Karmic Exam Benchmate

The first meeting

I crossed paths with Shikahiko during our annual exams and we were arranged to sit next to each other in the same bench. Along with us, there was a girl who sat with us. She was a year younger than me and three years younger than Shikahiko, who sat in the corner by the wall and beside me.

We were writing our exam and then after the exam ended.

Teacher

Students, go and bring your backpacks into the classroom one by one.

Shuchuu (FL)

(went outside the classroom to bring my backpack and then came back into the classroom holding my backpack then I made eye contact with Shikahiko and saw him for the first time)

Shuchuu (FL)

(when he was sitting beside me I didn't turned my head towards him to peek at him and see his face so it was my first time seeing his face after I came to the classroom holding my backpack)

Shuchuu (FL)

(the moment I saw his eyes I felt strongly that I knew him and I saw him before but I was also damn sure that I haven't seen him ever but his eyes looked very familiar and I was very physically attracted to him the moment I made eye contact with him, his eyes were mesmerizing)

when we meet our karmics for the first time we feel a strong sense of familiarity towards them

Shuchuu (FL)

(I came near my seat and I saw him sitting *as he was sitting in the corner of the bench in which I sat* and I had to go through somewhere and I looked around to see if there is any space through which I can get through to my seat but didn't found any)

Shuchuu (FL)

Can you move aside?

Shikahiko (ML)

(shifted slightly to accommodate me)

Shuchuu (FL)

(I was left feeling embarrassed because I had to awkwardly pass between his legs as there wasn't any space to get to my seat from behind)

Shuchuu (FL)

Can you move aside a bit more?

Shikahiko (ML)

Shikahiko (ML)

(I smiled)

He often used to wear a black mask during exams.

The next day

Shuchuu (FL)

(I was determined not to pass by in the same awkward manner, so I attempted to squeeze through a gap behind our bench. However, it turned out to be too small for me)

Shuchuu (FL)

I muttered, "There's not enough space for me to pass through." (surprising he heard it)

Shikahiko (ML)

(I stood up and pulled the bench, widening the gap)

Shuchuu (FL)

(It was a kind gesture, and I couldn't help but smile, thinking what a gentleman he was)

During my social science exam

Shuchuu (FL)

(I was sketching, I noticed M sneak a peek at my drawing)

During my English exam

Sir

(randomly called me) Shuchuu Saikia

Shuchuu (FL)

(When he called out "Shuchuu Saikia," which is actually my name with Shikahiko's surname, I was taken aback)

Shuchuu (FL)

Confused, I replied, "Yeah,"

Shikahiko (ML)

(heard it and laughed) Shuchuu (said my name jokingly but didn't said it while facing me but he said it while looking at a different direction from me)

Shikahiko actually heard my name for the first time and got to know my name after our teacher called me.

There's another guy in M's grade with a name similar to mine.

Shuchuu (FL)

(I got embarassed and shy about the whole incident and I couldn't stop smiling cause when I get shy I just couldn't stop smiling. I glanced over at the girl beside me, pretending to admire her drawing and I showed as if I am smiling because of it)

Shikahiko (ML)

(looked in my direction through the window, catching me smiling)

M's exams finished the day before our second last exam (27.02.23), but I only found out after my dad mentioned it to me once our second last exam ended.

Our school nun entered the classroom.

Teacher

(came near me) write in cursive handwriting (said in a low tone)

Shuchuu (FL)

(Initially, I didn't hear her) I responded with a confused "huh!?"

Shikahiko (ML)

(mimicked me and repeated what I said and chuckled) huh?!

Shuchuu (FL)

(Feeling irritated, I almost shot him a glare)

Shikahiko (ML)

(but he was looking elsewhere)

Then a school staff member came and asked me to come to his office with my father after the end of exam and everyone was staring at me and he was also staring at me.

Later, when I went to the school staff with my dad, prompted by a call from a school staff member

Shuchuu (FL)

(noticed him with his friends and made eye contact with him)

The end

Characters introduction

Shuchuu (FL)

- INFP 4w5 - 2 years younger than ML - shy, introverted, quite popular in school due to her bubbly yet introverted personality, always attracts toxic guys

Shikahiko (ML)

- ENTP 7w8 - 2 years older than ML - witty, extroverted, has great sense of humour, popular boy of school, player

Shuchuu (FL)

Yō (ML's friend)

- ML's classmate - has a huge crush on manami and is loyal to her - extroverted, the only green flag guy among his friend circle - likes to tease FL and ML

Manami

- FL's somewhat classmate but she is from a different section of her grade - toxic girl, attention seeker especially seeks attention from males, doesn't cares about yō having a crush on her - toxic bestfriend of baiko

Baiko

- Manami's classmate and her toxic bestfriend (they're just bestfriends in name) - very naive, is crazy for Rikuto, delusional

Rikuto

- ML's and Yō's friend - doesn't likes Baiko back, is somewhat toxic

Kanjou Nami

- ISFJ 2w1 - FL's bestfriend - introverted, sweet, kind

Saki

- FL's friend (not close) and her classmate - player, crazy for toxic guys - is good to her friends

Secret Glances

Throughout February, they navigated exams together, and as March rolled around, bringing holidays, their encounters became less frequent. However, come April, when school resumed, their shared proximity resumed as well.

