And so came Monday.
Yui got to school slightly early. She greeted her friends curtly before heading straight to her seat, awaiting Yuuki’s arrival.
She set the study materials onto her desk, only to not pay any attention to them whatsoever, instead flashing excited glances at the door.
There he is.
Yuuki lumbered over, sleepy-eyed like any other morning.
In sharp contrast Yui energetically took the glasses out of her bag, quickly putting them on. As she lowered her gaze, Yui heard the neighboring desk’s chair scraping against the floor.
C’mon, c’mon.
Yui pretended to be absorbed in her studies, waiting for Yuuki to notice the glasses, but he didn’t even greet her. She glanced over and saw him absent-mindedly staring out the window, which finally made her lose patience.
“Morning.”
Yuuki looked over, giving her a slight nod before falling silent again. What’s with the chin-sockable attitude?
“That’s it?” She complained, forgetting about the glasses.
“Wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
It appeared Yuuki was trying to be considerate in his own right, even though Yui was, in fact, not studying whatsoever.
C’mon, notice. Notice the subtle change in vibe already.
As Yui silently pressured him, Yuuki finally rested his eyes on her face. “That’s odd.”
“Hmm? O-Oh, you mean the glasses? Funny you–”
“No, your hair. It’s standing up.”
“It’s just a little frizzy, okay?”
He has to be doing this on purpose, right?
After furiously hand combing her hair, Yui brought the conversation back. “My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. Must’ve been all that studying, y’know?”
“Mmhmm.”
“I studied literally all day yesterday. Literally.”
Yui spent the entire morning rereading a few of her beloved shounen manga volumes before getting to the newest one. Mom and sister were going shopping in the afternoon, so she went with and had dinner at a restaurant. It was delish.
“I see…”
Yuuki was staring at her glasses, so she took the opportunity to show off her signature push up maneuver. Yuuki’s stare only further intensified, no doubt drawn by Yui’s overwhelming aura of genius.
“Hmm?”
“You look like one of those people who wear glasses just to look smart.”
“Oh, those.” Yui vigorously nodded. “It’s sad, really.”
Yuuki abruptly knitted his brow, groaning. It’s working.
“Something wrong?”
“They’re blinding.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Look away, please.”
Screw you! Try saying that to any actual speccy! Yui thought but held back; The smart bespectacled type would never say something like that. You’re the smart, chill glasses beaut. Act like it.
“Speaking of which, have you made any notable progress in your studies, perhaps?”
“Not really, no. Mina’s been a bit of a pain. You must’ve made amazing progress, studying literally all day.”
“I suppose you could say that, yes. Feel free to throw any pertinent inquiries regarding confounding material my way.”
“Why... are you talking like that?”
“Whatever do you mean? This is how I always talk.”
“Hmm, no. No, you don’t.”
“Why of course I do, silly.”
“Definitely not.”
“Can it, wise guy.”
“There, that’s more like it.”
That’s more like it? Who do you take me for? That was less Yui the Intellectual and more Yui the Yakuza. Okay, now focus up. You’re Yui the Intellectual. You’re astyute. She reminded herself.
“I don’t get this one.”
“Alright, I suppose it can’t hurt helping poor ol’ Yuuki out.” Yui spoke a big game as she took a peek at the workbook he passed over.
It turned out to be math, the kind where you’d already be half-asleep by the time you finished reading the paragraph long questions. Yui thought she had maxed out on intelligence but, in reality, all she did was put on glasses. Fashion glasses, at that.
What is this? What am I even looking at?
“Mhmm. Yes, I see.” Yui nodded repeatedly as she passed her eyes through the text. “You see it’s a… a trick question. Yes, a trick question, no doubt.”
“How do I find X and Z?”
“Simple. To find X-Men and Z-Man you first want to–”
“Nevermind. Forget I asked.”
“W-Wait!”
Yui latched onto the corner of Yuuki’s workbook as he pulled it away.
“Let go. It’ll tear.” He calmly said, pushing her hand aside. “I’ll ask Rio later. You probably don’t know the answer anyway.”
“N-No! You can’t!”
“Why not?”
“Be-Because I was friends with Rio first? Do you even know how many battles it took me to get her on my side?”
“B-Battles?”
Yui turned toward the meek voice, only to find Rio standing behind her desk like some guardian spirit. She almost fell out of her chair in horror.
“H-Hey, Rio! N-Need anything?”
“Does she need a reason to be here?”
“I wasn’t talking to you!”
Yuuki interjects immediately, Rio’s acting all awkward... They’re up to no good, I can feel it. Rio had never turned up at their classroom without Yui specifically asking her to come, not once. Don’t tell me she... came here to see Yuuki? No, don’t be silly.
“I, err, I thought I’d drop by on my way to the b-b-bathroom.” Rio stammered out, mustering a forced smile.
Fishy. Very fishy. Rio blinked blankly as Yui observed her, surprise written on her face.
“Spectacle Yui…”
Spectacloey? What is this, some kind of new gen pokeman? Yui tilted her head quizically, only to remember that she was, indeed, wearing glasses. Why’s she looking at me funny? Did she notice they’re fashion glasses?
“M-My eyesight’s a little, you know. It’s rough, sitting at the very back.”
“Maybe I should do it too... start wearing glasses.”
“Eh?”
“I’ve been thinking about wearing glasses in class. Can’t really see the blackboard at times.”
Rio’s terrifying proclamation shook Yui. She’s already smart, the glasses are only gonna make her even smarterer. Worst of all, she’s stealing my thunder. Copycat!
“Th-Then we’ll b-both be wearing glasses.”
“Rio, no! Glasses are a last resort!”
“E-Eh?”
“Exercise time! Keep your eyes on my finger!”
Yui pointed her index finger up, slowly moving it back and forth. After repeating the action enough times, she’d restore Rio’s vision eventually, just like on TV.
“You can see it, you’ve only convinced yourself you can’t.” Yui repeated what she remembered hearing.
As she continued bringing her finger to and away from Rio’s confused face, Yuuki, somewhat astonished, interjected with, “Okay, you can stop being stupid now.”
“S-Stupid?”
“Rio, I need help with this one.” Yuuki beckoned her over, tapping a page on his workbook.
He had just turned to Rio over Yui despite the glasses. The situation was dire. Now’s not the time for eye training exercises!