Chapter Text
The third year of being the misfit’s homeroom teacher was the most rewarding and challenging year for Kalego to say the least.
Currently, he was multitasking to the fullest to finish the school year with his last stragglers for their Scala exams. He was also trying to finish preparing the final exams for the last month of the school year. He also had family visits on Sunday, the threat of his check being cut still hanging over him after all these years.
He should’ve felt refreshed after the winter break, but unfortunately he worked through all that, writing recommendation letters and trying to find the best internships for his students for the following school year. His misfits were destroying and setting new school records and while he should’ve been gloating to others, he found himself alone these past months.
His days consisted of home, school, home, school, home, school every single day. Some nights he didn’t even make it home, instead retreating to Balam’s makeshift bed in his laboratory. And while he was getting more sleep than usual, it just was never enough.
Because if he was being brutally honest with himself, and as dramatic as it sounded, he was exhausted. In mind, body and worse his soul.
Because Shichiro had left for a research trip for the past six months, and it just so happened the area where this rare creature, thought to be extinct, lived had absolutely no cell service. He wouldn’t dare dream of ever telling Shichiro his woes though.
Because even though they were secretly married now, he knew this research trip was a lifetime opportunity and he wouldn’t dare burden Shichiro with letters or calls.
But Devi, he was lonely.
And exhausted.
So so very exhausted.
Sometimes it felt too much work to even blink. Recently he’d spend some time after dismissing the misfits to just sit there with his eyes closed in Royal One. The walk to his desk in the teachers’ office just seemed so far away, that he found himself working in Royal more and more. Devi, there were even days where he wished to visit the exquisite nap room. He’d yet to shame himself to that level, but he knew he was declining more and more each day.
Oh what a pathetic sight he was.
He was so pathetic in his longing for Shichiro that he even craved the smoothies the gargoyle would make. These past three months found him in the dead of night blending smoothies with the oddest ingredients and drinking them while wrapped up in one of Shichiro’s hoodies. Devi there were even nights, where after drinking his smoothie he was overwhelmed with emotions and cried himself to sleep on the couch. Cerberus being his only witness to this pathetic state and the beast even comforted him on the worst nights.
Their large paws patting his back or laying next to him. He had never been in this kind of state. But again he and Shichiro had never been this separate for this long.
He truly felt Shichiro’s absence a month or so after his departure. He had the worst luck of getting a vicious case of whatever stomach bug that ran its course of the student body. For two whole months he found himself starting his morning with his head in the toilet.
As if missing Shichiro’s very presence wasn't enough, now he wasn't there to brew his recovery tea that worked so well. He kept his woes to himself and vowed to not let a soul know how he was faring. He would be mortified if anybody knew just how affected he was by Shichiro’s absence.
But thank goodness with how busy everybody was over these last months Kalego hadn’t been bothered by the misfits. The messages on the group chat were minimal and he even had a hunch his students were being considerate. Imagine that.
But indeed, he had caught all of the stares with concern these past few months. Even the teachers had gone out of the way to stop him in the hallways and ask him some ridiculous question. Always with “And how are you Kalego-sensei” tagged at the end.
He was fine. He was.
He was just tired, is all.
After one horrendous day near the end of his sickness, he decided to start wearing his ward distracting glasses far more often. Once the worst was over he would take them off and focus on getting back to routine…and in shape. Devi those last night smoothies had him gaining weight at an alarming rate. He had to place a few spells on his uniform just to appear normal and adjust the waist band
He was a little mortified this weight gain would be on record. Because his dreaded birthday was this Saturday and he knew the misfits would bug him as routine. Which is why he found a plan on how not to be bothered. Planning his yearly health check up on his birthday allowed him to remain unbothered by teachers and now students. Yes, cramming all his appointments into one day took the whole day and yet it was always the most relaxing day as he just lounged in the waiting rooms. Reading books he had put off, organizing his planner and notebook, while listening to music on his portable cd player the misfits had gifted him in their second year.
It was always a lovely time. Peaceful and still achieving goals. He always rewarded himself with a fine bottle of wine and this year that wine would taste extra delicious. He has taken an accidental sobriety these past six months. He wanted to give full attention to his tasks so he found his alcohol cabinet had remained untouched.
The wine he would reward himself after a hard day's work was instead replaced by him instantly falling asleep in bed.
But unfortunately these past two weeks had found him barely getting any sleep and instead had him organizing his home. His nights were spent on his phone either looking at photos of Shichiro or buying new houseware. He even bought new furniture, but it had instead become a growing pile against the wall. He just couldn’t find the energy to make it.
Which is how he found himself standing in front of Opera in Royal One. He could feel the other’s gaze on him, analyzing him. Ready to tear him apart.
“You still have your annual physical on Saturday.” Straight to the point like usual. Though there was no usual light tone in his senpai’s voice. No Opera looked frustrated and was expressing it freely.
He felt like a fledgling when he answered immediately. “Yes.”
Opera sighed and their tail swished around, a habit they habit whenever they were bothered. “Only you would schedule all your appointments on your birthday every year. You and your damn loopholes Kalego-kun.” Opera gave him an obvious lookover and scolded. “You should’ve gone earlier. You look terrible.”
