MAKING PROGRESS WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP

The birds were chirping, and the cold winds blew, rustling the trees. "Today is really cold. I should have worn my scarf, but I forgot it at home," Rie said to herself as she sneezed.

As she entered through the school gate, she greeted the security guard and made her way to the classroom. "After constructing the class duty sheet in my favor, it seems like it's my turn to clean the classroom. To be honest, I'd rather make sure it's cleaned before class than have to do it after school, which would cut into my time for newspaper club activities."

After sweeping the classroom, Rie dusted the chalkboard erasers. However, she accidentally dusted them into her face, causing her to sneeze. As she staggered backward, she tripped over a mop.

Rie let out a sharp scream and closed her eyes, thinking she had fallen. However, she felt the embrace of someone catching her. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see that it was Shino.

"Are you okay, Rie?" Shino asked.

Rie, who could hardly stand near Shino, much less make close eye contact while being in his arms, turned red as a tomato. She immediately jumped away and backed into a corner.

"What's wrong, Rie?" he asked.

"It's nothing! I'm doing fine! Thank you so much for helping me," Rie stuttered, embarrassed. "May I ask, what are you doing here so early? School doesn't start until eight, and that's two hours from now."

"Well, as you know, I'm part of the basketball team, and our coach started implementing morning training. That's why I'm here so early."

"Oh, that's right! You're on the team. What about you? Why are you here so early?"

"I'm on class duty today, so I thought I'd just clean before school starts," Rie explained.

"I see. That's very thoughtful of you," Shino said as he smiled and opened his locker to take out his training gear. "I'm heading off to training now. See you in class later, Rie," he said before leaving.

"Honestly, I can't believe I was face-to-face with him... in his arms," Rie thought to herself as she sighed, her cheeks still red. "Well, at least I can hold a normal conversation with him now, so that's great."

Being the student council vice president is not an easy task, but Sachiko found it to be something she truly enjoyed. "It's really nice to be able to help all the students in this school, let their voices and concerns be heard, and try our best to create a proper learning environment for everyone," she said to herself as she walked into class.

Her eyes locked onto Tetsuo as she made her way to her desk.

"Good morning, Tetsuo," she greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning, Sachiko," he responded.

"Did you sleep well last night? I barely got a wink of sleep because of that math problem Hamada-sensei gave us. It took me some time to solve."

"It wasn't much of an issue for me. I slept well last night, but thank you for asking."

"I see. Great! Well, talk to you later," Sachiko said as she sat at her desk and placed her bag on it.

"Wow, Sachiko! What happened? Spill all the details!" Naomi and a group of girls edged closer, grinning.

"What do you mean?" Sachiko asked, confused.

"Don't act dumb! I mean, what happened between you and Tetsuo? Usually, he just gives you the cold shoulder and never responds unless it's necessary. But now you're saying good morning to each other, and you're even on a first-name basis!"

"Something must have happened, and there's no way you're getting out of this one, Sachiko," Naomi teased.

"What's all this commotion about?" Shino asked as he, Makoto, and Noboru approached the classroom.

"I don't know, but if it's going to disturb me, then we're definitely going to have a problem. I really need some serious shut-eye," Makoto yawned.

"Oh, it's just Naomi and her stupid friends causing trouble. Just disregard them," Noboru said.

"I heard that, you little imp," Naomi snapped.

"What? How dare you?! And I'm taller than you, so if I'm an imp, then what does that make you, idiot?" Noboru retorted.

"Say that to my face, you obnoxious punk!"

"I'm sure I just did, Miss Nakamura," Noboru replied smugly.

"So this is what they call a lovers' quarrel," Makoto smirked.

"No way! Never in a million years would I date this loser!"

"Oh yeah? Well, same here! I wouldn't date you even if you were the last person in existence!"

Both Naomi and Noboru growled at each other.

"I somehow feel sorry for Naomi, but I'm glad she forgot to press me about what happened between Tetsuo and me," Sachiko thought. "That night we spent together in the storage room was a precious moment… but I can't share that with her. She'd get the wrong idea." Sachiko blushed.

"Alright, alright, quiet down!" Hayami-sensei said as she walked into the classroom. "As you know, we are drawing nearer to the assessment tests that you all have to pass."

"What assessment tests? What do you mean?" Noboru asked.

"These are tests to determine how much knowledge you are understanding and retaining. If you fail, you'll have to take extra classes after school to make up for it," Hayami-sensei explained.

"Well, thank god it's quiet. I can finally get some sleep," Makoto thought as he yawned and laid his head on the desk.

"I see you're looking really sleepy, Mister Kurai. Could it be that what I'm saying is boring and irrelevant? Or is it my crooked voice putting you to sleep?" Hayami-sensei asked with a creepy smile as she stood behind Makoto.

"Oh crap, she's right behind me," Makoto panicked. "No, sensei! I'm just not feeling well!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," she said, her tone sarcastic. "But you still have to listen to what I have to say. So, come up to the front of the class."

She made Makoto hold two buckets in his hands while standing on one leg.

"Now, this should help you focus and stay awake," she said.

"Damn, this is such a pain. Why me?" Makoto thought, frustrated.

"Hang in there, Makoto! Don't drop that leg, or you'll experience worse than this," Shino thought to himself.

"He really looks stupid up there," Noboru whispered, trying to contain his laughter.

"Shut your piehole! I'm going to make you pay at training today, punk," Makoto thought angrily.

"What's so funny, Mister Takemoto?" Hayami-sensei asked.

"Oh! Nothing at all, Sensei!" Noboru gulped.

"Do you want to join Makoto up here?"

"No, ma'am! I'm fine! I'm concentrating!" Noboru replied quickly.

"He really looks different from the day I met him," Rie thought to herself as she glanced at Shino. "He's more confident… and happier. Every time he laughs and smiles, my heart skips a beat. I'm just glad I've gotten so close to him. That's enough for me," she smiled.