Friday. Afternoon. 4:00 pm154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA208nOjaT
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPitE9QGRL
This was absurd. How did I end up in this position?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTIwaLMXzv
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gGD2dO8IP
Earlier today, I was prepping myself for our first study session. And now, I was left standing in front of a door. With this guy standing at the entrance, messy hair, eyes that could cause nightmares just by looking into them, and that less prominent darkness just below them. Less prominent than yesterday at least.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdCmKitQIz
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He just ambushed me with a question.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWIuUs0Zfc
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Solve x squared minus six x plus five equals zero. By completing the square.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoJ0QWycIV
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Why?
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IIUnTaYxQ
Was this supposed to be a code that I needed to answer before I could enter? Was his apartment supposed to be a sacred room?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0ZK1vN3YZ
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I gripped my own hand.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C7VaUPW87
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“I…” I hesitated, all I could do now was guess. But I didn’t know what to guess.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74n0mlyNne
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“Five seconds.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gm4v8T7KB
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“I… I don’t know,” I finally said. I thought it was better to be honest. Because maybe if I gave the wrong one there would be a consequence. “I’m sorry.” I dropped my gaze to the floor.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAtB2nz3di
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“Did you read the notes?”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz08uhpsCk
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My eyes went lower than the floor.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K6duDM19n
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I did read them. But I only read the parts where the practice exam questions were. If I had known, I would have read further.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mS1ND92Jc
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I sighed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Geu134LBA
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“I did,” I said, quietly. It was true that I did but… “but… I haven’t gotten far.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpEqYEe6C4
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After he wrote those notes for me… I should have done better.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP39oBvZQgX
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But something clicked in me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdussaGOmus
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Because after all… he could have asked me any question. Like he could have asked me English, science or even Japanese history. And I only had a night to read all of the notes. And there were nine of them in total. Sure, six was what he said we were going to use to study. But still…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN1lVBMQxT
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQP97WTp0t
I frowned.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0D0hIgTL2
I felt my eye twitch a little.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsvJPeM771
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Then I immediately stared into his eyes. Fierce. Brave.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaxZOtfggl
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“Besides, why are you ambushing me with a question before you let me in?” I asked, firm. Very firm, as firm as my voice could sound. “Is this how our first study session will be?”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqMarZWEhK
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXAOQUOiPt
I confronted him. I never confronted him before. I had never even considered that this situation would even happen in the first place. And now I was here, studying his face, looking for some weaknesses.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCap5gRZiB
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I only found his usual stern look. His look that never changed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9eSf2BDZZ
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“Fair,” he said. “Come in then.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRfa3YDjgw
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He turned around and left the door open.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnuQReGaR2
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I just looked at him.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1IgKvu7Di
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Then I closed my eyes, bit my lip and tightened both my hands.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPDlDaNbg4
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Breathe, Runa breathe. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaB8RZygqo
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I wanted to say more. I wanted to ask him why he was trying to become like a warden that presented a hero’s trial letting only the worthy pass through.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwywZKkQ3JZ
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This was already making me exhausted, and the whole study session hadn’t even started yet.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn2m6CG5Wn
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I entered, closed the door behind me, took off my shoes by the entrance and placed them neatly close to the center.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKwQNO9ud0
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This was my third time coming here. But this was only the second time that I got in.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSi24FCGf2
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I bowed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRqHSBJx1z
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“Excuse me.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVPZs57uE8
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Then navigated the whole way towards the living room.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNFsjiHXdF
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Inside, I chose to sit at the end of the longer sofa near the smaller one, just like last time.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xXkGTGXy6
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And just like last time...154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDScCi57RK4
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“Water, soda or orange juice.” He asked from the kitchen.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxppMb2xbC
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“Soda.” Why?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W0tKt7t9X
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I wanted orange juice. Did I really like soda that much that I had to request it twice?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv6iKHFoPw
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I really don’t understand myself, I wasn’t nervous this time.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVriwyUUqIf
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He came back with a glass— soda, ice— placed it on the table with a fabric coaster beneath it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KeNVUZ0DC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wkIWtPRbm
