Chapter Text
"Natsume”
The teacher called expecting an answer and getting none. Eyes wandered to his seat that was still pushed in and sat empty. It wasn't odd for Takashi Natsume to miss school, he was always sick or too fatigued to show up most days so it became the normal. His friends knew he was out sick so one of them spoke up about his absence, calmly explaining it to the teacher before he simply nodded and continued attendance.
Although he called out sick most times- and one week he only showed up for the last two days of the week because of a cold. This time was different, he hadn't shown up all of last week, today was now Monday, the start of a new week and he still was not present. The minds of his friends could only race thinking as to why he's been missing so much school.
As much as their minds raced, they always ended up with the same feelings and thoughts. Worry would flood their minds, and travel, slowly infecting them like a virus. That is to say that's what Kaname Tanuma felt, as for the others, who could say? They always laughed it off saying he'll be back with a smile like always.
But Tanuma knew better- knew that Natsume dealt with yokai, used up his energy too much, and lived a life completely differently from everybody that sat in this classroom. But he still remained calm and collected, but his mind would race still even if he acted like it didn't; he was good at that.
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Later during break time, Tanuma left his class and wandered through the school in search of Taki. Tooru Taki, she always had a smile on her face, always supporting her friends. But there was a time she talked to no one, not a soul. Natsume had figured out why she didn't talk, a yokai had caused it and threatened to kill her and the people she talked to. In the end he helped her even if it caused him pain- that basically sums up his character and who he is as a person.
“Oh yeah, Taki? She just left for the office- had to help with teachers' tasks. You should be able to catch her on her way back if you walk now!”
And so Tanuma did just that, started walking towards the office seeking out Taki to talk to her about Natsume’s odd attendance and basically radio silence towards everyone- were the Fujiwara’s taking care of him like always? Or was he huddled up in the middle of some forest because he always found a way to be there no matter the condition, time, or even whether.
“Oh, hey Tanuma! Didn't think I'd see you walking around here. You're usually in class or chatting with Natsume!”
Well yeah he would be if only Natsume was actually here today.
“Actually I came to talk to you about Natsume, he didn't come to school all of last week- and he's not even here today. Have you heard anything from him or just from anyone that knows something?”
Taki had stared at him for a minute, trying to recall any memories where someone mentioned him and how he was doing recently; but nothing could come to mind. Odd…
“Now that I think about it, I haven't heard about him at all recently. And he hasn't come by my class either to chat with me.. And you said he's also not here today? I hope nothing happened- I would blame his attendance on a cold but he's been out way longer than normal..”
And as those words had left her mouth, that spreading feeling of worry that filled Tanuma was slowly spreading towards Taki.
They both stood there in silence for a moment, really thinking about all the events and trying to think of what could had have happened or what is happening.
“Um.. well.. this got awkward.. and quiet..”
Taki had managed to mutter as she twiddled with her fingers and the hem of her sleeves, a habit she picked up somewhere along the way when she got stressed or was dealing with a lot of anxiety.
“Honestly I don't want to act rash on this whole thing because he could actually just be sick and bedridden like all the other times.. but something just feels off this time.”
He spoke with ease and honesty- Tanuma had a knack for worrying about Natsume when he wasn't in school for even a day. Mostly because of the fact Natsume dealt with yokai every day of his life- who's to say he's not being held somewhere and threatened by one this very moment? What if-
“Tanuma!”
He blinked and just stared at Taki for a moment. Her hand was near his face in a snapping pose, middle finger already on her palm as her thumb was still up. Oh, she had already snapped.
“You must have zoned out.. Look I know things can be pretty worrisome given the situation at hand with Natsume but it's still best if we keep a calm mind, if our minds get cluttered we'll get lost in it and eventually get stuck. I'm sure he's fine, if he's not here tomorrow- we can go check his house, okay?”
Tanuma nodded slowly, not like he could start disagreeing with her and go against her. What Taki had said was reasonable and smart, it gave Natsume one more day to see if he would show and it gave them hope- hope he would actually show up tomorrow. We're the chances high? No but they weren't at zero.
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Time passed slowly but soon enough it was the next day and the day they'd see if Natsume would finally show up. During the morning while walking to classes neither Taki or Tanuma had seen him walking, just because they didn't see him in the morning didn't mean he wasn't here- he could just be late.. right?
They had to endure a few classes before break time where they could actually meet up and go to Natsume's class. And god did it feel like the classes were going way slower than usual, so slow to the point they both debated making up excuses just to leave class and walk by Natsume's to see if he was in his seat. That sounds like stalking but they mean good.
Break time finally arrived and both Taki and Tanuma jumped up from their seats and began walking to Natsume's class. On the way to his class they both met up, giving a fair greeting before continuing their march.
“Natsume? Nah he's still out sick- can't believe he's still sick though! I mean it's literally been a week and two days! Seriously, guys like a Victorian child with his immune system..”
Taki and Tanuma stood there, taking in the information they were just told before turning to each other and nodding. It was final, after school they'd go to Natsume's place because this wasn't normal anymore.
the rest of the day was slow, boring, and worry inducing. Yeah they were going to go to Natsume's, but they still had the rest of the school day to finish. And god was it seriously slower than a snail.