Fine

“So you’re in or nah?” Keiji asked but Kanae didn’t respond.

Keiji saw through Kanae’s struggle as she tried to make up her mind. She was biting her lower lip, a habit Keiji assumes Kanae unconsciously does whenever something’s bothering her or is under pressure in making a very difficult decision. But Keiji noticed that this time, she was biting it harder than usual and he assumed it might bleed any moment so he began to interfere.

“You’re overthinking,” he said and Kanae glanced at him. She didn’t deny it, which only confirmed Keiji’s assumption.

“It’s just a matter of yes or no,” he said and before Kanae could respond, he continued to speak as his voice shifted to a much gentler tone that Kanae never thought he’s capable of, “don’t burden yourself more than you already do,” he added and looked away instantly.

Still, there was no response from Kanae, yet Keiji nodded as if he could hear her thoughts out loud.

“You’re afraid of the consequences,” he said.

Kanae glanced at him, “It’s normal. We technically have to break the school rules if we’re doing it.” She said in defense.

Keiji lets out a breathy laugh, “I didn’t say it’s not. Kanae,” he stated her name in a slow, clear voice. The mere mention of her name sent shivers down Kanae’s spine considering Keiji’s tone and the fact that he doesn’t say it very often.

“It’s your goddamn life. You don’t break the rules, you make the rules.”

Keiji said so lightly. Still, his words left quite a heavy realization on her.

It’s ironic how Kanae was the one who’s supposed to tutor Keiji because now, he seems to be the one lecturing her, and Kanae didn’t argue with him just to expressed her disagreement, in fact, right now, she is actually listening and taking Keiji’s words into account as she carefully analyzes them and determine whether they make sense, or if they could be more reasonable than her already built-in opinions and principles.

“But…” she started with hesitation and Keiji thought if there’s even an end to her worries — he might run out of cards in convincing Kanae if this continues. Even so, he patiently waits for her to finish her words.

“Exams are just two weeks away and the twenty-fifth would be next week, we might be having review preparations for the exams in our classes by that time,”

Keiji’s aware that she had a point, but oh, as if he’ll let that single point ruin their plan.

“You’re smart,” he said not to please Kanae but for a reason that it is simply the truth, “I bet you already know what our teachers are going to teach us on those review lectures and I don’t think skipping a few classes would really get your grades into a trouble,” he added to ease Kanae’s worries and he is just trying to be honest in fact.

Keiji skipped an ungodly number of classes since his first year yet he still managed to reach their last year in high school (though he barely made it) so what more if it’s Kanae? He is fairly confident a single absence wouldn’t affect her grades nor class standing.

Kanae realizes Keiji might be right. Nevertheless, she can’t help but feel uneasy. What about Ritsu? Keiji? Or his friends? But then again, she thought that rather than getting very thrilled about things or being her usual pessimistic self, she might as well put her trust in them and believe in their own capabilities. Besides, she is always willing to help just in case they had trouble catching up on certain lectures.

“I know, you’re probably getting annoyed with how anxious I get over this but I promise, I just have a question left to ask,”

Keiji wonders how he could get annoyed when obviously, her reasons make sense. Funny how some annoying people don't realize it when they’re being one, and how some think they're being annoying when they truly weren’t.

He then raised his eyebrows nonchalantly, “go on, what is it?”

“You’ve said you’ve reached your offense limit, that you’ll get suspended or something if you skipped any more classes right?”

Keiji was impressed with how she was able to recall that considering she’d got so many things running on her mind already.

Then he eventually grins, seemingly confident, “Worried about me?”

Kanae was suddenly taken aback by Keiji’s question, she felt her cheeks heat up and inwardly wished Keiji wouldn’t notice how his question seemed to make her feel embarrassed and self-conscious. She did her best to keep her composure nonetheless and said in an apathetic tone, “it’s an honest question,” before Keiji became so full of himself.

And Keiji just nodded in affirmation since it’s in Kanae’s nature to be curious about things anyway. But Kanae knows that it is not only her curiosity that made her ask such a question. She just finds it hard and quite embarrassing to admit it even to herself so what more to Keiji? Who knows how he will respond?

“I was referring to my boring math class by that. It’s our first class in the morning and when I get to school it’s usually during our second class already so of course, I’m always absent from my first, but in the afternoon? Don’t worry, I think I still have a few absences left before my attention gets called.” he assured confidently as if it was really something to be proud of.

Kanae stayed silent, nor gave the slightest hint of disagreement, but she actually felt relieved that was the case.

Maybe it is the universe's way of telling her that it’s fine to be selfish once in a while. After spending years pleasing other people and complying with what they want her to do, it’s time to indulge herself and try new things out for a change.

She’d got all the signs she needed, it'd be such a waste to just ignore them, so after all those careful considerations and a long discourse which Keiji almost thought would never end, Kanae finally came up with an answer.

“Fine.” She said and Keiji’s eyes slightly widened in surprise and delight but that expression was eventually replaced by a proud, crooked smile that formed in his lips.

Kanae looked at him and tried not to stare much at that striking smile plastered across his face which made him look even more unquestionably appealing. And it’s not only the smile itself, it is also impressive what the words that come out from those lips can do. How were they able to persuade Kanae to Keiji’s own accord? How they can make what seems impossible at first; turns out possible. How Keiji can turn the odds into his favor, as if it has always been a simple of a task it is for him to draw people under his spell — even the smartest of all. Truly; it’s dangerously fascinating.