Chapter 5: Study Session
The weekend arrived, and Yasmine was doing nothing but rolling around on her bed. She stared at the ceiling, sighing repeatedly, her mind restless.
She thought about how much had changed in just a single week.
I feel sick just lying here, she muttered inwardly. But what else could I even do?
Her thoughts tangled themselves as she continued rolling side to side.
"...Sister, you're being weird again," Jemi said awkwardly from the doorway.
Suddenly, Yasmine shot up. "Idea!"
Jemi blinked. "What idea?"
---
Some time later.
"You're going to the library?" her mother asked.
"Yeah," Yasmine replied.
"Be safe on your journey, sweetheart."
sigh "I will, don't worry."
Jemi tugged her sleeve. "Sister, wait."
"What happened, Jemi?"
"Bring the latest edition Choco Buster ice cream, please."
sigh "I will, don't worry."
---
On the way to the library.
Finally, she could breathe.
I can finally stay in peace now. Exams are coming up in a few weeks. I can study properly in the library, and if I need a break, I can just borrow some storybooks. No one I know will be there, so I can relax.
With that comforting thought, she stepped inside the library.
"Where should I sit? Here, this looks like a good spo—" She froze as her eyes caught a familiar face.
"Yasmine?"
Her heart sank. It was Aijin.
And there goes my peace, she thought desperately.
"Hi, Yasmine," he greeted.
"H-hello… Ai…jin."
"You can take your time, don't worry," he chuckled. "Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"I came to study for the upcoming exams."
"Actually, I came for the same reason. So… how about we study together? I won't force you."
"S-sure… why not…"
---
Some time later.
Yasmine frowned at her math book. Sheesh, this math is so difficult. How do people even understand this?
"What happened?" Aijin asked, noticing her frustration. "Oh, I can help with that."
"Huh?"
He leaned closer and explained the problem step by step.
Yasmine's eyes widened. "It's… not that hard… as I thought. Th-thank you."
"No worries," Aijin smiled.
"You… are really… good at math."
"You think so? Actually, math and English are my favorites. But I hate language and history stuff."
"I can… help you… with that."
"Are you sure?"
"…Yeah."
"Thank you very much, Yasmine."
Her face turned red. "You… helped me first…"
Aijin chuckled. "Okay, let's begin."
---
After some time, Aijin stretched. "Let's take a break."
Yasmine stood up and headed toward the bookshelf.
"Where are you going?" Aijin asked.
"I'm… going… to get… a storybook."
"Ooh."
She grabbed a book and returned to her seat. "Uh… Aijin."
"Yeah?"
"Do… you want… to read it? It's… kinda… good."
"Sorry, but I'll try it later."
"What… are you… doing… with your phone?"
"I'm currently reading a romantic comedy manga."
"You… like those things?"
"I just enjoy them. Look—these two always bump into each other. Both the boy and the girl have a crush on each other, but they don't even know each other's names."
"Wow… that is… pretty… good."
I didn't know manga was this good, Yasmine thought, startled. I should try it at home.
"You like it, don't you?" Aijin smirked.
CAN HE READ MINDS? HOW DID HE KNOW THAT!?
Yasmine only nodded shyly.
"Well, you should try it later when you'd like."
Yasmine stared at him. What is this feeling? Why do I feel safe, happy, and warm around him? I don't know what I should do…
---
Meanwhile, someone else was watching.
What is happening between those two? What are they talking about? I wanna know, I wanna know, I wanna know! Kei screamed in her mind. Why does she look so comfortable around him? Wait a damn minute…
IS SHE… LIKING AIJIN?!
Before she could react further, Jirou suddenly appeared beside her.
"Hello, Yuzu—"
"Shhhhhh!" Kei hissed, shushing him quickly.
"What are you doing here?" Jirou whispered.
"I came to return a book but spotted them," Kei explained, pointing toward Aijin.
"Oh, I should say hello—"
"Noooo! Just watch them," she whispered harshly.
Both crouched low, observing.
That's when Mui spotted the two.
"Can you two tell me what is going on?" she asked sternly.
"Huh?!" Both Kei and Jirou flinched.
---
Back to Yasmine and Aijin.
"Good work today, Yasmine," Aijin said.
"Yeah… same… here."
"Okay, let me drop you off."
"No need… I can… walk… alone."
"It's already getting dark. I should go with you."
"…Fine."
They walked together until Yasmine suddenly stepped into a shop.
"Yasmine?" Aijin followed curiously.
She was buying a Choco Buster ice cream for her sister—but froze.
Shoot! I forgot my wallet. I guess I'll have to buy it tomorrow.
"Give two more," Aijin said to the shopkeeper.
"Huh?" Yasmine blinked.
The shopkeeper handed him three Choco Busters. Aijin paid quickly and passed one to Yasmine.
"Why…?"
"I know that one wasn't for you. You wouldn't buy anything for yourself in front of me."
Her eyes widened. He really can read minds.
"This… is… for… my… little sister. You… shouldn't… have… bought it… for me."
"You don't have to worry. And don't bother paying me back. Just eat it before it melts."
The same warm feeling surged through her again.
"...Thank… you." She took a bite. "It's… really… good."
Aijin bit into his own. "It tastes amazing."
---
After finishing, they reached Yasmine's home.
"I think I should go now," Aijin said.
"…Wait."
"What?"
"Please… wait… here."
"Okay."
Yasmine dashed inside.
"Welcome ba—" her mother began, but Yasmine ignored her, rushing upstairs.
"Sister, did you bring my ice cream?" Jemi asked.
"Here." She handed it over and bolted outside again.
"What happened to my sister?" Jemi blinked, confused.
Outside, Aijin was still waiting.
"Sorry… for… making you wait…"
"It's okay. So why did you tell me to wait?"
"Because…" Yasmine pulled out her phone. "Can you… give me your LINE?"
"Oh, sure."
They exchanged LINE IDs.
"Alright, see you later," Aijin said with a smile.
"…Bye."
Aijin left while Yasmine stepped back inside.
Her mother narrowed her eyes. "Something is fishy~"
Back in her room, Yasmine flopped onto her bed, hugging her phone tightly. I finally did it… I got his LINE! She rolled around excitedly. Let's see his profile—wait, this…
Something unusual caught her eye.
What could it be?
---
Bonus Scene
Back to when Mui found both Kei and Jirou spying.
"So," Mui said furiously, "tell me why you're both stalking them."
"I don't know," Jirou shrugged. "She just told me to, so I did it."
"And why did you do it?" Mui glared at Kei.
"I just spotted them studying together, but I felt something unusual about Yasmine," Kei admitted.
"What is it?"
"I think… she's fallen in love with Aijin."
"WHAT?!" Mui and Jirou gasped.
"I'm not sure," Kei continued, "but I've known Yasmine since middle school, and I've never seen her like that."
"I see…" Mui muttered.
"If she's falling in love, we should help her," Jirou suggested.
"I'm also planning the same," Kei said. "What about you, Ishida?"
"We still don't know what Aijin thinks about her," Mui replied.
"Oh, you're right…" Jirou and Kei sighed in disappointment.
"But," Mui smiled, "we should find out what Aijin feels. And since it's about him… I'm in."
"Yeah!" Jirou and Kei cheered.
"Okay, so let's start Operation Yajin!" Kei declared.
"Wait, Operation what—" Mui frowned.
---
[End of Chapter 5]