CH 136

Chapter 136. [American School]

<<I’m impressed, as expected of Iroha! Even as a teacher, I’m proud of you!>>

<<Oh, thank you, teacher.>>

I was talking with the English teacher in the faculty room of the middle school.

Her high spirits as she laughed <<Haha!>> were truly fitting and charismatic.

<<You’re originally from America, right?>>

<<That’s right. Even after graduating from college, I worked there for a few years. Huh? Could it be that you want to hear about my life in America?>>

<<Ah, no, thank you.>>

<<Haha! I see, I see!>>

I declined slightly hesitantly.

She’s always a high-energy teacher, but today it seems he’s even more energetic. If I ask, it’s sure to become a long story.

<<You know, your relationship with the teacher has been long too, right? Starting from the interview for middle school entrance exams.>>

<<Even so, I don’t know if there was anything I could have taught you.>>

While saying that, the teacher pointed at the paper in front of her.

It was a printout of the reason for her high spirits.

It was my test result.

Not from a regular test within the school, though.

It was the score for the TOEFL iBT.

<<Out of 120 points, you scored 116… Even though you’ve been saying ‘it’s a hassle’ and haven’t taken it, now that you’ve taken it, you got this on your first attempt? You’re not a native speaker, huh?>>

<<That’s not it.>>

<<Even if you’re a returnee, the average score on the first try is usually around 80 to 90 points, you know? Even if you have a Level 2 Eiken, you might only get around 60 points on the TOEFL.>>

I received a scrutinizing gaze.

I averted my gaze and evaded the topic.

The teacher let out a breath like <<Phew!>> while pointing to the paper.

She already knew. But then overlooking it, she didn’t need to confront me.

<<With this level of English proficiency, you can read university materials and research papers easily. You’re fine. Although, I wasn’t really worried since it was already decided.>>

<<Hahaha… Even so, reading comprehension and comprehension are different. Even if you can read the words. But isn’t well-versed in that field, you won’t understand the paper’s content.>>

<<True, and also paying attention.>>

<<Huh!? I-I’ll be careful not to make careless mistakes.>>

It was a painful topic.

No matter how excellent my language cheating ability is, if the person using it makes mistakes. Then, it’s meaningless.

<<Oh, by the way, you don’t need to take the TOEIC. With this score on the TOEFL, you’d likely get a perfect score anyway.>>

<<As long as I don’t make mistakes, right?>>

<<Exactly. Oh, right. I’ll give you my contact information. Whether it’s about studying or anything else, feel free to give me a call if you have questions.>>

<<Thank you. Well then, excuse me.>>

I said and left the faculty room.

The correspondence with the message I received the other day was going well.

“Mm~”

I stretched widely, loosening up my body.

Preparations were steadily falling into place.

***

“―― And the appropriate time is drawing near. Therefore, I cannot contain my joy at becoming a 3rd-year middle school student.”

Right now, I’m in the middle of a livestream.

However, for some reason, the reactions to my statement were slightly delayed and very awkward.

“!?!?!? Is that so?”

“Ah~ umm! By the way, Iroha-chan, what about the entrance exams?”

“Hmm. Regarding high school entrance exams, I’m currently in the stage of considering multiple options.”

“So, does that mean you might also consider schools outside Japan like in America…?”

“Out!”

“Huh? Oh, right!? It was ‘Bekoku’!?”

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Today, everyone participating in the stream, except for me, was a VTuber from overseas.

Since that incident, VTubers had increased not only in Japan but also in other countries, which was a delight.

During our collaboration stream, we had been playing a game where we avoided using English words.

It was a sudden decision.

Of course, the obvious thing was that I’m a regular Japanese person…

“Iroha-chan, that’s cheating! You intentionally use difficult words!”

“Absolutely! Moreover, she uses intentionally ambiguous words!”

>Iroha-chan is ruthless, lol. (US)

>I’m Japanese, but even I can’t understand it properly. This is amazing

>She hasn’t said anything significant, but lol

“Ugh, I give up!”

“Me too. By the way, Iroha-chan, what will you do about school?”

“Well, let’s see…”

“If you want, why not come to America?”

“I welcome Iroha-san to come here too! The VTuber industry is bustling over here recently!”

Two VTubers, one still struggling with Japanese and the other who had developed an odd obsession with Japan, were persuading me together.

After thinking for a while…

“Well, come to think of it, does America have high school entrance exams? What are American high schools like?”

“America doesn’t have high school entrance exams. We go to nearby schools.”

“That’s right! Once you submit your application and recommendation letters, you’re done. There are SSAT scores and middle school grades to consider… But it seems you’d have to do badly to get rejected.”

“I see.”

“Also, in America, high schools are… um, ‘credit-based’. What’s that term again?”

What’s that term again?

“Is it a unit-based system?”

“That’s it!”

“So, I see. I think it’s well-suited for Iroha-san.”

>So, there are no high school entrance exams in America

>I’m about to take high school entrance exams soon, so I’m envious

>Iroha-chan has the choice to go to America either from high school or college

“Oh, right. Well, you see…”

Since it was a good opportunity, I decided to reveal something I had been vague about until now.

Actually…

“I plan to study in America starting from high school, but I don’t intend to study there from college.”

“Whaaat!?”

At least for now…

Comments in the chat were like, “What a waste!”.

So, what were all the preparations for until now? In other words…

— “Something else”.