Partners
Since the completion of their project early that week, the Azumano High students found themselves bored, with nothing to do, while all the other partners were busy working. Well, that's what would happen when one had the smartest kid in class assigned as her partner for a project.
Risa Harada sighed and placed her head in her hands, scanning the room. Daisuke and Riku were luckily paired together, and they tried to complete their task, blushing and stammering every now and then. It was cute trying to see them concentrate. She let out another sigh.
"Why does this always happen?"
"What do you mean by that?" her partner asked, not looking up from his book.
"We're always paired up in projects, and we always finish early," Risa explained. "It never fails."
"Sensei always pairs us up by means of who we're sitting next to," Satoshi Hiwatari replied, turning a page. He glanced at her. "You didn't catch on to that?"
She blinked, feeling stupid. "Oh..."
"Does it bother you that we're always together?" he asked.
At this, Risa felt her face heat up for no reason. "W-what? No! No, it does not! I'm not bothered at all!"
"I can ask Sensei if I can switch seats with someone," Satoshi said, looking her in the eye. "It's quite alright."
"No! Hiwatari-kun, I'd much rather be with you than with anyone else." Risa rushed to add, "For projects, I mean."