A One-Year Plan? My Second-Year Middle School Daughter Decides to Try for Eiken Grade 2

Ever since taking the Eiken Pre-2 exam at school, my daughter Tora has been feeling bewildered by A-ko, a boastful girl who keeps treating her like a rival.

The next goal is Eiken Grade 2, but Tora insisted she never wanted to take an exam with A-ko again, so she skipped this round. (The real reason is that she wants to procrastinate on studying as much as possible.)

However, A-ko seemed to assume Tora would be taking the Grade 2 exam this time too, and she began appearing in Tora's classroom to talk loudly about the Eiken.
At one point, she even cornered a boy sitting next to Tora and said,

“Listen! I tried some past Grade 2 papers and actually got a surprisingly good score.
I didn't study at all because I thought I wouldn't pass anyway, so I'm in real trouble if I don't start practicing for the interview now.”
Or something like that.

The boy, who knows nothing about the Eiken, looked confused.
The surrounding classmates also seemed put off by A-ko's smug remarks.
But Tora, knowing she is A-ko's target, couldn't take the bait and had no choice but to pretend not to hear.

Tora doesn't usually speak ill of others, but on this day, as soon as she got home, she vented, “A-ko is seriously annoying. It’s embarrassing just listening to her.”
According to rumors, A-ko passed the first stage of the exam safely.

While that was surprising, Tora breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, “At least I won't have to take an exam with A-ko ever again.” (You can't take the Grade Pre-1 exam at school.)

However, A-ko came back to try and assert her dominance once more.

“Tora-san, you didn't take the Grade 2 exam, did you!
I really thought you would.
I passed with a score of ○, which was pretty easy, so I'm sure you would have passed too.
I was so lonely because I was the only second-year student taking Grade 2.”

Unable to say that she didn't want to have any contact with someone like her, Tora replied,

“Grade 2 is impossible for me.
It's amazing that you passed on your first try.”

She offered sincere praise.

However, lately, it seems like all of A-ko's provocations have been taking their toll, like a slow-acting body blow.

“I'll try taking the Grade 2 exam next time, even if it's a long shot.
I won't have to take it with A-ko anymore, and I have three chances before high school entrance exams, so I should be able to manage by then.”

That's what Tora suddenly said.

Does this mean I should be grateful to A-ko for provoking her?
And she says 'three chances' so easily, but does she realize how much the exam fees and other costs will add up to!?

…Suppressing the urge to say that, I secretly think about restarting Kimini (Gakken's online English service) during summer vacation, like thedotingmother I am.