Chapter 2: The Entrance Exam

"Hey have you heard of the new girl In the village ?"

"New Girl ?"

"I saw her yesterday, She was weird ."

"I heard she's from Tokyo !"

"Eh, A city girl ."

We were in a formation of a circle and our group was talking about a girl who has recently moved here in the village.

"What do you think? Kazumi ."

"Eh me? I don't care about any of that, Let's go to the forest ."

Really? Why would she go to this boring village when she's from Tokyo. Tokyo is a very big and nice place.

"Aren't you interested, What If she's beautiful ?"

"Not interested !"

Seriously?! What's up with them.What's good about having a girl, All the girls are the same. I'm tired of them, All they care about is how they looks.

*Beep* *Beep*

"Uah ?"

I woke up in a dream like state, There was someone ringing at our door bell, Someone's at the door? It's approximately 10:28 and It's Saturday, A week has passed since the end of the school year. I spent my whole week studying for the Entrance Exam . Ah, I'm light headed . I wanna sleep some more .

while heading to the door I saw two note's sticked at the table, It say's

'Me and Yui are going for a walk at the park, We'll be back soon, There's food in the fridge if you're any hungry .'

~Mom

'Don't touch my pudding inside the fridge !'

~Yui

So they went out, Maybe they are back . I heard another ring. Were they here a long time ago when I was asleep, I remembered someone saying that I'm a deep sleeper . I went to the door and opened It. But I was greeted by an unexpected guest .

"Hey, Kazumi, How are you !"

"Why are you here, Chizue ?"

"Oh did I interrupt your sleep? I'm sorry about that but Isn't It your entrance exam today ?"

"Yes, Didn't we talked about It last week? I said we'll meet up at 1 PM, Why the hell are you here, 10 In the morning ?"

"Eh, Really ?"

"Yes, Really ."

"Haha~ I guess I was mistaken~."

She then hit her head with his palm and sticked out her tongue foolishly . She then stood in silence in front of me .

"..."

"..."

"What are you standing here for, Go home already !"

"Eh? Can't I go inside your home, I haven't entered your apartment since we met, I'm your friend aren't I ?"

"No, Go home Chizue !"

I then slammed the door close. She keeps knocking on the door. But I already knew she won't give up that easily.

"Hey Kazumi ! No fair !"

"Go home, You're bothering the neighbors ."

"Come on! I'm your friend Kazumi !"

"I don't welcome friends at my home !"

I then left the door and sat on the couch. It's been 2 minute's since I left Chizue at the door. Odd It's really quiet, Did she left already ?

*Beep*

Is someone at the door again, Maybe It's mom, or for worse Chizue... I again went back but instead of opening It i went and put my eye at the door peep hole and saw my Mom with Yui . I then Opened the door.

"I'm back Kazumi ."

"Welco-"

"Hey Kazumi, Why did you leave me here !"

"Why aren't you home yet ?!"

Why hasn't she left yet. She's too persistent I should call his father

.

"Hey Nii-chan, Who's she ?"

Yui asked a question, whilst staring at Chizue . With a sparkling expression.

"Oh! You must be Kazumi's sister, Nice too meet you! I'm Kazumi's friend ."

"Eh? Nii-chan has a friend?"

"What do you mean 'has a friend' "

I pinched Yui's ear, She too much to handle. Mom laughed at us a bit and then said.

"Ara~ Let's all go inside first, Kazumi may you provide tea for our guest ?"

"Eh?!"

"Kazumi please? "

"Fine. "

We went all inside and they all took a seat in the living room while I provide tea for the so called guest . I wonder what tea should I provide. Should I ask?

I peeped through the living room and saw my family having fun talking with Chizue, They all look happy. I don't wanna disturb them so I'll just make something, Green tea should be fine. Wait does she even drink tea?

"Here's your tea ."

"Ah. Thank you ."

I gave the tea to Chizue, And she quietly sips on it, I sat on the couch with them as they talk about a topic. I asked about It, what they are talking about .

"Ah nothing much ."

"Nii-chan, I didn't knew that you were such a loner at school, huhu~ "

"Hey Chizue! What exactly did you tell my family ?!"

"You know, Nothing much ."

I don't believe her. I wanna avoid the topic so, I'll try asking another question.

"So Chizue, You are gonna take the entrance exam today too right ?"

"I guess so~ ."

