The midterm exams were coming — a dark cloud hovering over every student's head.
For Haruto, it wasn't much of a problem. He'd already finished most of the review sheets and color-coded his notes by subject.
For Aoi, however… it was a different story.
"Ughhh, I'm doomed!" she groaned dramatically, slumping over her desk. "Why do we have to know how to calculate velocity? I don't even run that fast!"
Haruto, seated beside her, stifled a sigh. "You should've paid attention in class."
"I did!" she protested, sitting up. "Well… mostly. I just didn't understand anything after the part about apples falling from trees."
"That was the first five minutes of the lesson."
She pouted. "See? I need help!"
Before he could respond, she clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Haruto-kun, will you tutor me?"
He hesitated. He'd helped her before — but this time, the way she looked at him, hopeful and almost pleading, made it hard to refuse.
"…Fine," he said eventually. "But we'll study at the library."
She grinned. "Actually, can we do it at your house? My little brother's friends are coming over, and they're loud."
Haruto froze. His house?
He imagined his quiet room, his perfectly arranged bookshelves — and Aoi, in the middle of all that, full of energy and smiles.
It was… terrifying.
But when she tilted her head and said softly, "Please?", he felt his defenses crumble.
"…Alright," he muttered. "But you'd better actually study."
---
Saturday afternoon came too quickly.
Haruto had cleaned his room twice, checked the snack supply three times, and even changed into a new shirt after worrying that his first one looked "too serious."
When the doorbell rang, he nearly jumped.
Aoi stood there, holding her bag and a plate covered in foil.
"Hi, Haruto-kun! I brought cookies! Don't worry — I didn't burn all of them this time."
He blinked. "That's… reassuring?"
She giggled and stepped inside, looking around. "Wow, your house is so neat! It's like a library with a kitchen attached."
"That's… kind of the point," he said, scratching the back of his neck.
They settled at his desk, textbooks open. At first, things went smoothly.
Aoi listened intently as Haruto explained formulas and diagrams, occasionally nodding or jotting down notes.
But after about twenty minutes—
"Haruto-kun," she mumbled, resting her chin on her hand, "why does physics sound like a bedtime story without the happy ending?"
He sighed. "Because you're not focusing."
"I am focusing! I'm focusing on how nice your handwriting is."
That made him choke on air. "Wh-what does that have to do with physics!?"
She laughed, eyes twinkling. "Nothing! But it's true. You write really neatly."
He turned away, cheeks faintly pink. "Just… answer the next question."
---
After two hours (and several cookie breaks), Aoi managed to complete an entire practice sheet without giving up halfway.
When they finished, she leaned back, stretching her arms. "Thanks, Haruto-kun. I actually understand it now! Well… kind of."
"You did fine," he said quietly. "Better than last time."
"Really?" Her smile brightened. "Then I'll treat you as a thank-you! Next time, you can come to my house."
He blinked. "Wait—"
"Deal!" she said quickly, gathering her things before he could protest. "And I'll bake you fresh cookies!"
He sighed as she waved goodbye at the door, humming cheerfully down the street.
Riku's voice echoed in his head: "Careful, man. That's how it starts."
Haruto stared at the cookie crumbs left on his desk, then smiled faintly.
"Yeah," he murmured. "That's exactly how it starts."