Chapter 24: The Math Consultation

Evening prep was usually my time to either sleep or play Sudoku—whichever felt like the better option that day.

I wasn't the type to stress over revision. If I needed to study, I did it efficiently. Otherwise? I'd rather conserve my energy.

But today was different.

Because Nad came to me for help.

---

The Unexpected Request

I was halfway through a Sudoku puzzle, casually filling in a 7 in the bottom right corner, when I heard a soft voice.

"Mana."

I looked up.

It was Nad.

She stood beside my desk, holding her Additional Mathematics workbook.

Azri, who was sitting next to me, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's this?"

I ignored him. "Uh, yeah?"

She hesitated for a second, then placed her book on my table.

"I need help with this question," she said, pointing to a tricky-looking Integration problem.

I glanced at it. Easy.

I leaned back. "You're good at math. Why are you asking me?"

She sighed. "Because you're better."

Azri silently lost his mind beside me.

I tried to ignore his smirk and picked up my pen. "Alright. Let's see."

---

Breaking It Down

I quickly scanned the problem.

"The trick here," I said, "is to factor this part first before you integrate."

Nad leaned closer, watching as I wrote. "Like this?"

She scribbled something down.

I checked her work. "Close, but you forgot to distribute this properly." I pointed at a small mistake.

She frowned slightly, concentrating. Then she nodded. "Ohhh. I get it now."

She grabbed her pen and corrected it.

I sat back. "See? Told you you're good at this."

She smiled. "I have a good teacher."

Azri violently coughed.

I glared at him. He grinned.

"Bro," he whispered, "I've never seen you this focused before."

I ignored him.

---

The Aftermath

After solving the question, Nad closed her book. "Thanks, Mana. That really helped."

I shrugged. "Anytime."

She smiled before walking back to her seat.

The moment she was gone, Azri poked my arm. "Bro."

I sighed. "What?"

He smirked. "She smiled at you."

I rolled my eyes. "She smiles at everyone."

Rina, who had apparently been eavesdropping, leaned over. "Yeah, but this time, she smiled at you."

I groaned, shoving my Sudoku book in my bag.

Evening prep was supposed to be for relaxing.

Instead, I was stuck dealing with math and feelings.

March was getting too complicated.

—Mana, March 2017