*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong*
Just like any other day, the bell rang, signalling that the day had come to an end. Everyone rose from their seats and collectively bowed to the teacher. "Thank you for your work today!"
The teacher gave a firm nod before dismissing us. Bags zipped. Chairs scraped. The usual end-of-the-day chaos.
Meanwhile, Yu, Luna, and I were already at the shoe lockers, changing into our outdoor shoes.
"Hurry up, Yu! We're going to get caught because of you!" Luna whispered in a frenzy.
"Calm down! I'm trying my best!" Yu hissed, his fingers fumbling with his laces. "I never break the rules, and now I remember why. This is scary!"
I let out a loud sigh as I leaned against the lockers. "I think you're letting it get to your head too much. It's not that serious."
"Yeah, Yu," Luna added. "Hoshino and I do it all the time, and we've never gotten in trouble."
Yu whipped his head toward us, his face pale, brow furrowed to demonstrate his sarcasm. "Well, good for you. I hope you guys think you're sooooo cool–"
Before Yu could finish his condescending speech, a loud voice boomed from the end of the hallway, just out of sight. We froze.
"WHO'S THERE?!"
Aggressive stomping thundered closer, approaching fast. I'd give us around ten seconds before whoever screamed rounded the corner. I suppressed a groan. This is why you need to grow some damn balls! It's just skipping!
Ten.
I jabbed Luna in the stomach lightly. She flinched, then met my eyes. I jerked my head to the exit, signalling her to leave first. She gave me a quick thumbs up before dashing out of the building.
I'll remember this, my Goat, I thought, giving her a short prayer.
Eight.
I crouched down and violently tied Yu's shoes for him. He was still frozen with an irritating, stupid expression on his face.
Sorry about this!—kind of.
As I finished the second knot, I used my free hand to slap him across the face.
Five.
He blinked, his eyes flashing with indignation. He opened his mouth to protest. Why can't you be more like Luna?! That'd make life so much easier!
Two.
I slapped his mouth closed, grabbed his hand, and bolted. Yu and I are fast runners, but running from the school doors to the front gate without getting caught wasn't happening. Thankfully, we didn't need to. We just needed to not be seen.
The second we stepped outside—
One.
—I made a hard right into the courtyard.
Our school's layout is simple. If you walk straight from the exit for a couple of meters, you hit the front gate. That also means anyone standing at the doors can see everything between those two points.
By turning right, we would disappear from that line of sight. That doesn't mean the teacher won't step outside to search for us, but it bought time.
I kept running, Yu's heavy footsteps right on my tail. The brick wall surrounding the school came into view—about seven feet tall.
Yeah, I could definitely jump this—probably.
Without slowing down, I dashed toward it, jumped, planted a foot against the bricks, pushed off, and grabbed the top. I hauled myself up and dropped down on the other side, landing in a patch of damp earth. Yu landed swiftly beside me.
I collapsed against the wall, my lungs burning with each breath I took. A tingling sensation flooded my limbs as I dragged in desperate breaths.
This…is why… I hate walking!
"Hey, are you okay?" Yu asked.
He, who wasn't out of breath in the slightest, looked down at me with concern. He extended a helping hand. I gave him a spiteful glare. He frowned but didn't pull back. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
I let out a breathless laugh. Is he being for real right now?!
"Are you serious? The reason I'm here… covered in mud… on the floor… is because youuuuu got scared!" I exclaimed as I jabbed a finger into his palm. "How are you, six-foot-four and muscular, afraid of some old bald dude? This shouldn't even be possible."
I used every bit of accumulated oxygen to curse him out, which immediately brought me back to square one, gasping for air. Yu guiltily scratched the tip of his nose. "Hahaha, yeah. Sorry about that."
I took a moment for myself before waving his hand away and dismissively shaking my head. "No, it's fine," I stated flatly. "It's annoying now, but it'll probably be a funny memory in a day."
Yu laughed and dropped down beside me in the dirt. We sat in silence for a few moments before he added, "Yeah… It's like we're partners in crime!"
He turned to me with that stupidly bright smile of his. It was like watching a kid who finally had a secret to share with his best friend—the ultimate symbol of trust. For some reason, a sour taste lingered on the tip of my tongue.
"If you're my partner, then it's over for me."
I tried sounding annoyed, but it came out softer than I meant it to. Yu noticed, and a wide grin replaced his innocent smile. He immediately hooked me in a headlock and dug his fist into my head while laughing.
"Geez, don't say that. I know you're flattered to have me as your duo!"
Normally, I would've resisted by biting his arm or something, but I was too tired to do even that. The only option I was left with was to let this happen—begrudgingly.
"No," I muttered. "I think I'd rather have Luna."
"Well… good point."
He let go and leaned back against the wall. We sat there, enjoying the calm spring breeze as it brushed against our faces, cooling our sweat. I closed my eyes, letting the rustle of the trees drown out the distant sounds of the school.
I guess things like this aren't so bad sometimes…