My eyes scanned the paper. Its surface is smooth and not a single ink is dropped. I've been rummaging through my brain about what answers should I write on these questionnaires. Today is our examination day, and the days I spent on the shrine didn't helped me at all. I was up early to study and yet, faint voices of my worshippers came banging into my eardrums, distracting me from my studies. I even asked Michaelis how to stop those voices but he said it's inevitable since I am a god. For the first time, I almost cursed my life of being a god.
I looked beside me and found Michaelis tapping his pen on the desk as he hums out of boredom. His hair is in a mess and he doesn't wear his coat. He just wear his inner uniform which is the white longsleeves and just hangs a loosely tied red necktie. He seems to be deep in thought.
Before him, Lucas sat idly on his stair. Casually stealing glances of me and sending away annoying winks that didn't help and dragged my brain into a confusing mess.
I didn't get to study at all.
I looked back at Michaelis. His papers are filled completely. How did he do that? From what I can recall, I didn't see him study at the shrine. Or rather, he wasn't really studying anything. Even though he started school with me, he still does his usual works on the shrine. Not once have I seen him open a book.
What should I do?
Lucas doesn't seem to have the brain to answer the exam, while Michaelis completed it miraculously. Who knows what he might been doing that he was able to answer those questions.
I sighed. I am so doomed. My college dream seems to be fading away from me.
The bell rang into the hall, signaling the end of the period. My eyes widened and panic entered me. I haven't got to finish my paper yet. I scrambled around my table as I looked for my pen. Mister obnoxious-looking teacher started collecting the papers, his voice ringing inside the room. I hastily scribbled all the unsure answers that I got in mind. Not caring if they are right or not. Well, it's better than nothing actually. I don't want to pass my papers blank. So at very least, I'll just write down some answers that may or may not guarantee my college future.
The teacher cleared his throat as he stand before me, while I painfully scribbled my answers. Sweat dropped on my papers due to haste, and in an instant I threw the paper up, giving it to him. He accepted it and arched an eyebrow at my panicked features. I smiled at him, showing the best of my smile to convince him that I was not and will never panic. He shrugged his shoulders off and proceeded into collecting the others.
I released a deep sigh before melting down into my table.
"Nina, are you okay?" Asked Lucas as he sat himself in front of my table.
I sighed.
"She probably failed the exam." Michaelis clicked his tongue looking so confident as ever.
I know this time I should argue on what Michaelis said, but it seems like I lost all the strength when it started to dawn into me. That I am more likely to fail that exam.
"Come on, where do you want to eat our lunch?" Michaelis asked.
"Oh, I know where! How about the cafeteria? I've been dying to have a taste of their garlic pepper beef," Lucas exclaimed.
"I'm not asking you, dumbass," Michaelis spat.
"Who are you calling dumbass?" Lucas raised his voice and said, "Do you want another fight?"
Before Michaelis could speak, three girls approached Lucas.
"Um, excuse me. I brought some lunch for you, Lucas. I hope you like it!" The girl exclaimed before running away looking so embarassed.
"Me too!" Said the other one with pigtails.
Lucas, being the airhead he is, accepted the two boxes of lunch and muttered a sweet thank you at the ladies.
"Um, I also bought you one," the remaining girl said as she offered a lunch box towards Michaelis.
I stared at her and waited for Michaelis' course of action.
"Thank you. A lunch made from a young lady like you makes my heart flutter." Michaelis said as he held the lunch box.
"Ah, yes, you're welcome."
"You really don't have to make me this though," Michaelis added, making the girl looks so confused.
"Because Iam already satisfied if I can eat you," he said as his eyes glint in mischief.
The girl looks flabbergasted for a moment before she dropped her head low. I could see her flared cheeks.
"I think I must be going. Enjoy your meal," she said.
I watched with narrowed eyes as the girl exited the room. For some unknown reasons, anger entered my system. I stood up and hastily stormed out of the classroom.
"Where are you going?"
I can't believe he accepted that. It would okay if he accepted that when the girl doesn't have any ulterior motives, but god knows every person has one. And I thought Michaelis, of all the people knows about those girls falling head over heels for him. Maybe he does know and he just want to flirt with some of them.
I almost pulled my hair out in irritation. That damn familiar added some fuel on me. It's not helping with him being around while he's surrounded by girls with lovey-dovey eyes while I mourn about my college future. It's really not helping me one bit. And there's this Lucas. What's up with Lucas last time? He's back on his usual self, not like the way he acted when I met him back on town.
The pastel painted wall of the hallways lead me to the roof access. I stopped and looked up at the exit door on the stairs, with Michaelis and Lucas catching up behind me. They seem like they're talking about something as they head my way. I almost forgot one thing. They're aren't human. So no matter how fast I stormed out of the room, they could still catch up to me. I sighed. Too much for being irritated. I ascended the stairs and pushed the door open. It creaks and the slap of the wind came in contact with my clothes. The sun is in its highest peak and completely lit the azure sky. I inhaled sharply before letting go a shaky breath.
