Refocus

“Takamiya.”

“What is it this time, Hiiragi..?”

It was morning, before the first bell sounded. I stood in front of the entrance to our classroom waiting for Kisaki. I wanted to get this first part over with.

“Let’s try the tutoring thing again.”

“No. I don’t know what you’re planning, but it’s clear you aren’t asking me this with improving your grades in mind.”

“It won’t play out like yesterday did. fully intend on cooperating with you and putting my all into this. It's clear I do need to improve my grades to keep my life in order- regardless of any other motives."

"I see your point. I have no issue with you if you can actually put thought into remedying your performance and demeanor... I'll give you a second chance, provided you pay attention IN class today."

"...That works for me."

I shouldn't be disappointed, this talk went smoothly... Though I still did want to finish one of my light novels today. I'll manage. It's all for my future happiness, or something along those lines.

...My notebooks were mostly filled with sketches of anime girls and swords, rather than actual notes. I figured I could always sketch and act like I was paying attention, but for once, I wanted to show good faith and do my work. I don’t know why, but I didn’t want to betray my expectations for once- maybe because I’m the one who wanted this in the first place? Regardless, I flipped to a clean page of my notebook and worked through my morning classes diligently.

The day went by slowly, as I still didn’t exactly find the lessons engaging. I didn’t sleep all too well, all said. I however, steeled myself for the sake of the end goal in mind. Having a reason at least kept my systems running this morning. Lunch period came by, and I was still conscious somehow- as I left the classroom to go to my usual spot, Kisaki pulled me aside.

“I’m surprised how well you kept your end of the deal. I won’t hold you, but before you go on break I wanted to let you know that I’ll show good faith if you stay focused like you are. Good work, Hiiragi.”

She wasted no time making her feelings clear and then resuming her usual routine. I smiled to myself and bought some snacks for myself which were already gone by the time I made it outside. Saitou and Rinne were sitting outside on a set of stairs where all of us usually spend our breaks. Mayu was absent, I noticed. I presume she was talking to Kisaki, considering our discussion yesterday.

“Yuuto, what’s the deal with you and Takamiya lately?”

I guess Saitou was watching me from the classroom in the morning. He closed the notebook he was skimming over and looked at me with a curious gaze.

“I was just asking her to tutor me.”

“Finally. Never thought you had it in you to ask her, when I was convinced you two hated each other.”

“Oh, I do hate her.”

“Okay then. As long as you get your priorities straight, I have nothing to really say other than good job.”

“You are so stiff.”

“...What do you want me to say?”

Rinne eventually started to chime in as our conversation went,

“I’m happy to see you in good spirits, Yuuto.”

“What?”

“Well, you know... We haven’t exactly spoken for the last week, I thought that- you know, maybe you were hung up over what happened.”

“Yeah, it’s not that serious. It’s not something worth worrying about now.”

Well, I was a bit crushed by it up until yesterday, actually. But after all that transpired the day prior, I guess it stopped really being something on the forefront of my mind. Guess I can thank Mayu for one thing in the end.

“Yuuto. What exactly happened between you two?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Me and Rinne responded in perfect tandem. It was pretty evident she wanted to put that exchange behind her, as did I. Saitou just shrugged in the face of our stern dismissal.

~

Afternoon classes let out in due time. Kisaki needed to fetch some materials and check in with the student council quickly, so I had to sit tight for a few minutes. Might as well grab an energy drink so I can make it through this hour or so of hard study...

The sky was still a clean June blue- the hallways were lit with the summer light and filled with students shuffling to go home or prepare for after-school activities. I walked to the end of the hallway and started looking over the drink selection in the vending machine located in the corner. I swiftly picked out a drink and started to make my way back to the classroom.

Kisaki was already waiting, sitting on my desk with her legs crossed. I called out to her as I entered the classroom. She gave me her classic stern expression, which was expected.

“Hey. I went to get a drink before we started, hope you weren’t waiting long.”

“It wasn’t more than a minute, so it’s not a problem.”

“Alright then. Anyway, I think we can at least start off the same way we did last session- I’ll stop you if I get confused, and if you could slow down and guide me more thoroughly then, I think we can make it work,”

“As long as you offer solutions, I can work with you.”

“Let’s get down to business, then-”