002 :: complicated.

Featuring: Rua, Ruka
Rating: K
Genre(s): Family, Angst (over math)
Spoilers: none


"There are two ways to do great mathematics. The first is to be smarter than everybody else.
The second way is to be stupider than everybody else ― but persistent."

Raoul Bott


Rua and his twin sister, Ruka, had recently moved to London to live with their parents. The latter didn't approve of their children living by themselves while their older friends were no longer there to look after them. Mum and Dad were both successful solicitors and loved their job, so they preferred to stay rather than move back to Neo Domino.

The twins were in Year 9 and studying in one of England's most prestigious independent schools. Their English-speaking skills accelerated due to tutoring and engaging in social activity with their new friends. As for history and science, Rua sought dependence on his sister. Thanks to Ruka's intelligence and overall patience, he was able to keep pace despite the large amount of work.

However, one subject continued to hold him back: mathematics. Perhaps it was too complicated.

"Ruuukaaaaa…!" he moaned. "I neeeeeed heeelp!"

"I already showed you how to solve these kinds of problems, so now you can do it yourself." Ruka had already done her work and was in the process of sketching some dress designs. It was apparent that she was more interested in her art than listening to her brother complaining.

"C'moooon, sis! I still don't get this stupid trig stuff. Like how on earth do you know which formula to use and when?!"

Ruka dropped her pencil and sighed. Rua was not going to shut up until she helped him. "So which question are you stuck on?"

"Everything…!" His sister leaned over to find that they were all trigonometric identities. With all the different formulas to use and complexity of solving 'backwards', he needed more guidance than just her basic explanation. "Well, to solve this problem, you've got to do more of these," she said.

"WHAT?! NOOO!" he cried.

"I've got a plan, Rua. I'll ask Sara* tomorrow if she has any extra worksheets for you to do. You know, all on trig identities. It's good practice, you'll see!" She took her brother's pencil. "Now, let me see if I can explain it again…"

And so the nightmare began. His head began seeing numbers and formulas, even attempting to solve questions in his sleep. Cosines and cotangents hovered on his mind and he was constantly in a whirl of confusion and anxiety. Despite all this, Rua didn't give up. He trusted his sister when she said he could do it. It was comforting to know that he wasn't alone. Within a week of repetitive yet painful work, he was able to ace his exams without so much as breaking a sweat. Ruka hugged him hard; she was so happy for her brother. His parents even held a small celebration to congratulate his success. Maybe math wasn't so bad, if it was this rewarding. Life and studies went on as usual until...

"RUKAAAAAA! HEEEEELP!"

Math was still complicated as heck.


* the twins' private tutor.