“We’ll use this table,” he said without looking at me, “we start after you’re done resting.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiKMaqCdg3
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He walked around the small table to sit at the opposite end of the longer sofa where he sat last time. And like last time he pulled the book he left on there, sat, then started reading.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKtdVqATCH
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I thought about it for a moment.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANNN6LIHJG
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Was that why he ignored me last time too?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZbGTn4Aly
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“We’re studying math today,” he said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXr7Itapzm
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I paused. Then silently sighed in relief.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPvhej8KmV
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Thank god I took math with me today. If he had said another subject other than math, science, or English then I would have ended up scratching my head.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ONzuWDU2
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXsULLqxXP
I stood up, took my bag with me then sat and tucked my feet under me in front of the table. Behind me was the smaller sofa.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJAb7OOotY
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95smr0upam
My hand carefully reached inside my bag and took out the math notebook. I took a pen out too, just in case.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9fUP2QZse
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACYsLCpnSi
I felt the surface of the table first. It felt smoother than it looked. The wood seemed rough but I guess it was just the design. It looked quite expensive.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PFZnSPfhy
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I gently placed the notebook on the table.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCqxiwtJJD
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For now, I would put the pen beside it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAWR8Z0Ela
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I stared at the math notebook for a second.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAskL82Iyn
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He wrote this for me. He wrote this and did not sleep for a night.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfeMwZEYbV
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Am I really worth making these notes for?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzPWu6Xwaj
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Although he said it was to help me, but somehow I couldn’t accept such a simple answer. But I had to accept it. So I guess… I would just accept it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgMlygPlQn
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I flipped the cover of the notebook and no matter how many times I had already seen it, it still mesmerized me. His handwriting was neat. Unlike his hair. His marks and labels were colorful. Unlike his personality.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9MMZSX6SN
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I giggled a bit.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JqExAMcw6
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Then a thought popped in my mind.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3NeWca3cX
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Oh yeah, we were not going to start yet.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAs9eUHpel
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I stretched my feet under the table and continued to drink the soda.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nZKF8wf3j
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Then it felt awkward.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrWxdg93K4
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwh7XGa86l
Why was I being comfortable in someone else’s house?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGyH029qSe
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xVjmdbKO8
I hurriedly stood up, grabbed the glass of soda with me, took a few steps toward the smaller sofa and sat down.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DAnl8j4Bf
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Fv1CSImB
What was I doing? I felt like I was doing so many unnecessary things just now. Standing, sitting in front of the table, standing again and walking towards this sofa.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEj8kReWnm
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjKZSGzS9M
I stared at my soda, it was almost half empty. I held it with both hands this time and placed it on my lap.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThxrXOdLyC
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My head then looked up without me meaning to.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa2hgE0LRy
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The ceiling again. It looked the same as last time.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSihhbUflhz
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I closed my eyes, and chanted the words inside my head.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ954VC6EJ
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Focus… Just focus…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJtIwanRGg
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I resolved myself. I was ready. I brought myself here. All I needed was to focus, learn and study. There was no doubt in me anymore, no more anxiety building up, and I shouldn’t let hesitation take over me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xnNzVB2Yk
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I had to. I needed to. I didn’t need any distractions. I didn’t need anything consuming my mind away from my goals.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Yoiyv9X1
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Even about that…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TNnbHVADJ
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I paused. I didn’t want that to surface. I had been burying it inside me for the past two days and I didn’t want it to come out at this moment.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE8pOQEZwY
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Not now… Not later… Not yet…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNH2rpyuCl
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I kept my eyes closed… then waited…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTa6LfJTgV
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Five minutes have passed…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiUBte82zu
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I took a deep breath.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7QrjW13lD
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Eight minutes have passed…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlZaSPaI9s
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I opened my eyes.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTM8MQc9bS
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The sweat from the glass of soda had started to soak my uniform. I almost didn’t notice.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee2dtJp6vH
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I lifted the glass, there was no more sound of the ice cubes hitting it, and the soda had already mixed with them.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n9M5bIqme
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“Are you done?” Kuroiwa asked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn4ZH4DtHH
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Did he notice me?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaKfJtiVPP
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I looked at him. He was still reading.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcb8fGYdwo
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“...Yeah,” I paused for a fraction of a second before I replied.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHkHzsjUs1
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“Then let’s start.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeaWsyQmBS
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“...Okay.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9yVMFipcs
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I looked at the ceiling one last time before standing up.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5HNxTqtu5
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And again, I took another breath, shallower this time.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85Zfx5HZzB
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I walked towards the table, knees first on the cushion I just sat on earlier, tucked my feet under me and sat. Then I carefully placed the half empty glass of soda on the coaster where it was earlier.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmMxdlEekT
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Kuroiwa stood up,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX8zx0r7Mq
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“Wait here,” he said as he walked around the table.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjYVL8Z91b
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He picked up the glass of soda.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNJXvT9XDn
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I flinched. I didn’t mean to.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOl8q1C4Id
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I looked at him but he continued to walk towards the kitchen. I was guessing it was to put the glass in the sink.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC6cvO3lSb
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He was still his slow and unhurried self. Just taking his time. Strolling around his house.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPnksfxvFA
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Though I was glad he didn’t notice me flinch. I mean, wouldn’t that be rude to him, just because he got near me I had to slightly jump back.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4JkDZ4bCX
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Like I was…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4541uRPdf
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I held that thought. I held it deeply. Pulled it in deeper.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKCXkhGQba
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I was too into my thoughts that I didn’t realize Kuroiwa had already come back and was sitting at the opposite side of the table… in front of me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd5PpLCoCt
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He had two notebooks placed on the table.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkntcJKmgW
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He slid them to me carefully.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pfJWuy0VW
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“What are these?” I asked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOYvZ5pU5k
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“The one on the left has equations to be solved,” he said. Without gesturing or pointing. “The one on the right is a blank one, where you write your solutions and answers.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pgwsp0iPJ
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I pulled them closer to me and inspected what was inside.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGfw22g4zV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTYDLWLQ85
“The first page of the equations notebook is where we start, you open the blank notebook too,” he continued. “Also open your math notebook to page five.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvicOGbd1G
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I did all of it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKfEGQmr4l
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When I opened the equations notebook, I wasn’t familiar with what was inside. The problems written in them were different compared to the ones that I was trying to solve last night.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxePD2QMYrJ
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I took the math notebook.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmxsIi5qoJ
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Page five, okay…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIUYPx2b26
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As soon as I turned the pages, I saw similar problems written on the equations notebook.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4wSd2NgXg
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb7KqTnAFc
While I was looking at them carefully, I started to remember, these seemed the same as what Mr. Tanaka had taught us yesterday. How could I have forgotten?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UoSzwSMgT
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6gPzmybux
“What we are going to study is about solving quadratic equations,” Kuroiwa said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9unNDzaea
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I almost thought I was sweating. I should know this. We just learned about it yesterday.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw7DRFZDIH
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClt4xX23R8
“Umm… uhh… so… what’s a quadratic equation?” I couldn’t resist asking.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnRFxbLjyL
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He definitely thought I was stupid for not remembering the lecture.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuP21XvG0m
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGJ742wRcj
“Quadratic equations, in the textbook, is a second degree polynomial equation that can be written in a standard form as ax squared plus bx plus c equal to zero. Where a, b, and c are real numbers and a is not equal to zero,” he said. His voice calm, he explained everything precisely, and patiently.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOjTtbP637
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I blinked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynbSJNXwL0
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I was a bit surprised. Not because I didn’t understand one thing of what he said. Yes, I didn’t.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N2wACk58r
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo6KR6gayE
But because he was patient. I thought he would be sarcastic and annoyed because it was already explained to us yesterday. But he wasn’t.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Eg4A5xUC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9joIYvSrrt
I stared at my notes. All the intentions of focus gathered in my eyes.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ169rJut6jx
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ1UFqQ8Ik
“The textbook’s definition is quite long and confusing,” he continued.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3WqTueakL
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSfohRGwOz
I nodded slightly in agreement. I would nod more and profusely but I didn’t want to look silly.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBueEkTv7gl
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav447d8xaC
“So just think of it like this. If the beginning of the equation starts with a number and the x beside it is in the second degree.” He pointed towards the equation notebook he gave me, which I placed above the math notebook leaving enough gap between me and it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE6V9ZkGIN
