Friday. Afternoon. 4:00 pm77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBpQfrWJ4W
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This was absurd. How did I end up in this position?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRaWiTmDx8
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Earlier today, I was prepping myself for our first study session. And now, I was left standing in front of a door. With this guy standing at the entrance, messy hair, eyes that could cause nightmares just by looking into them, and that less prominent darkness just below them. Less prominent than yesterday at least.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rfdSJwWTy
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He just ambushed me with a question.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WCMAvAHkl
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Solve x squared minus six x plus five equals zero. By completing the square.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1PJ045ILq
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Why?1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83juLqIfAp 尼

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1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiWE16xGcK 尼

Was this supposed to be a code that I needed to answer before I could enter? Was his apartment supposed to be a sacred room?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU26OQJOs04
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I gripped my own hand.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r6F1g1Bgl
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“I…” I hesitated, all I could do now was guess. But I didn’t know what to guess.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNx8H8fCF9
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“Five seconds.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkq0QdqOHq
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“I… I don’t know,” I finally said. I thought it was better to be honest. Because maybe if I gave the wrong one there would be a consequence. “I’m sorry.” I dropped my gaze to the floor.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5dVGrxGAO
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“Did you read the notes?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xazdJLq7m
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My eyes went lower than the floor.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWTDX9DkvC
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I did read them. But I only read the parts where the practice exam questions were. If I had known, I would have read further.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj41buNrMrY
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I sighed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQmQ53TDb9
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“I did,” I said, quietly. It was true that I did but… “but… I haven’t gotten far.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmpwzKMWBr
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After he wrote those notes for me… I should have done better.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsOPm4gXmj
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But something clicked in me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJr6ov1CtP
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Because after all… he could have asked me any question. Like he could have asked me English, science or even Japanese history. And I only had a night to read all of the notes. And there were nine of them in total. Sure, six was what he said we were going to use to study. But still…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaooBnVdFQy
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I frowned.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPIrNEMopT
I felt my eye twitch a little.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRJxftHdsA
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Then I immediately stared into his eyes. Fierce. Brave.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMNQrGTyDZ
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“Besides, why are you ambushing me with a question before you let me in?” I asked, firm. Very firm, as firm as my voice could sound. “Is this how our first study session will be?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBfLs6akew
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I confronted him. I never confronted him before. I had never even considered that this situation would even happen in the first place. And now I was here, studying his face, looking for some weaknesses.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaNqMX43cO
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I only found his usual stern look. His look that never changed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIYJpzBpnB
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“Fair,” he said. “Come in then.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2UnRT9nKS
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He turned around and left the door open.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoWzj28MBX
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I just looked at him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhW5N6Nayb
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Then I closed my eyes, bit my lip and tightened both my hands.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb20SZJAMhl
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Breathe, Runa breathe. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNMSFHjhKX
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I wanted to say more. I wanted to ask him why he was trying to become like a warden that presented a hero’s trial letting only the worthy pass through.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4ce7L0uA9
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This was already making me exhausted, and the whole study session hadn’t even started yet.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpqCOm6f9b
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I entered, closed the door behind me, took off my shoes by the entrance and placed them neatly close to the center.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yhZLVcXVg
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This was my third time coming here. But this was only the second time that I got in.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AFztpwdKR
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I bowed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4128BT4ef
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“Excuse me.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMKNq7fFAH
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Then navigated the whole way towards the living room.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTkDRvjnew
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Inside, I chose to sit at the end of the longer sofa near the smaller one, just like last time.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDxqOtFOaB
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And just like last time...77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6vm3XynB4
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“Water, soda or orange juice.” He asked from the kitchen.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV7ItW7hAd
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“Soda.” Why?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbIOp6v1EL
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I wanted orange juice. Did I really like soda that much that I had to request it twice?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUTuZ4mGQD
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I really don’t understand myself, I wasn’t nervous this time.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthTheTupDX
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He came back with a glass— soda, ice— placed it on the table with a fabric coaster beneath it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDqeolNLPd
