Chapter 2: Mission Complete!

Under the cool, blue sky, leaves were falling from the trees near Unmei High School. Cupid 5,931 stood in front of the school near the gates. “So this is what a high school looks like on Earth.” She smirked, “poor humans, school in heaven is so much better than this,” she snickered to herself. “I shouldn’t judge humans, I should judge the Life department for cursing them with such a low quality life.” Just then, someone bumped her on the shoulder causing her to fall down.

“Ah, are you okay?”

Cupid 5,931 looked up to a handsome boy in glasses looking right at her. Cupid 5,931 blushed as she made eye contact with him. His smile made her feel safe and he exuded a warm aura. He kneeled down and extended his hand towards her, “I-I’m okay. Thank you for-.”

“Good thing none of your pages folded over or tore.” The boy grabbed the book that landed near Cupid 5,931. He dusted the dirt off the book and walked off without acknowledging the hurt girl. “And you,” he continued without looking back, “Look where you’re going. You almost cost me a book, you foolish good-for-nothing.

Her initial impression of him died then and there. Cupid 5,931 got up, “Are you saying a book is more worth it than a human life? Maybe you should rethink your priorities!!!” She was fuming at the rudeness of the boy’s response. By then, the boy had already entered the school.

“Don’t think too much about him,” a girl’s voice came from behind Cupid 5,931 which made her turn around.

“Whoa! She’s gorgeous,” Cupid thought to herself. The girl had a face that many boys would fall in love with at first sight.

“Unless you’re a book or schoolwork, he will not spare a second for you. If anything, he’s more of a scum than a human.” The girl walked past Cupid.

“I don’t know if I would go that far as to call him a scum, maybe just trash,” Cupid let out a sheepish chuckle.

The girl stopped in her tracks, “He is my rival, I do not care how he feels and he doesn’t care what others think of him. All he wants is to be on top, but I cannot let a piece of scum take the place of first in school. That’s why…,” the girl slightly turned around, “Watch where you’re going you airheaded scum.”

“WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN???” This girl was making Cupid fired up even more.

“I want to beat him fair and square; I don’t want to win because he couldn’t study due to some airheaded good-for-nothing girl ruining his study materials.” The girl was not holding back on her insults.

“YOU JUST CALLED ME AIRHEADED TWICE!! AND WHAT IS IT WITH BOTH OF YOU CALLING ME A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING??!!” Cupid was pointing at her blonde hair while retorting back.

“Hmph, just don’t get in our way.” The girl entered the school.

Cupid pouted, “Those two must have a hard time finding love if they’re that cruel to everyone.” Cupid let out a sigh to calm herself down, but then she realized something, “Hold on, she said they were rivals. What did Yukito and Kokoa look like again?” Her memory went back to the pictures that were attached to their love documents. “No way, no way, it can’t be them,” Cupid was starting to be in a state of denial. “No, I’m sure they’re nicer than those two. I’m sure of it. I can’t imagine which angel has to take care of those two. I’d feel so bad for them,” she chuckled to herself; although in the back of her mind, she was starting to feel bad for herself.

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“Okay everyone, we have a new student joining our class today,” the teacher announced to Class 2-B.

“Whoa she’s gorgeous!”

“Is she a foreigner?”

“So cute!”

The students were already falling in love with her. Cupids are known to be very attractive with no humans being able to resist them. Cupid 5,931 was taking pride in that defining characteristic of cupids and enjoyed the endless praise from her fellow classmates.

“Hello everyone I am number 5-Eh, I mean…I’m Gokushima Miichiko. Nice to meet you!” Cupid bowed to everyone.

“Gokushima?”

“Miichiko?”

“Maybe she is a foreigner.”

“Eh, Gokushima-san, are you from another country,” the teacher asked.

Cupid had to come up with a lie quickly. She would’ve done more to prepare for this situation, but the only thing occupying her mind during that time was coming to Earth and saving the bond between the two souls. “Why couldn’t I think of a normal Japanese name,” she was beating herself up for it. “Yes, in my country we have Japanese-like names that are normal for us but uncommon in Japan.”

