"157 messages."

I can't believe she counted literally all of them.

"63 ignored calls."

That's less, I suppose...

"36 times I've caught you speaking with another girl when the deal was that you couldn't speak to another girl except when you absolutely had to."

"In my defense, there were times where I had to speak."

Right now, we are at the iconic cafeteria drinking two cups of coffee, where I'm receiving Yulia's mighty judgment.

That's right. I've finally managed to collect all my guts and confront her. Mainly because I had a very scary thought where I die if I keep on doing this.

Premonitions and I have a bad record, because the majority of the time, they become reality.

"Such as? Be specific."

If I tell her what happened this morning, she'll surely get the wrong idea. But our agreement was that both of us would be honest, so I will be.

"My table partner--"

"Table partner?! What is that unusual formality? Just call her specifically by her name. Or are you saying you are giving her privileged treatment? Is that it, Daniel?"

So bossy... But I guess it's normal considering everything that happened. It's been a week.

Arkalee's version was definitely more sweet than this. Yulia's looking at me with eyes that resemble the sun. The more you look into them, the more you feel yourself burning.

"No, there is no such treatment. You know who I'm talking about, don't you?"

"Unfortunately."

Come on...

"She asked me if I knew anyone's birth dates and I answered that I knew none."

In reality, she forced me into doing this, but for all sakes, let's just pretend that she asked me.

By the way, Yulia's furiously drinking a lot of coffee cups. This is her third...

When I look at my beautiful coffee cup that's still steaming from the hot liquid, I can't help but feel like there's something that I should be wary of...

"Tell her next time that if she wants something, she has to do it herself. You are not her slave and don't pretend to be. End of story."

You have no idea how much I agree with you right now, Yulia. Yet, for the sake of this conversation, I will suggest something else.

"Can we change the topic?"

"Certainly. We have a lot to talk about, mister."

Not the mister... Nothing ever good comes when that single word is uttered in a dramatic scenario.

"March 1st. We had an agreement. What exactly happened to that? Did you get kidnapped by aliens? Arrested by cops? Couldn't leave school? No, that's impossible. I asked the guards if you left school and they said yes."

Just how much did she investigate?!

"Actually... I was with Kuzan..."

"Oh! I see! Apparently, Kuzan is just more important than me. Well, is he...?"

And now she's back to being cute. Not that she ever left that state, but her current pouting expression should tell me that something has happened.

"No... Kuzan needed some company and I wasn't aware of how much time I was going to spend with him. What happened was unfortunate. Sorry."

"But why Kuzan and not me? We already had talked about this..."

Actually, Kuzan proposed his deal first, but I'm not going to use that argument for obvious reasons.

"My plan was to accompany Kuzan in the morning and then at the beginning of the noon, I would go and meet you."

The situation wasn't as simple as that though. But I bet if I told her Kuzan's situation she would not believe it.

Who would, right? The situation itself was ridiculously sporadic.

"And why couldn't you do the opposite?"

That's a good question actually.

Such a good question that I don't think I have anything left to argue when it comes to this question alone.

"I didn't think about it. Sorry."

"Please use your head more... Next month we are doing this, alright? You said so. You aren't going to go back on your words, are you?"

I would appreciate it if Yulia's parents weren't anything remotely close to what Kuzan's family is.

"Yeah, yeah. Also, how have you been this past week?"

"Funny you ask that when you could've literally known that any time but you opted to ignore me. I want a justification for that."

Damn it. I was trying to escape this specific subject...

It's not as if I'm afraid of her reaction, but what would her reaction be if I told her: 'Hey, actually I just manipulated your feelings for the sake of us passing the exam. Hope you don't take this too personally.'?

Therefore... I can't be genuine here.

"...Sorry, I didn't know how to approach you... I know that it's irresponsible of me but... I got really embarrassed when I thought about that moment..."

It's a justifiable reason to some extent yet not entirely.

Yulia's face got slightly red in response as expected. She probably thought I forgot.

But... I didn't. It was actually on my mind the majority of the time.

"You didn't have to be though... I was as well. Don't cut off contact like that again."

