Chapter 296.

Chapter 296.

Chapter 296. My Birthday: Knowledge Test. (1/6)

It was a Tuesday, the second day of spring break. Time had flown by in a flash and overall, it had been quite peaceful. For the most part, things with Operation Hook Up were looking pretty good. It had been smooth sailing since the school trip.

But today wasn’t about that operation. Rather, it was a much more important day in my life.

I was taking the knowledge test to receive my learner’s permit today. Rosa and Alicia were as well. Alicia had been able to for a long time now, but she’d never gotten around to doing it because she was too nervous to do it alone. As for Rosa, she said she wanted to wait and take it together with me.

As for why I was taking it today... well, it was my birthday, I’d finally turned 16. Ugh, it also meant I had to go through an interview process at work after this. What an awful day.

“Ran... you really want to do the written test on your birthday?” The one who asked me that was Irene. She’d driven us all here.

“Of course. The sooner I get it the better.”

“You’re... also sure about what you want to get?”

“Yes. As soon as I get my learner’s permit today I’ll be getting it.”

Rather than a car, I was looking at a much cheaper alternative that I would be able to finance at a reasonable amount even with what my monthly savings were. I was eyeing a motorcycle this time around. They cost a lot less maintenance-wise as well. I’d also be able to cover the insurance on it with ease. I got a quote and it came up to about $70 a month.

As for the motorcycle itself, it’d be about $85 a month over the next two years while I’m still in school. I’d spotted a used one online for a measly two grand recently. I’d already checked it out last week and found no problems with it.

I wasn’t looking for some sort of monster machine. It had a 250cc engine displacement. The speed topped out at about 130 kilometers per hour which was more than enough for me. I wasn’t aiming to be some daredevil phantom rider of the night.

Though... it was true that the motorcycle I set eyes on was all black with a tall dark tinted windshield. But the best part of it was that it was automatic. Unfortunately, I’d still have to use a manual one for the training course and test since I wasn’t able to buy it yet.

My first time through life I got a car, but this time around, there was already Irene’s car. Hence why I didn’t need a car that badly and opted for a used motorcycle instead.

I had to meet the seller before work today to finalize the sale once I got my learner’s permit. I was in a rush because I was afraid he might sell it to someone else if I wasn’t fast enough.

Honestly though, it was quite a pain in the ass to get this bloody motorcycle license compared to a regular license for compact passenger vehicles.

In this city, I first needed to do a class 5 knowledge test to get my class 5L license before I could do the class 6 knowledge test to get my class 5M license. Luckily you were allowed to do one knowledge test per class of license per day so I could do them both today. Once I did that, I had to take a stupid one-day-long motorcycle training course.

After that course, only then would I receive my class 6L learner’s permit license.

Thankfully I was able to arrange to do the course right after the knowledge tests. However... if I somehow failed I wouldn’t be able to do the course without the class 6M license. That would be depressing because I still had to pay for it too, there were no refunds.

This entire process was such a pain in the ass. But it couldn’t be helped, this time around in my life I valued mobility above anything else. My life this time around had a tendency to get quite hectic at times. Motorcycles were the most agile option there was available to me so it felt like the most appropriate choice.

Parking at Irene’s place was also a concern I took into consideration when I made my choice. I could even store it inside during winter as well. If I got stuck in traffic, I could easily squeeze into a side street or back alleyway.

“Why are you competing over something pointless like that?”

“Because it’s your birthday, duh. It’s to see who can be the most lovey-dovey with you on your birthday. Why wouldn’t we compete?”

“That’s a rather subjective competition, don’t you think?”

“So what?”

“Well, you two always get along so well. I didn’t expect you’d compete over something so pointless.”

“There’s no harm in a little competition between each other. Besides... she got one up on me at the planetarium with you. Don’t you think you’ve neglected me a bit?” She poked my cheek with her left index finger.

“Sorry. Didn’t I say I’d make it up to you?”

“It’s been over two weeks already, you know.”

“Well, we’ve been busy studying for the knowledge test to get our license together, haven’t we?”

“It only felt like you were studying for the class 6 knowledge test though. Every time I asked you a question about the class 5 knowledge test you always knew the answer immediately. I never saw you once look through the class 5 handbook. What’s with that?”

“It’s mostly common sense stuff, you’re just not that good with everyday common sense stuff for normal civilians is all.”

“I’ve at least gotten a bit better...” Rosa grumbled as she pouted and puffed out her right cheek a bit. Seated, she adjusted her posture in her chair and pointed her knees my way. Her lower legs bent at an angle under her chair as she scooted up to the edge. Her feet were parallel to the wall behind us while her toes lightly touched the ground.

“Can you please stop trying to sabotage me right before I take my test?”

“Hehe, no way. I’ll definitely sabotage you and make it so you can’t focus on your test.”

“Oh? That sounds like a great idea Rosa~ I quite like it. It’d be a great chance to see Ran’s troubled face when he slips up.” Irene chimed in more than happy to cause trouble for me.

Irene placed her left hand down on top of my right thigh and let it slide down the inner side.

As soon as she did that, I robotically stood up from my chair in a swift fashion.

“Please stop messing around you two. I’m going now.”

“Hahaha!” Irene laughed sweetly and gave an insincere apology, “Sorry, it really is quite fun seeing you troubled.”

“Such minimalistic technique... it seems I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Rosa muttered as she examined Irene, a contemplative look on her face, with her right hand curled, and the side of her index finger positioned beneath her lower lip.

Damn it! Don’t take notes from her! Irene was up there with Wisteria in terms of leaving me troubled. I don’t need another one developing such dreadful skills.