YOSHI'S POV
I don't know if it's just me, or if the air feels heavier today. Maybe I'm just overthinking things again.
Akira's been avoiding me all day. Not that I blame her—I probably came on too strong yesterday. She ran away like I was some kind of monster. Or maybe I am one. A feelings monster or something. Ugh, this sucks.
I stare at the blackboard, but I haven't absorbed a single thing since class started. The teacher's voice is just background noise at this point. All I can think about is her face—red, flustered, confused—and how I completely blew my chance to apologize.
I lower my head on the desk. Great. Now I'm the idiot who made things awkward and couldn't fix it. Way to go, Yoshi.
Maybe she really hates me now. Maybe I should just give her space. But... how long? How long until I try again?
———
AKIRA'S POV
I thought today would be better. But I guess not. The tension in the air feels even heavier than yesterday. Everything feels more awkward.
I can't focus on what the teacher is saying. It's like the lesson doesn't matter right now.
Ugh, Akira, get a grip! You can't let yourself be distracted by some nonsense thoughts—especially not because of that boy. You can't afford to mess up in class, not now.
But I'm starting to feel even more irritated with Yoshi. I don't know why—just his presence is enough to throw me off. It's not just him, though. I'm mad at myself, too.
Why am I so affected by him? This isn't how I usually feel. Sure, he's always been annoying, but this is... different. I've felt weird around him before, but never this intensely.
Ever since the summer break ended, something's changed. I don't know what, but it's messing with me.
I take a deep breath and lower my head onto my desk. Just forget about it, Akira. Pretend nothing happened yesterday. Just... move on.
———
RYOTA'S POV
"So, Yoshi, did you talk to Akira?" I asked right away. I'm curious, okay? It's lunch break and we're at the cafeteria, but I can tell something's up between them just now. And Yoshi, giving up? Nah. I'm not letting that happen.
I've known Yoshi since middle school. We've always been tight—through the ups and downs, we've had each other's backs. He's the kind of friend anyone would be lucky to have.
Back in middle school, Yoshi never had a crush on anyone. He didn't show the slightest interest in girls. Not that he was popular or anything—he was always the quiet kid. That's probably why I befriended him in the first place.
But when he met Akira? I knew he was gonna fall for her. First day of second year, he confessed to her immediately. And of course, she turned him down. I mean, come on-who confesses to someone they just met?
But that didn't stop him. Ever since then, he's been head over heels. Confessing here, confessing there—only to get rejected every time. I honestly feel bad for him. Poor guy's trying to reach for a star that might be out of reach... but hey, it's not impossible, right?
"No, not yet. I'm too shy to approach her," Yoshi said, eyes downcast.
"Huh? Shy? You?" I said, raising a brow. This dude has never been shy around Akira-not even once. He's always had the guts to walk up and confess like it's nothing. This is unexpected.
"I don't know... It just feels awkward now. Maybe it's because her reactions have changed. She seems mad at me—well, she always seems mad—but now it's different. Like she's had enough of me. So yeah... I'm too nervous to even talk to her," he said, voice low and a little shaky.
I get where he's coming from. I mean, imagine having a persistent admirer you're not into—it would be annoying. But still, we can't really know how Akira feels unless she says it herself. I can't exactly step into their mess either. It's not my place. This is something they have to figure out on their own.
LATER...
Lunch break's over, so we head back to class.
But... is it just me, or is the atmosphere weird today? There's this heavy tension in the air. I don't know if it's because it's math class and there's a new lesson, or if something awkward is going on that I don't know about.
———
YOSHI'S POV
Lunch break's over, and now we're in the middle of math class. But honestly, I can't focus. Not when my head's full of thoughts about Akira.
Where do I even begin? How do I talk to her again? I want to—badly. I want to just call her name, pull her aside, and say something, anything. But the guilt's eating me alive. I'm too shy… and too ashamed.
This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so pushy and persistent, maybe things wouldn't be so awkward. Maybe we'd be… normal. But she's not interested in me. I know that now. And when someone keeps chasing you even though you've said no a million times, it's just annoying. That's what I've been to her—annoying.
