Chapter XXIX: The Purple Bull, Part 2
Another afternoon class, the atmosphere is filled with the soft murmur of students deep in thought, their pencils and pens moving steadily across their notebooks. The topic of the day is the relevance of the carbon cycle, and everyone is engrossed in brainstorming and organizing their thoughts for their essays. Mrs. Erina Sato, their Defense and Nature teacher, have instructed the class to come up with supporting details that would emphasize the major points they want to convey.
Saki sits at her desk, her brows furrows in concentration. She twirls her pen absentmindedly as she mulls over her ideas. The carbon cycle, a fundamental component of Earth's ecosystem, is crucial to life, and she knows she has to present her arguments convincingly. Just as she is about to jot down a thought, her pen slips from her fingers and clatters to the floor.
Saki sighs, about to lean down to retrieve it, when a hand appears out of nowhere and picks up the pen. She looks up to see Ryujin standing beside her, holding out the pen with a gentle smile.
Ryujin: "Here you go, Saki."
Saki's face flushes with surprise and gratitude as she takes the pen from him.
Saki: "Oh, thank you, Ryujin."
Ryujin: "No problem. Need any help with your essay?"
Saki: "I'm just trying to think of more supporting details to back up my points. It's a bit challenging."
Ryujin nods thoughtfully.
Ryujin: "Oh, lemme help you with that. The carbon cycle is pretty vast. Maybe try linking it to different aspects like climate change, agriculture, and even human health. There's a lot of ground you can cover."
Saki's eyes light up at his suggestion.
Saki: "That's a great idea! Thanks, Ryujin."
Ryujin smiles and returns to his seat, leaving Saki feeling more confident about her essay. She quickly jots down some notes, inspired by Ryujin's advice.
Saki: "Every time I'm close to him, makes my heart go doki-doki. Oh shut up Monika! I mean, how he thinks, how he suggests, and how he helps, sometimes, I-I-I just can't describe it anymore."
As the class continues, Mrs. Sato walks around, glancing at the students' work and offering guidance where needed. She stops by Saki's desk and looks at her notes.
Mrs. Sato: "Good job, Murasaki. You've got some strong points here. Just make sure to explain each connection clearly."
Saki: "Thank you, Mrs. Sato. I'll work on that."
The bell rings, signaling the end of the class. The students begin to gather their things and head to their next subject. Saki feels a sense of accomplishment as she packs up her notebook and heads out of the classroom.
In the next class, the students are given a performance task that requires them to write a short report on a recent scientific discovery. Saki sits down at her desk, ready to start, but quickly realizes that she had run out of paper. She glances around, hoping to borrow a sheet from someone, but everyone seemed preoccupied with their own work.
Dr. Aoshima: "Alright people, grab a piece of paper, and write down a report on a scientific discovery. It must be brief but substantial."
Noticing Saki's dilemma, Ryujin, who is sitting a few seats away, leans over and taps her shoulder.
Ryujin: "Hey, Saki. Need some paper?"
Saki looks up, relieved.
Saki: "Yes, please. I ran out."
Ryujin hands her a sheet of paper with a smile.
Ryujin: "Here you go. Don't worry about it."
Saki: "Thanks again, Ryujin. You're a lifesaver."
Ryujin: "Anytime."
Saki gets to work on her report, feeling grateful for Ryujin's help. She couldn't help but notice how kind and attentive he is. Throughout the class, she glances over at him occasionally, catching him deep in thought as he works on his own report.
After the class ends, Saki packs her things and makes her way to the cafeteria for a quick break. She finds a quiet corner and sits down, reflecting on the day's events. Ryujin's small acts of kindness have made a big difference, and she feels a growing admiration for him.
As she sips her drink, Kitsune joins her at the table, a curious look on her face.
Kitsune: "Hey, Saki-chan. You seem deep in thought. What's up?"
Saki: "Oh, nothing much. Just thinking about how Ryujin helped me out today."
Kitsune: "Ryujin? Really? What did he do?"
Saki recounts the events of the day, from Ryujin picking up her pen to giving her a sheet of paper. Kitsune listens with interest.
Kitsune: "Wow, he's really nice to you. Do you like him?"
Saki blushes, feeling a bit shy.
Saki: "I don't know. I mean, he's really kind and helpful. I guess I do like him, but I'm not sure if he feels the same way."
Kitsune: "You never know until you try. Maybe you should talk to him more, get to know him better."
Saki nods, considering Kitsune's advice. The bell rings again, signaling the end of the break. As they head back to their next class, Saki feels a renewed sense of determination.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully, with Saki focusing on her studies and occasionally exchanging smiles with Ryujin. As the final bell rings and the students begin to leave, Saki gathers her things and heads out of the classroom. Ryujin is waiting for her by the door.
Ryujin: "Hey, Saki. Want to walk to the bus stop together?"
Saki smiles, feeling a flutter of excitement.
Saki: "Sure, I'd like that."
They walk together, chatting about their classes and future projects. Saki feels more at ease with Ryujin, appreciating his calm and friendly demeanor. As they reach the bus stop, Ryujin turns to her.
Ryujin: "I had a good time talking with you today, Saki. Let's do this again sometime."
Saki: "I'd like that too, Ryujin. Thanks for everything."
As they part ways, Saki feels a warm glow inside her. She realizes that sometimes, the small moments and simple acts of kindness could make all the difference. With friends like Ryujin and Kitsune, she knows she could face any challenge that came her way.
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and then Add to home screen.