When her test day finally came, Aya felt she was prepared enough for it. She was nervous, yes, but she also felt a certain sense of confidence that she had never in her life felt when it came to taking any science test.
After reciting her prayer in her mind, she took her pen, turned her exam sheet to the first page, and almost gasped. Oh my gosh! Her gaze ran the length of the page, and her jaw dropped. She and Minato had tackled all of these questions in their review session!
She wrote her answers down as quickly as she could, fearing she’d end up forgetting something if she let too much time pass by.
“How was it?” Raven whispered as soon as their test papers were passed to the front.
Aya flashed her a thumb’s up sign with a grin, and Raven almost laughed. Her friend usually came out a zombie after any science test, so this was definitely good news.
The tests for the rest of the week were more or less okay for Aya. If there was one thing she ended up worrying about, then it was how she had begun to suffer withdrawal symptoms for not being able to meet with Minato for so many days. As it was already periodical week, Minato believed it was best she concentrated on reviewing for her other subjects, and she had agreed, not realizing just how much she would end up missing him.
And she did, badly, which was why come Friday, she found herself slowly making her way to the library, Raven’s words echoing in her head.
Just get it over with.
Just get it over with.
Just get it over with.
Aya hovered in the doorway when she reached the library. As she both expected and feared, Minato was indeed at the library, talking to Ms. Grant. The air of intimacy between them was unmistakable, and the sight was achingly bittersweet.
His blazer was on the counter while his shirt was rolled up to his sleeves, revealing the lean, hard muscles of his arms. He had also loosened his tie, and somehow, this made him a hundred times sexier.
Minato was so beautiful, she thought helplessly.
So, so beautiful…and he wasn’t hers.
“Aya!” It was the librarian who noticed her first, and her heart suffered another pang of ache at seeing the two swiftly distance themselves from each other.
“I was hoping to s-speak with Minato,” she stammered, and when said person raised a brow at her, she could feel herself turning red as she mumbled, “In private.”
Ms. Grant’s gaze turned curious, but there was nothing in her manner that hinted of jealousy as she excused herself and went inside the staff room behind the counter.
“Aya?”
She nearly jumped at the sound of Minato’s deep voice, she was just so nervous, and her heart beating so loud that it completely drowned the sound of her thoughts.
Minato frowned. “Is something wrong?” When she only shook her head, he gazed at her in contemplative silence for a few seconds before saying quietly, “How about we go to our usual table?”
Aya could only manage a nod. Oh gosh, oh gosh, was she really going to do this?
They started to walk, Minato matching his pace with hers, both of them silent. Oh gosh, oh gosh, what if this turned out to be the biggest mistake of her life?
Half of her wanted to run while other half wanted to do exactly what Raven advised and just get it over with. And when she saw Minato move ahead of her to pull a chair out for her, she found herself doing…the latter.
“Minato?”
He turned to face her. “Yeah?”
Her gaze falling to her feet, she asked in a rush, “W-Would you go out with me?” She didn’t let herself think it over, knowing that her fear would get the best of her if she did.
And so now all she had to do was…wait.
“What about Wind?”
Her head snapped up. “W-Wind?” Aya was genuinely bewildered.
Minato had an indecipherable look on his face. “Aren’t you going out with him?”
Oh! He had heard the rumors, too?!
“It’s not what you think,” Aya protested feelingly.
“Isn’t it?”
“It’s not.” She quickly told him the truth about her arrangement with Wind, all the while watching his gorgeous face, and Aya couldn’t help feeling just a little bit hopeful when she saw the way his blue eyes glinted. That meant…he had been jealous of Wind. Didn’t it?
When she was done explaining, she couldn’t help but steal a look at Minato one more time, hoping against hope that she would find what she was looking for –
But she did not.
Instead, all Aya saw was…remorse.
Oh God.
“Aya---”
She flinched at the sound of his voice, and Minato’s lips tightened.
“Aya---”
She took a painful step back, and Minato’s jaw clenched hard.
“I’m sorry,” he grated out. “If I could---”
Tears stung her eyes, and she cut him off in a tremulous voice, “It’s okay.” And then she turned away, not caring if she was being rude. All she cared for at that moment was for Minato never to see her tears –
Aya heard Minato swear behind her, and her eyes stung even more painfully. She had never heard him swear in any way before, and that she did so now…
She didn’t even know what to think of it.
Did he find her a bother?
Was that it?
It took everything of her not to run away, but the moment she got inside the ladies, she locked herself inside one of the stalls, and burst into silent tears.
She had gotten it over with, alright…and now it was definitely over between them.

