Chapter 296. My Birthday: Knowledge Test. (1/6)
It was a Tuesday, the second day of spring break. Time had flown by in a flash and overall, it had been quite peaceful. For the most part, things with Operation Hook Up were looking pretty good. It had been smooth sailing since the school trip.
But today wasn’t about that operation. Rather, it was a much more important day in my life.
I was taking the knowledge test to receive my learner’s permit today. Rosa and Alicia were as well. Alicia had been able to for a long time now, but she’d never gotten around to doing it because she was too nervous to do it alone. As for Rosa, she said she wanted to wait and take it together with me.
As for why I was taking it today… well, it was my birthday, I’d finally turned 16. Ugh, it also meant I had to go through an interview process at work after this. What an awful day.
“Ran… you really want to do the written test on your birthday?” The one who asked me that was Irene. She’d driven us all here.
“Of course. The sooner I get it the better.”
“You’re… also sure about what you want to get?”
“Yes. As soon as I get my learner’s permit today I’ll be getting it.”
Rather than a car, I was looking at a much cheaper alternative that I would be able to finance at a reasonable amount even with what my monthly savings were. I was eyeing a motorcycle this time around. They cost a lot less maintenance-wise as well. I’d also be able to cover the insurance on it with ease. I got a quote and it came up to about $70 a month.
As for the motorcycle itself, it’d be about $85 a month over the next two years while I’m still in school. I’d spotted a used one online for a measly two grand recently. I’d already checked it out last week and found no problems with it.
I wasn’t looking for some sort of monster machine. It had a 250cc engine displacement. The speed topped out at about 130 kilometers per hour which was more than enough for me. I wasn’t aiming to be some daredevil phantom rider of the night.
Though… it was true that the motorcycle I set eyes on was all black with a tall dark tinted windshield. But the best part of it was that it was automatic. Unfortunately, I’d still have to use a manual one for the training course and test since I wasn’t able to buy it yet.
My first time through life I got a car, but this time around, there was already Irene’s car. Hence why I didn’t need a car that badly and opted for a used motorcycle instead.
I had to meet the seller before work today to finalize the sale once I got my learner’s permit. I was in a rush because I was afraid he might sell it to someone else if I wasn’t fast enough.
Honestly though, it was quite a pain in the ass to get this bloody motorcycle license compared to a regular license for compact passenger vehicles.
In this city, I first needed to do a class 5 knowledge test to get my class 5L license before I could do the class 6 knowledge test to get my class 5M license. Luckily you were allowed to do one knowledge test per class of license per day so I could do them both today. Once I did that, I had to take a stupid one-day-long motorcycle training course.
After that course, only then would I receive my class 6L learner’s permit license.
Thankfully I was able to arrange to do the course right after the knowledge tests. However… if I somehow failed I wouldn’t be able to do the course without the class 6M license. That would be depressing because I still had to pay for it too, there were no refunds.
This entire process was such a pain in the ass. But it couldn’t be helped, this time around in my life I valued mobility above anything else. My life this time around had a tendency to get quite hectic at times. Motorcycles were the most agile option there was available to me so it felt like the most appropriate choice.
Parking at Irene’s place was also a concern I took into consideration when I made my choice. I could even store it inside during winter as well. If I got stuck in traffic, I could easily squeeze into a side street or back alleyway.
There were quite a few benefits I’d taken into account. It wasn’t a random choice. I’d weighed the pros and the cons. The only con to it was winter time when the roads weren’t clear. But in that case, there was still Irene’s car available. Rosa would also likely get her own.
Plus… it looked… cool.
Okay! I admit it, I got suckered in by the cool factor. Just a little bit. It was more of a cherry on top sort of thing though.
“Haaaaah. Kids grow up so fast these days. Already getting your license, I only got mine when I turned 18,” Irene held her cheek and lamented to herself.
“You were already preoccupied with your daughter at that time, it couldn’t be helped, right?” She also had her husband.
“Certainly, taking care of my adorable daughter was all I cared about at the time.”