Kalego didnt raise to the bait, which showed how tired he was. “Actually, that’s why I asked for this meeting. I’m afraid I must bother you. Would you be available to cover my class tomorrow? I have prepared the lesson plans and- “
The question had Opera now staring at him in alarm, looking at him more closely and asking now with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just…feel worse as the day goes on.” That was putting it lightly. The pressure he was feeling was becoming uncomfortable very fast. “I’m stopping at the hospital just to be sure, but if I must stay I need to be sure there is coverage-”
The space between them was quickly eliminated when Opera rushed to him, a hand on his forehead and one at his wrist. Kalego couldn't even blink before his sight was filled with his senpai, and there was a weak moment where he wanted to lean into the cool touch of the other.
Devi, he missed Shichiro and his touch.
“No fever. Your pulse is fine. Take off your uniform.”
And now he was brought back to reality.
With a squawk of embarrassment he pushed the other away, well tried. “Unhand me! Are you going to cover me or not?”
Opera crossed their arms, clearly displeased. “My oh my. Is that anyway you treat someone you're asking a favor from?”
Kalego felt the pressure increase and sighed from the bottom of his soul. “Please. Don’t tease Opera-senpai.”
There was a tense silent moment before Opera sighed. “You really are feeling that unwell.”
Kalego didn't answer and instead said, “I would feel best knowing you were the substitute teacher.”
Opera nodded and walked to Kalego’s desk, gathering his items. “Fine. But you’re going straight to the hospital.”
Kalego took the items from the other demon, and scowled as he was being pushed towards the door. “That’s what I said I was doing.”
Opera didn't say another word, and instead opened the door for their precious kohai. Before closing the door on them, they instructed the other with firmness. “You will call me for anything. Anything.” They didn't wait for an answer and instead closed the door on the other.
~0214~
Kalego texted them to let them know he was on his way to the hospital at the end of the day. Opera kept an eye on their phone, but no messages were received and calls were missed. Even the class knew something was amiss with their teacher’s absence. They asked in the beginning of the day, at lunch, and at the end of they day if there was any news on their teacher. But Opera instructed them all was fine and to perhaps leave the birthday wishes towards the end of the day. They had a strong feeling their teacher was experiencing exhaustion and was sleeping soundly at the hospital.
They wondered if they should visit Kalego at the end of the school day but, a fire happening in the kitchen pulled them back home. Sullivan-sama had the audacity to permit Iruma-sama and others to make chocolates and now there was a blazing fire in all 13 of their ovens.
Opera handled the situation with minimal damage and efficiency. However the lecture they served and essay they demanded from all present was lengthy and well deserved.
They fell to bed more tired than usual and completely lost the time. They were dismayed when they saw the time was an hour and six minutes after midnight. They had forgotten to text Kalego-kun their usual midnight birthday text.
As if being summoned, a phone call from Kalego appeared on their screen. Picking up the call quickly, Opera couldn't even speak before Kalego’s distressed voice filled the room. They couldnt understand them and called out to the other. “Kalego-kun?”
The sound of crying and finally they understood. “My life is never going to be the same.”
Opera felt their stomach drop and their blood run cold. Oh no. Oh devi, this couldn't be happening. “Are you alright! What did the doctor say?”
Kalego ignored the question and instead seemed to cry harder and yelled in hysterics. “How did I miss all the signs! I’m so stupid!” Opera got out of bed and began to dress. Still listening to the other who finally addressed them. “You can’t tell Shichiro, this will break his heart!”
Devi, Kalego must've been given a horrid diagnosis. They ignored the other and instead demanded. “What is your room number, I’m coming over right now.”
“You can’t! I can’t have visitors!” Now more muffled crying that had Opera’s own heart beating rapidly. Devi he was being quarantined. This was bad.
They tried to grab any information from the distraught demon. “When are you being released?”
“I don’t know. I just woke up. How did I not know!”
Opera had to listen to the distraught crying and asked a question they hoped was the answer to all of this. Only a few knew how sensitive the other was to medication. They left the Naberius often emotional and easy to cry at any moment. Perhaps this was a misunderstanding caused by this state. “Are you on any medications right now, Kalego-kun?”
Kalego answered with a wail and cried out in dismay. “So many. I should be dead, Opera-senpai.”
Oh. Opera had to sit on their bed and let their head fall to their hand in pure horror. They were honestly silenced and lost for words. “Let me-Kalego-kun….do you want…”
The sound of a door opening was heard and now a new voice was heard.”Naberius-san I got a warning from your heart monitor, please, let’s focus on your recovery.”
Opera couldn't even respond as the call was dropped. They quickly got dressed and wrote a note for the household. They were on limited time. Opera stared at the phone and knew what they had to do.
~0214~
It was merely six minutes into the new day of February fourteenth, when a new life was brought into the realm.
This year on Kalego’s birthday not only did he celebrate another year older, but also the fact that he was now a Father to a beautiful healthy fledgling.
A healthy fledgling he had no idea he was carrying all this time.
He was now a new father, had no baby supplies, no baby name and even worse...he still had home visits to complete tomorrow.