Gear Up

Haruto's POV

I slipped into the classroom, my footsteps muted against the tiled floor. Ren’s voice cut through the quiet, warm with familiarity. “Hey, Haruto!” he called, a grin spreading across his face as he approached.

“Morning, Ren,” I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips.

As Ren settled into his seat, the door creaked open again, and Hinata stepped inside, her presence a gentle breeze in the room. My heart skipped a beat as she paused, her gaze finding mine. A shy wave and a smile were all it took to make my morning brighter.

The bell rang, signaling the start of class, and I turned my attention to the lesson. History unfolded before me, a tapestry of kings and conquerors, battles and treaties. I scribbled notes furiously, my mind racing to keep pace with the flow of information.

When the final bell of the morning chimed, signaling the start of recess, Ren’s voice broke through the chatter. “Hey, guys, how about lunch on the rooftop today? We can do a food swap!”

I glanced at Hinata, whose eyes sparkled with excitement at the suggestion. Rei and Haruna nodded eagerly, their enthusiasm infectious.

“Sounds like a plan,” I agreed, a smile spreading across my face.

***

Up on the rooftop, the sun warmed our faces as we spread out their lunches on a blanket. Sandwiches, sushi, and homemade bentos adorned the makeshift picnic, a feast fit for a royal court.

Between bites of food, we discussed the upcoming final exams, our voices rising and falling in animated conversation. I listened intently, grateful for their support and encouragement.

“After school, let’s meet at the café for a study session,” Hinata suggested, her eyes alight with firmness. “We can help each other out and make sure we’re all prepared.”

I nodded, a sense of relief flooding through me at the thought of their collective effort. “That sounds great. Thanks, Hinata.”

“Hey guys! We're late!” Haruna exclaimed, looking at her watch.

“We should get back!” Hinata added.

As we packed up our lunches and rushed back to class, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. But…

***

“For how long should we stand here again?” Ren asked.

Rei looked at him as she replied, “Uhh, an hour.”

I sighed. The teacher punished us by standing in front of the class for an hour.

“First time?” Ren poked.

I nodded slowly, “Yeah.”

He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around my neck.

“It's nice, isn't it?” he added.

Hinata placed her gaze on us as she sighed. “It's nice to know all of you.”

We burst into laughter, not caring whether our voice is too loud.

***

The café hummed with activity as Ren, Rei, and Haruna settled into their seats, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirling around us. Hinata and I approached Yuto at the counter, our voices mingling with the soft jazz playing overhead as we placed our order.

"I'll have my usual hot Americano," I said, my voice confident but tinged with a hint of nervousness.

"And I'll have a caramel macchiato, please," Hinata added, her smile brightening the room.

“Who's this, Haru? A friend of yours? Or maybe…” Yuto smirked.

I sighed. “You're thinking too much, Yuto. This is Hinata, my close friend.”

Yuto paused as he placed his gaze on her and then back to me. “Hinata…”

“Nice to meet you! You must be Haruto's friend,” Hinata offered a handshake.

“Yes, I am, thank you for taking care of him,” Yuto replied.

“You're not my dad, Yuto,” I added.

“I'm your Mom.”

Hinata was just smiling, hearing our conversation.

“Alright, your coffee will be ready soon.”

As Yuto prepared our drinks, Hinata reached for the tray, but I gently nudged her aside. "I'll carry it," I insisted.

Hinata hesitated for a moment before relenting, a grateful smile gracing her lips. Together, we made our way back to the table, the wooden tray balanced precariously in my hands.

At the table, Ren, Rei, and Haruna were already poring over their textbooks, their pens poised for action. I set down the tray, the clink of cups punctuating the air.

"Let's get started," Ren declared, his voice filled with purpose.

Ren flipped open his math textbook, the pages pristine and untouched. "Let's start with algebra," he suggested, his voice steady and confident.

Rei nodded, her brow furrowing in concentration as she scanned the equations before her. "Here's one," she said, pointing to a problem on the page. "We need to solve for 'x' in this equation."

Haruna leaned in, her eyes scanning the numbers and symbols with a keen focus. "We can use the formula for solving linear equations," she suggested, her voice soft but assured.

With their combined efforts, they dissected the problem, each step bringing them closer to the solution. I watched in awe as they worked, my own understanding growing with each passing moment.

Next came English, our minds shifting gears to the complexities of language and literature. We read a passage aloud, the words filling the air with our rhythm and cadence. Questions followed, probing the depths of comprehension and analysis.

Hinata's voice was clear as she guided me through the passage, her explanations patient and thorough. "Remember to look for context clues," she advised, her finger tracing the lines of text. "They can help you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words."

As we moved on to synonyms, Hinata leaned closer to me, her voice a whisper of encouragement. "What's another word for 'argument'?" she asked, her eyes locked with mine.

I furrowed my brow, searching my memory for the answer. "Um... 'debate'?" I ventured, a hint of uncertainty in my voice.

Hinata's smile was radiant. "That's right," she confirmed, her pride evident in her tone. "Great job, Haruto."

Our journey through the subjects continued, each one a new frontier to conquer. Science brought us face to face with the intricacies of the human body, as we explored the respiratory system and its many wonders.

Hinata took the lead once more, her voice steady as she explained the functions of each organ. "Pneumonia is a lung infection," she explained, her words measured and clear. "It can cause difficulty breathing and other serious complications."

I listened intently, my eyes wide with fascination at the complexities of the human body. With Hinata's guidance, I began to understand the importance of respiratory health and the dangers of illness.

Finally, we delved into the annals of history, our minds transported to the ancient courts of Japan. Shotoku Taishi loomed large in our studies, his legacy woven into the fabric of our nation's past.

***

After three hours of intense study, we closed our textbooks and stretched our weary limbs. The café had grown quiet around us, the sun dipping low on the horizon.

"We did it," Ren exclaimed, his voice filled with pride. "We're ready for those exams."

We exchanged smiles and nods of agreement, a sense of camaraderie binding us together. As we gathered their belongings and headed for the door, I felt a swell of gratitude for my friends and their unwavering support.

"Until next time," Hinata said, her voice warm with affection.

"Until next time," I echoed, my heart full with the promise of future adventures.

To be continued…