Yumiko POV:

I already had finished preparing my notes, so I proceeded to head to Raiden's house.

After insisting a couple of times, he ended up agreeing to study together on Saturday. Since the Sobu High School entrance exam was near, there were about 3 weeks left for the exam.

So, I asked Raiden if we could study together although my grades are good, but I wanted to secure my admission and to my surprise, I found out that Raiden is the best student in the school, so I could spend time with him and study at the same time. I began to smile unconsciously at the thought.

And to think that it's been a month since New Year's Eve, I guess time goes by fast.

I started holding the necklace Raiden had given me as it was the first gift from someone other than my family, so I was very fond of it.

Thinking of it. It has been several months since we met so it helped me to interact with him better.

Although I feel that if I had not met him, due to the death of my grandmother, I still would not have been able to bear the abuse of these girls, so I would have faced them sooner or later.

But there is no point in thinking about it since, as Raiden says:

"Thinking about things from the past or wanting to live from them will only make you stop seeing the present and not appreciate the things you have. So, unless you want to stagnate and not progress; you can live from the past, but if you want to move on, you must get over the past and focus on the now. Appreciate the things and relationships you still have.''

I don't know why, but Raiden has some pretty mature thoughts that don't seem to belong to someone his age. But Okaa-san said that some boys tend to be more mature in this area, so he may be an exception to other boys.

This would be another characteristic that differentiates Raiden from the others, as the guys who only seek me out to confess are stupid and superficial, they only do it because I look good, but before that, no one tried to help me or be close to me.

That's why Raiden is so much better than any guy, and it's not that I think about it because I'm attracted to him or anything like that. But I can't deny that he's very good even though he doesn't look like it. Besides, the way he behaves sometimes makes him look cooler than he is, and since he usually trains, I guess he must have a good body too.

Just imagining it made me blush.

Why did I start picturing Raiden bare-chested?

I covered my face with my hands.

What am I doing thinking about those things!?

I felt my face heat up.

I shook my head and tried dispel those thoughts.

While trying to calm down, I realized that I had already arrived at Raiden's house. By looking at my watch to confirm the time, it was 11 am. I had always proposed arriving at the agreed time since I did not want an incident to happen like the last time.

Although something was quite strange, since Raiden said that he would be free until 3, I suppose he would have some things to do, but we still have several hours to study and talk.

I came out of my thoughts and rang the doorbell of his house.

After a few seconds, the door opened.

Raiden wore blue pants and a red polo shirt.

"Hello, Yumiko, come in!"

''Thanks''

I took off my shoes and headed into living room.

Once I sat down on the couch, something caught my eye.

"Nya"

"Hello, Kuro-kun"

I held Kuro and put him on top of me, during all the times that I came to Raiden's house, I had grown fond of Kuro, and it seems that this was mutual, as Kuro looked quite happy with me.

Kuro settled between my legs and started purring.

Kuro looks very cute when he does that.

"If you're done pampering my cat, can we start our study session?" Raiden said this as he looked at Kuro.

"Are you jealous of your cat? How cute" Teasing Raiden is a lot of fun sometimes.

"You can say yes since I wanted to be in that place too." Raiden said as he pointed to my lap where Kuro was.

"W-what are you saying!?" His words surprised me, and I started to imagine a situation where Raiden was leaning on my lap, so I started to blush.

Looking at him, I could see a mocking smile on his face.

''So, Yumiko, shall we start?''

I quickly dispel those thoughts to answer him.

''I get it, I get it''

"Kuro, go the other way since we're going to be busy"

"Nya"

As if understanding, Kuro got off my lap and left the room.

Sometimes it seems that Kuro and Raiden understand each other perfectly, but this is impossible since there is no way that Kuro understands 100% what Raiden tells him, right?

"So, Yumiko, shall we go?" Raiden's words confused me, where were we going?

''To where?'' I couldn't help but to ask him in confusion.

''To my room to study, it's obvious, right?'' Raiden said calmly.

"I thought we would study in the living room." I had never been in his room, so I couldn't help but get nervous.