In July, Shuchuu began attending tuition classes and discovered that Shikahiko was also enrolled there. Their schedules differed, with his classes ending as hers began. This timing often led to chance encounters on the road, where they would pass each other without acknowledgment. Despite the exams concluding in February, Shuchuu continued to steal glances at him and gave him attention at school, but he never looked at her. He acted as if Shuchuu wasn't there, so it prompted her to reciprocate in kind, gradually turning her attention away from him as well.

Just a few weeks into August, Shuchuu found out that Shikahiko has a crush on her. Here's how-

During lunch break

Shuchuu (FL)

(I was having lunch with my friends)

Manami

Hey, you're a big girl now!

Shuchuu (FL)

(was confused and just smiled)

(One of Shuchuu's friend said to her) Of course she is a big girl now, people grow don't you know? (said sarcastically insulting Manami)

Manami

(went away)

As they lined up after the bell

Manami

Shuchuu, someone has a crush on you!

Shuchuu (FL)

(I shook my head and gestured a 'no')

Manami

(I insisted) No, really.

Later, on their way to tuition, both Manami and Baiko brought it up again.

Manami

Someone has a crush on you

Shuchuu (FL)

(I couldn't help but ask) Are you pranking me?

Manami

(I denied it)

Shuchuu (FL)

I don't believe it.

Shuchuu (FL)

(Then, I challenged them) If it's true, tell me his name and show me who it is.

Manami

His name starts with the letter S

After July, both Shikahiko and Shuchuu started attending tuition together, along with their respective groups of friends.

Shuchuu (FL)

(One day, while sitting on the last bench in the corner)

Pri

(saying to Baiko) Was he (Shikahiko) looking at Shuchuu?

Shuchuu (FL)

(I overheard them)

After her class ended Shuchuu and her friends were outside and Shikahiko and his friends were inside the classroom as it was now their time for class.

Shuchuu's friends were peeking inside the classroom glancing at Shikahiko after one of her friend told the others who it is. (They all were curious to see who it is)

Shuchuu (FL)

(I didn't catch a glimpse of who they were referring to that time)

His friends were loudly calling out his name.

Later, as Pri and Shuchuu were heading home in a van.

Pri

If he gets to know your personality, he'll run away.

The next day, as Shuchuu's session was ending, his friends arrived with him.

And his classmates entered the class and sat in different different benches while her class was ongoing but it was coming to an end.

Shuchuu (FL)

(I felt that some guys sat behind us and I didn't know who was sitting behind me)

After the end of our class, Shuchuu and her friends came outside the classroom.

Pri

Hey Shuchuu, the one who crushes on you was sitting behind you and exactly behind you.

Shuchuu (FL)

😳

(At that time Shuchuu didn't knew who it was who was crushing on her and she only knew his name after her friends told me, she was completely unaware that the boy who sat next to her in exam was the guy as she didn't knew his name)

The following day, he was absent, but his friends mentioned Shuchuu's name as she and her friends passed by them.

(After a couple of weeks, Shuchuu finally learned his identity, and was shocked to discover it was the boy who sat next to her in exam. She realized she had feelings for him too although she had been uncertain because of his avoidance)

Shuchuu (FL)

(I was returning from tuition)

Shuchuu and her friends passed by a shop where some boys from Shikahiko's grade were hanging out.

(They immediately remarked teasing me and trying to get my attention) Didn't Shikahiko come today?

Pri

(nudged Shuchuu) See, they're teasing you.

Shuchuu (FL)

(With shyness, I replied) Shut up and let's go. (then I dragged her with me)

On August 18th, she had a class with him and his friends.

Shikahiko (ML)

(sat on the first bench in the corner)

Shuchuu (FL)

(Occupied the last bench in another corner)

Shuchuu (FL)

Rikuto

(occasionally glancing at Shuchuu, while smiling at her and whispering something to Shikahiko)

Rikuto

Shuchuu (FL)

Another one of his friends sat on the last bench in a different row.

Shuchuu (FL)

(noticed Shikahiko frequently turning back, seemingly engaged in conversation with his friend who sat in a different row's last bench but was stealing glances at me)

Shuchuu (FL)