“Aya?”
Oh, drat. Aya quickly put her phone down. “Sorry,” she quickly apologized to Minato. It was weird, but she couldn't help feeling guilty at having to text Wind while Minato was tutoring her. It wasn’t like she was being unfaithful to either guy.
“I think we need one more reference book,” Minato murmured. “Could you go and ask my – could you ask the librarian if they’ve a new one for physics?”
“Sure.” Aya tried not to let her sadness show at Minato’s slip of the tongue.
As Aya walked away, Minato glanced at her phone, and his face darkened when the unlocked screen showed the exchange of texts between Aya and Wind.
Aya returned to their table. “Here you go.” The book was immensely thick, and she couldn’t help eyeing it warily. “Please don’t say you want me to read all that?”
“Just half of it.”
“Noooooo!”
Minato’s lips twitched at the look of genuine horror on Aya’s face. The other guy was right, he thought. Aya was cute.
And if he didn’t do something about it, then Karin was probably right, too. It was only a matter of time before someone took her away from him.
Aya tried to keep her fascination under control as she watched Minato begin flipping the pages. He made everything look so elegant, and even just his side profile was enough to take her breath away.
Also…
He smelled amazingly good, too, always, and Aya blushed unceremoniously at the thought.
Minato, seeing the color that blossomed in Aya’s soft cheeks, thought it had something to do with Wind, and his jaw clenched. “So…” His tone was deceptively pleasant. “Anything new happened lately?”
Aya could feel herself paling even though she knew she had nothing to feel guilty about. “Not much.”
“I haven’t seen Luc around lately.”
She relaxed just a bit. If this were just about Luc, then she would have no problem answering Minato’s questions. “He’s in the same study group with Raven.”
“Are Luc and Raven the only ones you usually hang out with?”
“Umm, most of the time.” Aya hurriedly changed the subject.  “What do you think about my answer here?”
Minato ignored it completely, asking, “What about the other times? Is there anyone else you go out with?”
Aya tried not to fidget in her seat. Why was he so interested? Had the stories about her and Wind reached him, too, and he was worried that the time he spent with her might cause a misunderstanding?
“It’s nothing serious,” Aya finally said in a mumble.
Minato leaned back. “So there is someone else.” His tone was perfectly controlled.
“It’s not like that,” she protested.
“Who is it? Maybe I know him.”
Aya mumbled her answer.
“Sorry, what was that?”
She reluctantly raised her voice as she repeated her answer. “It’s, umm, Wind.”
Minato cocked his head to the side. “Wind?”
Aya found herself babbling as she told Minato about her connection to Wind. She told him everything except for the fact that she and Wind were “dating” for the sake of her project. That would just make her a total loser, and she was already pathetic enough as she was.
There were no more questions after that, which was a relief although she did find it curious that Minato’s blue eyes had a tendency to turn frosty every time she mentioned Wind’s name. She remembered him being like this with Luc, too. Maybe it was a guy thing? More specifically, maybe it was a “handsome guy thing”, and beautiful people simply didn’t warm up to each other right away?
Wind joined Aya and her friends at lunch the next day, and Aya couldn’t help cringing at the horribly sly looks that went their way.
“Just ignore them,” Wind advised calmly.
“That’s easy for you to say,” she mumbled. “You’re probably used to getting stared at, but I’m not.”
Raven’s mouth opened and closed. Actually…a lot of boys in school liked Aya, and her friend got stared at all the time. Aya was just too dense to realize it.
A shadow suddenly fell over them, and Aya glanced up curiously –
“Hi.”
Aya jerked at seeing Minato standing right in front of her, and in the corner of her eye she could see that she wasn’t the only one grappling with shock. Practically the whole cafeteria had gone silent, and they were all staring at Minato and Aya like they couldn’t believe their eyes. What in the world was someone like Minato doing with someone like Aya?
Seeing that Aya was too shell-shocked for words, Raven quickly intervened, saying cheerfully, “Hi.” Luc nodded in greeting while Wind’s face turned expressionless.
What was he doing here? The question echoed endlessly in her mind, and she grew even more troubled when she realized that Wind and Minato hadn’t been officially introduced to each other yet.
Should I introduce him then, Aya wondered worriedly.
But what if Wind didn’t want to be introduced? What if Minato didn’t care to know Wind?
The silence at the table became increasingly awkward, but Aya, too busy worrying herself to a panic, didn’t notice this at all until Raven kicked her under the table.
Oh my gosh!
Face flaming, she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “Do you, umm, need anything?”
“Not particularly. Should I need a reason just to come over to say hi?”
Aya knew Minato could only be joking, but even so she still felt horrified that there was the slightest chance she had offended him. “I…I…” But it was too late for her to apologize.
“See you around.” And then Minato was walking away.
“I have a feeling I pissed him off somehow,” Wind commented as soon as Minato was safely out of earshot.
Aya shook her head quickly. “I’m sure that’s not the case.” She meant every word. Minato did seem slightly irritated, and if he were, she was glumly aware that it could only be her fault.
Aya spent the rest of the day feeling restless and impatient in her seat, and as soon as the dismissal bell rang, she bolted out of the classroom and rushed straight to the library. Minato was already at their usual table when she arrived rather breathlessly, and as soon as their gazes met, she blurted out, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m the one who should be sorry,” Minato said mildly. “I seemed to have made everyone awkward---”
“No, you didn’t!”
“In any case, it’s all water under the bridge now. Don’t give it another thought, okay?”
Minato’s voice was wonderfully gentle. Normally, this would make her toes curl but at that moment, it just made her want to cry.
Something was wrong, Aya thought anxiously.
And so there was.
Throughout their tutoring session, Minato was friendly but polite – he didn’t tease her the way he often did, and there was absolutely no warmth in his eyes. Usually, he remained in the table while Aya worked on answering his review questions but this time he left her to her own devices and headed off to chat with the librarian.
Seeing them together hurt, and the sound of their shared laughter cut her to the quick.
The pair appeared oblivious as she walked towards them, with their heads bent close and their voices barely audible.
Aya cleared her throat and the two broke apart, with the librarian looking like she had just been caught doing something illicit. The might made her tummy hurt, and Aya’s cheeks felt like they were about to crack under the strain as she forced herself to smile, saying, “I’m, umm, done.”
“Give me a minute,” Minato said pleasantly, “then I’ll be right with you.”
A minute to what, Aya wondered. Finish flirting with Ms. Grant?
But out loud, the only thing she said was ‘sure’.
Aya tried her best not to let her misery show as Minato reclaimed his place next to her and they started going over her answers. When her iPhone started buzzing midway in Minato’s explanation, Minato reached for it before she could, saying lightly, “No distractions for now.”
“But what if it’s an emergency?”
Minato glanced at the screen of her phone. “It’s from Wind. Is that an emergency?”
She shook her head mutely.
“Then you can read it later, when we’re done.”
Her phone buzzed again ten minutes later.
“It’s still from Wind,” Minato said briefly.
Their tutoring session ended half past seven, and Aya’s tummy hurting for an entirely different reason. Studying Physics always made her hungry.
“You guys go out and eat,” Karin urged, and turning to Minato, she said, “I’ll just see you later.”
Pain squeezed Aya’s heart at the blatant proof of the pair’s closeness to each other. “It’s okay. I can just eat at home.”
In the past, Minato would typically argue against this, but this time he only said, “I’ll just drive you home then,” and the pain in Aya’s heart worsened.
Later, Aya could barely look at Minato as she thanked him for driving her home, and she burst into tears as soon as she made it to her room. Raven called her an hour later, and with Aya still crying, it took a bit of time before Raven was able to piece everything together.
"Why not just risk telling him how you feel?" Raven urged. "If it doesn't work out then it doesn't and you can let Wind comfort you.”
“It’s not like that between Wind and me,” she said listlessly.
It actually was, Raven thought, but Aya was once again simply being dense about it. “Just get it over with, Aya. You’ll never be able to move on until you’re a hundred percent certain Minato doesn’t like you back.”
“I already know he doesn’t.”
“Then like I said – just get it over with. There’s nothing as cathartic as hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth.”
“I don’t know if I can ever…” Aya bit her lip. “You know how shy I am!”
“Then you’ll be waiting forever for nothing,” Raven countered ruthlessly.