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I wasn’t bothered. Why would I be bothered?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0y5FehdNC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9HM2DLLJJ
“If you see this, then it’s most likely a quadratic equation.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37JqT7H9lB
I stared at where he was pointing. But I was careful not to get too close.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCPgj2twq2
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPXVXmH1VQ
“Okay, so if the x has like this tiny number two above it, then it means it’s a quadratic equation?” I asked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoCvVklNkW
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRrwDMlCqo
“Not a definitive yes,” he answered.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIBGj2BdNI
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSn3LHIG8X
“Why?”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbzfkfRZGX
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cDN04CTx7
“Because there are equations that begin with x squared but could not be written in standard form, and also if the number beside x squared is zero then it is not a quadratic equation.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZBduF3qQ7
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9hFCA2qxK
“Hmm?” I tried with all my brain cells to make sense of what he said. “It’s so confusing.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm14oQTG9vK
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tka78ijcx
“It is, but let me give you an example.” Kuroiwa leaned forward towards me, slowly pulled the blank notebook that I placed on the left side of the math notebook.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqlf3HvcZu
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJXAMs5r1M
But then he tried to grab the pen I was holding.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeC8FdzKFs
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ynSq6z4fT
My body moved on its own.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ729uofNab8
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFes2uhX920
I leaned back, placed my hand on the floor to support my weight… then… my vision narrowed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8NE9jfwEN
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNffbWMir33
My stomach fluttered, and slowly, I was pulling back even more.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfI8457Ute
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XvC8rKS9H
At that moment, I couldn’t hear anything. He might have called my name but it didn’t register to me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqc9SR0TrD
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzM13ZLxOz
I never intended to do this, I tried to resist. But my mind kept spiraling down to the words I had been avoiding since last night, since the night before and the night before that. The possibilities. His proximity. The way it was hard for me to understand every explanation he said just now.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f2Bj7Bz9T
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VsRAvgLr0
Everything made the words become real…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pDTOv1lvB
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Condition.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78u0CK65HN
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G1wOxCICh
Touch.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g0LZtI4IX
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Five minutes.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24tfrZqemh
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I pulled back further… and further…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aOSWc9f1L
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Kppm9kMP
And the fluttering started to creep in deeper… and deeper...154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBH9UB91q3
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS22SIcxe3
His hands. It was all that I could see right now. And the more I saw it, the more I moved.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gHNPBWLCX
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqxh4mdFxu
“Miyase-san?” Finally I was able to hear him.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKG7HZS8Ze
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtqUMRU8xZ
“Ah.” My voice was shaking but I managed to steady it enough to form words to say. “I-I’m sorry, I-I was… just… surprised.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAJOsgI2Fy
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx26yGyFcBM
I wasn’t lying.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdfFy5QYLE
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRuWWHjhYe
He sat back to his side of the table. Straight. Then looked at me carefully.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMWUiQeTq6
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I avoided his gaze.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TOc6D5WlB
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLprpxDKwIH
“Miyase-san.” His voice still sounded the same as he always sounded.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQC2t9sbiZ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinewXcCq20
Even at a time like this.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nDX8GWKw1
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoJTXEve3I
No… why would I even think that?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu7bk6o8Au
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspsNb2wBuG
Why am I bothered?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JTXQBa987
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERA5wP9qw8
“Do you need a break?” he said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqKPZdXn6N
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC6GmVkBPu
I didn’t answer. But I leaned further back to realize I was already hitting the smaller sofa behind me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRTbibLYfk
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYubaauHZy
But…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6WrLEnPyU
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDdLw1EjpH
It hadn’t been ten minutes since we started. Why would I need a break… why? I need to concentrate. I need to study… If I fail…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSkYNymBx8
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI84qBsAZN
No… please stop thinking.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSZEVk3ZDt
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwvcYqk62c
I closed my eyes tight… very tight.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNhNso2ILq
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMxeUvKHQc
Then I felt him stand up.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh8ZkKTuEn
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1NBBLFPyb
I jumped. I took my bag and placed it on my lap and curled myself into a ball.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuETlizkjlT
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk52wAhW6F
“Let’s take a break,” he said. And I felt him walk away from me. “Wait here.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtqqqmbWUx
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdE7ifWPtB
I remained as I did. Never moved. Not even a finger.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkZoHh5W4W
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbbWyjY2lA
I tightened the grip of my hand on my knees.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGgawKS7wR
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWCRlNdF2L
Why today? Why did I have to be like this today? Why couldn’t I just focus? Why couldn’t I just concentrate? Just study… just stay still and not make things complicated. Everything was already complicated enough... and I was making it worse.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMXr7Kjzy0
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3RBohgbH6
