Study Hard, Rest Well

 “Young master, you’re not doing well enough,” Misha’s voice carried a hint of sternness as she loomed over Akari, her arms crossed like a determined sentinel. “If you are to pass, you need at least forty more points.”

“I’m fully aware of that…” Akari sighed as he slumped forward on the desk. “I can’t let Himeko beat me.”

“Please worry about your own grades first,” Misha chided, her ruler landing on his desk with a deliberate thud.

“If it wasn’t for Ryoichi, you wouldn’t be forcing me to do this anyway,” Akari muttered under his breath. The sudden swish of air caught his attention, his gaze shifting to the ruler held in front of his face like an unsheathed sword. Misha glared at him like a deadly soldier.

“Let’s get back to studying, shall we young master?” Her words cut through the air with a hint of warning.

“Are you still studying?” Ayano interrupted them as she strolled in, a cup of tea cradled in her hands. She was a vision in a pale yellow turtleneck shirt beneath a soft pink cardigan, an embodiment of warmth. “It’s quite late.

“It’s not like I have much of a choice,” Akari’s response carried a hint of resignation, his eyes lifting to meet hers.

“Misha, maybe Aki should take a break,” Ayano suggested, her gaze softening as it met Akari’s tired eyes. “It may be good for him. Refreshing his mind can help him study better later.”

Misha’s glare briefly rested on Akari, her lips pursed in contemplation. “Ten minutes,” she relented, her voice a mix of sternness and reluctant concession. Akari released a pent-up breath, his gratitude palpable as Misha finally left the room.

As the door closed, Akari’s shoulders sagged in relief. Ayano's presence, like a soothing balm, was a welcome change.

“It seems you're getting better,” she remarked, her fingers dancing over his latest practice scores.

“But not enough to pass the exams,” Akari’s voice carried a note of frustration, his pencil twirling absentmindedly in his hand. A sudden lack of coordination sent the pencil tumbling onto the desk. Akari stood abruptly, restlessness pulling him to his feet. “I’m going for a walk.”

“By yourself?”

“I just need to clear my head with some fresh air,” Akari assured her, his fingers reaching for a black jacket as he made his way out of the room. The door clicked softly shut behind him as Ayano let out a concerned sigh.

In the cool embrace of the early summer breeze, Akari strolled along the sidewalk, each step punctuated by the soft rhythm of his shoes against the cold concrete. The full moon, like a sentinel in the night sky, cast its silvery glow upon the landscape, painting the lake’s surface with a shimmering tapestry of silver lines.

Deep breaths of the crisp air filled his lungs, momentarily sweeping away the historical dates, mathematical formulas, and English lessons that had cluttered his mind. Exams were just a few days away and at this point, the best Akari could wish for was to just not fail. Despite his challenge with Himeko, it seemed more than likely he was going to lose. Of course, he wasn’t too certain about the young lady’s studying but he still wasn’t too confident.

Entering the quiet expanse of a grassy park, Akari’s steps led him to the edge of a tranquil pond. Wooden benches were scattered around, guardians of solitude beneath the moon's watchful gaze. One bench was already occupied, its solitary figure familiar even from a distance.

Shinji, perched on its edge, gazed out over the water. Akari’s steps slowed, his feet carrying him closer to the bench’s other end. With a sense of both familiarity and trepidation, he settled onto the bench’s opposite side.

“How’s your progress been?” Shinji’s voice, like the night air, cut through the silence, his gaze steady on the water.

“It’s been fine,” Akari responded, a quiet determination threading his voice. “I’m not going to lose against Himeko.”

“You don’t sound too confident about that,” Shinji pointed out, a small smile tugging at his lips. “She’s been working hard, you know.”

“So have I,” Akari countered. “I won’t let her beat me.”

“What are you going to request from her?”

“Eh?”

“The loser has to do whatever the winner tells them,” Shinji reminded him. “So? What are you going to request from Himeko?”

“I hadn’t thought that far actually…” Akari confessed. “I’m just focused on winning.”

“What sort of leader are you if you can’t even plan that far ahead?” A chuckle escaped his lips before he rose from his seat, hands slipping into his pockets with a casual nonchalance. “Himeko already knows what she wants you to do.”

“And what is that?”

“I can’t tell you that,” Shinji playfully held up a finger to his lips. “That’s for her to tell you.”

“If she wins,” Akari reminded him.

“You’re being rather rude,” Shinji suddenly struck his arm out and grasped Akari by his collar, pulling him to his feet. “Himeko’s more than capable of beating a small fry like you.”

“Let go of me,” Akari warned with a serious expression on his face.

“You’re not as determined as any of us here. There’s no reason why you should win.” Shinji stated, his grip unyielding. “Nor any reason why I should let you go.”

Tightening his fist, Akari threw a warning punch toward Shinji’s face. The Viper gang’s young master released Akari as he easily evaded his fist.

“What are you fighting for? Akari?” Shinji asked him as he stood in a sly manner. “For your business friends? For yourself? Or… is it for your beloved parents?”

“Don’t you dare bring them up,” Akari warned. “The only family I have is with the gang.”

“But isn’t that why you should be studying hard?” Shinji smirked. “After all, if you’re rich, you could bring them back.”

“As if your mother’s any better!” Akari shouted. “We all know very well why Himeko’s the way she is!”

Shinji’s demeanor shifted, and the smile was wiped from his face in an instant. In a swift ethereal motion, he appeared behind Akari, his arm extending to shove him. The sound of a splash echoed through the night as he tumbled backward into the water.

The cold embrace of the lake met his skin, the water an unexpected shock against his senses. But as his body adjusted to the temperature, Akari’s gaze remained locked on Shinji, a mixture of defiance and anger still smoldering in his eyes.

“You can insult me and everyone else, but you should not hurt Himeko.” Shinji declared in a quiet intensity, his gaze unwavering as it met Akari’s “She has done nothing wrong toward you.”

“Aki!” Ayano’s voice shattered the fragile equilibrium. Shinji’s gaze briefly flickered to her, a quiet acknowledgment that did nothing to dissipate the tension.

“So she did come, ” he noticed. “I guess she does care more about you like he said.” With a final glance at Akari, Shinji disappeared into the night, a phantom slipping through the shadows. As Ayano ran up to him, she helped Akari to his feet and led him over to the grassy ground.

“Are you alright?!” She asked worryingly.

“I’m fine,” Akari reassured her while his gaze lingered on the place where Shinji had stood moments before.

“Who was that person?” Ayano asked. “Should we call the police?”

“No, it’s alright.” Akari declared. “It was just an accident.”

“That was an accident?!” Ayano asked, definitely not convinced.

“Just like with the sheet of papers in the hallway,” Akari reminded her, a playful glint in his eyes that belied the seriousness of their situation.

“Your ten-minute break is up. Let’s go home, Aki.”