Karmic Exam Benchmate 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)