[2/17/2031 6:23 PM:] [Kiyoshi] Had a talk with Fumiko
[2/17/2031 6:26 PM:] [Makoto] Wait. Seriously? Holy shit!
[2/17/2031 6:26 PM:] [Makoto] Is everything okay now!?
[2/17/2031 6:27 PM:] [Kiyoshi] It's complicated.
[2/17/2031 6:27 PM:] [Kiyoshi] We talked a lot about what happened… how I treated her. She's still really hurt, but she wants to let me into her life again cautiously.
[2/17/2031 6:28 PM:] [Makoto] YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
[2/17/2031 6:28 PM:] [Kiyoshi] Don't cheer yet. Like I said: cautiously.
[2/17/2031 6:28 PM:] [Kiyoshi] Things aren't gonna return to normal yet, if ever.
[2/17/2031 6:28 PM:] [Kiyoshi] I still really messed her up.
[2/17/2031 6:29 PM:] [Kiyoshi] And honestly you did too, dude.
[2/17/2031 6:30 PM:] [Makoto] ...
[2/17/2031 6:30 PM:] [Makoto] What are you talking about?
[2/17/2031 6:30 PM:] [Kiyoshi] She talked a ton about how badly it hurt her feelings when you took my side over hers.
[2/17/2031 6:30 PM:] [Kiyoshi] You made her feel like you didn't care.
[2/17/2031 6:31 PM:] [Kiyoshi] I think you should apologize.
[Makoto is typing...]
Kiyoshi gets home at about half-past six. Dad is waiting for him in the living room. He asks what happened, but Kiyoshi doesn't go into too much detail. It's complicated, and there's no explaining it for real without sharing the whole reincarnate of an evil mastermind thing. Instead, he simply informs him he'd had a chat with the friend he got into a fight with last week.
Dad cocks an eyebrow.
"How did that go?"
"Well… I think," Kiyoshi admits. "I apologized for what I did to them. They still weren't comfortable with it, obviously... but I think they started to get that I genuinely do feel bad. We're… uh… gonna try to work on fixing things. It might not work out, but it's… worth a shot, you know?"
"Yeah," Dad says. "Of course. Good on you for going to talk about it. I'm sure you were very humble about it."
"Well… I don't know about humble… but thanks. They actually took it… a lot better than I thought they would."
He's careful not to use pronouns. He's only got like two friends, and if he drops the dreaded 'she' something tells him his dad will hone in on who he's talking about in an instant. He loves his father (obviously), but the last thing he needs right now is Tadaomi Karasuma knocking down Fumiko's door for 'bullying his little man.'
(Blegh. Who is he kidding!? Dad wouldn't even say that. He'd be weirdly blunt about it! 'Did you give Kiyoshi a black eye? And more importantly: did he attack you like a goddamn wild animal?' No thanks! No way!)
Dad knows better than when to push. He's a lot of things, but he's not a snoop. He simply tells Kiyoshi he's glad to hear that things went well, and says that if he's still interested in that hug he said he might need... then... well-
Embarrassed, he averts his gaze.
Needless to say, regardless of whether or not things went well, Kiyoshi is still more than delighted to oblige.
He screws around on his Nintendo Verse for the rest of the evening. He tries to text Fumiko, but it seems she hasn't gotten around to unblocking him yet. As for Makoto… he talks a little with him, too, but he's being… difficult. He doesn't seem to hear what Kiyoshi is saying… and as such he sort of leaves him on read.
It's not that he wants to ignore him. But he swears to god he'll snap if he hears another bad word about Fumiko. And who knows? Maybe giving Makoto some space will finally make him come to his senses.
[2/17/2031 6:56 PM:] [Kiyoshi] We need to talk too, sometime, y'know.
[2/17/2031 6:56 PM:] [Kiyoshi] About what happened
[2/17/2031 6:56 PM:] [Makoto] ?
[2/17/2031 6:56 PM:] [Makoto] What do you mean?
[2/17/2031 6:57 PM:] [Kiyoshi] I mean like… we've talked, but we haven't really talked. About all the shit I did to you. If you need any closure I'm here. And I get it if you're scared or angry.
[2/17/2031 6:57 PM:] [Makoto] What!? No?