"We will be more comfortable at my desk; we will also prepare some notes and more."

I guess he's right since everyone is more comfort in there room.

Although there is something that has been generating doubts since I arrived.

"By the way, what about Rumi?"

"Rumi is at birthday party of one of her friend."

"So, I guess we're both alone ..." I couldn't finish speaking as I realized that it was the first time the two of us were alone in his house.

"Hey, Yumiko, are you still there?"

Raiden's words brought me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, sorry, I was thinking that this is the first time that the two of us are alone in your house." What did I just say? I said without thinking about what I had in mind.

"I guess, even though I don't see what ..." Raiden paused before finishing speaking. He began to blink several times, as if he had realized something.

"Sorry, I guess it would be better to study in the living room." He said this and quickly turned around and headed for the stairs. ''I'm going to get the materials; you can make yourself comfortable." After saying this, he disappeared from my field of vision.

Maybe I could be wrong, but before turning around, he looked quite nervous and a little flushed, but since it is Raiden, maybe I was wrong.

After Raiden brought the materials, we started studying.

I must say that it was surprising, he was very good at explaining and clarifying some doubts that I had.

After explaining some theoretical things to me, he asked me questions and gave me a written exam. Although the exam questions were somewhat difficult, I managed.

So, we spent about an hour and a half studying.

"I guess we should take a break." Raiden said as he stretched.

"I still don't feel so tired.'' Although we had had a good time studying, the way he explained Raiden made it quite interesting, so I did not feel the passage of time.

"It is good to pause at some intervals, as there is no use studying if you are going to overload yourself with information."

"I guess you're right." So, I closed my books and went to the couch.

Although Raiden went straight to the kitchen.

"By the way, Yumiko, do you want something in particular for lunch?"

"You can cook?''

"Not that I'm a professional, but I know different dishes, so I could say yes."

Unlike Raiden, I did not know how to cook since my grandmother was in charge of preparing lunch, and since she passed away, she usually bought bentos, since it is not that I care much about learning to cook.

But since Raiden gives me the option of having something to eat, I suppose hamburgers wouldn't be bad since that's also what we had for lunch the day we went on our date. I felt as if I was starting to blush remembering that day.

"I guess a hamburger would be nice." I said this and quickly looked away from him.

"Then I'll start with that." After saying this, Raiden put on an apron and began to remove the ingredients from the refrigerator.

While Raiden cooked, I watched television.

''It was delicious." We had already finished eating and carried the dishes to the sink.

The hamburger that Raiden cooks was quite good. It is amazing that he can cook so well, I am sure that if he wanted, he could be a great husband. Then I would take care of work, and he would take care of the house.

But what am I thinking! Not that I wanted to eat Raiden's food every day.

"Yumiko?"

Although I must admit that it was not that I disliked the idea of eating his food on a daily basis.

"Hey, Yumiko!"

Raiden's words made me jump out of my place.

'' Were you saying something?'' I asked something nervous.

"I was telling you to keep studying. It seems like you were lost in thought though."

"I was just thinking a few things, don't say it like you have no idea either."

"I understand, I understand" Raiden said as he made a mocking gesture with his hands. I could see a smile on his face.

"You know that if I was by your side, I wouldn't hesitate to hit you, right?"

"Well, I'm thankful I'm not." Raiden still had his same old smile.

I wasn't going to let this stay that way, so I got up from my seat and started to move towards him. Once I was close to him, I sat down next to him and began to smile at him.

"You were saying something, Raiden-kun." Once we were close, he just sighed.

"I understand, I understand, there is no need to use violence." I knew Raiden would give up easily when I got more aggressive, so when I felt like he started teasing me a lot, I just had to do this.

''So, we continue?'' I said this while arranging my things to start studying.

''Yes?'' Raiden said with a somewhat dejected tone

"I think this would be it." After saying this, I closed my notebook.

We had spent the last hour studying and talking about some topics when we took a few minutes off.

"You have a good level, so I don't know why you asked me so insistently to study with me."