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“We’ll use this table,” he said without looking at me, “we start after you’re done resting.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXApDTEXQvd
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He walked around the small table to sit at the opposite end of the longer sofa where he sat last time. And like last time he pulled the book he left on there, sat, then started reading.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3aax7q7pQ
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I thought about it for a moment.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzrqYaSbiN
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Was that why he ignored me last time too?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPh7NQnLax
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“We’re studying math today,” he said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHUzHgMFNI
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I paused. Then silently sighed in relief.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj64Btoe6h
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Thank god I took math with me today. If he had said another subject other than math, science, or English then I would have ended up scratching my head.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vDsnA3mZA
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I stood up, took my bag with me then sat and tucked my feet under me in front of the table. Behind me was the smaller sofa.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHpNAkNxxl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrByZwl2ckG
My hand carefully reached inside my bag and took out the math notebook. I took a pen out too, just in case.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnq8sxLHtr
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I felt the surface of the table first. It felt smoother than it looked. The wood seemed rough but I guess it was just the design. It looked quite expensive.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRET26wQEzf
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I gently placed the notebook on the table.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LZS40Uf4Z
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For now, I would put the pen beside it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapqjS52qM3
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I stared at the math notebook for a second.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9PNju0Tx2
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He wrote this for me. He wrote this and did not sleep for a night.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0YwRnvJ1Q
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Am I really worth making these notes for?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgZH8moBbS
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Although he said it was to help me, but somehow I couldn’t accept such a simple answer. But I had to accept it. So I guess… I would just accept it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGizmk5FVD3
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I flipped the cover of the notebook and no matter how many times I had already seen it, it still mesmerized me. His handwriting was neat. Unlike his hair. His marks and labels were colorful. Unlike his personality.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MYTVREoCx
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I giggled a bit.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCcSHnHfCr
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Then a thought popped in my mind.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pzKtLNPO9
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Oh yeah, we were not going to start yet.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ5nzxjZnH
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I stretched my feet under the table and continued to drink the soda.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XJ9RzrLvq
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Then it felt awkward.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwonFH0vCSa
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Why was I being comfortable in someone else’s house?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yaJiziqlI
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I hurriedly stood up, grabbed the glass of soda with me, took a few steps toward the smaller sofa and sat down.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4XXlgkpof
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What was I doing? I felt like I was doing so many unnecessary things just now. Standing, sitting in front of the table, standing again and walking towards this sofa.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNc8np5lsl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQLGTfJNRn
I stared at my soda, it was almost half empty. I held it with both hands this time and placed it on my lap.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b6Uu2s7kV
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My head then looked up without me meaning to.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCQ7kAvIUN
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The ceiling again. It looked the same as last time.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77T5herlyw
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I closed my eyes, and chanted the words inside my head.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIHQT0xWfL
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Focus… Just focus…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrAFcbLBF5
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I resolved myself. I was ready. I brought myself here. All I needed was to focus, learn and study. There was no doubt in me anymore, no more anxiety building up, and I shouldn’t let hesitation take over me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7D7Zy1eVq
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I had to. I needed to. I didn’t need any distractions. I didn’t need anything consuming my mind away from my goals.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7gcY9MZwD
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Even about that…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq89ZuhRnWN
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I paused. I didn’t want that to surface. I had been burying it inside me for the past two days and I didn’t want it to come out at this moment.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Fp0GwO51
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Not now… Not later… Not yet…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgIdUHB8Nf
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I kept my eyes closed… then waited…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzhD8s4TFN
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Five minutes have passed…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSnHEd9mLK
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I took a deep breath.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGYWrwiWNE
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Eight minutes have passed…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kHyiuvthf
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I opened my eyes.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0G52ITJR8
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The sweat from the glass of soda had started to soak my uniform. I almost didn’t notice.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc5hwYWgov
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I lifted the glass, there was no more sound of the ice cubes hitting it, and the soda had already mixed with them.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLJlSQ4eTv
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“Are you done?” Kuroiwa asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr28YoRpYou
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Did he notice me?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCZUjKaJ99
