Breathtaking Flower

The sun was high up in the sky, as clouds passed by, occasionally blocking it.

They said it was going to rain... 

A thought crossed my mind while I stared outside the classroom window with a blank expression.

"Kojima, could you solve this question?"

My gaze shifted towards the teacher, professor Matsuyama, who was looking at me with expectation. I could only sigh before I stood up.

"The answer is... U-Uhm... Square root of x plus two?"

The whole class watched me like I was some sort of entertainment, which made me shift my gaze to my desk as my cheeks heated up.

"Correct. Nicely done, Kojima."

Matsuyama nodded with a satisfied look on his face, adjusting his glasses in the process.

"Thanks."

Sitting down, everyone's attention moved back towards the board, except for the purple-haired girl that was sitting next to me.

"Not bad Kojima, but I still think that I would've solved that faster."

She whispered, which in turn made me a little irritated.

"You really like bragging about your smarts, you cutting board?"

Her face turned crimson red, and a menacing aura began surrounding her.

"Say that one more time crybaby, and you'll see what will happen."

The colour from my face faded away.

"W-What—"

"Oi, Kojima, Takahashi, no talking in class."

Professor Matsuyama stared at us with a stern look on his face.

"Sorry."

Both me and Takahashi apologised, turning our attention towards the board.

When the math class was over, Takahashi turned towards me with an eery smile.

"Hehehe!"

She then got up and left the classroom, leaving me terrified.

M-Maybe I should leave her be...

Feeling myself getting tired, I laid down onto my desk and watched as students were eating and chatting outside.

It must be nice being free, just enjoying our youth...

My mind was on the verge of dozing off, but a loud thud against my desk jolted me awake.

"Ah, awake are we now?"

An annoying blonde haired girl stood in front of me with a pink bento box placed on my desk. Her mischievous green eyes tell me she obviously did that on purpose.

"You'll never find a boyfriend if you keep acting like this, Miura."

Miura rolled her eyes before dragging a chair and taking a seat at my desk.

"It's not like I'm looking for a boyfriend anyway."

Pretending to act shocked, I gripped my hand against my heart.

"Wait! Don't tell me you swing—"

"OF COURSE NOT!"

She yelled at me before I even got to finish my act.

"I meant as in currently! I'd like to find myself a boyfriend in the future!"

Her face was crimson red and her breathing was uneven.

"You're still easily flustered..."

Looking around, I noticed that all of the classmates that were still here were staring at us.

"And you even got the attention of the whole class. Nice."

Panicked, Miura grabbed her bento, got up, and ran out of the classroom.

"We'll eat together next time!"

She blurted out, before running down the hallway.

Well, at least she left me alone, but knowing my class...

Deciding that it was too much of a risk, I walked out of the classroom and headed towards the bathroom.

If I stay in one of the stalls, nobody will bother me.

Just as I was about to round a corner, I bumped into a girl. The papers the person was holding scattered throughout the hallway.

"I'm terribly sorry! I should have watched where I was going!"

I frantically apologised while I got up and started collecting the papers.

"I-It's okay.... I-I should have watched too..."

Realising that I should have helped the girl get up, I stopped collecting papers and turned towards her.

"Let me—"

I froze when I saw the girl that was in front of me. Her pastel pink and white hair fluttered while she stared at me with those crystal blue eyes.

My mouth was agape while she took my outstretched right hand and got up to her feet.

"W-Why are you staring at me?"

The girl asked in a scared tone, which broke me out of my trance.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to stare!"

My cheeks flared up and my heart tightened. A soft giggle escaped through the girl's lips, making her panic the next second.

"Ah! I-I didn't mean to laugh at you! Y-You just remind me of how I act!"

Oh, thank god this didn't escalate any further...

"Anyways, we should collect the papers you dropped."

With my mind calm and the girl agreeing to help, we collected the papers in no time.

"That should be all."

"T-Thank you for staying and helping me!"

The pink and white haired girl's face was deeply red just from thanking me.

She must have a hard time talking to boys? I mean, any guy would try to score a date with her.

"Well, we finished pretty fast, so it wasn't a problem after all."

Playing with my fingers, I tried to gain courage to ask her for her name.

"I-If you don't mind me asking, w-what is your name...?"

The girl looked at me with a nervous expression, which made me want to take back what I said.

"Actually—"

"Hanako. Hanako Haruka!"

With that, she sprinted down the hallway with her red face hidden behind the papers.

"Shion! My name is Shion Kojima!"

I yelled down the hallway, making the girl stop and look back at me. Haruka stood in place for a moment before continuing to rush.

Hanako Haruka... What a name....

Just as I was about to enter the bathroom, the school bell rang, signaling the end of lunch period.

Damnit! I forgot to eat!

Slightly disappointed that I forgot to eat, I returned to my classroom. As I sat down, Takahashi looked at me with confusion.

"Your lunch box is still under the desk. Why didn't you eat?"

Her comment made me unnerved.

"What are you, some kind of stalker? I didn't eat because I had to help someone."

Takahashi scoffed at my explanation, returning her attention towards her notebook.

"I should have expected that from someone as fragile as you. Even if you did eat, it wouldn't make a difference. You always eat like you're on a budget."

My grip on the chair tightened as I listened to her.

Okay, she's seriously asking for a fight!

"At least I don't have to worry if I'll get fat from one of your lunches! How much do you have to eat?! A whole elephant's meal?!"

The whole class erupted into laughter after hearing me, but almost instantly went quiet when Takahashi snapped her pencil in half.

"Kojima-kun, what did we talk about at the beginning of lunch period?"

My heart dropped when Takahashi got up from her desk.

"Well, u-um... Y-You didn't say I could—"

She slammed her hand against my desk, making me jump in my seat.

W-What is she going to do...?

Thankfully, professor Ishiyama entered the class.

"What is going on here? Takahashi, get back to your seat!"

"Yes, professor!"

Acting like an angel, Takahashi got back to her seat while my soul left my body.

I-I'm such an idiot!