Study Session...?

October 3rd 2018

The group is enjoying their meals while engaging in small conversations, until Steve suddenly shouts.

“Why is Japanese history so difficult?!”

All eyes are now on him, but he simply continues to eat with a frustrated look on his face.

“That’s it? No explanation?” Ryuuji asks.

“It’s the only subject where my grades are slipping. American history is basically war this, war that, and different presidents. Japanese history has all these names for eras and different samurai and clans. I just can’t keep track.”

“Do you want me to help you study?” Although Seiji is one grade lower, he’s consistently one of the top students at his level.

“Hargrave? My tutor?!” Steve joyfully asks.

“Not Hargrave. Seiji.” He corrects as usual.

Steve’s smile disappears and he shrugs, “Yeah I guess that’s fine. To make it more fun, why don’t we make it a group session? Is there anything you guys need help with?”

Sun is struggling with math, though she’s never been good with it anyway. Hanabi needs help with English and Seiji doesn’t mind studying, but there isn’t anything he’s having difficulty with.

Ryuuji also doesn’t have any issues. He doesn’t put much thought into his grades in general and has yet to consider what to do with his future. With one more year until graduation, and his problems having disappeared for now, he figures now is a better time than any to get serious.

“Awesome! Hargrave’s place it is!” Steve declares.

“That’s the usual now, isn’t it?” Seiji complains.

“Of course!”

Ryuuji is in charge of getting drinks from his work, and Hanabi will make them a large meal to enjoy while studying. Wanting to improve her cooking, Sun asks,

“Hey Hana, do you mind if I help you cook? I can only make rice balls still.”

Elated, Hanabi stands and looks at Sun with sparkling eyes, “Yes of course! Why don’t you sleep over too? We can go all out and prep the night before!”

Feeling overwhelmed, Sun sits back in her chair and forces a smile, “I’d love to, sounds fun.”

Hanabi sits down, grinning from ear to ear. Considering what they know about her, this will probably be the first sleepover in her life.

Watching her reaction, a chill runs down Ryuuji’s spine.

“She’s scary, isn’t she?” Ryuuji whispers to Sun.

“But she looks so happy!” Sun whispers in agreement.

October 7th 2018

With winter approaching, the cold quickly moves in. Since Hanabi lives close, she and Sun walk to Seiji’s while carrying two large bento boxes, chatting and laughing along the way.

As they get closer, they see Ryuuji waiting outside the apartment, simply looking at the orange sky. Sun shouts his name and waves, gaining his attention.

“What are you doing out here?”

“Waiting for you two. Last thing I need is for it to be me and Seiji glaring at each other. Hanabi is one thing, but you’re always late, Sun.”

“I’ve been trying to get better.” Sun defends herself.

“After spending the night with her I understand where it comes from. She just never pays attention to the time.” Hanabi says.

“I’ll get you a cute watch for Christmas.” Ryuuji teases.

“Hana, please don’t join them.”

Hanabi escapes by offering to take the two bento boxes and goes inside to set them up, leaving Sun and Ryuuji to wait for Steve. Even though they take the train together each Friday, it feels like it’s been a while since it was just the two of them.

Back when they first met, it was always like this; in school, on the train, even in MMO, with Steve joining in-game occasionally. Neither of them expected their circle to grow as such.

“It has been a crazy year.” Ryuuji reminisces, “When I transferred here, I didn’t know what to expect. Thinking about everything, I probably wouldn’t have gotten through it all without you. I still need to thank you for that.”

Sun can’t help laughing. Ryuuji wonders what he said to deserve that.

“You’re finally thanking me after all this time?” Sun says with a grin.

“There’s been a lot going on alright?” Ryuuji says in defense.

“It’s late, but I’ll accept it. I’m glad you seem to be doing a lot better these past months.”

It’s true that everything calmed down to the point where Ryuuji can enjoy life again. There’s his father, but looking at him doesn’t bother him anymore. Though he holds out hope that he will recover sometime soon.

Since it’s a touchy subject, Sun hesitates to ask, “...is he still the same?”

“Yeah, he hasn’t changed at all. Steve said his dad will do something about it soon, but for now, there isn’t much I can do.”

“Well! As always, just let me know if you need anything. Not that you ever do and I hear it from someone else~”

“I’ve been trying to get better!” Ryuuji says, stealing Sun’s line from earlier.

Although he wants to glare, Ryuuji can’t help smiling. She may lecture him often, but he still finds joy in every conversation they have.

Steve is then dropped off by his hired driver and the three go in to join Seiji and Hanabi.

However, what was planned as a study session, quickly became a Starfight discussion instead. As a result, very little studying was done. Even so, Steve managed to improve his grade, though only slightly.