Exam week is finally over as Friday is finally upon us, not that it was all that stressful to be honest. I already know my average score won't be a perfect 100 as I did do a few slip ups. I did struggle with some of the multiple choice questions, but I got around it with just simple deduction. Overall though I feel like this is one of my better terms for exams. But as we all met up at the school gate-
"Aghhh!"
Shin lets out a loud sigh as he joins us.
Yesterday, after our last exam, we all decided to wait by the school gate before going in to see the scores posted. But with Shin being the last one turning up like this, I feel like he isn't bringing good news with him.
"What's wrong?"
Midori is quick to find out what's wrong with him.
"S-sorry guys, but I lied. I completely flunked that last exam."
"Pfft. What? Did you forget to put your name on the test or something?"
Zhen ends up firing off a joke to Shin which I felt was quite out of character for him. I guess that just goes to show how comfortable he feels around Shin...
"No. I'm not 'that' stupid, haha. I just really forgot about chemistry..."
"I'm sure you didn't 'fail' though, right?"
"..."
"...Right?"
Midori tries to get the answer from Shin, but he just shakes his head.
"Like I said... Completely flunked."
"Then wouldn't that mean that he has to take remedial classes?"
Nicole chimed in which also seemed to have made her boyfriend chuckle.
"I hope not!"
"Well, let's just go and see, shall we?"
With all of us walking inside, we notice the crowd of people around the post board where we were told the scores for our grade would be posted. I've only checked it a couple times, but this'll be the first time I'm doing this with other people.
After a bit of waiting, we finally get to be able to see the notice board with the top 25 students in our grade. Immediately I see that my name is right at the top.
"First place, eh?"
"Nn."
"Jeez. How on earth do you even get that score?"
On the board, it has our average score across all the exams. My score that is in question is 99.5. I figured it'd be around there as I counted maybe 14 questions in total that I had a bit of issue with. Looks like some of them I got right though if my score is this high.
"Ah! I'm there too!"
At Midori's words, I look down the list to try and find her name, but it doesn't take me too long as I see that she has taken the 5th spot with an average score of 98.75. I can't remember if I ever saw her name on the board before, but judging from her reaction, maybe it's a rare thing for her?
"Good job, Midori."
"Ehehe~"
I don't know why, but I felt like head patting Midori for a job well done. Looks like our study session over that weekend paid off. Hmm? Wait, is Midori blushing from this? Upon realizing it, I give her head one final pat before pulling away which seemed to have calmed her down a bit.
"WOAH!!!"
But our little bubble would quickly be burst with Shin yelling out in surprise, starling everyone around us, but we all quickly look at the board once again to see what the fuss was about. However, no matter how hard I look, I don't see his name on it.
"What is it? Why the hell are you woah-ing about?"
Nicole is the first to ask.
"Zhen!"
With Shin pointing near the top of the board, we all look once more, and there at number the number 3 spot was Zhen. I completely skimmed past it before as I was more so focused on Midori.
"To think he just transferred here and scored so high!"
"Well... I did get here on a scholarship."
"Huh?"
"Didn't I tell you?"
"No! What the hell?"
Well that explains why he scored so high. He even helped to make sure Shin scored well, but it seems like we'll have to wait to get out papers back from our class today before we can actually see his and everyone else's.
"But I can't compare to Luna's. Even at my best I think I'd struggle to score that high."
"Mmm... Is it really all that impressive?"
"You're kidding, right?"
Don't get me wrong, I can see it clear as day, I took the number one spot for our grade, but I don't feel as though I put in as much effort like people are making it out to be. Maybe I just have good memory?
"Hehe~ We'll have to do a study session with everyone next time around."
"Nn."
Midori shoots me a smile before everyone collectively agreed. However, seeing Nicole and her boyfriend still bothers me. Midori wanted to just keep quiet about it with her, but it still doesn't sit right with me knowing that Kai is trying to go out with another girl; that being Yume. It seems one sided so I'm sure it won't go nowhere, but it still bothers me that he's disloyal. Regardless how I feel though, I should just respect Midori's decision.
We all went our separate ways before the bell rang as we all went to class. There we were handed out our results from all our tests. Today is another short day as some students were even leaving school straight after home room, but we all waited out until lunch where we exchanged papers, sharing with each other our scores. Shin let out a massive sigh of relief as he showed us his chemistry papers with a score of 51, just barely above the passing mark.
