5. Potential Comedy

Shiro then puffed her chest slightly, as if unwilling to lose her dignity—
especially against someone she had been underestimating.

Yes, her very own rival. Kamiya Akira himself.

And yes, that's me. For real for real.

“You know what? You just gave me an idea.”

That sudden reply cut away any character development from my monologue.

Oh no… dear God.

I may not believe in anything religious, but good grief, God—what could that possibly be?

The atheist in me was screaming, actually begging for something non-existent.

“We could turn this equation into a complete research paper, don’t you think?”

Complete research paper... what are you, a uni professor?

"And don't worry, it would be really easy to do."

Easy, you said. 

"So?"

Damn. I really didn’t see that one coming.

…Okay, never mind. I was clearly joking.

I literally saw it from miles, miles away.

But the delivery—the damn delivery—still somewhat got me.

She said it so casually, as if it were something easy to do.

Though she said it really was anyway so I could let it slide.

Actually, no. Not at all.

What really pissed me off the most was the deadline. 

Those damn six months.

Again. Six whole months, and you’re already trying to finish it now?

What kind of insanity is that? How ridiculous.

I couldn't help but merely shake my head.

“Instead of that, let’s just focus on the Nakamura exam.”

Okay, this is better.

I quickly changed the topic, making sure nothing about a research paper could come up ever again. Then, I pulled out the materials along with my notes.

There was no way I could have entertained such a silly idea.

Her reaction to my dismissal? 

Obvious. Way too obvious.

She frowned, like a stray cat that had lost its way home. 

Already begging for me to adopt her.

“I’ve already studied, and now I’m bored."

Bored of your own pitiful existence, I guess?

"Why don’t we talk about quantum physics again?”

Okay, you’ve got to be kidding me.

No. Impossible. 

There could be no way I was going back to that.

“You want to, right?”

No, I don't. Stop trying.

“It’ll be fun. Probably.”

Fun? I'm gonna have a nightmare!

I only wanted to prove she wasn’t that good—so why had the advantage suddenly shifted back to her? My reaction clearly showed that specific, extreme disinterest, yet she—

“Come on~ Akira~ Let’s talk!”

No, not even in thousand years. Stop doing that.

She grabbed my sleeve and started dragging me around like a damn trolley.

“You’re not escaping this.”

I definitely can. Now, shut up.

“You do want to, right?”

Stop using that kind of face as a weapon.

I promise you. It won't work on me.

“Or are you scared?”

Who even said I was? Your delusional mind?

No, all I could see was a desperate needy cat begging for attention.

“Oi—stop—!”

My foot caught on the edge of the bench.

And before I could react—

I stumbled forward.

THUD!

My hand slammed against the bench beside her.

Too close.

Way too close.

Our faces were just inches apart.

…

Her voice disappeared, replaced by the awkward silence.

Even her usual smug expression froze, changed into worriness.

I could feel her breath near to my ear.

“…Akira?”

I didn’t answer.

Because for a second—

I mean, just for a second—

Okay, I forgot what I was even supposed to say. Damn it.

And then—

I accidentally touched her... boobs.

“—What the hell are you doing, idiot?!”

She shoved me away. Karate style.

I hit the ground hard, sprawled out like a fallen tree.

“…Ow.”

“Wait—no!”

She immediately reached out, helping me up.

“I-I didn’t mean it! Sorry!”

“…Relax. It’s nothing.”

I muttered, brushing off my sleeve then picked up my glasses.

“You hit like a child, so it doesn’t matter.”

What a perfect, epic comeback.

“…Excuse me?”

She froze, her expression twitching.

Then it snapped right back, still holding onto my sleeve.

“…You were leaning in.”

No, I wasn't. Don't you see?

“I tripped.”

“That didn’t look like a trip at all.”

Are you blind now?

“It was, in fact, a trip.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Yet you punched me.”

I replied silently.

“Because you were being a total weirdo!”

And not just blind. Deaf too?

“What? I almost died!”

“…Exactly!”

Hold on. What’s with that bizzare logic?

I stared at her.

She looked away first, but then—

“Wait… were you just staring at my chest?”

“…You pervert!”

…Is she just having a bad day or something?

…No, wait.

Is she on her period instead?

I immediately frowned. 

And no, that sounded really stupid 

Even if it was in my head.

No, that can’t be it.

Did I just walk into something I don’t understand?

I didn't get it.