Chemistry

Chemistry is not just a mere subject!

looked beside her; the boy was resting on his worksheets now, long done with his work. She sighed, wishing that she was even half as good as Echizen Ryoma in Chemistry.

She had always admired how well he always did, scoring straight As for the subject while she could barely pass.

tried countless times to seek for his help, but he always rejected her.

“Echizen! Wake! UP!” the teacher shouted from the front.

The boy woke up languidly. Well, it wasn’t his fault that tennis practices ended so late that he could not get enough rest. Besides, he had already finished his work!

He cracked an eyelid, and rubbed the side of his eye softly, letting out a soft yawn and stretched. giggled, earning an annoyed look from the boy. She flinched a little, waving her hands vigorously, “I didn’t mean it! Really! Sorry…”

 

With that, Echizen looked back at his own piece of work, and then rested his chin on his palms. He looked out of the window, it was boring. He didn’t understand why he had to attend the supplementary lessons with everyone else. This was a waste of time; he could use it for tennis.

But at least, that girl was here, in the same classroom as him, sitting right beside him.

It was amusing to watch her stress over the questions.

It was amusing to look at her troubled face.

It was amusing to hear her groans and complaints.

It also made him exceptionally happy to see her smile when she manages to complete a problem successfully. But he had questioned where that feeling came from, or how it came about… And he still hadn’t figured out why.

+++

Lesson came to an end. tapped the boy on his shoulder, “Ne, Echizen-kun, could you he--“

“No. Don’t you’ve anything better to say?” Echizen waved his hand and left the classroom, leaving a crest-fallen . The girl could never understand why Echizen-kun treated her like that. She was sure Echizen wasn’t a selfish person, so why? She didn’t remember offending him in any way either. She took her bag, and left the classroom, feeling rather dispirited.

Echizen wasn’t a self-centered person. He would show a certain amount of concern for people, people that he cared for. He just didn’t know how to show it.

Finding a quiet spot by the fountains, sat under a tree, drowning herself in her pile of Chemistry notes and homework. She tried solving one question after another, but to no avail. She scratched her head and smiled sheepishly to herself.

Echizen smiled to himself, looking at the girl from the rooftop.

“I really can’t stand it anymore, you really are an idiot when it comes to chemistry,” Echizen smirked, walking towards the girl.

Startled, the girl looked up, “Echizen…!” a faint blush appeared across her cheeks.

Echizen sat down by her, “I can teach you… if you treat me to three days’ worth of Ponta…”

’s face lit up, “Really? You mean it? Thank you! I’ll get one for you! Right now! Grape-favoured right?” The girl grinned, running off to the nearest vending machine.

Echizen was quite surprised. She knew what he liked. He smiled to himself again, as he brushed through ’s handwritten notes…

returned with a can of Ponta in her hands.

“So slow,” Echizen snarked.

just grinned awkwardly and sat down, “Gomen.”

“Oh well…” the boy said, and pat her head softly, “Let’s start…”

opened her eyes widely, and her face flustered bright red, “Echiz—“

“Let’s START,” The boy gave her a serious look, trying his best to control his laughter.

“H—hai!!” The girl clenched both her fists. “Ganbarimasu!!”

Someday, he’ll let her know… those feelings of his…

Chemistry is… the mutual attraction between two different people.

Chemistry brings two completely different people together.

//Summer. 12th Jun ’05.