September 22, 20XX
Saturday Afternoon
As if being shocked Takao jumped from his position. Tangled in sheets as he got up he fell from off the bed landing on the carpet with a loud thud to follow after it. The pain nipping around his upper torso as he was bundled in the sheets his legs searching for leverage.
He groaned as he got to leaning himself against the edge of the bed resting a hand on his forehead. "Something is just not right here..." He browsed the room looking at the different collection of electronics and books scattered along the shelves.
The deathly figure with the scythe in hand came to his mind.
He immediately started to grasp at his back but didn't feel any traces of a slash against him. The empty feeling was washed away as life began to circulate through his body again. With light breaths he got up throwing the sheets on the bed. He was only clothed in his boxers trying to remember how he got to this state or how he got to this bedroom in the first place.
The door to the room came open showing another male on the other end. He seemed to be Takao age but with short brown hair no longer than an inch going wildly in every direction. His brown eyes with a sense of despair in them as he crunched his teeth. His clothes seemed pretty casual with black shorts and tan shirt that laced down his chest.
"Takao! Are you alright?"
Taken aback some Takao looked at the person and back through the room again. "I'm good." He found his shirt on the ground and thrown it over his head trying to look decent with another person in the room. " How do you know who I am?"
"That's pretty mean buddy." He laughed entering the room. "We met at the train station because you were late to your grandfather's place, so I told him you'll be crashing at my place for the weekend." His smile didn't seem to change the story.
Takao finished buckling his faded jeans when he reached for the coat at the corner of the bed. On the back showed the deep cleave. "I guess so." He dropped it on the floor to examine the person once again. "You seem awfully familiar it's killing me that your name is not coming to mind." He crossed his arms thinking a little bit harder.
"Takine Kojirou."
With a flicker of amusement as if his past once took over him. "Ko-Koji?!" he stammered.
Within Takao memories Kojirou was a crybaby for the most part and that still couldn't be easily forgotten no matter how many years happen to go by. Koji could trip on his own two legs and burst out into tears and he would wait at least 5 minutes for things to settle down.
"I think I see some tears are in your eyes." Takao couldn't resist.
Koji rubbed an arm across his face restating Takao claim.
"It's not funny! Anyone would've been worried about you!"
We're you always this bad at lying or am I really that perceptive?
Little to Takao notice his stomach managed to change the conversation by speaking for the next few seconds. His expression of laughter turned to the point of embarrassment as his eyes turned from Koji and out to the bedroom window.
"Nice weather we're having" The clouds didn't reveal the sun and it appeared to be a light mist outdoors.
"We could put the breakfast in the microwave. It should be fine after that." Koji said without missing the cue.
Takao dropped his head some and after some silence. " This is what happens when you miss dinner and sleep through breakfast." he sighed.
Murasame Household
Evening
His grandparents shock to see him after many years was probably enough to put them in the grave without any regrets. His grandparents couldn't settle down with their welcoming as each couldn't resist to put him in their arms and talk for moments on ends. If It was held any longer Takao probably would've just slipped under their arms and escaped outside but under his circumstances it was tolerable, for today.
After being escorted to his room he learned it was the same room his dad slept in during his moments of growing up here. With no qualms against his dad it was best to learn what he once lived like and what might have encouraged him to move outside of Kamogawa to the states.
"Grandson, I know it's pretty late and there's much to talk about but we old folks must get some sleep." His grandfather said in a cheapish way.
"It's completely understandable. We can talk in the morning." He reassured him.
With a quick wave his grandfather closed the door and went to bed. Takao throwing only his coat on the bed searched the room. He came across a night stand near the bed, a dresser with a mirror across it, a sliding closet with some clean clothes hanging up, and a computer desk with a couple of books stacked in the corner. His dad had this large room to himself a little bit of jealousy could be seen on Takao face before falling onto the bed.
"Just too much," he yawned. "I'll take a shower in the morning." He kicked his shoes off and turned comfortably on the bed before slumber had the best of him.