"That was fast," Lucas boomed.
"You're just slow," Michaelis said as he stood at the edge of the roof top.
"Shut up, fox. You cheated you're way up here," Lucas said.
"And who says we have rules?" Michaelis mused.
"Quit it, you two. I'm starving." I sighed.
Lucas huffed and Michaelis quitely set the lunch boxes down along with his homemade cooking. I sat down making sure I'm far away as possible from Michaelis. The scent of his homemade cooking made my mouth watered.
He handed me my own lunch which I begrudgingly accepted due to the case of hunger sitting under my stomach. I noticed that Lucas has three lunch boxes beside him as he devoured the other one, while Michaelis elegantly eat his own lunch. I took a bite of my own lunch and my stomach growls in approvance. He cooks so delicious. Being the usual famished god I am, I started on eating my food without care how much a girl should eat to keep her weight right. Well, who cares about weight when your food is unbelievably delicious.
"You're a mess. Come here," Michaelis said as he reached out for my face.
My hand instinctively slapped him away. The sound reverberated through the silent atmosphere. Lucas stopped midway from swallowing down his food, while Michaelis looks taken aback.
"I can do it myself," I said, not meeting him in the eyes.
I slowly stood up and excused myself. As I closed the door behind me, I let go a sigh. I can't believe I slapped him away. I slowly descended the stairs as I look for a comfort room. I got to literally fixed myself. I don't know why but my heart is hammering through my chest so hard it might jump out of my ribcage. As I walked through the hallway, Michaelis stood in front a few meters away from me.
"What was that?" He asked as he slowly approached me.
"What was what?" I snapped as I passed by him.
He grabbed my wrist, stopping me from my tracks.
"You know what I'm talking about. Don't play fool on me," he warned.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. So let me go," I said.
I pulled my wrist from him, but he tightened his hold.
"Something is wrong. Did I do something that made you upset?" He asked.
"I said let me go," I demanded.
He flinched away and unclasped his hand from my wrist. I completely ignored what he said as I continue to walk away from him.
"Nina, where are you going? Is this about the other day?" He said.
"What do you care?" I spat.
"You know I care!"
"No, you don't. You just say you do because I am a god now. You care because you have to. You dont really actually care for me from start." I spat, not looking back at him.
I descended another staircase, completely hiding myself from his
view.
As I reached the comfort room, I turned the faucet on and washed my face. Looking back at my rerflection, I regretted what I did just a while ago. I shouldn't have done that. I should have just pretended that everything's okay.
I stared at the silver mirror in front of me. A woman with black long hair with green eyes stared back at me. Is this the human god? Is this what I looks like? I plainfully look like a human. My lips quivered in thought. Maybe I shouldn't have become a god at all. It was mistake that I came into the shrine. Because if I didn't went into the shrine, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet him. He deserves a lot more better and worthy god than I am. I am just a mere human.
Behind me, a reflection of a dark figure appeared. My eyes widened and I hurriedly turned around. A painful screamed tore my hearings as it whips its claws on me. What is a miasma doing at school? His spider features looked at me. A monster brought a miasma. I stood frozen in my place as I watched it approached me. I knew right away that I have to do something. This will be dangerous if others see him. I hastily pulled some talismans and threw at the miasma.
"Purify!" I commanded.
The talismans burned into ash and the miasma remained. My eyes widened. I can't vanish it. Before I could grab for another talisman, I was sucked into the miasma. Its pitch black body trapping me inside. I can't breathe, and it's awfully hot. It's like I'm burning. A faint voice came into my ears.
"Nina!"
My eyes opened heavily and found an enraged Michaelis. His ears standing so still and he bare his fangs. His white long hair is a mess.
"See? You care because I am a god," I said.
"Lucas, I'll leave her to you for a while," Michaelis said.
Lucas laid me gently down on the floor. My eyes can't keep up at the fast pace of Micahelis. He's been jumping from place to place as he throw blue flames on the monster's direction. The monster screeched, but all I could hear was an enstrangled voice and the feeling of the ground shaking. I almost laughed when I saw him land the final blow on the monster. The black body of the monster that served as the miasma scattered through the place, raining down on Michaelis, tainting his magnificent white hair and kimono.
My head feels heavy as my vision slowly faded away. I feel tired. It's like I've been working for a year without taking a rest. Feeling heavy, I let myself surrendered on the darkness.
"Is she okay?"
Someone clicked their tongue. Ah, I know who that person is. He usually do that when he has thought of something bad. Warmth engulfed me as I felt a hand embraced me, and a shaky breath fanned the crook of my neck. A familiar scent entered my nostrils. A scent of home, with security. A place where I know I belong.
"You idiot, I care for you."