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I looked at him. He was still reading.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXl16zv5fB
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“...Yeah,” I paused for a fraction of a second before I replied.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUJJZ0vLl9
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“Then let’s start.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDI0lfZx9N
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“...Okay.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkRt43FdAZ
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I looked at the ceiling one last time before standing up.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1EiWAIaFL
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And again, I took another breath, shallower this time.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBM8n0SwzN
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I walked towards the table, knees first on the cushion I just sat on earlier, tucked my feet under me and sat. Then I carefully placed the half empty glass of soda on the coaster where it was earlier.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68ETcQ34Gt
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Kuroiwa stood up,77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcomJrpUxfl
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“Wait here,” he said as he walked around the table.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi5YP2O4Xl
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He picked up the glass of soda.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0dWEbzIlr
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I flinched. I didn’t mean to.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB235ScPo2
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I looked at him but he continued to walk towards the kitchen. I was guessing it was to put the glass in the sink.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtBrr42WB4
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He was still his slow and unhurried self. Just taking his time. Strolling around his house.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNOZl57zlg
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Though I was glad he didn’t notice me flinch. I mean, wouldn’t that be rude to him, just because he got near me I had to slightly jump back.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2oXEV5hku
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Like I was…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFm4bBfWuj
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I held that thought. I held it deeply. Pulled it in deeper.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpni85e0qmH
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I was too into my thoughts that I didn’t realize Kuroiwa had already come back and was sitting at the opposite side of the table… in front of me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzgcfPrLXX
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He had two notebooks placed on the table.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cecnCtxbe
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He slid them to me carefully.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFka1uN3po
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“What are these?” I asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfHEqfGjEM
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“The one on the left has equations to be solved,” he said. Without gesturing or pointing. “The one on the right is a blank one, where you write your solutions and answers.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiNErF6BQB
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I pulled them closer to me and inspected what was inside.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCmixPeOXI
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“The first page of the equations notebook is where we start, you open the blank notebook too,” he continued. “Also open your math notebook to page five.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXW3Oc4yUZ
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I did all of it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRBg2F85CG
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When I opened the equations notebook, I wasn’t familiar with what was inside. The problems written in them were different compared to the ones that I was trying to solve last night.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1aTVg8GZa
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I took the math notebook.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEVMeKW7Eb
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Page five, okay…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RYaUFWTZM
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As soon as I turned the pages, I saw similar problems written on the equations notebook.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoLvuyGcuE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeTkQMBRvo
While I was looking at them carefully, I started to remember, these seemed the same as what Mr. Tanaka had taught us yesterday. How could I have forgotten?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jLiVE2Yyh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfbO4RLRx2
“What we are going to study is about solving quadratic equations,” Kuroiwa said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBgpiWfDqG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMjj1iBz6R
I almost thought I was sweating. I should know this. We just learned about it yesterday.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwsKxz4Akq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoqpYkj29W
“Umm… uhh… so… what’s a quadratic equation?” I couldn’t resist asking.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeeRCeL3HT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQcCqWMcsP
He definitely thought I was stupid for not remembering the lecture.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTPa3DGiRX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga27Ghb2N8
“Quadratic equations, in the textbook, is a second degree polynomial equation that can be written in a standard form as ax squared plus bx plus c equal to zero. Where a, b, and c are real numbers and a is not equal to zero,” he said. His voice calm, he explained everything precisely, and patiently.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlppOpFib9X
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC46UkykEpk
I blinked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0MhxoxfmU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x0xylsZ4X
I was a bit surprised. Not because I didn’t understand one thing of what he said. Yes, I didn’t.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6rRRnHe9D
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaRNKEyxIz
But because he was patient. I thought he would be sarcastic and annoyed because it was already explained to us yesterday. But he wasn’t.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5wLW1Vxpe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr06FnA5DtS
I stared at my notes. All the intentions of focus gathered in my eyes.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uRVQXKDDS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRbzmQ2Wa1
“The textbook’s definition is quite long and confusing,” he continued.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gjcrqlsja
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa7AUaBlon
I nodded slightly in agreement. I would nod more and profusely but I didn’t want to look silly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg16tWKxI7x
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp6mQSUTcd
“So just think of it like this. If the beginning of the equation starts with a number and the x beside it is in the second degree.” He pointed towards the equation notebook he gave me, which I placed above the math notebook leaving enough gap between me and it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG34Y5OcSp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhHSs7vGAb
