Chapter 3: Collision course
Two years later, Haruto Sakaki is taller, dressing better, and, unfortunately, is running late. So late, in fact, that he pulls out his skateboard and goes through the hallways, yelling apologies over his shoulder. 'I can't believe I slept through my alarm again,' he thinks, 'they'll probably lock the doors before I get in.'
Unfortunately, there's one more obstacle he knocks over as he's justthisclose to the door. "Whoa!" a girl says, glaring at him.
"Sorry," he says automatically, then grins. She's kinda cute, in a rich-girl kind of way. Kicking up his board, he extends his free hand to pull her up. "Sakaki Haruto."
The dyed blonde dimples and takes it. "Doujima Yurika. Are you here for the exam?"
He nods as they make their way into the auditorium. "You, too?" he asks in a low voice, looking for a good seat.
She's about to answer, when a sharp voice says from the podium says, "So nice of you to join us. Your names are?"
Sighing, they give it to the dour old man on the stage, then receive their exams and the glares of their fellow competitors. As they make their way back to the seated area, Doujima says in a low voice, "I don't really have to take it, but I promised my folks I would."
"Why don't you?" Haruto whispers back, but apparently he's not quiet enough.
"Mr. Sakaki, do you have something to tell the rest of us? No? Well, now that everyone has a test paper before them, please open it and fill in your name and address," the old man says, and the auditorium is filled with the sound of tearing paper.
When Haruto looks up, waiting for the next set of instructions, he sees the girl also look at him and she winks. He grins, hoping to do his best if a place like STN-J's gonna hire a girl like Yurika.