​Aya excused herself from having lunch with her friends to head up to Computer Lab 4, which was exclusively reserved for the use of the Game Design and Development Club. The room was already crowded when she arrived, with applicants like herself waiting for results to show up. As applications had been done entirely online, it was the first time for everyone to see each other, and Aya was surprised to find applicants evenly divided between girls and boys.
“Hi,” she said with a friendly smile to the girls standing next to her. “What position are you applying for?”
“Very funny,” one of the girls said with a laugh.
Huh? But before she could ask what that meant, a loud ringing bell sounded out from the speakers, and the huge screen mounted on the wall suddenly switched on. The first thing they saw was a bright white screen, and then the words ‘PR TEAM’ suddenly showed up.
All of the girls – including those next to Aya – squealed and rushed forward, and the last thing Aya saw was a list of names slowly rolling up on the screen.
“Thank you to everyone who applied for a position in our club’s PR team. If your name shows up on the screen, then it means you’ve passed our screening.”
Out of the thirty or so girls that had been around earlier, only five remained, with the rest leaving with dejected expressions on their faces. Those staying behind chatted among themselves loudly, with the club president’s name continually popping up in their conversation.
One of the boys noticed Aya’s visible confusion, and he gave her a sympathetic smile. “You’ve no idea, do you?” He gave a discreet nod in the girls’ direction. “The only ‘easy’ position in the club is PR, so that’s what all the girls go after. It’s the quickest way for them to get close to Wind.”
And that was it? She knew Wind by name and by face because he was in the same year she was. He was tall, blond, and good-looking, and he was almost as popular as Minato. She supposed he was a nice guy overall, but…wasn’t it such a waste that those girls applied for the club just to be close to the president?
The boy chuckled at the look of horror on Aya’s face. “I take it you’re not a fan of Wind?”
The door to the officers’ lounge suddenly opened before Aya could answer, and the club’s vice president stuck his head out of the doorway. “Is there a fourth-year named Aya among you?”
Silence.
And then Aya slowly, reluctantly raised her hand.
“Wind wants to talk to you.”
Aya cringed as the announcement had the other girls throwing dirty looks her way, and the boy next to her chuckled. “Good luck, onee-san.”
Stepping inside the officers’ lounge, she saw that there was another room inside it, with a silver plate on top of its door. President’s Office, she read with a gulp. Oh no. This suddenly felt so serious. Was she in trouble?
The vice-president gave Aya an odd look. “Go on. He’s waiting for you inside.”
Wind rose to his feet as soon as Aya entered his office and went to meet her halfway. “Aya Thornton?”
His voice was deep and clear, and he sounded very businesslike that she couldn’t help but straighten her back as she answered respectfully, “Yes, sir.”
The club president’s lips twitched. “We’re the same age,” he reminded her, “so you can just call me Wind.”
With his tone turning approachable, Aya found herself relaxing just a bit, and she even managed a sheepish smile for him. “Sorry, I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be.”
Easier said than done, she thought. He had her called in to his office. How could that not make her nervous?
“I read your application,” Wind told her casually.
Aya tried not to fidget.
“You applied for visual novel games.”
She nodded.
“You’re aware that this club doesn’t actually have an opening for that position?”
“I---”
“Actually, the club has never had any activity related to visual novel games before – and I think you know that. Don’t you?”
Busted. Aya gave Wind a weak smile. “I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
Silence.
And then…
A smile briefly crossed Wind’s lips. “Your risk paid off.”
Oh thank God!
“The other officers and I have talked about it, and we’ve decided that we can take you in as a member but only on a probationary basis---”
“That’s okay,” Aya said eagerly.
“And it will be dependent on several conditions.”
“I’ll do anything,” she blubbered.
Wind’s eyes gleamed. “I’m glad to hear that – since I’m not letting you take it back.”
Aya’s mouth opened and closed. Was it just her or did that sound distinctly like a threat?
“Firstly, you cannot speak to anyone about this. If others were to know, they might ask the club to take them on probation, too, and we’d rather not deal with that kind of hassle.”
“I won’t breathe a word, I promise.”
“Secondly…” Wind named an amount that had Aya’s eyes widening. “We’re willing to invest that much in the game you’re proposing to develop, but we expect a daily accounting for all your expenses.”
“Of course.” Aya’s voice was just a tiny bit breathless. This felt so surreal. If there were anything she loved in this world as much as she loved Minato, then it would be her beloved visual novel games. Making one of her own was her greatest dream – and now it was about to come true thanks to the club!
“Thirdly – have you ever had a boyfriend?”
“Of course---” Aya stopped speaking. Wait a minute. Had she really heard Wind right? “Umm, w-what was that again?”
“A boyfriend,” Wind repeated patiently. “Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
She slowly shook her head.
Wind frowned. “Well, that’s a problem.”
It was? Aya cleared her throat. “Are you, umm, saying I can’t be a member if I don’t have a boyfriend?”
Wind gave her an odd look. “Of course not.”
Oh. Okay. Then what was this about?
“But you do understand how this impacts your game, don’t you?”
Aya shook her head again.
“The title of your game is High School Love,” Wind reminded her dryly. “Don’t you think you’d be able to make the game more realistic if you had a boyfriend? Or any dating experience?”
Oooooooooh.
So that’s what this was about.
“I don’t think---”
“That’s okay,” Wind interrupted her.
It was?
“I think I’ve found a solution to your problem.”
He did?
But wait…what was her problem in the first place?
“I’m so lost,” Aya blurted out.
“You and I will date for a week,” Wind told her.
WHAT?
“It should give you enough real-life experience to draw from, and after a week, you’ll pretend to dump me, and that way your reputation in school is saved.” Before Aya could recover from shock, Wind walked to the door and opened it, saying, “Listen up, everyone. Aya’s my girl now---”
The announcement had almost everyone gasping, Aya included.
“So ount me out if the club has any scheduled events during Thanksgiving break.”
Aya almost crumpled to the floor. OH MY GOSH!
 
****
 
Since it was so rare for Wind to show interest in a girl, the news of Wind and Aya’s Thanksgiving plans spread faster than a computer virus throughout the school. Certainly, it reached Karin, too, which was why she wasn’t at all surprised when Minato came to the library looking like he was raring for a fistfight.
“Why don’t you just ask her out yourself?” she asked, exasperated.
“Because I don’t have a right to,” Minato said bitterly. “My life’s a mess. You know that. And it’s only going to get worse when they find out I’m in contact with you.”
Karin’s heart broke for the young man. It wasn’t right that he was being so mature about this. “You don’t have to worry about me or anyone else. It’s your life, do what you want – and quickly, too, before someone snatches her away from you.”