"I wasn't planning on ignoring you forever though. See? I've contacted you again."

"Don't do that... I thought you were purposely avoiding me."

Well, you weren't wrong, but you can't know that.

"Why would I purposely ignore you though? I've said what I said. I love you. Or do you doubt me?"

Bold words to say out in public like this, but I can't let her have the wrong idea here.

The cafeteria isn't empty, because this is lunchtime. However, given that we are at a fair distance from about every other person in this cafeteria, I would say it's fine.

"Sorry.. I doubted for a bit... That's because you ignored me! Don't be afraid of telling me how you feel because I understand how you feel!"

"I could speak a thousand words to do so, but would that be enough? I don't think so. Therefore... Why don't I demonstrate?"

Even if it's in public, there shouldn't be a problem. Plus, the aromatic sensation I felt that time when our lips connected in a heartbeat felt tremendously luscious.

Physically speaking, I'm undoubtedly attracted to her. It's impossible not to be.

Everything about her is attractive. Her elegant curvy back while walking is surprisingly attractive. The way she curves her posture just to get close to my face should speak for itself. It's as if she's self-aware of how physically attractive she is. I like that sort of confidence.

Just like an uncontrollable tidal wave, the motion of her long blonde hair remains mysterious throughout every glimpse and it creates a lascivious sensation within me every time she does that. Furthermore, what goes below her hair are those sensational hips. With every curve, she manages to drag every masculine eye right to her.

It doesn't make it easier given the fact that Yulia's wearing a skirt, which makes the hips impossible to resist by default. Nonetheless, one of the most attractive parts of her body isn't something vast and long like her spontaneous hair nor excessively noticeable such as her bare naked white-skinned legs.

With every word, your attention would be instantly on her fuller and plumper looking lips. Red-shaded lips are sometimes labeled as exaggeration and I would surely agree under normal circumstances. But not here. They mix magnifically with her zealous smile.

"Wait... You can't possibly be thinking of..."

Along with all that, it's hard not to look at her well-shaped chest that lies underneath the layer of her uniform.

Perhaps her strongest asset, even excluding away her lustful parts, would be...

Liquified-colored pink eyes that emit clearness just within every transient glance.

"Couples do this all the time. We've already confessed to each other. There shouldn't be any harm, right?"

Realizing what was about to happen, Yulia started to tremble a little bit. Her eyes were quaking from left to right while mumbling words of preoccupation to herself.

"U-Umm... Not publically... I told you that already... I don't want anyone to know..."

"Who cares about them? I sure don't. Just close your eyes."

Our distance was closing. From my seat, I crooked my posture just to meet her's. She can deny it all she wants, but the fact that she isn't even moving nor showing any signs of objection means that she isn't totally against it.

Regardless of her words of denial, they came with a certain degree of reluctance.

I was ready to connect my lips with hers and savor the taste. Maybe I could even go further, and certainly, that was desirable yet something prevented me from making that connection.

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"Hm? Aniki? What are you doing here?"

I quickly backed off because I couldn't allow Kuzan to get the wrong idea. It would be troublesome if he spread some unnecessary rumors.

Yulia was embarrassed to a reasonable extent so she just accepted that while still being mildly blushed.

Right now, there was an individual who came at the worst possible time ever. To add more inconvenience, Kuzan took a seat right next to me without even asking.

"Am I interrupting something? Oh well."

How did Kuzan manage to find us? I suppose this is a public place, but still...

"Kuuuuzaaaaaannnnn! What brings you here?"

Why did Yulia spell Kuzan's name with such length? Her words are started to sound exaggerated and far out of reality.

That still wasn't enough to bother Kuzan who easily destroyed the atmosphere Yulia and I slowly created.

This human being who seems devoid of emotions could not simply care for such trivial things.

"Ah, Yulia. Hello. My name is Kuzan, yes. I need Aniki to come with me. Aniki, come with me. Kawahara is calling."

Kawahara? That's not rare, honestly.

But our time is short since the lunch break is about to end so there isn't much point now...

"But, Kuzan our time i---"

"Tell Kawahara that he doesn't own anyone and that he is trash. Pass that message to him for me, alright, Kuzaaaan?"

