While Kazuaki was in the staff room, the classroom was in chaos. Okosan was running around in circles while Ryouta and Sakuya were arguing about Kazuaki and his behavior. Hiyoko occasionally chimed in, however she was mostly just being quiet. Nageki sat alone in the back, reading a book he had picked up from the shelf beside him. Hiyoko, tired of Ryouta and Sakuya arguing like they had done all year last year, went to the back and sat next to Nageki.

"Hey, Nageki! What are you reading?"

"...Hello, Miss Tosaka." He slowly flipped a page, his eyes still on his book. "Night on the Galactic Express."

"Oh yeah! I read that last year, I liked it." Nageki slowly lifted his head. Someone who didn't make fun of him for reading? This was a first. His old family used to tease him constantly due to always being buried in books.

"Say, Miss Tosaka, could you maybe show me where the library is?"

"Of course! Shouldn't we tell Mr. Nanaki first though?"

"It's okay. I know Kazuaki, he's a close family friend. He won't mind."

"Alright! Let's go!" Hiyoko grabbed Nageki's hand and ran towards the door, Nageki struggling to keep up. She kept this up until coming up to two big doors, and she finally let go.

"Miss Tosaka, please never do that again." He gave a glare so cold that Hiyoko felt a chill down her spine. So much for a good first impression...

"Well, here's the library! There's plenty of books here, so I'm sure you can find something-" She stopped. Where was Nageki? He was right next to her a minute ago.

"A Christmas Carol. I've always wanted to read this one." He was buried in the shelves, carefully skimming the titles. He pulled one out, and sat down at a table. Hiyoko came and sat next to him.

"You really like books, huh?"

"Yes, reading is one of the few hobbies I am able to enjoy." Huh?

"What do you mean?"

I was a young birdie, too young to remember anything. I was a war orphan living in the Heartful House Orphanage. I lived with a bunch of other kids, as well as my big brother. Hitori Uzune... he's always been there for me.

I've always been sick. I have a very weak immune system, and it's very easy for me to catch illnesses. While all the other kids were out playing on the playground, I was on the bench huddled up in a blanket to keep warm. I always had a book on me. Just about everything that everybirdie else did, I was reading instead. Part of me didn't mind. I loved books, and I was able to be in some other world. Be it fantasy or non fiction, in my mind I was there. I was no longer the sick Nageki who couldn't do anything that could possibly get him sick, I was now whoever I was reading about.

However, the other part of me did mind. It minded greatly. It was the rational part of me. I was constantly down, feeling worthless. I couldn't do anything. We were undergoing some financial difficulties, and all I could do was sit and read. I couldn't do anything to help provide for the house. I began losing sleep, staying awake at night hearing the older birds who were working.

"This isn't good. We're not making enough, we can't all live together like this..."

"We just have to work harder. We can't give up. We're a family, and we're going to stick together no matter what."

They didn't know I heard them. Hitori came home late one night while I was unable to sleep. It must've almost been dawn. It was the beginning of September, very early in the morning of the 2nd. Hitori made me some hot chocolate, and talked to me.

"Hitori... I know what's going on. I know we're having money issues... I'm sorry. I'm useless. My no good body... I can't do anything to help..."

"It's okay, Nageki. We're going to be fine. Those of us who can work are going to work extra hard and as much as possible to make sure that the rest of you don't have to worry. You can't sleep, huh? Let's go out and watch the sunrise." He gave me his scarf, and we walked out the door.

We sat together in a cornfield, watching the sun rise from the other end of the Earth. It gave me hope. After the dark, cold night... the bright, warm sun always rises. I knew things were going to get better.

We talked some more, and then we went back home. I was feeling better, and knew that even if I couldn't do anything that we would be taken care of.

"Free humanity! Free humanity!"

Our home was surrounded. A couple of humans were in front of the gate, face down in a pool of blood. They were dead. Tears were already forming in my eyes as I broke free from Hitori's grasp to run inside.

Everyone was dead.

My family.

Dead.

No... this couldn't be happening. I was in denial.

"W...Wake up guys! Please! This isn't funny! This is just a joke, right? That's why Hitori took me out... to pull off this joke! Please!"

Nageki was crying. He had pushed his book to the side so as to not stain it with his tears. A small puddle formed on the table as he put his head down. Hiyoko moved closer and reached an arm around him. She gave him a gentle smile, and slowly calmed him down. He smiled in return, but Hiyoko could still see the sadness in his eyes.

Me and Hitori couldn't afford to pay for Heartful House anymore. There was no reason to; it was too big anyways. Since then, we've lived in an apartment nearby. Hitori used to work at Yamasemi Prep School, but a few years ago he scored a job here. He's changed since the incident. He's always been even more protective of me, and he's made most of my decisions. I'm not even allowed to leave the apartment by myself. He homeschooled me in his free-time from work, and it took until this year to convince him to let me go to school. I'm sure that he wouldn't even let me go if he didn't work here. I love him, but it's growing tiresome. I want to live my own life... I've never even been some place such as a bookstore. I rarely leave the house, because Hitori is too worried I'll get sick. I just wish to be independent, and begin to do what I want to do.

The bell rang. Nageki got up and put away his book. "...Thank you, Miss Tosaka. Let's go over and tell Kazuaki where we've been." The two walked back from the library to room 2-3 to see Kazuaki crying at his desk. "Kazuaki, me and Miss Tosaka are here. She gave me a small tour and showed me the library since this is my first day here."

"T-that's nice of h-her..."

"Mr. Nanaki, please stop crying!"

"I'm s-sorry... I can't help it..."

"Don't worry about it, Miss Tosaka. I'll stay here and talk to him." Hiyoko could tell that Nageki meant that he should be left alone to talk to Kazuaki and walked out of the doorway. She turned back to wave and say goodbye.

"Goodbye, Nageki! See you tomorrow!"

"Goodbye, Miss Tosaka. Thank you." Though she could see that he still was struggling with his past, she could also see a warm smile grow. What a cute smile... she blushed, realizing what she had just thought, and waved quickly before running out the door.

A/N: I like Nageki if you couldn't already tell. Without a doubt my favorite bird. The story will begin to focus more on other characters shortly, however Nageki will remain one of the main characters. I've been following the manga and games for the backstories so far for the most part, however I'll try and be more creative for some other characters. Once again, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!

anghellover123 is a NERD