Sunshine, (READ DESCRIPTION)

"Try Harder"

(A/N: good lord im so sorry for changing the POVs, im just trying to see what's easier for me to write and what is eaiser for you guys to understand. >.< pls tell me what POV you prefer)

(Day of exam, 2nd POV)

"Move out of the way pleaseee!" Maria exclaimed, pushing through the crowd. "Relax Maria...the board isn't going anywhere." You sighed, letting the other students push over. "R...R..R.....HA! I passed!" The red head pointed, looking back only to see other students reading their scores.  "Ermm..Hikari?" Your arm pops up from the crowd and waves. 

You separated yourself from the crowd and soon Maria was with a huge smile. "Congrats, you passed the first term." Suddenly her smile shifted into a smirk, "That meaning, we can go to the festival!" She cheered and grabbed your arms, aggressively swaying them. You groaned but felt slightly happy.

"Cheerful are we now ladies?"

You both turned to see Fuji sipping on his juice box, "I just happened to pass the final exam. No summer school for me." She chuckled. "What a shame.." He mumbles before getting slapped by Maria, "Oh please! You barely passed!"

You both barely passed... You giggle at your own thought before getting a confused look from them. They both smiled softly at you, each putting an arm around your shoulders. "Let's go somewhere after school to celebrate hm?" 

"There's a reason to celebrate? You know, it's expected to pass your final exams."

Of course, if it was one of you guys who said that it was fine. But having someone you barely know say such a thing would hurt. "Oh...well not everyone is lucky heh.." Maria nervously chuckles, turning to Naomi. "But I mean, you guys had weeks to study. I don't really understand such a thing. I didn't study and yet.." Her finger points to her name at the top. "I passed with the highest score. Not to mention, I enrolled pretty late." She gave them an innocent smile. A smile so innocent that even if she was excused of murder, no one would believe she was the mastermind. "What are you trying to say?" You asked. "Oh, don't think I'm trying to be rude about this. It's just....you guys are always going out and such. Maybe you should just, try harder." 

Who knew two words could shatter someone's excitement and pride. 

"You-

"I think they've done their best Naomi,"

A hand on her shoulder. A familiar hand. "R-Ryu! You scared me haha! O-Of course they did their best! I was just giving them a little advice!" She exclaims. You turned to Maria and Fuji, their expressions mixed with shock and confusion. "Ye-Yeah...thanks Naomi.." Maria says rubbing the side of her arm with a small smile. "Oh um...I think someone is calling me," Fuji says holding his phone up to his ear and walking away. "I'll go practice some receives, meet you in the gym?" You nod as Maria walks away.

"You did well Hikari. I'm shocked. Me and Ryu will be on our way now." She waves and disappers into the crowd before you could even say a word to him. Looking up at the score board, your name was below hers. Second place is all I'll ever be...

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You spiked the ball down for Maria to receive.

"Agh!" She receives the ball, "Why am I letting her words get to me?! She's- I don't even know! It's like I wanna be her friend because she seems nice...but...what she said wasn't advice whatsoever." She huffs. "Maria...you did amazing. Don't push yourself, I'm proud of you. Plus, you said we'd go to the festival together because you passed right?" You added.

"Yeah but..I feel like I don't deserve to go. Maybe I should just stay home and 'study' like smarties do." She says while making the quotation marks with her fingers. "You will not. I'll help you finish the summer homework, but we are not missing out on the festival."

Maria looks up at you with glossy eyes and hugs you tightly. "Hikariiiiiiiii! You're the best person anyone could ever ask for!" She wails into your shirt. You gave her an awkward pat on her back, "Yeah yeah..and you're the smartest person ever." She pulls back and glares at you. "You little-

"Anyways back to practice!" You nervously laugh and quickly went to the other side..

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Once you got home from school, you were met with your parents dressed nicely. "Where are you guys headed?" 

"A business dinner. Wanna come?" Your mom asked while putting on earrings. "No thanks..I'd rather not listen to talks about...what was it? Stats? Stocks?" She chuckles and goes over to kiss your forehead. "Relax. I'll be talking to other companies and persuading them for a partnership. Ryuji-Kun and his parents will be there. Might as well give him company." She shrugs. 

You rushed upstairs and looked through your closet for something nice. "Hey mom! How long do I have to get ready?" You yelled from upstairs. "15 minutes!" She answers. Nice, I can get ready in 15..

.

.

.

.

.

"Did you guys lie to me?" You mumbled to your dad, watching your mom cheerfully chat with others. "They might be running late. I'm sure Ryuji-Kun and his dad wouldn't want to attend this dinner either." You play with the hems of your bottoms, wondering if your outfit was too casual. "Are you alright?" You look up at your dad and nod....then shaking your head. He chuckles and sets his phone down.

"Don't worry. I know how it feels to worry about not seeing the only person you know at an event. It's....stressful. I don't know much of your mom's co-workers or friends, so I believe we're currently in the same boat."  He reassures. You smile softly, "I got really lucky with parents huh?" You yelped as he ruffled your hair. "And I got lucky with the most loving daughter." 

As you tried fixing your hair, someone sat in the chair beside you. "Oh, sorry that seat is.."

Ryu looks at you, studying your face, hair, and outfit. He breaks out of thought, "Taken? Sorry. I'll-" You grab his arm as he tries to leave. "No no, I was actually saving this seat for y-you." He blinks a few times before sitting back down. "Sorry we took so long. Melody actually erm...ripped my dad's pants." You held in your laugh and nodded. "You look nice. I was expecting you to just show up in your uniform to be honest." He rolls his eyes and smiles slightly. 

"Whatever." He looks back at you with flushed cheeks, "And you look....beautiful." He mummers. You became speechless and cleared your throat. You look back at the adults chatting with one another. "Waiter hasn't even come over yet...this will be a long night." You groaned. "Agree, but.." He leans back in his seat and looks over at you, softly smiling.

"I have something to look forward to now that you're here."

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Author's note~

HEY IM ALIVE YES YES LOL

THIS TOOK A LONG TIME BC IDK AND MY DRAFTS GOT DELETED THEN A BUNCH OF WILD THINGS HAPPENED-

AND SCHOOL WAS KICKING MY BUTT SADLY BUT I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER TY FOR SUPPORTING ME AND HAVE A NICE DAY! I PROMISE I'LL TRY RELEASING MORE CHAPTERS BYE

-Kristina