Why does she keep on stretching Kuzan's name? I'm getting a tad bit scared. What exactly does it mean when a girl starts stretching a guy's name?

"Eh? I can't, Yulia. Kawahara would hands down kill me. No can do. Nope."

I don't think he understood what Yulia meant to say. Kuzan, it wouldn't be you who would say the message. I mean, yes, you would say the message, but it's Yulia's message.

"I'll tell you what, why don't you bring Kawahara here? I just want to have a little chat with him. Do that favor for me, Kuuuzaaaaannn."

She's speaking with her eyes closed while smiling. That's the gesture that something is going bad here.

Don't tell me that Yulia secretly hates Kuzan...

"Well, I suppose that's fine. Give me five minutes, please."

5 minutes later.

"I was summoned."

I had to make room for Kawahara and Kuzan, who were already taking their seats right next to me in the respective order.

Yulia was facing the three of us with a condensing smile.

Oh god...

"I didn't know trash could talk. Is this some sort of invention?"

Considering the number of things Kawahara has done, this doesn't come as a surprise. Regardless of that, Kawahara kept a firm posture.

"Cut the pathetic roasts. What do you want, woman?"

Yulia's expression stiffened somewhat hard in response to Kawahara's tactless words. She doesn't do well with tactless people, Kawahara...

"Well, Trashara, tell me something... What do you need Daniel for? Kuzan said that you had called him. Explain yourself."

"Bitch, who the fuck gave you the permission to call me such a false name? Watch your language, whore."

Oh boy...

"Bitch? Did you kiss your mother with that mouth? Ew. Answer my question, Scumhara."

Kawahara looked at me with serious eyes, but I looked away.

Not my fault, bro. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for your suggestion then this moment wouldn't have happened in the first place!

"That's none of your business. Outsiders like you have no need to know. Dan, come on. We have important issues to discuss. Preparations need to be made. Ignore her and let's go."

"Preparations? What are you talking ab---"

"Excuuuuuuuuseee meeeee?! You just show up and you think you own this? That is not how it works! He's with me! If you get that, go away before I lose it!"

My words were interrupted by Yulia, who was showing tremendous fury right now. She even started to plum the table while crooking her posture.

"Daniel, put a leash on her, please."

"You're the one who needs a leash! Haven't you noticed that no one likes you!? Literally. No. One. Not a single soul!"

"Eh? I like Kawaha-"

"Your opinion doesn't matter, Kuzan!"

This is getting chaotic. It's arguments after arguments.

Kuzan being told to be quiet is already normal, but these two can't literally stand each other.

"Don't you dare talk to my subordinate like that. For the record, I'm not afraid of giving you a bitch slap in public."

"Kawahara, please don't."

I had to say that. Yulia might think that I'm trying to side with Kawahara here and not siding with her.

"Yulia, just let Kawahara speak. Let's hear him out first."

Peace never hurt anyon---

"Objected. I will not let him speak. Daniel, just stop. Kawahara is a disease, the more you get close to him the more you get affected."

That's insanely accurate but Yulia has no idea why she's being accurate.

"Hahaha! I seriously don't care. Dan, we are wasting time. Do I need to tell you why we are wasting time?"

"Stop trying to dodge the subject! Leave! Scram! Don't invade someone else's moment like this!"

Kuzan, upon hearing Yulia's question set of words, attempted to make his stand again.

"Eh? But you said to bring him he-"

"Kuzan, dig a hole and bury yourself!"

Poor Kuzan.

It's obvious that Yulia is hating on him hard. Yet he can't do anything against it, except sulk every time.

"Alright, Dan. I'm not gonna waste time and argue with Thot#6969 over here."

Using a discord tag to add fuel to your roast. I want to praise him but I obviously can't.

How painful.

"Come with us or stay here. Choose."

"Yeah! Choose! The choice is obvious though, Garbagehara!"

Yulia, Kuzan, and Kawahara firmly looked at me with eyes full of expectations.

I'm not sure what Kawahara is expecting. It would be extremely anti-climatic for me to just meet his expectations.

