Itsuki Nakano Taking an ExamAccess more chapters: bit.ly/Candra24Donate: paypal.me/andicand

With Itsuki's consent, and under her reluctant gaze, Shinichi devoured the still warm meat buns.

Unlike at breakfast, Itsuki no longer indulged herself with excuses. Although she wanted to snatch the meat bun from her several times, she resisted her urges.

"When you say you want to lose weight... you must keep your promise!" Itsuki swore.

Luckily, her breakfast portion was sufficient, and the fast-paced end-of-semester studies left her with no time to be distracted. She was so engrossed in her studies that three-quarters of the morning class passed without her notice.

The third period had ended.

With only one hour left before lunch break, Itsuki touched her stomach.

"I'm so hungry..."

"Stop thinking about it, just concentrate on writing the questions!" Studying made Itsuki forget about hunger.

At this moment, the sound of [potato chips being taken out of a bag] suddenly echoed diagonally in front.

Looking up, as expected, Fumino pulled out a bag of sea salt flavored potato chips from her regular-sized school bag.

Fumino often snacked to fill her stomach at the moment.

If this were a normal day, Itsuki would go to the cafeteria to buy snacks, chat with her about what to eat for lunch, and exchange food.

But now...

Feeling the gaze behind her, Fumino turned around and saw Itsuki's sad expression.

"Do you want some?" She lifted the unopened bag and reflexively asked.

Itsuki looked like a little girl drooling over a table full of delicious food at home through the window, which made people feel sorry for her.

"Can I!?" Itsuki's eyes suddenly lit up, but Shinichi looked away, then answered correctly.

"Fumino, thank you for your concern. But I'm trying to lose weight. I can't eat high-calorie food like that. I'll just appreciate your kindness."

Shinichi nodded satisfactorily. Fortunately, Itsuki took the initiative to resist that temptation.

"Um, it's okay for me. It's just that you seem to want to eat..." Fumino glanced at Shinichi approvingly.

"It's really not necessary, you can eat it yourself." Itsuki waved her hand and smiled, "Even if I'm not planning to lose weight, I'm not hungry—"

Before she could finish her words, a rumbling sound echoed from her stomach, clearly heard by the two present.

"Mhm..."

Itsuki bowed her head with a flushed face.

"I can't do something cruel like eating snacks in front of someone trying to lose weight."

Fumino was about to put the potato chips back into her school bag when Shinichi suddenly spoke up.

"No, Fumino, go ahead and eat in front of Itsuki."

Both turned to her in surprise.

"Why?"

"Are you going to be so cruel?"

"It's not cruel, it's just a small test." Shinichi said seriously:

"A test to ensure whether your desire to lose weight is strong enough. Refusing potato chips given by others is just the first layer, and I'm sure you can handle this second layer."

If not, there are so many temptations in the world, and Itsuki eating potato chips in front of her, and she doesn't even think about losing weight normally.

Knowing that She was serious, even though she was reluctant in any way, Itsuki still gritted her teeth and nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, I can do that! Just watching people eat. Much easier than losing weight!"

She looked at Fumino, with a cheerful smile on her face.

"Fumino, let's do it! No matter how delicious you are, I will never be tempted by you."

Shinichi echoed from the side: "Yes, Fumino, you should try your best to eat these delicious potato chips, so Itsuki can be proud of her determination."

Fumino slightly twitched the corner of her mouth and sighed.

She always felt sucked into silly dramas.

But because both of them said so, she hesitated no more and immediately opened the pack of potato chips.

Itsuki took a deep breath, and her nose was immediately filled with the scent of sea salt and frying.

Gulu~~

The heavy sound coming from her stomach sounded more like a rebel army.

"No, I really want to eat..."

Not only her eyebrows, but Itsuki's whole face also frowned.

Except for omelette rice for breakfast, she only drank water today and didn't eat anything. Her usual habits were so different, making people uncomfortable.

She felt hungry all day long. Just smelling potato chips made her mouth water.

"One piece, if one piece is enough..."

Swallowing her saliva, Itsuki blinked her eyes and looked at Fumino hopefully.

"Ahem." Shinichi cleared his throat.

"Ah!"

Fumino snapped out of her daze and realized that she had unconsciously taken a handful of potato chips and was about to put them into Itsuki's mouth.

"W-when did I get confused? I don't remember at all!"

It's terrifying if Itsuki experiences mental attacks like that...

Thinking in confusion, Fumino glanced at Shinichi's eyes, unable to hold back a bitter smile.

She turned to Itsuki and said helplessly, "Itsuki, if you want to eat, just ask Asada-san. After all, it's an agreement between you two, so I won't get too involved."

After those words fell, Itsuki also snapped out of her appetite control.

Then, a blush appeared on her cheeks, and she averted her gaze with determination, no longer looking at Fumino and the potato chips in her hand, and adjusted her breathing slightly.

"Please eat, don't worry about me!"

Saying this, Itsuki picked up her pen at the same time and continued to write exam questions to divert her attention.

"In that case... I'll start."

As she bit into the potato chip, Fumino observed Itsuki's serious studying.

After taking a few pieces and ensuring that she had no special reactions, Fumino completely released her mind and started eating.

"Hmm~ As expected, the sea salt flavor is the best~ Seaweed, barbecue sauce, herring taste all lost, but my sea salt potato chips will last forever! Delicious..."

Fumino continued to mumble with happiness on her face.

"..."

On the other hand, listening to the crispy sound of potato chips breaking, combined with Fumino's thoughts, Itsuki's rationality gradually collapsed, and she was undergoing a trial that should not be faced at this age.

The pen in her hand felt like a chocolate bar, and the white color of the paper could be associated with marshmallows. Even Shinichi's neck made her drool, wanting to pounce on it, bite it, suck it, and lick it.

But she restrained herself.

At this moment, Itsuki was only focused on completing the math problems in front of her one by one, trying her best to ignore everything else.

Even if her sanity was only left a little, she would fight until the last second.

"Itsuki, you can do it." Shinichi was very confident.

He never doubted Itsuki's strength, although he had been hesitant many times before, he still believed that Itsuki was someone who could do anything she wanted.

So, five minutes later.

Fumino took the empty bag to the trash bin at the back of the class.

When she returned, she saw Itsuki lying on the table from exhaustion, her eyes lifeless and a vacant smile on her face.

"I... made it... I made it..."

Regardless of whether it was exaggerated or not, Fumino was deeply touched.

"Um, you did it! Congratulations, Itsuki!"

"Yes, well done." Shinichi patted Itsuki's head and lifted the corner of his mouth, "We've all seen your determination. Remember how you feel right now. As long as you endure until the end, your weight will surely decrease!"

Itsuki lifted her head, her expression slowly relaxing.

"Yes!"

This time her response came with more confidence.

△

Ding dong dong dong—

"That's it for this class, class dismissed."

"Stand up and bow – thank you, teacher~"

After the monitor finished shouting the command, Itsuki was eager to leave her seat, dragging Shinichi with her and running out of the classroom.

The morning class was over, and from now on, it was the lunch break he had been longing for!

"Hurry up, the cafeteria is waiting for us, Asada-kun!"