Chapter 8: The Entrance Examination

The morning sky was painted a brilliant blue.
A gentle breeze drifted through the city.
For once...
Everything felt peaceful.
...
Apartment 407.
Reina tightened her ponytail while looking into the mirror.
"...Good enough."
She grabbed her bag and stepped outside.
The door across the hallway opened almost immediately.
Shadow stood there.
"...Morning."
"Morning."
Reina noticed he was wearing a white dress shirt beneath his black jacket.
"You look... different."
"I have the entrance examination today."
"Oh."
She smiled.
"Good luck."
"...Thank you."
"You'll do fine."
"I hope so."
Reina tilted her head.
"That almost sounded nervous."
"...Maybe I am."
She laughed.
"So you do have emotions."
"I've been told."
...
The elevator ride was quiet.
Not because they had nothing to say.
Because the silence had become comfortable.
...
Outside...
The city rushed past them.
People hurried to work.
Students crossed busy intersections.
Reina glanced toward Shadow.
"Want me to wait after your exam?"
He looked surprised.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
"..."
"But I can."
For a moment...
Shadow didn't answer.
"...I'd appreciate that."
Reina smiled.
"Then it's settled."
...
The university campus buzzed with activity.
Applicants filled the administration building.
Some reviewed notes.
Others nervously paced the hallway.
Shadow simply sat.
Reading a book.
Several applicants looked at him.
"...Is he even studying?"
"He doesn't seem nervous."
"I wish I had that confidence."
Shadow turned another page.
...
Inside the examination hall...
The supervisor placed the papers face down.
"You may begin."
The room fell silent.
Pages turned.
Pens moved.
Minutes passed.
Questions that left others scratching their heads...
Shadow answered calmly.
Not quickly.
Carefully.
Every answer deliberate.
Every calculation neat.
...
Elsewhere...
Reina sat through another lecture.
Professor Watanabe wrote equations across the board.
"And this will be on next week's quiz."
The entire class groaned.
Aiko dramatically dropped her head onto the desk.
"I've already accepted my failure."
The professor adjusted his glasses.
"You haven't even taken the quiz."
"I believe in preparing emotionally."
Several students laughed.
Even Professor Watanabe smiled.
Barely.
Reina covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
...
After class...
Aiko nudged Reina.
"So..."
"No."
"I still haven't asked."
"You don't need to."
"How's your neighbor's exam?"
"I don't know."
"You care."
"I asked because we're friends."
"Mhm."
"And because he's my neighbor."
"Mhm."
"And because—"
Aiko grinned.
"You like him."
"I was going to say he's a nice person."
"Sure."
Reina sighed dramatically.
"I regret meeting you."
"You say that every day."
"And I mean it every day."
Both burst into laughter.
...
The examination ended.
Applicants slowly left the room.
Shadow stepped outside.
He looked toward the courtyard.
Reina was already waiting beneath a cherry tree.
She waved.
"How was it?"
"I think... it went well."
"I told you."
"You did."
She smiled proudly.
"I'll accept your thanks later."
"I already thanked you."
"Not enthusiastically enough."
...
As they walked toward the university gate...
A familiar shutter echoed.
Click.
The mysterious photographer lowered his camera.
This time...
He wasn't photographing Reina.
He wasn't photographing Shadow.
He photographed...
The application receipt in Shadow's hand.
He zoomed in.
Read the words.
Transfer Applicant.
His expression changed.
"...Interesting."
He quietly walked away.
...
Inside the Admissions Office...
An examiner reviewed the completed papers.
He paused.
"...Excellent score."
Another examiner nodded.
"He'll pass easily."
A third man entered the room carrying a sealed envelope.
He placed it on the desk.
No words.
No explanation.
The first examiner opened it.
Inside...
Only one sheet of paper.
Proceed.
Nothing more.
The envelope was immediately burned.
The ashes disappeared into a metal bin.
The exam papers remained exactly where they were.
No answers changed.
No scores altered.
One examiner quietly moved Shadow's file...
From the Accepted pile...
To the top of the Accepted pile.
Nothing else.
He had earned his place.
Someone had simply made sure...
Nothing stood in his way.
...
That evening...
Shadow unlocked Apartment 408.
A small notification appeared on his phone.
**Examination Results Available Tomorrow.**
He looked at the screen for a moment.
Then locked the phone.
"...One more step."
Across the hallway...
Reina smiled to herself.
"I hope he gets in."
She didn't know why...
But she genuinely wanted to see him around campus.
Outside...
High above the city...
A helicopter crossed the evening sky.
Its red light blinked once.
Then disappeared into the clouds.