Mid term examination was around the corner. Many students were concerned of how they would face the upcoming exam in 2 weeks, how was the preparations and so on. Some didn't even bother and just accept their fate while some were seen studying. The most popular place for this type of students was definitely the library where it was far from noise and distraction, just pure silence and focus.
Kazuya on the other hand preferred studying at his workplace. The manager gave him permission to take a break from work and let him study for the mid term. While he needn't that much time to study as he was academically gifted in a sense that even reading a page of math textbook full of theory would gave him a brief of what he had to do on the upcoming questions. Every words and paragraph instilled into his brain in seconds. No wonder he had so much time to slack off during classes.
"Studying today as well?" said Nomoto-senpai, a beautiful colleague of his at the restaurant.
"The midterm is in 2 weeks so i need to prepare myself."
"Oh my, how diligent. Here, have a nice cup of tea." Nomoto-senpai served him at the diner where he seated.
"Thanks."
"Hmm... You should practice on your expression. I can't feel any grattitude if you thank me with that bland serious face. Try smiling a bit more~" Nomoto-senpai pouted.
"Okay... Thanks, senpai." Kazuya thanked her again but this time a bright cheerful smile was given. It was so bright the environment turned from evening to afternoon real quick.
*GASP
That smile caught Nomoto-senpai off guard because that joyous smile somehow didn't suit him at all considering how he was always serious all the time however she didn't mean it in a bad way. This was the first time she saw him being expressive.
"See, you're better that way." She said while patting his head.
"Huh..."
"Oh my, there are many customers here aren't they? Sorry, Minamoto-kun I'll leave now, bye." She left him and rushed to the other table to take the orders.
'There goes my 5 minutes...'
****
"Hngghh..."
"Hikari-chan, don't push yourself too hard."
"But... this question is exactly what you've taught me... how can i be forgetful..."
"Which is it? Let me help you."
"No! I want to solve it myself. I think I've got the gist of it."
"If you say so."
A quiet and peaceful library whereas a popular spot for high ranked students to loiter around reading books and studying, Miyu was no exception, when it comes to study she always looks for the place that can put her mind at ease. For some reasons Nakano Hikari tagged along with her this time. She said she was scolded by her parents in the previous test therefore she wanted to make it up by doing better for mid term. At least that was what she hope.
"No good, mind is blank, brain is empty."
"Perhaps you're not suited for this environment, Hikari-chan."
"Uh... maybe? this place is so quiet, I feel sleepy..." Hikari landed her head onto the desk.
"How about changing spot? You have any suggestion?" Miyu asked.
"Uhm... I don't know... I rarely study so I don't know where is the best study spot.."
"Sigh... fine, follow me."
"To where?"
"Just follow."
****
Right in front of them was a family restaurant "Kare Food +" written on the board. The restaurant had been steadily built for 10 years. The overall rating of this place is above average in terms of its environment, foods, customer serving and everything had got nice reviews from the local. Although the workers changed over time did not affect the quality of this premise.
"Tadaaa here we are!" Miyu cheered.
"Woah, it gives off nostalgic feeling."
"I heard this place is famous for their curry so I thought I want to try it out!" Miyu's eyes were sparkling. It seemed she forgot the real reason why she was here in the first place. Foods over books. They said an empty stomach is not good for your mind.
They entered the restaurant. It was mesmerizing to see such nostalgic decoration inside. The wall that are coated with wood-like wallpaper gave off an old vibe environment together with pots of flowers hung at every corner. Aromatic curry fragrance blended in the air making them craving for one. Their arrival was warmly welcomed by the waiter there.
"Welcome dear custo- wait- what?"
"Ehhhh!!" Both of them flustered in sync. They were shocked to see that Kazuya was the one who was welcoming them.
"Stop acting as if you see a ghost. Now please take your seat, dear customers."
"So cold..." Hikari mumbled.
****
"I see so this is your part time job." Hikari observed him from head to toe, she was in awe of how good he is in black trousers and plain white shirt which left the top button unhooked.
"You look so good in your uniform!" Miyu praised him sincerely.
"Thanks." He put a bright smile he had been practicing after being reprimanded by Nomoto-senpai.
"Huh, what's that? Creepy."
"...."
Hikari subsconciously blurted out her feeling. Seeing him smile was the least thing she expected to see.
"You don't hold back, do you?" Kazuya said calmly.
"Eh- ah- sorry. I was just surprised."
"Suit yourself. Anyway, any order?"
The interaction of these three was observed by Nomoto-senpai from the kitchen. She'd been there since the beginning.
"Ara~ his classmates?" Nomoto-senpai grinned.
****
Miyu slided out math textbook from her bag. Now that her stomach was filled it's time to study.
"Let's continue where we left off!" Miyu was fired up, she was already in the mood same goes for Hikari.
"Let's do our best!"
It was shown all over Hikari's face how struggled she was with the questions on the contrary of Miyu who was chilling and easily finished her homework.
"Miyu-chan, how do you solve this?" Hikari handed out her notebook to Miyu.
"Quadratic equations? Actually I'm also having a hard time here. The sentence structure of this question is confusing..."
"Seems like even the smartest student have it rough..."
While they were trying to solve the equation together, an idea popped out of Miyu's mind.
"How about asking him?" She pointed out to Kazuya who was serving the table not too far from their seat.
"Ah! I forgot he's second to you."
Miyu acknowledged him as a genius who always take it easy. Despite not having the need of much time to study, he always came out on top.
Truthfully, before Hikari took an interest in him Miyu had known him ever since their first year of highschool when the result of final term was out. She was speechless as to see someone outsmarted her in a test and began to gain some informations of this guy but apparently the guy in question was not as she expected him to be. He slept almost all day long and sometimes got a scolding from the teachers for coming late to school.
"Minamoto-kun, can you do us a favor?" Miyu stretched out her hand and shouted softly as to not bothering other customers.
"What?"
"Help us with this question pleeasee."
Without further questions, he took a look at the problem. Analyzing and comprehending, he took out a pencil and tried to solve it. Both of them could only see and wait.
*Scratch *Scratch
"Done."
"Just like that??" Hikari was in awe seeing how fast he did it.
"The question is meant to be confusing but if you analyze it thoroughly it's not that hard. Just focus on the number and put it in the formula."
"As expected of Minamoto-kun." Externally Miyu was smiling but deep down she felt challenged.
"I thought it'd be an easy matter for you, Takahashi-san." Kazuya wondered.
"I'm not that amazing, yknow. There are things I'm not capable of."
"But... can you explain to me any further..." Hikari remained dumbfounded even after processing the question. The more she tried to understand the more she confused herself. Her head was spinning like crazy that her eyes became a spiral.
"You are a helpless one aren't you?"
Hikari tightened her grip and softly bang the table.
"So what? I'm not as smart as you two!" Hikari pouted.
Kazuya peeked at the kitchen. Nomoto-senpai and the manager was seen standing there watching their doings.
The manager was smiling whilst giving a thumbs up indicating 'you needn't worry, we can handle the customers.'
On the other hand, Nomoto-senpai was showing a reaction of 'my child has finally grown up' on her face.
'Somehow I feel like there is a misunderstanding...' Kazuya thought.
He then proceeded to spend his time teaching Hikari on that day.