''Do you have a problem with that?''

"None, I just found it odd, but I guess there is nothing wrong with studying a little more"

"I just wanted to make sure I did well on the test, and it's not like I'm a bother to you, is it?"

Raiden looked away from me.

I hit him on the arm ''Right?''

"Of course not, not that I wanted to read in my spare time"

I pinched his arm.

"Of course, that is not important if I have the opportunity to help a friend."

I nodded at his words.

"Then Yumiko"

''Yes?''

"Could you let me go? Since it's starting to hurting me."

"It's your punishment, so bear it." To which he only sighed in response.

After releasing it, he started rubbing his arm.

I looked at the time, it was already 2:55 pm. I guess it's time to go since from what he said that day, it seems as if he had some things to do, and since he already helped me and spent time with him, I have no problem with that.

I started to prepare my things.

After getting everything ready, I stood up.

"I think it's time to go."

"I'll walk you to the door"

After saying this, we headed towards his main entrance.

"I'd like to walk you home, but I'm waiting for someone, so I must stay here."

I'm assuming Raiden is expecting a package or something, so I can't blame him, as if the delivery man arrived without anyone being home, he would have to personally pick it up.

"Don't worry, I will see you on Monday, Raiden.''

"See you, Yumiko"

After saying goodbye, I started my way home.

I quite enjoyed the hours I spent with Raiden. I was also able to understand various subjects that I had some doubts about. Now I understand why Raiden is in the first place of the school.

Although I didn't expect him to be a good cook either.

Calm down, Yumiko, don't start imagining weird things again.

I pulled out my cell phone to see some photos I had taken of Raiden in an apron, he looked so cute.

At that moment I felt as if I crashed with someone.

When I looked at who I had met, I could see that she was a girl probably my age, she had light blue hair, tied in a ponytail, she had a small mole under her right eye.

''Don't you think you should watch where you walk?'' I said this a bit irritated as it had hurt a bit.

"Huh!? I must ask you that, are you blind or something?"

"Huh!? You were the one who ran into me, are you stupid or something?''

"Huh!? If you are the clueless one who doesn't realize where you are walking, you should at least use those eyes to look at the road and not focus on your phone!''

"Huh!? Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do!" I was in a very good mood, and now that I had met this girl, I lost my good mood.

"Tch, you are a nuisance" said this girl who seemed quite irritated like me.

"That's what I should say, you could at least apologize, you know?"

''Why should I apologize? Tch, you better leave it at that since I'm running late, and I wouldn't want to argue with someone like you.''

"I guess we think the same, I don't want to waste time arguing with someone like you"

"Huh!? Do you have a problem with me? If so, you can say it to my face, you know?" She said this while she looked quite annoyed.

"Then you should learn to watch where you walk before if you don't want to apologize!" I said this annoyed, though I put on a teasing smile.

The girl looks at her watch.

"Tch, I don't have time to waste with a girl like you!"

After saying this, she followed her way.

What a hassle, and she was in such a good mood. Quickly dispel these thoughts as you didn't want to be in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

So, I decided to continue my way home while still looking at my cell phone.

Kawasaki POV:

Some days ago*

"Hey, Kawasaki."

''What?''

''Are you free on Saturday? As the date of the entrance exam is approaching, it would be good for you to start studying."

"Don't make it look like I'm not studying at home." This bothered me a bit, since the last few weeks I have tried hard to study although the results were not very good.

''From your face I can tell that you haven't made much progress, right?''

I turned my face away from his direction since he was right.

"Then let me give you a hand, I'm sure I can help you with some courses which you may not understand."

"I guess I have no problem with you helping me with some questions."

"Don't you mean all courses?"

I could see a mocking smile on his face.

"Just because you're more smartass doesn't mean you can mock me, you know?"

"I am sure I can."

So, we keep arguing the rest of the way.

Present*

Tsurumi had asked me to study at his house on Saturday. Normally, I would object to this idea, but if we went to my house, I was sure that Keika would interrupt us. Also, I know that I can trust him, so I had no problem with that.

