entry #14 | ¢σммåηd

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command

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"And...that's a wrap."

The (h/c)-haired girl closed her laptop and leaned back into the cushions while stretching her arms and legs out in front of her. She cracked her neck and opened and closed her hands to get the blood flowing again. Kieran chuckled at her antics and pushed his laptop away from him.

"We managed to finish the report in one go," he said with a bemused tone. "So? Do I get a reward? I tried my best, you know."

She arched an eyebrow and fixed a flat look on his companion. "If you think that's going to impress anyone...think again."

"You sure are cold, koneko-chan, despite your appearance."

"Thanks, I'm so touched. Please help edit the paper...when you have time. Should we start on the acting part today...?"

"Charles gave us way too much time," Kieran snorted. "Two weeks for a single project?"

"One and a half," (Y/n) corrected.

He waved it off. "Tomato, tomah-to. We could do this in one day. Let's finish it next week."

"Or we could finish now...and get it over w—"

"Or we could not talk about school and all those boring things anymore, how about that?"

She glared at him. He smiled brightly back.

'One of these days I will smother you with two pillows,' the (h/c)-haired girl thought bitterly. "Fine. Did we have homew—"

"No school-related subjects, remember?"

"Tsk, fine," she gave in. "How was...your sleep?"

"It was very pleasant, thank you for asking," he replied, a corner of his mouth tugging up into an amused grin at the question. "How about you?"

"Terrible. I had to wake up early." 'I mean, what did you expect me to say, amazing?' She fought down the urge to roll her eyes. 'Thrilled to see your face first thing in the morning? Full of energy enough to run a marathon? Nope, nope, and nope. I hate everything and anything that disturbs my sleep. Speaking of disturbing my sleep, I should get rid of my alarm clock again.'

Her poor alarm clock.

"Still mad about before?" He grinned. "I'll make it up to you somehow. Sounds good?"

"I'm not particularly mad. I mean...it's not like I wasted half an hour waiting for my partner or anything, right?"

Kieran sweatdropped. 'She's definitely mad.'

She spotted the look he had on his face and sighed. "No, really. I don't really care. Anyway...what's the time?"

He checked his wristwatch. "Two-thirty," he replied. "What's the matter?"

"I have another thing to do now," (Y/n) groaned. 'It's almost time already?' But she wasn't panicking. 'Ah, well, it'll work out somehow.' "Forgot where it was."

"Another thing?"

The (h/c)-haired girl got out her phone and opened up her messages with her tutor. The name across the screen caught Kieran's attention. "Popsicle face?" He said incredulously. "Is that who you're ditching me for? I pity them."

'And I pity the zebra for putting up with you,' she retorted internally. Out loud, her only response was a half-hearted grunt. 'This address...wait, isn't that—'

"There's no need for you to go anywhere," a new voice said curtly. "I recall sending you the address, or am I mistaken?" His tone was icy and businesslike with borderline irritation laced in. (Y/n) and the male beside her raised their heads simultaneously to peer at the newcomer.

It was the blue-haired male. He had entered the room without them noticing and came up behind them, his arms stiff by his sides. His eye twitched at their slovenly appearance sprawled out across the couch and sighed.

"I propose we start early to get this done with," he said. "Are we in agreement, Ms. White?"

She raised her hand. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Speak."

"Who are you again?"

Out of all the impressions she'd made on the blue-haired male, none of them were beginning to look favorable. Kieran covered his mouth to suppress his laughter as Tristan pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I am Tristan Knight, your tutor," he said through gritted teeth. "Like you've been told twice. Can we begin now or will we remain on introductions forever?"

"Okay, okay, I got it." 'Who died and put you in charge?' She wanted to say. 'And here I thought a tutor and tutored relationship would be a friendly we'll-help-each-other one.'

"Who shoved a stick up your a**, Tris-chan?" Kieran interrupted their exchange. He got to his feet and approached the other male. "If you keep frowning all the time, you're going to get permanent wrinkles. And wrinkles are very unbecoming; you'll never get a girl that way."

Tristan narrowed his eyes. "Not everyone's a boor like you, Fujikawa. What exactly are you wearing? Even if it's in the dorm, do pay more attention to your appearance—"

"Yes, yes, whatever you say, Mother. I'll make sure to send my clothes to be ironed regularly." The white-haired male folded his arms behind his head and turned on his heel. "Well, even I can see when I'm not needed anymore. Ja ne, koneko-chan, Tris-chan~" He disappeared through the doorway, leaving behind the stoic male and sleepy girl in the silence of the living room.