Why?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvqfbawgEy
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEbCQpkwjw
…
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtsXOWVjg2
…
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But why did he even make such a condition? Why every single time I met him he was being unreasonable? Why couldn’t he just be normal? Why couldn’t he just not be weird? Just be regular… just teach me as a regular person and not make things complicated. He was the one who planted all these complicated thoughts and feelings in me… and it was getting worse.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bJnOES6b2
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBgnrY0VlD
…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7CElo3Qig
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthDrwuuvQ8
…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGAbzckujY
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62KN0wuIJ9
Why?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1oRKkqrmz
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDefn1rkaa
I shouldn’t have come here… But I failed my practice exams…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkuElhPorl
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCbtPmY9od
I shouldn’t have agreed… But he said he wouldn’t let me fail…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLcq8N8yWM
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuxzFXeqKr
I should’ve just let Mika, Hina and Yui teach me again… But I don’t want to burden them anymore…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfa2bH73Ob
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPvq31vCjv
I shouldn’t have… But…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufpHokHWX1
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2BPvWtYxE
I… I don’t know…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK77VxVuM83
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrJPuJ9se9
I—154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsUQ97LMsR
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahyC9jmVBY
“Miyase-san!”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMXw33DW6D
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y1zcZRbzw
I slowly opened my eyes. Reluctant. Careful.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx4e1aoPpk
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2jrrth1ez
He showed up far away from me… to his side of the table… sitting154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtGZMHaQcW
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“Water,” he said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6pLl9tgVJ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32mZ1Xw7OQ
I saw the glass of water that was carefully placed on my side of the table. A fabric coaster under it. Away from the notebooks.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYZcDo0629
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxzHUxgTAO
“Don’t worry,” he continued, “I didn’t get near you.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57EFygFnHm
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UFjbNC6gL
My mouth opened. I wanted to say something… But what was that something?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH41Gkmud2e
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTm3bAtSw2
“I’m sorry…” I just whispered.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwl8GHU5xr
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkd3AB2132
“About?” he asked, I was surprised he even heard me, but I was more surprised he asked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDRhvjaWX4
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit89QV0zxa
“Because… I—”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDi22rH5Wp
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“I’m used to it,” he said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjER0rCLUj
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zXbOmFg1K
Huh?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IrRQ4xmoD
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“Ever since I was in elementary school, everybody seemed to avoid me. So I’m used to it.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvayPrXt0a
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JeSm9M1W0
No… You’re wrong…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluPOGTZATL
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEOLlQssMR
“It’s my fault that I got close to you without warning. I should’ve been more careful.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpkS6LIMlG
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleZkTZd4lv
That was not…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vFZY7n6G5
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CImUVTjoC
“I went to my room to get an extra pen and notebooks. I also made sure that when I got back, I didn’t get near you. And also I placed the water at your side of the table without getting close to you. I also put your pen back to where it was.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAIcY211mS
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SFq9hLYR8
He bowed in front of me… His forehead almost touching the table.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EDEqM40HV
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“I apologize… Sincerely.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEUvQonpbT
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkYtfQh2ph
I was looking at him… then slowly… my gaze turned towards my knees.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25mvM59d11
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sXFzEAb34
I didn’t say anything. I just let the sound of the ticking clock fill the living room.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTkj5ZMKzF
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE49qtPx1Wu
One second… Two seconds… A few more seconds…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX85VO4MVcm
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxmdS1kPjK
“C-can I use your bathroom?” I finally said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGPdhBJy3Q
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY40TaTdqK
“Sure, on the main hall, right side from the living room.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUm8AZ0eWC
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“Thank you.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacRtG7OM1T
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYBSwU6UvZ
I stood up. Steady. I tried to gain my balance. Then headed towards where the bathroom was.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxCwQYhNs0
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3iohOdTIv
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Friday. 4:36 pm154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeyqZmxhzD
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Inside, my tears just kept flowing.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsSHm4crPt
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I was trying to dry them with my hand, fanning them like I was about to be interrogated, just like in the detective drama I watched with my mom last week.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lvUkyG9eO
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuS9Bvr8HZ
I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. I didn’t want to still feel overwhelmed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6KqdQGQin
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I didn’t want to cry.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WxncxWjJV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRfcY4s18S
But they kept pouring… tracing my cheeks… dripping down my chin…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC4wxQEV8p
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB57gMW59R
Breathe, Runa just breathe.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFbdsASTKi
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I did, multiple times.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9nwj39iHL