Wait? What does she mean about "I guess so"?

"I'll get ready and we'll go, Give me a few minutes, Don't cause a ruckus ."

"Okay, I'll be waiting~ "

[ Yui POV ]

Wow didn't knew that Nii-chan had a friend like that, She's so nice and cheerful. I envy him .

For some reason seeing her brother like that made Yui feel unamused. Kazumi tended to give the expression that a stern face was the norm for her, And him showing such a plainly gentle expression happened rarely to her family, And often to Yui. It was like something important of her brother has been stolen.

Chizue's now looking Interested at a photo when Mom approached her, She smiled .

"Interested? Chizue ."

"Ah yes! I don't seem to see Kazumi in this photo of yours but I do see a baby Yui ."

"You're wrong Chizue, this is actually Kazumi ."

Mom point's on a frowning boy with freckless hair In the picture . That boy smiling holding a peace sign as a pose.

Chizue, Can't believe what's she looking at. For her it seems impossible to change this much, Just by seeing the picture you could guess that Kid Kazumi was a troublesome one.

"Eh?! That's Kazumi ?"

"Indeed, He looks like a different person right ?"

"Very ."

"I can't believe It either, I don't know what changed him but whatever It Is, I'm very grateful for It, I don't want him running around doing any bad thing for his age, But I do feel bad, I just don't know who's the real Kazumi Is."

Chizue face is full of awe, Me too I can't believe It either when I found out that was Nii-chan.

"So Chizue Nee-chan. What do you think of Nii-chan ?"

She Is she taking a while to answer, Does she knows more about Kazumi than me her little sister?!

"Hm. About Kazumi? Lets see. Well nothing I can think of him as much, He refuse talk that much and doesn't like to show any emotions either. But I know he's a nice friend who you can rely on ."

"I see.. Nii-chan a lucky guy ."

"Well.. I couldn't say he was the one who got lucky, All I given him was trouble after all, I'd say I'm lucky that I've met him ."

"Oh i see.. Then if Nii-chan did something horrible to you, Don't be afraid to hurt him either ."

"Hoho~ I will ."

[ Kazumi's POV ]

"Let's get going, Chizue."

"Ok Goodbye, Mrs. Murakami and Yui !"

"We'll be going now ."

"Have a safe trip and good luck ."

"We will ."

We went outside and walked towards the subway. It's approximately 11:26 and we're waiting for the train. I caught a glimpse of Chizue, She looks happy, and there's always a smile on her face.

.

"Say Kazumi, Why do you want to enroll to Ishigami ?"

"Why ask? "

"Is it too much to ask? "

Eh.. What's up with that comeback?! Is she trying to hurt me.

" I... have to meet someone"

"Ooh.. You're gonna meet someone, It sounds like It came from a romance story ."

Yeah It really does and It sound foolish enough to be called "Fake" but I hate to say It that everything I said Is the truth.

"So who you gonna meet, ?"

"A friend ."

"Oh i see, An old friend huh, Sound's sketchy !"

We entered the train and traveled for 10 Minutes, We are infront of the building this isn't the school but the building for student's that wants to register.

As I walked in, an overwhelming feeling of apprehension swept over me, The hum of the flickering fluorescent lights, And a luxuriously appointed waiting area, I noticed that there was a TV mounted in the corner, showcasing ads of the school itself. I passed by the waiting area, and approached the seated woman in the front desk. She was wearing a black collared blouse and a matching jacket.

"Uhm.. excuse me? I'm jere to take the Entrance Exam ."

"Oh I see, Please go to room 12 at the second floor ."

"Thank you ."

Me and Chizue went to our rooms. then went our separate ways . I entered the room, It was a really tiny room with one table with a chair and a blackboard in front . There was a woman with a serious expression standing holding some papers. I sat on the chair. She then talked.

.

" So you're Murakami Kazumi ."

" Yes, I am ."

"Here's your entrance exam ."

"Thank you ."

"I am watching you.."

"Uh sure.."

I answered the Entrance Exam, It was surprisingly not that easy, It's a 100 questioner each curriculum . And some of the question, Are I suppose will learn this next school year . Good thing I did a quick advance lesson studying . After 43 min of answering, I've finished It .

"I'm done ."

"You're done ?!"

"Are you sure? You still got an hour left ."

"Yes, I'm done ."