“Which country is that?” A student raised her hand with an interested expression on her face.

“Eh…Hea-I mean…H…Hawaii?” She tried her best to smile through her lies. “There’s no way they’re gonna believe that,” she thought hopelessly.

“I see.”

“That makes sense!”

“Wait, Hawaii is a country now?”

“Oh, nevermind then,” Cupid’s expression expressed relief.

“Interesting. Okay, you can go take your seat over there behind Kubota.” The teacher gestured to a desk behind a boy sitting near the window.

“Thank you-Ehhhhh???” Cupid was dumbfounded when she realized the boy was the same one who was rude to her at the school entrance. “That’s Kubota…right there?”

“Yep, that’s him.”

“By any chance, his full name wouldn’t be Kubota Yukito, would it?”

“Oh, you’ve already met him?”

Cupid could feel her hope diminish. “No, I’ve just…heard about him.” Cupid slowly started her way towards her new desk. When she arrived and sat down in her seat, Yukito didn’t even acknowledge that she was there.

Just like before, Yukito’s head was buried deep in the textbook on his desk. “Try surpassing me now, Kokoa. Now that this foolish being is sitting in front of you, you can’t look at my test answers!” Yukito didn’t lift his eyes from his book as he said this.

“Kokoa?” Cupid turned around to see the girl she met this morning was sitting behind her. Kokoa was going over her homework along with her notes.

“Hm, whether there’s an airheaded wall between us or not, I’ve always fought fair and square. Don’t get too cocky now that you’ve stolen my spot.” She didn’t look up from her schoolwork as she said that. Kubota Yukito and Hisamatsu Kokoa have been rivals ever since the beginning of their high school career. The top two rankings of their class have always switched between them after every term period with Yukito recently taking the spot after last semester’s exam season.

“These two…ARE MY ASSIGNMENTS,” Cupid thought to herself, “Hold on, did they just insult me?”

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The classroom bell rang signaling a break before the next class starts. Cupid let out a sigh of relief now that she didn’t have to continue listening to the lecture. Instead of taking notes, she was just doodling in her journal since she didn’t really have to know whatever was being taught. After all, she was only here for a job and she’s already a high school graduate. Kokoa, who was going over her notes, put her pencil down and got up from her seat.

“Already tired after studying that little? How will you achieve your goal of beating me?" Yukito taunted her while focusing on his notes.

“I’m not worried. If the pattern keeps up, I’ll be taking your spot after this exam period and this time, I’ll be sure to retain it.” Kokoa walked away before Yukito had the chance to counter back.

Cupid sighed, “How will I ever get these two together,” she thought to herself. “Hey, Yukito.” He didn’t answer back. “Hey,” she tapped on his shoulder. “Yukito! Hey! Answer me! I’m talking to you!!!” Nothing she said disturbed him from his studying.

“Someone like you should be spending the little free time they have to study instead of trying to make friends.”

“HUH??? What do you mean ‘someone like me?’”

“A person who, instead of taking notes, would rather draw unflattering art in their journal.”

“Unflattering??” Cupid became offended at his sudden insults, “The only thing unflattering is that personality of yours!!”. Admittingly, Yukito was right. Cupid didn’t have to make friends with them; her main goal of coming to Earth was to just get them in love, not to fraternize with Earthlings. “But how can I get them to be in love if they can’t even see eye to eye,” she wondered. “If only there was a cheat code to love or something.” Cupid tried to remember everything she learned from Cupid school. “Come on, Cupid! Think! Think!!!!”

