Chapter Text
Inomata stared blankly at the two circled digits on her test sheet.
“Ninety…six?”
Her eyes bored so hard into the number, the poor paper seemed like it would combust any second. So focused on processing what the number meant, she had to be reminded by a rather brave classmate,
“Um, Inomata-san? The bell rang…”
Seeming to have finally come to a realization, Inomata’s formerly blank eyes flooded with emotion. Shock, fear, frustration, despair- they overwhelmed all other senses, and after calling out a few more times, the courageous classmate gave up and fled the room.
‘I-I can’t believe…but I thought I…I studied for days, and yet…’
Inomata’s thoughts spun and spun, like a typhoon that grew bigger with every turn. The thoughts hurled around until one thought stilled the chaos.
‘I’m just not…good enough.’
The eye of the storm gave way to a plethora of familiar convictions.
‘I didn’t try hard enough. I’m was too lazy, as always. I thought I did, but…I must’ve been wrong. Like always. I’m always wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong-‘
“Maria-Chan!”
Inomata’s head snapped up, ceasing her swarming critique.
“E-eh? Yuki-Chan?”
“I’m so sorry Maria-Chan! I know we agreed to walk home together, but I totally forgot that the tennis tournament is coming up! My team needs me to practice. How about tomorrow though?”
Yuki’s eyes were full of apologetic sincerity, and her genuine disappointment caused a warm feeling to spread through Inomata’s chest. Suddenly Yuki’s eyes lit up.
“Or you could come help us! Th-that is, if you want to. I-I mean, I’d like it if you did…”
Her eyes stared pleadingly at Inomata’s, awaiting her answer. But before inomata could even consider her answer, her mouth spoke of its own accord.
“Yes! I-I mean sure, I’ll help. I probably won’t be any good though. I’m really good at studying though”
As if. A voice rose up in her mind, but was swamped by Inomata’s immediate embarrassment.
‘Did I…really just say that? Oh my god, she must think I’m full of myself. What was I thinking, I don’t even know how to play tennis!’
“Um…I-I’ve never played tennis before…”
As Inomata’s face burned red hot, Yuki grinned and took her arm, speed-walking as she spoke,
“That’s fine! I’ll show you the basics. After all, I am the team’s ace!”
And when Yuki turned around and grinned at her with a smile as bright as the sun, the dark clouds circling her heart dispersed. And to her surprise, Inomata felt a smile spreading across her face in turn. “Thanks as always, Yuki-Chan!”