"Tsumiki, I'm going to lose my mind," Sousa exclaimed.

"Souda midterms are tomorrow you have to study, even just a little," Tsumiki said as she attempted to reason with Souda for what seemed like the millionth time that day. He was stuck on not studying and most likely failing all of his classes.

"I don't see the point. I don't use any of this stuff," Souda huffed.

Tsumiki sucked in the sigh she wanted to release and turned to her own notebook, reading flash cards and checking her answers to practice problems. Tsumiki knew Souda wasn't stupid, but he didn't apply himself. It was like he wasting his intelligence.

Souda turned and crossed his arms, staring defiantly at the notebook. He challenged it to open itself and force him to study. Of course, since it was a notebook, it did no such thing and remained stationary on the table. Souda didn't see the point. He only ever used things required for mechanics, and since the school offered no such course, even on the physics of mechanics, Souda thought it pointless to bother with frivolous subjects that would clog his brain and confuse him more.

Souda stole a glance at Tsumiki as she fervously scribbled in her notebook and checked answers to thermodynamics problems while comsulting her flash cards on occasion. She scrunched her face up as she worked through the problem at a rather quick pace and when she was right, which was often, she would smile at herself momentarily before moving onto the next problem. Souda couldn't help but smile at her. He had to admit it, she was pretty cute.

Souda glanced at his notebook and then at Tsumiki squinting hard at a problem. Suddenly, he had an idea. A stroke of genius really. He grabbed the notebook, flipped it open and put it on his head.

Tsumiki looked up at the sudden rush of papers and couldn't help but burst out laughing. There was no holding in this laughter. Souda was such a doofus, but he was hysterical and he always made her smile.

"What are you doing?" Tsumiki asked through giggles.

"It's called learning through osmosis," Souda replied seriously.

Tsumiki laughed more.

"You know, its actually learning through diffusion, since there's technically no water moving across a gradient in that situation," Tsumiki managed to gasp out.

"Well I guess I'm not passing the Biology exam tomorrow."

"You do know that we are taking chemistry right?"

"How lucky! There's no bio test to fail!"

Tsumiki laid her cheek in her hand as she stopped laughing. She smiled at Souda. What a weirdo, but he made her feel better than she ever had. He didn't judge her and he didn't bully her. She had finally found an escape from the abuse. The bandages lessened (although there were still some because Souda can't cure her clumsiness) and she had finally come out of her shell. She felt comfortable with Souda.

Souda had just died. He was sure. He had never seen Tsumiki smile like that. Ever. But there she was, smiling at him as her raven hair flowed over her shoulders, a little messy from studying, but still just as pretty. Souda couldn't handle it. He felt himself blush but he couldn't look away. He just sat there dumbly.

"Hey, go on a date with me?" Souda blurted out.

He immediately covered his mouth. Tsumiki turned a dark shade of red. Souda wanted to go on a date with her? Why? Tsumiki tried to feel like they were just friends, but the more she thought of it, the more she knew they weren't.

Souda had stopped working. What had he done? He had just ruined his only good friendship ever, that's what. He had worked so hard to get her to open up and he had finally felt like he found someone who understood him. Crap, it was silent. He needed to say something.

"Ah sorry, I didn't, I guess wh-"

"On one condition," Tsumiki interrupted.

"What?" Souda asked dumbfoundly.

"You have to pass all of your classes."

"Deal."

Souda couldnt believe it. Tsumiki said yes! Sorta.

"You better study because you need A's on all your midterms to do that," Tsumiki said as she laid her head down on the table, smiling up at Souda.

"Shit!" Souda exclaimed as pulled his notebook off his head and flipped through it.

Tsumiki smiled. She couldn't believe it. The one person she had ever allowed feelings for liked her too. It was almost too good to be true. Tsumiki didn't care though. She wanted to hold onto this feeling. It was new and exciting, and she knew Souda was the reason for it.

Souda glared at problems, but his thoughts were clouded with the thought that he could go on a date with Tsumiki. It was incredible. He had never felt this before. Sure, Sonia was hot and a princess, but Tsumiki was different. She was beautiful and smart and incredibly strong. She may not be Sonia Nevermind, but Souda was pretty sure she was better. How could he have been so stupid?

...

Souda awoke with a start at his desk. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. His clock read one o' clock. He slumped down and looked at his notebook. Ah, balancing equations. It was surprisingly easy and Souda picked up where he left off. Souda looked back at his notes and saw a little note scribbled in his handwriting. He recognized it as the one he wrote for Tsumiki. Below it was an other note, but not in his handwriting.

Thank you. You, too, are amazing but I'm sure you know this. What you don't know is that you've helped me a lot in a short time. I am truely grateful. -Tsumiki

Souda read the note over and over again. Each time his smile grew. He had no idea she had written this and he couldn't help but feel a swell inside of him. He had to pass his classes and get that date.

...

"Tsumiki!" Souda called as he bounded up to her.

"Hey Souda!" She said as he caught his breath.

He handed her his report card. All of the grades were C's. They were passing. Souda had done it. He was estatic. Not so much for the grade, but because now he could go on that date with Tsumiki.

Tsumiki smiled at the paper. She was right. She knew he could do it. Best of all, she was going to get to go on a date with him. She internally flailed. Sure, this was new, but she didn't shy away like she usually did. Something about Souda made her stronger. She felt more confident. She felt good for the first time she could remember.

Souda looked at Tsumiki with a smirk and said, "So, how about that date?"