Chapter 2:

Luckily by the end of break, it seemed as though nearly everyone had forgotten the incident. A breakup between the school's second hottest couple had done a great job at returning Tomoko to social nonexistence.

Tomoko, however, had nervously anticipated her return to school. Whilst she was not entirely enthusiastic about a potential conversation with a stranger, she absolutely needed to know. She couldn't stand the wait any longer. The anticipation had indeed, nearly killed her.

Ten minutes before the bell rang for Chemistry class, she sat in her chair with a straight back and wide eyes. Practically shaking with nervousness, she watched the minutes tick by at an extremely slow pace.

Five minutes left. But then again, it's class. Couldn't he come in at any ti—

The easily recognizable sound of someone taking their seat echoed from behind her. It was too late.

If I turn around, he'll know I was looking. But is it rude to not thank him? Does he even remember?

Tomoko felt a tap on her shoulder, making her jump and squeak.

"Hey." A male voice.

Tomoko turned around, her face white with social agony. But to her surprise, no mysterious figure loomed behind her. Rather, a slim, light-haired individual sat, his eyes looking away in embarrassment. Somewhere in taking in the image, Tomoko managed the response, "y-yes?"

"I…er…um," he stuttered. "You're good at chemistry, right?"

Tomoko blanked. She was just realizing how handsome this person was. He had sparkling blue eyes, and magnificent shining hair. His pale, soft complexion looked as though you could cut it with a butter knife—and it was hard to believe that he didn't bruise her with his large, masculine hands. She felt like she was living in a dating sim.

"I don't know" she finally muttered, her voice quaking.

"You got that one right before break." He said. "My parents said I need to get a tutor since I nearly failed last semester. But I…I don't have too many intelligent friends, and…" he mumbled off until the remainder of the sentence became inaudible.

"I-I.." Tomoko stuttered frantically. "I'm not a very good tutor,"

The boy looked terribly disappointed.

"Okay," he said. "Sorry to bother you,"

As the boy took his seat, an overwhelming guilt overtook Tomoko, and right before he took his seat, Tomoko called out to him-somewhat embarrassingly.

"But I'll still help you! You can meet me at the library this afternoon."

After the words had left her lips, the gravity of the mistake she had just made settled in. What have I done.

The boy, however, lightened up emotionally, but turned a dark shade of red physically.

"Thank you,"

Just then, another note came onto her desk. At some point, the mysterious boy had returned. Another weight of despair—far larger this time—fell on her psyche. She went pale, and her mouth trembled.

She turned and looked at the person behind her, barely able to keep her tears in. But somehow, the image she had portrayed of this dark, edgy person was immediately replaced by something far more realistic. In fact, he seemed to be a geek—a nerd, really. His icy eyes were covered by a pair of glasses—of which she hadn't noticed before—and he seemed to have slight acne scars. She felt a bit relieved, but terrified nevertheless. It was obvious from his looks (if not from the fact that he was able to solve the harder chemistry problem) that he was far smarter than she was. And judgment by superior people had always been Tomoko's bane.

As she turned away, she muttered a short "hi."

Dare I open the note? What if it's a confession? Or a reprimanding? Or…an invitation to…

She shook her head, and opened the note.

You don't know enough about Chemistry to teach Makoto anything

He was onto her. This was a tragedy. She flipped the note over.

But I can help you.

Aizaku—(626) 483- 6***

At this point, there was no real purpose for Tomoko staying for the lecture. The entire time, she thought up ways of escaping embarrassment. But there didn't seem to be a way out. The only option was to meet with this guy—this mysterious, note-writing geek—and ask him for help.

He would have to save her once more.

The first text sent was overly formal.

"Hello. This is Tomoko Kuroki from Chemistry class. I would like to request your assistance in Chemistry."

Tomoko decided to text him between classes. She didn't expect a response, really. She just needed to make the move first. Plus, she needed to meet with this guy as soon as possible—since she would be expected to know some of her stuff for the evening's tutoring session.

For two hours of English literature, she waited in terrible anticipation. But during lunch, a response came back.

"I can help you. Are you free now?"

NOW?!

Tomoko nearly vomited in shock. She was not ready for this.

"I'm a little busy right now." She responded.

"Do you have a class after this?" he asked.**

She didn't.

"Then meet me in an hour in front of the library."

Tomoko had no choice but to agree.

She couldn't finish her lunch from the nerves. So for the next fifty minutes, she sat in mental agony, trying to distract herself with manga. It would not prove effective.

Yet when the time came for her to go, she was more than ready—or better yet, as ready as she could be. She was still terrified beyond understanding.

What does this creep want from me? And what does that other bishonen want? What am I doing interacting with so many people?! This is madness!

As Tomoko was walking, she felt another presence walking beside her. It was him. Neither of them said a word to each other, although Tomoko could already feel herself sweating. She felt as though she were in some reenactment of a violent murder show. She could practically hear the narrator now: "Tomoko Kuroki never expected her first Chemistry lesson…(a knife sound effect, and a flash forward to her screaming in pain)…would be her last."

They both reached the library, and he silently held the door open for her. She thanked him as best as she could, and walked in. He followed behind her.

The two sat down. The only other person in the room was the librarian, who had an obstructed view of them.

"Miss Kuroki," he smiled. "My name is Aizaku. It looks like I'm your dedicated bookworm today."

An edge was lifted, but Tomoko was still uneasy. Aizaku's voice was warm and smooth—unlike his appearance. She could tell that he was the kind of guy who could convince anyone that anything were true.

"N-nice to meet you." She said.

"Now it seems to me as though you've made a poor commitment to Makoto. I know you need help in chemistry."

Tomoko went red. His words were cruel and raw, but strangely kind.

"But I know that you're smart."

Tomoko looked up in shock. Her eyes widened, and she went even darker red.

Is this flattery?

"You will succeed, Tomoko." He said. "but I think you might need me to help you."

**(Due to the newly implemented "block scheduling", where students take long classes 2/3 times weekly rather than short classes every day, this is a possibility).

Tomoko looked down, refusing the entire conversation to look towards him at all.

"You don't need to lie to me. I just want to learn enough to avoid—"

"Shut up," Aizaku said.
Her sullen green eyes shot open, and darted up and directly at him in surprise.

"You are a fool to limit your own capabilities," he said in a soft, stern voice. Chills ran down Tomoko's spine. How can he believe in me if he barely knows me?

"Trust me," he said, flashing his emerald eyes at her. "we will succeed together."

Somehow, despite all of her apprehension, she knew he would be right.