The Scores That Decide Your Fate

"With this function, you can—"

The ringing of a building-wide bell stops the teacher halfway through his lecture. Our saviour could not have shown up any later.

"Class dismissed. If you did not receive exam results, come to the faculty room."

With his last word, the class erupts into activity.

The atmosphere is only this complicated a few times a year. Some are relieved to have survived a massacre while others bemoan the final nail in their coffin. It isn't difficult to tell the difference between those due for retests and those free to enjoy their weekend.

"It was a close call…"

I mumble to myself with a folded piece of paper in my hands. I've looked at these numbers multiple times over the course of the day, but I still can't believe that my grades came out in one piece.

"Still looking at those crappy scores?"

From two seats behind, a guy with brown hair and brown eyes appears to peek over my shoulder. A dark green sleeve lands on the desk with his hand, the rest of his shirt showing some other rock band that I've never heard of.

"Hey, 70s across the board is something to be proud of."

"For somebody about to flunk maybe."

"Don't jinx me. I'd rather not be stuck here longer than need be."

I fold up the paper once more, stashing it safely into my pocket. Edward pats my back with that hand capable of obtaining exemplary scores in every subject.

"That's grand from somebody who used to stay after school everyday for tutoring."

"Tutoring, huh? I haven't heard that word in a while."

"Maybe skipping out made your grades better."

"The possibility actually scares me…"

Ever since Mira arrived, I've found one excuse or another to head straight home after school. I never really had the time to worry about my own scores when helping Mira study. Knowing me, my brain probably decided to actually remember things now that I don't have time to review.

"Well, whatever the reason, good job."

"If you want to make me feel better, then get a 50 on your next test."

"Hey, now who's trying to jinx somebody!"

Edward and I begin to meander out at the tail of the crowd. As we do, I can't help but voice my next immediate concern.

"I hope she did well…"

"Is your cousin bad at studying?"

"You could say that…"

More accurately, she doesn't really know how to study. I've tried my best to get her up to speed, but there is only so much that I can do on my own. She locks up like a small animal whenever she encounters a problem that she can't understand. For the problems she does get correct, she almost immediately forgets how to solve them the next day. The only thing that I can't complain about is her determination.

"If only there were somebody really smart that could help her study…"

My companion's eyes light up at my plea for aid. Being the annoying person he is, Edward crosses his arms behind his neck and speaks out loudly.

"Yeah, if only."

"Hm…"

"There couldn't possibly be somebody like that close by, right?"

"Hmm…"

"N-Noa? Can you hear me?"

As I ignore the possibly living thing standing next to me, one face comes to mind.

"I guess there is."

"Exactly! Now you get it!"

"And it's somebody who doesn't just want the chance to talk to a cute girl."

"Was it that obvious?"

I stop as we reach the staircase at the end of our hall. This time, I need to go against traffic to reach the person I have in mind. Convincing her should be more than easy enough.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to find your replacement."

"Wait, I'm already fired!? You didn't even bring me in for onboarding yet!"

"It was a pleasure to have you at our company, but I need you to clean out your office."

"You didn't give me one!"

"Should be pretty easy then."

My friend and I part ways with a wave as I head upstairs to the third floor. Most of the second year courses are held up here.

"Where should I start looking…"

Part of me wants to just yell her name down the hallway. Knowing her, she would hear me easily.

"She would probably just avoid me if I did…"

Of course, I don't have that kind of dumb courage in front of my remaining peers down the hall. All I can do is march straight ahead and peek my head through the windows of each door.

"Not this one, either…"

I'm halfway down the hall with no luck. As I peek my head into the glass of the next door, my vague reflection begins to grow closer.

"OW!"

"Ah, sorry!"

"No, it was my fault…"

My butt finds its way to the ground as a surprised guy appears from the room. He quickly apologises before continuing on his way, the door slamming shut before I could even check inside. At this point, it would be easier to just call her and hope she answers.

"What am I doing…"

"I was wondering the same thing."

My body jerks at the sound of a familiar voice. It's icy cold with no hint of familiarity aside from the fact that it's addressing me directly. I don't even need to turn around to know that the one standing nearby isn't even looking at me.

"Stella! I was looking for you!"

"Please stop looking."

When I get back on my feet, I'm greeted by a flash of red within a world of white.

The girl is a head shorter than me despite being a grade ahead. Straight white hair runs down her back, disappearing within a white shirt and skirt. Completing her indifferent face is a pair of red glasses. The frames are normal, it's the lenses that make her actual eye colour difficult to discern.

Despite being the one to ask me a question, Stella continues walking forwards whilst nose deep in her book. I have to quickly jog to catch up.

"I need your help."

"Failed your exams?"

"Surprisingly, no! I'm actually quite proud of it!"

"Good for you."

I don't feel any encouragement from those words, but that's fine. She wouldn't agree to help me even if I did fail.

"Mira had her first set of exams as well. She's getting her scores today."

"I see."

Silence joins us for the rest of the trip outside. Trying to keep up a conversation with this girl is probably more difficult than talking to your worst enemy. At least a villain would have something disheartening for you to hear.

Yet for somebody neither friend nor enemy, Stella continues to walk with me as we head towards my place.

"So you are curious?"

"Shut it."

A leather shoe digs its way into my ankle, almost making me lose my balance.

Cars pass by through the one road to and from school. From the bridge, you can see fields of yellow and orange around the murky lake water. Every once in a while, a cold breeze carries fallen leaves in front of us and at our feet. Soon, there won't be many trees with leaves left.

"It's already almost winter, huh?"

"I suppose so."

"Maybe we'll get snow again this year?"

I look out over the water and watch some small boats lazily travel across the shining surface. Even from our position above the shore, the cold has begun to settle in. I can only imagine how cold it must be down there.

Beside me, a likely under-dressed Stella shivers for a moment.

"I would hope not."

"Maybe I should invest in some winter clothes for Mira…"

The two of us are only past the bridge when Stella suddenly stops in place. Before I can inquire, a small clapping of feet against the ground grows louder behind us. A splash of blue and white invades this world of yellow and orange like a missile locked on target.

"Noa! Ah! Stella too!"

I brace myself for impact as Mira charges in with her backpack slamming constantly against her back. Fortunately, the weight of her luggage reduces her speed enough to leap into Stella's arms without knocking both of them into concrete.

After a brief hug, the young rabbit lifts a folded piece of paper towards us.

"I got my scores back!"

"H-How did you do!?"

"Hehe!"

My apprehension begins to fade away when I look at that bright smile on her face. It feels like any clouds in the sky have completely disappeared, leaving only the colourful landscape with Mira at the centre. In my chest, I'm struck with a strange, fuzzy feeling. Is this what it's like to be proud of someone else's success?

"Look at them!"

Autumn wind carries fallen leaves and Mira's blue hair as she unfolds the sheet that signifies our victory.

"I actually got to 50!"

""...""

The thundering symphony within me goes completely silent once tidings are delivered. What was once a hall filled with celebration is one struck by the reality of the situation.

"Hm?"

Seeing us staring blankly, Mira tilts her head to the side. Nobody moves except for cars slowly pushing through traffic beside us.