Ghostly Figure

Chapter 19: The AfterMATH

-3rd Person-

The sun is dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The Academy's bell rings, signaling the end of the day's classes. Students spill out of the building, their chatter and laughter filling the air as they head home.

Among them, Yui emerges, her face a storm of tears. Her sobs are loud and unrestrained, drawing curious glances from passersby. She clutches her crumpled quiz paper like a lifeline, her distress palpable.

Naruto trudges beside her, his usual cheerfulness replaced by a deep slump of disappointment. He keeps a hand on Yui's shoulder, offering what little comfort he can. Behind them, Sasuke follows, his normally impassive expression showing traces of frustration as he watches the scene unfold.

Kakashi, who has been waiting outside the Academy, spots the trio from a distance. His heart sinks as he sees Yui's tear-streaked face. With a concerned urgency, he rushes over. "What's going on?" he asks, his voice laced with panic as he kneels beside Yui. "Are you hurt?"

Yui looks up at him, her face contorted with sadness and frustration. "I got a 1 out of 15 on the quiz!" she wails, her voice cracking. "I was so scared and I messed up everything!" She clutches her crumpled quiz paper tightly as if it might offer some magical solution to her troubles.

Kakashi's eyes widen in surprise as he glances at the quiz paper. The red "1" stands out prominently. He glances up at Yui, trying to mask his own reaction while assessing the situation. Just then, Naruto steps forward, his face mirroring Yui's dejection.

"I got a 1 too," Naruto mutters, his voice glum. "I thought I knew the stuff, but... I guess I didn't... there weren't any ramens to add up" He gives a half-hearted shrug, his mood decidedly downcast.

Sasuke, who has been silently observing, finally breaks his silence.

"I got a 6. It wasn't great, but it's not the end of the world," he says, his tone matter-of-fact but laced with a hint of empathy. He gives Yui and Naruto a sidelong glance. "At least you're not alone in this."

Kakashi takes in the scene, his initial concern giving way to a bemused smile. He lets out a soft chuckle, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Well, it looks like we're all in the same boat," he says, trying to lighten the mood.

"Who knew a quiz could be such a drama?"

Yui blinks through her tears, her confusion mixing with her sadness. "You're not angry?" she asks, her voice trembling. "I thought I messed up really badly."

Kakashi shakes his head, his smile widening. "Not at all. It's just a quiz. It's normal to have a rough time with things like this. What's important is that you're learning and trying your best." He gently pats Yui on the head, his touch reassuring.

Naruto glances at Sasuke, then back at Kakashi. "So, what's the plan now?" he asks, trying to salvage some of his usual enthusiasm. "Do we just forget about the quiz or...?"

Kakashi considers the question for a moment, his smile turning thoughtful. "We'll go over the quiz together and figure out what went wrong," he suggests. "It's a good chance to learn and improve. And maybe we can turn this into a fun little study session."

Naruto perks up slightly, his interest piqued. "Fun? How can math be fun?" he asks skeptically. "Is there some kind of secret math party I don't know about?"

Kakashi chuckles, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Not quite a party, but we can make it less stressful. Maybe add some snacks and jokes to lighten the mood?"

Yui's tears begin to slow, her gaze shifting to the others. The support from her friends starts to sink in, though her anxiety still lingers. "Okay," she whispers, her voice gaining a bit of strength. "I'll try to do better next time."

Sasuke gives a small, encouraging nod. "It's just one quiz. We can handle this," he says, his tone steady. "Besides, I'm sure we'll all improve with a bit of practice."

As they begin to walk away from the Academy, Kakashi decides to cheer them up further. "How about we head to the café and grab some snacks?" he suggests. "I'm buying. We could all use a little pick-me-up."

Naruto's eyes light up at the mention of snacks. "Snacks? Now you're talking my language!" he exclaims, his earlier gloom lifting slightly. "What kind of snacks are we talking about?"

Kakashi grins, his mood infectious. "The usual—pastries, drinks, maybe a few sweet surprises," he says, his tone playful. "And I promise no math problems will be involved."

Yui, though still feeling a bit shaky, starts to smile at the prospect of a treat. "That sounds nice," she says quietly, her spirits lifting with the idea of a sweet distraction.

~~~

As they arrive at the café, the warm, inviting atmosphere starkly contrasts the earlier tension. They find a cozy corner and settle into their seats, the aroma of freshly baked goods filling the air. Kakashi orders a selection of pastries and drinks, and soon, the table is laden with a variety of treats.

Naruto immediately grabs a chocolate croissant and takes a big bite, his expression one of bliss. "This is amazing!" he declares, crumbs flying as he speaks.

"Who knew math could lead to such great snacks?"

Kakashi chuckles, watching the group with satisfaction. "See? Math isn't so bad after all," he says. "It's all about balance—hard work and rewards."

Yui takes a tentative bite of a sweet red bean bao, her eyes widening in delight. "This is really good," she admits, her earlier distress fading as she enjoys the treat.

Sasuke, who has been quietly observing, finally takes a bite of a savory bun.

"Not bad," he admits, a rare hint of approval in his voice. "I guess math quizzes aren't the worst thing if they come with snacks."

As they continue to enjoy their snacks, the conversation turns to lighter topics. Naruto regales everyone with a dramatic retelling of his misadventures with his quiz, exaggerating his struggles for comedic effect.

"And then I looked at the first question and thought it was in another language!" he exclaims, his voice full of theatrical despair. "I mean, who even understands all those numbers?"

Yui giggles despite herself, the tension from earlier easing away. "It wasn't that bad," she says, trying to match Naruto's humor. "Though I did feel like I was in a math horror movie."

Kakashi shakes his head, laughing along with the group. "Well, at least the quiz is over," he says, raising his drink in a toast. "Here's to better days ahead and more snacks!"

The group raises their drinks, their spirits lifted by the shared laughter and camaraderie. As they finish their treats and prepare to head home, the earlier stress of the day seems like a distant memory. The bonds of friendship and the comfort of good food have helped to turn a challenging day into a memorable one.

••••••••••••••••••

ERM I TOTALLY DIDNT FORGET TO SCHEDULE THE CHAPTERS AGAIN 💀

Hope you guys are still enjoying the book!

Let me know your thoughts!

Bye potatoes

Stay fab!!