Ah, life is finally getting back to normal. I’m sure the grin on my face looked idiotic as I walked into the science lab this morning. School is back in action, though a lot of students are still staying away but that’s no skin off my back.

Less people the betterin my opinion. I stripped myself of my bag, reaching for my lab coat, dropping another one in the process.

I looked closely, something on the collar catching my eye. My smile soon left, logically it’s red so I can only assume this is blood which means this is- “Welcome back president,” I looked to the door, Ria standing looking confused. “Why are you on the floor?”

I sighed, standing up and throwing the coat to her. “This was on the floor,” I scoffed. “Make sure you hang your belongings up correctly next time.”

She mumbled something inaudible as she hung up her bag and placed her lab coat on. I looked in the corner of my eye, watching as she flicked her hair over the coat and suspicion were right. On the creak of her neck, right where the mark on the collar was, another scar was there. Since that time in the nurse's office, we never brought it up again but now, they seem to occur more often. “Has your mom returned from the Amazon?” I asked getting the beakers ready for today. Ria went silent, only giving a small nod. “Did she bring back anything interesting?”

“What? You trying to get your hand on something exciting to probe?” Ria joked, forcing a smile.

“That’s 10 billion points for a correct answer,” I smirked trying to take away from the awkward atmosphere. 

Things were silent between us as we continued to set up the lab for the day. Then Ria just stopped moving, her hands clasped around two beakers, her bangs covering her eyes as she stared down at the bench. “Can I ask you something?” I carefully stopped pouring the liquids and focused my attention on her. “What's your opinion on me?”

Her voice sounded like it was about to crack. I can only assume something has knocked her confidence which has brought this question on. I placed my hand to my chin. What is my opinion on Ria? What is the best way to describe her? My assistant my friend? An illogical feeling? But I cannot use those words with her while shes in this current mood. “To me youre-

“RIA, SENKU!” I cringed hearing that familiar voice ring through the lab. “Its do goo to see you guys again!”

Taiju burst through the door, pulling me into a crippling hug. “Off me you big oaf!” I ordered and he did just that. Sheepishly heading to Ria, wrapping an arm around her in a welcoming embrace. “Jeez, it’s not like we haven’t seen each other via video chat.”

“Senku's right Taiju,” Yuzuriha giggled bouncing into the lab. She went over taking Ria by the arm with a loving smile. “But I’m glad we can see each other like this again.”

I Looked over to my assistant, seeing Ria crack a small smile. “Yeah,” a tear fell down her cheek as she grabbed onto Yuzuriha’s arm, her grip tightening as she started to sob.

‘Yeah,” I agreed running the back of my neck. “Life gets a bit better when you can see each other in person.”

Actually I’m thankful to these idiots  becuase I think they saved me from saying the wrong thing.