Chapter Text
Leorio Paradinight reporting! A 4th grader at York City High School, this student boasts high achievement in all subjects and volunteer clubs!
A boy who is still aiming further, even further, beyond the stars, no no, beyond the moon!!!
I was just an ordinary boy with a foolish dream of becoming a man who saves lives... But never before have I been so close to achieving it, slowly but surely the mid-term exams are approaching, for which I am already preparing myself thoroughly in advance, followed by graduation, and if I pass –and get into my dream college. Doctor of Medicine degree at Yorknew College. Prestigious school, I tell you, really classy!
I never wanted anything more than to get in, and start building my boyhood dream...
Well... This is Leorio Paradinight, Room 4B, Block 2, in detention.
Why, you may ask, what could a decent looking guy like me possibly do? Well, to be honest, nothing that substantial. I could always get away with any kind of trouble, whether it was kicking a soccer ball through the window of a classroom where a final test was being written... Playing tag and yelling like crazy in the main school building... Even my repeatedly falling asleep by 1st period. But today... Today something very terrible happened... I forgot to return the borrowed textbooks from the school library
on time.
“Shit.“ I mumble to myself as I mop circles around the chairs. “I can't believe it, the poor students don't even have time to study, and you're gonna make them work for it?“
-“You're not tired of this yet? You've been complaining for 20 minutes already.“
This smiley guy with the interesting arrangement of the school uniform is Zepile, he joined our class in 3rd grade and we've been something like best friends ever since. Besides, he's here with me today because he got caught cheating on a test.
“I telling you, as soon as I'm done here today, I'm going to go give our lovely librarian MY personal perspective.“ I slam my mop on the floor with a big splash. Zepile turns to me, no longer smiling, but rather throwing a concerned look on me.
-“Are you sure this is what you want? I'd avoid it, or you'll get the whole 4th floor to clean up next too, plus you'll get a reprimand.Try to cool down before you do something like that.“
Zepile was right, he's always right, sometimes it annoys me how good his judgement is. He can tame me everytime when I'm angry.
“Okay. But just because I want to be home already...“
That's when the door bursts open and the principal was standing there.
“-Aah, you guys still here? Great, at least you can do me a favor.“
I quickly fasten the buttons of my shirt, which I had
carelessly unbuttoned for the convenience of cleaning, up to my neck and tighten my tie, my gaze goes to Zepile and then back to the principal, I raise my eyebrows and ask
“What's going on?“
“-Boys, do you know anyone from 3rd grade?“
We shake our heads.
“We're not in touch with anyone from there, no." Zepile replies.
“-That's what I thought...“ He sighs “Listen, we haven't heard from a student who's been missing for a while, and we're looking for someone to go and look on him. Do you know anyone who lives on or near 1st September Street?“
“I could check on him. I live on September, if you need me to bring hum something or-“
“-That's great!“ The principal cuts me off
“-Here's his address and go see him right away, just have a quick word with him and let a teacher know what's wrong with him. You would give us a big favor.“ He handed me a slip of paper and left, not giving me a second to resist.
“Today? That's what I get for my free time...“ I bow my head and read the address on the paper. Strange, we live in the same block of flats. Zepile looks over my shoulder
-“Should I come with you?“
“Nah, it's okay, you live on the other side, you'd miss the last train. I'll just pop over there and go. It will take just a minute.“
So here I am. I'm standing outside the apartment of some... Kurapika, was it? I take one last breath and ring the doorbell. No one answers for a while, but then I hear the click of the lock, and a figure a head shorter than Leorio peeks outfrom behind the door
“Oh, uh,“ I stammered out quickly “I'm looking for Kurapika... uh...“
-“That's me, what do you want?“ I pause for a moment before continuing. For a second there, I thought I was talking to his girlfriend, or maybe younger sister...? His face is long and slim, sure, but I guess his long brown hair that falls over his shoulders fading into blonde at the roots, or his oversized sweatshirt with sweatpants that only slightly show the build of his body... Trying to cover up my mistake immediately, I started to ramble a sentence I had no time to settle in my head before.
“Yeah, um, I'm Leorio, your class teacher sent me after the principal, he said you haven't been to school in a while, so uh, I'm here to get feedback.“ I try to make light of it with a friendly smile, but I think it's just more awkward. Man, I'm making an ass of myself here.