"Hm, You are being hasty, Don't blame me If you failed, Hmph cocky kid ."

" Uh...sure "

She took my papers and went outside my room. I then had thoughs about Chizue, I wonder how's she doing . I waited for 10 Minutes. During my time spent thinking alone, The woman came back In a serious expression.

"Y-you pass ."

"I did ?

"Yes, You did now get out !"

Sheesh, That's too harsh, Anyways, I passed! Finally! I went outside and saw Chizue in a chair dozing off. Was she already done? I went to her and woke her up.

"Uah.. Oh.. Kazumi, You done? *Yawn* that took you a long time ."

"Yes, Then did you finished your exams ?"

"Huh, What exams ?"

"Eh, Then what did you do ."

"I was asked a few question, That's all ."

Wait, She was questioned? she didn't took the test. Then did she passed?

"So you passed?"

"Yes, They told me I passed ."

"I see, I'll be going to the reception desk for a minute ."

I went to the reception desk at the ground floor. To seek answers.

"Is there a problem ?"

"Yes, Why did I take an exam while Chizue didn't ?"

"Ah that problem, Give me a minute ."

After she said that, The reception lady took out the radio, she talking to the radio . The one who came out was the woman from my room .

"Come with me, Mr.Murakami ."

I followed the woman to a room at the reception desk. It was a storage room full of files and documents she took out a chair, I humbly accepted It.

"Let's talk about your problem. You're confused on why Chizue didn't took the exam but you did, Is that correct?."

"Yes, what's the meaning of this ?"

She went to some drawers and pulled out a brown envelope. She then took it out and scanned through It

"Murakami Kazumi, The father of an retired archeologist, Currently a business man, Her mother unemployed as a housewife, And has a little sister. His 1st Year of highschool skipped due to him completing the entire curriculum in 2 months, 2nd year of highschool, He got the highest grade on every curriculum, Kazumi also had he endeavoured over his time-consuming studies to learn reading and writing, But nevertheless his comprehension level was inferior to people at his age, Using the weapon so called "Concentration" He was able to accomplish It . Got a recommendation from 2 great companies CEO and 1 from a teacher who has studied In Ishigami Highschool, However there's 1 opposing factor who refused you from enrolling to that school, That person Is the reason why you took a test and we purposely made it harder to see your skills ."

What accurate information, It's scary.

"Someone, opposed me from enrolling to that school.. Can you tell me who that person Is ?"

Kazumi seated on the chair and having listened meekly to the story, Held his breath as the woman announce that was the only info she can tell.

"I believe, I cannot tell you about the one who opposed you, This is all I can help you with ."

And with a long, deep sigh he expels everything clogged up inside him .

"I understand, Thank you for the Info ."

"And one more thing, Keep this a secret between us ."

"Yes, I will ."

Someone opposed me from enrolling? Who could that person be.. I don't know that much people that would have the guts to go so far just opposed me from enrolling.

I went outside just to get a sight of Chizue waiting for me at the lounge .

" Let's go, I'm done ."

" I see, So you've solve the problem ."

" It's not like I solved it, I still have questions yet haven't been answered ."

Kazumi is in deep thought about the person who opposed, but due to his lack of sleep, He can't use his mind at the moment.

" Setting that aside, I'm still sleepy, Since you interrupted me that time ."

"No! Let's go shopping first! "

"Huh?! What do you mean 'Shopping' screw that I'm going home."

"Come on! Just this once."

"I refuse."

Chizue took my arm and tried to bring me with her outside. However I won't budge from this spot. She then had a light bulb floating at the top of her head. I think I'm seeing things..

"I'll buy you clothes If you come with me! "

"Why would you buy me clothes ?"

"Consider It a gift for helping me! It's a great deal right, So you must come! "

Chizue went up close to Kazumi's face, that their noises would almost touch together. Kazumi then pushed Chizue's face away.

"You're too close. "

Kazumi's hand was still on Chizue's face as he thinks of a choice .

Yes, It's a tempting offer. She wouldn't have problems when it comes to money since she's rich, And I got nothing to lose anyway.I guess I'll come, I needed to buy new clothes after all.

"Fine, Let's go."

"Yes! Now henceforth towards the mall !"

Chizue then pulled my arm and dragged me outside, She then went to get a Taxi, She really looks excited going to the mall. I hope nothing bad happens out of the ordinary.

"Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it." --Hannah Arendt