"I thought I absolutely flunked it."
"Pfft, well compared to the rest of us you could say that you still did."
"Haah~"
After lunch, we all went back to our homes. I pull out my phone before contacting my manager. I'd rather not text while walking, so I opt to just ring him up instead.
"Hello?"
"Manager. It's me, Luna."
"Ah~ Luna. How were your exams?"
"They went well."
Because of the exams going on, he told me to take a break from working during the week, but with exams now finished, I feel like I can at least do Friday. It's the most busiest day after all.
"That's good to hear. You're probably tired after all that so do try and get some rest okay?"
"But-"
"Now now~ Don't try and think I don't know what your plan was for calling. Don't come to work today, okay? You can come back on Monday."
"...Okay."
"Mmm. Good. then I'll see you Monday."
"Yes."
We end the call there as I put my phone away in defeat.
"Haaah!~"
That just means I have the rest of today doing nothing... Midori said that she'll be busy with her mother today as her mother always loves to go over her exams with her. It kind of makes me a little nervous to be honest as she knows that I was the one tutoring her when I came over last weekend. I fear that if her scores aren't above par then maybe her mother will hate me for it, but I like to think that Midori's expression when we looked at the notice board today that it meant that her scores were better than before.
"...Hmm?"
Just then, I notice something odd as I was passing by one of the shops along the way back to the apartment. It's been quite some time now, but I'm sure that that's the two guys that were trying to pick up Midori, the same people that I beat up... Looking back at the time, I can't believe how composed I was. I had never fought people for real before and was surprised and how easily I managed, but what are they doing here? I thought that maybe they'd be in prison or something. And from the looks of it, they seems to be at a quite a fancy place for clothing. Well, it's not like they're my problem now, so I opt to just continue walking past, but that was when the two men noticed me as we all locked eyes through the glass. I simply dismiss them as I continue walking.
I'm not too sure when my brother and Mei will be coming over, but I do remember them saying not to worry about the extra chicken. That said, I still want to make sure it goes well, so I end up going out to buy a few more groceries, mainly spices for the tikka masala. It's my first time using some of these spices, but as long as I follow the recipes I should be fine. After paying for my things, I leave the store before walking back to my apartment.
"Ah-"
Wait, what about drinks? If he's going away, then maybe alcohol would be a good idea? I've never tried it due to my age but I more or less understand that it's what adults usually drink. Wait, now that I think about it, I don't think I recall my parents ever drinking. Is it because we were around? Is it a drink that shouldn't be consumed around kids? In that case then maybe I'll skip on that idea.
"Mn?"
Just then as I turned a corner whilst on my way to my apartment, I hear a couple footsteps also turn the same corner behind me. Is it those same guys as before? I don't really want to turn my head to check so instead I continue walking as if I didn't notice anything and turn the next corner, leading away from my apartment. If they really are stalking me, I'm not about to let them figure out where I live. My instincts would prove to be right as after some time, the two sets of footsteps also turn the new corner.
However, I still need to make sure before calling emergency services, so I casually bring out my phone from my pocket before holding it up in front of me, making sure that only I would be able to see it, and in that moment, I see those two men. I then open the keypad before turning yet another corner, into a less crowded street. With the line of sight now broken, I quickly dial emergency services before stowing my phone back in my pocket.
"*** What is you're emergency-?"
"Hu!"
I could faintly hear the operator on the other end, but with one of the men trying to grab hold of my arm, I swiftly side step out of the way. However... It's then that I realized that the man is also holding a knife in his other hand. As for his buddy, he's trying to block off any escape route I might have.
"You got away from us, but we won't be making that mistake again."
"Yeah? And you think you can beat me with that knife?"
The people on the line should be able to hear this conversation… To be honest, seeing that knife is quite scary, but I need to hold my ground, to buy enough time...
"Hah! Has it already gone to your head? Have you already forgotten?"
What is he on about? With my thoughts, I let them slowly coax me deeper into this alleyway as the shadows around us slowly envelop me. I just need to buy as much time until the police show up.
"B-bro, don't cut her this time, our boss would-"
"Shut up! Don't you remember what she did to us? She made us look like fools!"
I'm sensing some sort of hierarchy here. They also mentioned some sort of boss, so could this be more serious than I thought? I'm kind of glad that I called the cops now. But what does that guy mean? "Don't cut her this time?" But my thoughts would go unanswered as the man with the knife extends it out towards me as I sense myself walking back into a wall.