I wasn’t bothered. Why would I be bothered?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWuHrfrLuS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYqV2v1ZOd
“If you see this, then it’s most likely a quadratic equation.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6z4AXh6rB
I stared at where he was pointing. But I was careful not to get too close.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa5bSQaUKO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2XAFbE10R
“Okay, so if the x has like this tiny number two above it, then it means it’s a quadratic equation?” I asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG45gUA44p
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjZ2f3Xpxa
“Not a definitive yes,” he answered.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaYcpkyPD7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjVs19poKn
“Why?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvsiXoqp1a
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTbfrBigop
“Because there are equations that begin with x squared but could not be written in standard form, and also if the number beside x squared is zero then it is not a quadratic equation.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnPFNpxd6m
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOFn4OxF7h
“Hmm?” I tried with all my brain cells to make sense of what he said. “It’s so confusing.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaERPfrGcp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ldsfcP8jS
“It is, but let me give you an example.” Kuroiwa leaned forward towards me, slowly pulled the blank notebook that I placed on the left side of the math notebook.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkK3FoAV9p
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PPWFCcFof
But then he tried to grab the pen I was holding.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fsvQnrhuh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ0Ka3Dbur
My body moved on its own.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah9uAmCjsa
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJVwO0fmaf
I leaned back, placed my hand on the floor to support my weight… then… my vision narrowed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hR1uv6z4J
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWFjjXaNcu
My stomach fluttered, and slowly, I was pulling back even more.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBPRq9SahQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUJcotJkVz
At that moment, I couldn’t hear anything. He might have called my name but it didn’t register to me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wSB20OPg6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOnGrdavFg
I never intended to do this, I tried to resist. But my mind kept spiraling down to the words I had been avoiding since last night, since the night before and the night before that. The possibilities. His proximity. The way it was hard for me to understand every explanation he said just now.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg124fWhKKu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3IpS5ja48
Everything made the words become real…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1ZWQS3viL
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Condition.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTj3PDIqZ4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII0Vjungnu
Touch.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9TcjC2uYK
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Five minutes.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNv96vbulj
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I pulled back further… and further…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbxS35QFpD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDZhB4ComH
And the fluttering started to creep in deeper… and deeper...77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8O4RAqIRe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCSZcksif1
His hands. It was all that I could see right now. And the more I saw it, the more I moved.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiutfZI1lsX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23AsATorVA
“Miyase-san?” Finally I was able to hear him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWV9oAMY3k
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCDsFfU5HL
“Ah.” My voice was shaking but I managed to steady it enough to form words to say. “I-I’m sorry, I-I was… just… surprised.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z28oUhW17
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyKXGwOuhr
I wasn’t lying.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkHPEtrPg5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa86sag2UkI
He sat back to his side of the table. Straight. Then looked at me carefully.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIdx65rHNv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT881l0HYGN
I avoided his gaze.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJQbNerxBq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQf4oByef3
“Miyase-san.” His voice still sounded the same as he always sounded.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KF7Xvo7XR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR39ANQEqJV
Even at a time like this.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmiL5wsE2h
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF3jYF1MAO
No… why would I even think that?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFDCELJcgM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4tZGlp44I
Why am I bothered?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU5WJUrY0Z
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5kbMclXSM
“Do you need a break?” he said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs57KDVIUe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA7pwC4fNa
I didn’t answer. But I leaned further back to realize I was already hitting the smaller sofa behind me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1K85O8ovW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWWIDcfgls
But…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYcBsRrf3f
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8v6GKZjMX
It hadn’t been ten minutes since we started. Why would I need a break… why? I need to concentrate. I need to study… If I fail…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ep9GJv0B4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr5dBltfN6
No… please stop thinking.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54nQHAnvZq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EzhVunlDa
I closed my eyes tight… very tight.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkANcstjbFS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTQ4rc9JKa
Then I felt him stand up.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPoD5tHazY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgGMziXzRv
I jumped. I took my bag and placed it on my lap and curled myself into a ball.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7fTK4saT6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMa0PpBfVJ
“Let’s take a break,” he said. And I felt him walk away from me. “Wait here.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILIGtM5VZJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZliB2ZVtS
I remained as I did. Never moved. Not even a finger.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUMdlKnNmQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE4NeoGFLY
I tightened the grip of my hand on my knees.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6c2BLZFoi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe78DLhbyct
Why today? Why did I have to be like this today? Why couldn’t I just focus? Why couldn’t I just concentrate? Just study… just stay still and not make things complicated. Everything was already complicated enough... and I was making it worse.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz9vCtukEx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWOkNvMeLk
Why?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iD1wK5QVR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaxIF32NQf
…1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡnywz27BNZP 尼

77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1elJnTZ6i
1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ5y4jFlg8 尼

…1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIlcVuhEJm 尼

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1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡszhUAsVcLt 尼

But why did he even make such a condition? Why every single time I met him he was being unreasonable? Why couldn’t he just be normal? Why couldn’t he just not be weird? Just be regular… just teach me as a regular person and not make things complicated. He was the one who planted all these complicated thoughts and feelings in me… and it was getting worse.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcqzlfCCVr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVXjDWbkp3
…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0vcDutYZ4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU1S7nzvMw
…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B6infiqZf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkiiiRXEH6
Why?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcCU0yiBWO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pILLL5ox2
I shouldn’t have come here… But I failed my practice exams…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1kLzVoJmv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUf5rF4EDT
I shouldn’t have agreed… But he said he wouldn’t let me fail…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlxeglS3cU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Y48enB63
I should’ve just let Mika, Hina and Yui teach me again… But I don’t want to burden them anymore…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAviaL0ooC8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXO7zyS7Tn
I shouldn’t have… But…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxVwcNrl0S
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkImgpLsIZ
I… I don’t know…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6FbtdEUT5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeORdHAEqD
I—77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qISvwAxn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKILOTxPZv6
“Miyase-san!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnwTxEVb1U
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgemUVvqHU
I slowly opened my eyes. Reluctant. Careful.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Rg4ezHEG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDThTYoLOx7
He showed up far away from me… to his side of the table… sitting77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTO6Wzwgac
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap6C543njh
“Water,” he said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWZpqo2zOh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX3C55FpIG
I saw the glass of water that was carefully placed on my side of the table. A fabric coaster under it. Away from the notebooks.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3ZGdRiJUw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA5eud11mw
“Don’t worry,” he continued, “I didn’t get near you.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF2iICWRxS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPucqkqxmty
My mouth opened. I wanted to say something… But what was that something?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyXq5HsHXa
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAS5tQfc43
“I’m sorry…” I just whispered.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNig7EMopuI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI5OrzlubM
“About?” he asked, I was surprised he even heard me, but I was more surprised he asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4ZZpuGJDj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn5Q5Azyl0
“Because… I—”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6A2AKQCVO
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“I’m used to it,” he said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GYpnbs2D5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hee2eOMPC
Huh?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO142Vs0cKC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlatUexA4VT
“Ever since I was in elementary school, everybody seemed to avoid me. So I’m used to it.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1QMbEvnR4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhLHRFw9ny
No… You’re wrong…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDZJIJExz4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6WlYIYCsd
“It’s my fault that I got close to you without warning. I should’ve been more careful.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLFF59u2Dd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gBpicQJG9
That was not…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon2xAPUScV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLUSJfhjjU
“I went to my room to get an extra pen and notebooks. I also made sure that when I got back, I didn’t get near you. And also I placed the water at your side of the table without getting close to you. I also put your pen back to where it was.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡticCl9fw7V
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf8U7LGO70
He bowed in front of me… His forehead almost touching the table.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10GCthkqSm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshTVjyS6gG
“I apologize… Sincerely.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR2VaqzKHx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu1mPfyNCK
I was looking at him… then slowly… my gaze turned towards my knees.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jFn3lcRe7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkYeyjyYr0
I didn’t say anything. I just let the sound of the ticking clock fill the living room.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHHIMjryzl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpKcG7VurB
One second… Two seconds… A few more seconds…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkd3JRLa4p
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j9tWAPpGT
“C-can I use your bathroom?” I finally said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E6mfteoqr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQI6bUFGlG
“Sure, on the main hall, right side from the living room.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6a4ezYMHv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsukAA4Dg8
“Thank you.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtyFHZdT6O
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcsmRKY3Qt
I stood up. Steady. I tried to gain my balance. Then headed towards where the bathroom was.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ978lEyudD1
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafeGGD7D7Q
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Friday. 4:36 pm77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj9a5QkZwj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXhatpJu4j
Inside, my tears just kept flowing.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aiGWMZl1Y
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMjLO2LTfz
I was trying to dry them with my hand, fanning them like I was about to be interrogated, just like in the detective drama I watched with my mom last week.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOYzIb4XFk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ljvy5KBjY
I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. I didn’t want to still feel overwhelmed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQOtbNCPA1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMrgm3Gkax
I didn’t want to cry.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g2LBueHjH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVdrDrMmSx
But they kept pouring… tracing my cheeks… dripping down my chin…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cZTU7jiqw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIEr5N3wJ6
