A/N: So, this chapter will really blur the lines between American Schools and Japanese Schools because of something called class periods. If I'm correct, some schools have different classes on different days, but I'm a bit too stupid to even attempt to figure that all out! So, please don't kill me because I am confused and am just America-fying it. I'm Sorry.
Wednesday; 6:00 AM
Akito rubs his eyes. He didn't sleep at all last night. He doesn't know why, he doesn't know why, he doesn't know why.
Akito gets dressed before heading over to Sayori's house. When he gets there, he finds Leo walking up as well.
"What are you doing here, Cleo?" Akito asks as he leans against Sayori's fence.
"I promised her I'd be 'ere in the mornin', Kitty. Here I am." Leo yawns.
"Well, wanna go knock on her door so we can head to school?" Akito yawns as well before Leo walks up the lawn and knocks on the door. Mrs. Mori answers the door and gives Leo a big hug as he groans.
"Leonardo! It's so good to see you! Are you going to walk Say-Say to school?" Mrs. Mori asks.
"Kitty and I are, yes ma'am." Leo nods as Akito waves to Mrs. Mori.
"Akito! Have you two eaten this morning?" Mrs. Mori looks at both boys as Akito walks up the lawn.
"Yes ma'am." Both smile, despite Akito telling yet another lie about eating.
"Oh alright" Mrs. Mori sighs happily. "I'll go get Sayori up so you can get to school"
School
Once they get to the school, Sayori drags Leo over to Monika, Ikki, Yuri, and Tamiko. Akito notices Natsuki sitting against the school with her headphones in. He walks over and sits beside her. She looks over at him with a tired look. He replies with a tired look of his own.
"How late did you stay up?" Akito asks.
"Till, like, one in the morning. How about you?" Natsuki yawns.
"About the same" Akito lies. "What you listening to?"
"Just PATD." Natsuki shrugs and shows him her phone. End Of All Things is playing. "I'm so tired..." Natsuki yawns again.
"Why were you up so late?" Akito cocks his head to the side, "You strike me as the person that sleeps all the time."
"Because of-" Natsuki cuts herself off, "No reason. Just...not tired." Natsuki informs, but doesn't sound too convincing. Fortunately, Akito is too tired to pick up on any signs and drops the subject.
"I'm getting transferred from one of my classes" Akito informs and Natsuki looks at him, confused. "Well, I've kinda fallen behind in the class, so they decided that instead of being logical and giving me detention, they'd just do the school thing and put me in a lower level."
"What class is it?" Natsuki asks.
"Advanced History." Akito shrugs, not noticing Natsuki's eyes go wide.
"With Mr. Kawa..?" Natsuki whispers. Akito nods. "What is your new class hour?"
"Sixth?" Akito raises an eyebrow, confused. "Why?"
"No reason!" Natsuki giggles nervously before the first bell rings.
Lunch
Natsuki and Rei are talking as Akito walks by, setting his tray in front of Natsuki. However, he walks outside instead of sitting down, shocking both Natsuki and Rei.
Akito walks down to the field and sits down. He sits, alone in his thoughts. Why does he keep lying? Why does he keep lying? He knows the answer... He knows the answer. . .
"You okay?" Natsuki asks as she sits next to him, knocking him out of his trance.
"Oh, yeah." Akito smiles. "What's up? Shouldn't you be eating?"
"I-I'm fine." Natsuki shakes her head. "Usually you sit with m-us. Did something happen? Do you not like Rei? I mean, she's not everyones cup of tea, but-"
"No, I'm fine." Akito smiles again. "I just need to think and get some fresh air. I'm alright."
"Alright..." Natsuki sighs.
"I'm glad to finally see you care." Akito smirks.
"ITS NOT THAT I CARE!" Natsuki yells. "However, if you are depressing, I don't want it to rub off on me, so I'd rather take care of it myself."
"Uh huh." Akito raises his eyebrows, causing Natsuki to glare. "Alright alright, no need to maul me."
History
Akito gets to class and is immediately greeted by Ikki. "Kitty! Are you joining this hour?" Ikki asks, a smirk on his face.
"I...am." Akito replies, taken aback by the sudden appearance of Ikki. Akito notices a small, pink flash rush past him. He immediately recognizes it as Natsuki. "Hey Natsuki!" Akito greets before she stops dead in her tracks.
"...hey dummy." Natsuki nods before going to her seat, Rei sitting there already.
"Alright class, everyone go to your seats." Mr. Kawa walks into the classroom. Mr. Kawa is an older man, around his late fifties. He still has a full head of hair that is a mix between black and gray. He also has a beard that is gray in some spots. He has a round physique. "Mr. Sato, you can sit with Mr. Ozaki, just don't cause as much trouble as you did when you sat with...Leonardo." Mr. Kawa puts a bit of poison in his voice when he mentions Leo. This is due to Leo being a quite outspoken person and has made Mr. Kawa the target of a majority of his sarcastic comments and pranks.
