This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 319 - 235. Salty Egg Sister Causes Trouble (4000 words)_2

Chapter 319: Chapter 235. Salty Egg Sister Causes Trouble (4000 words)_2

"May I ask why Teacher Qianhe wanted to see me?" Beichuan Si came over to Qianhe Kagura and asked.

"Um... I merely wanted to ask about your future aspirations, Beichuan," Qianhe Kagura said with a smile. "Have you seen the results of the baseline test from the start of the term?"

Beichuan Si shook his head.

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t know," Qianhe Kagura waved her hand and, looking at the list in her hand, began to speak:

"Beichuan, your grades rank second in the whole grade, just below Shinkai."

"Okay," Beichuan Si replied nonchalantly, his expression betraying no surprise.

Seeing his reaction, Qianhe Kagura showed a hint of surprise.

Before advancing to the second year, Beichuan Si’s grades were a middling 105th place, dead center. Originally, she had not paid much attention to Beichuan Si, a median student who often skipped classes.

But at the start of the second year, the baseline test had brought her a pleasant surprise, which was exactly why she wished to inquire whether Beichuan Si was considering further studies or entering the workforce.

The so-called "further studies" refers to attending university or a junior college after completing high school, while "entering the workforce" means getting a job directly after high school graduation.

In Japan, many students choose to enter the workforce, and only about one third of students opt to attend university, later joining the workforce after graduation.

"Do you have any thoughts about your future, Beichuan? If you can maintain second or third place in your grades, entrance into any Tokyo University will not be difficult," Qianhe Kagura asked directly.

She actually hoped to hear that Beichuan Si was interested in further studies; after all, having a student from a prestigious university graduate under her watch was a matter of prestige for her.

"I haven’t decided yet," Beichuan Si glanced at Qianhe Kagura, having already figured out his homeroom teacher’s intentions.

But he was certain he had not yet made a decision, and that was the truth too.

Not every high school student dreams of Tokyo University, nor does every student with good grades wish to attend university.

Higher education means higher salaries and social status.

However, with the clients such as Urban Legend Agency and Hirakawa Ichiro, Beichuan Si could already make a fortune.

With Beichuan Si’s superlative abilities, social status was within easy reach as well.

Therefore, Beichuan Si really could not find the motivation to pursue further education—

"But if it comes to further studies," Beichuan Si fell silent for a while before continuing, "I think I might choose a career related to folklore and history."

"Folklore and history?"

That was a rarity indeed.

Generally speaking, students’ aspirations tend to lean towards becoming doctors or architects.

After all, such professions hold high social status and offer handsome salaries.

"Yes, personally, I’m quite interested in folklore and history."

Thinking of those resentful spirits, Beichuan Si’s expression softened slightly.

Clearly, he was recalling amusing incidents that had occurred during exorcisms.

"Um... If that’s the case, if there are recommended placements available at relevant universities, I will also strive for Beichuan’s sake," Qianhe Kagura took note of Beichuan Si’s aspirations and, lifting her head, continued, "By the way, Beichuan Huili is your younger sister, right?"

"Huili? Did she cause any trouble?"

Hearing the name Beichuan Huili here, Beichuan Si was somewhat surprised.

Could it be that during the week he was away, Beichuan Huili had stirred up some trouble again?

"Uh... I’ve only heard other teachers mention it," Qianhe Kagura blinked.

As one of the top fifteen students in her grade, Beichuan Huili naturally fell into the purview of the first-year teachers.

"I heard that Huili is not having a particularly pleasant time with students from the art club... I’m not too clear on the specifics. But as a participant in the Young Painter’s Award representing our school, I personally hope that you could talk to Huili about it."

Beichuan Huili not getting along with students from the art club?

His own sister?

Beichuan Si didn’t believe his sister was someone who would stir up trouble on her own initiative—

And even if she did start something, there would surely be a reason—

And even without a reason, both morally and rationally, Beichuan Si wouldn’t let Beichuan Huili be at a disadvantage.

Of course, even if he defended Beichuan Huili, he would still scold her afterward.

"I understand," Beichuan Si nodded as he pondered.

"Okay," Qianhe Kagura continued, "With that settled, I won’t disturb you during your lunch anymore. Keep your spirits up for the afternoon classes, okay?"

"I know," Beichuan Si nodded and bid farewell politely after greeting the other substitute teachers.

Teacher Qianhe Kagura had a straightforward reason for calling him over.

It was perfectly natural for her, as the homeroom teacher, to inquire about his second-place rank in the entire grade.

Had Beichuan Si been positioned in the middle ranks of the grade again, Teacher Qianhe probably couldn’t have even recalled having such a student.

This was a very normal phenomenon.

Those with mediocre academic accomplishments, neither high nor low, are the ones most easily forgotten by teachers.

These students are too ordinary, unremarkable.

Their average performance doesn’t leave an impression on the teachers, much like their lack of disciplinary issues.

"But Hui Li... aren’t you getting along with the students in the art club?" Beichuan Si couldn’t imagine Beichuan Huili starting trouble on her own.

And...

The Young Artists Award had already started?

As an older brother, Beichuan Si felt a bit neglectful for not noticing such a significant event.

Just as Beichuan Si was about to look up information on the Young Artists Award, a familiar voice came from the other side.

"Beichuan, is that you?"

Huh?

Clutching his phone, Beichuan Si turned around.

Magong Tong was jogging over from the other end of the hallway.

Seemingly never having violated the ’no running in the hallway’ rule, Magong Tong’s face flushed red, and she only relaxed a bit upon seeing Beichuan Si’s face.

"Beichuan, long time no see, good afternoon."

"Uh, yeah, long time." Beichuan Si nodded.

It had indeed been a while.

Magong Tong no longer seemed like the gloomy girl he remembered.

She had pinned her bangs that usually covered her eyes with a cherry blossom hair clip, revealing her unusually clear big eyes. Although her gaze still darted around, it wasn’t as timid as before.

At least now she could look someone in the eye.

But—

The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Magong Tong’s face was beet red.

It was as if she saw Beichuan Si out of the blue, ran over to greet him, and then hit a wall. She was at a loss for words and could only stand there with a goofy, giggling smile.

After a long while, Magong Tong finally bowed her head completely, reverting to her usual fearful demeanor: "Thanks for all you did for me before, Beichuan. I really appreciated it."

"...No problem." Beichuan Si replied.

Then...

The silence set in again!

Magong Tong’s lips twitched, struggling to even keep up her silly smile.

In fact, seeing Beichuan Si had made her really happy, but that happiness muddled her thoughts, leaving her unable to seriously consider what to say next.

Seeing her like this, Beichuan Si shook his head inwardly.

It seemed Magong Tong still needed time to completely shed her former image.

Thinking this, Beichuan Si finally broke the silence to ease the awkwardness: "I have a question for you, Magong, if that’s okay?"

"Just ask away, Beichuan!" Magong Tong replied in a rush.

"About the Young Artists Award, do you know anything? I have an acquaintance who’s entered, but I’m not too clear on the details from their official website."

"The Young Artists Award?" Magong Tong touched her head, "I remember there’s a promotional poster with the website on the notice board by the art club, asking fellow students to vote online for our school’s participants... That sort of promotion."

"Thanks a lot, Magong. You’ve been a big help."

"No... it’s nothing..."

But couldn’t one just search online for this kind of information?

Could it be that Beichuan doesn’t know how?

That didn’t seem right either, as Beichuan was quite savvy.

Magong Tong once again touched her small head, feeling a bit at a loss.