Isn't he aware that I can't break the atmosphere I've settled down with Yulia?!

"Sorry guys..."

"Aniki! This is important!"

"Kuzan, don't bother. Let's go. Dan thinks some second used clapped cheeks are better than hanging out with his lifetime bros."

It's a good thing Yulia didn't get what Kawahara just said or else she might've done something out of the ordinary.

Ultimately, with massive disappointment in me, Kawahara and Kuzan left the scene.

I thought Kawahara, out of all people, would understand this. Or is he just pretending not to care?

Yulia, on the other hand, was admiring me with eyes of jubilance and wonder.

"Are you free after class...?"

Unexpectedly, she asked me that. Her previous furious expression was long gone now and her usual cute expression took place instead.

"Who knows. Why? Do you want to go out or something?"

"I was thinking about that! Have you walked around the whole campus yet? It's reaaaalllyyy big, you know? Also, please take my words seriously. Don't talk to her..."

She's oddly possessive.

You'd think she's not due to her charming appearance and sometimes gullible words but the reality is different.

Even if I tell her that I hate my table partner, she would not believe it, I bet.

"That's impossible. As long as she's my table partner, interactions can't be avoided. Though... Do you think we interact in a romantic way? Because we don't."

"Can't you just do something about it? It's bothering me... Just avoid talking to her... And don't you dare ignore my texts! They are really important, please!"

"I got it. Hey, Yulia."

I wonder if she's aware.

"Yeah?"

"Do you still want to do it? We were interrupted last time by Kuzan, but we can continue now."

Roughly five minutes until the lunch break is over... Not much time, so to say.

Not that I wanted to achieve something with this, but I just didn't want to make my situation worse. My previous idea of not contacting Yulia might've backfired entirely, honestly.

"I told you, not in public. I don't want people to find out..."

"I see..."

I got quickly rejected though.

We don't have any relationship status yet. We simply specified emotional sentences to each other that might've implied several other emotional feelings such as love and attraction.

I'm stuck in a serious dilemma right now.

I want this responsibility off my shoulders and I don't know how to get rid of it without causing any unnecessary disturbances...

In the end, we also left and started walking around the campus. The brief noon weather aroma consumed my nostrils with a rustic sensation. Although the sun was high up in the sky, unclouded and clear, it wasn't enough to banish all this stifling cold that was spread throughout the atmosphere.

"I was really lonely..."

"Is that so..."

This meaningless weight.

For reasons unknown to her, she believes that despite our past interactions that I am here, right now.

The truth is, I'm just trying to take my mind off from everything a tiny bit.

I want to return... Maybe when this is all over I can...

"Did you feel lonely too?"

"Of course, Yulia. What am I without you? I'm just the mist lying midst the fog."

I couldn't afford to fail the exam... It couldn't be helped.

This had to be the way. But... I never thought that it would go like this.

I can hardly even fake my affection for her. As a matter of fact, I'm having trouble even trying.

With a simple look on my phone's screen, I noticed that there was only a small amount of time before the lunch break was over.

Our distance was short but I was considerably walking ahead of her. She's quite reserved today, but that's normal.

We haven't talked in a while. Nothing surprising there.

Which gives birth to the perfect opportunity. She's not expecting some sort of abrupt movement.

Such as this.

"Hey, Yulia, we should head back."

"Ahh, now that you mention it, there isn't much time le--"

This area is somewhat deserted. She can't use her stupid arguments here. She also didn't realize that I purposely dragged her all the way to the edge of block C just because the majority of the students were centered around the public playground filled with distractions such as attraction shops and small restaurants.

I missed it though.

The nostalgic and enthralling fragmental taste of her lips mixed with her apple-scented perfume.

Who knew that such a combination could spell heaven in such a quick compass.

Block F. Main Classroom. 2 pm.

"I'll be announcing the contents of the special exam. There will be plenty of time for preparation. The special exam will take place on March 20th. Just by this date alone, some of you might be aware of what it will about."

All the boys knew. Kawahara literally made sure we all knew.

Not by his words right now, since he's just smirking on his seat, but due to his previous words back when he announced his intentions towards the upcoming spring festival.