So, I took my materials needed and headed to his house.

The way to his house was normally, but while I was thinking about some things, I ran into someone.

She had yellow hair and green eyes, as well as being on her cell phone. She had crashed into me, and instead of apologizing, she chose to take an aggressive attitude towards me.

We started arguing, but it seemed like we were going nowhere, and realizing the time, I realized that I was running late, so I decided to drop that stupid discussion and go on my way. Of course, if I wasn't in a hurry, there would be no question of putting that blonde in her place.

I think I should be close to Tsurumi's house by now.

Since I had only came once, I have only few memories.

The only time I went to his house was when he held me in his arms.

Remembering that moment, I began to get nervous since that day had been a roulette of emotions.

From feeling bad about how Tanaka and Watanabe referred to me, to how I decided not to trust anyone else. And even though I tried to face those two, in the end I couldn't knock them unconscious.

But as if something was against that idea, Tsurumi appeared. In the end, he ended up massacring those two, and we went to his house to treat our wounds.

After taking a bath and treating our wounds, Tsurumi asked me some questions. Since he had helped me so much, I thought it would be fine to tell him everything.

But to my surprise, he gave me a little bump on the forehead and called me stupid.

When I thought he was making fun of me, he told me his opinion of everything he thought.

After listening to it, I gave him every reason, he had been a fool to think that way.

So, as a selfish request, I asked him permission to cry as I felt as if I couldn't take it anymore.

When I opened my eyes, I realized that I was lying down, it seemed that I had fallen asleep, and Tsurumi had led me to a room.

After everything that happened, I realized that I can trust him, so I started to feel more comfortable in his company.

Looking around, it seems as if I finally made it to his house.

So, taking a deep breath I pressed the bell.

After a few seconds, the door opened.

"Kawasaki."

"Tsurumi."

''Come in.''

"Thanks." Once I entered, I left my shoes at the entrance.

"Pretty punctual, huh?"

''I did not remember very well where your house was.'' As I had only come once, and in the situation, I was in, it was a bit difficult to pay attention to where I was going. ''Also, I had a little mishap, so I was delayed.''

''Excuses, excuses.''

''Huh?!" It seems that Tsurumi also wanted to piss me off today.

"I mean, we should start, as there is a lot to do."

''I guess you're right.''

Since his living room and his dining room are on the first floor, I suppose his bedroom must be upstairs, so I headed for the stairs.

"Kawasaki, where are you going?"

"Your room is upstairs, right?"

"Yeah, does that have something to do with it?"

"So, you have your answer." After I gave him a mocking smile and continued up the stairs. I could hear him sigh.

Once I got to the second floor, I could see several doors down the hall.

"Third door on the right." I could hear Tsurumi's voice coming from the stairs.

So I went to his door, it was the first time I was going to be in a boy's room, so I couldn't help but be curious as to what it would be like.

Upon entering, I could see a normal room. He had a closet, a desk, and his bed next to it.

There was nothing flashy about his room, it was pretty simple.

''I guess your room fits the simple way you act.''

''Even if you try to search for something in particular, you won't find it.'' I heard Tsurumi's voice coming from the door.

"I was just curious to know what your room would be like, although I must say that it is quite common." as I said this, Tsurumi raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know whether to take it as an insult or a compliment, but I will take it as the latter."

So, he moved one of his chairs to his desk. Although his room was quite ordinary, his desk was quite large. Besides that, besides that he had several books on his shelf, it seems that he likes to read a lot.

"You can take whatever materials you have, and I have already prepared some questions to measure your level, so based on that I will decide how to proceed."

After saying this, Tsurumi put a sheet and a pencil on the desk.

"While you solve this exam, I will write some things based on your notes."

So, after sitting down, I started the exam.

The first few questions were easy, but the further I went, the more complicated they became.

Looking at Tsurumi, I noticed that he was yawning a lot, and he looked quite tired.

"Aren't you sleeping well?"

"Those questions didn't write themselves; you know?"

Hearing this, I took a good look at the exam, I guess he didn't sleep because he had to do this, so I started to feel a little guilty.