September 23, 20XX
Murasame Household
Sunday Morning
Preferably Takao would've liked to sleep in but his grandfather had entered the room and was at the point of dragging his grandson out of the bed when he immediately thrown the sheets over his head. There wasn't much of a fight as Takao was obedient with showering and taking care of morning hygiene before breakfast.
He walked into the kitchen smelling the morning bacon and grits with assorted fruits on the table as his grandfather watched the morning news. His grandmother was still busy prepping other things for breakfast he almost thought it was an unnecessary amount of serving but dismissed that idea when his mouth began to salviate behind his fingers.
"Morning Ta-kun!" his grandmother exclaimed. "Breakfast will be rea- Oh my goodness!" as she turned herself from the stove after lowering the temperature. Takao shared a hesitant smile waiting to hear what's next when his grandfather was eying him from the corner of his eye at the table. "You look just like your father Ta-kun. Even wearing his favorite clothes you're just the spitting image of him."
"The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree." He joked as he grabbed onto his shirt. It was a red shirt with black and white 'x' on each shoulder and khaki colored slacks. "Breakfast looks great! I can't wait to take a bite out of it." His eyes were now filled with great anticipation as he licked his teeth preparing for the meal.
"Come have a seat grandson." His grandfather called for him. "I have somethings I want to discuss with you." He tapped on the corner of the table where Takao seat was at his right hand and his wife would most likely be at his left since there were milk and orange juice waiting at each designated seat.
After breakfast in which he hoped for any kind of escape a few knocks were at the front door. His grandmother went ahead to answer it greeting Takine as 'Koji-kun'. Hearing his own name called from a distance he made a dash for the door after appreciating the breakfast and announced he'll be back pretty late after exploring some of Kamogawa with his childhood friend. The two were now gone as Takao grandmother waved from a distance before closing the door.
Koji was having a good morning as a big grin was seen on his face and Takao was curious to ask about it. Since they already knew where the school was at they agreed on getting one of their friend before heading out to the shopping district to kill some time.
"So who are we grabbing?" asked Takao. "I know it's been a while since I last lived here so I know many are going to choke me for not remembering their name."
"Don't worry about it. If you weren't forgiven I'm sure someone would've choked you by now." Takao laughed lightly as he followed close to Koji. "You remember Hitori Ryoko?" he asked curiously.
Pondering his own thoughts Takao answered looking to the side. "I can't say I don't know her but wasn't her father a little too protective of her due to her pro-activeness as a kid? I'm sure she's like the school ace by now."
Koji was amused with each passing word he started to clap making Takao wonder about his reaction. "You're truly something Takao. She's Sekai-Ichi Academy (SIA) Track and Volleyball ace! She's already being looked abroad." Koji mood changed slightly when he continued. "She hasn't been her outgoing self lately." Takao perked his ears at this. "You'll when we get there."
A moment of silence passed between the two after Takao nodded. It was a few minutes into the walk before Koji escorted Takao to Ryoko front door. With a couple of knocks the two waited before hearing a couple of steps coming at the door. When the door was opened a female with messy jet black hair and worn blue pajamas peered at the two tiredly before gasping for air after looking at Takao.
"Yo-you!" she hugged Takao after lunging at him. Takao raised both hands in the air when Koji was looking for answer between the two.
"Takao! What in world man?!" Koji was confused.
"I promise you I didn't do anything." Takao explained. The girl still kept her arms around him with her head resting tiredly on his stomach.
A few moments into the fiasco she raised her head looking at Takao with grey eyes. Her arms reached for Takao collar leaving him slightly bewildered and nudging his head back before her grip began to choke him.
"Stupid Tao-kun! Stupid! Stupid! I hate everything about you! Why did you have to return?!" Her tantrum started to rattle him as he struggled for air.
"Ryoko-san! Takao doesn't look so good." Koji mentioned worriedly.
Ryoko used her weight throwing Takao into Koji and both falling to the ground. "Shut-up dumbass! If you knew a lick of my problems-" she hesitantly stopped before stepping back to her door and staring at the two halfheartedly. "What brings you both here anyway?"
