Welcome to The (Real) World

"Hey! Daisuke!" his classmate, Yasuhiko, greeted with a bright smile. He was walking beside a taller student wearing a University sweatshirt, "Shouta and I were—eh?"

"I'm busy." he quietly uttered as he rode past, not even bothering to glance. He hadn't said much all summer and still wasn't in the mood to talk, but perhaps things would be better after today. Still, he didn't have a good feeling about this and his sudden nausea confirmed that notion.

He skidded to a stop and eyed the convertible parked at the curb. He was here already?

Daisuke lowered his eyes and took in a deep breath before entering through the garage. He unclipped his helmet and tried to escape into his room, but the man he most dreaded was waiting at the edge of his bed. Smiling with his legs crossed, he greeted the boy as if they were old friends.

"Daisuke, you've really grown." the teen grumbled as he tossed his backpack aside and leaned against the doorway.

"Get out of my room—"

"Daisuke!" though the man just shook his head and stood from his mattress.

"Come. Your mother and I have some matters to discuss with you."

The sophomore waited until he was alone before he kicked his bag and ultimately stomped into the kitchen, where the two waited with folded hands.

"I'm proud of you, Daisuke; you've finally let go of your games and stepped into the real world! You're finally growing up!"

"Hiro." his mother warned, already noting her son's darkened features, "Tell him what you told me."

"...Ah, yes. Well...because I'm so proud of you...with your new job at the fish market and your progression into manhood, I've decided to buy you a car. The reason it's not here is because I want you to pick it out."

Daisuke, however, remained unresponsive. Deep down, the news had infuriated him. What was he trying to do, buy his forgiveness?! He crossed his arms in attempt to maintain his composure, but it was slowly crumbling with each second. Apart of him acknowledged that he was trying; that perhaps...he gave a damn about him, but Daisuke didn't want him as a father! He didn't want to see him ever again!

"...Daisuke? Isn't that amazing news?"

"...Just..." his body was on fire, "...JUST GO AWAY! I DON'T WANT YOUR MONEY, JUST LEAVE! LEAVE LIKE BEFORE!" he screamed, tears in his eyes.

"Daisuke!—"

"No, Mina...it's okay. He's right. I'll come back later." Daisuke huffed through his flared nostrils, glowering as the man disappear behind the door and out the driveway. His mother slapped his tensed shoulders, but the teen just grunted.

"Daisuke, he's legitimately trying to make things before! Why can you just let him talk to you?!"

"Because he doesn't want to talk! He thinks all these expensive gifts are going to make up for what he did to us! To you!" Daisuke took his new mp3 player smashed it in front of her, proving just how meaningless his father's good salary meant to their relationship.

"Don't let him in here again. Promise me." he darkly requested, "I don't want to see him ever again."

"DAISUKE!" his mother rushed after him as he snatched up his backpack and rode off on his bike. He didn't know where he was going; he just wanted to get away. How could his mother even talk to him after his cold abandonment?! Because of him...! Because of him, she had to work nights, sacrificing the bit of free time she had just to earn an extra buck! Because of him, Daisuke had to study with everything stinking of fish! It was because of him that his mother cried herself to sleep and looked into the mirror wishing she was young again!

The teen gripped the handles tighter. Because of him...Because of him!

"-! UWAAAH!"

Tire spinning, Daisuke awoke to a throbbing headache and aching limbs. He slowly raised his torso to see a fellow schoolboy on the ground. He rushed to his side and tried calling to him, but the person didn't flinch.

"...Oh gosh...please. WAKE UP!" tears welled in his eyes, "PLEASE! I'M SO SORRY-ah!"

Finally, the boy showed signs of life with a gentle flutter of the eyelids. Had it not been for the uniform, he would've sworn he was a girl. He was very pretty, even as he glared at the reckless cyclist.

"What do you think you're doing?! Why'd you hit me?!"

"I-I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" the boy shot up from the ground and padded his clothes, though he seemed to be unharmed for the most part. It was pretty amazing, but then Daisuke noticed that his bike is what had received most of the damage.

"H-Hey..." the teen tried as the boy walked past, "Are you new? I haven't seen you around here, and Mizuho is really small."

"Why? So you can beat me up?!" his brown eyes glossed over as he screamed this, making Daisuke feel even worse about the accident.

"N-No! It's not like that! I just—"

"Leave me alone, creep!" the teen lowered his gaze apologetically, but didn't bother him anymore. After all, his bike was in need of attention! He hoped whatever happened to it was fixable! He didn't want to have to ride the bus to school!

"..hmm?" near the cracked pedal was what looked to be a keychain. He placed the charm against his palm and saw that it was of a white kitten with bright green eyes. A matching bell hung at the end and Daisuke suspected it might've dangled from a phone. Did it belong to that guy? However, when he looked up from the sidewalk, the boy had disappeared.

"Hmm..." a small smile curled his lips as he admired the charm. Maybe he'd be able to return it tomorrow, but his main concern was for his bike at the moment. His poor...bike.