The Line That Stayed

My test paper had barely disappeared into the teacher's stack and my mind had already started drifting towards Saya. Wait, wasn't it already fixated on her? Anyway. I see her still sitting at her desk, possibly recollecting what had just happened. I stand up and walk towards her, only to provide her some relief after the grueling time she might have faced.

But before I came into her vision, she had already turned around towards me and noticed me. She jolted as she stood up really fast, and ran towards me. It almost looked like she was about to tackle me and possibly ... hug me? But looks like she controlled herself and compensated with just my hand.

"NATSUKI. I did it!" Her face was lit up, with a wide grin plastered all over her face.

Hmm? That ... should not be the face of someone who just bombed the test? Or maybe it was not as bad as I thought? This made me slightly relieved but I still couldn't keep out that murky feeling inside me. What was it again?

"I can't thank you enough. The study session really helped me! I think I should be fine this time around. Oh, how did yours go?" She asked innocently with a slight turn of her head.

"It was a breeze as usual. The teachers should really work on writing better questions, this was a tad bit too easy."

"Hey, if they made it tougher I might have failed!" We returned to our usual bickering, which made me let out a sigh of relief.

But to my dismay, I saw a familiar face coming towards me from the door of our classroom. Arghh, why is she here as well!

"Hello senpais. Sorry to disturb you just after your exam, but I really need to do this urgently." It was Asuka who looked in quite a hurry. Her jersey was disheveled and she had some kind of paper in her hand. She was also dripping with sweat, maybe after running a lot, I presume. Eww, keep away from me.

"Okay. Out with it."

"Okay. So we actually are missing a substitute player for the team. So, I was thinking ... I can just put your name on there? You don't have to play; just being there is good enough. Hope that's fine?"

Not again. There's a reason I'm not rejoining the club, and you are really trying to force my hand here. I took a quick glance towards Saya, who was patiently waiting for my answer. But, for some moments it looked like she was exchanging glares with Asuka? When did these two get closer?

"I have my studies ... " I almost leaked my usual go-to answer here, that could have backfired here given the tests are already over. I think through all the possible excuses, but I just couldn't seem to get a reasonable one. I turn to look over to Saya, and was met with a confused look.

"Why not go for it, Natsuki?" She encouraged me with that answer, but my thoughts and feelings were in a complete perpendicular direction. I sighed in response and turned towards Asuka.

"Can you give me a day to think over it?" Asuka's face withered at my proposal but she still gave me a quick nod of approval.

"I'll find a backup just in case." Why do you need me then?!

Oh well, maybe I'll give it some thought. At least one problem is down.