“-I'm sick, tell him I'll show up when I'm better.“ He replies, already closing the door but I manage to wedge my foot in before it shuts.
“Wait.“
What am I doing?
“I just found out that my younger classmate lives on the same floor..!“
What am I talking about?!
“Don't you want to hang out and talk for a while~?“
WHAT???
The boy looked at me in puzzlement, but more like surprise or disbelief.
“-What?
-Uh, no. It's late and I-"
"AAAAWWHHH COME ON!"
I burst through the door and step inside. Okay, at this point, I don’t even care anymore. Why am I making such a fool of myself? I have no idea, but something about this guy just doesn’t sit right with me. My gut tells me there’s more to this than meets the eye. The boy watches me, now even more confused and a little disgusted as I stride down the narrow hallway toward the main room. I stumble over a pile of clothes, step over it, only to trip again this time on a school bag and its books scattered all around. I land on the bed, barely managing to sit upright, trying (and failing) to look nonchalant.
The room isn’t exactly a disaster. My own place has this same kind of everyday student mess. But what’s strange is the complete lack of any personal touch. From an 18-year-old guy, I’d expect at least some action figures, a few console games on a shelf, or hell, even a poster. But this apartment? It’s empty. Devoid of personality. Maybe he just moved in and hasn’t had time to settle... I notice an open book on the bed and a half-finished cup of coffee beside it. Planning to stay up late, huh? Not exactly something a sick person would be doing…
“What are you reading?“ I reach for the book and flip through the pages with my eyes. Looks like a poetry book, not exactly my cup of tea. Maybe because I don’t understand it, but I can certainly appreciate those who do.
“-Leave it.” He said and snatched the book from my hand.
"-What do you want here? It’s extremely rude to barge into someone’s apartment.” The irritation in his voice is obvious. I don’t blame him. But since I’ve already started this charade, there’s nothing left to do but continue.
“Whoa, whoa, relax, I was just looking.“
"...You don’t look sick," I tease. "I mean, your skin is as white as a wall, but it seems like you’re just that type." I give him a second to respond, but when I don’t get any answer, I continue.
I nailed it, didn’t I? So what, just skipping school and hanging around? If you're going through some rebellious phase, let me tell you, it’s not cool, and it just leads to problems.
I pause for another moment before asking.
“Or... is it something more?“
“-I’m not trying to be cool or anything like that, and I don’t feel the need to play games…”
“So why are you skipping school?“ I press on.
The guy furrows his brow. “What’s your problem?? Why should I even talk to a guy who barged into my apartment?!”
And I’ve got him. I stand up to emphasize my full height and straighten up above him, which forces him to step back. I like to tease my friends with my height, but that’s not why I’m emphasizing it now. There’s just something about this guy...
“Boy... If you’ve got any issues, whether with school, your friends, or with yourself, you know you can always reach out to someone...“
“-Enough.”
"Huh?"
“-I said enough. I didn’t ask anyone to come here and lecture me about my school performance. I know exactly what I’m doing, or what I’m not doing wrong, okay?! Leave right now, and don’t make me repeat myself.”
"Fine, fine. I raise my hands in surrender and slowly begin to leave the room, but before I open the front door, I turn back to him.
“So, what should I tell your homeroom teacher? The same lie you’re trying on me? That you’re sick? A bit untrustworthy don’t you think?”
“-In your own best interest, it would be best if you forget about this.”
“I won’t.“ I smirk. “I might just start visiting you here every day until you tell me what’s going on with you.“ The guy seems to slow down entirely.
“-You... Are you out of your mind?” I just laugh.
“Haah, who knows, I’m a bit out of it myself today.“ I reach for the handle and open the door, giving him one last smirk.
“You seem like a nice guy, though you also look a bit like a girl. But definitely not like a truant…” I soften my tone.
“But I’m serious about the help thing. If you ever need advice, I live right across the hall.” I step through the door, but before I can close it behind me, I hear the expected word.
“-Wait...”
I turn back, and my eyes meet his. I can see him trying to find the words to express what he feels... If this wasn’t important, he wouldn’t have said anything, right?
“So, have you changed your mind about my offer for a chat?“
“-I... uh... Yeah. I guess...” He stops. “But just the chat, nothing more.”
“That sounds good for me.“ I step back in and close the door behind me.