"Are you talking about the upcoming spring festival...?"

Arkalee was on point. Speaking of her, she's no longer as introverted as she used to be.

But that's really not important. I don't care.

"Correct. There will be a plethora of optional and mandatory events for each classes' individuals to participate in. Essentially, every class has to participate in the mandatory events and that's why the spring festival is so competitive."

But not the optional ones.

We still don't know what the events are, but the only thing that matters should be the mandatory events, in theory.

"However... The theme of this special exam will be solidarity! Allow me to explain... There are a grand total of 50 events in total. 25 of them are mandatory while the rest of the other 25 are optional. But... in this exam, the other 25 events that are labeled as optional are now officially mandatory for all of you!"

Multiple discontent opinions came forward, as always.

I wasn't exactly pleased with this as well...

"The events will not be gender-free, obviously. This was made based on the entirety of fair-play. But, more importantly, now that you know what the spring festival will revolve around, just how can you successfully pass the upcoming exam with the greatest of eases?"

That's what I want to know, you sorry excuse for a teacher.

Although... If this is individual competitions, then I'm positive I can win against anyone as long as I excel in that area.

"In every event, the only relevant elements will be those who either place third, second or first. Aside from that, it's irrelevant. Therefore, in those events, if you placed under those respective positions, you can consider your score as positive. Here is what I'll be asking out of every individual... Win."

Ummm....

"Sensei, could you be more specific, please?"

Hinagiku, eager and curious asked that. Usually, Ikkiri would be on fire here and would ask away but she's too bust submerging onto her own sadness.

"Every individual has to earn a certain quota to achieve a positive score. I've already explained to you how you can either place first, second, or third and it will still be considered a victory."

Not much of a victory if you are second place. Especially third place.

"There are over a thousand students in this school. Therefore, the competition will be tight. Nonetheless, the minimal quota an individual can do to achieve a positive score is 5 wins. The event matters, though. The mandatory events count but so do the optional ones. The highest score is 10 wins. The festival will last a week, so there will be plenty of time to participate in the mountain of events that there are!"

So if I win at least 5 events then I should be able to secure a positive score.

The only problem I can possibly think of is the competition. A thousand students aren't something I can just ignore.

"The events will vary from physically thematic events to subjects and many others. You are also free to lose as many events as you want, as long as you at least get 5 wins. Don't think this is easy. This class is just 24 students. If you think you can place third, second or even first in every single competition then you aren't taking the rest seriously. Though, I do think everyone should believe in their own abilities!"

Compared to the last special exam, this one was fairly easy to understand.

There was nothing remotely hard about this.

Furthermore, you just had to win at least 5 times. Yuka-sensei emphasized that taking 5 wins is not an easy feat, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case for me.

This sounds pretty easy.

"Hey, is that all there is to it?"

Kawahara, who had the expression of a bull right now, was laying his right side of his face on his open knuckle.

What else could there be to it though?

"Ahhh, there is, of course, something worth mentioning. I just didn't think someone would be interested but how nice Kawahara! Very well then..."

Although Kawahara initially had the expression of a bull, he started to lightly smirk as soon as Yuka-sensei started to chant her next words.

All in all, it was as if Kawahara already knew that this was going to happen.

"You aren't forced to do this. What I'm about to say is truly optional. Unlike all the events, this is completely partial. However, if there are individuals who can place first in 10 events, then... That individual will earn the right to subtract a supply exam."

Huh? Wait...

"For example... If you already have three supply exams accumulated and you score perfectly in any ten events, then you can subtract one of the supply exams, which will mean you will only have two supply exams. If you have two supply exams, then you can opt to subtract it as well, which will leave you with only one supply exam. And ultimately, if you have one, you'll have none."

"Oh! That is pretty interesting. It's just such a shame... Because a certain group is about to take the fatest L in their lives!"

Kawahara's taunt was directed to our enemy team.

I now understand... Kawahara, how did you already envision this...

Was is that obvious?

Also, if I score perfectly in ten competitions I can go back to one supply exam only.

As a result of the thoughts of victory that were swirling in my mind right now, my chin dropped.