Breathe, Runa just breathe.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2jgg2qoHM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnUBJIXWOa
I did, multiple times.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZigNMV4dvk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3SjZj2xAV
I really needed to solve myself first before solving any equations out there.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXm0OzVo2w
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cWZVWc37S
Inhale… Exhale… one more… and one more…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9eCsPf84
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAPhucRpO1
It hurts… it hurts that I had to be this way. That I had to be so out of focus like that, when he…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2lt0y8jy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEK2EFh6ds
He was not even thinking about them. And I was there… Drowning in the depths of each of those words.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMWwATY7VV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWrb5PWFCl
I stopped my hand. And I stared at myself in the mirror.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumhE4ffehj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrgiqybCD4
What a mess… I was such a mess…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DwLM8lpp4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g62gCBOst
I wanted to laugh, I wanted to hear myself going crazy.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGRBQy5H9z
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIVUMerzMu
…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fw7TwrPH3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ft798yGie
But I couldn’t, there was still some reason left in me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ers3uGB3I
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P7AHp2cl4
I remembered what Hina said this morning, I remembered how I saw Kuroiwa slip and fall during gym class.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTo6RUAU2i
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6aGHoDGdG
He’s only a human being. I shouldn’t keep acting scared in front of him. No, I shouldn’t even be scared of him even when he wasn’t there.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3UVSXK6ia
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Condition?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkj7K4mu6N
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXSQFWRXCL
So what!?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte537lLBJZ
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If I failed, then it was his fault. I came here. I showed my resolve. And he said he wouldn’t fail me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PDTMDoB85
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I would keep studying. He should keep teaching me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUD3uM8xwT
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And if I failed. There was no reason for me to comply.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FMGAVIGmI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65VVxv8eyL
I did not promise. He didn’t even want me to say that I accepted his condition. In fact I did not say I accepted. I just came here.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW8xokET6z
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mRIaUuDZf
Because I believed the things he was trying to sell to me. And I wouldn’t let him scam me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xc7BadcAP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kik8WzHBi
If it came to that. If I really did fail. Even just one subject.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFbXRgV8c8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz4Q9BDVyq
I stared at myself in the mirror again. Then slapped my face with both my hands to both my cheeks. I was careful not to leave a mark.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk4qNG4hh0
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Wake up…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiSqndj8uj
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If I did fail. Then it was his turn to be slapped.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZmc7gWrMx
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“I will be fine.” I told myself.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPaV7dsiuV
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I would always be fine.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXK92W4ODe
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6PvMWy3Fi
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Friday. 5:02 pm77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszhcbDM3T7
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I messed up.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1usfJXKFt9
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It took long for me to calm down. It took longer for me to reapply my makeup.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNsRT2Dl5u
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Luckily I took my bag with me when I went to the bathroom. Otherwise, if I didn’t, my face would have looked horrendous.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F7PTQga9s
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I wouldn’t want anyone to see me without my make up. I was fine if my family and friends saw. But I would die if anyone else did.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mculzkcnc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSstTXdgDsr
I braced myself. Took a long breath. Then opened the door to the living room. I saw Kuroiwa scribbling into the notebook he got for himself.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdPzhJReDH
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“I’m back,” I said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWt8FAledl
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He stared at me then nodded.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAccChKkfMe
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I went back to sit in front of the table, opposite of him. Then I gently placed my bag beside me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GTh0BvxoI
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“I’m sorry about earlier.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7rEr5OcNE
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“It’s fine.” He paused. He probably was trying to be careful with his words. “Are you okay, now?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxJbHuozrj
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His voice still sounded like he always did though.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0EAb1bbZo
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I smiled a little bit.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmKNm8LZp6
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He didn’t waste any time and started.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8maQHKtaq
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“So let’s start from the beginning—“77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWziPLJl1e
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Did I hear it right? From the beginning?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnP9CtFgsm
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“The textbook definition of a quadratic equation—“77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86tnPD0Sqv
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Word for word.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPslWj5Hkp
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“It is confusing, but if you think about it like this—“77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM55raOmb1
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Seriously?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YAzapgWeZ
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I ended up just staring at him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAxg4wQosX
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I sighed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR6bYNcKpe