[2/17/2031 6:57 PM:] [Makoto] Why would I be ANGRY?
[2/17/2031 6:58 PM:] [Makoto] You're out of your mind, dude.
[2/17/2031 6:58 PM:] [Kiyoshi] Okay, dude. If you say so.
[2/17/2031 6:58 PM:] [Kiyoshi] But if you ever change your mind and want to talk about it, you know I'm here.
Difficult… difficult… difficult.
Nevertheless, he's in a good mood. He's relieved about how things had gone with Fumiko. And when Dad calls him in for dinner he manages to hold his head almost high. He's still exhausted and paranoid (deeply paranoid) but he thinks things are finally going right.
(For real this time.)
"They're planning to wake your mother up tomorrow," Dad says through a mouthful of food. "I've been told she's made a 'miraculous recovery.'"
Kiyoshi's not sure about miraculous, but he's glad. He thinks that's part of the reason he's in such a decent mood, too. He's really excited to get to see her again… even if they'll just be talking over video call.
"Yeah," Kiyoshi says. "I can't wait. Do you know what time they're planning to do it?"
"...Ah. I'm not certain," Dad replies. "Last I'd checked it was sometime around eight in the morning, but that may be subject to change. We'll see. Either way, the doctors have me on speed dial."
Kiyoshi picks at his food. He's relieved, but all the same, the word 'doctors' makes him shiver. He still can't believe that really happened to her. Their lives are going to change a lot from now on, aren't they?
"How do you think she's going to take it?" he asks, taking a bite of food. "I mean… what happened to her?"
Karasuma's quiet. He frowns deeply.
"Well… I want to say well," he admits. "But I'm not certain. Your mother's an independent woman. I have no doubt she'll be frustrated at first. But I also… think she'll come around. She's adaptable. She's clever. She won't let this hold her down. I'm sure before we know it she'll be back to her usual self."
'Adaptable.' 'Clever.' Kiyoshi notes with a smile. He'll make sure to remember those. After all, something tells him Mom will be delighted to hear Dad was talking about her that way in her absence. Hell, she won't shut up about it for the next three months!
...Yeah. She'll be back to her insufferable self in no time.
(And hey… Dad will probably be relieved to see her acting that way for once. Maybe not all the ways their family is going to change have to be bad things after all.)
He goes to bed relatively early. His sleep schedule's still fucked, but today left him exhausted. Just past nine he collapses into bed, whistling for Taro to follow. The dog waddles after, grunting as he snuggles up into Kiyoshi's arms.
Dad watches them in the doorway. He gives an awkward smile.
"Going to bed so you can greet Mom bright and early in the morning?"
"Yeah," Kiyoshi says. "Something like that. Hope you don't mind me signing off too early."
Dad steps into the room. "Not one bit."
He leans down to pet the dog, before turning and giving Kiyoshi a pat on the head. "...I truly do believe that things will be okay tomorrow. Difficult, perhaps… but okay. Try not to worry about it too much."
"Alright," Kiyoshi says. "I won't."
"Today I'm proud of you for…" Dad pauses. "I'm proud of you for talking to your friend. I still don't know the details, but I do know it can be very hard to admit when you've wronged someone. Ignoring that difficulty and doing the right thing anyways is very brave. I can tell you're growing into a fine young man."
Kiyoshi buries his face in his covers, embarrassed.
"...Yeah," he says. "I'm trying my best."
He's not sure just how much he can take Dad's words to heart. It's not like he knows the whole situation, and it's not like Kiyoshi had made that much of a reparation. If anything, he'd just done the bare minimum of decency. Nevertheless… it's a start. He can get around to really making it up to her later. And he's glad his dad thinks he'd made the right decision in reaching out.
"Love you," he says, holding out his arms.
"Love you too," Dad replies, leaning down to give him an awkward hug. "And I will see you in the morning. If you're not awake by the time the doctors call I'll come and get you. For now you just rest. Everything will be alright."
Kiyoshi's still not sure about that, either. Makoto's acting weird, and Fumiko has the right to take back her decision at any moment. Mom might react to her injuries horribly, and he's still not even sure how he feels about himself… but looking back on it… reflecting on the way he'd felt just a week ago, Kiyoshi decides he'll still take 'might be alright' - would take anything - over the way he felt back then.
