Maximum Damage

The next morning, when I arrived on campus, it was already buzzing. I felt twice as exhausted than usual due to my shift at the konbini last night.

I had to make it up to Haruna for leaving mid-shift... she had me do all the stocking and inventory checks by myself.

Now I desperately needed the caffeine to stay awake, so just a few minutes before class started, I went down to the outdoor vending machines near the stairwell, picking up the cheapest option, which was a can of black coffee.

I grabbed my can from the slot, cracking it open to take a bitter, dark gulp, desperate to clear the lingering fog from my mind. But right as I was about to take the first sip, a second can dropped into the dispenser right besides me.

"I didn't take you as the type who'd like black coffee."

I turned my head to see Hasegawa, grabbing a can of high-end espresso blend from the slot.

"Good morning, Kaito. You look like you're about to fall asleep standing up," she murmured, with a playful, teasing smile. "Let me guess, you studied until sunrise? Or did you just forget how to sleep?"

I kept my voice level, leaning back against the wall. "Just a long night, Hasegawa."

"Mhm, a long night," she hummed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She looked down at my cheap can, then at her own, “Can I see your drink real quick?”

I blinked, completely caught off guard. "What?"

"Give me your drink," Megumi insisted smoothly, gesturing for me to hand over the cheap coffee. When I hesitated, she simply reached out, gently swapping the premium espresso can in her hand for my newly opened black coffee.

She held up my cheap can, inspecting the label with a look of playful disapproval. "Seriously, Kaito, drinking garbage like this is practically a crime. How can you even handle the taste?"

“I don’t mind the taste, as long as it helps to keep me awake during lectures.”

“Tsk. Tsk. Kaito, these things are terrible for your health with all those artificial preservatives mixed in, but they're not even close to being energising enough for someone who works as hard as you do." She nudged the unopened, high-end espresso into my palm, ensuring my fingers curled around the cold metal. "Here. Take this one instead. It’s a proper premium blend. If you're going to push yourself to the limit, you at least need the right fuel."

"Hasegawa, you really don't need to do that; I don’t mind drinkin—"

"And I told you, don't worry about it," she interrupted, her tone light and effortlessly engaging as she stepped back, holding my cheap coffee like it was some sort of rare artefact. "Actually, I was hoping to run into you. I have something I want to talk to you about, but the morning rush is a bit too loud for my liking."

She gave me a knowing, lingering smile, her voice dropping to a soft whisper. "Meet me at lunch? Same bench as yesterday. Don't worry, I won't take up too much of your sacred studying time."

Before I could answer, she gave a small, graceful nod and walked away towards the Class 1-B hallway.

I stood there for a moment, the cold, expensive can of espresso heavy in my hand, while the lingering scent of her floral perfume cut through the crisp morning air, before throwing my notes into my bag and heading to my own classroom.

I waited outside the door just minutes before the call time, mainly because I wanted to avoid the inevitable awkwardness of sitting next to Reina, especially with the remaining sting of her words from the little fight we had yesterday...

When I finally got settled into my seat, desperately avoiding even looking in the general direction of her. A few moments later the professor walked in, placing his things on the desk. "Good morning, class. We don't have a lecture today; you may spend the period studying for the midterms."

The class erupted into chatter, and the sound of chairs sliding across the floor filled the room. Students started grouping up in the classroom. I took a sneaky glimpse at Reina; she was still poised perfectly, and her focus was completely on the notes in front of her.

 She still had the same hostile look from yesterday but only softer this time; the exhaustion of dealing with the rumours was evident by how her hands were slightly shaking as she grabbed her pen.

I forced myself to look away. It was for the best to leave her alone before I made things any worse.

Grabbing my notebook and shoving the other things on my desk into my bag, I decided to head somewhere far away from the chaotic whispers of the classroom.

On the way there, I cracked open the can of espresso Hasegawa had given me, which reminded me of our short conversation at the stairwell earlier. "Meet me at lunch, same spot. I have something very important to tell you."

What could she possibly want to tell me? A tightening knot of worry started forming in my stomach. There was something off about the timing of everything... Dismissing the feeling of anxiety to the side, I pushed open the doors to the old library wing.

It was surprisingly quiet; only a handful of classes were given the time off, but the students present in the library were bunched up into study groups. Even though the rumours had already kindled, I still quietly slipped into the silent side of the library, carrying a stack of books with me.

I was actually making progress for once; the premium blend really helped clear up the clouds in my head, and the formulas written on the pages didn’t look like gibberish.

