The boy did not find the gray-haired girl.
He had even expected as much.
After all, how could he be so lucky...
Every time he came, he happened to run into the gray-haired girl...
But soon, the boy raised his head again.
He tried hard to recall their last meeting...
He looked toward the spot where the gray-haired girl had sat last time...
He slowly circled the tree, inching along step by step and not missing any angle from which he might spot the gray-haired girl.
He opened his mouth, wanting to call out to the gray-haired girl, only to realize that he did not know her name.
He hesitated for a while before finally calling out—
"Hey."
"Are you there?"
The boy slowly came to a stop.
He had already circled the tree three times... and called out several times...
There was no response.
Of course.
Even if she was nearby, she had no idea that he was calling her.
Without using her name...
Who would know he was calling them?
"Ugh..."
The boy could not help sighing.
As expected.
The gray-haired girl was not—
"Why are you sighing?"
A somewhat familiar voice came from above.
The boy jumped in fright.
Someone was there!?
But soon, a dazzling light lit up in the boy's eyes.
That voice!?
Wasn't it—
The boy abruptly raised his head.
The gray-haired girl, who had appeared on the Maple Tree at some point, was propping up her chin with one hand.
She looked at the boy, one eyebrow slightly raised.
"Did you fail another test?"
Boy: ...
He rolled his eyes irritably.
"Of course not."
"Failing my last test was just an accident."
The boy explained.
That score definitely did not reflect his true level.
"Oh."
The