Ambition's Echo

Haruto’s POV

The air in my room was thick with the scent of desperation and procrastination. Books lay scattered like casualties of a war I didn't even know I was fighting. Midterm exams loomed closer with each tick of the clock, yet here I was, lounging in my chair, staring blankly at my textbook as if expecting it to magically absorb its contents into my brain.

The truth was, I couldn't muster the motivation to study. Every time I tried to focus, my mind wandered to far-off lands of movies and social media. Distractions were my constant companions, whispering sweet nothings in my ear while the specter of failure loomed over my shoulder like a disapproving ghost.

I glanced at the calendar, counting down the days until the inevitable reckoning. Panic clawed at my insides, urging me to do something, anything, to salvage what little hope I had left. With a resigned sigh, I dragged myself to my desk and opened my textbook, hoping that by some miracle, the words would jump off the page and sear themselves into my memory.

But studying was a battle I was ill-prepared to fight. The words blurred together, dancing mockingly across the page as if daring me to catch them. Frustration bubbled up inside me, threatening to boil over at any moment. I slammed the book shut with a groan, burying my face in my hands as if to shield myself from the impending doom.

Minutes turned to hours as I struggled to make sense of the jumble of information swirling around in my brain. Concepts that once seemed so simple now eluded me, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. I cursed myself for not paying more attention in class, for letting my laziness get the best of me yet again.

As the night wore on, fatigue crept into my bones, weighing me down like a leaden cloak. My eyelids drooped, begging for respite from the relentless onslaught of numbers and equations. But I soldiered on, fueled by nothing but sheer stubbornness and a healthy dose of fear.

Finally, as the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, I collapsed onto my bed, utterly spent. Sleep claimed me like a long-lost friend, wrapping me in its comforting embrace and whisking me away to a world free from the shackles of academia.

But even in my dreams, the specter of exams haunted me, its icy grip tightening with each passing moment. And as I tossed and turned in the darkness, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever be able to conquer the demons that lurked within the pages of my textbooks.

"I can't do this. It's impossible,” I sighed desperately.

Suddenly my inner voice woke up from his sleep and said, "Oh, sure. Blame it on the impossible. That'll make everything better."

"Why did I have to procrastinate?” I muttered. “Why can't I just focus for once in my life?" I added.

"Because you're lazy, Haruto. Plain and simple,” he mocked.

I sighed as I replied, "I know. But I have to try. I can't afford to fail."

"Come on, you've got this. Just one step at a time."

"Fine. Let's do this,” I resigned.

"That's the spirit! Now, open that textbook, and let's get cracking,” the voice cheered.

I opened my textbook. "I hate you sometimes, you know that?" I grumbled.

"And yet, you can't live without me. Now, enough chit-chat. Time to study!" he replied playfully.

As the hours slipped away into the night, Haruto's frustration mounted like a pressure cooker on the verge of exploding.

I rubbed my eyes wearily. "This is pointless. I'll never remember all of this."

"Don't give up now, Haruto. You've come this far. You can't stop now,” My inner voice continued to reassure me.

"But what's the point? No matter how much I study, it feels like it's never enough,” My fingers ran through my hair in frustration.

"I know it's tough, but you have to keep pushing through. Remember why you're doing this in the first place.”

I paused as I reflected. "Yeah, you're right. I can't let everyone down, especially not myself."

"That's the spirit! Now, let's tackle this one problem at a time,” the voice proudly replied.

With renewed determination, I dove back into my studies, each passing minute brought me one step closer to my goal. The words on the page began to make sense, forming a cohesive narrative that I could finally grasp. And as the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, I emerged from my room feeling more confident than I had in weeks.

"Well, look at that. Maybe I'm not such a lost cause after all,” I smirked

"I never doubted you for a second, Haruto. Now go out there and show those exams who's boss!"

***

After 2 days of full sessions with my textbooks, I woke up from my bed and placed my phone after checking the notifications. I walked toward the bathroom shortly after to wash my face.

“What happened to me?! Why do I look like a panda?” I looked at the mirror.

I felt so dizzy and... my head was constantly spinning. I don’t feel so good right now. I lost my balance but luckily my hands were fast enough to hold the sink as it prevented me from falling.

With this terrible condition, I don’t think going to school is a good idea. I have my midterm exams in a few days and I should face with myself in good health and with my fullest potential. I can’t let my two days of grinding be in vain.

“Maybe I’ll take the day off,” I told myself.

I walked back to my room and grabbed my phone. As I unlocked my phone, my fingers danced across the screen, crafting a message for Ren. "Hey, just a heads up, I'm taking a day off today. Feeling a bit under the weather," I typed swiftly, then hit send. With a fleeting glance, I powered down my device; the room seemed to spin as my head throbbed with disorientation. I collapsed onto my bed and the last thing I remembered was that I forgot to turn off the bathroom light.

***

Hinata’s POV

“Hey Haruna, have you seen Haruto?” I tapped her left shoulder gently.

“Nope, Oh right…I haven’t seen him,” she shook her head.

Wanting to know where he was, I dropped my question to Rei. “How ‘bout you Rei, have you seen him?”

“Nope,” She replied with the same answer.

“Are you worried?” Haruna smirked as she made a face.

I innocently replied, “No, i-it’s just weird.”

“Something got into you huh?” Rei joined Haruna as she giggled.

“N-nothing. Let’s ask Ren!” I blurted.

Speaking of the devil, Ren suddenly appeared behind Haruna. “Ren, have you seen Haruto?” I asked.

“Haruto? He’s feeling unwell right now and took the day off.”

“What? Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he just needs more rest.”

Is he truly alright? Like a sudden gust of wind, my thoughts veered sharply from the realm of studies to the enigma of his well-being, a wave of worry swept over me like an unexpected storm. Each lecture and each assignment seemed to pale in comparison to the pressing concern for his safety and health.

***

As the day unfolded and a fresh dawn emerged, I strolled down the hallway with Rei and Haruna, my thoughts still tethered to the lingering question: Would he come today?

As we neared the classroom, Ren's familiar voice pierced through the air, calling out my name. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to find him approaching. Unexpectedly, Haruto was walking beside him. "He's here," I silently rejoiced to myself, my eyes lighting up with relief.

"Hinata's been worried about you!" Haruna exclaimed, her words tumbling out before I could react.

"What? N-no, I mean... umm, glad to see you again, Ha-Haruto," I stuttered, my nerves betraying me in his presence like never before.

"Thanks," came his simple reply.

What's gotten into me? I pondered internally, perplexed by the uncharacteristic jitters that had seized me. I'd never felt this nervous around him before. But all that mattered was that he was safe and sound.

***

Haruto's POV

With a newfound sense of purpose, I set off to face the day ahead, armed with nothing but my wits and the knowledge that I had done everything in my power to succeed. And as I stepped into the unknown, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope ignite within me, burning brighter than any fear or doubt that had ever dared to hold me back.

On the day of the midterm exam, I gathered all my courage and all the things I had prepared. I’ve worked hard for this day. This is the day I’ve been waiting for. Okay, time to be serious!

***

Exam Results:

Haruto

Science: 57

Mathematics: 54

Social Studies: 58

English: 49

“Wha-What is this?”

“Is this real?”

“Is this the best I can get?”

“Seriously?!”

“I don’t know what I should do next.”

“Why should I study so hard? Why should I stay up all night? And why should I get sick if this is the result?” The conversations in my head were getting worse and yet I can’t stop blaming myself.

My existence feels like an endless loop of disappointment. No matter how fiercely I strive, success remains an elusive dream. I'm powerless to alter this trajectory. Perhaps silence is my only solace.

To be continued...