The room was very quiet and Ms. Kuroda, their homeroom teacher, was tapping the board with her marker. "Alright, everyone. Time to the group project assignments. Two people per team. The next two weeks will be spent in collaboration.
There were groans running through the room. Kenji threw his head back at once. Group projects: The best stake is unusual punishment!
Cry harder, said Aoi, hitting his arm.
Ms. Kuroda looked down the bridge of her nose, and ignored them. They will be divided in pairs randomly to make it fair. Let's see... Kenji and Aoi."
Kenji groaned louder. Why does she always have to be stuck with me?
The universe hates you, replied Aoi in a flat manner.
People laughed, and Ryuzi did not laugh. He was sitting back in his chair, half-lidded, awaiting the conclusion of the torture.
"And finally..." Ms. Kuroda was smiling, reading the last names. "Takeda Ryuzi and Aoyama Suki."
Whispers broke out immediately in the classroom.
"No way."
"Sunshine and Ice Prince?"
"They'll kill each other."
However, Suki flushed like fireworks. He sprang out of his chair, almost knocking it over. "Yes!"
Ryuzi glared slowly round. "...You are too glad about this.
Suki beamed. "Of course I am! Now you can't run away from me."
Kenji whistled. "Ouch. Takeda, your doom is sealed."
You must be joking, Ryuzi said to himself,...
But Ms. Kuroda was already issuing orders. Partners, you will also have to organize non class schedules. Have you decided what you are going to write about? Write it down by tomorrow.
Suki swung about and bent over the desk of Ryuzi. "So, when are we meeting? Today? Tonight? Tomorrow morning?"
"None of the above."
"Too bad! I vote today."
"You don't get a vote."
Suki smirked. Well, I do. Ms. Kuroda told me. That means equal say. Democracy, my friend."
"...I hate democracy."
Aoi snorted from behind them. This is going to be fun.
Later in the afternoon, Ryuzi was literally dragged into the library.
You do not need to drag, he said, shaking his arm.
You walk too slowly," Suki said in a chastisemental tone, and threw down his bag on the table. "Okay, project planning time!"
Ryuzi hunchbacked into the other chair. "You're too enthusiastic."
Suki threw open his notebook, tongue sticking out at full concentration. "We need a topic. Something simple, yet entertaining. History? Science? Literature?"
No difference, Ryuzi said to himself.
Suki bent forward with a mischievous look. So when I say, the cultural impact of pudding, you do not mind that?
Ryuzi gave him a flat look. "...Idiot."
Oh, you are learning to pronounce my name right! Suki laughed, and wrote at random.
They passed the stuff around during the next hour, Suki making suggestions, Ryuzi knocking them down. But gradually, reluctantly, Ryuzi began to make contributions. His thoughts were stinging, realistic and surprisingly thought-out.
Suki's eyes lit up. "See? When you attempt to be good, you are good!
The scowl on Ryuzi as he flicked a page in his notebook. "Shut up and write it down."
When the library was empty Suki yawned loudly. "This is nice, huh?"
Ryuzi glanced at him. "...What part of this is nice?"
"Working together. Sitting here. Talking." Suki's grin softened. You are not as scary when you are focused, you know.
Ryuzi's chest tightened. He turned his back pushing his notebook into his bag. "Stop saying weird things."
"But it's true."
"...Annoying."
Suki laughed only, and leaned back into his chair. And now you are up against it with me.
Ryuzi heaved a sigh and rose. "Lucky me."
However, when he left the library he noticed that his feet were not as heavy as they were normally.
The evening the Aoyama house was as bustling as ever.
So now you are his partner? Hana asked, eyes sparkling.
"Yep!" Suki said proudly.
Rika bent over the table and smiled. "Ohhh, forced proximity! Classic romance setup."
Emi applauded her hands. Next week he will be head over heels!
Suki groaned, face burning. "It's not like that!"
But his sisters merely laughed the more.
Ryuzi was sitting at his desk across town. Surprisingly, his father leaned against the doorframe and peaked in.
You were paired with a project partner, he heard you, Daichi said in a casual manner.
"...Yeah."
"That's good. Teamwork's important."
Ryuzi looked at him, and was startled by the remark. His father nodded slightly and withdrew, leaving him to himself.
Ryuzi looked at his notebook, the scribbles on the next page to his own clean handwriting by Suki. It was a little smile against his will.
"...Annoying idiot," he whispered. But the warmth in his heart did not go away.