Classes ended without incident. During homeroom, we were notified that the pre-exam period had officially begun, which meant all club activities were now suspended. The announcement sent a ripple of tension through the classroom, manifesting in a dozen different ways: some students looked perfectly composed, others were clearly panicking, a few looked utterly despondent, and some had reached a state of enlightened acceptance.
I, on the other hand, looked perfectly composed, though I let a hint of annoyance show through. Despite how it might have seemed, I actually did study every single day, you know.
"Well, now that homeroom is over, should we head to the clubroom for now?" Yuji asked.
"Yeah, Mika and the others should be heading there too," I replied.
"But the club suspension period starts today," Hiiragi-san noted. "I wonder if they’ll even lend us the key?"
It was common knowledge that club activities were halted before exams, so clubs generally weren't allowed to operate, and the clubrooms remained locked without a very good reason. Furthermore, students were typically forbidden from entering the staff room where the keys were kept during the pre-exam period.
Apparently, years ago, some students had loitered in their clubroom during the prep period and caused some kind of trouble. I heard they even got suspended right before the finals.
"Well, it should be fine, right?" I said. "The purpose of today's gathering is to check the results of a qualification exam we took as part of our club activities."
"True," Yuji agreed. "Since it’s part of our club's track record, they'll probably allow it. Besides, it’s better than waiting until next week."
"I suppose so. When you put it that way, it does seem like it should be okay," Hiiragi-san said, her uneasy expression softening. Since this wasn't a regular practice session but a brief meeting to report results, it shouldn't be a problem.
Despite our lingering apprehension, we went to the staff room, explained the situation to our advisor, Hashimoto-sensei, and borrowed the key.
"I see, you passed. Congratulations," she said.
"Thank you very much."
"I saw how hard everyone was studying. I’m truly glad your efforts bore fruit. Here is the key. Since it's the pre-exam period, please return it as soon as possible."
"We're just confirming everyone's pass/fail results, so I don't think it will take very long," I assured her.
After receiving Hashimoto-sensei's congratulations, we gave a polite bow and left the staff room. She looked like she wanted to come along, but she was buried under exam preparations. Between her regular duties and drafting the actual exam questions, she was clearly overworked.
"We managed to get it," I said.
"Yeah, but using the clubroom for a long time during the suspension period still feels like a bad move," Yuji added.
"You're right. Let's do a quick check and get that key back immediately," Hiiragi-san agreed.
When we reached the clubroom, Mika and the other girls were just arriving. Our short chat with the teacher in the staff room had made for perfect timing.
"Ah, Onii-chan. Did you just get here too?" Mika asked.
"Yeah, I just got the key from the staff room."
After exchanging quick greetings, I unlocked the door and we shuffled inside. It was the suspension period, after all; the last thing we needed was to cause a scene in the hallway and get in trouble. Once everyone was settled in their usual seats, I got straight to business.
"Alright, we don’t have much time, so let’s get right to why I asked you all to gather. Just to confirm—has everyone received their bookkeeping exam results?"
"......"
Everyone nodded silently in response. It seemed the results really had been sent out to all the examinees simultaneously.
"Then I’ll be blunt... If you passed, raise your hand."
The atmosphere was heavy as I scanned their faces, making the suggestion with a hint of nervousness. After a momentary pause, every single person in the room raised their hand.
"...I see. That's a relief. Everyone passed!"
"Yeah!" Yuji cheered.
"It seems so," Hiiragi-san smiled.
"We did it!" Mika and Saori-chan shouted.
"I’m so glad everyone passed!" Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san added.
The realization that everyone had succeeded sent us leaping from our chairs with shouts of joy. The clubroom was instantly flooded with a bright, celebratory energy as we exchanged congratulations and acknowledged the hard work it took to get here. I was truly relieved; I’d been worried sick about what we’d do if someone had failed.
"First off, great job, everyone! I'm so glad we all made it. This is the direct result of your hard work. Honestly, considering the usual pass rate, I thought having everyone pass on the first try might be a stretch. I’m really happy."
"You can say that again," Yuji said. "Everyone worked their tails off, but for all of us to pass is almost too good to be true."
"It just shows how seriously everyone took the bookkeeping exam," Hiiragi-san noted.
"That's right, we all worked together," Mika said.
"I read those reference books until I practically memorized them," Tatebayashi-san added.
"It was difficult, but it was worth the effort," Hino-san said.
"Seriously, you guys were incredible."
Reflecting on the days of study leading up to the exam, everyone shared their personal stories of struggling with a qualification they weren't used to. Once the initial excitement died down, we sat back down.
"With this, we’ve achieved the goal the club has been aiming for since its founding. Combined with our success at the school festival, no one can complain about the club's track record now," I said.
"Yeah," Yuji agreed. "Producing results like this in our first year should keep the school and the Student Council off our backs."
"I agree," Hiiragi-san said. "Normally, even one person passing would be a solid achievement, but having the entire club pass? If they complain about this, I'll ask them how the other clubs are doing."
I felt that the school festival presentation alone was enough of a track record, but everyone passing the bookkeeping exam was the definitive proof we needed. Our initial goals were met, but since we’d put so much effort into this club, I wanted it to survive until we all graduated.
As the school grew quiet and the presence of other students faded, we prepared to head out.