​“And that’s it?” Raven exclaimed under her breath the next day as they rushed down the stairs. “Nothing happened? As in nothing?”
The look of disbelief on her friend’s lovely face was comical, and Aya couldn’t help giggling despite her own frustrations. “To be honest,” she confided in a whisper, “I’m not even sure if I feel disappointed or relieved.” The one thing she was very sure, however, was that she had dreamt about Minato last night. She couldn’t remember what that dream was, but it had to be about him since had woken up embarrassingly wet.
“Aya? Are you alright?” Raven was slightly perplexed at the sudden flush covering her friend’s face.
“Umm, y-yup.” She had a hard time meeting Raven’s gaze. It was so hard for her to lie, but no way was she going to tell her friends about her wet dreams.
“I don’t believe you. You look worried, and I don’t blame you. The damn guy’s---”
Luc frowned. “Language.”
Raven made a face. “Sorry. It’s just that you-know-who seems so good at sending out mixed signals, and I’m not used to not being able to figure things out.”
“Maybe there’s nothing to figure out. Maybe---”
“I mean, it’s obvious he likes you---”
 Aya forgot all about having nothing to figure out. “Really?”
“I’ve asked around – discreetly, of course – and there hasn’t been any other girl he’s spent as much time with as he has with you.”
Luc noticed the way Aya’s eyes started shining. Maybe he should caution Raven against getting their friend’s hopes up?
“Then again, they don’t know about the librarian, do they?”
Luc winced at the sight of Aya visibly drooping like a wilted flower.
“He’s known the librarian much longer. That much is obvious. And as you said, they live in the same building.” Raven, oblivious to the way her every word trampled Aya’s heart, continued airing her musings out loud. “So another possibility is that he’s only fond of you because Ms. Grant is fond of you. Maybe he even thinks of you as a baby sister---”
And that was the killing blow, Luc thought as Aya’s face lost all color. When he saw Raven about to say something else, he swiftly intervened before a cardiac murder could be committed before his eyes. “Raven?”
“Yeah?”
He nodded at their traumatized friend’s direction. “You’re killing her.”
Raven nearly let out a shriek when she saw the look on Aya’s face. Too late, she realized how tactless she had been, and she said in a rush, “Please don’t mind me. You know how I like to think things over and entertain a thousand what-ifs. That’s all it is. But after thinking things through, I don’t think that’s the case. I don’t think he sees you as his sister at all---”
“R-Really?”
“Really,” Raven said feelingly.
Luc mentally shook his head. Raven normally despised dishonesty in every form, but when it came to Aya, she could probably lie to the Pope’s face without even blinking.
“I think he’s secretly in love with you.”
Aya was slowly gaining her color back. “You t-think so?”
“I know so,” Raven averred with a straight face.
And there it was, Luc thought in amusement – and then he almost choked right after as Raven painfully nudged his side with her elbow.
“You think so, too, right?” She glared at Luc. “Don’t you, Luc?”
“Err…yes.”
Aya threw her arms around both her friends. “I’m so happy, you guys!”
Luc smirked at Raven over their friend’s head. If that guy ends up breaking her heart, you know it would be partly your fault, right?
Raven glared at him. Shut up. What else was I supposed to say?
The truth?
I can’t! It would kill her!
So you’ll let Minato kill her instead?
Raven was saved from making any lame excuse when Aya suddenly jumped away. “Oh my gosh, he’s here.”
The two friends looked at each other as Aya hurried away to do her usual stalking.
“Unbelievable, isn’t it?” Raven said with a sigh. “I don’t think I know anyone as emotionally resilient as she is.”
Luc shot her a dry look. “You mean naïve, right?”
Ignoring that because Raven couldn’t bear hearing a single word spoken against Aya, she said pointedly, “It’s what makes her irresistibly cute, and she’s only gotten a lot cuter ever since she started spending time with you-know-ho.” She gestured to a group of guys hanging out next to the stairs. “See that?”
Luc was startled to find all the other boys watching Aya with foolish looks of infatuation on all of their faces. His gaze turned to Aya, who was so busy stealing looks at Minato over her notebook she didn’t appear aware at all that she had also become the object of other people’s attention.
Minato, on the other hand, still seemed to be in the process of making his mind up on what drink to buy from the vendo. That’s new, Luc mused. The guy was normally decisive as hell –
AH!
Minato’s face appeared as a faint reflection on the vending machine’s glass window, and through it Luc realized that the other man was staring very coldly at…
“I think I’m in love,” one of the boys declared.
Minato’s face hardened, and Luc stilled in surprise. He turned to Raven and saw her face mirroring his own shock.
 “So…” Raven’s voice was uncertain. “Does he like her then?”
“Who likes who?” This was from Aya, having caught the tail end of their conversation as she returned to their side with a still-dreamy smile lingering on her lips.
Luc left Raven to do all the explaining and lying while he continued to watch Minato with great interest. As Minato headed back up to his class, he stopped at the foot of the stairs drink the rest of his soda and then very casually glanced over his shoulder before throwing the bottle – straight at the face of the boy who had earlier declared his affections for Aya.
“What the hell?” the boy exclaimed.
“Apologies,” Minato said mildly. “I was aiming for the garbage bin.”
The boy’s jaw dropped. “But that’s in the other direction!”
“I’ve got really bad aim, I guess. Sorry about that.”
Luc coughed back a laugh as Minato walked away, leaving behind him a boy scratching his head in confusion. How could a guy who won last year’s MVP in the interschool basketball championship have such bad aim?

​Could she be obsessed with Minato Wyndham? It was the only logical thing that could explain why she found every little thing the guy did utterly fascinating.
Like now.
Aya loved watching the way his fingers moved as he fed a pod into the coffee machine and started pushing buttons. Grace and efficiency contained in every movement – it was mesmerizing. Sexy. Really, really sexy, and even sexier was the refined strength he displayed when –
Wait a minute, Aya.
The guy was just holding a mug in his hands.
What did strength and refinement have to do that?
Nothing, Aya answered herself, which meant only one thing.
She was absolutely, shamefully –
“Obsessed with what?” Minato asked as he returned to the tall table and handed Aya her coffee before taking the stool next to her.
“H-Huh?”
“You said something about being obsessed.”
Aya almost sputtered over her coffee. Oh God, she had unconsciously blurted her thought out loud! Seeing that Minato’s curious gaze was still on her, she stammered, “Coffee. I’m o-obsessed with c-coffee.”
“Ah. I thought it was something else…” Like me.
Aya nearly choked. Oh. My. Gosh. Minato hadn’t actually said the last two words out loud, but he might as well have had, with the way his jade green eyes were gleaming so devilishly.
“Umm.” She looked around her desperately. The A/C was on, so why did it feel so hot all of a sudden? She cleared her throat. “So…” She stopped speaking when Minato suddenly started leaning towards her.
“M-Minato?”
But he still kept leaning closer, and the closer he got, the harder it was to breathe.
This close, it was impossible not to notice the things she had tried her best to ignore every time he tutored her. This close, the mere scent of his aftershave was a force of seduction. This close, his muscled strength was a sensually potent source of heat in itself –
Oh my gosh, he was so close now!
So close it seemed like he was going to kiss her!
Aya’s eyes closed involuntarily at the thought, but just as her lips started to part, she heard Minato murmur politely, “Sorry. I was reaching for your book.”

