Midterms and Jealousy

Neither me and Tochaki-san slacked off even if it was the weekend. We both studied for long hours and had short breaks in between every 2-3 hours of studying. The weekend flew past us and it was finally the week of final exams. Everyone was complaining the first thing coming to school. Some first-year boys were still giving me death stares even though the kissing incident was already a week ago. I was still getting questioned by boys day after day about my relationship with Tochaki-san.

"I swear me and Kinai-san have nothing to do with each other."

I still address Tochaki-san as Kinai-san in school. People would get even more suspicious of my relationship with her if I called her by her given name.

"Stop denying it. There was no reason for her to kiss you if you had no relations to her at all."

These were the typical arguments I would encounter everyday.

"I said this before and I'll say it again, it was obvious she kissed me to send a message to Tachi. Have you ever seen me and her talk to each other at school ever?"

There was in fact no lie in that sentence. Tochaki-san already told me that day in the infirmary that she kissed me to protect me by sending a message to Tachi. And we in fact do not talk to each other in school as she knows getting closer to me would only cause me more trouble.

"Even if that's the case, Kinai–san proposed to walk home with you that day. How do you explain that?

"I simply live close to her. That's all."

That was a lie. I actually live WITH her now.

"But you guys never walked home together before."

"Well we didn't know we live close together until I unexpectedly saved her back then."

*ding*

Ah, finally the bell rang. I guess the midterm exams are about to begin.

The first two subjects tested today were math and Japanese history. One subject I am terrible at and one subject I was average at. With everything that the after school lessons have taught me with the addition of Tochaki-san's help, I was able to get through most of the questions. Although there were still questions I didn't know how to solve, I was pretty confident in my ability to pass this exam. As for Japanese history, it was a fly in the park. Although I was average at the subject, the midterm exam seemed oddly easy compared to the tests I was given. Ah, it must have been, again, Tochaki-san's help. I can finally make it up to her after this week. Like always, we waited until most of the students left school before me and Tochaki-san came in contact to go home. I wouldn't want people seeing us walking besides each other even if people think we live close by to avoid any more confrontations and staring eyes. Kanjiro was able to keep our secret very well. I won't lie, I was surprised since his mouth is always open and it might accidentally slip out one day. I'll worry about it later though. It's time to go home and study for two subjects tomorrow: Japanese literature and chemistry.

Night came strolling again and me and Tochaki-san were studying in my room.

"Remember, when a solid is formed during a displacement reaction, a precipitate has formed. Don't forget to balance the equation at the end as well."

"Yep, got it."

This kept up for another hour or so until Tochaki-san got sleepy.

"Let's end it here today Juni-san. I am soooo tired."

"Yea, have a goodnight."

Tochaki-san opened the door but before she left the room, she turned around and pouted again before closing the door. This has been a daily routine of her pouting when our study session is over. Just what is she trying to accomplish? Of course there were also my own feelings that Tochaki-san doesn't know yet. I wonder if I really tell her how I feel and how grateful I am to her, what her reaction would be. I guess I'll find out in today's dream since it won't ever happen in real life.

Day two of midterms started with yet again, first-year boys questioning me and Tochaki-san. I guess this will keep up for another few weeks or so. Just gotta give them the same answer until they are finally satisfied with the current circumstance.

*Ding*

The bell rang. It's finally time for the second day of midterms: Japanese Literature and Chemistry.

"Hey Juniiiiii! I think I bombed the chemistry test! I was able to understand every question and solve it but I forgot to balance the equation before answer it and only found out after the test!"

Kanjiro was complaining to me that one simple mistake bombed his whole entire test.

"Don't worry, you get more points by showing your work. Plus, balancing the equation was only worth 1 point for each question anyways."

"Yea, but don't you feel annoyed when you realize you understood everything on a test, but something stupid like not balancing it can decrease your grade significantly!"

He was right. Although I never had experience myself, I can see myself getting frustrated by a simple mistake as well.

"Well anyways, I'll see you tomorrow for the last three tests! Have fun walking with Kinai-ch–"

I immediately covered Kanjiro's mouth with my hands when I heard Tochaki-san's name being called. I knew something like this was going to happen. One slip up and it's over. Thank God I was here to stop him.

"My bad bro. I'll be more careful next time."

"Please do. I'll see you tomorrow."

I waited around 45 minutes for everyone to leave school. I got up from my desk and exited out my classroom. Tochaki-san was already there waiting for me. She walked towards me with a pout on her face.

Oh God, what's it this time?

"Are you alright, Tochaki-san?"

Did something happen today at school that made her a little mad? Was it the midterm? Given that I was pretty positive I did alright on the test, there was no way Tochaki-san would do bad right?

"Was it because of the midterm?"