There's no knowing for certain how things will turn out. But he is sure of one thing:
He will become the person his loved ones deserve in these trying times.
All four of them are worried about the kids.
They discuss it over Sunday dinner. Makoto just left, but he's the same as he's been for weeks. Cheery… upbeat… almost eerily so. When asked where the others were, he'd simply given a shrug and said "They're busy. I wouldn't worry about it." Nevertheless, Nagisa and co had been left with a sour taste in their mouth, and one that's not a new sensation, at that.
"Okay. Seriously. We gotta do something," Karma says as he picks away at his meal. "I get why Kiyoshi is out. That much is fair. But Makoto's not even being honest about it. 'Nothing's wrong!?' Like hell nothing's wrong. His mom just blew up. Why is Makoto pretending that didn't happen?"
"He could still be in denial," Nagisa admits. "It's a very different situation than Kiyoshi's, obviously, but Makoto was close to Irina, too. Maybe he just doesn't want to think about it."
"Still doesn't explain why Fumiko's avoiding us," Karma retorts. "Seriously. What's going on? Did something happen with her?"
"You know what I think?" Gakushuu poses. "I think something happened with her parents. She's been having issues with them for months. Perhaps they caught wind of our plans. They could be expressly forbidding her from seeing her friends."
Nagisa tenses for a moment…- terrorized by the thought, but soon relaxes.
"No… I don't think so," he replies. "I think if they'd found out about it they would have given me a call to discuss the whole tutoring thing... cancel the arrangement and, like, sue me for misleading them or whatever. But they haven't."
"She still hasn't shown up to tutoring, however, has she? Perhaps they simply told her-"
"No. That's not it," Kayano interjects. "I really don't think this has to do with her parents. At least… not… primarily." She sighs. "You know I talked to her the other day. She didn't seem actively worried about them. She just kept going on and on about her friends. Whatever it is that's bothering her, it's something they did."
"I'd assumed as much," Nagisa admits. "As much as I hate the Hisakawas, something tells me they're not the type to scheme in secret. If I managed to piss them off I'd never hear the end of it. This is something… different." He pauses. "I still think Makoto must have said something to freak her out."
"But… like… what?" Karma asks. "I'm telling you - I've never seen those two fight. I don't know what he could possibly say that would get her to-"
"No. They're definitely fighting," Kayano pipes up. "Trust me when I said she sounded mad at him. I'd prefer if you didn't approach her about this, Nagisa, because I do want her to have some privacy in regards to her conversation with me, but she had some harsh words to say about him. She was talking and talking about how Korosen- er…" she pauses. "Makoto was a horrible person, and how he only ever does things for himself."
Nagisa clutches his fork. He resents the implication. But all the same… he reminds himself it must be coming from a place of hurt. Whatever it is Makoto did to her, it must have really wounded her feelings.
"It wasn't just him she had things to say about, either," Kayano admits. "...I really do think whatever happened was between the three of them. She mentioned Kiyoshi just as much as she mentioned Makoto, and if anything she seemed more pissed when I brought him up. Even if he didn't instigate it, he has to be involved in some way."
"Okay. But… how?" Karma asks. "He is like… the most mild person I can think of. What could he possibly have done? Said sorry too hard at her?"
"It's always possible he got wrapped up in one of Makoto's schemes," Nagisa admits. "...He's mild, you're right. But that also means he doesn't know how to say no. Maybe he got involved in something, even if he didn't particularly want to be."
"I think you three are underestimating how harmful that boy can be," Gakushuu says. "Don't get me wrong… he is certainly… a particularly sensitive soul, but he's also a teenage boy. And one who just went through a traumatic event, at that. It's always possible he simply lashed out, and that's what instigated all of this. It feels… unfair to pin the blame on Makoto without ample evidence."
"I… suppose," Nagisa admits, feeling surprisingly guilty for pointing the finger at Makoto like that. "It's certainly possible. Although now that I think about it Kiyoshi's been acting weird since before Irina even had her accident. Remember that span of time he had a ton of absences? I still don't know what was going on with that."
"What's not going on with Kiyoshi?" Karma asks. "He's… like… a super-worrier. I wouldn't factor that into the equation too much. He's always a little bit on edge. It's when the other two start behaving that way too that things get… weird."
