VOL.05

I am sorry, Montaiyi, I lied to you; the exam was just an excuse

This is ... ...

... ...

"Why do you look so unhappy?" Montaiyi suddenly shouted, "It must be that she bullied you! I knew that old woman would resort to this tactic! I will go find her to settle the score and avenge you!"

Autumn Autumn ... ... '' There seemed to be a hint of sadness in Sister Ai's voice, and after a long pause, she gently said, `` May I ask the reason ... ... ''

I walked out of Sister Yuan Ai's office and gently opened Montai Yi's notebook. I discovered that on the first page of the notebook, in a crooked manner with a red highlighter, it was written "Little Sparrow, keep it up," accompanied by a chibi-style portrait of myself and a small heart!

The little sparrow has won, it has won! ... This is the proudest moment of Montai's life ...

What?! Montai's voice grew louder, "Why is there such a regulation? I will go find them..."

Little sparrow, you have returned!

I saw the uncertain gaze of Sister Yuan Ai, and an idea began to form in my mind

Everything has returned to the way it was before, yet it is also different...

I was so engrossed in looking at Montai's notebook that I unknowingly walked back to the classroom. Suddenly, Montai sprang in front of me, and I quickly hid the notebook I was holding behind my back

November 25

However, this morning the school issued a notice stating that all third-year students must rank within the top fifty of the entire grade in this midterm examination in order to participate in the second round.

Qiu Qiu, I heard that you have passed the preliminary selection of the 'Tomorrow's Star' competition, congratulations

What are your own thoughts? Do you even know what you are saying?" Montai jumped up almost in disbelief, "Is it really just because of an exam that you are so defeated? Little sparrow, how could you be so lacking in ambition!

The long-awaited bell signaling the end of class finally rang, and the tension in my heart gradually eased. Montai initially begrudgingly began to copy the text as punishment, while Jin Yingming quietly sat in his seat reading, yet he never glanced at me again.

To my dearest little sparrow

Perhaps ...! ... it is fate that does not allow me to have dreams ...! Yesterday, Jin Yingming's words, today, the news brought by Sister Yuan Ai ... ...

Without ... ... I recalled the news about the exam that Sister Ai had told me, and the pressure in my heart gradually intensified

I dared not look into Sister Yuan Ai's eyes, lowering my head, interrupting her words, and expressing what was in my heart; perhaps this was the best outcome.

To my dearest little sparrow, the most, the most, the most, the most... (omitting n instances of "most")

Qiu Qiu, if you need help, I can...

At this moment, due to Jin Yingming's words, I have lost the courage to continue. A sparrow will always be just a sparrow; no matter how hard one tries, it can never become a phoenix

Ding ling ling—

Hmm... little sparrow, do not worry, I once swore to help you with anything... wait, what did you just say?

Oh? Isn't this the notebook that Montaiyi had confiscated? How could Sister Yuanai give it to me

Hello! Old woman, do not bully the little sparrow

November 20

Notebook? I looked up in confusion and saw Sister Yuan Ai pulling a notebook from the middle of the lesson plan and handing it to me

Montai Yi! I grabbed Montai Yi's sleeve, and it seemed I had no choice but to tell him the truth. "Sister Ai said that the school has decided that only those who rank in the top fifty in this midterm exam can participate in 'Tomorrow's Stars.' But my grades..."

I lowered my head, my mind in a state of confusion, "I am sorry, I have already told Sister Yuan Ai, I have decided to give up"

"Qiu Qiu, come and sit down." Blocking Montai Yi's entanglement, Sister Ai walked into the office and casually closed the door.

Reason? Can I articulate the reason? I cannot help but ask myself

Oh, why are your eyes red? Did an old woman scold you?

To my dearest little sparrow

"You give up?" Montaiyi suddenly widened his eyes and looked at me as if I were an alien from Mars. "You say you give up? Little sparrow, have you hurt your head? Or is it that old woman pressuring you?"

To my dearest little sparrow

Hey! Old woman... Ah! No! Teacher Kitahara Ai! Montai leaped between me and Sister Ai, shouting loudly, but immediately became more restrained due to Sister Ai's "murderous glare." "Why did you send the little sparrow to the office? It was me who caused trouble in class! Don't bully the little sparrow, or else I will..."

I nodded and walked out of the office with Montai's notebook, but the words of Sister Ruai lingered in my mind, causing me to fall into deep thought

I nervously walked to Sister Yuan Ai's desk and sat down on a chair.

Sister Ai handed me Montai's notebook, then turned to open the lesson plan and textbook, saying, "Come back to me after you have read it!"

November 30

Qiuqiu, I cannot influence your decision, but I want to tell you not to give up lightly. Take a good look at this notebook before making your decision

Seeing Montaiyi's excited emotions, I felt guilty and did not dare to look up

Montai Yi, how can I do this without your guidance?" Sister Ai glared fiercely at Montai Yi, then bypassed him, this "obstacle," and looked at me, "Maqiuqiu, come with me.

Congratulations to the little sparrow for finally having a dream again, I will definitely be your strong support, ensuring your smooth participation in the competition, the little sparrow's ideal is Montaigne's ideal

"Why didn't you go to physical education class, Montai Yi?"

"Um... thank you." With an unexpected topic, I let out a sigh of relief as Sister Yuan Ai smiled gently and patted my shoulder

It is not ... ... not like this ... ... it is myself, my own thoughts !

What exactly was written in Montai's notebook? Why was he so nervous during the English class just now

I ... ... I give up

I am worried about you! Montai clapped his hands "pa" on my shoulders, "Little sparrow, that old woman hasn't bullied you, has she?"

The explosive news of the top fifty caught me completely off guard, leaving me in a state of blankness.

Hmm, because the 'Star of Tomorrow' is a highly influential competition, the school believes that the participating students represent the image of Hayakawa, so only those with excellent grades can participate! Arai leaned closer to me and tentatively asked, "Qiu Qiu, although your grades are not as poor as they used to be, you are still some distance away from the top fifty. What are your plans?"

Forget it, Montaiyi. I lowered my head and walked back to my seat, telling myself in a voice only I could hear, "Things that cannot be done should be given up..."

Well... I am certain! Why do I feel so lost after saying this...

"Ma Qiuxiu, please come to my office for a moment!" The sharp gaze of Sister Ai made my heart, which had just settled, suddenly race again

Today I learned that you participated in "Tomorrow's Stars". I am so happy, truly so happy, even happier than when I won a fight

Sister Ai, I... I will not participate in the upcoming competition!

Autumn, are you really sure about this