Replay

4-5 Ground

A/N: I have not made any major edits to the first scene, but I recommend you reread the latter half for context. I also want to note that I've tweaked Taiju's personality and backstory more than I have with other characters, which will become more evident when Yuzuha confronts Taiju in this chapter. 

I appreciate the support despite having not updated for two months. It's been a mix of real-life stuff and low motivation, and while I do intend to finish this story (or bare minimum, finish this arc), I'm not sure if I can maintain monthly updates. I know I will be busier after transferring to another university and taking upper-division courses in fall, but I write a lot when procrastinating on schoolwork, so let's see lol. There are four more chapters (excluding this one) in this arc, and the pace will pick up quick by the end of this chapter.

"Wow, that was bru-tal. What'd you get for the last question? I got like, one pi."

"Yeah, one pi."

"Huh, I got one-point-three-three-three with a bunch of threes. Did you guys—oh. I left my calculator in degrees mode the entire time..."

"Myers-chan, how about you? What answer to the last question?"

I looked up from my desk and lowered my hand from my cheek to rest beside my pencils on the tabletop. The dark-haired girl who sat in front of me leaned against the back of her chair as she waited for my reply. Beside her, Hina patted the back of a sulking classmate. "...two pi," I said. "But I might have simplified incorrectly."

"Eh, you'll be fine, you always do well. What about the one before that? I got sine-squared over three."

Hina looked back at us. "Yeah, I remember seeing that problem in the homework. One-third sine-squared."

I said nothing.

Performing poorly on the final exams would wreck my grades, but that was a trivial matter compared to Taiju's death or fighting between Toman and the Black Dragons, whether Kisaki or Baji acted first, respectively. I had time to study, ample time after my recent visit to the Shibas' household, but no concentration.

I unzipped my school bag and took out my phone. No new messages, no missed calls. I opened my most recently sent message and whispered it to myself with a clarity absent from during the exam, the words ingrained into my mind:

I apologize for my behavior last week. I realize that I acted callously towards Hakkai and you, and that was unacceptable. However, I still believe that Hakkai must...

"Blake-chan?"

"Huh?" I looked up from the screen. Hina and the group of girls involved in the conversation watched me, and after the silence dragged on, I shut my phone and shook my head. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening."

Hina waved her hands. "It's no big deal. I was just talking about how we were planning to go to the aquarium with Emma-chan."

"Oh, that. I'm looking forward to it tomorrow." I gave them the best smile I currently could. "I'm a little tired right now, so I'm going to the bathroom to freshen up."

"That freezing-cold water will totes wake you up," the girl in front of me said. "Just make sure to come back before next period." I nodded as I stood up and slipped my phone into my blazer pocket.

The corridor was barren for break time. Most students were either hunched over their desks with their textbooks open or with their heads in their hands, a glance through the windows of the classrooms I passed showed. The hall was awash with pale light, the cloudy sky unusually bright. My shadow kept me company, almost tangible in its stark darkness.