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“Were you listening?” he asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlW9ArxJSi
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Honestly, I wasn’t.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNz31I32GS
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“Sorry,” I said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkKFBbeV2k
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“It’s fine. Let’s start from the start. This time make sure you listen.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3FgYXL3PZ
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I opened my mouth. But I guess I had no choice so I listened.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qXk2gkqN
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Every word, every sentence, the way he told them. Ended up always the same.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4zSSbhQaD
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I asked a question from time to time. But every time I did, we started again from the beginning.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oTC2h5JRt
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That was quite exhausting… a bit annoying… but it’s different…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BXv5tKWlZ
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Maybe there’s something to this difference. I don’t really know. But every loop got me focused more and more.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8mpEwyE25
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He looped a few more times. I listened intently.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkz9ypqfWa
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And then...77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFOVsO0b8U
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“So, what is a quadratic equation?” he asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBdfppt78H
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I blinked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeNGLTs3XF
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“Umm... A quadratic equation is an equation that starts with an x that has a subscript of 2 above it and also the number beside the x with a subscript of 2 shouldn’t be a zero. Also the next part of the equation has a negative or positive number that is beside an x with no subscript and then a number that is either a positive or negative or a zero.” I answered. “Oh, and also the number beside the x with no floating 2 on it could also be a zero and if that is the case then I don’t need to write it. Also… also… an equal sign and a positive or negative number or a zero on the other side of the equal sign.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoOLFbGdD3
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I got that from my memory. Everything he said jumbled up and mixed together. And I was able to say that. It was longer than I remembered him describe it but… I think I did get it…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4BHXpYfX7
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I looked at him for approval.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WUHanqLl3
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“You’re right,” he said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzEYi4kVzC
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My eyes widened.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVnEUQQ7lI
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“So let’s move to the next part. Open the equations notebook on page one and I’ll show you how to solve it.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMzsMutOEQ
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He taught me patiently.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM0xRmVBaz
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He would write down the solution to his notebook, slide it carefully towards me and then I copied it…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP5WC1B3dp
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The way he wrote the characters was larger so that he could point it to me from where he sat and I would be able to see them with no problem.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I9gT3hlMQ
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To be honest… I almost copied the exact same sizes of the letters and numbers that he wrote.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P1jPPou5F
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He explained to me about factoring. Taught me how to divide the equation into two parentheses. Taught me how to determine the right numbers next to it inside the two parentheses. And then how to find the value for each equation afterwards.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIhkZbKeCQ
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We repeated. Multiple times. And it felt heavy on my head. But then it would become lighter each loop.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5d20syHnS
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When he made me solve an equation. He did the same. I asked a question. Repeat. I made a mistake somewhere. Repeat. I got the right answer but I struggled along the way. Repeat.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOjdhofwYr
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Every. Single. Time.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDLZTisNea
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But when I looked at the notebook that once had blank pages when he gave me, now filled with solutions that I was slowly starting to get. It made me keep going. I felt I was on the right track.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUo37CJd4g
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One equation later… three equations later… then finally the fifth one…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7SpmaQTAx
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I smiled.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshV6Xw3JiT
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I smiled with all my heart. It was the first time ever that I was able to solve an equation without anyone’s help.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4pIf0HHC9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgQdiZ8UEU
The fifth equation, I did by myself. And when I was done, I showed it to Kuroiwa. Sliding my notebook towards him. I tried to analyze his face. Then he showed that look that means I was right.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm17VvUQ73f
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I didn’t even need him to tell me I was right.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5H5nYzENb
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His expressions almost always never changed. But since we had been doing this for, who knows how long now, I started to learn the difference between his normal face and the subtle changes in his expressions whenever I got things right.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIOeNs8Am5
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So far, that’s the only subtlety I had found out about him… For now, at least.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprnzIQsRDt
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But before I could even celebrate he already told me to solve another equation.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKsdQUAUPH
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I groaned… In my thoughts… Like always.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOzU3c38yT
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But still… All these equations…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TobcH4uvD
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I was glad I was finally able to understand how to solve them now.1234 copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBBdXRQWUK 尼

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