Tristian clicked his tongue and pulled a small comb from his breast pocket. "Every time I meet that disgrace of a human being, I find myself aging faster," he muttered bitterly as he fixed his bangs. He returned the comb to his pocket when he finished and turned to the (h/c)-haired girl who was struggling to stay awake. "Come, let us go to the library."

(Y/n) wasn't sure what was going on, but one thing's for sure: her weekend's about to become a real hassle.

'Why did I decide inviting Reese to the movies tomorrow to cheer him up was a good idea again?'

Then she realized. She had agreed to watch Keller's game on Sunday. This Sunday.

'Dear Lord, please bless this poor soul.'

LI:BRARY

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αftєяησση

The library was spacious and filled with countless overflowing bookshelves, some lining the walls. Several wooden mahogany tables occupied the open space, complete with a set of chairs and a vase of flowers at the center of it. A few displayed stacks of books unreturned, a lamplight, and several scattered papers.

The windows' curtains were drawn, allowing the golden afternoon sun to shine gently through it, washing over paper and wood alike. There was even a second level to the library with stairs leading up to it, the walls lined with matching bookshelves. Underneath the platform was what looked like a librarian's table, flanked with more bookshelves. A single light hanging over the cubby lit up the space.

She could smell the dusty scent of old books in the air accompanied by the floral fragrance of the flowers as she entered. It was dimly lit, giving it an eerie feel, but she didn't feel afraid. Rather, surrounded by all those texts that held countless pieces of knowledge, she felt...

Bored. Tired and utterly bored.

Tristan sat down on one end of those tables and folded his leg over the other, placing his gloved—she stared at them in disbelief—hands in his lap. His posture was perfect with his spine erect. He frowned, spotting something, and pulled off his glasses.

"You have been informed of the details, I presume?" He didn't look up as he spoke. The blue-haired male whipped a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and cleaned his glasses swiftly. When she didn't answer, his ice-blue eyes flickered up. "Well? I asked you a question."

"U-um, yeah." 'I hope he didn't notice me falling asleep,' (Y/n) thought guiltily. 'And more importantly, what kind of things does he carry in that pocket of his anyway?!'

"Very well, let's begin." He slipped his spectacles back onto his face and reached down. The male pulled a white briefcase to his lap. He unlocked it and took out a sleek laptop, placing it onto the table. "Are you aware of our schedule? In order for this to work, you must have commitment and dedication. A single unexcused absence will result in the program's termination, understand?"

Her head snapped up. "Y-yes!" 'Crap, I wasn't listening. Oh yeah, if you don't know what to do, just ask questions!' "By the way, I have another question."

His frown deepened, if that was even possible. "Did you forget my name again?"

"Not this time," she grinned sheepishly, fidgeting in her seat. She gripped the sides of her chair tightly to steady herself. "This thing is called Infor...whatchamacallit. What is it exactly?"

"Not completely ignorant, are you?" 'Wow, thanks so much,' she thought dryly. "I'll allow that question. INFORTUNII is a program that exists solely within Fortuna Institute, made to help push its students to higher levels through whatever means necessary."

He raised a finger. "However," he continued. "They only accept the application of average students. Those below average, whether it be in terms of academics, arts, or the sports, INFORTUNII will not aid regardless of the person's social status. Fortuna was created around Darwin's 'survival of the fittest,' after all."

Honestly, (Y/n) didn't really care what Unfortunately or whatever it was called was. All she wanted was for the blue-haired male to keep talking, allowing her to use the time to sleep with her eyes open. That's why she continued asking questions that were completely meaningless to her.

"Where do you come in...in all of that?" She questioned, her eyes slowly losing light as she began to surrender to her fatigue. 'One sheep, two sheep, three s—wait, that's a popsicle.'

"Good question. I shall tell you." He cleared his throat. "INFORTUNII separates its affiliated students into two groups, the tutors and the tutored. I am in the former and you are in the latter, for instance. Tutors are chosen from those at the top of the school, regardless of age. Those with exceptionally proficient grades are Spring and Autumn tutors. Those who excel in the sports are Summer tutors. And those doing well in the arts are Winter tutors."

"I am reluctant to say this"—a look of distaste crossed his face and he curled his lip in disgust—"But one such tutor is Fujikawa, whom you've met earlier. Really, I do not understand what the president was thinking, choosing him. He's one of the rare cases where he's become a tutor of multiple sections, namely Spring and Winter. Are you following me, Ms. (Y/n)."

By now, the (e/c)-eyed girl was nearly asleep, but she wasn't about to let him know that. "Of course," she mumbled. 'Of course, I want that pillow, Reese,' she said in her daydream. 'Now give me it before I take it by force. I have an umbrella and I'm not afraid to use it.'