Irene stared at her daughter back with a warm look in her eyes.
Right now Alicia and Rosa were in the middle of their written test. I was up next after they finished. There were only two stations set up to do the written test. Though it was called a written test, it was all done electronically these days.
It would be instantly graded by the computer and you’d have your result immediately, it would inform you whether you passed or failed as soon as you answered the last question.
There were forty questions on the test and you had to score eighty percent. In other words, you only needed thirty-two correct answers to pass. If you got 36 correct in a row, it would cut off the test there.
Why thirty-six and not thirty-two? Well, that was because the test was divided into two sections, rules of the road and road signs. You were only allowed to get four incorrect in each section.
As soon as you got five wrong in one of the sections or you got nine wrong between the two sections, the test would end.
Honestly, it was nothing difficult though. Most of the stuff that showed up was basic common sense.
As I waited with Irene in the waiting area, the duo doing their written test not too far away carefully answered the questions on it one by one. The entire test was multiple choice.
They’d been given thirty minutes altogether to complete it, but you didn’t really need that much time.
The two of them were at the fifteen-minute mark in the test. Rosa appeared calm as usual. Alicia on the other hand seemed a bit nervous.
About five minutes later, Rosa stood up from her seat and headed back over to us when she finished the test.
“How’d it go?” I asked when she stopped in front of me.
“I passed on the thirty-seventh question and only got one wrong because of the crappy wording on the question that was confusing. It was easy like you said it would be.” She sat down to my left, wrapped her arms around my left arm, and nuzzled her cheek up against it in a relaxed fashion.
“Alicia still looks pretty nervous though.”
“She’ll be fine. Hehe, I finished faster though, so I won this spot. We were competing for it.”
“Why are you competing over something pointless like that?”
“Because it’s your birthday, duh. It’s to see who can be the most lovey-dovey with you on your birthday. Why wouldn’t we compete?”
“That’s a rather subjective competition, don’t you think?”
“So what?”
“Well, you two always get along so well. I didn’t expect you’d compete over something so pointless.”
“There’s no harm in a little competition between each other. Besides… she got one up on me at the planetarium with you. Don’t you think you’ve neglected me a bit?” She poked my cheek with her left index finger.
“Sorry. Didn’t I say I’d make it up to you?”
“It’s been over two weeks already, you know.”
“Well, we’ve been busy studying for the knowledge test to get our license together, haven’t we?”
“It only felt like you were studying for the class 6 knowledge test though. Every time I asked you a question about the class 5 knowledge test you always knew the answer immediately. I never saw you once look through the class 5 handbook. What’s with that?”
“It’s mostly common sense stuff, you’re just not that good with everyday common sense stuff for normal civilians is all.”
“I’ve at least gotten a bit better…” Rosa grumbled as she pouted and puffed out her right cheek a bit. Seated, she adjusted her posture in her chair and pointed her knees my way. Her lower legs bent at an angle under her chair as she scooted up to the edge. Her feet were parallel to the wall behind us while her toes lightly touched the ground.
“Can you please stop trying to sabotage me right before I take my test?”
“Hehe, no way. I’ll definitely sabotage you and make it so you can’t focus on your test.”
“Oh? That sounds like a great idea Rosa~ I quite like it. It’d be a great chance to see Ran’s troubled face when he slips up.” Irene chimed in more than happy to cause trouble for me.
Irene placed her left hand down on top of my right thigh and let it slide down the inner side.
As soon as she did that, I robotically stood up from my chair in a swift fashion.
“Please stop messing around you two. I’m going now.”
“Hahaha!” Irene laughed sweetly and gave an insincere apology, “Sorry, it really is quite fun seeing you troubled.”
“Such minimalistic technique… it seems I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Rosa muttered as she examined Irene, a contemplative look on her face, with her right hand curled, and the side of her index finger positioned beneath her lower lip.
Damn it! Don’t take notes from her! Irene was up there with Wisteria in terms of leaving me troubled. I don’t need another one developing such dreadful skills.
