"Oh! And students don't forget about the big test coming up!" Announced the clumsy teacher, seconds before the bell rang.
Great, a test… How fun Amu told herself sarcastically as she walked out of the classroom. She knew she was going to have to study for this one. And where does one go when one wishes to study? Why, the library of course.
Amu's charas flew around the library as she sat at a table doing homework.
"Hmm…. 9.5 – h = 6.7 …. Solve 'h' …" Amu thought hard. This is easy stuff! I should know this!
"That's easy! The answer is 2.8!"
Amu nearly fell off her chair at the sound of Kukai's voice.
"K-Kukai! You scared me." Her heart was racing.
"whadya doing here?" Kukai picked up one of Amu's exercise sheets. "math huh ?"
Amu nodded, "it's for the test." She grabbed her sheet back.
"You do know the library closes in like ten minutes, right?"
"doesn't the library close at seven?" Amu avoided Kukai's eyes.
"Yeah," He said, "it almost is seven."
Kukai watched as Amu let that sink in and panick. She grabbed all her stuff at once in a failed attempt to leave. He couldn't help but laugh under his breath.
"Want me to carry your books or something?" He asked as Amu sighed and nodded. She had at least six books, and they weren't very thin. As soon as she handed them to Kukai he gasped and dropped them. He clutched his right hand. He was clearly in pain.
"Kukai! A-are you okay !" Ran, Miki, Su and were now with Amu who was at Kukai's side.
"I'm fine." He said. He picked up the books again. He felt pretty stupid for dropping the books… "My hand just, kind of, hurts."
Kind of? Amu could see it in his eyes that it hurt a little more than 'kind of'. "It's okay, if you're hurt I'll carry the books-"
"No, don't worry, I'll carry em'"
Why is he being so stubborn! She thought as they walked out the library.
They walked in silence for a while, until Amu had enough of Kukai's 'politeness'. She could tell he was in serious pain! It was nice of him to go through the trouble of carrying her books, but she didn't want him to be in pain because of her!
"You know if it hurts too much I can carry them myself."
"Nah, I can handle it!"
Amu couldn't stand it anymore. She took the books from Kukai's hands and carried them herself.
"I'm going to carry them, okay?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"What happened?" She asked him once they were near the bridge not too far from her house.
"Huh?" Kukai gave her a confused look.
"Your hand? You didn't just randomly wake up with your hand like that, right?"
"Um … Soccer practice." There was something about the tone of his voice that Amu found suspicious. His knuckles were red and swollen. It didn't look like a soccer injury to her.
"Did you go to the doctor?" She asked him. He shook his head.
"You should. It looks like a pretty serious injury. What if it's broken?"
"I'm fine Amu, don't worry."
That was the first time Amu had heard Kukai call her by her first name. It felt weird, but in a good way.
"Do you want help with your studying?" Kukai asked when he noticed Amu wasn't talking. "Since I'm good at math, and I'm a year ahead of you… I could help you. I-if you want, that is."
Amu was surprised by the sudden offer.
"O-Okay! Sure!" She felt stupid and mentally hated herself for not thinking of a better response than 'okay sure'.
"Well, thanks for walking me home… again." Amu said once she was at her front door. The walk had felt so short.
"No problem!" Kukai shot her a smile, "So when do you want To study? Tomorrow?
Amu nodded. "After the guardians', at the library?" Kukai nodded. Amu had a feeling she knew what was about to happen. She shuffled her feet awkwardly while staring at the ground. Then, just as she'd predicted Kukai pressed his lips to her cheek as it turned bright red. It was so strange how a small, quick peck on the cheek could make Amu feel the way she did.
"Well, I'll see ya tomorrow Hinamori!" Kukai said as he walked in the direction of his house. Amu waved goodbye to him.
Amu was completely lost in thought that night. Not even her charas could get through to her. She was lying on her bed looking at her ceiling.
She knew she had strong feelings for Kukai, there was no doubt about it. The way he was always nice with her, and the random kisses.. How could she not like him? He was, after all, one of her closest friends… and her new study buddy!