one on stage is the accountant of the student council, Chinatsu Chiyuki… After spring break, there will be a handover, and she’ll become the new student council president. The current president is letting her become familiar with the student council affairs now. She is an exceptionally perfect person and can complete everything perfectly. I wish I could be like her.”

Asamiya Hitomi sounded slightly envious.

If even someone like Asamiya Hitomi, who was not good at communicating with others, viewed Chinatsu Chiyuki in this way, then she surely had to be very extraordinary.

Japanese third-year high school students did not have time for student council positions. Before leaving, they would let the new president become familiar with the student council affairs, and at the same time, the student council positions would also change.

“Is that so?” Kitagawa Tera stared at Chinatsu Chiyuki for a while. “But I feel that her recent job won’t be so easy.”

“… Why does Kitagawa-san think so? Chinatsu-san has very strong work abilities and is also very familiar with the student council work…”

“It’s not a matter of how easy the job is.” Kitagawa Tera shook his head while his eyes lingered on the black aura in the surroundings. “It’s a matter of things not allowing her to concentrate on her job.”

“What things?” Asamiya Hitomi was even more puzzled. She looked at Chinatsu Chiyuki and could not see anything.

Morning assembly soon ended. Asamiya Hitomi could only hide her doubts in her heart and follow the teacher back to the classroom.

It was now time for class.

The original did not leave any exam papers or anything like report cards behind, so Kitagawa Tera had no idea what his grades were like at all.

But in Japan, it was better for grades to be higher.

After all, the saying ‘outstanding students have special treatment’ was the same everywhere in the world. And in Japan, this phenomenon was especially true.

Merely having top grades was enough for you to hold your head up high in class and protect you from bullies. And in some schools with more relaxed systems, outstanding students had no problems requesting to study at home.

Japan was a country that placed a large emphasis on grades. Having good educational attainments and entering a top university for advanced studies meant obtaining social status and the respect of others. These were things that everyone dreamed of achieving.

Therefore, it was normal for those with outstanding results to be well-respected by their classmates.

And as a medical student, Kitagawa Tera naturally understood the importance of good grades during his school days. Looking back, there was a senior who had remained in school for five years because of his grades. And the so-called five-year system extended to become an eight-year system.

Kitagawa Tera actually did not want that senior to graduate. He was a formidable fellow that could easily mess up an intravenous injection and leave holes in a person’s arm.

China was a country that emphasized rote learning and copious amounts of practice. Having been forged from the crucible of copious past-year exam questions, dealing with these questions in a Japanese classroom now…

Isn’t this too simple? Kitagawa Tera blinked, feeling rather surprised.

It seemed like due to the blessing of the system strengthening, he could recall formulas and theorems without the slightest bit of difficulty understanding.

The slightly more difficult subjects were Japanese language and Japanese history.

And he only needed to memorize these subjects by heart. After the system strengthening, his memory also significantly improved, so there would be no problems.

Since there were no gaps to fill with learning…

Kitagawa Tera’s thoughts began to become lively.