Transient Memories (Tomoe x Reader)

The Deity Crams For Finals

Tomoe's P.O.V

My wrist cracks with resistance as I fan myself with the sturdy breeze of a 5th period calculus notebook. A bead of sweat grazes my temple and walks a narrow path down my cheek onto the nape of my neck. The sweltering heat settles in a hazy mirage across the school grounds. An unpleasant density that signifies the beginning of a cherished season. My attention is drawn from my idle thoughts as the teacher scours between rows, dealing vital blows with past papers. She gives me a soft grin as she places the graded examination in front of me. In intimidating red ink, the mark reads 88. I rejoice slightly at the delightful surprise and comb the room until I spot (f/n). Her stature is rigid, but she trembles slightly as the menace approaches. With a stern scowl, the teacher thrusts the paper forward and advances to the next student. (f/n)'s complexion goes white, but regains its vibrant (s/c) hues after brief falter. Though, her smug façade cannot hide the uncanny fear written across her face. Suddenly, from her blindside, Isobe snatches the paper off her desk, scoffing as he reads. "Looks like miss smarty pants is barely passing!" he gloats, waving the test in front of a teary eyed (f/n). Violently, she rips the paper from his grasp and shuffles out of the classroom. Her gaze cast downward, palms clenched with unparalleled fervor.

Isobe marches arrogantly towards a vacated desk beside me. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." He giggles snidely to himself. My lax expression eyes him with suspicion. With a piercing glare, I motion for him to indulge me. "(f/n) was top of her class not too long ago, best grades in the whole damn school. Had her pick of all the top tiers after graduation, specifically a scholarship to Tokyo University. But, ever since they pulled her out of that river, she's never been the same. Doesn't care, doesn't try, doesn't get good grades. It's hard to maintain spirit when that's all you have left." His tone softens with empathy, shuddering slightly at the haunting memory. Isobe has too big a heart to uphold his immature farce. It is easy to tell the immense amount of care (f/n)'s friends have for her. When gone, it is like a family missing a pivotal link. I rise from my seat, satisfied by the endeavor, and continue to the shrine where my maiden awaits.

When I return to the shrine, I find (f/n) immersed in mindless TV. Her eyes a dull (e/c), devoid of emotion or feeling. From afar she would look like nothing more than an ordinary teenager, but to the careful eye it is easy to tell she is mentally exhausted. As a friend, I am disgusted by my lack of recognition for her efforts. But, as a familiar, I must urge her to move forward and push herself to her limits. "A young goddess who can only get 63 on a calculus test is barely worthy of my talents. It is truly disgraceful to waste divine power on such a useless wretch." I hiss with disguised affection. At first she remains impartial to my banter, but soon a red glow rises in her cheeks and she rebukes with ferocity.

"What the hell do good grades have to do with being a goddess? Last time I checked, calculus won't help me turn water into sake or make cherry blossoms bloom before their time." She huffs and grunts with aggression, steamy silence dampening the air. A weight settles down around me as I realize what I've done. Tears of anguish befall my mistress' eyes, her face giving way beneath the surge of her suppressed emotions. "We were so poor. I thought that by studying, I could get a job where my mother and I would never have to worry again. Everything was going to be alright. But now, she's gone and I have a new home. I am so sick of worrying about getting by from day to day. It's exhausting. I feel as if my body and soul are going to give out at any minute. So please, let me be happy with the family I have now. I don't want to exhaust myself anymore." She falls into a heap in her bed, muffled cries echoing through the hallow halls of a long forgotten home. My heart swells with an unknown feeling, feelings of guilt and feelings of love for an extraordinarily ordinary girl who eternally gives her all. I become frustrated with my uncharacteristic emotions and feel disgust rise in my chest.