Arishira's POV:
THREE DAYS LATER:
The English test paper landed on my desk, a stark white rectangle against the worn wood. My breath hitched. Three days of relentless review, and yet, a knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. Vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, social issues - a daunting trifecta. I wrote my name, the familiar script a shaky tremor against the crisp paper.
I managed a shaky breath, reminding myself of the idioms I'd painstakingly memorized:
"A dime a dozen"
Common, insignificant.
"Beat around the bush"
Avoiding the truth, uncomfortable truths.
"Better late than never"
It's better to be late than not to show up at all.
"Bite the bullet"
To face a difficult situation with courage.
"Break a leg."
Good luck.
The questions swam before my eyes, a blur of expectations and anxieties. I focused, pulling the knowledge from the depths of my memory, each answer a small victory against the rising tide of fear.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
Kira's whispered apprehension mirrored my own. "I'm scared about my test results, Ari," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the hushed excitement in the hallway. The moment of truth had arrived; our general averages, the culmination of weeks of grueling exams, were finally posted.
The school board loomed before us, a stark white expanse under the fluorescent lights. Relief washed over me as I saw only Kira beside me, giving me a moment to steel my nerves. My eyes scanned the list of third-year academic achievers, a wave of pride swelling in my chest as I spotted my name at the very top.
THIRD YEARS; ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
1. Arishira Haruki - 99%
2. ...
3. ...
4. Kira Ayoki - 97%
5. ...
6. ...
7. ...
8. ...
9. ...
10. ...
Fifty-six names in total, and the sight of my name, so high on the list, sent a jolt of pure, unadulterated joy through me. Kira and I erupted into a joyous hug, our squeals of delight echoing through the near-empty hallway.
"Congratulations to us, Ari! I'm so proud!" Kira exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.
"Congratulations to you too, Kira! I'm so... so... so proud of you!" I replied, my own voice choked with tears.
Our celebration was cut short by our math teacher's gentle reprimand. "Congratulations, both of you," she said kindly, "but it's still class time. Back to your classrooms."
We bowed, our excitement tempered by the sudden return to the mundane. Back in the classroom, the quiet was deafening. Should I tell Osamu? My phone buzzed - a message from him.
m.osamu: How's the exam?
My fingers flew across the screen.
arishiraaa_haruki: Yep, top 1 actually. :)
m.osamu: Congrats
arishiraaa_haruki: Ty.
m.osamu: I got a passing grade.
arishiraaa_haruki: Congrats then.
m.osamu: Thank you.
m.osamu: You okay?
His last message hung in the air, a question mark that pierced through my carefully constructed facade. Had my previous messages betrayed my lingering resentment over our recent argument? Over the past three days, I'd concocted flimsy excuses to avoid him, each one a small lie layered upon the last. I wasn't ready to face him.
arishiraaa_haruki: Yep, I'm fine.
arishiraaa_haruki: Happier than ever :)
m.osamu: Can I see you?
arishiraaa_haruki: Hm? I'm still busy, sorry!
m.osamu: Okay.
m.osamu: Where are you at school? I don't really see you that much.
My heart pounded. Had he noticed that I'm avoiding him even at school?
arishiraaa_haruki: I'm just at my classroom studying?
arishiraaa_haruki: Well, bye-bye! Ily.
I slammed my phone shut, the sudden silence amplifying the turmoil within me. Then, the classroom door creaked open. Suzzaine, the school president, the girl who'd wiped Osamu's sweat during the match, stood in the doorway.
The whispers started. Suzzaine, a third-year, wasn't known for her academic prowess, but her leadership skills were undeniable. However, her reputation was... tarnished. Rumors of her numerous casual relationships swirled around her like a dark cloud.
"The class president, please come with me for a meeting with the other presidents," she announced, her voice cutting through the nervous silence.
Kira's worried gaze followed me as I walked beside Suzzaine, my confusion growing with each step. Why would a meeting be held in the girls' bathroom? Then, the door slammed shut, and Suzzaine pinned me against the cold, tiled wall. Her grip tightened on my uniform collar.
"You know why I'm doing this, right?" she hissed, her voice a venomous whisper.
I knew. It was because of Osamu.
"Suzzaine... what do you want from me...?" I stammered, my voice trembling.
"I don't want you, but I want Osamu."
Her words were a cruel blade, twisting in my gut. Anger and frustration warred within me.
"What? But... please... leave us alone..." I pleaded, my voice cracking.
A cruel smirk twisted her lips. "Osamu's hot, and he's going on my list. You know me... if I want it... I get it."
Panic seized me. Was she really going to steal him away?
"Plus, you're ugly," she spat, her words like icy darts piercing my heart. Tears welled in my eyes. "You may be smart, but you're fucking ugly. I wonder why Osamu even chose you?"
The tears flowed freely now, a torrent of pain and humiliation. My insecurities, long dormant, resurfaced with a vengeance.
"And you're the worst girlfriend ever," she continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "If it were me, I'd make him feel good all the time."
Her laughter echoed in the confined space, a cruel symphony of my own despair. Her grip loosened, and I collapsed against the door, the weight of her words crushing me.
I washed my face, trying to erase the sting of her words, but the tears wouldn't stop. The image of Suzzaine with Osamu haunted me. Was she right? Was I ugly? Was I a bad girlfriend? Was I a burden? The thought hung heavy, a dark cloud threatening to consume me.
to be continued.
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One and Only | Osamu Miya X OC
RomanceC O M P L E T E D Who knew that Ari was the one and only fan of a stoic and nonchalant volleyball player from Inarizaki High? [Special chapters coming soon]
