Chapter 16: Chapter 14 – Studies For The Upcoming Winter

~Tuesday

2:00 P.M.

It was Tuesday, the wind got colder and the leaves where starting to fall. As usual, I was walking from school with Riku and Sachi.

However, instead of going home, we were heading to a family restaurant.

We promised to hang out today, Tuesday. However, instead of playing around, we decided to hold a study session, per Riku's request.

"You guys saved me~" (Riku)

Riku, who was walking beside me, said.

"What if, instead of begging us for help, you study regularly for a change?" (Kei)

I coldly told Riku.

"Don't be mean! I wish I could, but I can't focus at all. Rather, I fall asleep really easy! Sachi, you think the same, right?" (Riku)

""..."" (Kei & Sachi)

"What's that look for!?" (Riku)

"Riku... you do know Sachi is 2nd in the class, and 5th in the whole grade right? You aren't even on the top 25th..." (Kei)

"How mean!" (Riku)

"But Kei is kind of right. Riku, you should study a bit more... even if it is at least 1 hour daily, you know?" (Sachi)

Sachi, who was quite during our whole exchange, told Riku.

Whom the latter, took it as emotional damage.

"Geh-" (Riku)

Im glad they can now banter like this... back then they only though of each other as a 'friend of a friend'.

I thought, as we approached the family restaurant.

~○●○~

~Family Restaurant

2:15 P.M.

After we entered the restaurant, we looked for some available seats and placed our orders.

While we where waiting for our drinks, I turned to Riku and asked him.

"Do you still have the exam scores I told you about?" (Kei)

"Hm? Ah yup, here." (Riku)

Riku said, as he handed me a paper, which contained last test's personal scores.

As I received the paper, I looked at the contents.

Class 1-A Riku Ryouzaki

Mathematics - 59

Biology - 62

History - 96

Spanish - 70

English - 72

After I finished inspecting the sheet, I passed it to Sachi.

"You really are good at history..." (Kei)

"Even though we already know this, it's always kind of hard to accept..." (Sachi)

Both me and Sachi, were dumbfounded at Riku's History knowledge.

We already knew he was good at History. However, as someone who has known Riku for a while, this caliber of knowledge generally wouldn't fit him.

"I mean... art also has it's history you know? Another reason, is because I feel like there are some historical sites that tell beautiful stories, and as far as looks and atmosphere goes, there's many which deserve to be painted." (Riku)

"Hmm... I see. Somehow, that sounds very Riku-like." (Sachi)

"Pfffttt... what's with that?" (Riku)

Seeing them as they bantered back and fort, I couldn't help but have a smile on my face.

Before, they didn't open up to me at all. I forcefully called them 'friends' which thinking about it, back then they might've thought of me as annoying. However, looking at how both of them are now, I definitely don't regret annoying them.

"I feel like Kei is thinking about something really unnecessary..." (Riku)

"I agree." (Sachi)

"Hm? Oh come one! I was just feeling proud of these two baby birds." (Kei)

""Gross."" (Riku & Sachi)

"Why!?" (Kei)

They definitely don't understand this feeling! I thought, while feeling somehow superior.

~○●○~

"...and after you simplify it, the answer goes down to ×=4(10+5). Caught up?" (Sachi)

"Now I get it... You are an angel Sachi..." (Riku)

"Eh!? N-no... i-it's nothing..." (Sachi)

Sachi, who suddenly got complimented by Riku, turned her face away, while I, watched them from the other side of the table.

*staaaaaareee~*

"W-what now...?" (Riku)

"Hm? Ah, it's nothing. Don't worry." (Kei)

Areh? Aren't they... quite the match?

"You are thinking something unnecessary again, aren't you?" (Sachi)

"Geh!? Busted... huh?" (Kei)

Feeling a little dejected, I tried to change the topic.

"A-anyway... Sachi, how did last tests go for you?" (Kei)

"Unn? Me? Lets see... Ah! Here." (Sachi)

After fiddling with her phone for a while, Sachi showed me a photo of a report card, which she must've took the same day she received it.

