Of all the days I've been attending class, this is the one I most wanted to miss. Much to my dismay, that's something I couldn't do. Not only because Otsuki would kill me, but also because the teachers already assume I'm fine, and they're not going to let any more absences slide.
Today is Wednesday, and remembering what my English teacher said, it's the day they hand out the midterm exams.
I wanted to skip not because of the nerves of doubting whether I had failed or not, but because of the laziness I felt at the thought of facing a repertoire of failed exams.
I wasn't going to get away with this; my grades were going to be forty or below.
The situation is even worse knowing they'll be scheduled for the last period. We have an ethics and values class, and the teacher didn't mind losing part or all of the class time for it. Why aren't they teaching it during the regular class hours? To save time, obviously.
The sooner the teachers can rest, the better.
The other reason why I couldn't miss it appeared at my desk as soon as the bell rang.
"Highly strung?"
"No, because I already know what I'm going to get out of it."
"Have a little faith. What if you miraculously pass an exam?"
"It's not going to happen because miracles don't exist."
"Well, I've passed by a miracle more than once."
It was impossible not to talk about what was to come, especially since all the teachers had already given their opinions. Whether they were a disaster, whether almost everyone did well, whether we could improve… nothing I hadn't heard before. It feels strange to hear them say " almost everyone" when I'm one of those who wasn't included.
For the moment I've been able to prevent Otsuki from asking why I don't hang out with them , but it's a question that haunts the narrative.
How scary.
"And what do you think you're going to get out of it?"
My fate was sealed, but I didn't know what the future held for Otsuki, much less for Hina or Tsukiyomi. I didn't even have the courage to ask them.
"All filled with hundreds!"
"You don't even believe that yourself."
She put a closed hand to her head and tapped it.
All that's missing is for you to stick your tongue out and for stars to come out of your head.
Now Otsuki would answer my question.
"At least I expect to get an average of between sixty and eighty, except for English."
"Did it turn out badly?"
"There are many things I'm not sure I've put in and said correctly. Anyway, the other subjects will save me, especially math."
"Yes, sensei, brag all you want."
"Stop calling me that…"
His less enthusiastic rejection than usual was a good sign for me. Little by little, my chances of surviving each prank increased.
Otsuki was the one who greeted them first.
"Hello, Hina, Tsukiyomi."
"Hello. I see you still have Riku imprisoned."
"Whatever you say. You're sure to fail everything."
"Were you talking to him about how badly you did on all your exams?"
"...Aren't you going to wait, u-until the exams to fight?"
Let them be. I haven't been here long, but I understand that's their nature. An unstoppable force against a relatively movable wall.
I thought I would have said it out loud to answer Tsukiyomi, but I refrained. She didn't greet me. Otsuki doesn't seem to mind; it must be another habit I'm unaware of.
Hina answered her friend in a much kinder way than she usually speaks to Otsuki.
"That's just a moment when we're going to do it. Life is a constant struggle after all."
I'm sure that phrase isn't used in this context…
"Yes, the struggle between you and the sheets."
"You're breaking my heart, Otsuki. If you keep resorting to such underhanded tactics, I'm going to have to talk about dinner . Have you told Riku about it?"
Otsuki began to raise the white flag.
I feel really sorry for her, but my curiosity got the better of me.
"What are you taking about?"
It's something that embarrasses her.
"Well, you see-"
"Don't even think about it!"
Hands appeared behind Hina, seemingly reaching for her neck, but instead they grabbed her mouth. A desperate scream followed.
"And don't you ever ask again."
"Understood sense-"
"Say it seriously."
"I promise."
I may have been wrong that my chances of survival would increase over time. I almost died.
Gaining the silence of both parties, she freed her friend's mouth.
"How shameless."
"Look who's talking!"
Thus began my calm before the storm. First in the hallway, then outside in the courtyard, the four of us sitting this time in our usual spot.
It was hard to get used to hearing the voices from the courtyard so clearly. Either I heard them muffled from the library, or I managed to ignore them even when I was outside.