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I really needed to solve myself first before solving any equations out there.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObBdq2o8Od
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7OrbHbTiV
Inhale… Exhale… one more… and one more…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLdveoD9Kp
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3dF4PLYks
It hurts… it hurts that I had to be this way. That I had to be so out of focus like that, when he…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvymd8GPX8
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnmaBST4gJ
He was not even thinking about them. And I was there… Drowning in the depths of each of those words.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1cPuMM0UZ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXjzZRjQNU
I stopped my hand. And I stared at myself in the mirror.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOAkoGwLht
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What a mess… I was such a mess…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoICeaoAOmw
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWceaYKiNOy
I wanted to laugh, I wanted to hear myself going crazy.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ1mfPxtWm
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDmksDXWsb
…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAdSkRPtwh
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEXHlS7iN8
But I couldn’t, there was still some reason left in me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuLNrRE12W
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkWSlh97Dr
I remembered what Hina said this morning, I remembered how I saw Kuroiwa slip and fall during gym class.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxBnd5jJWh
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZveUrmgWsA
He’s only a human being. I shouldn’t keep acting scared in front of him. No, I shouldn’t even be scared of him even when he wasn’t there.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0uLadcsmM
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlbENlCBEh
Condition?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPFr11uef5
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So what!?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw3t6XHbAn
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweXoz0SHdM
If I failed, then it was his fault. I came here. I showed my resolve. And he said he wouldn’t fail me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqVHpVhnhD
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I would keep studying. He should keep teaching me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshQHl74uiI
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLe9GjhekM
And if I failed. There was no reason for me to comply.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2dZlFTDl1
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJfxU6ecOi
I did not promise. He didn’t even want me to say that I accepted his condition. In fact I did not say I accepted. I just came here.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ruS3YW92T
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1S2LHEog4
Because I believed the things he was trying to sell to me. And I wouldn’t let him scam me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL16TZUvph
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6h5uFQoDD
If it came to that. If I really did fail. Even just one subject.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW6HqU4V5d
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvJir7Crxg
I stared at myself in the mirror again. Then slapped my face with both my hands to both my cheeks. I was careful not to leave a mark.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJIyyxrwhD
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Wake up…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjrycgHKdp
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If I did fail. Then it was his turn to be slapped.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK6E7eo9nm
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“I will be fine.” I told myself.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNAQQ02MDk
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I would always be fine.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XM5sgweWT
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SKqBypNdX
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Friday. 5:02 pm154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWGfqWwADk
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JXynISCiZ
I messed up.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFjCRHqKF1
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It took long for me to calm down. It took longer for me to reapply my makeup.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fNuSh6vnC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChNGH4CWFR
Luckily I took my bag with me when I went to the bathroom. Otherwise, if I didn’t, my face would have looked horrendous.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOncxU5YdyC
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I wouldn’t want anyone to see me without my make up. I was fine if my family and friends saw. But I would die if anyone else did.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnvMuwmdVt
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogJ9Q97nn4
I braced myself. Took a long breath. Then opened the door to the living room. I saw Kuroiwa scribbling into the notebook he got for himself.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY9GPvZEl5
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“I’m back,” I said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hk2Hgi6al
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He stared at me then nodded.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82fEciQjKm
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I went back to sit in front of the table, opposite of him. Then I gently placed my bag beside me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI18T9QK0mP
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“I’m sorry about earlier.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ756sJy2a4m
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64Ge0xysHY
“It’s fine.” He paused. He probably was trying to be careful with his words. “Are you okay, now?”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ciZjLG8SK
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsKfeFa7BC
His voice still sounded like he always did though.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TtNeKHPEn
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I smiled a little bit.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDONkmyyFp1
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He didn’t waste any time and started.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZkDSJW1YI
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXKylNeGnu
“So let’s start from the beginning—“154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ5ItKot3u
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Did I hear it right? From the beginning?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStyYOj3p2M
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“The textbook definition of a quadratic equation—“154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26CsBR8USl
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Word for word.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7XqaUIiSv
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“It is confusing, but if you think about it like this—“154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZYQoCV9Fu
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDNCG1rAma
Seriously?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEdNhGgQNG
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I ended up just staring at him.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivV14OxHnf
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I sighed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vjnde39K3
