Whispers of Love (No-Curses AU)

Chapter 16: Ice Cream Treat

Note: Normal text means that the dialogues/texts are in Japanese

This means that the dialogues/texts are spoken/written in English.

The teacher began distributing the papers and Mizuki felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She tried to breathe evenly, but her heart was racing. When her exam marksheet along with the answer sheets was placed on her desk, she turned it over with a deep breath, already knowing she'd be overanalyzing every mark.

Math: 98
Chemistry: 83
Physics: 69
Economics: 95
Business Studies: 90
English: 96

Her first instinct was to scan the marks with a quick flick of her eyes, and when she saw the 98 in Math, she felt a small wave of relief. Math was always her strongest subject, and 98 was one of her best marks yet. Economics was also a win with 95. But then, her gaze lingered on Physics, the 69 standing out like a sore thumb. She felt a weight in her chest. She had hoped for better—she had tried her best to score better in this.

Megumi, who was sitting next to her, turned his paper over with his usual calm demeanour. She quickly glanced at his marks, knowing he'd done well, but not expecting to see the full extent of his abilities in black and white.

Math: 94
Computer Studies: 98
Chemistry: 92
Physics: 87
Business Studies: 90
English: 89

Her eyes paused on the 98 in Computer Studies, and then on the 94 in Math. She couldn't help but smile, despite her own insecurities. It was so typical of Megumi to do well without even trying. Yet, as her eyes drifted down to his Physics mark—87—she noticed his brow furrow ever so slightly, a sign that he wasn't entirely pleased. Even after seeing her own scores, the weight of his unspoken frustration felt familiar.

"You did great," she said, trying to give him a small smile. "98 in Computer Studies... 94 in Math. You're basically a genius."

Megumi glanced at her, the usual stoic expression on his face but with an almost imperceptible softness in his eyes. "Yeah, but... I didn't do as well in Physics as I wanted to," he said quietly, his voice carrying the usual lack of excitement when it came to anything less than perfect. "I could've done better."

Mizuki tilted her head. "But 87 is still impressive. I thought you were hard on yourself."

"Maybe," he replied, his tone nonchalant. Then his gaze shifted to her paper. "98 in Math... That's impressive."

Mizuki hesitated, still staring at her own paper. "T-t-thanks....but I still wish I did better in Physics."

"Physics..." Megumi glanced at her score, then back at his own. "That's your weakest subject, right?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I still don't get why it's so hard for me."

Megumi's gaze softened, and for a moment, he considered his words carefully. "You can't be perfect at everything...Besides, you fall asleep in most physics classes."

"Can you blame me? The lectures are so  boring,", sighed Mizuki and then she gave a soft smile and said, "But..anyways, Thanks..."

Megumi gave a small shrug, but then he suddenly remembered something. His expression shifted, and the tiniest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I promised you ice cream if you did well, didn't I?"

Her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but laugh, "You did. You actually remembered?"

"I don't forget promises," he said, his voice a bit more casual now, "So...want to grab some after school today?"

Mizuki smiled, her heart lightening at the simple offer. "I don't have work today...so...I'd like that," she said.

"Good." Megumi glanced at her one last time before turning his attention back to his paper.