He bites his lip.
"I just don't know what I'm going to do," Nagisa admits. "If they're going through something I don't want them to have to face that alone. But if they don't want me involved then they don't want me involved. And I'm having trouble just waiting it out. Fumiko's grades are dropping, and she looks sickly at that. Which isn't even mentioning Makoto's terrible mood. Whatever this is, it's taking a toll on them. Maybe I… should try to get them to talk."
"Oh, come on Nagisa. You know that never works," Karma says. "Shoving three kids together and forcing them to talk about their feelings is, like, the worst thing you can possibly do. As much as it sucks, they're not going to want to talk about what happened unless it's on their own terms."
"I know," Nagisa admits with a sigh. "But that's frustrating. I wish I could at least give them a positive medium to do so."
"Eh… I'd just give 'em space for a little while longer. You know how it is. Middle schoolers can be stubborn. Besides, it's not like they can really chat until Kiyoshi is back, anyways. He's still M.I.A. I'd worry about monitoring them individually in the meantime. Forget the friendship. Just make sure they don't fall over dead."
"Alright... yeah… I'll try my best," Nagisa says. "I'm having daily talks with Makoto. He's not opening up to me, but I do think it's helping his mood a little... even if it hurts my feelings that he doesn't feel like he can come to me about this." He frowns. "It's the other two I'm worried about. At least Makoto is coming over here. Kiyoshi's still a hermit, and when I try to approach Fumiko at school she gives me the cold shoulder."
"Don't worry about Fumiko," Kayano says. "Er… well… do worry about Fumiko, obviously, but… I think I have things mostly under control. We've been texting. If there's any sort of emergency, I think she'll be willing to come to me about it."
"That's a relief," Nagisa says.
"And as for Kiyoshi," Karma says. "He's got the 'pops. Ol' Karasuma-sensei has a stick up his ass, but you know he wouldn't let anything happen to him. I'm sure he's keeping a careful eye on the kid."
Nagisa nods. Admittedly for a time he'd been worried about Karasuma… but… things have seemed brighter as of late. He's been giving Nagisa diligent status updates on Kiyoshi, and even if they're almost never good news, at the very least it means he's paying attention.
"Which isn't even mentioning his mother," Gakushuu adds on. "Didn't you say the doctors were planning to wake her soon? So he'll have that as a resource."
"Oh! Shit! That is tomorrow, isn't it!?" Nagisa hisses.
"You didn't remember!?"
"I'm- I'm a ditz, okay!? I have a lot on my plate! I was just already so busy thinking about my students that I-"
"Some student you are!"
"I'm sorry!"
Nagisa covers his face with his hands, ashamed. Gakushuu scoffs, and Karma starts to chuckle… to which he admits:
"Oh man. I can't wait to see her again."
"...I still can't believe we seriously thought she was going to die," Kayano adds on.
"Yeah. Like? Bitch-sensei?" Karma replies. "No way!"
It's Gakushuu's turn to cover his face with his hands.
"...I still despise the fact that you refer to her as that."
"What?" Karma asks. "Bitch-sensei? It's a nickname!"
"For your respected educator? Who you hold in high renown?"
"My respected educator? Who's killed like 38 people? You're getting your priorities mixed up if you think I either hold her in high renown, or think that she cares about getting called Bitch-sensei."
Nagisa laughs.
"Honestly… I almost considered stopping calling her that because of all this going down. But I decided against it. Crass as it is, I know it's a sign of our bond. I don't want to make things even weirder by being polite now."
"I might shoot her a text, actually," Kayano says. "I mean… either tonight or when she's up. Just to make sure she knows I'm happy she's alright. I don't wanna flood her, though. What do you guys think?"
"I think it should be fine," Nagisa says. "She might get a little overwhelmed… she's bound to be on like 98 different types of painkiller, but at the same time… she loves attention. It'll probably make her day that we're all instantly knocking down her door."
"You heard the man," Karma says. "Mob her. Give her all the attention her sick, greasy heart desires. She'll eat it up."
"Hey! Now that's not what I said," Nagisa retorts.
