Kamishiro! Thank you so much for teaching me that mnemonic yesterday! I think I've memorized the elements!
Really?
Well then, why not test yourself by writing them out?
Okay! Uhh... Huh?
Oh no. I remembered the mnemonic, but not what any of it means!
Akito, is that a probability problem you're working on?
Do you mind not snooping on my notebook?
Heh heh heh. I'm very au fait with that unit! I shall take this opportunity and teach you!
Uh, no one asked you to do that... I'm fine, really.
No need to be polite! The trick to solving these is to...
It's like talking to a brick wall... I guess I'll just let him teach me.
Rote memorization has its place in the classroom... However, you won't get far just glaring at your textbook.
That's where this device comes in.
Yeah, I saw that earlier... What is it?
Hehe. This right here is my instantaneous memorization device. It delivers intense stimulation to all the senses to help the user instantly commit knowledge to memory.
It's still an experimental prototype, but I can guarantee your safety. Would you like to try it out, Shinonome?
Who the heck would try that weird thing out?
I... I'm kinda...curious...
Anything to get these weird chemical formulas to stay in my brain...
C-Calm down, Shiraishi. Organic learning is the way forward...!
Man, I'm beat!
Time for a little break.
Um... Excuse me.
Huh, Kusanagi?
What are you still doing at school?
Um... I heard from Rui and Tsukasa about your study sessions.
I brought these to keep you all going. They're chocolates from this shop by the station... Feel free to share them around if you like.
What?! Are you sure?
Yeah. I could tell Tsukasa and Rui have been working hard, and they say eating chocolate helps when you're tired.
Thank you! You're a lifesaver!
No problem... Good luck with studying.
It looks like everyone's here.
Yeah. Today's the day...
This is it. Everything hinges on whether you can pass this test.
...
Do you feel prepared?
Huh? Of course I do.
How hard do you think I've been working for this? I'm not about to crumble at the last hurdle.
Yeah... Yes, I feel the same.
Also...
I owe it to the three of you for all you've done to help us out.
I'm gonna give it all I've got.
Hahaha. I guess I need to treat this test seriously too. After all, I want to go into second year too.
Yes! Well then...
Let's all be sure to pass this test...
...and make it into the next year!
Alright...
We're going in!
Okay. Good luck, all of you.
Do you think they'll be alright?
I have every confidence.
You saw for yourself, Aoyagi, how much effort they put into studying each day.
By this point, they can surpass any obstacle in their way. All you and I can do now...is have faith and be patient.
You're right.
Does everyone have their test?
Some of you are being tested for more subjects than others, so please submit your tests to me when you finish.
I will grade you immediately and inform you of your results before you leave.
I want you to show your best efforts and not let the past week go to waste.
You may begin.
...
(Yes! That's chemistry out of the way. And I hardly had trouble with any questions...)
(But now it's classics... I've gotta focus.)
(Okay, it's going well.
I understand everything so far...)
(There are two sections... The first is Literary Chinese.)
(This looks okay. I've never had that much trouble with this part of classics, so I can get the gist of it...)
(But the second one is Classical Japanese... My Everest...)
(Let's take a look at the passage...)
(Wait! This is...)
(“The chaunginge of the sesoun stirreth the pathos of thinges in alle manere wyse.”)
(“And autumpne stirreth it most of al, oft it hath bin said. Forsooth it may be so, yit nought can enflame the herte as can the seytes of springe.”)
(It's the essay I read on the first day of supplementary classes with everyone's help...!)
(Okay. I can do this...!)
Oh! Sometimes, at the end of a day of singing practice, I'll feel really tired, look at the sky and think it looks gorgeous!
Oh, I understand that too! When I look at the sky after pushing myself to the limit, it always looks so vast and peaceful.
Yes! I know exactly what you mean!
Hehe. That deeply sentimental feeling is more or less what is called “the pathos of things”.
(Yeah...)
(The changing seasons...lend a rich charm to everything.)
(Everyone says that things are most charming in fall, but nothing is as moving as...the sights of spring.)
(When spring is announced by birdsong and gentle sunlight, and the sprouting of shoots and buds in hedges...)
(I can read it.)
(I can visualize what the words are saying...)
(It doesn't sound like some weird magic words anymore. I understand the emotions behind the writing!)
(I can feel what the writer was feeling... What it's like to look at nature and feel sadness and beauty and a surge of emotion... The pathos of things...)
(I owe this to the others. Mizuki, Kamishiro, Toya... And to Akito and Tenma for studying alongside me, too.)
(No, not just them. I have so many other friends who've been there for me.)
(Their support and kindness have kept me going...)
(I can do it now...! I can answer all these questions!)
(An's so focused...)
(I've gotta pull my weight too. Right?)
(I owe it to them for believing in me. There's no way I'm going out there defeated...!)
...!
(Wait... It's over...?)
(I guess I was really focused... It went by...so fast...)
(Wait, no. I should check my work...)
(Everything's fine...
I answered every question, and I didn't make any mistakes filling in the answer sheet.)
(Yeah... This should be...)
(Thanks, guys.
I got here thanks to you...)