“Oh my god.” She gasped, her hands covering her mouth before she turned back to me. “Amber—you did it!”
I let out another choked sob, nodding furiously. “I-I passed,” I stammered. “I didn’t just pass—I got the highest score!”
Ichika let out an excited laugh before pulling me into a tight hug. “I knew it! I knew you could do it!”
I clung to her, sobbing into her shoulder. “I was so scared… I thought—I thought I’d mess it up.”
She pulled back, holding me by the shoulders. “Amber, you didn’t just pass. You excelled. You worked so hard for this, and now look—you proved yourself. I am so proud of you.”
My chest ached from how much happiness swelled inside me.
I turned to her, my eyes still watery. “It’s so amazing… I don’t believe it.”
She grinned, grabbing my hands and spinning me aroun