Class 1-A Sachi Sadataka

Mathematics - 98

Biology - 94

History - 93

Spanish - 95

English - 97

"Heh~ By this alone, it looks like Riku is the odd-one-out." (Kei)

I couldn't help but chuckle. Of course, we didn't make fun of Riku's grades. Since we knew how hard he usually work, well... at least when he tried.

"Oi." (Riku)

"Fufu~ I probably don't need to ask but, what about yours Kei?" (Sachi)

"Hm? It was same as always." (Kei)

"Impressive." (Sachi)

"Gifted bastard." (Riku)

"Haha!" (Kei)

Class 1-A Kei Ichinose

Mathematics - 100

Biology - 100

History - 100

Spanish - 100

English - 100

"How do you get such grades? If I'm honest, classes are boring." (Riku)

""We know."" (Kei & Sachi)

"What's with the blank stare!?" (Riku)

"Anyway, my method? Well the thing is, I have playlists for each subject, I look for videos on such topics. I update said list every Friday? Then, I just review each of the week's topics on Saturday." (Kei)

Once I finished talking, both Riku and Sachi, felt silent.

"...what?" (Kei)

"No... it's just... I never thought you were THAT committed to your studies." (Sachi)

"I second that." (Riku)

Both of them looked at me with words of amazement, as they told me their opinion of me.

"I see? Anyway... I'm going to refill my drink so, does anyone want anything?" (Kei)

"Oh! Get me more soda!" (Riku)

"I'm fine here, please don't mind it." (Sachi)

"If you say so, the be right back." (Kei)

After our exchange, I got up from the table and headed towards the drink bar.

 

Riku's POV~

After Kei left, I turned towards Sachi, who was sitting next to me.

"You noticed it too, right?" (Riku)

"Kei's attitude? Of course." (Sachi)

We've been worried about Kei ever since THAT happened. However, we both were surprised to see that Kei was doing a lot better than we initially expected.

Back when he had a breakdown the day we visited him, our worries only increased.

Kei was the one who saved both of us, so it was only natural for us to be worried about him.

Still, it's been about a month since everything happened, and December was approaching.

"Still... Kei is actually looking better, I thought he might've been depressed for far longer but, it seems he's doing well?" (Sachi)

"I agree, that guy... sometimes he really worries us, huh?" (Riku)

"That just shows how much we care about him, does it not?" (Sachi)

Sachi giggles, after saying that.

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"You got that right." (Riku)

"..." (Sachi)

"..." (Riku)

Could this be... my chance to ask her?

I wanted to ask Sachi what her plans for Christmas are, and if maybe, just maybe, we can arrange a day to meet after our test period.

After gathering the courage, I decided to ask her.

"S-say... S-Sachi..." (Riku)

"Hm?" (Sachi)

Sachi turned her attention, which was directed to her textbook, towards me.

"Do you—" (Riku)

"I'm back! Here you go, Riku." (Kei)

"!?" (Riku)

"...?" (Sachi)

Kei, who came at the worst possible time, handed me my drink.

"T-thanks..." (Riku)

Kei... please read the mood...

I thought, as I glared towards Kei, trying to make him pick up on something.

 

Kei's POV~

As I handed the drink Riku asked me to get for him, he suddenly glared at me, while having his face beet red.

What did I do now!?

"Hah~ Anyway! Let's continue! I don't want to take a re-test!" (Riku)

At Riku's request, the study session continued.

~Way Home

5:30 P.M.

The sky took a vermillion color, and the breeze felt colder.

After the study session, we walked home, while making small talk.

"Hah~ I think I'll be good for the tests!" (Riku)

"Don't slack off. Remember to study properly." (Kei)

"Yes mom~" (Riku)

"""...""" (Kei, Riku & Sachi)

"Don't ever call me that, ever again." (Kei)

"Yes sir..." (Riku)

"Fufu, that was something else... Still, I wonder if Shizu is still holding up." (Sachi)

Sachi said, as she looked in front of her.

