To cut to the conclusion, Henry and Declan didn’t finish the practical exercise.
Henry’s heart rate was measured three times, but all readings came out higher than average. In the end, the two went out to the drafty hallway to try.
Only then could they see numbers similar to others, but by that time, class was almost over.
There was woefully insufficient time to do an activity that would raise the heart rate additionally, then measure the heart rate after resting.
“I’ll end class. Henry, Declan. You two write up an additional report and submit it by tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Henry and Declan, whose names were called by the teacher wrapping up class, each answered.
Among the students submitting their papers with their heart rates written and leaving, Henry gloomily packed his bag.
“After dinner tonight. Library.”
Declan was the first to speak. Henry nodded and said.
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
After hearing the answer, Declan packed his bag first and left. Watching his retreating figure, Henry let out a deep sigh and ran his hand over his face.
“How did it come to this…”
He didn’t feel good. Henry figured the reason was, like when cleaning the gym, because he had to meet Declan again after dinner.
***
On an evening when lights were off in various places around campus, he headed to the library, the only place aside from the dormitory where all the lights were brightly lit.
When he pushed open the door, the characteristic dryness of a space with heater air blowing greeted Henry. Henry turned his head this way and that, trying to find Declan.
Eventually, as he walked around the library trying to find the man who wasn’t visible, checking each person’s face one by one.
“What are you doing not sitting down?”
Declan’s voice came from behind.
When Henry turned around in surprise, he saw Declan wearing comfortable black track pants, a white tee, and a hoodie zip-up over it.
“Ah… I was looking for you.”
“I just got here.”
“I thought you’d already be here.”
Henry sat down in a central seat as if it were nothing. The shadow of tree branches, barren with some leaves fallen, cast long into the interior.
On the opposite side, Declan sat down while taking out his laptop. Henry cautiously spoke up.
“I thought about it while eating. Since the experiment didn’t go well because I was hot… shouldn’t we write about the reasons why heart rate increases when it’s hot?”
Declan nodded roughly and stood up from his seat.
“I’ll go find books with related content.”
Without giving Henry a chance to say he’d do it, he immediately stood up and headed to the bookshelves. Henry stared quietly at his back, then turned his head and searched for materials on the internet.
How long had he been selecting and organizing useful content like that? Declan returned carrying several books.
On the desk were placed two books on human physiology and a thin reference book on biological responses.
“Check them, and if there are any materials you think are lacking, I’ll go find more.”
Declan spoke calmly and sat in his seat. Henry picked up one book and flipped through it lightly.
“…You picked well.”
Henry muttered without realizing it. Suddenly realizing he’d spoken aloud, he raised his head, but perhaps not hearing his muttering, he saw Declan flipping through book pages.
To be honest, Henry had thought that once it became a report format, he’d end up writing it mostly by himself.
Not just because he felt responsible for an activity that should have ended as a practical exercise becoming a report. Rather.
“Russell, this is the only AP class you’re taking, isn’t it?”
Excluding the biology lecture that had brought them together at this time, Declan wasn’t taking any advanced courses that would help with college admissions.
As far as he knew, Declan Russell wasn’t particularly good at studying either.
He’d never considered him stupid, but it meant he at least didn’t seem familiar enough with academics to be able to find exactly the right books needed in a situation like this.
So the current Declan was unexpected to Henry. Even more so when he saw the handwriting neatly organizing the content seen in the books.
It would be unfair to compare it to those who hadn’t studied at all. It was clean and neat handwriting.
Before he knew it, Henry was looking at the notebook where Declan was writing.
“No.”
Without even paying attention to Henry, Declan, who had been busily continuing to take notes, answered without sincerity.
At that bland answer, Henry ultimately couldn’t overcome his curiosity and asked.
“What about at your previous school? Did you take some there?”
“No.”
“Then this biology is your first AP class?”
Declan nodded roughly. The more he looked, the more questions arose. Looking at the format of reading books and organizing, and the handwriting, it wasn’t the appearance of someone who had built walls against academics.
“…How did you end up taking biology?”
“Because there were no seats left in other subjects.”
“…That’s it?”
Henry looked at the man with a bewildered expression after hearing Declan’s answer.
“Should there be another reason?”
The man who had his face buried in a book finally raised his head. The man’s words while making eye contact were in a tone that was truly curious.
Henry hurriedly shook his head.
“No, it’s not that.”
After hearing his answer, Declan lowered his head back to the book. Watching him, Henry suddenly added.
“Then… don’t you have any thoughts about college?”
“College?”
“Yeah. You said this is your first time taking an AP class.”
“I haven’t thought about it.”
Henry’s eyes widened at the answer that came back.
“Why? Aren’t you going to play football?”
“It’s a hobby. I’ve never thought about it that much.”
“At your level, scouts will come next year.”
His first thought was that it was a waste. Henry had played football for quite a long time, and objectively, Declan was a decent center. It was frustrating, but he’d probably be good at quarterback too.
Next, he felt inexplicably angry. It was anger directed at the answer that despite being that capable, he’d never seriously considered it.
“How many years have you played football?”
At Henry’s question, Declan tilted his head to the side. The gaze that left the book noticed he was estimating the years.
“…It’s been almost 3 years now.”
At those words, Henry closed his mouth.
He knew his emotions weren’t justified. But what could he do? When he disliked it.
“What about you?”
“Huh?”
“How many years have you played?”
Henry answered slowly. It felt like a question exchanged out of politeness rather than actual interest in him.
“…7 years.”
“You’ve played for a long time.”
As he thought, the conversation with Declan ended there. Declan didn’t bother to speak more, and Henry was no longer curious about him.
Occasionally, conversations about the assignment were exchanged. The two organized the records they’d each found and combined them into one.
Henry diligently typed it into his laptop. Before long, the time was approaching midnight.
***
“Lowell.”
A low voice called Henry. Mmm, a sleepy groan came from Henry’s mouth.
“Lowell, I finished writing it. Go back to the dorm and sleep.”
Snap, at the voice calling again, Henry opened his eyes. A hot hand placed on his shoulder. And he met vivid green eyes.
Henry tried to sit up in surprise, then instinctively grabbed the clothing sliding off his shoulder.
“…Isn’t this your clothes?”
The navy zip-up in his hand. And Declan in a short-sleeved white tee. He couldn’t not know.
Declan nodded.
“Why do I have it?”
“You seemed cold so I covered you with it.”
“Hey… If someone falls asleep while doing an assignment together, normally wouldn’t you wake them up instead of covering them with clothes to let them sleep better?”
Henry looked at Declan in confusion. Seeing that the books and reference materials that had been on the desk were all gone, it seemed he’d already finished organizing too.
He turned around casually and spoke while packing his laptop and belongings.
“It just needed finishing touches.”
“Still…”
“Is there something you don’t like?”
At Declan’s question, Henry hurriedly lowered his head to the laptop screen and checked the report. Since he’d already written most of it before falling asleep, it seemed he’d just done the final finishing touches.
Henry’s memory was also cut off right around that point.
The ending of the writing was clean enough that there was nothing to say about it. Henry hurriedly shook his head.
“No, it’s not that…”
“Good, then. I’m leaving first.”
Declan, having finished his one-sided farewell, moved away. After watching his retreating figure for a long while, Henry also gathered his belongings.
Declan Russell. What kind of guy was he really? He became increasingly incomprehensible.
