章節 124: Leave It to Onee-chan!
The beloved weekend for students had come to an end.
This also signified the arrival of dreaded Monday and the beginning of another five-day school week!
Even though she was reluctant, when the alarm rang, Izumi Kotomi obediently got up, changed into her uniform, ate breakfast, and got ready for school.
As she went downstairs to the kitchen, she noticed that her younger sister, Izumi Aimi, was already eating breakfast.
Being in the third year of middle school meant the coursework was getting more intense. Kotomi remembered how, when she was in her third year, she had to wake up early every day to get to school. Thankfully, since they didn't live in a boarding school, there were no evening study sessions.
For Kotomi, evening study sessions would have been unbearable. Although it wasn't that she couldn't sit still, just knowing other students were already home while she had to stay for an extra hour and a half would have been frustrating. She used to constantly glance at the classroom clock, mentally calculating how much time was left until dismissal.
In the third year at Sobu High School, there were also mandatory evening study sessions. Compared to middle school, the single ninety-minute session had been upgraded to three periods of evening classes.
However, Sobu High School allowed students to choose whether they wanted to attend these sessions or leave early and go home instead.
"Aimi, are you keeping up with your third-year coursework?" Kotomi asked in a gentle, big-sisterly tone, checking in on her little sister.
"It's alright," Aimi replied nonchalantly. "They're still teaching new material while reviewing the previous two years' content. There's a midterm in a few days—it's a two-day exam."
In the first two years of middle school, monthly exams didn't hold much weight. As long as you did well on midterms and finals, you were fine. But in the third year, it was a different story. Every test leading up to the high school entrance exams became a trial of sorts, measuring your current level and predicting which high school you might qualify for.
Of course, there were always exceptions like Kotomi. She'd struggled through her middle school exams, only for something to suddenly click during the entrance exams. She had passed with flying colors and even got into Sobu High School.
"If you have any questions, come to your onee-chan. Don't underestimate me just because I slacked off in middle school and failed math a few times. I'm still pretty smart. Leave it to me!" Kotomi declared, trying to imitate Cocoa Hoto from Is the Order a Rabbit?.
While Kotomi tried to look like a reliable older sister, Aimi couldn't help but think back to Kotomi's actual middle school performance…
Sure, Kotomi had barely scraped through the high school entrance exams, but her scores during middle school had been subpar at best.
"I think I'll just stick to studying on my own," Aimi replied firmly.
"Hey... at least trust me a little."
"By the way, don't you have a midterm coming up too?" Aimi asked, finishing her cup of coffee with a sigh.
At that, Kotomi froze momentarily before she realized: "Ah! Today's Monday! I have midterms next Wednesday!"
"Make sure you study properly, onee-chan. Don't flunk out! And even though your math grades were bad in middle school, at least try to score double digits this time, okay?" Aimi teased.
"Don't worry, your sister is a genius at studying! There's no way I'd flunk. Who knows, I might even get a recommendation to a top university! Maybe even Tokyo University or Kyoto University," Kotomi boasted proudly.
If she had a tail, it would have been wagging furiously.
Just then, their mother, Izumi Akina , touched Kotomi's forehead with one hand, while placing her other hand on her own forehead.
After a moment of feeling Kotomi's temperature, Akina looked concerned: "Strange, you don't seem to have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?"
Pfft.
Aimi couldn't help but burst out laughing—Mom was too funny!
"Mom!" Kotomi protested, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Alright, alright," Akina said, patting Kotomi's head affectionately. "If you really want to prove to your little sister that you're the better student, just score well on your midterms next week."
"You don't have to be in the top few of your class. If you score 50 points higher than usual, I'll give you 5,000 gems in Azur Lane from my saved-up pocket money," Aimi offered.
"Get outta here! Your sister doesn't need your pocket money to top up her games." Kotomi waved her hand dismissively, but after a moment, she asked, "Wait, really? You'd give me 5,000 gems?"
If she did the math, by the time midterms ended, Azur Lane would be releasing new skins in the shop, along with some old favorites returning.
She wanted them all!
"Of course. But only if you score 50 points more," Aimi confirmed, holding up five fingers and nodding firmly.
"Alright, it's a deal. I'll be looking forward to those 5,000 gems for my new skins," Kotomi grinned mischievously.
Having unlocked her system's learning ability long ago, she wasn't worried about the upcoming midterms. In fact, she felt confident she could ace them even if it were the high school exit exams right now.
Heh heh~ Once she got those gems, she'd definitely buy a new skin for Javelin.
Just last week, Kotomi had declared Saratoga her waifu. The week before that, it had been Taihou. And now, this week? Javelin was her waifu!
After breakfast, Kotomi put on her shoes, grabbed her bag, and headed to school.
As she stepped out the door, she saw Megumi Kato waiting by the front gate, looking as though she had been there for a while.
"Megumi! Good morning!" Kotomi waved, suddenly feeling a rush of joy.
It seemed like after two days without seeing Megumi over the weekend, Kotomi was especially happy to see her again.
"Good morning~" Megumi smiled softly, waving back.
The two walked toward Sobu High School together, chatting about what they had done over the weekend.
"Wow, so the editor at Shueisha picked up your manga submission? You're going to be serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, and you might even get published as a volume? That's amazing, Kotomi! Should I start calling you Izumi-sensei?" Megumi asked, clearly impressed.
Actually, I'm also a light novel author, Kotomi thought to herself.
"Heh, getting picked up by an editor is just the beginning. The volume isn't confirmed yet. I still have to make sure my story continues to be popular and that I don't disappoint my readers. Only then can I call myself a proper mangaka," Kotomi said, maintaining a serious tone.
"Being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump while still in high school is already an incredible feat," Megumi praised, then asked about the title of Kotomi's manga.
"What's the name of your manga, Kotomi?"
"Chainsaw Man."
"Chainsaw Man, got it! When it debuts in Weekly Shonen Jump, make sure to tell me. I'm going to buy two copies! The debut issue of Izumi-sensei's first manga will be a collector's item once you become famous!" Megumi said enthusiastically.
"Of course," Kotomi replied.
"And when the volumes are published, be sure to let me know! I'm going to buy every single one and have you sign all of them, Izumi-sensei~" Megumi teased.
Being called "Izumi-sensei" by Megumi made Kotomi feel awkward and embarrassed, so she quickly shrank her neck in protest.
"Please spare me, just call me Kotomi," she begged.
"Aww, is Izumi-sensei shy?" Megumi teased with a mischievous smile.
Blushing, Kotomi nodded.
She normally wasn't fussy about how people addressed her, but whenever her friends or family called her "Izumi-sensei," it made her feel incredibly shy. Her cheeks would turn red in no time!
Seeing Kotomi's reaction, Megumi was satisfied and returned to her usual tone:
"Kotomi, your blushing face is so cute."
"E-eh? Really?" Kotomi asked, flustered.
"Yeah, super cute," Megumi replied playfully.
"Hmm…"
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