A few days had passed since the last exam of the first term concluded. While the temperature here wore a jetpack and was riding high and above, the people affected were getting worried about their AC bills. When the news channel 'Pomegranate News' interviewed approximately 1,000 students and asked them how it felt to come to school during summer, the most repeated answer was 'It's a drag'.
But leaving behind such opinions of 'mediocre' people, Ren picked up his pace. It's not like he was really excited to go to school but the sparkle in his eyes and the smile on his face were brighter than the others. He saw Akio on the far end of the road and ran to catch up to him.
Aaaahh... What do I do? Today they are going to return the Maths paper. I am not going to fail this one, right? After I somehow managed to pass English, this isn't gonna take away my dreams, right? Maths isn't really my weakest subject, though it's high on the list. But I won't fail right?
Both Hina and Ren taught me Maths and they told me that I can pass as long as I don't get stressed in the exam. Did I get stressed in the exam? No, as far as I remember I wasn't really stressed. Oh right I wasn't stressed, I was defeated.
That paper was something too. I wasn't prepared enough to tell whether it was easy or hard but when I saw Ren grinning eerily that made it more or less clear. If I fail, how would I face Hina? Urghhh...
Damn... Am I gonna pass? or fail? Pass? Fail? Pass? Fail? Pass? Fail?
Akio was spiralling down the abyss. His mess of a mind and the burning sun were making him dizzy. He stumbled on his feet.
"Oye, don't go getting a heatstroke right before the Maths exam papers will be returned. I want to know your marks more than you do." Ren gave Akio a shoulder and took him to a bench on the side.
"Ahh.. thank you, Ren." Akio sat down loosely and straightened his back.
"Here."
Akio caught a small bottle that Ren threw at him. It wasn't just plain water. It was an electrolyte solution.
"Now's not the time, Akio. The last chance you had to change the score was during the exam itself. You should have picked up my call on the exam day when I sent you those formula sheets." Ren pointed out.
Akio's breathing got steady again as he opened the cap.
"Thanks." Akio said as he gulped down the solution.
The rush of electrolytes in his body and the shade of the large tree above him calmed him down a little. He looked at the other students walking past him. Most of them had a frown on their faces while others in groups were all whining together. Then his gaze turned to Ren who was raring to go and get the perfect score again. His face relaxed.
Right. Nothing's gonna change even if I keep overthinking. Everyone else is worried about their exam scores too. But seriously at this point, what am I even worrying about?
Wasn't I raiding the last floor of Christella's dungeon on the day before the Maths paper? Guess I will do the same after I pass this exam. Yes! I will pass!
Looking straight ahead, he threw the empty bottle behind him which landed straight in the trash. He tilted his head back, contemplating the high and vast sky. The other students who were passing by were giving him looks but that didn't matter to him now.
Right, the best I can do for now is to get myself together and stop overthinking.
"Stalling for time here isn't gonna delay your future." Mio walked to the two of them as they were resting in the shade. "Not much confident about Maths, are you?" Mio asked, though she didn't need or want an answer.
"Confidence... Huh?" Akio stood up. His eyes were steady, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "I don't have any. But when I have already wasted all the time in playing games and reading manga, I can't complain. All I can do is believe in 'Miracles'." His eyes met Mio's. She was surprised. His firm face made her rethink her opinion of him but his words had the opposite effect. She was about to retort as two voices cut her words.
"Yes, you are right. We need to believe in 'Miracles'. After all our summer vacation depends on it."
"True words, human belief can shake the ground and turn the skies. It doesn't matter if we messed up on the paper. We will believe and MANIFEST the passing marks."
Two other random guys jumped in, after listening to Akio's intense and passionate words. All three of them shared the passion and belief that comes to those who are ignored by the 'Goddess of Intelligence and Common sense'.
"Brothers!"
They all looked at each other meaningfully as if they had eash other. Their faces had no trace of doubts only resolve. The resolve to conquer their fears.
"Heh. I see, I see. Then don't you dare try to hide the paper once you get it. I am sure Hina would like to look at it too. Wasn't she teaching you Maths before the exam? She would love to see the marks you MANIFEST." Mio snickered. Her evil laugh made Ren chuckle.
Akio flinched and tried to gulp down his worries but choked on it. The other two, who had found the motivation to face their fears ran for school to conquer them.
"Yeah that's right. I would like to see yours too." Ren leaned a little on Akio with a teasing grin.
"Can't say I feel the same. No one is interested in your marks at this point except for the faculty." Akio pushed him back, trying to end the whole thing.
Mio took out her phone and was checking the time. "Didn't you get the perfect score in the subjects that are already reviewed. It definitely feels unnatural but not surprising at this point." She said plainly.
Ren turned his gaze to Mio, who was finding her wallpaper more amusing than this conversation. The corners of his mouth lifted a little too high.
"Thank you, My Dear. I understand you are a little shy but you can praise me more Miorin. You don't need to hold back."
She choked and started coughing.
"Huhhhhh? What are you talking about? I wasn't praising you. And what's the deal with that 'my dear' and 'Miorin'. Don't you dare say that again!" She yelled, her face was flushed.
Ren continued with his teasing, "You don't need to get so embarrassed Miorin. You should be true to your emotions and just accept that yo—"
Out of nowhere the God's hand fell on Ren's shoulder and his body contracted in agony.
Shivers went down Akio's spine as he saw the distorted expression on Ren's face for half a second before it went to normal.
"Ouch, ouch... Aah... This one really hurts." Ren fell down on the bench, defeated. "What was that for Akari?"
While Ren was teasing Mio, Akari and Hina had also arrived. When Mio was yelling, Akari closed in on Ren from behind and gave him a shoulder smack that was just light enough to not give any actual wound or mark.
"You are bullying my cute Mio in front of me and expect me to do nothing huh?"
The knight of strength and righteousness stood in front of the wicked Ren. Her expression was firm. Her hands were her sword and her legs were her shield (kin-kin and gin-gin?). She was a warrior. The knight who stands with women and fights for them. Her presence itself blesses her followers with strength and courage.
"Thank you! Akariiii!" Mio hugged Akari from the side.
"It's okay, Mio. I will protect you." They both stared in each other's eyes and suddenly turned around. Their faces were reddening. For Ren this was one of the moments, but his aching shoulder told him to keep his lips tightly closed.
"Are you okay, Ren? I heard something crack." Hina walked over to Ren with a concerned look. Akio was concerned too. The playful smack he got the other day was rough. So he can only imagine, how much pain Ren was in. Though part of him (93.185%) thought that he deserved it.
"I am okay, thank you for worrying guys." Ren gave a convincing smile, straightened up his back and stood up.
"Did you learn your mistake? You fool!" Akari asked with a frown. Mio by her side looked triumphant.
"Yes! Yes! I apologise for teasing this helpless little girl, O'great Demon Lord." Ren shrugged casually.
"Hey, who are you calling a helpless little girl?" Mio snapped.
"You surely didn't learn, did you?" Akari's eyebrows pulled down as she glared at Ren.
Meanwhile, Akio and Hina greeted each other good morning and were looking at the fight.
"Aah.. we have got 2 more minutes before the homeroom starts." Akio noted as he was about to open his mobile camera.
All 5 of them looked at each other for a rather long pause. They all noticed the empty road and a large clock near the park showing them, that they were almost late. In the still silence they heard a cat yawn.
"We're late!" All 5 of them screamed as they kicked off the dust and took off for school.
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