Chapter 3

The first term had started. It was midterm month.

Miyuki yawned and stretched his arms overhead. He hadn’t gotten much sleep — he’d been up late every night studying. Even now, on his way to the school gate, he was still flipping through the flashcards he’d made, reviewing each term and formula for the hundredth time.

The school grounds buzzed with quiet tension. Everywhere he looked, students stood in clusters or alone, heads bowed over their notes, flipping pages back and forth in a desperate attempt to cram just a little more knowledge into their brains before the bell rang.

Inside, the school was unusually quiet. Even after the exam papers were collected, most students stayed in their seats, studying silently for the next subject. For the first time, the library was packed to capacity — a sight that secretly delighted the teachers.

Time seemed to move both painfully slow and far too fast.

In the classroom, the only sounds were the soft scratching of pens on paper, the rustle of turning pages, the faint squeak of chairs shifting, the occasional dry cough, and the sharp click of someone’s pen. Not a single student dared to break the silence with a word.

The teacher paced slowly between the rows, stopping behind each desk to watch them work. Under his watchful eyes, no one even thought about trying to cheat. His footsteps echoed in the tense room, making every student stiffen and grip their pens tighter.

...▻✦◅...

And eventually the midterms end. It goes smoothly with peace.

But that doesn't mean they get to relax. Finals exam is next month so they prepared early for the exam.

"Miyuki, let me join you today." Hayami approach Miyuki, with a pleading look. "I promise you, I'm not going to disturb your moment with your baby." She raised her hand as a sign of promised.

"Sure, why not. I'm sure he doesn't mind much." Miyuki replied nonchalantly, brought his notebook and the pencil case with him.

Hayami excitedly told Emi and she followed suit too. All three of them walked together to the library.

...

All three of them sat near the window. Emi and Hayami was facing each other while Miyuki sat beside Hayami. They opened their book and begin the study time.

They talk if they feel it's necessary to avoid having their brain forgotten about their studies. Emi happily helped Hayami everytime she asked what she doesn't understand.

Miyuki think himself as a third wheel now. He looked up to see if Yukito is here yet. But he still not there.

He got disappointed today and continue reading the book.

"Oh, Tanaka, you brought your friends here to, eh?"

They all turned to looked at him. Yukito was smiling at them and waving.

"Mind if I sit here?" He asked Emi which Emi nodded and moved her things to her side. "I don't think I saw you both much before."

Hayami giggles. "Well, we both wants to focus this year." She looked at Emi. "And since my class is too noisy for that, we decided to study here too. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course, I'm happy you guys actually try harder to score your subjects." His eyes squint as if they were smiling too.

Miyuki looks curious, "It's my first time seeing you're here late. Something happened?"

"Yes, I have to help my teacher." He sighed. "And I'm not even the class rep." He shook his head.

They did their things back. Hayami and Emi talked and giggles quietly. She will pull Miyuki's sleeves to ask some questions she doesn't understand. And both of her friends helped her what they know.

"Emi, what about this?" She show her a math question.

"Oh, this one? Basically..."

Her eyes focused seeing the number on the paper, written by Emi to show examples. Hayami smiled when she's understand them and starts to wrote something to show what she knows.

It was a normal sight. He didn't take interest much anymore. They always like that, stick together like siblings. What if I told you, Emi actually liked Hayami but not in friendly way?

Hayami just like Yukito. Doesn't see the obvious hint in front of them.

Miyuki sighed and looked at Yukito that have been solving some math question too. His lips slowly forming a small smiled. He tried to catch his eyes.

He saw his eyes moving to see something. He followed where he looked and something unexpected that he wished he didn't know happen.

His eyes watching Hayami secretly. He followed her smiles and even blushed slightly at the sight he was seeing. It's not just the friend way of look, it full with admiration and... He's never smiled that way before. Not even Miyuki himself or other.

Oh.

He can hear his heart shattered. His stomach sink lower and it ties a dead knot. He clenched to his pen tightly, tightening his jaw. Gosh, no wonder.

All those questions about her in text... It's because he had a crush with Hayami. That's why he saved his number so, he can know more about Hayami through Miyuki.

He didn't see that coming. Eventually he laughed softly, how I never noticed that? He got a confused look by them.

Hayami poked his arm with her pen. "Why the hell you're laughing for? Freak."

"Hahaha, I'm sorry. I know something funny today." Miyuki answered her. She raised her eyebrow. "What is it?"

Miyuki just smiled at her. She rolled her eyes and asked him to not being weird like that. She thought Miyuki was depressed, laughing randomly.

But it was more than that. And Miyuki can't even hate that fact at all. The truth fact that he was not supposed to be his and they were not bound to be together.

Not even in the slightest.

Once they finished study before recess ended, Yukito pulled Miyuki to somewhere less crowded from people. Hayami and Emi walked first after Miyuki asked them to.

Yukito was making sure there's no one nearby before looking at Miyuki. He was shy and embarrassed. He scratched the back of his neck.

Miyuki eyes followed his movements since earlier. The more he look at him, the more he wants to crash out. His worst fear will be revealed sooner and he's not ready yet to hear that from him.

"I-... I guess, you saw right through me?" Yukito nervously said it, fidgeting with his fingers. "You know what I mean."

That you liked Hayami? Yeah, I do. And I feel like a fool if you ask me too.

But it's not like he can say that. He swallowed the pain deep inside him. Forcing himself to smile normally like nothing happened.

Yukito looked at him with pleading look.

Miyuki nodded understand before making a zipping lips motion. He will keep the secret and will not tell other. He looks relieve after and thanked him a lot.

"That's what friends do, no?" Miyuki said, tilted his head.

"Friends?" Yukito eyebrow knitted together but he laughed it off. "Yes, that's what friends should do!"

Jeez, not even a friend too? And I thought all this time we are.

I'm really just a junior who follows you around, huh?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***