All was going well up until I saw her.

It was Reina, quietly slippong into a desk several rows away from me. I was seated far enough that she didn't see me. But at this distance I could see right through what the rest of the school didn’t.

To anyone else, they might say that she looks just fine, seemingly unbothered by everything around her. But I've been with her for long enough to know when she's troubled.

The way that her hair fell slightly over her face as she opened a textbook, the slight slouch in her posture, and the way her fingers trembled as she rubbed them on her temple, probably to soothe a massive headache.

It was clear that she wasn't holding up well at all.

I leant back, my chest aching with a dull familiarity. I had promised myself to stay on the sidelines, to become her equal before I ever stepped into her frame again. But watching her sit there, carrying the entire weight of her world completely alone, made the urge to approach her incredibly tempting.

Minutes ticked by, only the sounds of silent chatter and pages turning were all to be heard. Then a set of confident, prideful steps bounced off the linoleum floor.

Tatsuya Asano.

He didn't have anything with him, not even a single book. He walked straight towards Reina's desk and dropped directly across from her without asking.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I saw how she refused to look at him, keeping her eyes glued to her book, her fingers tightening against the paper until the pages crinkled.

I forced myself to look away, at my notes, at the ceiling, anywhere but at them. 'Leave it alone, Kaito, it’s not worth it,' I told myself, gripping my mechanical pencil until the plastic creaked.

Then he suddenly got up from his seat; the chair scraped along the floor. I thought he was about to leave, but when I looked over, he was leaning over the small desk and completely invading her personal space.

Reina tried to pull back, tilting away from him, but Tatsuya leant in even closer, bracing his hand firmly against the edge of her desk to loom over her. From my angle, his broad shoulders completely cut off the space between them. He leant down, lowering his face rapidly towards hers.

A sudden, violent rush of heat slammed into my chest, instantly turning into a suffocating, blinding rage. Every instinct screamed at me to lunge over the desks and tackle Asano right then and there. My grip on the mechanical pencil tightened until the plastic body of the mechanical pencil snapped into my hand.

I couldn't stay still; I had to do something, but if I did, that would just prove that Reina was right... that I am a liability.

Blinded by the fit of rage, I scooped up the things on my desk, not even bothering to place them into my bag, and left the stack of books abandoned on the desk as I ran for the exit, running as fast as my legs would allow me just to escape from what I just saw.

~Megumi's Perspective~

Watching Kaito sprint out of the library, I couldn't help but giggle into my palm. Seeing the cool-headed "Scholar King" get all riled up by a single kiss was probably one of the most amusing things I’ve seen all week.

And judging by the utter look of dread on his face... The plan was an absolute success.

I headed out of the library, a few minutes after him and made my way behind the gymnasium, taking the long way around to avoid being seen.

Moments later Asano arrived, straightening out his jacket, with a bright smile on his face like he just pulled off some elaborate heist. "Did you like my little performance there, Hasegawa?"

"Yes! You were so charming," I teased, giving him a dramatic little round of applause. "Have you ever considered an acting career?"

"Are you actually complimenting me, or are you being sarcastic?" Asano raised an eyebrow, leaning his shoulder against the brick wall of the gym.

"No, no, for once you did something that went beyond my expectations," I replied, crossing my arms with a satisfied grin. "Kaito’s reaction was priceless, you should've seen his face. He practically tackled the library doors on the way out.'"

I leant in a little closer, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Oh, by the way... did you actually kiss Reina? Even from my perspective, it sure looked like it.”

Asano scoffed, a brief flicker of irritation crossing his features before he smoothly recovered. "No. I just leant in close while inviting her to a party this weekend."

“And?” I asked, tilting my head. “Did she accept?”

Asano went completely silent, his jaw tightening as he looked away.

"Ha! I knew it," I laughed, entirely amused by his sudden loss of words. "You really have no chance with her, do you?"

"It's a work in progress, okay?" Asano snapped, fixing his collar with an aggressive tug. "The important thing is Akizuki has officially backed off; I can finally start making moves on Reina without that gremlin watching over us."

"Mhm. Good luck with that. You're going to need it," I said, turning on my heel to leave him to his delusions.

"Leaving already?" Asano called out after me, his voice laced with mock deference. "Does the great mastermind not have any other orders for me?"

"No," I replied over my shoulder, not even bothering to look back. "Just keep doing what you're doing..."

I checked my phone, noting the time. The lunch bell was about to ring, and the stage was perfectly set.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lunch date to get to."