​Ever since they had bumped into each other at the mall, Aya couldn’t help feeling that Minato’s treatment of her had distinctively cooled, and today wasn’t any different. It was their fifth study meeting, and for once Minato was already at the library when she arrived.
“H-Hi,” she stammered.
“Hi.” His voice was brief, and she gulped hard as she took the seat next to him. He usually went out of his way to make her feel at ease, but today, he only watched her in silence, his jade-green eyes following her every movement.
If she didn’t know any better, she would’ve suspected Minato of being jealous, and that seeing her with Luc had him keeping her at a distance. But – that was stupid. Right?
Besides, Aya reasoned to herself, he still had Ms. Grant. The more time she spent with them, the more the two gave themselves away, which meant…
She had either done something to make Minato angry…or someone said something bad about her. The thought troubled Aya greatly, but she just couldn’t make herself tell him that he could stop tutoring her if he didn’t want to.
The thing was, her parents had been so overjoyed about her grades that they had promised her to buy the newest gaming model from Nintendo. All she had to do was earn a 2.0 GPA, and that was it.
“So…”
She looked up eagerly, relieved that he seemed in the mood to chat with her.
“Where have you been?”
Minato’s casual tone made her relax, which was unfortunate. If she had known Minato just a little bit better, she would’ve realized that the more casual Minato’s tone was, the stronger his feelings usually were.
Lulled into thinking that everything was finally back to usual, Aya happily answered Minato’s question. “I came all the way from the gym, that’s why I’m a little later than usual. Raven and I went to watch Luc play---”
“I almost forgot to ask.” Minato’s voice was very curt. “What’s your assignment today?”
The change of topic flustered Aya. Had she pissed him off – again? She hurriedly told Minato about her assignment, and thirty minutes later, Aya was near to tears. Minato was exceptionally harsh today, and he criticized her for even the smallest mistake. That Ms. Grant kept glancing at them worriedly from her place behind the counter only made Aya feel worse – it did not feel good at all, to be treated by one’s crush like an idiot…and in front of one’s love rival to boot!
“That’s not the way to do it,” Minato snapped when she showed him her latest attempt to solve the problem. He furiously jabbed a finger at Aya’s jumbled calculations. “That’s wrong. I keep telling you that’s wrong so how can you not get it?”
The slight rise in his tone was too much, and Aya had enough. “I just don’t. Okay? I’m sorry that I’m so stupid, I’m sorry I wasted your time, so you know what?” She jumped to her feet and started stashing her stuff back into her bag. “Let’s not do this---” To her horror, tears suddenly started to fall, and Aya stopped speaking.
Minato appeared stunned, almost as if he had no idea what he had been saying or doing the past sixty minutes. “Aya---”
But Aya had already run away, unable to even look at the librarian or let herself react to the older woman’s gasp of dismay.
Karin glared at Minato. “What the hell was that?”
Minato didn’t answer.
“You made her cry!”
“Don’t you think I don’t know that?” Minato’s tone was filled with self-loathing. “I’ll just say sorry tomorrow---”
“You don’t meet on Wednesdays.”
“Then the day after that.”
“I doubt she’ll come back after this---”
“Will you just please tell me what your point is,” Minato grated out.
Karin threw the younger man a look of disgust. “You are so bad at this.” She pointed to the door. “You’re supposed to run after her, you idiot.”
 

​“Holy shit,” Raven exclaimed. “How did you manage to get this?”
“Not by cheating,” Aya said smugly as she took her test paper back from Raven’s hands, “if that’s what you’re implying.” Even her science teacher, Mr. Landers, had been surprised, but he had also looked just a little relieved because it meant he would no longer have to feel conscience-bound to spend after-school hours doing remedial with Aya.
“How did you get it then?” Raven demanded.
Aya beckoned for her friend to come close so she could whisper to Raven’s ear.
“WHAT?” Raven reared back in shock. “Did I hear you right?”
Aya nodded. She could perfectly relate to her friend’s surprise. Even she had to pinch herself at times, just to make sure she hadn’t dreamt everything up.
“It’s so un-fucking-believable,” Raven exclaimed excitedly. Her cussing had several heads in the cafeteria turning their way, but Raven didn’t notice this at all. “I’m just so happy for you, Aya. And I’m right, aren’t I? You’re M---”
Aya quickly covered her friend’s mouth before she ended up saying something dangerous – and sadly untrue. “Ssh!”
Raven gave her friend a sheepish look of apology. “Sorry. I forgot. But---” Her dark eyes sparkled in excitement. “Am I right?”
Aya made a face. “Sadly, no, and it’s not my insecurities talking, I promise.”
Raven’s shoulders slumped. “That’s too – wait.” Her face brightened. “It’s not too late. If he’s tutoring you, then maybe you can try stealing him away?”
Aya immediately started shaking her head. “I can’t. I think…I have an idea who the girl is, and she’s nice.”
“So that’s it? You’re giving up just because the other girl’s nice?”
“They seem happy together,” Aya explained. “So as long as he’s happy---”
“You’re happy, too,” Raven finished for her friend. “God, you’re hopeless.” But since it was what made Aya…well…Aya, she knew she had to be content with that.
The rest of the day moved painstakingly slowly after that, but the bell finally rang for the last time, signaling the end of the school day. Aya practically jumped out of her seat and barely managed to say goodbye to Raven before racing all the way up to the fourth-floor library.
With their usual table at the very back still empty, Aya cautioned herself not to hope too much as she took her usual seat next to the windows. It was stupid to feel so giddy at the thought of seeing him, but that was exactly how it was.
“Hey.”
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest at the sound of Minato’s voice, and a second later, Minato himself was pulling a seat next to her. She had always thought of him as someone who was fiercely protective of his personal space, someone who would most likely sit across another person rather than next to them.
But maybe she was wrong.
“Sorry I was late,” Minato apologized with a grimace. “Something came up the last minute---”
“It’s totally okay---”
“It’s not,” Minato countered with a slight smile. “And I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Ms. Grant came up to their table as Aya started taking her stuff out of her backpack, and even though the older woman was her rival, she just couldn’t make herself dislike the librarian.
“Did you hear about Aya’s test, Minato?” Karin’s smile was full of pride. “She came here at lunch earlier to thank me. She got a B!”
Minato frowned. “That’s too low.”
Aya burst out laughing. “Not for me. Anything above C minus is a godsend, and just between us three---” Her voice lowered to a confidential whisper. “I should’ve flunked out a long time ago, but Mr. Landers’ just too nice to give me an F.”
Karin glanced slyly at Minato. Isn’t she cute?
Minato glared daggers at the older woman. Stop that!
Aya tried not to feel gloomy at the way the air crackled between the two. Don’t be greedy, she scolded herself. Getting to spend one-on-one time with Minato is more than enough.
Time passed by quickly after that, and before she knew it, their tutoring session had come to its end, and it was time to go.
“Thanks for helping me out,” Aya said shyly.
“I have fun teaching you, so don’t give it another thought.”
If only she could believe that, Aya thought. Everyone in school knew that Minato wasn’t the type to lie about things just to be polite, but maybe he sort of pitied Aya and that was why he was acting extra nice to her?
After thanking Ms. Grant, Aya awkwardly said her goodbyes and left the library. It didn’t feel right to linger and Minato didn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. Were the two going out on a date after? Could that be what the two meant when they said Minato had to stay behind?
The thought had Aya quickly blinking back tears. You have no right to cry, Aya! He’s not yours!
Back in the library, Karin couldn’t help feeling secretly amused at Minato’s air of restlessness.
“Out with it,” she ordered.
Minato’s handsome face immediately became inscrutable. “I’m not quite sure I get you.”
But Karin only rolled her eyes. “Don’t forget who I am, Minato. So stop beating around the bush.”
Minato grimaced. “I was just wondering…how Aya gets home?”
Karin wasn’t at all fooled by the younger man’s overly casual tone. “I think she walks home.”
Minato was alarmed. “But what about the other night? We finished pretty late---”
“There’s nothing we can do about the other night, but how about next time you offer to drive her home?” She saw hesitation cross over Minato’s face and sighed. “As much as I love how you fuss on me – you need to remember that I’ve survived a good number of years on my own.”
“It just doesn’t feel right,” Minato muttered.
“Then how about we make a deal? I’ll make sure to bring my own car on the days you’ll be tutoring Aya. That way, you won’t have to worry either about me or Aya.”
“That works, I suppose.”
Karin coughed to hide her laughter. So much pride for one so young, she thought wryly. “If you’re worried about me being jealous---”
“Karin,” Minato growled.
“All I’m saying is that I’m not like that. I totally won’t mind if she’s your girlfriend---” Minato started glaring at her again, and she hastily made a gesture of zipping her mouth close.
 