Chapter 296. My Birthday: Knowledge Test. (1/6)
It was a Tuesday, the second day of spring break. Time had flown by in a flash and overall, it had been quite peaceful. For the most part, things with Operation Hook Up were looking pretty good. It had been smooth sailing since the school trip.
But today wasn’t about that operation. Rather, it was a much more important day in my life.
I was taking the knowledge test to receive my learner’s permit today. Rosa and Alicia were as well. Alicia had been able to for a long time now, but she’d never gotten around to doing it because she was too nervous to do it alone. As for Rosa, she said she wanted to wait and take it together with me.
As for why I was taking it today… well, it was my birthday, I’d finally turned 16. Ugh, it also meant I had to go through an interview process at work after this. What an awful day.
“Ran… you really want to do the written test on your birthday?” The one who asked me that was Irene. She’d driven us all here.
“Of course. The sooner I get it the better.”
“You’re… also sure about what you want to get?”
“Yes. As soon as I get my learner’s permit today I’ll be getting it.”
Rather than a car, I was looking at a much cheaper alternative that I would be able to finance at a reasonable amount even with what my monthly savings were. I was eyeing a motorcycle this time around. They cost a lot less maintenance-wise as well. I’d also be able to cover the insurance on it with ease. I got a quote and it came up to about $70 a month.
As for the motorcycle itself, it’d be about $85 a month over the next two years while I’m still in school. I’d spotted a used one online for a measly two grand recently. I’d already checked it out last week and found no problems with it.
I wasn’t looking for some sort of monster machine. It had a 250cc engine displacement. The speed topped out at about 130 kilometers per hour which was more than enough for me. I wasn’t aiming to be some daredevil phantom rider of the night.
Though… it was true that the motorcycle I set eyes on was all black with a tall dark tinted windshield. But the best part of it was that it was automatic. Unfortunately, I’d still have to use a manual one for the training course and test since I wasn’t able to buy it yet.
My first time through life I got a car, but this time around, there was already Irene’s car. Hence why I didn’t need a car that badly and opted for a used motorcycle instead.
I had to meet the seller before work today to finalize the sale once I got my learner’s permit. I was in a rush because I was afraid he might sell it to someone else if I wasn’t fast enough.
Honestly though, it was quite a pain in the ass to get this bloody motorcycle license compared to a regular license for compact passenger vehicles.
In this city, I first needed to do a class 5 knowledge test to get my class 5L license before I could do the class 6 knowledge test to get my class 5M license. Luckily you were allowed to do one knowledge test per class of license per day so I could do them both today. Once I did that, I had to take a stupid one-day-long motorcycle training course.
After that course, only then would I receive my class 6L learner’s permit license.
Thankfully I was able to arrange to do the course right after the knowledge tests. However… if I somehow failed I wouldn’t be able to do the course without the class 6M license. That would be depressing because I still had to pay for it too, there were no refunds.
This entire process was such a pain in the ass. But it couldn’t be helped, this time around in my life I valued mobility above anything else. My life this time around had a tendency to get quite hectic at times. Motorcycles were the most agile option there was available to me so it felt like the most appropriate choice.
Parking at Irene’s place was also a concern I took into consideration when I made my choice. I could even store it inside during winter as well. If I got stuck in traffic, I could easily squeeze into a side street or back alleyway.
There were quite a few benefits I’d taken into account. It wasn’t a random choice. I’d weighed the pros and the cons. The only con to it was winter time when the roads weren’t clear. But in that case, there was still Irene’s car available. Rosa would also likely get her own.
Plus… it looked… cool.
Okay! I admit it, I got suckered in by the cool factor. Just a little bit. It was more of a cherry on top sort of thing though.
“Haaaaah. Kids grow up so fast these days. Already getting your license, I only got mine when I turned 18,” Irene held her cheek and lamented to herself.
“You were already preoccupied with your daughter at that time, it couldn’t be helped, right?” She also had her husband.
“Certainly, taking care of my adorable daughter was all I cared about at the time.”
