Chapter Text
"Calculate EMF of cells AG and AG² given that (SOP) Fe²+/Fe= +0.44 V... wait... 96500 coulombs... shit. I spent 35 minutes on this only to get the damn blueprints wrong..."
Rui clicked his pen once... twice... maybe a dozen more times before dropping it on his oakwood desk and leaning back in frustration. His chest heaved as he practiced...
In and out.
In and out.
In and out.
In and...
"KAMISHIRO!"
Rui jumped, chair almost falling back before he whipped his head around to be greeted by none other than his roommate, Mizuki Akiyama.
"Ah...Mizuki, it's only you."
"Only?? And here I thought you'd be graced by my presence.
"Is there anything I can help you with? I'm quite occupied."
"That's the thing." Mizuki said leaning against the nearest wall.
"Finals are over a month away and you've been doing nothing but cramming since January! Emu is throwing a party at her place tonight and she personally invited you! Isn't she the sweetest!"
"While that does sound delightful, I must decline... before I know it, finals will be tomorrow! I can assure you this will all be worth it in the end."
"Aw, cmoooooon!" Mizuki whined. They propped themself up from their leaning position and fell backwards onto their bed. "It won't be the same without you! Emu hasn't seen you in five million years and you and I hardly talk anymore!"
"Then why don't we host study groups? Otori-san majors in marketing, right? I'm sure I can help her with a few investment plans."
"Studying is a waste of time."
"So instead you spend your nights making out in the back of her Bugatti Bolide?"
"I'd rather have my face buried in a cute girl's tits than in some stupid textbook. Of course, you of all people wouldn't understand that type of euphoria."
"This "Stupid Textbook" will get me farther in life. Now, as much as I'd love to chat, I have an exam to study for."
"Okay, Jimmy Neutron, whatever floats your boat. I'll be back for you!"
And with that statement, they left the room.
"Say, isn't there a library around here somewhere? I could use some peace and quiet... and maybe a book going more in-depth about electro chemicals..."
Rui looked around his untidy room for a bag, a carryon, anything he could use to get his obscure amount of textbooks and papers from destination A to destination B. He eventually settled on a worn-down, taupe backpack he dubbed useful back in highschool, still infested by small nuts and bolts. It's not like he was going anywhere fancy, after all.
All his belongings, save two textbooks managed to be thrown into his backpack. He knew he'd most likely have to carry a few things. With one last sigh, he made way to the library.
It was quite late, would the library still be open at this time? Rui peeked at his phone curiously.
"22:37..." He murmured.
Would the journey through heavy winds and light showers even be worth it? It wouldn't hurt to try.
Rui ventured on until, finally, after a good 15 minutes, he arrived at the library. To his luck, the incandescent lights shone brightly, countless racks of books on display through the large windows. The student eagerly walked into the building and scouted out an empty areas before placing his belongings and heading to the shelves.
"Civil... Physics... Mechanical... Aero- wait, Mechanical! We're making progress, Rui!"
Kamishiro counted to motivate himself though very quiet "shouts" of praise until he found the exact book he was looking for.
"Core Cirriculum 1.6: Chemicals in Engineering! If you hadn't been touched by countless students before me, I'd kiss you!"
Rui wasn't sure if he was speaking sanely anymore.
That didn't matter. What did matter was sitting down down reading over this whole textbook before his next class.
"10 hours... I got this!"
Determined, Rui sat down and flipped through the pages.
"Why wasn't I aborted."
No, he has to focus, finals are next month!
Hours among hours went by. As far as Rui knew, he was the only one left in that hell of a place apart from the librarian who was leaned back and fast asleep in her desk chair. Nothing could be heard but the pattering of rain against the glass windows and the flipping of textbooks pages, each containing words and formulas that Rui could hardly comprehend. He had almost dozed off on numerous occasions. Each time he was thankful there was no one left to watch him slap himself like a madman.
Just as he was about to doze off once more, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
Next to him stood a petite woman with long, muted green hair falling over her shoulders, dressed casually, in an academia sense. It could've just been the sleep deprivation, or maybe the fact that no girl, apart from Otori and his mother had ever talked to him, but in Rui's eyes, there was an angel standing in front of him.