"Isn't it? Isn't it now?" Karma replies, whipping out his phone. "Either way, I can't wait to pass onto Bitch-sensei that you called her needy -"
"Hey! No!" Nagisa yelps, practically flinging himself across the table as he makes a desperate grab for Karma's phone. "Don't you dare!"
"Nuh-uh!" Karma says, dangling it above his head. "No stopping me now! You're a teacher, aren't you? You know it's a student's job to tattle on any of their peers misbehaving. I'm simply fulfilling my role as a top-tier good boy."
"You? Good?" Kayano sneers, disbelief evident in her tone.
"Yes! Me! Good!" Karma replies, tossing his hands in the air and his phone along with them. There's a bang halfway across the kitchen. "And on my best behavior, at that," he dryly notes… before pausing, holding up a finger, and masking a horrified blush. "Er. Let me get that, actually."
Gakushuu snorts as he hurries out of his seat.
"Now then… where were we again?"
"Ah- the kids- I think," Kayano says. "We just… got a bit distracted."
Nagisa returns to his own seat; no longer fooled by Karma's inane bullshit. "...Yeah. Right," he says. "I… think they'll be fine, honestly." He pauses. "Don't get me wrong: I'll keep a close eye on them. And I'm sure all of you will, too. But like you said: I think Irina coming home will help Kiyoshi. And maybe if he manages to return to school he'll be able to tell us what's going on. I… think he's the most likely person to come forward, if anyone."
"Sounds about right," Kayano replies. "He hates having to keep a secret. And he trusts us."
"Even if I'm sure whatever they're going through now is serious… and I most certainly don't want to downplay that," Nagisa says as Karma slides back into the seat across from him "I also believe it will be temporary. They'll work through it in time."
'After all,' he thinks as the conversation starts to shift… as Karma whips open his phone and starts to draft a text, much to his shock and outrage
'What's the worst thing Makoto, Fumiko, or Kiyoshi could have possibly done?'
[2/17/2031 8:31 PM:] [Karma] Bitch-senseeeeiiii
[2/17/2031 8:31 PM:] [Karma] I heard you're gonna be awake soon. Congrats on… like… not dying and shit.
[2/17/2031 8:32 PM:] [Karma] But I have important information to pass on as a certified goodboy and also as your favorite student
[2/17/2031 8:32 PM:] [Karma] According to my sources Nagisa recently rewfrered to yuop as-
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] Okay- so he's strying to take my pheonhene\
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] a
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] FGD^$&ETRYDS^DHGSG&gT$YEHNVCDHBNXBGHS
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] #$%^&%^&DSFGDHDFGHJHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] AT89950TENTION WHORE?#
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] FFUKC
[2/17/2031 8:33 PM:] [Karma] hOP=e you are doIIIIIIIIIIIIIng well
[2/17/2031 8:34 PM:] [Karma] h.
"Kiyoshi," a tense voice says.
"Kiyoshi," it repeats. "It's time."
Groggily blinking, Kiyoshi stifles a yawn. First noting morning light flooding in through the windows… then his dad standing above his bed, he wonders what's going on. He yawns… stretches… and then tenses as it all comes back to him.
He quite literally bolts out of bed. Tossing his covers to the side and taking his dad by the hand, he asks, an antsiness to his tone "Is she up!? Is she really up!? Like- right now!?"
Dad stares, before nodding slowly. Seemingly nervous himself, he replies "Yes. She's awake. And she's ready to talk. I have the doctors on video call now. But I promised I'd get you before I said hello. Come on. Let's not keep her waiting."
"Of- of course not!" Kiyoshi's already way ahead of him. Shivering slightly… feeling somehow ready to cry and like a child on Christmas morning all at once, he pushes past his dad. He steps into the hallway and turns his head back over his shoulder.
"Where do you-!? Where do you have it set up? In the living room, or-?"
"In the kitchen!" Dad replies, hurrying after. Kiyoshi motions for him to follow, just about begging 'Come on! Come on! Come on!'
They don't have one second to waste.
Set up on the kitchen table is a sleek laptop… high-end and set up with a thousand different modifications. Government property. Something his dad has tapped away at a dozen times before while ignoring him outright. But Kiyoshi doesn't care about any of that one bit as he rockets into a chair and scoots himself in close to the table.