Irene stared at her daughter back with a warm look in her eyes.
Right now Alicia and Rosa were in the middle of their written test. I was up next after they finished. There were only two stations set up to do the written test. Though it was called a written test, it was all done electronically these days.
It would be instantly graded by the computer and you’d have your result immediately, it would inform you whether you passed or failed as soon as you answered the last question.
There were forty questions on the test and you had to score eighty percent. In other words, you only needed thirty-two correct answers to pass. If you got 36 correct in a row, it would cut off the test there.
Why thirty-six and not thirty-two? Well, that was because the test was divided into two sections, rules of the road and road signs. You were only allowed to get four incorrect in each section.
As soon as you got five wrong in one of the sections or you got nine wrong between the two sections, the test would end.
Honestly, it was nothing difficult though. Most of the stuff that showed up was basic common sense.
As I waited with Irene in the waiting area, the duo doing their written test not too far away carefully answered the questions on it one by one. The entire test was multiple choice.
They’d been given thirty minutes altogether to complete it, but you didn’t really need that much time.
The two of them were at the fifteen-minute mark in the test. Rosa appeared calm as usual. Alicia on the other hand seemed a bit nervous.
About five minutes later, Rosa stood up from her seat and headed back over to us when she finished the test.
“How’d it go?” I asked when she stopped in front of me.
“I passed on the thirty-seventh question and only got one wrong because of the crappy wording on the question that was confusing. It was easy like you said it would be.” She sat down to my left, wrapped her arms around my left arm, and nuzzled her cheek up against it in a relaxed fashion.
“Alicia still looks pretty nervous though.”
“She’ll be fine. Hehe, I finished faster though, so I won this spot. We were competing for it.”
“Why are you competing over something pointless like that?”
“Because it’s your birthday, duh. It’s to see who can be the most lovey-dovey with you on your birthday. Why wouldn’t we compete?”
“That’s a rather subjective competition, don’t you think?”
“So what?”
“Well, you two always get along so well. I didn’t expect you’d compete over something so pointless.”
“There’s no harm in a little competition between each other. Besides… she got one up on me at the planetarium with you. Don’t you think you’ve neglected me a bit?” She poked my cheek with her left index finger.
“Sorry. Didn’t I say I’d make it up to you?”
“It’s been over two weeks already, you know.”
“Well, we’ve been busy studying for the knowledge test to get our license together, haven’t we?”
“It only felt like you were studying for the class 6 knowledge test though. Every time I asked you a question about the class 5 knowledge test you always knew the answer immediately. I never saw you once look through the class 5 handbook. What’s with that?”
“It’s mostly common sense stuff, you’re just not that good with everyday common sense stuff for normal civilians is all.”
“I’ve at least gotten a bit better…” Rosa grumbled as she pouted and puffed out her right cheek a bit. Seated, she adjusted her posture in her chair and pointed her knees my way. Her lower legs bent at an angle under her chair as she scooted up to the edge. Her feet were parallel to the wall behind us while her toes lightly touched the ground.
“Can you please stop trying to sabotage me right before I take my test?”
“Hehe, no way. I’ll definitely sabotage you and make it so you can’t focus on your test.”
“Oh? That sounds like a great idea Rosa~ I quite like it. It’d be a great chance to see Ran’s troubled face when he slips up.” Irene chimed in more than happy to cause trouble for me.
Irene placed her left hand down on top of my right thigh and let it slide down the inner side.
As soon as she did that, I robotically stood up from my chair in a swift fashion.
“Please stop messing around you two. I’m going now.”
“Hahaha!” Irene laughed sweetly and gave an insincere apology, “Sorry, it really is quite fun seeing you troubled.”
“Such minimalistic technique… it seems I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Rosa muttered as she examined Irene, a contemplative look on her face, with her right hand curled, and the side of her index finger positioned beneath her lower lip.
Damn it! Don’t take notes from her! Irene was up there with Wisteria in terms of leaving me troubled. I don’t need another one developing such dreadful skills.