"Good. Any other questions?" There was no response. He cleared his throat. "Any other questions?"

His sharp tone, sharp enough to rival a knife, scissored through her daydreams, snapping her reluctantly back to reality. "So it's not...a club?" She said hurriedly lest she induced his wrath.

"No, of course not. What foolishness made you think a program that's existed since the school's founding could be a mere club?"

"Um, so then, what are we supposed to be doing?"

His eyebrow twitched and he narrowed his eyes, the only signs of his irritation on his otherwise icy cold face. Tristan held himself back before he let out another biting remark. "Have you not read the email?" He said coldly. "Or are you illiterate on top of being rather...slow?"

'Okay, I see how it is. Now he's just openly insulting me. Eh, whatever.' (Y/n) decided it was better to just let him talk, or there'll be more troublesome things in the future. 'It reminds me of how all my elementary school bullies gave up on me. Ha.'

"How bold of you to assume I'm an idiot straight away," the (h/c)-haired girl said without thinking. "By that logic...aren't you insulting the school you're so...proud of?"

He furrowed his brow. "Excuse me?"

'You're excused,' her smarta** self almost said. "If I'm illiterate and...whatever you called me, doesn't that mean...the school system's becoming worse and worse...for letting me in?" 'Wait, did I just insult myself?' She was confused. 'More importantly, what were we talking about again? Why are we arguing? Is it important? If I can't remember, it probably isn't. Oh well.'

The blue-haired male studied her face for a few moments before looking away with a sigh. "What makes certain categories of humans smart is that they know how to watch their mouth when outclassed. I'm afraid you belong in the other category."

There was a limit to how many insults (Y/n) could take without showing any reaction, and it varied depending on the person issuing them. And this person before her, she decided, she did not like. Not one bit. Well, at least he didn't insult her sleeping habits yet—

"And don't get me started on your lack of participation in class," he continued. "I've been given reports on you, as per the protocol, and none of them are very flattering. Perhaps if you actually stayed awake in class, Ms. White, we wouldn't be having this problem now—"

"Now listen here, Mr. High and Mighty po—person," she interrupted him. The faraway look in her eyes disappeared, replaced with a new clarity. "I don't care if you're my tutor or my babysitter. My grades are fine...thank you very much. Enough for some of my teachers to tolerate me sleeping occasionally...in class. If I wanted someone to pick apart my flaws...I'd hire that nosy lady next door. But no, sir, I signed up for a tutor. Or do you not know what a tutor is?"

His face remained unchanged. He lifted his chin as if looking down on his nose on her. "And on what grounds does your basis that I do not understand my position come from?"

"I'm not accusing you of anything. Like you...I just want to get this over with. You up for that, pa—Tristan?"

Tristan stared at the hand she extended across the table and made no move to take it. "We are in agreement then," he said simply. "I admit I have not been sufficiently informed on your...situation, I daresay. Explain."

She dropped her hand that had lost its purpose. 'Yup, I'll never be able to get along with him,' she sighed. "Mrs. Richards says I need more motivation," she answered. "'Cuz I always strive for the bare minimum or whatnot."

"Oh? A fine request. Not something I've encountered before, but I can manage it perfectly, of course."

'Yeah, yeah, I get it, Mr. Perfect. Seems like I'll need to use exponentially more energy now...what a pain...'

Talking is annoying. Staying awake is annoying. Walking is annoying. Life is annoying. People are annoying. 'Why do I have to waste my energy on this again?'

His sharp eyes flickered to his laptop that was left forgotten in their exchange. He typed something into it and returned his attention to the girl across from him. "Well? Shall we begin?"

(Y/n) let out a long sigh, knowing she'd regret this decision later. "Let's."

And two hours later, that premonition came true. The two spent the entire time seated in the library with Tristan only allowing her to get up for the bathroom. Otherwise, she had to put but with his monotonous voice as he lectured on and on. She was close to dying.

In the first hour, the blue-haired male went over the requirements of the program and their schedule for the rest of the school year. Every Saturday at 3 in the afternoon she was to come to his shared dorm. Aside from that, nothing else remained the same as the schedule sent to her by email.

"I cannot stay after school," Tristan had explained curtly. "Therefore we will hold our sessions during class time. I've already made the necessary arrangements."

'Without asking me?!' She thought incredulously.

Sadly on Mondays, one session replaced her math class. Which meant his face would be the first thing she'd see after the long weekend. 'Huzzah,' she groaned. 'What fun.' And every Wednesday, it would overlap with her gym class. Well, she didn't really mind that part. For the third and final session, it was held on Fridays and replaced her lunch period.

