Pursuing Her

“Not yet.” Sophie considered Jipsdale University but was still unsure if that was what she wanted.

“It's okay. You can think about it first since we have time.” There was no point in hurrying.”

“Okay.”

Since the homeroom teacher had phoned several times, Sophie decided to head to school and go straight to his office. “What's up, Teach? Is there something you want to talk about?”

“Here's a form for you; it's a recommendation. Are you interested?”

“To which university am I recommended for admission?”

“Jipsdale University!”

The school was only provided with one opening, and the principal decided to offer it to Sophie.

“I'm not interested.” Since Sophie knew she was capable of qualifying for the university, it was only natural that she would sit for the university entrance exam.

“What? Are you sure? You don't have to make up your mind now, Sophie. Think about it or discuss it with your family first,” advised the teacher because of how rare the opportunity was.

“Okay.” Sophie said nothing else but returned to her class instead.

“Do you know why Teach wanted to see Sophie?”

“I heard it was because of the recommendation. As the top student in our school, Sophie will no doubt be the one to get it.”

“I'm so jealous! We had to try our hardest just to get a chance to be enrolled in the university, while she made it look like a walk in the park. How can life be so unfair?”

“Give me a break. Stop complaining, will you? I'm sure you'd get recommended too if you were the number one student in our school. Since that's not the case, there really isn't any point in complaining, is there?”

It was every student's dream to get recommended, but not everyone was qualified for such a privilege.

“You sure sound fine with it.”

“Why shouldn't I? If not Sophie, somebody from Senior Class 1 would surely get recommended instead; at least Sophie's one of us. I don't see any problem with that,” stated one of Sophie's classmates, who had always disliked those from Senior Class 1 for looking down on them. What I wouldn't give to see the looks on their faces when they learn that it was one of us who got the recommendation!

“You're right. They like to think they're better than us, so let's see how they like it when we prove them wrong.”

Meanwhile, the students of Senior Class 1 were also discussing the recommendation when one of them suddenly ran in and announced on the podium, “Do you guys know who just got recommended? It was Sophie Tanner of Senior Class 8.”

Willow's heart almost skipped a beat when she heard the name. Why does Sophie always seem to get whatever others desire without breaking a sweat?

“What? How's that possible? It should've been one of us, so how did someone from Senior Class 8 get recommended instead?” questioned one of Willow's classmates. We're better than those in Senior Class 8, aren't we?

“How can the school be so unfair? Something about this smells fishy.”

Bailey could not help but chuckle when he heard the other students. “What makes you think you're qualified to say something like that? Sophie got the highest score on the exam, so what right do you have to compare yourselves to her?” There's no one in the school more qualified to get the recommendation than Sophie.

When the others saw that Bailey, the student who scored the second highest, had no problem with the school's decision, they immediately ceased the discussion.

After all, it was not as though they would be next in line even if Sophie were to give up the recommendation.

After glancing at Bailey, Willow packed her things and took a leave of absence to go home.

She had been feeling unwell from the moment she heard the news.

Ysabelle immediately approached Sophie when her classmate returned to class.

“You got recommended for admission to Jipsdale University?”

“Yeah.”

Right after hearing that, Ysabelle leaped for joy.

“You're awesome, Sophie! I've never met anyone as impressive as you are. How are you so calm right now? Do you know how many of us dream of going to Jipsdale University?”

“What sort of reaction are you expecting from me, exactly?”

To that question, Ysabelle responded by shaking her head. “Forget it. You've always been collected.”

“I don't plan to accept the recommendation.”

“Why?” questioned Ysabelle with a face full of bafflement. It's such a great opportunity! Why would anyone say no to it?

“You could be sunbathing on the beach while others sit for the university entrance exam! Don't you want that?” Ysabelle did not understand why her classmate would want to take the exam like everyone else.

“I've worked so hard to prepare for the exam, so, of course, I'm taking it. Otherwise, I would've wasted my effort, wouldn't I?”

“Did you really work hard, though?”

Ysabelle was sure that Sophie could complete tests meant for postgraduates already. Compared to her, we probably look like kindergarteners.

“What does that mean? Of course, I did.” Being questioned like that, Sophie could not help but wonder if she had not put in enough effort.

“Forget it. It's not as if I'll ever understand what it's like to be a top student.” Ysabelle thought she should just get back to the grind.