Chapter Text
“Kengo! You’re gonna be late for school again!”
By the time Mom’s voice reached my ears, I had already been awake for... I dunno, an hour?
Since when was I an early riser, you ask? Well I haven’t even left my bed in all of that time, so what does it matter?
It matters a lot to me, damn it! I’ve got no fucking clue why, but for some reason my mind just can’t wrap itself around the idea of waking up in my own goddamned bed! It’s like ‘Is this my bed?’ Yes brain. Yes it is. ‘But is it *really* my bed? What if it’s just an elaborate prank?’ I think I would recognize my own damn bed if I saw it. Besides, I remember going to sleep here last night... right?
“Argh!” I yank the sheets away and swing my feet towards the floor. I don’t need to waste my time with all this exi-? exu-? exisisting-ten-tile bullshit. It’s a new day, the sun is shining, all is right with the world.
And I have a breakfast to eat.
I fling on my uniform, spending a little too long searching for my cape before remembering my uniform this year doesn’t have one. ‘Wait, when did I ever need one?’ Then I headed downstairs, trying to push away whatever garbage my mind was sending me.
“There you are! You know I got a call from your teacher the other day, you know Ms. Okazaki really doesn’t like it when you show up late all the— Kengo?”
I don’t know what came over me just now, but the moment I saw Mom, I couldn’t think of anything other than giving her the biggest goddamn hug I could. “Good morning, mom.” I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and held tight.
“G- good morning?” She froze for a second, but quickly returned the embrace. Her face went through all manners of confusion and sympathy so rapidly I almost wanted to laugh.
Or cry.
Or maybe both. Fuck, I must look even dumber then, don’t I?
“Kengo, what’s wrong?” After a while, my arms fell limp, and Mom took that opportunity to place her hands on my shoulders and look me in the eye.
I lifted my arm to my face and rubbed my eyes. I was crying, wasn’t I? Damn, I’m pathetic. But maybe it’s okay to look pathetic. Just this once.
If it’s Mom, maybe it’s okay.
“It’s... nothing. Just a... weird dream.”
“If you want to talk about it, I’m always here.” She leaned over to give me a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll always be here for you, Kengo. Don’t forget that.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” I shake off her arms and turn away, but before that I look back into her eyes one more time. “...Thanks mom.”
“Don’t mention it.” She reached over once again, this time to straighten out my uniform.
Dammit mom, I told you the wrinkly uniform was a look! Why do you have to keep ruining it! ... Ah, whatever, I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. Not after—
“Right, now you should probably hurry up if you don’t want to be late again. Your school starts in ten minutes.”
Figures.
Honestly, I couldn’t really care less about being late for class. It’s not like Oka-chan would actually send me to detention for that anyways. She’s waaayyy too soft for her own good, just like that prince Yamada.
Hm?
Eh, whatever. As much as I’d love to stay here forever and savor Mom’s delicious, unparalleled, freeze-dried scrambled eggs until the end of time, she’s already put my breakfast in a little baggie and pushed me out the door. Oi Mom! How do you expect me to eat this on the train?
The sound of the door slamming tells me to work it out on my own.
Alright, the old-fashioned way it is. Open up one corner of the bag, align my mouth, and down it goes! Mmmmm, that feels good. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a classic Natsume Breakfast like that! Who cares that half of it goes on the floor? That’s not my problem!
A long time? Didn’t I do the same thing yesterday?
Yesterday was lifetimes ago, okay?
After the customary one-stop train ride, I got off and made my way to my destination— the gates of Heishin High School. It’s an old concrete building that’s been falling apart for so long that Issei and I have a running bet on whether it’s gonna get bulldozed or collapse on its own. Honestly, though, if you ask me, I’d rather see it just fucking explode.
While I’m not inside, ideally.
Anyways, every time the principal has an assembly, he always goes on about how this school is “an asset to the city” and “has produced many successful alumni.” Yeah, successful like my neighborhood garbageman and that woman who tried to rob a bank with her shoe. Truly, a school that educates gods among men.
Although I guess I can’t complain. If it was any better I wouldn’t have even gotten in.
Anyway, I finally make it up to my classroom only five minutes after the first bell. If I keep making progress like this, maybe I’ll be on time for once someday!
I slide open the door and step in. There’s Issei in the corner, looking strangely sad. I wonder if it’ll cheer him up if I tell him about the crazy dream I had last night? Hm? Why is everyone staring at me? I know I’m late, but c’mon! I’m late every day!
Ooh, Yamada’s really staring at me. I get it man, you don’t like me, but you’re looking at me like I killed your cat or something. That Ooshima too. And, hold on... Oka-chan? Yamada and Ooshima I can understand, but what the fuck did I ever do to you, Sensei?
“So, anything to say for yourself, Hugo?”