God, I've been so stupid.
I wish I never caught feelings in the first place. Life was so much simpler when I was just the quiet kid with no romantic drama. Now, it's a mess.
"Okay, class," the teacher says, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. "We'll be doing a math project in pairs. Please choose your partners."
Math project. Yay. I love math so much. Please, just bury me now.
The class starts buzzing as everyone scrambles to pick their partners. There are 50 students total, so there'll be 25 pairs. No problem. I'll just team up with Ryota, like always. He's got no one else—wait, what the—?
"Pick someone else, bro," Ryota grins at me like a traitor.
I shoot him a glare. "How dare you betray me..."
He bursts out laughing. "Sorry! Miku asked me first."
I glance at Miku. "Seriously, Miku? You chose Ryota? What's he gonna do? He can't even solve basic—"
"Hey! I can do math!" Ryota cuts in, offended.
Miku just smirks and winks at me. "Don't worry, I've got this idiot under control."
"Who are you calling an idiot?!" Ryota cries.
"You should be grateful I picked you," Miku replies, smug. "Otherwise, your grades would be six feet under by now."
Yeah. That team's gonna be pure chaos. Good luck, Miku.
I leave them to their bickering and look around the classroom. Who's left?
No one's approached me yet. Come on, really? Am I that unpopular? I mean, I can do math—like, actual math, not just the basics!
I glance around—and then I see her.
Akira. Sitting quietly at her desk. Alone.
She looks… kinda sad.
Wait. She doesn't have a partner?
No way. Could I actually—?
No, Yoshi, no. Bad idea. You're just gonna make things worse. She probably doesn't even want to look at you right now. Just find someone else—
"Sorry, I'm already paired up."
"I've got a partner."
"Team's full, dude."
"Try someone else, sorry."
Five minutes later, and I'm still solo.
I slump into my seat in defeat. Great. Everyone has a partner… except me. And her.
I steal another glance at Akira. She's still alone.
Guess I really don't have a choice.
Besides—it's just a school project. Strictly academic. No weird feelings involved. Right?
I take a deep breath, stand up, and walk over to her desk.
"Hey, Akira."
She looks up at me, surprised. Her expression softens a little.
"Wanna be my partner for the project?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
She stares at me, eyes wide and kind of… sparkling?
Wait, why is my face suddenly burning?
She nods slowly. "O-Okay."
———
AKIRA'S POV
"Sorry, Akira, but I paired up with Ryota already," Miku told me when I asked her to be my partner.
Seriously?
She picked him over me? And of all people, she chose Ryota—Yoshi's best friend.
It's not like I have anything against Ryota personally. He's okay, I guess. But when it comes to math... he's hopeless. He's always getting scolded by the teacher. The guy barely knows the difference between X and Y.
So why would Miku—the literal math genius of our class—team up with him?
"I chose Ryota for one reason," she said, when I asked. "I want to change his grade."
I blinked. "You mean... you're going to help Ryota?"
She nodded with fiery determination. "Yes. I'm going to drag him through academic hell if I have to."
I glanced at Ryota, and he looked pale. There was a clear 'Help Me' in his eyes.
"O-okay," I muttered under my breath. "Just... don't kill him, alright?"
Miku gave me a thumbs up like she was about to lead him into battle.
Now what?
I looked around. The classroom was a sea of chattering pairs. Everyone already had a partner. Great. I sat back down and slumped over my desk, staring blankly at the table.
Guess I'll just wait. Maybe someone will come over. Or maybe I'll just end up working alone. That's fine. Totally fine.
"Hey, Akira."
My heart skipped a beat.
I froze. That voice—I knew it too well.
Yoshi.
I could feel my face heat up. Am I flustered or annoyed? I couldn't even tell. Good thing my head was still down—he couldn't see the blush creeping up my cheeks.
I forced myself to sit up and look at him, trying to keep my face neutral. But when our eyes met, something flickered inside me—like a spark. Don't get me wrong! I was just… relieved. Relieved that someone finally asked me.
Right?
