"Whew..."
Slumped over the table, Huang'zen Kumiko let out a long sigh.
"Finally done!"
"Seriously, even though the national competition is over, we can't slack off, you know. After all, the final exams are coming up. If we don't work hard, we'll get scolded again when we go back. If this keeps up, Mom will deduct my allowance. You're in the same boat. If you don't study hard, you won't pass the exams, and if you end up in remedial classes while everyone else is practicing, that would be a disaster."
"I know."
Upon hearing her friend's reminder, Huang'zen Kumiko responded while turning her head towards the empty seat behind her. It was vacant, looking quite desolate.
"Naruse is lucky, huh, not having to attend classes and even getting to go to Antarctica..."
Putting aside the Antarctic trip, merely taking a break from school while others are still studying is quite impressive.
December.