Towards the end of the class
Akito and Ikki are working on a worksheet together when they hear something, like someone whispering Akito's name. Akito turns to see Rei calling him.
"What?" Akito lips.
"What did you get for number seven?" Rei asks, Natsuki facepalming beside her.
Akito looks at him and Ikki's worksheet, "C." Akito makes a C shape with his hand as he lips.
"Thanks" Rei holds up two thumbs up as Natsuki shakes her head.
After School
Akito gets to class and is immediately greeted by Natsuki, who is then passed by Leo.
"Mate mate," Leo says, "Sayori is meetin' my folks tonight"
"Oh that's pretty cool" Akito replies calmly.
"Wanna do ya best buddy a favor?" Leo asks, putting an arm on Akito's shoulder as Natsuki raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Wanna have a sleepover so I'm not completely awkward? Izzy is coming too"
"I guess... Can you pick me up from my place?" Akito shrugs.
"Yeah mate. I just wanted to, ya know, not be alone with my ma, da, and Sayori. It would've been quite weird. Cheers mate, cheers." Leo fist bumps Akito before walking over to Sayori, now giving Natsuki the chance to step forward.
"Ready to read?" Natsuki asks, holding up the next Parfait Girls book.
"Awe, you waited for little ol' me?" Akito feigns being flattered.
"No, dummy. I just don't want you to not read such a good manga!" Natsuki pushes the book into Akito's chest. "So read."
They sit under the window sill like usual. After a couple of minutes, both actually fall asleep. Natsuki has her head rested on Akito's shoulder, while he has his head rested on her's. It's really cute. Unfortunately...
"OKAY EVERYONE! TIME FOR GROUP SHARING!" Monika yells. Natsuki wakes up first and immediately pushes Akito away.
"Gross! Get off me!" Natsuki glares.
"Ouch." Akito feigns pain before sitting back up. "Y'know, people normally just nudge each other to wake someone up, not push them and hope they don't knock them silly."
"Then maybe you shouldn't lay on someone!" Natsuki stands up and crosses her arms, frowning.
"Actually, Nattie," Leo speaks up, saying Nattie in that way, that sarcastic way, "you looked like you were the one layin' on him."
"I would NEVER!" Natsuki shakes her head as Akito stands up.
"Thanks. I feel really special." Akito deadpans.
"Dummy." Natsuki rolls her eyes.
The club meets in the front. Sayori, Monika, and Yuri go first before Natsuki goes up. She seems a lot more confident than she was when they started doing this.
"Your mind is so full of troubles and fears
That diminished your wonder over the years
But today I have a special place
A beach for us to go.
A shore reaching beyond your sight
A sea that sparkles with brilliant light
The walls in your mind will melt away
Before the sunny glow.
I'll be the beach that washes your worries away" Natsuki recites as, for Akito, sound leaves the room except for Natsuki's voice,
"I'll be the beach that you daydream about each day
I'll be the beach that makes your heart leap
In a way you thought had left you long ago.
Let's bury your heavy thoughts in a pile of sand
Bathe in sunbeams and hold my hand
Wash your insecurities in the salty sea
And let me see you shine.
Let's leave your memories in a footprint trail
Set you free in my windy sail
And remember the reasons you're wonderful
When you press your lips to mine.
I'll be the beach that washes your worries away
I'll be the beach that you daydream about each day
I'll be the beach that makes your heart leap
In a way you thought had left you long ago.
But if you let me by your side
Your own beach, your own escape
You'll learn to love yourself again." Natsuki finishes her poem as Akito simply smiles. Before he knows it, Natsuki has punched him in the arm.
"Huh?" Akito looks over, eyes wide.
"You're up, dum-dum." Natsuki informs as she sits down. Akito nods and gets to the front of the room.
"The walls are closing around me
Tomorrow will never come
There's no way to feel free
You say I am dumb
Especially for thinking this way
Yet I can't feel okay
So I will try again" Akito recites, his voice filled with conviction and sadness. When he finishes, he gets applause. He smiles and goes back to his seat.
"Alright everyone! That is the last time you have to share! Tomorrow and Friday, you can share if you are still unsure, otherwise you can start on your Festival Poems. Any questions?" Monika asks before everyone shakes their heads. "Great! See you tomorrow. Today's meeting is adjourned!" Monika smiles before going over to Ikki and Leo with Sayori. Yuri leaves, talking to Tamiko on the phone. Natsuki is packing her bag, so Akito walks over.
"Hey...I liked your poem." Akito informs. Natsuki blushes, but puts on her usual confident face.
