The morning passed in a blur of lectures, laughter, and the occasional frantic note-taking. Eita’s mind kept dancing between the upcoming math test and the lunch conversation about movies. When the final bell rang for lunch, he felt a mix of relief and nervous anticipation.

“Alright, everyone, grab your lunches! We have to get ready for the war zone—Ms. Nakamura’s classroom,” Riku said with mock seriousness, loading up his tray with rice and fish.

“And let’s pray she’s in a good mood today! Last time was like stepping into a tornado!” Yuki added, slinging her colorful backpack over her shoulder.

Eita shrugged, trying to brush off his anxiety. He followed his friends into the lunchroom and found a seat at their usual spot. The trio chatted animatedly about weekend plans, but Eita’s mind wandered once more to the test.

“Hey, Eita, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Riku said, looking genuinely concerned.

“Yeah, just thinking about the math test,” Eita admitted, pushing his food around on the tray. “What if I can’t remember anything? What if I freeze up?”

“Just imagine it as another one of your mom’s cooking disasters,” Riku said with a grin. “You can’t let Ms. Nakamura’s glare turn you into a pancake!”

Eita let out a small laugh, picturing Haruko in her apron, playfully scowling at an overcooked dish. “Alright, I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

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After lunch, the trio headed to their math classroom, and Eita felt a mix of dread and determination. Ms. Nakamura stood at the front, her sharp eyes scanning the room as students filed in. She had a reputation for being a strict teacher, and on days like these, it felt like she could smell fear.

With a deep breath, Eita sank into his seat, clutching his pencil like it was a lifeline. The test papers were distributed, and as he flipped his over, a wave of nausea flooded him. Questions danced in his field of vision, some familiar, others like bizarre riddles.

“Remember, take your time, and don’t panic!” Ms. Nakamura’s voice echoed through the room. “You all have been prepared. Now, begin!”

Eita focused, blocking out the sounds around him. He sketched out equations, forced his mind to pull from the depths of his memory, and sincerely hoped that whatever luck carried him through his breakfast would work its magic now. He pushed through, determination fueling him; he wasn’t going to let this test defeat him.

Minutes felt like hours as he furiously scribbled down his answers. Riku shot him the occasional encouraging nod, and Yuki was directly across the aisle, her expression a mix of concentration and distress.

Finally, Eita glanced at the clock. Time was nearly up. He scribbled down a final answer just as Ms. Nakamura called out, “Pens down!”

Eita sighed, the tension in his shoulders releasing. He hadn’t done perfectly, but it was over.

“I survived!” he whispered to Riku as they left the classroom, bursting outside into the sunlight. “I think I made it through without flunking spectacularly!”

“See? Told you breakfast was your secret weapon! Now, how about a victory snack?” Riku suggested, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

As they made their way out of the building, Eita felt lighter. He had faced the dreaded math test, and now it was time to enjoy his freedom—at least until the results came out.