Final Exams (2nd Year, 1st Term)

The day of the exams finally arrived.

However, even on the big day, my routine involved finishing my morning work as usual before heading off to school.

“I’m sorry for making you both help at the shop even though it’s the day of your tests,” Marie-san said, seeing us off with a look of genuine guilt on her face as Rachel and I headed out.

“We didn’t study at all last time, but since we actually put in some work this time, I wonder if our grades will go up?”

“Big Brother, you got a perfect score last time. There isn’t really anywhere higher for them to go, is there?”

“Well, that’s true. I just have to be careful not to make any simple mistakes.”

“Right. I’m going to do my best and aim for a perfect score this time too.”

From our perspective, the content was at an elementary school level, so the difficulty wasn’t high. The only risk of losing points came from basic errors, like misreading the questions.

“Well, see you later, Big Brother.”

“Let’s both do our best.”

Rachel and I split up and headed to our respective classrooms.

“Morning, Kent-kun. Thanks for helping me study for this. I feel like I can actually pull it off today.”

“Morning, Patty-san. Let’s both do our best.”

As soon as I entered the classroom, Patty, who sat in the next seat, called out to me.

Shortly after, the final exams began.

(Let’s see… ‘Write the reading for…’ the answer is ‘Fukuro’ [Owl].)

I wrote down the answers without any issues.

Once the morning subjects were over, we went into lunch break. Josette sat at her seat, nibbling on some bread while she studied. Just like during the midterms, she was working hard to squeeze out every possible second of study time. I went to the school cafeteria to eat. Along the way, I met up with Caro and Rachel. Since it was the middle of the exam period, the cafeteria was fairly sparse.

“How are the tests going, Big Brother?”

“Fine so far. How about you, Akane? And Caro-san?”

“I think I’m okay for now. I just have to make sure I don’t mess up the second half…”

“I have a lot of confidence this time thanks to you, Kent-san.”

We gave each other status updates while we ate.

“Caro, you got a perfect score on the midterms, right? I first learned your name when the results were announced back then. I was so surprised.”

“Actually, me too…”

Rachel said, recalling the events of the midterm exams.

Once lunch was over, we all headed back to our classrooms for the afternoon sessions.

The afternoon tests began. The sound of pens racing to fill the answer sheets echoed through the room. Most students were using quill pens dipped in ink, but I used my familiar ballpoint pen. Patty, sitting next to me, was also using the ballpoint pen I had gifted her. While commoners usually use slates and stone pencils in class, ink and quills are lent out to those who want them specifically for tests. Of course, you’re allowed to bring in your own tools like I did. The answer sheets were made of paper—likely plant-based, but not white; it was a rough, straw-colored paper. Considering it’s only used during tests, it must be quite expensive.

I worked through the problems while keeping these thoughts in the back of my mind. Once the tests were safely over, Rachel and I headed to Marie’s Bakery with Patty for work.

“Welcome back! How were the tests?”

Marie-san greeted us, wearing her maid-style uniform.

“They were alright.”

“Not bad, I guess.”

Rachel and I gave non-committal answers, but Patty’s response was different.

“I think I managed to avoid failing! Thank you so much for everything.”

Patty thanked Marie-san for letting us use the shop for the study sessions.

“It was nothing. The shop is closed on weekends anyway, and if Patty-chan does well and doesn’t need makeup classes, it’s a huge help for the shop too.”

Marie-san said with a smile.

“Oh, Kent, welcome back. Sorry to do this right when you walked in, but could you give me a hand for a second?”

“What is it, Elnette? I’m coming.”

Called by Elnette, I was led to the warehouse behind the shop.

“Actually… the part about needing help was a lie. I have a favor to ask you, Kent.”

“What kind of favor?”

“I heard from Rachel that your house has a bath. I was wondering if you’d let me use it?”

“I don’t think you needed to call me out here just to ask that. I don’t have any reason to say no, so sure.”

“Thanks! I’ll head over to your place once the shop closes then. Now that my mind is at ease, I’m heading out for a bit. See you later!”

With that, Elnette disappeared. She was likely heading off for her sword training. Since I was already at the warehouse, I grabbed a sack of flour for the shop and went inside.

“Marie-san, I brought the flour. Oh? Emily?”

“Ah, Master, thank you. We were just about to run out, so I was thinking of asking someone to refill it.”

Emily, who had been making bread in the workshop, hoisted the sack of flour I brought and placed it in its designated spot with ease.

“Emily, why are you making bread in here?”

Due to her restrictions as a Shop Fairy, she shouldn’t have been able to leave the storefront area. Yet here she was, in the workshop area that used to be inaccessible to her.

“It seems the shop’s grade has gone up, and my abilities have increased along with it.”

“I remember last time your level rose because we secured the new property. What was it this time, I wonder?”

“I’m not sure myself. Today, I just felt like I could go in, and when I tried charging into the workshop, it worked. So, I’m working here today to start learning the trade.”

It seems as the shop grows, the Shop Fairy’s abilities increase. Something had triggered the expansion of Emily’s range of movement. I couldn’t think of any specific cause and found it strange. That said, having Emily able to handle bread production is a godsend for the shop. I decided to leave things to her and moved back to the front.

Marie-san had been handling both the kitchen and the floor until a moment ago, but now that Rachel and Patty had joined, Marie-san was working the floor with Patty. Rachel had taken over in the kitchen. The dining area, though small, remained almost completely full. Catherine, who started handling the register today, along with Rachel, Patty, and Marie-san, were all working in their uniforms modeled after maid outfits. It made it clear to the customers who the staff were, and it seemed to be well-received. Seeing them, I started to wonder if I should prepare a proper uniform for myself, rather than just an apron over my clothes. As I looked toward the kitchen, Rachel caught my eye and gave me a thumbs-up, as if telling me to leave everything to her.