The White Room Dropout - A CotE Fanfic

Part 17: The Karaoke Dilemma

The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy as students congregated around the scoreboard for the mid-term exam. Excitement buzzed through the crowd, creating a palpable sense of competitiveness that hung in the atmosphere. Conversations filled the space, hushed whispers exchanged between anxious peers, their eyes darting back and forth between the leaderboard and one another.

Amidst the crowd, there were pockets of celebration and disappointment. The occasional cheer or gasp broke through the murmurs, signaling moments of triumph or unexpected outcomes. Excited exclamations punctuated the air, followed by subdued whispers as students shared their results with their friends, eagerly comparing scores and seeking solace or validation.

As I approached the scene, the murmur of voices grew louder, blending into a cacophony of anticipation. The students formed a dense cluster, their bodies leaning in, eager to catch a glimpse of their names and see where they stood among their peers. It was as if the leaderboard held the key to their self-worth, a tangible representation of their academic achievements.

I gazed at the scoreboard, my eyes scanning the crowded list of names. The numbers seemed to blur together, and I struggled to find my own placement among the sea of results. After a moment of searching, I finally located my name and my heart skipped a beat.

I had placed 57th out of 276 students. It was a respectable result, objectively speaking, and one that many would consider an accomplishment. But as I stared at the digits next to my name, a wave of disappointment washed over me.

I had studied tirelessly for the mid-term exam, pouring countless hours into preparation, with the hope of achieving a placement within the top 50. It was a goal I had set for myself, a marker of success that would validate my efforts. So, when I discovered my ranking on the scoreboard, a mix of frustration and determination welled up within me.

As I sighed in disappointment, lost in my thoughts, Nakamura's voice suddenly broke through the haze. "Karuizawa, how did you do?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine curiosity.

I turned to face him, a hint of vulnerability seeping into my expression. "I placed 57th," I replied, my voice tinged with a touch of disappointment. "It's not bad, but I had hoped to make it into the top 50."

Nakamura nodded empathetically, understanding the weight of my expectations. "You've still done well," he said earnestly. "But don't let it discourage you. The finals are yet to come, and you have the opportunity to achieve your goal. Keep pushing forward."

Nakamura's empathetic nod only deepened my bewilderment. Why would an eccentric and relaxed guy like him suddenly offer words of encouragement? I couldn't help but feel a tinge of frustration as I voiced my thoughts, "Who are you to speak words of encouragement to me?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. "And while we're at it, where do you even stand on this scoreboard?"

Nakamura's playful grin widened as he realized my curiosity. "Ah, so you want to know, huh?" he teased. "Well, why don't you see for yourself?"

His response only fueled my curiosity further, and I turned my attention back to the scoreboard. With a determined gaze, I began searching for Nakamura's name, wanting to know his ranking explicitly. Scanning through the list, I meticulously went through each position, my eyes darting from one column to another.

Moments ticked by, and I started to worry that I might have missed his name amidst the sea of results. But just as I was about to give up, my eyes widened with astonishment. There it was, clear as day—Nakamura had secured the 9th position.

I couldn't contain my surprise any longer. Turning to Nakamura, my voice filled with bewilderment, I asked, "Wait, Nakamura, you placed 9th? How did you...?"