Takao head was between his legs with each arm rested on a knee his psych destroyed after losing a match. Koji picked up on this picking up Takao from the floor and supporting him from one arm.
"For old time sake lets hang out." Koji shot. "Plus, I'm sure Takao deserves an apology some time after this." Takao was still depressed as if chanting a spell which sounded like 'she actually choked me' whispered over and over. "Get it together man!"
She reached for a strand of her hair taking into consideration Koji's offer before smiling widely. "No apologies but I will come along." Takao wanted to cry. "Let me get dressed. I'll be ready in a little bit." Ryoko allowed them to enter for now as she went off to her room.
Shopping District
Afternoon
Ryoko had tagged along with the group dressed in blue jeans and a red shirt with black words over it reading 'Lucky Girl'. You could say that her charm also increased another 22% now that she done her hair that which was wavy stopping in the middle of her back and a little make-up. She was an eye-catcher to anyone within her group but her personality could be a slight turn off for some.
Through the various areas of the shopping district they found the movie theatre, a couple of restaurants, a clothing store, accessory store, the police station, and a club. There was more to explore but lunch seemed to be on the group mind so they went off to the burger shop taking their seats.
"This makes you that weird transfer student that will cause problems throughout the school year Tao-kun." Ryoko sipped some of her soda letting that slip intentionally.
"So what if it does?" he retorted nonchalantly tapping his fingers on the table.
"Easy you two." Koji attempted to calm the situation when he realized others were looking. "What classes have you decided on Takao?"
"Physics II and English IV with a couple of electives." Responded Takao.
"Why do you use honorifics with me but not with Tao-kun!" snapped Ryoko. "I'm also a friend of seven years ago it's only fair he get's treated with the same respect." Her presence seemed to have overwhelmed Koji as he felt much smaller then normal next to her.
"Takao is fine between us but if this makes you feel uncomfortable Tao-kun is fine too." Takao was now sighing while he tried to ease the conversation himself. Ryoko was easing off pushing both fingers together hesitantly while thinking and not giving eye contact to either of the two.
"We're grown people here and it's necessary to give each other the respect when referring to one another. I'm not wrong on that much." Her voice eventually etched into a low murmur after she was done.
"Hitori-chan" spoke Koji.
Ryoko left jab deserved compliments from amongst the crowd as Koji was left sliding against the floor. A bystander started to clap by themselves and shortly stopped when no one joined them.
Murasame Household
Evening
Takao was at the table with his grandparents eating dinner as they watched the news from afar. It seemed the weather all week was going to covered in clouds and slight storms with 10% chance of snow. To his own memories as a kid he recalled Kamogawa being rather sunny all year round with summer storms but since he's not the weatherman he kept it to himself as a Fall thing.
"Grandson." his grandfather started. "You start school tomorrow morning, right?"
"Yes sir." Out of respect. What happened today really bothered him. "I agreed to leave with Ryoko-san and Koji-kun tomorrow morning some time around 7'am."
"Already planning ahead." added his grandmother. Takao smiled in response trying to not trouble his grandparents too much.
With the open conversation at the table they all returned to their rooms for the night after dinner. Takao was given a spare key to the house and with much delight he showered before returning to the room and dressing into pajamas for the night. On the nightstand his cellphone had red light going off signaling a message he hasn't checked.
"From Ryoko-san." he said solemnly.
Ryoko-san
[I don't think Koji is feeling good so I'll see you in the morning.] 20:33
(ME) -Kuro-
[Thanks. I should be ready if anything.] 20:52
Tapping the close command and setting the alarm through his phone he wrapped himself in sheets and waited for sleep to get the best of him. He only been here for two nights and wondered why his family never took the time to contact him but under simple deduction the time zones were almost a 10 hour difference so he kind of expected one at the end of week with a call from both his parents asking about school.
Say my name or thou future will be followed with great despair.
Takao rolled on his back and whipped to his side covering his face with one arm and shaking only a little bit during his his dreams he was searching but didn't know what to look for. The voice echoed but it was too low to make out the words so he kept walking awaiting the next command.
"S...Sh-..." he mumbled in his sleep before yanking the blanket over his head.