"So, to answer all your questions," Yu raised five fingers and lowered one with each question he answered. "Our next date is on the first day of summer break. We're going to an arcade. I'll be wearing something more casual. I'll try to pick out an outfit myself. And no, we did not kiss—but we did hold hands."
By the time he finished, we were already thirty minutes into the second period. You'd think Luna had bombarded him with questions, but she'd mostly been fangirling, talking about how happy she was for Yu and repeating the same questions over and over again. It got so bad that at some point, Yu stopped being embarrassed, and I started spacing out.
Thankfully, she finally seemed to be all out of questions.
"Welp," Luna sighed as she dug through her bag and pulled out a stack of textbooks and notebooks. "I think it's time to start grinding again. Let's go, Yu."
The wide grin he'd worn as he talked about his date vanished instantly.
"Okay…" he groaned.
They both set their study materials on the desk and continued where they left off. I was surprised they even managed to do that. We usually never got back on track after getting sidetracked. Guess this was what exams did to people.
Now that the two of them had stopped talking, I could clearly hear the chatter of our classmates once more.
"Mei, can I have some help over here?"
I turned towards the voice. Mei was rushing over to a classmate from the opposite side of the room.
I let out a small sigh.
While we were busy procrastinating and talking about Yu's love life, Mei had been helping everyone in this class. In fact, there wasn't a single notebook or textbook out on her desk. People had been asking her for help nonstop since the class started. By the looks of it, it might go on all week.
I personally didn't understand—and didn't want to. Extending a helping hand not just to your close friends, but to people you barely even know? I'd never do that.
I don't know why she did stuff like this, but she could do whatever she wanted. It was none of my business, anyway.
Still…
...This is why I hate nice people.
Unable to look any further, I forcefully returned my attention to my phone.
The rest of the day played out exactly like the first two periods. Mei was busy helping people regardless of the class we were in, and she didn't even catch a break during lunch.
The same was true for Yu, Luna and me. The two of them would be studying while I would do whatever I felt like, occasionally helping them with their work when they asked.
***
It was now the end of the day. Just as the three of us finished packing our bags, a notification buzzed from our phones at the same time. It didn't take much to guess that it came from a group chat we were all in, so only one of us needed to read it.
"Can someone check that for me?" I said. "I'm too lazy to take out my phone."
Luna rolled her eyes. "Dude, all you have to do is put your hand in your pocket and read one message."
"If it's so easy, then why don't you do it?" I shot back.
"W-well that's because–"
Yu sighed loudly, interrupting her. "It's not a big deal. I'll do it."
After taking a second to read the message, he looked up at us and asked, "Remi's asking if we want to study in the student council room. I'll go if you two go?"
I shrugged and said my usual answer. "I don't care."
But I didn't want to kill the mood, so I turned to Luna and encouraged her to voice her thoughts. "I'm fine either way. It's your call."
Luna didn't waste a moment as she excitedly clasped her hands together. "Then let's go! The more the merrier, am I right?"
I don't know if that's how it works for studying, but if you say so.
We all grabbed our bags and headed for the student council room. Just seeing the door to the student council room standing in the middle of the hall reminded me of how much prestige this room, as well as this school, actually carried.
As we opened the door and entered the room, a familiar, cheery voice welcomed us.
"It looks like they finally arrived. Welcome, you three!"
Wait… what? She isn't supposed to be here.
I quickly scanned the room. Both Remi and Sora sat at a table to the right. On the left sat one student—Mei.
I gave her a quizzical brow.
"What's she doing here?" I asked, letting it come off a little rude.
"Watch what you're saying! Are you trying to scare her away or something?!" Remi snapped.
She quickly gave Mei a small, apologetic bow. "Sorry about that. He says whatever pops into his head. Forgive him—and ignore him while you're at it."
Mei let out a soft giggle. "It's fine. You're forgetting I was his partner for the three-legged race, so I already know a bit about him."