Wait, what am I saying? Me and Yoshi?Partnering up?
No way.
But then again… I need a partner. And it's just for a project. It's not like this is a date or anything.
Why am I making this complicated? Just say yes.
"Wanna be my partner for the project?" he asked.
I stared at him. I could feel my eyes sparkle a little. Ugh, why did that make me feel… excited?
I slowly nodded my head in agreement and said, "O-okay."
I mean, I have to go for it.
We have to do the project.
Nothing personal. Strictly academic. Right?
Yoshi smiled at me, and for some reason, that smile made my heart do a weird little flip. "Great! Let's keep in touch," he said cheerfully.
I nodded again, then instinctively reached into my bag and pulled out my phone.
Wait. Wait.
This means we're going to exchange contacts?
Oh no. No, no, no.
Hold on, Akira, what are you thinking? Don't overreact. This is for the project. You need communication to coordinate, that's all.
It's not like he's asking for your number because he likes you or something.
Even though… technically, he does like you. And technically… now he has your number.
I mentally slapped myself. Akira, focus.
I handed him my phone to type in his number, keeping my expression neutral—like this was no big deal. Totally normal. Just classmates doing a project. Nothing more.
Right?
———
AKIRA'S POV
It's been three days since our teacher gave us the project… and still, not even a single message from Yoshi. Seriously? Does he even plan to finish this? The deadline is next week!
I cross my arms and stare at my phone.
Nope. Still nothing.
I don't want to be the one to text him first. I just... I don't know. Whatever. Ugh—fine! I'll text him. This project is too important to just let it rot in awkward silence.
I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts until I find his name. Just as I open the chat, a message pops up from him:
"Hello, Akira. Where should we begin?"
My heart skips a beat.
Weird.
I quickly type back, "I don't know, maybe let's meet up somewhere?"
Ten seconds later, his reply comes:
"Sure. Where, though?"
Without thinking too much, I send back: "How about at Capy Village?"
Then… silence.
One minute.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Thirty.
I've been staring at my screen like a total idiot, waiting for a reply that isn't coming. What am I even doing?
"Get a grip, Akira," I mutter to myself, slapping both cheeks lightly.
Frustrated, I toss my phone onto the bed and bury my face in a pillow. Why does this feel like I'm waiting for a crush to reply or something? That's not what this is about. This is a school project, okay?!
Just as I'm about to convince myself to stop caring, a ping comes from my phone.
I whip around, scramble across the bed, and grab it.
"Sure. Meet you tomorrow at 9 AM."
Why… why do I feel kind of excited?
———
YOSHI'S POV
It's been three days since our teacher gave us the project, and I still haven't done anything. Not a single plan. Not even a message to Akira.
I sigh and slump onto my bed. Why am I like this?
Just message her, Yoshi. It's for the project.
But every time I even think of texting her, my hands freeze. I don't know why I feel this awkward. I mean, we already agreed to be partners, so what's the big deal?
Ugh. Okay. Enough. You have to take this seriously.
I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts until I find her name. My thumb hovers over the keyboard as I try to think of what to say. After way too long, I finally type:
"Hello, Akira. Where should we begin?"
Almost instantly, she replies:
"I don't know, maybe let's meet up somewhere?"
My heart skips. Wait, we're actually having a real conversation?
I quickly reply: "Sure. Where, though?"
Her response comes just as fast:
"How about at Capy Village?"
Capy Village…? The capybara café? I've always wanted to go there. It's supposed to be really chill and peaceful. But going there for the first time—with her?
I feel my face heating up. No, Yoshi, don't be stupid. This isn't a date. It's a school project. A project.
Still… it feels kind of special.
I stare at the screen, phone in hand, thinking I'll reply in a second. But then I get distracted. I take a shower—longer than usual—eat lunch, clean up, and before I know it, an hour has passed.
I grab my phone and see the unopened message still waiting.
Crap. I totally forgot to reply.
I quickly type: "Sure. Meet you tomorrow at 9 AM."
Just a millisecond later, the read receipt pops up.
She was waiting all the time?
Ugh… damn it, Yoshi.