There's a doctor on the other end of the call. Looking almost exasperated he holds the phone at an awkward angle. He makes eye contact with Karasuma as he slides into the seat next to Kiyoshi.
"Hello, Karasuma-san," he says in a voice all-too formal. "I'm sorry again for contacting you this early in the morning, but it appears your wife wanted to talk now. There are still a few tests we'd like to run… and it will be a long period of time before she can return home safely, but she 'refused to cooperate' and 'wouldn't stop complaining' until we let her get in contact with you. I hope you don't mind the-"
"Oh! Come on!" a slurred voice cries in the background. "Stop bitching! Hannddd it over already! 'e'll be happy to see me!"
Kiyoshi's heart skips a beat.
'It's her,' he thinks. 'It's really her.' That's his Mom's voice... clear as day!
He starts to grin.
Dad looks surprised… but soon relaxes. He gives the doctor a calm smile. "I don't mind one bit," he says. "I'd like to see her, in fact. So hand the phone over if you know what's good for you. She doesn't exactly take well to being told 'no.'"
"Very well, then," the doctor relents, beginning the trek to Mom's bedside. "Just know there are still several things for us to discuss once this matter is done wi-"
That's when the phone is snatched out of his hand.
"O'kay! That's en'uff of that."
There's a shuffling as the phone's camera adjusts... before finally settling on a familiar face. Her brows furrow intensely for a moment, but she soon relaxes as well… giving them a dopey grin.
(The one... the only: Irina)
"Kiyoshi! Tadaomi!" she greets, her face lighting up. "'bout 'time I got to see you guys! Did you miss meeee?" She cocks her head. "Sorry it took soooo long. The doctors wouldn't stop complaaiiinnngggg. 'm fine. I dun' get what they're so worried abou'! I was like, 'I wanna talk to them!' But they wouldn't listtteeen. They were like 'ma'am you just woke up from a coma,' and 'you're seriously injured,' But none of that mattered! You guys were worried 'bout me!" She pauses. "You guys were worried 'bout me, right? Did I just ask that?"
"Sorry," she says, smacking her forehead. "I am soooo fucked up right now. They've got me on like… eight hundred stuff. Tha's why my voice sounds so badtoo. My brain didn' blow up. My brain's fine. I am just on soooo many painkillers ri'now!"
She pumps her fist in the air, declaring, "Opioid addiction!"
The doctor gently lowers her arm, deciding not to comment on that statement for now.
There's an IV in each of her arms. She's got a bandage on her cheek and another over her nose. He wonders if she was hit by shrapnel. Otherwise, however… she seems to be in pretty good condition. Even in a hospital gown, her eyes glow with a mischievous energy.
Kiyoshi can't help but grin, even at the inappropriate comment.
...That's his mother alright.
"Indeed," Dad says. "You had quite a severe accident. Your body is still recovering. I'm sure any medications you're on are an integral part of that process. It may be annoying to experience, but we do not mind one bit, and I'm sure-"
"But it'sss not evenworkkkkking! It still hurts like shitttt!"
Dad's eyes instantly hone in on the doctor… who's managed to creep into frame. He shies back instantly: a look of indiscriminate horror on his face.
"I'll have you know," Dad says firmly, looking back to Mom. "That if I need to talk to any of your doctors or nurses I will. If you're in any sort of pain… think you're on even one ounce too small a dosage… then you just let me know. I will give them a stern talking to. Have them disbarred from their job as medical practitioners. Come over there and-"
"I must assure you, Karasuma-san!" The doctor interjects. "She is on the correct dosage of everything: I promise. We are keeping her injuries under careful observation. She is just… a bit of a handful. I'm sure you understa-"
"Did you just call my wife a handful!?"
The doctor does a double-take. "AH! Of course not!" he cries, taking a bow. "I apologize! Truly!"
If Mom's in any actual pain, however, she certainly doesn't voice it. In true handful fashion, she's already onto the next topic. She clings to the doctor's arm, gushing incoherently as she glances from the camera to him, then back to the camera.
"Did you hear that!?" she coos. "He was so ready to stand up for me! He loves meee! He really loves me! My big hot sexy husband loves me!"
The increasingly uncomfortable doctor attempts to pull away, but it's no use. Mom's clamped onto him like a goddamn bear trap.