Yu, noticing the way they talked to each other, turned to Remi and asked: "So did you invite her, Remi?"
She nodded, leaning back into her chair. "Yeah. She and I started talking after sports day, and since exams were coming up and she's really smart, I wanted to invite her to our study session!"
Are you sure it's just that? Or did you want to get tutored by her rather than me? I kept those thoughts to myself, though.
"Well," Sora said, gesturing to the open seats. "How about you guys take a seat? We don't have all day, and I'm sure you're already tired enough. Please, help yourself."
Usually, the two desks that are to the left and right of the student council president's desk were separated. Today, they had been pushed together.
Without wasting any more time, Yu took a seat next to Remi, I sat next to Mei, and Luna took the seat next to me. The other four pulled out their notes and began to study almost simultaneously. I, on the other hand, got comfortable as I rested my head against the table and closed my eyes. My phone was almost dead, so I didn't have anything left to do.
Noticing this, Sora awkwardly cleared his throat in an attempt to get my attention. "So, uhh, are you going to be studying, Hoshino?"
If it had come from anyone else—like Remi—I would've simply laughed it off. But because Sora was asking out of genuine concern, I had to give him a genuine response.
This is another reason why I hate nice people!
"Nah, I just don't feel like studying," I replied casually. "I'm only here in case any of you need help."
Sora gave me an understanding nod. "That's fine. I was just asking to see if you were uncomfortable or anything like that. Sorry for disturbing you. Have fun!"
Suddenly, Sora's side of the table shook, and he let out a pained yelp. If I had to guess, I'd assume Remi had kicked him under the table, considering she was basically glaring at him.
"Sora! You can't just brush off his behaviour like that! You're encouraging him to be a bad student! You're also the student council president! You have to force him!"
Sora grimaced as he gently rubbed his shin, sparing me a glance. "Well, in his defence, he always places at least the top two. Considering he does that without studying, I don't blame him. Most people would probably do the same thing."
Whoa. He's actually defending me from his childhood friend, no less. I'll remember this!
Remi's mouth hung open as she struggled to refute him. She whipped her head towards me, brows furrowed in agitation. I flashed her a smug grin.
I would hate to be in your shoes right now.
Unable to bear the humiliation any longer, Remi grit her teeth and buried her face in her books. Sora chuckled softly before doing the same.
The silence that followed didn't last too long before Luna pushed her notebook in front of me.
"I don't know how to do this. Can you help me?"
Mei's pencil stopped, and she glanced at Luna's notebook. Her mouth opened, but I responded first.
"Sure. What do you need help with?"
Luna leaned in and pointed her pencil at the question she was struggling with. I quickly read it and began walking her through it. I kept Mei in my peripheral vision the whole time.
Although she had returned to her own studies, her pencil had slowed, if only slightly. So, I lightly kicked her under the table. Her hand didn't stop, but she glanced at me from the corner of her eye.
You don't have to worry about anything. Just focus on your own work. I'll help whoever needs it.
She didn't answer or nod. She simply shifted her eyes away and continued with her studies. Her pencil moved at a normal pace again.
After I finished helping Luna, I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. It wasn't that I was getting annoyed; it was just a little tiring teaching all day.
I planned to relax for a bit... until I felt a soft nudge against my foot. I slowly opened my eyes and glanced towards Mei.
She had her notebook raised to her face, as if she were carefully reading a question. It was angled in a way where only I could see her face.
Then, without a sound, she mouthed the words…
"Thank you."
I simply shook my head. There was no need to thank me. She didn't ask for help—I just did it because I wanted to. It also only made sense that I would be the one to help. I was the only one doing nothing, after all.
She seemed to understand, put her notebook back down on the desk, and continued studying.
Now that her eyes were off me, I let out a noiseless breath.
...Maybe there was a part of me—just a little part of me—that did it because I wanted to lighten Mei's burden; however little that was.
But there's no way I'd admit that.