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“Were you listening?” he asked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MNLXQRroV
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Honestly, I wasn’t.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQb8Lemu2G
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“Sorry,” I said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLwyxyeed6
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“It’s fine. Let’s start from the start. This time make sure you listen.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5o90HkNm2
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux3G1GrZ12
I opened my mouth. But I guess I had no choice so I listened.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMUvpv5W1U
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Every word, every sentence, the way he told them. Ended up always the same.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzFY9SJ3jg
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifZJJn1rJL
I asked a question from time to time. But every time I did, we started again from the beginning.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUleFYk3JAc
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That was quite exhausting… a bit annoying… but it’s different…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKBistzn2h
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Maybe there’s something to this difference. I don’t really know. But every loop got me focused more and more.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGCi281uUa
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He looped a few more times. I listened intently.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbAALVKQuy
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And then...154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLQ2Z7peYk
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“So, what is a quadratic equation?” he asked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr0hPvo8Y5
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I blinked.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXApukZ6d2
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“Umm... A quadratic equation is an equation that starts with an x that has a subscript of 2 above it and also the number beside the x with a subscript of 2 shouldn’t be a zero. Also the next part of the equation has a negative or positive number that is beside an x with no subscript and then a number that is either a positive or negative or a zero.” I answered. “Oh, and also the number beside the x with no floating 2 on it could also be a zero and if that is the case then I don’t need to write it. Also… also… an equal sign and a positive or negative number or a zero on the other side of the equal sign.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0gSDo2IoA
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I got that from my memory. Everything he said jumbled up and mixed together. And I was able to say that. It was longer than I remembered him describe it but… I think I did get it…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumiDXK29aF
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I looked at him for approval.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAAHkOWWnj
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“You’re right,” he said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rHKNs1vuE
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My eyes widened.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HOnpS6ORo
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“So let’s move to the next part. Open the equations notebook on page one and I’ll show you how to solve it.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCehnIrmX3n
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA8jMeYZIK
He taught me patiently.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bgv1TUfLo
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He would write down the solution to his notebook, slide it carefully towards me and then I copied it…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKLWLDbmxx
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEg645cXcM
The way he wrote the characters was larger so that he could point it to me from where he sat and I would be able to see them with no problem.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0z9Qt3YXm
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8IuOZEGuU
To be honest… I almost copied the exact same sizes of the letters and numbers that he wrote.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxbChhPLbC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZExkwQ2we
He explained to me about factoring. Taught me how to divide the equation into two parentheses. Taught me how to determine the right numbers next to it inside the two parentheses. And then how to find the value for each equation afterwards.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fGPLKsBIJ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7h6t2TUyO
We repeated. Multiple times. And it felt heavy on my head. But then it would become lighter each loop.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EyL1BEuTd
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpowVOwwny
When he made me solve an equation. He did the same. I asked a question. Repeat. I made a mistake somewhere. Repeat. I got the right answer but I struggled along the way. Repeat.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cpLROEzve
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Every. Single. Time.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLBbw25QZq
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKD4YMDomH
But when I looked at the notebook that once had blank pages when he gave me, now filled with solutions that I was slowly starting to get. It made me keep going. I felt I was on the right track.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4FN9w2PEC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BM58hANJ0
One equation later… three equations later… then finally the fifth one…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf9NyxLJxD
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I smiled.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltEbtBvVGo
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I smiled with all my heart. It was the first time ever that I was able to solve an equation without anyone’s help.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6asEPaEJHB
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvHSZJM6X4
The fifth equation, I did by myself. And when I was done, I showed it to Kuroiwa. Sliding my notebook towards him. I tried to analyze his face. Then he showed that look that means I was right.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WZvBpECbs
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I didn’t even need him to tell me I was right.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBNbzj3aQP
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8SToZVfEY
His expressions almost always never changed. But since we had been doing this for, who knows how long now, I started to learn the difference between his normal face and the subtle changes in his expressions whenever I got things right.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFmnu4i6BS
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So far, that’s the only subtlety I had found out about him… For now, at least.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdK9gZRShg
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm9g64QI5a
But before I could even celebrate he already told me to solve another equation.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WjfQiB5ei
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmCIBvNNVV
I groaned… In my thoughts… Like always.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBLyyAnJvq
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelj1xjB39X
But still… All these equations…154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUw6Pk5lsY
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4lJKIBMBy
I was glad I was finally able to understand how to solve them now.
and then Add to home screen.