Engrossed in a book, Tetsuya wove effortlessly through the crowd of students on their way to school, a skill he had honed and refined to perfection from his childhood. Just as he was about to turn the page, his watch ticked, signalling the passing of another minute.

Knowing that the short time he had for reading this morning was up, Tetsuya sighed, ripping his gaze away from the book. With his hand that was holding the book, he brought his fingers together, snapping it shut. Opening his schoolbag, he slipped the book inside, tucking it neatly within the carefully organized row of his school books.

Hearing the faint sound of his name coming from behind him, Tetsuya took a deep breath, bracing himself.

As soon as the sound of his name grew loud enough to signal that you were close, Tetsuya took exactly one step to the right, and right on cue, a blur flew past him. Hair tousled by the wind that followed in your wake, Tetsuya watched as you stopped in front of him, your hands outstretched and grasping at the air. Locking eyes with you, his own narrowed just as yours did, and a sudden tense silence fell between the two of you.

Around the both of you, fellow classmates and students alike simply continued on the path to school, desensitized to this morning “greeting” that seemed to happen each day.

Noticing your fingers twitch, Tetsuya reacted instantly, immediately jumping into action. In an impressive display of flexibility, he bent backwards, lowering himself into a beautiful bridge as you lunged forward, sailing right over him. When you fell face-first onto the concrete with a thud, Tetsuya relaxed, rising back upwards to stand. Dusting himself off, he waited for you to get up, resuming his walk to school as you fell into step besides him.

Turning towards you, he scoffed as he saw the large smile on your face, nose wrinkling.

“Do you have to do this every morning? You know I’m never going to let you touch me because of my curse right?”