"No… I'm just jealous. That's all…"

Jealous? Of who?

"If I may ask, why are you jealous?"

"Isseiyama-san…"

"Why are you jealous of Kanjiro?"

"Because he can come up to you and talk to you whenever he wants. Given what happened that day when I kissed you, I have to stay a distance to avoid causing more drama."

"O-oh… I see."

"I really wanted to talk to you today as well! I saw you talking to Isseiyama-san in the classroom but can only watch from a distance…"

"I'm sorr–"

"Don't apologize, it's not like it's your fault or anything, maybe I'm just being childish."

The thing is I never knew this was her feelings at school everyday. We promised each other to support each other when one of us is in need of help. I guess it's my chance to finally break from the shell of cowardness.

"Tochaki-san, I don't see a reason why you shouldn't talk to me at school. The first-year boys only question our relations because of what happened that day when you kissed me. As long as no one else finds out about our secret at home, there is no reason for them to get mad at either of us."

"But I don't want to cause trouble if it does…"

"Its fine, it's not like the boys can do much more than ask me questions. My answer will eventually just become that we are Just friends at school. Simple."

"Mmmmmm… Huf!"

Why is she pouting again? Did I say something wrong? The whole way back home I tried to understand Tochaki-san but she would not say anything. Tomorrow is the last day of midterms but there are also three subjects to be tested instead of two: English, Biology, and World History.

The last day of finals passed by quickly. I personally think I did well on all three of the subjects. Will it be the first time I ace all the tests? If I do well on this midterm and ace the tests to come in the future, I might even avoid repeating a grade! The thought of "advancing" was so common to hear, but so rare to achieve in my life.A taste of the experience isn't so bad after all.

"Hey Juni, I have these tickets for a new action anime series adapted in a form of live-action! It's tomorrow, want to go watch it with me?"

I looked at the ticket to see what show it was from. Ah, the romance manga/anime everyone is watching these days. Kaguya-sama: Love is War. It was a common series name I heard throughout high school. It is incredibly popular for its funny mix of comedy and breath-taking form of romance. It was only a matter of time until this series gets a live-action adaptation. As much as I want to go, I already have something else planned…

"Sorry Kanjiro, but I am going to have to decline the offer. I have some plans with Tochaki-san already."

"Awwwwwe so soon? Good luck!"

Good luck my ass. I really don't understand why he would be "cheering" for someone like me when her league is ten times higher than mine.

"Yea whatever. We can hangout later in the break if you want."

"Sorry man, My grandparents are visiting after tomorrow for the entirety of Winter Break."

"That's sad to hear. I'll see you at school then."

"Yep! Bye-bye!"

Kanjiro ran out of the classroom after that. I looked out the window and saw students talking to each other and walking home. I never really seen this view before. In my past days, I would always be the first few people to run out of the classroom and go home. Now I have something to look forward to everyday instead of looking at a blank wall with no future ahead of me. There was no club activity today, meaning there were more students leaving early. Maybe I should join a club.

"Juni-kun!!"

I turned around and Tochaki-san was calling out to be outside of my classroom. Damn, I was thinking to myself and completely forgot about going home.

"Sorry, lets go home!"

"So… tomorrow… remember?"

Tochaki-san was obviously talking about our plan to go to the aquarium tomorrow. I was about to tell her I remember, but I thought of something interesting…"

"Oh yea, I'm going to the movies with Kanjiro tomorrow. He invited me to watch a live-action adaptation of an anime/manga."

"Ehhhhh. But… Alright… have fun…"

I can tell Tochaki-san was disappointed and devastated that I 'forgot' about our 'date' tomorrow. It seems I went a little too far.

"I'm sorry Tochaki-san. I only meant to tease you a little bit. I didn't forget our plans tomorrow to go to the aquarium nor do I plan on canceling it. I only wanted a little sweet reaction out of you but it seems I went too far. I apologize."

"Jun-kun… you dummy… please don't tease me…"

Yea I messed up. Why did I even tease her in the first place? I was struggling to try to find a way to cheer Tochaki-san up, when I realized something.

I slowly and gently patted Tochaki-san's head like a petting a cat. I stroke the top of her head slowly. She looked towards my direction and lowered her head.

"Just for today… I'll forgive you…"

It seemed to work. Back when Tokita-san told me a secret, it was a way to cheer Tochaki-san up. It seemed patting her head really does work. Although I can't see all of her face, I can tell she was smiling while also blushing a little. I stopped patting her and lowered my hands.

"Wait no…"

"Do you want me to pet you more?"

I said it in a more sarcastic tone. Now Tochaki-san's face is beetroot and tried covering her face with her hands.

"Let's just go home!"

She wouldn't stop slapping me on the shoulders for making her embarrassed.