"Uh-uhm.. excuse me... sir..."
A very reserved angel.
"do you.. uh.. do... actually, sorry, this was a waste of time, I'll go, sorry!"
The girl turned to leave before Rui grabbed her arm a little stronger than intended, causing her to whip her head around in fear. Noticing this, he let go.
"No, no, don't be afraid. Go ahead, say what you intended to say before I scared you off!"
He ended his sentence with a warm chuckle, hoping to come off as friendly.
"I, uh.. I noticed you looked.. tired, so I, uh- brought a coffee for you and, uh, want-wanted to offer my help... if... you want..."
"Ah, your kindness is very much appreciated. Please, pull out a seat, I'd love the assistance!"
The girl took a seat, just as she was offered and observed Rui's work.
"So... I.. I assume you're either a second year in mechanical engineering or a first year in civil engineering." The girl supposed.
"The former. I'm surprised you were that accurate just from looking at my work."
"I- uh- I'm also in the engineering field, s-so..."
"Oh? Mechanical as well or something else?"
"Civil.. which is... why that was one of my guesses... I, uh, am a first year in civil engineering and learned majority of this already..."
"Ah, then maybe you'll know this." Rui pointed to a question. "P08 2C."
"Are these questions pulled from the exam itself."
"Yes."
"Then you don't necessarily need to answer this question."
"Elaborate."
"Oh, uh.. w-well, you only need one C-question according to the instructions. P08 4C looks much more simple. All you have to do is write a simple note on galvinisation and its applications. All it does is provide a physical, metallurgically bonded barrier to help prevent the underlying steel from being exposed to atmospheric conditions. I personally consider zinc-related questions to be a walk in the park.
"Ah, so it does. I apologize, I've just been so tired lately. Might I add, you're quite intelligent."
"I, uh.. I really just pay attention."
"I can tell. You sounded so confident when talking about the work. If you're up for it, perhaps we could meet back here tomorrow, maybe a little earlier?"
"oh.. that'd.. be nice, yeah.. are you okay with 20:00?"
"Yeah, that'd work. Now, please, continue the lecture."
It wasn't much of a lecture to Rui. Of course he was paying attention, but the girls voice was so lethargic. He could listen to it for hours and not once feel annoyed. It was so tame compared to the bunch he spent his time with. It wasn't just her voice, though. Her minty, slightly disheveled hair fell so nicely beyond her shoulders. Her lips pulled him in with every move. Her creamy skin was beautiful, not one uncovered spot stained by a mole, scar or anything like that. Even when she removed her midnight cardigan to reveal a white tank top, there was not a blemish in sight. She was true perfection.
It only when she yawned that he snapped out of his trance. Curiously, he checked the time and to his surprise it was-
"Around 2:00, right?"
It's like she knew.
"I'm sorry, you must be terribly drained. It's been two hours now."
Rui felt horrible. This beautiful girl was willing to help him and he straight up abused her kindness. What an asshole.
"Ah, no worries. If I wasn't here helping you, I'd be up gaming."
"Color me shocked. I didn't take you for the gaming type. Please, allow me to walk you back to your dorm. I'd love to hear about your games."
"Alright.. I get that a lot honestly. People assumed just because I'm quiet, I'd be one of those girls who sit by the windowsill and read fantasy novels."
"What are your opinions on literature?"
"I'm not a fan if I'm being frank."
"How come you were at a library then?"
"I was accompanying my friend, Toya Aoyagi."
"Ah, I've heard of him! He was that really smart kid, right?"
"Yeah, he finished the semester with the highest GPA in our year, highest in the whole campus with the exception of Asahina Mafuyu."
"Both really intelligent kids."
Rui, for the first time in a while, looked up. He didn't expect to be back at campus so soon. In fact, it hardly felt like he moved compared to earlier's venture.
"Ah, so we've arrived." Rui stated.
"I assume this is where we part ways."
"If we must... it really was a joy getting to talk with with today."
"I could say the same." She giggled.
She giggled.
God, was she cute.
Then she left.
And Rui just stood there... stood until she disappeared out of sight.
"Thank you for tonight... uh..."
...
"I didn't ask for her name..."