Alkimia ~the Craft of Love~

2. +Charm and -IQ (Mako + Shuya)

Mako, the grown good looking and selectively dimwitted girl, has made her debut as a second-year high schooler!

Yeehaw!

But.

This time, I am still alone. I pout openly at Sakura, Yusuke, and Shuya, who share a classroom.

"Sakura, Sakura, you should just kick this guy out," I do not whisper as I pull on Sakura's arm and point at Shuya

Sakura shakes her head, "Shuya is also my valuable friend, Mako. I will not do that,"

Heaving a sigh, I look at Yusuke for help. He says, "Shuya is helpful. I like him,"

I turn to look at Shuya then, suspiciously. Helpful?

"You may have grown a little taller," I am now reaching his collarbone, "But your attitude is as terrible as ever,"

I cross my arms and casually, happily, tell him, "You are a sight for sore eyes,"

Shuya blinks, pleasantly surprised. He is confused when Sakura and Yusuke laugh at his reaction. Gaining a little suspicion, Shuya asks me to explain myself.

I explain to him, "Looking at you, my eyes feel sore,"

Exhaling for a long time, Shuya asks me, "Do you even know what that phrase actually means?"

"Sure I know," I nod confidently, "It applies to you, after all,"

Closing his eyes, Shuya turns away from me. Hmph, this fool. Giving up so easily?

2.

Someone calls me out to meet him after school behind the school building. It's a confession! A confession, I tell you!

I don't know him, but he asks me to be his girlfriend. He doesn't say he likes me. Hmm...

I take a second or two to think and reply, "Thank you, but nah,"

"Nah?" he doesn't catch on my meaning

"No," I explain slowly, gravely, "It is a rejection,"

After blinking in confusion, he finally realises he is rejected. Narrowing his eyes at me, who is watching him casually, he nods and leaves me alone.

Ooh, isn't he a nice guy?

The window located behind the school building cracks open. A body drops out, hanging lazily over the windowsill.

I look up to see someone looking down at me. He has to climb something to reach that height, that Shuya.

"Eavesdropping is your hobby?" I ask him, honestly curious

"Only when I am in the right place, at the right time," Shuya unashamedly agrees with my deduction

Place before time, which means he has been in there from the start. Closing my eyes, I try to create a layout within my mind to reach his location.

"Are you regretting your impulse?" Shuya's voice disturbs my concentration

"What impulse?" I do not open my eyes, wondering if there is a hidden door to that room and what is Shuya doing in there? Reaching that thought, I open my eyes and examine him.

"What?" Shuya looks at me suspiciously

"Can you, lift yourself a little?" I request politely

Slowly, Shuya lifts his body from the windowsill. His uniform is all in place. His appearance is not unkempt either. He is not playing with girls in there.