Flashback

“Couples will usually recognize each other if they are soulmates, but if their souls are filled with hatred, it will be hard for them to recognize each other as the hate will distort their views of each other. If you ever stumble upon a couple who are on the brink of having a bond breaking and they no longer recognize each other, a cupid’s arrow will do the trick. A cupid’s arrow is made with love magic and will help purify the hatred that became part of the souls, making it easier for one to fall in love. Each cupid will only get two arrows so use them wisely: the giver, which is the first arrow you’d use that’ll make someone initiate their feelings to someone else; then, there’s the receiver, who will accept the feelings of the giver. You must use both to get the souls to fall in love. Using the giver but no receiver will only make the giver fanatical about the one they love and using the receiver but no giver will make the receiver forever crave affection from others. Only use these as a last resort,” Teacher Cupid explained to the class as they listened attentively.”

Flashback end

THAT’S IT!! I WILL USE THE POWER OF THE ARROWS!! Easier to get this done sooner than later. I don’t want to spend another second with these two,” Cupid thought with a smile on her face. The thought of getting away from them felt like heaven to her. “Okay, just gotta find a way to use the arrows on both of them. I have to be very careful about this. Maybe I could find a way to get them together somehow.” Cupid looked at Yukito and instantly came up with a plan. “Hey, Yukito, how would you want to help a fool like me to study?”

“Hmph, I think you’re beyond helping.”

“CAN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING NOT INSULTING FOR ONCE??” Cupid sighed to calm down, she was just gonna have to deal with it if she wanted this plan to work. “I mean, I know I’m beyond helping, but seeing how you’re number 1 in class, maybe you could help me go from beyond helping to just below average.” Yukito didn’t reply back but Cupid knew how to get him to go along with her plan. “Of course, Kokoa said she’s just as smart as you, actually maybe even better, so maybe instead of below average, she can make me just average. I mean, you two are always switching ranks so she’s probably as smart or even smarter than you.”

The last sentence seemed to ignite something inside of Yukito. Cupid could tell she struck a nerve inside him as she could see with his annoyed expression. Yukito slammed his book shut which made the whole class quiet down. “I assure you, I can turn you into a better student than you are now. But, you better be prepared for what I bring to the table.”

Cupid gave a wide grin knowing that this boy was easily manipulated if his intelligence was questioned. “Great! Meet me under the large tree at the back of the school and we can start today! Oh, and don’t tell Kokoa.”

Yukito scoffed, “Don’t think we’re close enough to where I share every aspect of my life with her. But like I said, you better be prepared.” Yukito was back to being hyper focused on his textbook.

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The classroom bell rang signaling a break before the next class starts. Cupid let out a sigh of relief now that she didn’t have to continue listening to the lecture. Kokoa, who was going over her notes, put her pencil down and got up from her seat.

“Already tired after studying that little? How will you achieve your goal of beating me?" Yukito taunted her while focusing on his notes.

“I’m not worried. If the pattern keeps up, I’ll be taking your spot after this exam period and this time, I’ll be sure to retain it.” Kokoa walked away before Yukito had the chance to counter back.

Cupid sighed, “How will I ever get these two together,” she thought to herself. “Wait, I feel like I’ve seen this already. Okay, time to initiate the second part.” Cupid got up from her seat, “Yukito, I’m going to get some snacks, want anything?”

“Hmph, eating snack foods during school will only ruin your focus when next class starts. And don’t act like we’re friends, for now our relationship is tutor and student.”

“This guy makes it so hard to get close to,” she thought. “Fine, see you later.” Cupid ran out of the classroom to try and catch up with Kokoa. She dashed through the hallways and made a right turn which brought her to Kokoa standing in front of a vending machine; she bent down to grab her drink from the machine door.

“Hey Kokoa!”

“Huh?” Kokoa wasn’t too pleased to see Cupid.

“What you get there?” Cupid went to stand by Kokoa. “Ohh, canned coffee? Is that your secret to being so diligent at studying?”

“This is simply to relieve my body from exhaustion; going against him takes a major toll towards my energy levels, but that alone won’t make me give up on my goals. Being good at studying is just a skill developed through years of discipline and patience. Two things you need to develop considering you’re using all of this free time to try and make friends with me rather than studying.”