"Do not get strange ideas, since at first it was I who offered to help you." Said Tsurumi while his gaze did not leave my notes, and with his hand he wrote on a sheet of paper.

"Not that I have thought about it." This was a lie, as I felt somewhat guilty about it, but Tsurumi refused to accept it.

I guess I'll have to do my best.

"Kawasaki, are you serious?"

I didn't want to look him in the eye. Without saying it, I could already imagine the result of the exam. I could only hear him sigh.

"I guess if I'm not strict, it will be difficult to do this."

For some reason, I had a bad feeling about this.

"Tsurumi, I can't take it anymore."

"Come on, Kawasaki, it's only been 5 hours, and we're halfway there."

I stretched out in the chair, I was quite exhausted, we had been studying for 5 hours in a row. Tsurumi made me read some things, and then he asked me questions, and if that was not enough, he asked questions that I had never seen before.

"I think that is enough for today."

Hearing this, I was able to feel better.

Since it's quite late, I think I should go home for dinner.

"Hey, Tsurumi, I'm retiring now, I think I made a lot of progress today and understood several things that I had no idea about." I got up from my seat and bowed to him.

"Don't mention it, even though we were only able to advance in science and math." Tsurumi said as he stretched as well.

"Don't worry about it, you've done enough for me with that.'' Although my main problem is in the story, but he had already done a lot for me today, so I would feel bad if I bothered him.

I started to prepare my things.

''By the way, Kawasaki, take this away.''

Tsurumi handed me a notebook, when I looked at its contents, I realized that they were notes that referred to history topics.

"Tsurumi, how did you know?" I had never told him that my main problem was history topics. Besides that, during the time we were studying, he was making notes and questions related to mathematics and science so that it was impossible to do it during our study session.

"You can call it a hunch, or you just have the face of not knowing any history." He said mockingly.

I wanted to answer him, but he was probably tired of writing in the notebook, so I let him pass, I did not insist on how I knew this either.

I put away the notebook along with my notes and headed upstairs.

I can say that today was quite prosperous.

After a few seconds, Tsurumi got out, even though he was wearing a coat.

"So, Kawasaki, shall we go?"

Was he thinking of walking me home? Normally I wouldn't have a problem with that, but he should be pretty tired, so it would be better for him to rest.

"The best thing would be for you to rest."

"If something as simple as sleeping hours stopped me, I highly doubt that I would be able to accomplish some things that I would not have done if I had preferred to sleep.''

I didn't quite understand his words, but I just nodded.

"I also want to buy something to drink."

So, we left his house and went to a vending machine that was on the way to my house.

Once we arrived, Tsurumi selected some kind of coffee.

"Kawasaki, what flavor do you want?"

"If you're going to invite, I guess I'll drink the same as you."

"Are you sure? Max coffe is something for people with good taste."

''Are you hinting at something?'' I said this somewhat annoyingly.

''No, nothing.''

Tsurumi put a coin and took out two cans.

So, after receiving the can, I decided to have some.

"It's pretty sweet, do you really enjoy drinking this thing?"

"As I said, Max coffee is for people with good taste." Tsurumi said as he seemed to enjoy this drink.

Since he had paid for it, I decided to drink it out of consideration.

"I guess it's not that bad." As I drank more of that coffee, I began to savor it.

"I already told you, people with good taste know how to appreciate this drink."

So, after we finish our drinks, we put them in a container and go on our way.

The rest of the way we spent talking about some things from the academy.

Without realizing it, we had already arrived at my house.

"I guess we'll see each other on Monday, Tsurumi. Thanks again for the notebook and for taking your time today."

"Don't mention it, I just wanted to make sure you came in, as it would be pathetic if you didn't." He said the last in a mocking tone.

"I will be able to enter without difficulty!" I said this with great determination, since I had not planned to fail the exam.

"Save that determination for the day of the test, so see you." Tsurumi raised his hand as he was heading towards his house.

I think after dinner I can study a little history, so I headed inside my house.