Monday. I found myself late for class and sore all over, so naturally I was not happy when the teacher assigned me extra laps for gym that day as he was not only an English teacher, but also the gym teacher. It's not my fault I was late, I really just got back home, but I guess he doesn't know that, so I can hardly be spiteful for the punishment I received. I just did as I was told so I could get it over with and afterwards I found myself a nice sunny spot out of the teacher's sight.

"Yo.", a voice called, making me open my eyes. I look up to see Miki, one of my few actual friends. She's a bit of a lazy girl, so I am not surprised when she joins me on the ground. "You are looking more tired than usual. ", she comments before taking a large swig of the water. "Well, you know how it goes." "Work again? I thought you had gotten some time off?", she question a bit peeved. "There are no guarantees.", I tell her. "Why don't you quit? This is no way to treat your employees.", she snorts. "Though I completely agree, I do happen to like my job.", I say making her sigh. "You're too easy Rosa, but I guess it's your choice." I nod. Miki does not know where I work. She did ask, but I managed to get her off the subject by telling her I didn't want to risk classmates coming to my workplace as that would be embarrassing. She took it as she knows she couldn't keep quiet to her other friends. Better off not knowing instead.

Miki leaned back staring at the guys on the basketball court. "Show offs.", she mutters making me smile. I know she is just in denial about liking a certain boy on the court. Her way of showing it is by talking down on everything he does. Since Miki is actually really shy when it comes to boys, that's her way of paying attention to them without having to confess to herself how she really feels.

The rest of the day passed rather quickly and after leaving school I went to the grocery store to fetch some things for dinner. I put some bananas in my basket and I turned around to head for the bread section, only to crash into someone's back. "I'm sorry…", I started, only to be surprised at who I saw as I looked up. They turned around and looked a bit surprised as well, but smiled none the less. "Rosa.", he stated. "Sorry about that Shuichi. I wasn't looking." "No worries.", he says waving it off. "Nice to come across you somewhere else but school for a change.", he says kindly. "I guess.", is all I can say. What else is there to say? As we are headed on the same route in the store we silently agreed to shop together so we didn't come across each other twenty awkward times.

"How are you? Did you manage to catch up this weekend?", he asks referring to our homework as he looks for the freshest bread. "Sadly not. I'm not even sure if I'll pass if this keeps going.", I say worriedly. It's really a big deal for me to pass. If I have to go through another year of school I will never be able to fully focus on my job. "Oh, it can't be that bad, can it?" I smile humorously. "You have no idea." "Well, do you really need the job that badly?", he asks. I think over my answer carefully. "Well… It's not really that I need the job. To be honest, I'm not getting paid." "Oh, so you're volunteering?" "Yes, you can say that.", I say smiling. "I can't just quit you see. It's really important to me and I don't want to honk my own horn, but if I left there wouldn't be anyone to take my place."

Shuichi smiles, "I understand. Well, then I guess there's nothing left to do but work hard." I nod. "So how are you doing?", I ask. It's only nice to ask after I received his full attention to my problem. "I'm fine, I'm afraid nothing interesting is going on." "Isn't that for the better?", I wonder as 'interesting' usually means trouble in my book. He chuckles knowingly. "I guess if you look at it that way, you might be right." "Oh, are you bored then?" He shrugs,
"At times I suppose I am." "I wouldn't think of you as an adrenaline junky.", I can't help but slip out, masking myself blush a bit at my forwardness. He only chuckles some more, seemingly humored. "Don't worry, it's not that bad."

After getting all our groceries, we pay for them. We are about to part when Shuichi stops me. "Rosa, I've been thinking… If you're not against it, would you like to make homework together? We could probably work faster if we work together and I'll be able to help you catch up.", he suggests. I can't help but blink in surprise. 'Make homework with Suichi?' He patiently awaits my answer. 'I guess it's okay. Beggars can't be choosers after all and it probably would do some good. With his help I might actually pass this year.' "You know, that's not such a bad idea. I guess you got yourself a study partner.", I tell him. He nods smiling. "Let's do our best." I nod in agreement. "When would you be available?", he questions. "Well, I'm always on call, but when I don't hear anything, that would be the right time." He nods. "Let's start tomorrow evening then. Just come over to my house if they don't need you. If you don't come, I'll know you're at work.", he says pulling out a pen and paper.

Soon he hands over the paper and I look to see the address. It's not too far from my own home actually. That's a relief. I nod at him. "Alright, I'll probably see you tomorrow and… thank you, for helping me out.", I say sincerely. He smiles at that. "Not a problem. I'm glad I can help somehow." With that said, we part ways. I glance down at the paper once more time before stuffing it in the pocket of my school uniform. 'I wonder how this will work out.'