Chapter 8: Study Session (Part 2)
After recovering from her high fever, Yasmine returned to school two days later. The moment she stepped through the gates, Kei rushed toward her, eyes full of guilt.
"I'm so sorry, Yasmine, for not coming when you needed me. I'm hopeless as a friend."
"Calm… down, Kei. You… are not… hopeless. You… were busy… that's why… you asked… Aijin for help."
Kei froze, realizing the memory of the past incident. How can I tell her I didn't go on purpose? His mind raced, and a pang of guilt struck him. I did the same to her back then, didn't I…
"Kei?" Yasmine asked softly, noticing his distant look.
"Uhm… yeah, I'm okay," he said, shaking his head. "By the way, I didn't ask… how's your fever?"
"I… fully… recovered. I… am… okay."
Kei exhaled in relief, a small smile forming.
At that moment, someone familiar approached.
"Oh hi Ai… WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?! You look awful!" Kei exclaimed.
Aijin yawned slightly. "Good morning, Yasmine, Yuzuhara," his voice sleepy.
"What… happened?" Yasmine asked, worried.
"Nothing. Just didn't sleep well the last two days."
"Why? What happened?" Kei pressed.
"Just… thinking about some things," Aijin murmured, rubbing his eyes.
Jirou arrived, eyes widening in shock. "Hi Ai… AHHHHHHH!"
"Oh, hi Jirou," Aijin said groggily. "I already know I look bad. Anyway, I'm heading to class."
---
Lunch came, and most students left. Yasmine lingered, spotting Aijin asleep in the classroom.
(Should I wake him…? But he looks so cute… Wait! What am I thinking!) she thought, blushing.
"Wake up," Aijin said, stretching and noticing her. "Oh, hi Yasmine. We're getting late for lunch; we need to go."
Yasmine froze. "H-hi…"
He smiled brightly. "Come on, Yasmine. Let's get going."
Her heart pounded uncontrollably. "O-ok… let's… go…"
---
Later, in the cafeteria, Jirou and Kei looked desperate.
"What happened to you two?" Aijin asked.
"Don't say anything," Kei muttered.
"A major disaster is coming," Jirou added dramatically.
Mui raised an eyebrow. "What kind of disaster?"
"The first semester exam," they said in unison, pleading. "PLEASE HELP US!"
Aijin chuckled. "Sure, why not. How about you, Yasmine?"
"I… I am… fine… with… that," she stammered.
"Okay, let's arrange a group study session this Saturday," Aijin suggested.
"Good idea, but where?" Mui asked.
"Yasmine's house," Kei said, giving her puppy eyes.
"…Okay, fine," Yasmine sighed.
(Hehe… now everyone will see the other side of Yasmine) Aijin thought, smirking.
---
On Saturday, everyone arrived at Yasmine's apartment.
Knock, knock.
Mui looked at Kei. "Why did you bring so many candies?"
"It's for someone," Aijin said simply.
Yasmine opened the door, cheeks red. "C-come in…"
Yasmine's mother greeted warmly. "Well, everyone! I'm Yasmine's mom. Thank you for being her friends! Want some snacks?"
"Al… alright…" Yasmine muttered, smacking her forehead.
Suddenly, little Jemi ran forward, hugging Aijin. "Big brother!"
Aijin handed her some candies. "Here you go, Jemi."
Jemi's eyes sparkled. "Thank you, big brother!"
Yasmine's face turned red. "Let's… move… inside."
"AHHH! Sister is a meanie!" Jemi wailed, clutching Aijin.
Yasmine smacked her gently on the head. Aijin laughed softly.
---
In Yasmine's room, the study session began. After an hour, Jirou groaned. "I'm bored now."
Mui sighed. "We just studied for an hour."
Aijin smiled. "Let's take a break. Studying shouldn't feel like pressure; it works best when relaxed."
Kei nodded. "Yasmine, let's take a break too."
"Okay…" she murmured.
Kei noticed her photo album. "Wait… what's this?"
"Please n…" Yasmine stammered.
