Chapter Text
A prodigy, no need for attention. 14 years old, all there is time for is to study. Before the tragedy I was careless, my brother was the successor, I must carry him now. Sometimes I relive that same scene one too many times and then I wake up. The same wals of a dorm I share… Well it’s not really a dorm. It’s a house fit for 9, then right next door it’s like a landlord type person, well not really too. He doesn’t ask for money for taxes, rent, bills and stuff. Instead he pays for everything, even for his own family next door.
I was 12 when the tragedy happened, this was also the age I entered high school. I was running away from the orphanage, I couldn’t take it, until he found me. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, after that day he became my legal guardian and took interest in what I do. He noticed how smart I can be, he let me take an entry exam for a high school, somehow I got in. I was also at the time living with the 8 other people, those who are like me who ran away from their problems, and they were in the same grade as me. Starting new and fresh into high school.
But back to when I woke up this time, I felt different, not because I’m 14 now. The room felt freezing cold, the air felt as if it were covering me with frostbite, which didn’t stop me from shivering so hard. But, my body was too hot, way too sticky, and damp with sweat. My vision is fine, except every time I move there would always be a slow motion blur, being as strong as I used to be was shunned, and I couldn’t ignore the fact of the nauseating feeling in the depths of my stomach.
–
“It’s Saturday today isn’t it? I’m not sure…” I mumbled. “I mean I’m the only one who doesn’t share a room.. It should be alright right?” The sickening pounding of my head interrupts me from my thoughts.
“Tch.. where is that little shit.. He’s always the first one up! Where is he?” Obanai raises his voice just a bit.
“Well maybe because he got up early and took off already, don’t be so harsh on him.”
Mitsuri can’t help but to feel bad. “That Tokitou-kun is surely a mystery, I can’t help but to worry about him sometimes, he’s barely 14 but does more work than all of us combined…”
The 8 reach school and split up to go to their classes.
“See you at lunch!”
–
I hear the door close then open again.. Oh shit, Kagaya checks the house after everyone leaves. Wait.. if the door closes then.. Oh shit! Today was school! I should hide.. Hide hide HIDE HIDE HIDE! I thought as tears welled my eyes. I’m sitting up with my head tucked into my knees as they pressed hard against my aching temples. The door rattles, complete silence.
“My child, why are you still here? Are you feeling alright?”
Muichiro couldn’t take it any more, all the tears from before breaks the dam that was built in his eyes. He felt worse than before. Until he calmed down, Kagaya takes Muichiro in his embrace. He feels the warmth radiating from Muichiro, he couldn’t move to get a thermometer now so he just held him, just as he would as any of his children. Muichiro was safe, the monster under his bed will hurt him no more. He suddenly felt a different warmth, he didn't feel suffocated. Slee comes to him even if it’s against his will.
–
The bell rings, the lunch hour starts and the group finds themselves at their usuall table with one seat still available.
“Is Muichiro even here ?!?” Sanemi exclaims.
“Perhaps he’s just running a little bit late?” Rengoku speaks.
“Something tells me that he’s not okay.” Gyomei grips his cane a bit more.
The bell rings. Lunch hour is now over.
–
Muichiro wakes up, hunched over the toilet, spilling the contents from before today into the toilet. He’s supported by Kagaya who tied his hair as well.
“It’s okay my child, just get it up. You’ll feel better afterwards.”
Liar. He still felt like… he’s at it again, repeating the same process from before. His throat stings, his mouth is dry and sour. He felt if more sweat was being dumped on him during a hot humid day.
Muichiro pants hard, he felt as if he ran 8 marathons and tripped 5 times at the end. His legs are jello as it swings through the air, he’s being carried to the couch in the main room. He was quickly situated with a blanket on his legs and cold cloth on his forehead, the wave of fever deleriates him. He might as well have looked bewildered when he saw and heard a “talking crow.”
“A talking crow?”
“Yeah, it had a very obnoxious voice, and very sassy. She seemed to be very overprotective.. Kind of like… kind of like…”
He finds himself feeling sad again, he misses someone so dearly with him. Someone who fits his other half. They say it’s easy to cut the rope with some people but they never tell who. Yuichiro, his other half, the person who completes his personality, the identical twins who found themselves never separating. Until…
“Hey, it’s okay.” He wipes at the stray tear rolling down his cheek with his thumb, so very gently. “We both had lost many, when I saw you at the funeral, I couldn’t help to look at how lifeless you looked. I want that to change. If you need anything just ask me okay? You may not be my real child but it’s what’s in my heart. So please, what are you feeling?”
“I.. I just want my brother back.” He’s warm, delirious, yet he feels more emotion than the past few years he had lived.
The door opens, sunshine from the outside pours in, and 8 juniors come in like the 5 little ducks with Tegen at the front.
“Kagaya?”
They notice the sobbing Muichiro in his arms.
“Muichiro!” They then all exclaim.
“Hey, what’s wrong squirt?” Then Rengoku feels him. “Ah, the little one is sick..”
“I knew something was wrong.” Gyomei butts in.