“When these two become a couple, there’s no telling how hurtful their combined insults will be,” Cupid seemed to regret what she was trying to do, but it’s for the good of their souls. “This is what I wanted to bring up with you. Seeing how you were number one, would you mind helping me study? I didn’t want to ask Yukito because it might bother his own studies and if he loses to you because of me, I know you won’t feel like you’ve won fair and square. So seeing how you already do well in school and you don’t need to study as frequently as him, maybe you can help me. Plus, if you get first in school, it will make you the smarter one since you were able to divide your time for me and still beat him.”

“I’ll do it,” Kokoa replied without hesitation.

“So quick! Well then, that was easier than I thought,” Cupid had a smug look on her face as she thought that. “Okay then, meet me under the large tree at the back of the school when school ends! I’ll see you there. And don’t tell Yukito! I’d feel bad if he stresses over why I chose you instead of him.” Cupid walked away and waved to Kokoa. “Mission completed. Now only the third phase needs to be executed,” Cupid let out a tiny evil laugh.

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After School

The sun was setting down, making the sky appear pink above the school campus. Yukito was sitting under the large tree at the back of the school. Just like always, his head was buried in his book trying to squeeze in as much study time as possible. From behind, Kokoa had just arrived under the tree and noticed Yukito there.

“They say the most optimal environment for studying is inside a cool room with good lighting while sitting at a desk. Yet here you are in the hot outdoors, trying hard to read under the dark shade of this tree, and sitting on solid dirt. The sun isn’t providing any better lighting considering that it’s going down soon.” She turned her back towards him.

“Don’t you have anything better to do than standing here berating me? Maybe you should take a lesson from my book and use your time more wisely.”

“You’re actually right. Talking to you is a waste of my time.”

“Then, why did you come here? Did you see me and feel that you just had to say something to get on my nerves and distract me?”

“As if I would waste precious energy just to do that. If you must know, I was told to meet someone here, so if you can, please go somewhere else so you won’t scare away my acquaintance.”

Yukito scoffed, “Well, I guess both of us are out of luck then; I can’t leave here or my student won’t find me. She’s already foolish enough as it is.”

“Hah, with you teaching her, she’ll most likely stay the fool that she is now. She’s probably better off learning with me and my airheaded student.”

“Could that be a challenge?” Yukito was becoming interested in what this argument could flourish into.

“If I could make my airhead rank higher than your fool and take your spot as top rank, then you’ll have to consider me as the best in school.”

“Try your best, but there’s no way you and your airhead could ever beat me and my fool.”

“I HAVE A NAME, YOU KNOW???” A voice screamed out from above. Yukito and Kokoa turned to see Cupid standing on the school roof.

“Airhead?”

“Fool?”

“IT’S MIICHIKO!!”

“I’ve been waiting here for so long and you’ve been playing around all this time?” Kokoa was furious at Cupid’s shenanigans. “If you keep this up, there’s no way we could beat Yukito’s fool?”

“She is my fool!!”

“No, she’s my airhead!!” Kokoa and Yukito glared at each other like parents fighting over who gets to take custody over their children.

“It feels nice when people fight over you but the reason why they’re fighting over me just hurts.” Cupid felt depressed inside knowing that they have low expectations of her intelligence. “THAT’S IT! I HAVE GATHERED BOTH OF YOU HERE TO FIX THAT: THE HATE YOU HAVE TOWARDS EACH OTHER! YOU BOTH HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT NOW, SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR HATRED AND SAY HELLO TO YOUR SHOUJO ANIME ROMANCE LIFE!!!!” Cupid jumped off of the school roof and revealed an arrow in each hand. “It doesn’t matter who gets what as long as both get stabbed in the ass.” Cupid’s goal was coming into fruition; after this, her job would be over and she could go home. Yukito and Kokoa stared in horror at the schoolgirl falling in the air with a menacing look on her face. Cupid landed in between them and stabbed one arrow into each of their butts which resulted in Yukito and Kokoa letting out loud wails. “Mission complete!” Cupid felt proud of herself for being able to manipulate these two to go along with her plan. Now, she can return back to heaven and enjoy watching them from afar.