Chương 78: Aozaki Aoko Case File [76]
Credits: ItsDragonking
The equivalent of a high school graduation knowledge test—the first central exam—went very smoothly. Aoko handled the questions, which weren't even slightly beyond the syllabus, with effortless ease, like a college student tackling elementary school homework.
The entire exam series lasted three days, but Aoko left the exam room early each day, leaving the proctors nervously dabbing sweat with their handkerchiefs, worried that the notoriously free-spirited student council president might suddenly cause trouble.
However, Aoko felt little attachment to this high school. Given her psychological maturity, she found the sweet-and-sour antics of high school students uninteresting. Only a few acquaintances from the student council left her feeling a faint sense of nostalgia.
After finishing all her exams, Aoko spent some time in the student council office, chatting with the three officers who were still actively engaged in their duties.
"So, you're finally graduating from Misaki High?"
Tobimaru Tsukiji sighed, fixing his gaze on Aoko, who was sitting at the president's desk.
"Where are you heading next?"
"Aren't you going to ask how I did on the exams?"
Aoko paused in packing up her belongings and curiously questioned the vice president.
"Don't joke," Tsukiji frowned.
"In your two years of high school, when were you not at the top of the class? Asking that is pointless."
"Hahaha!"
Aoko's graceful laughter echoed through the office, even drawing a glance from Soujuurou Shizuki, who was wrestling with a math assignment.
"What can I say? I'm just that much of a genius!"
"Sigh, sometimes you're contradictory, President," Kojika Kumari said with a mix of envy and frustration.
"You're enviable, even admirable, but thinking about it… if I were in your shoes, I'd probably collapse under the pressure in no time."
"Don't say that," Aoko chuckled.
"I don't feel any pressure. My advice? Stop worrying so much about what others think. One of our country's flaws is excessive conformity."
"Don't go around teaching people life philosophies they can't apply," Tsukiji retorted.
"That kind of advice only works for you!"
"I've registered for the entrance exam at Tokyo University," Aoko said, dodging the topic.
"The second test is in March, and classes start in April."
"Huh, thinking about not seeing you around as president when we're in our third year makes me a little sad," Kumari said ambiguously.
"But considering how often you skipped out anyway, it might not make much difference."
"Hey, watch your mouth," Aoko said, a bit annoyed.
"Some thoughts are better left unsaid—they're unpleasant to hear!"
"Wait, you can get annoyed?"
Tsukiji raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I thought you were always the calm and composed type."
"If you saw the seniors I've beaten up, you'd think otherwise," Aoko quipped, stuffing the last of her items into her bag before standing up. "Alright, I'm done here."
"You're like a gust of wind," Tsukiji said wistfully.
"Coming and going in a flash, gone before we know it."
"I'll recommend you as the next president, Tsukiji. Let Kumari be your vice president—I can tell she's been eyeing that position for a while." Aoko smiled.
"Goodbye."
"I'll become president with or without your recommendation!"
Tsukiji shouted.
"See you around someday."
Without lingering, Aoko left the office with her backpack. She didn't bother with a formal goodbye, simply waving to her former council members as she walked away, disappearing in an instant.
Tsukiji frowned, lowering his head to focus on student council work only after Aoko's vivid red hair had completely vanished from view.
Kumari said nothing, quietly moving closer to Tsukiji's desk.
Of the three, only Soujuurou Shizuki remained unaffected by Aoko's departure—likely because his grades this term weren't great, and he was still battling the top-tier torment of math. For someone like Soujuurou, steeped in pragmatism, youthful exuberance was a luxury he couldn't afford.
...
After the exams, Aoko spent a peaceful period at home. Aside from studying arcane magic and magecraft, she devoted time to improving her cooking and practicing guitar. She crafted a variety of visually appealing and delicious desserts. Even Caren, the mischievous little imp with a hint of masochism, couldn't resist Aoko's Black Forest cake, timidly begging her to make more.
Aoko didn't mind, but the clone Irisviel had recently been reading a lot of parenting books and had grown stricter with Caren, limiting her to just two of Aoko's desserts per week. Caren was initially disheartened but soon transitioned to a peculiar phase of deriving joy from her frustration, transforming her dissatisfaction into some twisted pleasure.
Aoko could only shake her head, bemused. As someone who considered herself normal, she couldn't understand such masochistic tendencies. She hoped Irisviel could properly educate Caren and decided not to ponder the questionable dynamics of a three-year-old wife figure raising a nine-year-old girl.
Incidentally, Caren was learning the Einzbern family's alchemical magecraft from Irisviel and was progressing well, showcasing considerable talent—likely inherited from her father, whose aptitude for magecraft was above average.
In early February, Aoko made one last visit to Misaki High. She glanced at the exam rankings and, seeing her name at the top, paid it no further attention. She had known when writing her answers that she'd achieve a perfect score.
As the valedictorian and former student council president, Aoko declined the principal's invitation to deliver a graduation speech. She collected her diploma from her homeroom teacher and officially left the school.
As usual, Aoko donned a motorcycle jacket and helmet. Under the longing gaze of her juniors, she rode off on her motorcycle from the school gates, leaving behind only a fading silhouette and an air of mystery.
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