****
 
Aya and Raven were finally able to meet up with Lucien during the weekend, with Raven making the latter pay for their movie tickets. “Payment for not having lunch with us the whole week,” Raven said with a flip of her hair.
“Even if I did meet up with you two, I’d still end up paying.”
Raven grinned. “That’s true.” She turned to Aya. “I need to go to the ladies.”
“I’ll stay here with Luc,” Aya said quickly, knowing how long it often took Raven to do her business. As soon as the other girl left, she turned to Luc –
Luc shot her a steely look of warning. “Don’t.”
“I haven’t said a word yet,” Aya said innocently.
“Just---”
“Don’t ask why you still haven’t told Raven you want her to be your girlfriend?”
“Damn it, Aya.”
Aya burst into laughter. “That depends.”
Luc’s arm suddenly went around her neck. “How about if I try to strangle---”
“Hi.”
Oh my gosh!
Aya quickly tore away from Luc’s hold when she saw Minato standing in front of her. “H-Hi,” Aya stammered. It was her first time to see him out of his school uniform, and she struggled not to stare. So beautiful. So sexy. So…hard. In spite of the polite smile playing on her lips, Minato had such a hard look in his jade-green eyes that she couldn’t help feel nervous.
Why did he seem so mad?
Minato gestured at the bucket of popcorn she was holding. “Movie date?”
“More or less.” Aya was about to say that they were just waiting for Raven to come back when someone called out Minato’s name.
Darren appeared at Minato’s side. “I’ve got the tickets.” His interested gaze moved to Aya and Luc, and he grinned. “Didn’t know you two were dating?”
“We’re not,” Aya and Luc said at the same time.
Darren smirked. “Riiiiiight. Maybe try not to sound too defensive next time?” He checked his watch. “The movie’s starting in ten. Let’s go, dude.” Darren gave them a friendly nod. “See you guys.”
“It was nice bumping into you.” Minato’s tone was unusually frosty, and he only gave Luc a curt nod before turning to walk away with his friend.
Aya turned to Luc. “Is it just me---”
“No, it’s not just you,” Luc murmured, his tone pensive.
Her heart sank. “So you also think he was mad at me?”
“I think he’s mad at both of us.”
Before she could say another word, Raven suddenly popped into view, and the other girl beamed at them. “Sorry I took so long. Did I miss anything?”

​Aya listened somewhat numbly to the rumors going on around her, with every word spoken stabbing her heart like a knife. Minato…had a crush? Ever since her first day in the Academy, she had heard of countless girls crushing on him. But it was never the other way around.
Until now.
“But this is good news,” Raven insisted over lunch.
“How is this good news?” Aya nearly wailed.
Raven rolled her eyes. “His crush is from Building B! Our building, Aya! Our building!”
“So? You want me to be happy because it will take fewer minutes to get to my rival’s classroom? Is that it?”
“How can you not get it?” Raven heaved an impatient sigh. “It could be you, Aya!” Her friend only stared at her in perplexed silence, and Raven grabbed Aya’s shoulders to give it a good hard shake. “It. Could. Be. You. Minato’s crush!”
The words finally started sinking in, and Aya immediately shook her head. “It’s impossible. There’s Cissy. Toni. Darla.” She could easily go on and on. There were so many cute girls here in Building B, but she definitely wasn’t one of them.
“You’re not thinking clearly about this,” Raven snapped. “If it were any of those girls, don’t you think we’d have heard of it ages ago?”
“I don’t get it---”
“Those girls have a way of finding out about these things, trust me, and since we haven’t heard them say a thing about Minato liking them?” Raven’s tone turned triumphant. “That means they’re just as clueless as everyone.” She paused. “Well, clueless as almost everyone is – except me, of course.”
Her friend’s logic totally escaped her, but…Aya couldn’t feel help feeling hopeful. “You really think it’s possible that…” Oh gosh, she couldn’t even say the words out loud. It felt so…blasphemous to think that someone like Minato could be crushing on her.
And yet when Raven nodded emphatically to her question, Aya’s heart simply soared even higher. “If anyone can see past the superficial and realize just how perfect you are, it would be none other than Minato.”
“The superficial?” Aya echoed blankly.
Raven thought about listing the things that Aya could do to make herself prettier – comb her hair for one thing, learn how to do her own makeup, pull up her school skirt to make it a little shorter…
“Raven?”
Her mouth opened and closed. “Forget what I said,” she said finally. If Aya were to do any of those things, Aya wouldn’t be Aya anymore. Her friend was perfect just the way she was, and she was hoping that Minato was smart enough to appreciate that, too.
 
****
 
Later that evening
 
“I heard a lot of things about you today,” a slender woman teased, her back turned to the young handsome boy chopping vegetables on the kitchen counter behind her.
The boy simply grunted, and she smiled at this, thinking ruefully that was more than his usual way of responding to her questions – a nod, a smile, a shrug or basically anything that didn’t require him to make any sound.
After switching the cooker off, she took the frying pan and turned around to place it on the counter. Its aroma filled the small kitchen with a nice, savory scent, and she sniffed appreciatively. “Smell that?”
“Yeah.”
“Give it a taste.” She took a spoonful of her casserole and fed it to him. “How was it?”
“Good.”
“Good enough for you to spill the beans on your secret crush from Building B, you think?”
Minato choked.
“So is it true?”
Minato shrugged, but the faint flush coloring his cheeks had her eyes twinkling.
“Is it at least someone I know?”
Minato started coughing, and her eyes widened.
“Oh my! So I do know her!” She worked at the Academy’s library, which meant that most of her interactions were limited to the bookish girls of Minato’s school.
“Who is it?” Karin asked excitedly.
“I’d rather not say.”
“Or at least give me a clue so I can check her out for you, find out if she likes you back---”
“Karin.”
Minato’s warning glare had her throwing her hands up in quick surrender. “Alright, alright, no more butting in your business until you’re ready to tell me who it is that has your heart going doki-doki---”
A smile tugged at the corner of Minato’s lips even as shook his head in exasperation. “You’re not supposed to say stuff like that. You’re an adult. Have you forgotten that?”
“And you’re supposed to be a healthy, immature eighteen-year-old boy,” she retorted, “and yet here you are, acting like an octogenarian trapped in a teenager’s body. Honestly, I’m just relieved that you’re crushing on a girl your age. You worry me a lot, you know. It’s not healthy to have relationships with women twice your age---”
“You’re exaggerating,” Minato interrupted mildly.
“But you know what I mean, right?”
Minato only gave her a noncommittal smile, which Karin knew was the boy’s polite way of telling her to please mind of her own business.
“Okay, fine, I’m done being nosy. Let’s talk about something else, like…oh.” Karin perked up. “My favorite student dropped by the library again, and really Minato, I wish you’d come by more often, too---”
“It would look suspicious if I do.”
“Tsk.” Karin dismissed his concerns with a wave of her hand. “You’re the most popular boy in school. Nothing you do will look suspicious in anyone’s eyes, and I really want you to meet this girl. Her name is Aya, and she’s in your year. Do you know her?”
 
