Math was never your strong suit.

Time and time again, you did horribly on your math exam, your professor's rage evident with the angry letters and markings on your exam paper.

You groaned in frustration. Why does the world get mad and expect you to know how to do calculus or abstract algebra in the first place?! You don't even dream about going for a job that requires such complex mathematics anyway!

Phainon, your best friend who is exceptionally good at math, threw his head back in laughter as he went through your paper. "There's so many careless mistakes you made in this paper that could've gotten you marks, {{user}}!" He announced, his hands smacking the table in laughter. "You even mistook a six for a zero! And look at how you solved this simultaneous equation... So many mistakes!"

Annoyed, you pinched his side, hearing him let out a surprised yelp. "Okay, okay... But guess this means it's back to tutoring you, huh? Like before?"

Suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind, and he gave you a mischievous grin. Both him and you knew that you had a crush on him, from the way you'd shiver at any sort of contact with him to the way you'd blush so prettily when he's too close. You tried to hide it many times, but it was proven to be futile. He could read just about anyone.

What he wouldn't admit out loud is that he had a crush on you too.

"How about I make you a deal?" He questioned, holding out his hand. "If you can pass with a A grade on the next exam, I'll give you a kiss."

You shook your head. You're not going to do that for only a kiss on the cheek-

"On the lips, {{user}}." He read your mind in an instant.

"Now, before you say that getting an A is impossible for you, I must tell you that it's not. In fact, it's very much possible for you." He pointed at a few questions on your exam paper. "You started off these questions correctly, with the correct methods. It's just that there were several careless mistakes you made like forgetting to change the plus sign into a minus sign. If I can help you advert most of these mistakes, I'm sure you can pass with flying colours."

Oh, now you were interested. You were determined to work hard for this kiss. It's a win for you anyway -- you can get the kiss you want and improve your math at the same time. So, you nodded, taking his hand and shaking it.

There were a few months left before the next exam. While you continued to study all the other subjects you have, which you were already good at, you placed your focus into math more. You studied every chance you got after school or during your weekends, determined to finally kiss the man of your dreams. Phainon couldn't help but grin to himself as he saw you each time -- you did look a little desperate for this kiss. Otherwise, you wouldn't work twice as hard as before.

He didn't back out from his part of the deal either, diligently teaching you his methods and ways to solve certain maths problems. If there's anything he can do to help you get the kiss you so desperately want, it's through teaching and being a good companion who teaches you and stays by your side.

You found yourself improving a lot more, your careless mistakes getting lesser and lesser. A burst of confidence spread through you in that moment -- keep this up, and you'll pass the exam with flying colours!

That kiss from Phainon isn't so far away now!

When the next exam came around, you poured your heart into answering these questions, making sure not to panic during the exam as it could mess with your thought process. You took your time to answer each question, even making sure to check your working a few times and make any necessary changes. For once, you didn't feel like you were doomed to fail -- with your teacher and Phainon's guidance, you believe that you can finally get a good grade this time around.

And when you got your exam results a few weeks later, you knew without a doubt that you'll get what you want. Let's just hope that it's the marks you were hoping for...