Dad looks uncomfortable, too, for a long moment… sending the doctor a silent apology. Listening to Mom continue to gush, however, that embarrassment soon fades, and he speaks up with a straight face."
"Indeed I do," he pauses. "Love you… that is."
Despite that being what she was just bragging about, Mom's mouth forms into a tiny 'o.' Expression then growing into that of a grin, she looks like she's just won the goddamn lottery. Shaking the doctor back and forth, she cheers, claps… and then slips into Serbian.
Now Kiyoshi's not an expert. He knows some of his mom's native language, but he'd only consider himself 'mildly fluent' at best. Nevertheless, even in his inexperience, he's still able to make out a few phrases. Namely 'he loves me,' 'my husband,' and 'fat dick.'
...That alone is enough to make him wish he didn't know a word of Serbian.
She must notice his abject horror, because her eyes lock onto him. She says his name, a phrase he thinks means 'little boy,' and then another bit of nonsense he can't quite make out until she remembers she's supposed to be speaking Japanese, and that no-one here has any clue what in the goddamn hell she's saying.
"Kiyoshi!" she says, giving him a smile. "I missed you too! Iwas really scared I wouldn' get to see you again. How've you been?" She squints, expression going serious. "Bad?" She asks. "You look bad... Didyou get hit by a car? Get'in a fight? Your eye's fucked up. Not to mention your hair."
She must also notice his sheer embarrassment, because she soon draws back. She shakes her head and apologizes.
"Sorry!" she says. "It's okay if you look like shit. And you don' look like shit. I just have NO impulse control righ' now. I'll help you not look like shit when I ge' home. We can fix it. I can coverup your eye and redye your hair eventho' Tadaomi hates it 'nd complains every ti-"
"No. No. It's okay," Kiyoshi reassures, holding his hands up. "You're right. I do look like shit right now. A lot happened while you were gone. I was really worried about you." He pauses, giving a nervous smile. "...I guess I feel pretty dumb about that now. You're fine."
He'd… he'd really thought she was going to die, huh?
(He can't imagine that. He can't imagine a world where he's not having this conversation right here and now.)
"Of course I am!" Mom boasts, having finally released her deathgrip on the poor doctor. She balls her hand into a fist, grinning proudly. "No dumb bomb could take your mother out! I'm fine! I'm great! I'm…-" She pauses, lowering her hand, before giggling incoherently. "...So high."
"That you are," Dad says, as if he doesn't know what else to do but agree. He shifts slightly. "Which is why I am not sure how much we should talk about right now. Do you wish to discuss the extent of your injuries, or would you prefer to-?"
"Don'worry," Mom says without pause. "My pussy is fine."
And. Everything. Stops.
"YOUR WHAT!?"
Kiyoshi and his father seem to say it at once.
"My pussy!" Mom repeats, her voice a whine. "It's fine! It didn' get burned or anything when I-"
Dad slams his hands on the table. Jaw slack, he shouts at the top of his lungs, "THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR VAGINA!"
Mom seems genuinely stumped. Brow furrowed for a long moment, she asks "...It doesn'?"
"No! Of course it-" Dad stares. " What are you on, woman!?"
Mom giggles, covering her mouth with her hands. "Morphine."
Dad lets out a heavy sigh and rubs at his temples. Murmuring "I'm not sure what answer I expected…" he takes a deep breath and tries to regain his composure. Kiyoshi grimaces. In any other situation he'd be mortified, but he can't exactly storm out of the room now. He hasn't gotten to see his mom in weeks! He's just going to have to deal with her jokes.
Her… boundaryless… wretched… vomit inducing jokes.
(...Ah. So this is what his family had been missing. He'd almost forgot these sort of conversations came bundled with his mother.)
Returning to an expression that can only be described as 'mildly disgruntled' at worst, Dad finally turns to face the camera. Frowning slightly, he repeats "No. No. I was not asking about your vagina."
"It was quite a point of concern," the doctor pipes up. "When she woke up it was the first thing she asked about. The… condition of… her…" he drifts off, shaking his head. "Somehow this feels inappropriate to say to a military official."
"No. No. Go on," Irina coos, leaning on him. "Say it. Tadaomi will make the funnnieessst face."