****
 
The next day
 
“What’s wrong, dear? You seem so down.”
Aya hastily wiped her tears away when she saw the librarian gazing down at her with a concerned frown. “It’s, umm, nothing.” The rumors about Minato and his crush had gotten just a bit more intense today, and it…hurt. She knew it shouldn’t – they had never even spoken to each other – but it really just…hurt.
The thing about Minato was how his silence over the rumors likely meant they were true. If there were one imperfect thing about him, then most people would probably point to his unfailing bluntness. While Minato was never cruel, he was also the type to call a spade a spade, regardless of how much it would hurt.
“It’s this boy I like,” Aya finally revealed. In the past few months, she and the older woman had gotten rather chummy with all the time she spent in the library, and it just felt right to confess her heart troubles to the librarian.
“And?”
“He likes someone else.”
“You’re certain of that?”
“About ninety-percent.”
“Then there you go,” Karen said with a smile. “Ten percent is still ten percent, dear. You still have hope. My…umm…a boy I know taught me that.”
“You’re not saying that just to cheer me up?” Aya asked suspiciously.
“Absolutely not.” Karin hastily swallowed back a laugh at instant effect of her words on Aya. The girl was beaming now, and it was just so cute.
“That’s what my friend thinks so, too.”
“I’m glad to hear that. So no more moping, okay?”
“No more moping,” Aya agreed. “Thanks, Ms. Grant.”
“Just come to me for love advice anytime.” Karin took a peek at Aya’s notes. “Remedial lessons?”
Aya immediately became glum again, and the older woman was fascinated. Aya’s face was so amazingly expressive!
“I just don’t get science,” Aya revealed miserably.
“How far have you progressed?”
“Just a page.”
An idea occurred to Karin, and she said cheerfully, “It’s your lucky day then. It just so happens that I know a student who’d be nice enough to tutor you.”
But Aya only shook her head. “Please don’t do anything on my account, Ms. Grant. Nobody, and I seriously mean nobody can teach me science. Even my own teacher gave up on me---”
Karin struggled not to laugh. “Come on, there’s no harm in trying.”
Aya let out a sigh. “I suppose.”
Ten minutes later, and she heard the librarian’s heels clicking against the floor. “Aya, here’s the student I was telling you about.”
She glanced up and saw a tall guy standing behind the librarian. He was on the phone, with his back turned to her, but even so, she couldn’t help thinking how so very familiar he looked. He reminded her of –
The guy turned, his jade-green eyes immediately capturing hers.
Oh my gosh.
“Hi.” His voice was deep and clear. “I’m Minato.”
“I’m Aya.” Or at least that was what she hoped she had said. It was hard to tell. Her heart was making so much noise, and she was having a hard time breathing, too. Minato was gazing at her with so much intensity that she felt she was in danger of melting any moment.
She turned to the librarian desperately, stammering, “This isn’t really necessary. He must be busy---”
“No, really, he’s glad to help you. He has to stay behind anyway.”
“I just don’t want to be a bother.”
“You’re not,” Karin assured the younger girl right away.
“I---”
“Think it would be better if you two stopped speaking like I’m not here,” Minato finished.
Oops.
Karin burst into laughter at Minato’s mildly voiced interruption. “Sorry about that.” She glanced at Aya, who seemed so intimidated by Minato that she could barely make herself smile. Her lips had stretched just the tiniest bit – like Pennywise smirking, and the thought almost had her laughing again.
“I’ll be glad to help you,” Minato murmured. “It’s like…Ms. Grant said. I do have to stay behind today, and I’d rather do something productive with my time.”
“I s-see.” But actually, she didn’t. Why was it that Minato had to stay behind and was he really going to tutor her today?
“I’ll leave you two then. Good luck, you guys!”
Minato slid into the seat next to her, and Aya’s stomach started cramping. It wasn’t exactly painful, but it did make her feel extremely odd and restless. Like she was about to sweat…even though the library’s air conditioning was in full blast. The scent of his aftershave teased her, and it was so hard not to inhale all of it into her system so she could take it home with her.
Oh gosh, was this really happening?
“So…” Minato’s arm brushed against hers as he reached for her notebook. It was like being struck by lightning, and she had to bite her lip hard to keep herself from gasping. His touch was electric, his heat consuming her so quickly that it left her feeling literally dazed for a few seconds.
Minato! Was! Next! To! Her!
She watched his long fingers flip the pages of her notebooks and tried so very hard not to imagine how those fingers would feel grazing her skin. One of the things she loved most about Minato was how he could make his strength look so beautiful and elegant at the same time. Most tall, big guys she saw in school tended to be clumsy and oafish when they weren’t playing sports. Minato, however, was different. His six-foot-three fame was sinewy strength displayed in fluid, graceful motion –
“Aya? Are you listening?”
And she had just revealed herself to be an idiot.
Aya hastily cleared her throat. “S-Sorry.” The word came out a little shrill, and Aya wanted to die. “What w-was that again?”
“I asked if it was okay if we started from scratch instead.”
She could only nod, no longer trusting herself to speak.
It was all business after that, and science suddenly became something Aya excelled in. Well…sort of. It usually took her friends and even her own science teacher to teach her the same thing ten times to get it, but with Minato, it took only (drum roll) three attempts!
“You’re not so bad,” Minato commented at the end of their lesson. When he saw Aya’s doubtful look, he then asked with a grin, “Was that too much?”
She could only nod, still trusting herself not to speak.
“Let me rephrase then. You’re not a lost cause,” he amended. “Is that better?”
She nodded again.
“I could teach you twice a week if you want.”
Aya’s eyes went wide. Was he for real?
Minato’s lips curved into an amused smile. “I feel like I’m talking to myself with you, but at the same time, I only need to look at your face and I can practically hear you in my mind. And yes, to answer your question – I wasn’t joking or anything.”
Aya still had a hard time believing what was happening. Was Minato really offering to tutor her twice a week? What did this mean? Did he pity her – or could it be that what Raven said was true? Could she be…oh my gosh, could she really be his crush?
“If it’s any help, you’re also doing me a favor.” She saw Minato’s glance slant towards the librarian, and as if sensing his regard, the older woman looked up, and the two exchanged the kind of smile that made Aya’s stomach start hurting again. But this time, it didn’t hurt in a nice way at all.
Minato liked Ms. Grant.
Everything suddenly made sense, and Aya’s hopes crumbled into ashes. The library was in Building B, and Minato had always acted a lot older and more mature for his age. Aya could’ve kicked herself. You’re such an idiot. How could you even think Minato would like someone like you when he could have someone like Karin Grant?
Age was just a number anyway, and Ms. Grant was beautiful and smart. The two of them made the perfect couple. A perfect, somewhat illegal couple, Aya couldn’t help thinking, which was probably why Minato had never uttered a word about the rumors.
Aya squared her shoulders. Oh well. At least she got to spend more time with Minato. And it was better this way, really. If by some miracle she and Minato were to start dating, it would only be a matter of time before he tired of her and dump her, and she didn’t think she could quite possibly survive having someone like Minato break her heart.
So yes, this was better, Aya told herself. She got to be with her crush, but Ms. Grant would also be there to serve as a constant reminder that Minato Wyndham could never be hers.
Aya cleared her throat. “If you’re sure I’m not imposing---”
“You’re not.”
“Then yes,” she said with a shy smile. “Please tutor me, Minato-sensei.” She could’ve sworn something deliciously forbidden flickered in Minato’s green gaze at her words, but it was gone so quickly that it might have been her imagination.
It had been almost like…lust.
But…
Nah.
Not possible.
Minato had Ms. Grant, after all.