"Of course you did! It was a masterpiece! I'm a modern day Leonardo da Vinci of words!" Natsuki proudly states. "Y-your poem was nice too..." Natsuki whispers.
"Thanks" Akito smiles.
"AKITO! LETS WALK HOME!" Sayori yells.
"Why have you been yelling so much lately?" Akito rubs his ears as he playfully glares at Sayori. Sayori points at Leo before pointing at both Akito and Natsuki.
"THE DANCE IS A NIGHT OF DREAMS FOR ME!" Sayori smiles brightly.
"Okay love, let's go before you deafen us." Leo leads Sayori to the door. "Come on, mate." Leo looks back at Akito.
"Alright" Akito nods before looking back at Natsuki, "bye Natsuki..." Akito smiles softly before joining Leo and Sayori.
That Night
Leo, Sayori, Akito, and Ikki arrive at Leo's house in Leo's old pickup truck.
"I get to meet your parents, oof I'm sooo excited!" Sayori literally shakes with excitement.
"Alright, lass." Leo smirks. "You really need to find that plot you lost before we go inside."
"Sorry! I'm just so excited!" Sayori giggles as she pushes her index fingers together in an adorable manner. They head inside and are immediately met by a huge man with no hair, but an almost majestic black beard. He is about 6'6" and looks like he does a lot of labor, not much muscle, but not chubby.
"Oh hello ther'!" He greets in a thick Irish accent. "You are?"
"I'm Sayori, sir." Sayori smiles, slightly intimidated by the giant man.
"Are ya now? Leo has talked our hears off about ya! You just sound like the sweetest thing! I'm Sean, his da!" Sean smiles brightly as he offers his hand to Sayori. His hand is more than twice the size of Sayori's.
"Sean! You aren't bothering Sayori, are you?" An English, and Posh, feminine sounding voice is heard from the kitchen. A lady walks out, wearing a nice dress. "Oh, you must be Sayori. Leon talks so highly of you. My name is Olivia and I'm obviously his mum." Olivia introduces herself.
Sean and Olivia Price seem to be very different. Sean is a giant man who has a rough way of talking while Olivia sounds like she is in the upper class of England. Olivia is a mere 4'11", very small especially compared to her giant husband.
"So this is why your accent is a bit mixed?" Sayori looks at Leo.
"What'd ya mean, lass?" Sean asks, confused.
"Well, Leo sounds English, but he has some Irish hints at times" Sayori explains and Sean nods. Sean notices Akito and Ikki behind Sayori and Leo.
"Oh Akito and Ikki! How are ya two?" Sean smiles and shakes their hands.
"We're good, Dad!" Akito chuckles.
"Kitty has a girlfriend" Leo whispers.
"He has?!" Sean laughs heartily.
"NO!" Akito yells and everyone looks at him.
"No need to be embarrassed, little one" Olivia hugs Akito and messes up his hair. "I'm sure she is the sweetest thing!"
"She's not my girlfriend, Mom" Akito chuckles and fixes his hair.
Sean and Olivia have always been like parents to Akito, to the point where he even calls them 'Mom' and 'Dad'.
"She also isn't that sweet" Leo says behind his hand.
"Leonardo!" Olivia looks over at Leo and, if looks could kill, Leo would be deader than a nail.
"She is a cheeky little one." Leo raises his hands like he has a gun pointed in his face.
"Tha' doesn' mean she is no' swee', Leo" Sean growls, his accent coming out more than usual.
"Alright Da. I'm sorry" Leo sighs.
"You wanna embarrass Leo?" Akito whispers to Sayori, who nods. Akito whispers something in her ear. Leo is recovering from being scolded when Sayori suddenly gives him a peck on the cheek, getting squeals from everyone as Leo blushes a deep shade of red.
"Alright alright, calm down pumpkin." Leo smirks confidently.
Later That Night
Sean, Olivia, and Sayori got along pretty well. They were laughing and joking around a lot of the time. Now, Sean and Olivia gone to bed and Leo has driven Sayori home. Now, the three longtime friends are just laying around Leo's room.
"Monika wants to wear matching outfits" Ikki informs as he lays across the floor.
"What color is 'er dress?" Leo replies as he hangs upside down off his bed.
"Black. It looks really nice, actually." Ikki looks over.
"Just a normal suit should do then." Akito says as he sits against the wall.
"Sayori wanted to do matchin' outfits, but I'm just wearin' my usual nice clothes." Leo shrugs, somehow defying gravity and not falling off the bed.
"I have no idea what Natsuki wants to do yet." Akito informs. "I'm just gonna wear a normal suit"
"Like the basic bitch you are" Leo replies in a deadpan tone, causing all three men to break out laughing.
"You are at a ten and I need you to bring it down to a negative three" Akito says between laughs.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Remember to follow doki_doki_equinox on Instagram!