What do you do when only your friend passes?

On the way home from the exam, Chiikawa and Hachiware walk in silence. Hachiware imagines a scene of telling a crying Chiikawa that there's always next time. The manga also shows Hachiware saying that whatever the results, they'll have ramen on the way home, and Chiikawa nodding, and the two pass in front of Rou.

No panel puts Chiikawa's result into words. Still, from Hachiware's imagining and the silent walk home, I figured their results had probably gone different ways. Your friend passing makes you happy. Your own result stings. If you feel both, it's no wonder you can't smile right away.

That night, Hachiware says their chest feels too tight to eat, decides to eat tomorrow instead, and lies down. Hachiware looks at their weeding Grade 5 certificate, wondering what to do when the two of them don't feel the same way.

The one agonizing is Hachiware, the one holding the Grade 5 certificate. Even the one who passed can have a night of not finding the right words. One awkward moment surely doesn't decide their friendship.

What Chiikawa brings to Hachiware is a sweet shaped like Hachiware. Asked if it's to celebrate Grade 5, Chiikawa nods.

Hachiware was wondering what to do, and Chiikawa is the one who comes to see them. Giving a sweet doesn't change the exam results. Even so, Chiikawa can be glad about their friend's Grade 5. I think it's a way to keep their friendship going without making their results match.

I don't think the one who didn't make it has to be the one preparing the celebration. It's a joy to read because it's something Chiikawa chose to do on their own. On days when the words won't come, you can go see the person and hand something over. That's one way to do it, too.