Pens Down, Swords Up: Throw Your Studies to the Wind Volume 1 [Parts 1 to 8] by Mao Nishiura

Author:Mao Nishiura
Language: eng
Format: epub

The Results Announcement, and Behind the Scenes Thereof

I was back at the city estate within the hour only to find my mother and sister waiting restlessly in the entryway. Although we hadn’t really discussed the exams much over the three days since I’d arrived in the capital, it was now obvious to me that they’d been pretty anxious about how it’d go.

“Allen, you did it! I’m so proud of you!” A beaming Rosa rushed out to meet me. To be honest, I was a little proud of myself too. After all, I had well and truly pushed myself to my limits for the last three months straight—and seeing my sister’s smiling face, I felt like a little bit of that effort had been rewarded.

“You’ve done well, Allen,” Mother added. “I can tell just by looking at you that you must have given it your all. You must be tired, yes? Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that Rosa really outdid herself getting everything ready for tonight’s little celebration.”

As always, although she was strict when she needed to be, Mother was a genuinely kind person. She, too, had broken out into a grin. Only her children ever got to see this special smile of hers, and only at times like this. Seeing her as she was now, smiling like a little girl, it was hard to believe she could have birthed and raised four children. I really was blessed to have been born into this family.

“Thank you, Mother—and you too, Rosa. It’s good to be home.” My gratitude echoed in my words.

******

The following day, Mother and I returned to the Academy for the announcement of the results. I was confident; I had never really been worried about whether I would pass, even taking into account my unexpected (stubbly) encounter during the physical exam.

To be honest, I’d been hoping to come check the results by myself too, but when I’d said as much to my mother, she’d replied, “If your heart is set on going alone, I won’t interfere. However, I hope you will allow me to be by your side as you receive your result, whatever result that may be.” Again, she had broken out into that girlish smile. “Truthfully, I think I have even more confidence than you that you will pass. You might think it one of the annoying responsibilities of a good son, but will you allow me to accompany you and share in that happiness?”

When she’d put it like that, there hadn’t really been any way I could have refused her. And so, like all the other examinees, I found myself accompanied by a parent as we headed over to see my results.

Incidentally, Rosa had also begged to be allowed to come with us. She’d started off by copying our mother, making declarations about how much she believed in me and wanted to share in my happiness. But by the end of her argument, she’d somehow ended up just crying about how much she wanted us to live together and babbling about other things entirely unrelated to the exams.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.