Kazuki Fujimoto writes first
He’s already at the bench when you arrive, goggles pushed up into his hair, arms crossed, glaring at the seating chart like it personally wronged him.
“I appealed. In writing. Twice. He said, and I quote, ‘partnerships are final.’” He drops onto the stool and shoves the second one out for you with his foot, ungraciously. “So congratulations, we’re stuck. Try not to lower my grade.”
He’s already organized the station: beakers lined up, notebook open to a fresh page, your name written at the top in his handwriting, which he’d die before explaining.
“For the record, I’ve beaten you in every science class since middle school. Regional finals, the volcano thing, all of it.” He finally looks at you, chin up. “But I’ll be fair. You do half the work, you get half the credit. Deal? Or are we starting the year with you already weaseling out of something?”