"Look. Drop everything you have and come with us. If not I'll make sure to leave a deeper cut than last time."
Again, what do they mean by that-!
It's then that my heart stops. It was only for a fraction of a second, but I felt an immense amount of anger come with it upon realizing what they're saying.
"-Reina..."
I mutter my sister's name under my breath. It's got to be her, right? But that would mean that these guys... These guys…!
"Oi, are you listening? I said to-!"
Just as he took another step closer, trying to reach me with his free hand, I use all the strength I have to quickly strike the man's wrist, sending the knife flying off to the side. His eyes squint in pain, but I immediately follow it up with a kick to his chest.
"Kuh!"
With the wind knocked out of him, he collapses to the ground, but I don't let my guard down as the other man charges me. Unlike the man now on the ground, he tries to use his larger size to grapple me, trying to lock my movements.
"Huh?"
But I slip under his arms just before he could. He probably thought that he got me, but in this moment, I sweep my foot under his, using his momentum and mass against him as he ends up tripping over himself, falling onto the ground, much like the first encounter I had with these guys.
"Y-you-!"
I turn my attention back to the other man, but right as he was about to get up, I stomp down on his crotch, causing him to writhe in pain.
"Where's Reina!"
That's all I could say at this moment as I feel as though my body is about to boil over in rage as the adrenaline keeps coursing through me.
"Wh-what? Who are- AHHH!"
I put more of my weight down on his crotch, causing him to scream in pain.
"Where-!"
Just then, I could hear the footsteps coming from behind as I quickly move out of the way as the bulkier man lunged at me once more. The man helps his partner off the ground, but during this time, I pick up the knife from the ground.
"You bitch!"
I raise the knife towards, halting both the men in their tracks just as they were about to come at me both at the same time. I've never wielded a knife like this as I've only used it for cooking. I really don't like the idea of spilling blood, but if these two seriously did that to my sister... Then-
"My sister. Where is she?"
"Your sister? Ah~ Is that what this is."
Seems like they have come to some sort of realization, but I keep the pressure on them, keeping the knife up to them.
"Pfft. That explains it. Heh, she was so weak that even I thought something was wrong."
Weak? No, I shouldn't be angry right now. Just now, they confirmed that they do in fact know my sister. In that case-
"When?"
"Heh? I don't know. Maybe a few days ago? What's it matter?"
Just then, a couple police cars roll up at the entrance to the street. I tinge of regret comes over me knowing that this is as much as I can get from them. If I knew that they had seen my sister maybe I wouldn't have called the cops this quick. With the cops coming quick, I drop the knife.
"Don't think that this is the end. Our boss with get us out-"
The police door closes on them, cutting their sentence short. The two men did surrender immediately when the police showed up, it almost seemed like they were used to it. One of the cops questioned me about what happened and I told them everything that happened just now and how I defended myself. They asked whether I wanted medical attention, but besides a little sprained ankle from kicking that guy, I was fine. I'm not too far away from my apartment anyways.
So, with the police taking the two men into away, I finally begin walking off after collecting my shopping that I placed off to the side.
"Uh, miss is this yours?"
"Hmm?"
However, right before I could begin walking, a police officer calls out to me as I turn back around, and there in his had is what looks to be a phone. I check my pocket just in case and I do feel my phone is still there, but right as I was about to shake my head, I notice a small bunny accessory hanging from a small chain on the phone.
"Iwasawa?"
Hearing our family name sends an electric current up my body. Hearing that name just confirms my thoughts even more.
"...Yes."
My heart beats rapidly as I take the phone from the police officer's hand.
"Thank you."
"Would you like me to escort you back to your-"
"I'm okay. It's not far."
I dismiss the officer before walking off with my shopping as well as the new phone in my hand. With each step, my heart beats even faster. I still have my own phone in my pocket, but my eyes are locked onto the phone in my hands, and upon opening it, the wallpaper instantly opens up. It's bad quality as it looks like it's a picture of a photograph, but I can clearly understand now why the police officer thought it was mine.
"...Reina."
There, on the wallpaper, is my family, with the main focus being centered on my sister and I... I clutch the phone tighter as I continue walking as I feel a single drop of a tear tickling my cheek as it glides down.
"Where are you?"