Hoshino POV:
It was now Monday morning, exactly one week until finals started. Homeroom had just begun, and the teacher was in the middle of taking attendance.
With nothing better to do, I glanced around the classroom. The usual early morning chatter was nowhere to be found, replaced by absolute silence.
That was when I noticed something shift in the corner of my right eye. I thought it was nothing at first, so I ignored it. But every so often, the movement would return.
Curious, I glanced to the side. Luna had both hands tucked between her thighs, anxiously rubbing them together.
My cheeks puffed out as I struggled to hold back a laugh.
It wasn't like I didn't understand where she was coming from. I used to be stressed over exams too. But worrying about it never did anything for you. It was best to simply forget about it and move on.
Speaking of exams...
My eyes swept across the classroom until they found Mei. Now that I thought about it, I didn't know what her thoughts were on exams. She was really smart, considering she was always in the top two, so she probably cared to some extent.
A part of me wanted to ask, but I decided to drop it. If she wanted to talk about it, she would bring it up on her own.
Or at least, that was what I tried to do. Yet, for some reason, I just couldn't help but stare at her. She always wore a different hairstyle, and today, she had her hair down and slightly wavy with bangs across her forehead. Her smile was just as cheery. Her voice was still as soft. But… something felt off.
Before I could figure out what…
*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong*
As if on cue, the bell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts—signalling the end of homeroom. Everyone got up from their seats, grabbed their bags, and began filing out.
As I got up, I noticed Luna was still sitting at her desk, her eyes staring blankly at the table.
I couldn't help but sigh.
I know you're worried and everything, but the day just started.
"Hey," I said. Luna flinched, her head snapping toward me. I gave her a sarcastic grin.
"Listen, I know you're probably very invested in your daydream, but homeroom just ended. It's time to pack it up and go."
Luna's arms scrambled as she frantically stood up from her seat. "O-Oh! Right, my bad!"
She reached for her bag, but before she could grab it, I picked it up and slung it over my shoulder.
She looked at me in shock, but I simply shook my head.
"We are going to be late at this rate. Let's go."
Without waiting for her, I left the classroom and headed for our next class. I didn't even make it far before Luna ran after me and matched my pace.
She jabbed me on the arm, half-annoyed, but half-teasing.
"Geez, would it kill you to be a little… softer?" She tilted her head. "Is that the word?"
I shrugged. "I dunno. And this is who I am. I–"
"Yes, yes, I know," she groaned. "I'm annoyed, not stupid, you don't have to keep saying it."
...What the hell is that supposed to mean? I never bring it up. Actually, did you even know what I was about to say?
I crossed my arms and gave her a quizzical glare. "Oh yeah? What do you know–"
"Stop testing me," Luna said flatly. "You were gonna say something like 'wHaT dO yOu kNoW aBoUt mE'."
She turned to me with a smug grin. "Did I get that right?"
...Okay. Lucky guess.
"Of course not," I replied blankly. "You don't know me at all."
I lied.
"Stop lying."
This time, it was my head that snapped toward Luna.
"H-how did you–"
"How did I know what you're thinking?"
I felt the urge to click my tongue.
You think you're so smart, don't you? Let's try this then.
"Stop doing that."
"Stop doing that."
By this point, I was speechless. There was no denying it anymore. She actually knew what I was going to say. With no other options left open for me, all I could do was stay quiet.
Taking my silence as a sign of victory, Luna stepped ahead of me and spoke without turning back.
"Who do you think I am, Hoshino? If you haven't realized it yet, I'm one of your best friends. Of course I'd be able to do this much."
She spun on her heel, a bright, energetic smile on her face. "At the very least, I'd know this much about you!"
Her smile suddenly flattened.
"Now say you're impressed. I could use a compliment or two."
To be honest, I was. It was weird to be so close to someone that you could understand them like this, but it wasn't unwelcome. It almost felt like we had a real connection.
I took a small breath—then bit the inside of my mouth.
As much as I'd like to…
I can't show her that.
"Don't be ridiculous," I said, giving her a smug grin of my own. "I think being able to do that is the bare minimum."
Luna raised a challenging eyebrow.
She opened her mouth—but so did I.
"Oh yeah?"
"Oh yeah?"
Her eyes widened for a split second before she narrowed them.
"That's just dumb luck."
"That's just dumb luck."
She paused, then clicked her tongue.
"You think you're so cool?"
"You think you're so cool?"
Realizing that she had been outdone, Luna began pulling on her hair like a madwoman. I couldn't help but look away. It was just too hard to watch, even for me.
"Arghhhh! I'm sick of this!"
Luna turned around, her hair whipping the air, and stomped away from me.
I let out a small chuckle before calling out to her provocatively.
"What's wrong? Are you mad I proved you wrong?"
"Don't be stupid!" she snapped. "I'm not that childi–"
*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong*
She froze, and so did I.
That bell was the sign that the first period had begun. And yet… Luna and I were still strolling around in the hallway.
While I was a notorious skipper and she occasionally joined me, there was a reason why we were both heading to class.
I felt our thoughts sync with each other, her voice overlapping with my own.
""We've kept Yu waiting!""
Her leg twitched, and I took a sharp breath. At the same time, we both booked it down the hallway.
The run was only a few seconds, but by the time we got there, Luna's sweat had stained her uniform, while my vision pulsed with each breath.
The teacher didn't seem to mind our tardiness and let us in without comment. During exam week, classes were changed into study periods, so it wasn't like there was anything to miss.
Luna and I both collapsed into our seats. She laid her head flat against the desk, while I leaned back in my chair, staring absently at the ceiling.
The light burned my eyes, but I was too lazy to look away. That didn't mean it didn't annoy me, though.
Then, as if someone had heard my prayers, the light was blocked by the figure of a person.
He wore a familiar, happy smile as he stared down at me. "Yo! You look tired! Did something happen?"
My eye twitched.
I don't know. Can't you tell by looking at me?
Noticing my subtle change in demeanour, he tilted his head. "What's wrong? Why do you look mad?"
I covered my face, unable to stare at him any longer, and sighed.
"Nice to see you too, Yu."