"Alright, let's head home and save the real celebration for somewhere outside of school," I suggested.
"Good idea," Yuji said. "Most students have already left. It wouldn't be good for us to linger too long."
"Yes," Hiiragi-san added. "We're only being allowed in here as a special exception. We should leave as soon as possible."
The teacher had asked us to be quick, and thirty minutes had already passed, so it was the right time to wrap things up.
"Everyone, let's go."
"Yes!"
"I'll go return the key. You guys wait for me at the entrance."
"Thanks, Daiki."
I went to the staff room to return the key and informed Hashimoto-sensei that every club member had passed the bookkeeping exam. She looked surprised for a split second, then her face broke into a warm smile as she offered her congratulations.
"That's wonderful. Everyone worked so hard on their studies. I was especially worried about Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san since they haven't been in the club long, but for them to pass is truly impressive."
"Yes, they both worked incredibly hard to catch up. They were anxious after the test, but it looks like their efforts paid off."
After handing the key back to a clearly delighted Hashimoto-sensei and giving a polite farewell, I headed to the entrance. The school building was eerily quiet compared to the usual bustle. Perhaps we should have left a bit earlier.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Oh, Daiki. Thanks for that."
"No problem. By the way, Hashimoto-sensei said congratulations to everyone."
When I relayed the message, their faces lit up with embarrassed but happy smiles. Being praised by someone who had seen their struggle firsthand really made the achievement sink in. Everyone passing on the first try really was quite a feat.
"Alright, shall we go have an after-party to celebrate?"
"Hell yeah," Yuji said. "It'll be the perfect way to gear up for the final exams."
"That sounds lovely. Let's go," Hiiragi-san agreed.
"Agreed!" the others chimed in.
And so, we decided to push next week's final exams out of our minds for the moment and celebrate our success. If we didn't do it today, we wouldn't have another chance until the exams were over. Like Yuji said, we needed the morale boost.
We held the after-party at a family restaurant near the school.
Once the celebration ended, we entered full exam mode. We held our now-customary joint study sessions, helping each other through our weakest subjects. To help Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san manage the stress, we had them continue light running and weight training to maintain their physical condition.
"Studying for exams and training at the same time... it's brutal," Tatebayashi-san sighed, looking exhausted.
"But it might actually be mentally easier than just being stuck at a desk all day," Hino-san offered.
Tatebayashi-san clearly wished she only had to do one of them, while Hino-san seemed to appreciate the balance. Regardless, they just had to do their best within reason. Since they were scheduled to take the Armed Exploration Permit for Special Underground Structures Issuance Exam soon, it would be a waste to let their hard-earned physical progress slip away.
The preparation period flew by, and finally, the day of the final exam arrived.
"The final exams start today. I assume you've all studied?"
When the teacher made that announcement during morning homeroom, the classroom showed the usual range of reactions—from those looking confident to those who had surrendered to fate. At this point, the divide between success and failure was already becoming clear.
"...Well, anyway. Do your best until the very last minute, for every single question. That's all for homeroom."
As the teacher left the room, the students dispersed into their own routines. Some took out their pens and focused their minds, others desperately scanned their notes one last time, and those who had given up entirely spent the remaining minutes chatting.
As for me, I did a final check of my textbook and notes. Mental focus was fine, but sitting around doing nothing was just boring.
"We're starting the exam. If you're away from your seat, please return immediately. Textbooks and notes away."
The proctor entered the room and ordered everyone to their desks. Once everyone was seated, the proctor began distributing the test papers face down.
"Do not turn the papers over until the chime sounds. If you do, it will be considered cheating."
With the papers face down in front of us, a heavy tension filled the room. Then the chime rang, and the proctor signaled the start.
"Begin."
At that brief signal, the sound of papers being flipped in unison echoed through the classroom. The final exams were officially underway. Time to get to work.
The final exams lasted several days and ended without a hitch. We gathered in the clubroom for the first time in a while for a post-exam decompression. Everyone looked drained, letting out deep sighs as the tension finally left their bodies.
"Daiki, how was it? I think I did alright," Yuji asked.
"I should be fine. I could solve most of the problems, so I think I’ve cleared the average... probably."
"I think I’ve cleared the average too," Hiiragi-san said.
I didn't know if I'd gotten top marks, but being above average meant there wouldn't be any issues.
"The core subjects seem okay, but the non-core subjects are a bit shaky," Mika admitted.
"I'm worried about music and art too," Saori-chan added.
"I think I’m above average, but those non-core subjects..."
"High scores might be tough," Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san agreed, looking troubled.
"It's over now, so there's no point worrying about it," I said. "The results will come back soon enough, and we just have to accept them as they are."
"True," Yuji said. "Besides, the most important exam for us is still coming up. We can't let our guard down yet."
At Yuji's words, we all looked toward Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san.
"Alright, you two. It’s finally happening next Sunday. The day of the Armed Exploration Permit for Special Underground Structures Issuance Exam. That’s when the results of your training will be put to the test."
"......Yes! We'll do our best!" they replied in unison.
"The exam itself isn't incredibly difficult, so I think you'll be fine, but don't get careless," I warned.
Finally, the first step toward their dream—the explorer debut of Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san—was about to begin. I really wanted to see them succeed.