"She told me yesterday she was doing fine. Now, if she actually holds up to that, who knows." (Kei)

"I see. Kei, you are surprisingly calm." (Riku)

"Hm? Guess so. To be honest, for some reason, I've become indifferent. Maybe I'm moving on already." (Kei)

"If that's the case, I'm glad." (Sachi)

"Same here." (Riku)

"Thanks guys." (Kei)

I was glad to know that I had good friends, both of them where always there for me, that's why, I had to tell them now.

"Riku. Sachi." (Kei)

"Hm?" (Riku)

"Kei?" (Sachi)

The two of them, probably sensing my change in tone, stopped and looked serious.

"I've been thinking about it. I've been thinking if it was a good idea, considering how down I was back then." (Kei)

I knew that having your heart broken wasn't rare.

Back then, I always comforted those who had the courage to confess and got turned down.

However, I never said, 'Time will heal you' nor 'I know how you feel' Because I didn't understand it at all. 

Back then I never had my heart broken, and now, knowing that the one which I spend my childhood with, was far within reach.

At least, to finally be at peace. I had to do this.

"I'm planning on meeting someone." (Kei)

They stayed silent, as I continued to speak.

"Hayato Hayasaka. It may be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, but I will speak to him." (Kei)

"Isn't that...?" (Riku)

Riku, who probably heard that name before, asked me, to which I nodded.

"Yes, Hayato Hayasaka, or as we know him—" (Kei)

—Shizuka's boyfriend.

 

Riku's POV~

After Kei parted ways with us, a deep silenced remained.

We both had our thoughts on the matter. However, we said nothing, sure we were friends but, we were simply outsiders on this matter. Thus, this was a choice that only Kei could make.

"He seems different." (Sachi)

Sachi, who was still walking next to me, said.

"But it doesn't seem as a bad change, does it?" (Riku)

"Unn. I wonder what made him change. Could it be he found someone else?" (Sachi)

"Haha. I doubt he will be over Shizuka that quickly, but if that was the case, I hope that someone can heal that broken heart of his." (Riku)

"You are, right." (Sachi)

As we walked I remembered something. It wouldn't be long until, Sachi and i, part ways.

That's why, I decided to use this opportunity.

"Sachi." (Riku)

"Hm? Yes?" (Sachi)

I took a deep breath, and asked her.

"Do you have any plans for Christmas?" (Riku)

"Me? Well, not that I know of. Currently, that is." (Sachi)

"I see." (Riku)

I didn't want to waste the opportunity given to me this time, that's why—

"Then, want to meet up? Before or after the 24th. I don't mind." (Riku)

"...eh?" (Sachi)

—I had to man up.

"Eeehh!?" (Sachi)

Sachi's face grew redder as time went on. I just thought.

Could she be angry...?

Or something along those lines.

"S-sorry... I-it's weird ri—" (Riku)

"I-I don't mind..." (Sachi)

"—Wait, really!?" (Riku)

"Unn..." (Sachi)

Sachi replied, albeit a little shyly.

"Then, I will give you the details later! See you tomorrow, Sachi!" (Riku)

I said as I waved at her, while crossing the street, because we were on the spot we usually part ways.

How do I put this? Hm!

I have a feeling, a fleeting feeling that—

—this might be my most memorable Christmas in a while.

Days Until Family Meeting:

4 Days

 

---

 

(A/N)

Get her, Riku!

Yup, you probably noticed, Riku & Sachi are indeed the side couple! Don't worry, they will have their own ARC and their time to shine!

Anyway, how are you guys doing? Are you spending valentines with someone? I wanted to post another chap tomorrow. But I will spend my time with my girlfriend, so I can't.

Fun Fact: I don't have a girlfriend.

Back on track! It's finally time! Everyone, next chapter Shizuka's boyfriend, Hayato Hayasaka, makes his appearance!

Yes, he is real, and he's a good guy I swear.

Anyway, depending on how things play out. Arc 2 will last until Chapter 20 (Not Confirmed) but that's the plan.

Thanks for reading this far! Seeing your comments really motivates me to keep writing! So keep them coming!

Bye~! 

~Coming Next: Chapter 15 - Hayato Hayasaka

Bonus: