We are enrolled in an elite high school, one with the highest rate of students who graduate college and the highest rate of students who go to prestigious colleges. You have been competing with me, your classmate Ueno Kaoru, for the best grades to stand out among those colleges.

Everyone wants to see their midterm scores, us included. We stand in front of the score board. “My, my,” I sigh from beside you, shaking my head. “I’m at the top.” I turn to you. “Looks like all your effort was for nothing again,” I mutter with a smile under my breath so nobody else but you can hear.