Only I, Her Future Husband, Know How to Make Her Act All Lovey-Dovey

Episode 5: The Second Entrance Ceremony

“Freshman representative, Masanobu Suzuhara.”

“Yes.”

At the entrance ceremony, I stood up from the front row, trying not to let my inner wry smile show.

Why am I giving the freshman representative speech…?

Before the time leap, I’d been a relatively good student.

I’d attended a prestigious national university and once ranked in the top hundred in a nationwide mock exam.

However, I am merely a talented student at best.

The entrance exam for Shichibo Academy is a lair of monsters where the top students from across the country gather.

This is where future University of Tokyo and Kyoto University candidates gather in droves.

At first, I thought, It’s just a high school entrance exam, right?

I’m an adult, a battle-hardened veteran of the National Center Test for University Admissions.

Then I saw Shichibo Academy’s past exams, and my confidence nearly flatlined.

From that point on, I got serious.

I studied relentlessly, cutting my sleep to four hours a night and utilizing every strategy I’d learned from preparing for the Center Test.

Thanks to that, I managed to pass.

However…

“Coming in first place was totally overkill…”

I had given it my all and ended up as the top scorer.

And now, it was painfully obvious.

The golden seven-pointed star badge on my chest sparkled brightly.

This emblem, called the Shichibo Medal, is awarded by the academy, which prides itself on its academic rigor.

The top three scorers are given gold, silver, and bronze badges, respectively.

Wearing the medal comes with perks like free meals in the cafeteria and school-funded textbooks.

The medals are reassigned after every term’s exams, but for now, as the top scorer in the entrance exams, I was the first-year representative.

I didn’t want to stand out, but I’d have to endure it for a year.

“Hmm, so he’s this year’s top scorer?”

As I made my way to the stage, I overheard two middle-aged guests whispering while scrutinizing me.

“No glasses, huh? Back in my day, everyone studied until their eyesight suffered.”

“They say the level’s been dropping in recent years. Guess that’s what happens with declining birth rates.”

“It’s not just the birth rates. Young people these days lack grit. True grit.”

Oh, shut it, you boomers.

You have no idea how hard I worked to pass.

I’m wearing contacts, for your information, precisely because I studied too much!

I had planned to keep my speech neutral, but maybe I should shake things up a bit.

When I reached the podium, I cleared my throat and began speaking confidently without glancing at my prepared notes.

“Today, on behalf of the freshman class, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this splendid ceremony.”

Turning to the guests seated to my left, I continued.

“Additionally, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our distinguished guests for taking the time to join us despite your busy schedules.”

I bowed deeply.

“It is an honor to join this prestigious academy, steeped in history and tradition, as part of its 69th class. We, the freshmen, are filled with excitement and resolve as we begin our journey here.”

This time, I directed my words to the teachers on my right.

“As students of Shichibo Academy, we pledge to act responsibly, strive for self-improvement, and work diligently toward our dreams. We humbly ask for the warm guidance of our principal, teachers, and upperclassmen. This concludes my remarks as the freshman representative.”

I bowed once more, a perfect ninety degrees.

For a moment, the hall was silent.

Then, scattered applause began, soon swelling into a thunderous ovation.

“Whoa…”

“Is he really just a high school freshman like us…?”

The audience was stunned by my flawless, note-free delivery.

Even the guests who had been criticizing me earlier were left slack-jawed.

Compared to a CEO’s speech at a shareholder meeting, this was nothing.

Besides, there were no penalties for messing up here.

As I descended from the stage, my eyes met someone in the second row.

Yuki Arisugawa.

On her chest gleamed the silver Shichibo Medal.