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1

"8623"

Shit.

"You need to be faster next time, Kosori."

The raven-head turned around with a taunting smile and a wink.

My hand shot up like a bullet, startling him. The fool didn't realise another question was asked until he sat properly in his seat.

"-76x"

"You need to pay more attention, Nodori."

The room fell silent, the only noises being the teacher's chalk and the scratchings of pencil on paper. The two of us watched intently as he finished writing the equation, when he turned to face the class our hands were already up.

"Thank you for your active participation. Ekio, Akiitsu, why don't we give this one to somebody else?" He offered.

Our hands fell shyly as Mr Azuku scanned the room.

"-1" We both whispered.

This was one of the easiest questions so far, yet it seems no one dared to answer.

Then the bell rang.

"Alrighty then, if any of you have questions please see me in my office after school."

Of course no one would, if anything they could always fall back on us. The boy in front of me turned around with a box of food in one hand and a stack of papers in another. Placing both on my desk before turning back around.

"My mum altered it to your liking, also do my homework. Thanks."

"Tell Mrs. Nodori I say thank you," I said, placing his papers on the floor beside his chair, "but we both know you can do this yourself."

A brunette strolled up to us, timidly smiling at Akiitsu before greeting me. Mina Hokari knew this school like the back of her hand, the biggest gossiper around. Her makeup was clean, her hair was slicked back into a bun as usual. Yet her movements were small this time, seeming more hesitant rather than her normal confident self. "Ei! Could I speak to you outside?"

She pulled me out into the hall before uttering one of the most ridiculous sentences I've ever heard.

"Are you and Akii... a couple?"

I almost laughed in her face. Akiistu Nodori and I? A couple? Not in a million years. And I thought Mina was a smart girl.

"If you want to ask Akii out," ew "you don't have to worry about me getting in your way."

The girl beamed at me before rushing back into the classroom. I followed closely after, plopping down in my seat and opening the container of food from Akii's mum.

"What was that about?" The boy questioned, again sitting improperly in his seat.

"You'll see." I shrugged, observing as Mina rummaged through her desk and coming out with a box of chocolates and a letter.

"Akii..." she mumbled after reluctantly walking over.

"What did you just call me?"

"Akiitsu! Akiitsu... this is for you!"She seemed to slam the box onto his desk before scurrying away.

I won't lie. I giggled.

"I had no idea you responded so negatively to Akii."

"I don't."

This confused me, but before I could ask any questions he was out of his chair, claiming he had a basketball match.