Her lunch period. Her freaking lunch period.

(Y/n) slammed her hands down on the table in outrage and then immediately sat back down, hissing at the pain in her palms. "Why lunch?" She protested. "That's the one period I look forward to all day!"

"You can have your lunch with me," he responded in a no-nonsense tone. "I don't quite see the problem. It is only on Fridays, and you'll have the weekend to look forward to."

"We have another one on Saturdays!"

"So?" He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back into his chair. "Enlighten me; how exactly will missing lunch affect your performance at school?"

"W-well," the (h/c)-haired girl started. "I won't have energy if I don't eat—"

"You will be able to eat. The room we'll be in allows food in it."

"I have to see my friends—"

"You can see them in your classes and outside of school," Tristan interrupted. "Are there any more issues? Because if there aren't, we must really be continuing now."

The second hour was spent on her homework. When she asked him if he needed to know anything else about her for the sake of the program like her contact information, his response was something along the lines of "INFORTUNII already gave me the necessary information, and I don't give a f*ck about your life."

Well, that wasn't his exact words, but you get the idea.

I'm pretty sure this is college-level work, (Y/n) sobbed quietly as she drew circles on the textbook in front of her. Her face was pressed into the table and she was slumped over. How is this supposed to make me more motivated? It only makes me want to jump out of the window.

The blue-haired male was completely engrossed with his laptop as his hands danced over the keyboard. 'I wonder what popsicle boy there is doing. I swear if he's watching cat videos or something while I'm suffering I'll strangle him.'

Having a lawyer as a parent really had its perks.

Something seemed to catch his attention and Tristan's steady gaze finally broke away from his screen. He slid his sleeve up and revealed a silver watch. "It's been approximately two hours," he said. "Alright, that concludes today. I expect the work to be finished by Monday."

'Who is he to give me homework?! And why is he giving me more homework than even Mr. Brooks?'

"Let me show you the door—"

"Nope, that's alright!" (Y/n) shoved her things into her bag like her life depended on it. "I'm good, thanks. Have a nice day, p—Tristan!"

It must've been the fastest she'd ever moved in her life as she made a beeline for the exit, leaving the stunned blue-haired boy alone in the dimly lit space.

So much for favorable first impressions.

The (h/c)-haired girl speed-walked down the hallways in a direction she hoped was the front door as fast as she could without running. She lost count of the number of times she found herself at a dead end. Maybe I'm lost, (Y/n) sweatdropped. Gross, this is annoying. I'll just ask someone.

She wandered through the halls in a random direction and took out her phone. She tapped on the contact of the most trustworthy person she knew who lived in this dorm.

~ ❀ ~

5:01 pm

me: jay i think im lost

kim.jaehyun: Eh? Are you still here?

me: yup we finished just now

me: i dunno where im going

kim.jaehyun: Ah...I'm sorry our place is so big. Stay where you are.

kim.jaehyun: Do you know where you are?

me: if i knew i wouldn't be asking you

kim.jaehyun: I'm so sorry!

kim.jaehyun: I mean, where were you before and what do you see around you now?

me: i was in the library

me: holy cheeseballs there's a lot of statues here actually

me: bro is that david???

kim.jaehyun: Okay, I think I have an idea of where you are.

me: dude i think i just saw the thinker and michaelangelo

me: did you make all of these?

kim.jaehyun: It's really nothing...

me: how is this nothing

me: if this is nothing what do you call my trash art

me: give me a sec. imma just rethink life right now

kim.jaehyun: I-I'm sorry?

~ ❀ ~

True to his word, the blond found her a few minutes later. She was sitting cross-legged in front of a statue of a marble man lying down with his hand outstretched. 'Weird sleeping pose,' she mused, not noticing it was one of the most famous pieces of all time. 'My arm would cramp. Does his arm hurt? I bet it does.'

"Are you ready to leave?" He asked her. "Or do you want some lunch first before you go?"

"I'm okay, thanks," (Y/n) politely declined him. She took his outstretched hand and pulled herself to her feet. She turned to face the boy. "Thank you for everything today, Jay. I'll make it up to you...somehow."

"I-I didn't do anything, really! You don't have to!"

"You got sno—Kieran for me. And you were a pretty good host. If you need anything in the future...don't be afraid to ask me."

Jaehyun didn't know what do say. "Anything?" He chorused. "I c-couldn't ask you to do something like that for me—"

"Why not?" (Y/n) turned back to give him a curious look. "We're friends now, aren't we?"

'Friends...' He wasn't sure he knew what that word meant, but he knew he liked the sound of it.

"Anyway, where's the door? I need my food before I pass out."

"O-oh yeah, it's right this way."