Puppy eyes. "F-fine," she surrendered.
Looking through the album, Kei exclaimed, "Aww, you were so cute!"
Yasmine blushed. Aijin noticed something. "Wait… only school outside photos?"
Yasmine hesitated. "I… never… took… school photos."
"Why?" Kei asked gently.
(I want to say it…) Yasmine thought.
Aijin leaned closer. "Stay calm. If you want to tell us, just relax."
(How did he know?) she wondered.
---
Yasmine took a deep breath. "Back in elementary school… I was really happy to study… and wanted many friends… but…"
Flashback:
Yasmine, seven years old, bleeding and beaten, whispered, "Mom… am I weird?"
Her mother hugged her tightly. "Of course not, Yasmine. You're never weird."
"But… others said I am… they said I'm cursed…"
"They are wrong. Don't believe them," her mother cried.
"Can I… just die?" little Yasmine asked softly.
"Never say that. I will be your friend. Please, don't say that again!"
Yasmine cried with her mother. "I'm sorry for making you cry."
---
Back to present:
"I didn't go to school for a while except exams… missed graduation… but my mother always treated me like a friend… middle school changed… meeting Kei helped… then meeting Aijin… my life changed completely."
Aijin smiled warmly. "What's weird about that?"
Mui and Jirou nodded. "You've got friends now. Don't worry."
Kei added, "We care for you, Yasmine. Rely on us."
Yasmine cried, relieved. "Thank you, everyone."
From behind the door, her mother sobbed in happiness.
Her Mother Flashback.
Later, her mother and father shared a quiet moment.
"Dear," her father said.
"Yes?" her mother replied.
"Thank you for staying with Yasmine till the very end. Without you, so much could have happened."
"I know. As her mother and her friend, I will stay by her side to support her," her mother said softly.
Back in the present, Yasmine's mother entered the room with snacks.
"Here you go," she said. Everyone cheered—except Yasmine, who was still emotional.
---
After the study session ended, They were leaving.
Yasmine's friends said goodbye.
"See you next time!" Mui waved.
"Bye!" Kei smiled.
"Take care!" Jirou called.
"Stay well, Yasmine," Aijin said softly.
"Come back again" Yasmine replied
As the others walked ahead, Aijin stayed behind, standing beside Yasmine for a moment. He glanced at her quietly before speaking.
"Yasmine," he said softly, "you should say something to your mom. You've held it in for too long."
Yasmine blinked. "Something…?"
"Yeah. You know exactly what. She's done everything for you. Don't let those words stay locked inside. Just say them… you'll feel lighter."
Yasmine hesitated, clutching her hands. "…B-but… it's embarrassing."
Aijin gave her a reassuring look. "Embarrassment is nothing compared to regret. Don't wait for the day you'll wish you had said it but can't anymore. Say it while you can."
Her eyes widened slightly at his words. She took a deep breath, gathering courage.
When her mother appeared, ready to clean up, Yasmine finally turned toward her.
"Thank you… Mom," she said softly, her voice trembling. "For raising me… and for being my friend."
Her mother blinked in surprise, then smirked playfully. "Oh? Look who's suddenly passionate."
"Please stop teasing me," Yasmine muttered, hiding her face.
Her mother chuckled before heading to her room. But once alone, she broke into tears of happiness. Yasmine… you're finally letting go of your burden. I'm so proud of you, my sweetheart.
---
Outside, Aijin lingered behind.
"You guys go ahead," he told the others. "I need to check something."
He walked quietly to the balcony, where the jasmine flower rested in its small pot. The bud that had once been closed was now almost fully blooming.
A faint smile touched his lips.
---
Bonus Scenes:
Back at time in school, Aijin slept in history class. "AIJIN, WAKE UP!" the teacher yelled.
"Sorry, sir!" he shouted, scrambling awake.
Another Bonus Scene:
Yasmine's friends, after witnessing her other side at the study session, found it hard to sleep too. "What happened to you guys?!" Aijin asked.
"Nothing… just sleepy…" they muttered.
---
[End of Chapter 8]