Chapter Six
It was the last night of the blackmail-induced study lessons. All Aihara seemed to do this last week was study and carry around flash cards. At that rate, she would more than pass the exams, but making onto the top 100 list was going to take more. I only hoped she was up for it. There was no way I worked with her so hard all week for her to not make it and me not get that abomination-of-a-picture returned.
Sitting at her desk for the last time, we went over everything we'd already covered. We'd gone through every subject so far. After that, I made her up a few practice tests.
"Take this test." I said to Aihara as I set a sheet of paper down before her. She got right to answering questions.
"Wow," She said, astounded, "I can answer these." Another child-like, giddy smile spread across her lips.
"Just do it. There are tests for the other subjects as well." I set the small pile of papers down on the desk.
"Right." She got back to work.
For hours more, I hovered over her taking the tests and corrected mistakes she made. When she was done, I would grade them.
It became quite late. Drowsily, I laid my head on my arm as she answered questions. I slipped into a blissful, hour-long sleep. When I woke, I found the remainder of the tests complete and Aihara asleep. It wasn't a surprise. She should have been tired considering all the work she did this week and all the sleep she'd lost because of it.
For a weird second, I thought she was kind of cute. When she was peaceful and quiet, out cold from all this studying. It was something I'd never paid mind to before… whether or not a girl was cute. It was different.
Not caring about where I was anymore, I fell back asleep.
…
Waking to early morning light, I found a blanket draped over my shoulders. Aihara was gone, but the tests remained so I lingered to grade them. They were good. She would definitely be ready for the exams today.
Downstairs, Aihara stood in the kitchen, making coffee and wearing a bright smile that brought color to her face.
"Good morning," She said when she saw me, "I made coffee. Would you like some?" I nodded and seated myself. I still hadn't gotten enough sleep last night and there was a crick in my neck from where I'd slept.
Aihara poured two cups and came to sit with me. Taking the first sip, I realized it was good coffee. Correction: it might've been the best coffee I'd tasted in a while. It didn't need milk or sugar, and it was exactly the right degree of warm.
Aihara and I drank in absolute muteness. An hour later and I was ready to go. I went to the front door to put on my shoes. Aihara followed, as always.
"I'm leaving." Aihara said and my mother appeared in the entrance.
"Kotoko, wait," she said and ran over to Aihara, holding out a colorful envelope, "Take this." Aihara accepted and started to open it.
"What is it?"
My mother stopped her, "Don't open it yet. Wait until you reach the top 100. Until then, it's a good luck charm." Aihara's face shone.
"Thank you very much." She said and slid it into her bag.
"It's only mid-terms." I said. Those two liked to make a fuss about little things. There was so much they became excited about. I didn't see the point in it.
"I'm really grateful for this charm, but I should get going. Bye." Aihara said and followed me out the door.
"See you later." My mother called and closed the door.
During the walk to school, Aihara and I went over her flash cards. We reviewed the pronunciation of some English words and their meanings.
"What is 'so far' in English?" I said. Aihara was walking closer than I normally would've allowed, but she needed to be able to hear me. Still a little heavy on the accent, she said it.
"'In other words'?" I asked. This one was a bit easier on her.
"What does 'intentional' mean?"
"What?" She said. My English was better than hers by far. Of course she wouldn't have understood it.
"Intentional," I said in annoyance, "What does it mean?" She hesitated.
"Um… it means… on purpose?" She said, "On purpose." We neared the school.
"Remember to be at least two meters behind me when we get to the school." Aihara scrunched up her nose.
"Alright."
At school, we went our separate ways. I passed her on the stairway going to class, exams about to begin.
"Thank you." She said in a low whisper.
"Good luck." I told her back and continued to class.
For the rest of the day, exams consumed the school.
