The next day, the atmosphere at school was calm but not quite mundane. After the intensity of their recent project presentations, students settled back into the rhythm of their daily classes. Ryo and his friends arrived early, catching up on homework and chatting quietly while waiting for homeroom to start.
Today, they had a full day of regular classes. No big events, no looming deadlines—just lessons to get through and a familiar sense of routine. But with the right company, even routine had a way of feeling fresh.
As Ryo leaned over to ask Mei about their history assignment, he noticed Saki giving him a teasing look from her seat beside Ayumi. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for him to notice her.
"What's up, Saki?" Ryo asked, chuckling. He had a feeling she was up to something.
"Oh, nothing," she replied innocently, but her smirk told a different story. "I just couldn't help but notice how *enthusiastic* you seem about schoolwork today. Someone's turning into a model student."
Ayumi laughed, while Mei gave a small, amused smile. Ryo rolled his eyes, knowing Saki's teasing wouldn't end there.
"Come on, Ryo, is it really the history assignment you're so eager about, or…" She leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough to add a hint of mystery, "…is it because you know a certain someone will be tutoring you later?"
A flush crept up Ryo's face as Saki's words hung in the air. Her teasing tone was unmistakable, and she clearly enjoyed every second of his reaction.
"Alright, alright, you got me," Ryo admitted, trying to keep his cool. "I might be looking forward to some study help. But if you're so interested, maybe *you* could help me instead?"
Saki blinked, taken off guard for once. Ayumi and Mei stifled giggles, watching the banter unfold.
"Oh, I see how it is!" Saki crossed her arms, feigning offense. "Fine, but don't expect me to go easy on you if I start tutoring. I'll have you memorizing every single date in Japanese history by heart."
Before Ryo could respond, the bell rang, and Mr. Tanaka walked in to start homeroom. He welcomed the class with a bright smile and dove into the morning announcements.
---
**Classrooms and Corridors**
As the day went on, each period brought its own unique moments. In math, Ryo struggled to keep up with the formulas their teacher was writing on the board, feeling his head spin as numbers and symbols blurred together. Mei, on the other hand, was focused, her pen flying across her notebook as she filled in the steps of each problem effortlessly. Ryo occasionally glanced her way, trying to follow her notes as subtly as possible.
He wasn't alone in his struggle. Ayumi caught him looking and whispered, "Ryo, are you as lost as I am?"
Ryo nodded, relieved that he wasn't the only one. Ayumi had a talent for making him feel less alone in situations like these. Even though they both found the material challenging, her determination gave him a boost, and they resolved to tackle their homework together later.
At lunchtime, they gathered under the usual trees in the school courtyard. Kazuki, who had been busy with archery club, managed to join them for a change, along with Alice, who had become a friendly presence in their group. Their lunches were a mix of homemade bento boxes and store-bought snacks, but the variety only added to the meal's charm.
As they unwrapped their lunches, Kazuki updated them on his club's latest training. "The next tournament is coming up soon, so practice has been nonstop," he said, stretching his arms. "I barely had time to eat yesterday."
Alice smiled, nodding as she listened. "Kazuki's actually amazing with the bow," she commented, admiration in her voice. "I saw him at practice once. He barely even missed a shot."
Kazuki looked modestly embarrassed. "It's just practice. I have a lot of catching up to do if I want to rank well in the tournament."
Saki, munching on a rice ball, gave him a playful nudge. "Well, if you ever need more cheerleaders, we've got you covered!"
Kazuki laughed, clearly grateful for the support. "Thanks, Saki. Just knowing I'll have a cheering squad helps a lot."
Ryo felt a sense of camaraderie as they continued to chat and joke through lunch. The bond they shared had only grown stronger over time, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these. Even though it was just a regular school day, being with friends made it feel special.
---
**Afternoon Classes: Science Lab Mishaps**
The last class of the day was science lab—a hands-on experiment where the students would be working with basic chemistry sets. Mr. Tanaka had them form groups of four, assigning each group a different experiment. Ryo's group was tasked with observing chemical reactions when different solutions were mixed.
Ayumi, who was genuinely interested in science, took charge, while Mei helped by meticulously measuring each ingredient. Saki, however, was more focused on making jokes at every opportunity.
"Careful, Ayumi," Saki said with a grin, watching as Ayumi carefully poured a solution into a test tube. "Wouldn't want you to accidentally create a potion that makes Ryo invisible or something."
Ayumi laughed, though her cheeks went a bit pink. "I think we're safe, Saki. Unless… you'd like to try it?"
Saki pretended to consider this, holding a beaker in her hand dramatically. "Hmm… an invisible Ryo. Imagine the possibilities!"
Ryo rolled his eyes, playing along. "Yeah, yeah, very funny. Just don't make me disappear for real, alright?"
Despite the lighthearted teasing, they managed to complete their experiment smoothly. Watching the colors change and small reactions take place in their beakers was oddly satisfying, and they even managed to get a few compliments from Mr. Tanaka.
In the background, there was a minor mishap as another group accidentally added the wrong chemicals, resulting in a small puff of smoke that sent students scattering. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the class erupted in laughter as the teacher rushed over to resolve the situation.
---
**End of the Day: Ryo and Mei's Quiet Moment**
As classes ended, Ryo found himself walking out with Mei. The others had gone ahead, giving the two of them a rare quiet moment. Mei held her books close, her usual calm demeanor softened by the day's events.
"Thanks for helping in science lab today," Ryo said, breaking the silence. "I would've messed it up without you."
Mei glanced at him, a faint smile touching her lips. "It was fun. And you didn't mess up. You were actually paying attention this time."
Ryo laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, well… maybe I'm finally learning. Or maybe I just have good teachers around me."
They walked in companionable silence for a while, the autumn air crisp and refreshing. Mei seemed to be lost in thought, and Ryo was content just being there, not feeling the need to fill the silence.
"Ryo," she finally said, breaking his thoughts, "do you think we'll remember days like this? When we're older, I mean."
He considered her question, surprised by the unexpected depth of it. "I think so. At least, I hope so. These kinds of days… they feel like they'll stick, you know?"
Mei nodded, her gaze faraway as if imagining a future version of herself looking back on these days. "Yeah. Me too."
---
**Evening Study Session: Group Chat Chaos**
That evening, Ryo was at home working on the history assignment when a notification pinged on his phone. Their group chat had been set ablaze by Saki, who was spamming them with messages about everything from her favorite TV show to a new cafe that opened up near school.
Saki: *GUYS, I just found the CUTEST cafe!!! We're going this weekend, no arguments!!*
Ayumi: *Isn't it the one with the fancy parfaits? I heard they're amazing!*
Saki: *YES! And they have this matcha one with a tiny bear on top. So. Freaking. Cute.*
Ryo chuckled, shaking his head at Saki's enthusiasm.
Kazuki: *Alright, sounds like we're going for parfaits this weekend. But only if Ryo's buying.*
Ryo: *How did I get roped into paying?*
Mei: *I think it's fair, considering Saki teased you all week.*
Ryo couldn't help but smile. Even through text, the playful camaraderie was comforting. Despite all their differences, they fit together perfectly as a group. And as much as Saki's teasing sometimes got on his nerves, he knew that he wouldn't have it any other way.
---
**Looking Forward**
As Ryo lay in bed that night, he felt an unexpected sense of contentment. The days may have been routine, but each moment carried its own weight, filled with laughter, inside jokes, and the warm feeling of friendship. He had no idea what the next day would bring, but he found himself looking forward to it all the same.
And with his friends by his side, he was sure that even the ordinary days would
be something worth remembering.