​Sacred Heart Academy’s bell rang at exactly ten-fifteen in the morning. It was finally recess, and although the break only lasted for fifteen minutes, Aya never tired of racing down four flights of stairs – and dragging her friends with her if possible – just to get to the cafeteria so she could…
“Don’t look now, but I just saw your Prince Charming heading this way,” Raven whispered with a naughty wink.
Aaaaaaaah. Aya’s inner sigh, if she could ever find the courage to let it out, would’ve scored her a fortune from any of the soda companies. It was so hard not to swoon whenever he was nearby, and it was even harder not to let all the other girls that she, ordinary Aya, was actually crushing on the Academy’s most popular heartthrob.
Aya had liked Minato since her first day in school. Just one look, and her heart hadn’t stopped going doki-doki whenever he was around. Love at first sight wasn’t real. Or so most people thought. But for Aya, it was real, and it had been what she felt for Minato ever since she first saw him. However, she also knew that hers was fated to be eternally one-sided. He was totally out of her league, and all the other girls wanted him. The most she could hope for was all these stolen, cherished glimpses –
In the corner of her eye, Aya saw Minato buy a can of soda from the vendo before heading out of the cafeteria. Most of the other girls actually sighed as he left, and Aya sighed with them – silently, of course.
“You’re so hopelessly in love with him,” Raven teased.
“Keep your tone down,” Aya hissed, looking around fearfully.
Her best friend simply shook her head. “You’re too paranoid.”
“I’m just being practical,” Aya argued.
“What you are is someone who needs more amour de soi and less amour propre.”
“Err…” Aya gave her friend a sheepish look. “English, please?”
“I’m saying you’re insecure because you pay too much attention to silly people’s opinions.”
Oh. Okay. “I get what you’re saying, but…I still think he’s way out of my league. Also---” Aya flashed Raven a grin. “How long do you think would it take for the whole school to realize that you’re the bigger nerd between us?” Aya only looked the part, unfortunately, but Raven was actually the brainy one between them.
“Mm…” Raven pretended to mull it over. “Maybe as long as it would take Minato to notice you?”
“Raven!” Aya nervously started looking over her shoulder again.
Raven rolled her eyes. “Oh for God’s sake, relax. No one’s going to know your little secret, okay?”
I hope so, Aya thought. Because things were going to be seriously bad if anyone else in school found out that a nerd like her would be foolish enough to like someone like Minato.
 
****
 
One hour later, and Aya’s head was literally buzzing with pain. Any subject that had to do with science always had that effect on her, and the pounding on her head only worsened as she stared down at her notes. How was it that she had written so much without understanding a single word of it?
The noise level inside the classroom picked up as soon as their science teacher stepped out. In this sense, the Academy operated differently from most other American schools, with each class of students occupying a single room for the duration of the year.
Raven peeked at Aya’s hastily written notes and burst out laughing. “Is that Arabic?”
“Might as well be,” Aya mumbled. How in the world was she going to pass Thursday’s quiz when she couldn’t understand her own notes?
While waiting for their teacher for the next period to arrive, Aya absently turned her gaze towards the windows, which faced the other half of the school. Sacred Heart Academy was divided into two buildings. “Regular” students were housed in Building B (which was where she was) while Advance students were in Building A.
If only I had super vision, Aya thought wistfully. She’d be able to see Minato then, which was what she so badly needed right now. One look at Minato, and she was pretty sure all her worries would fly away –
Raven’s elbow nudging into her side broke Aya out of her reveries. “Stop daydreaming about him.”
“I’m not,” Aya automatically denied even as her cheeks turned red.
“Yes, you are, and you need to stop it.” Raven pointed at her friend’s notebook. “You need to figure out how to pass Thursday’s quiz if you don’t want to get extra classes.” And just to be sure her friend understood what that meant, Raven added emphatically, “Extra classes mean you’ll get to see even less of Minato. You don’t want that, do you?”
A slightly shrill voice interrupted them before Aya could answer. “Raaaaaven!”
Cissy came up to them with a big smile. She was the typical mean girl: rich, pretty, cruel – and proud of it. “I have a party this Saturday.” She handed Raven a crisp white envelope like it was an invitation to Buckingham Palace. “I hope you can come.”
“Thanks for the invite, but I’m afraid Aya and I have plans that day.”
Cissy reluctantly turned to Aya. “You could both come.”
“That’s sooooo generous of you---” Raven’s voice was sweet and icy cold at the same time. “But like I said, we have plans.”
Raven pointedly turned her back on the other girl after that, and Aya tried not to wince as Cissy let out a forced giggle. “You’re so mean!”
Raven noticed the look on Aya’s face. “It’s her fault,” she grumbled defensively as soon as Cissy was out of earshot.
“She’s never going to be in the running for sainthood,” Aya allowed, “but you have to admit – she’s been nothing but nice to you.”
“Mi casa, tu casa, your enemy, my enemy,” Raven dismissed. “Now, enough about whatever-her-name-is---”
Aya choked back a laugh.
“---and let’s talk about where we’re going after school.”