Suddenly, her expression sours.
"An' that is NOT the first thing I asked about!" she refutes, elbowing the doctor. "Like! For the record! I did not ask about my pussy right away! The first thing I said was 'oh, fuck. I'm alive?' Then I asked about my pussy! Get it right!"
The doctor flinches, taking a step away.
"Ah… yes. My apologies. How could I forget?"
"Well…" Dad says. "I am… glad to hear it is unharmed."
"Damn right you are."
...Mom giggles again.
"But… no: that was not at the top of the list of my concerns. I was…" Dad pauses, shaking his head. "...More worried about your emotional wellbeing."
"AWWWWW!" Mom coos, covering her face with her hands. "You really do care!"
"Of- of course I do!" Dad sputters.
"You're the beeessst!" Mom continues. "For years all men cared 'bout was my pussy! But not you! You're! Like! Outrigh' disinterested in my pussy! You love me! You love meeeee!"
What would be a beautiful description of their relationship and what they value in each other if they weren't in the same video call as their goddamn spawn.
"Yes. There is so much more I value about you than your… than your…" Dad falters and that neutral expression begins to crack. His knuckles go white as he clutches at the table. "V… v… va…-" His voice trails off. "OKAY! SERIOUSLY! CAN WE STOP DISCUSSING THIS SHIT IN FRONT OF OUR SON!?"
Oh thank fuck someone here has some common goddamn sense!
"Uh-! Yeah-! I'd- uh! Appreciate! That-!" Kiyoshi sputters, his face a bright red.
His mom bursts into laughter, but his blush doesn't fade. He - just! He hates this, okay!?
Like… on a list of things he really doesn't wanna think about, his mother and father having hot, sweaty sex might be the only thing he loathes more than the thought of having to remember beating his best friend to death. And that's saying a lot!
"Or-! Uh! I can! Go! Actually!" Kiyoshi tacks on. "If you-! Uh! Really need to discuss these things! You did nearly just die! Who am I to rain on your parade, after all!?" He gives a nervous laugh. "I just! Don't want to hear about this! Ever! Yeah! I'll go, actually! You two have fun! I'm gonna just-! Go!"
Before he can even begin to turn, however, there's a wail. Mom reaches her hand out (Quite literally covering the phone camera) as she begs him not to.
"Wait! No! Don'go! I'll behave! Promise!" she reassures. "I missed youuuuu! Thought I was never gonna get to see you again! I'll stop being embarrassing! I promise! Just don't gooooooo…-"
Kiyoshi sighs but relents. He turns back around.
"...Okay," he says. "I'm here to stay."
He could never abandon his mom, even if she is the most annoying person on the goddamn planet.
After all… he didn't think he was ever gonna get to see her again, either.
Slowly, Mom manages to uncover the phone's camera. She smiles at him, tilting her head slightly.
"How've you been? While I was gone?"
Dad raises a finger. "Er… weren't we supposed to discuss your injuri-"
"Notrightnow," Irina interrupts. "I wanna hear about Kiyoshi. How's Kiyoshi been?"
"Uh… well…" Kiyoshi pauses. He definitely doesn't wanna say poorly. That's the last thing his mother needs right now. But all the same, he doesn't wanna lie to her. "...Like I said: a lot's happened. I was really worried about you. I've been… getting by, though." He forces a smile. "I've been trying my best to be really brave in your absence. Doing… uh…- all the right things I can. Yesterday I had a really good conversation with one of my friends. That was nice."
"Awwwww," Mom comments. "That is nice."
Realizing the conversation has turned towards Kiyoshi, Dad adjusts. He places a hand on his head, and wraps his free arm around his shoulder.
"Kiyoshi's been doing wonderful," he agrees. "There have certainly been… some hurdles, but he's been very brave. We've been keeping each other company throughout all of this. And he's handled it… as well as he possibly could have. I'm very proud of him."
Kiyoshi's not sure about ' as well as he possibly could have,' or even ' well at all…' but nevertheless… he's happy to hear the kind words. He leans into his father's embrace, giving his mother a proud smile.
"We've missed you a lot, though!" he reassures. "So don't think we're getting by scot-free without you or anything! Come home soon, okay? The family's incomplete without you."
Mom looks stunned for a moment… a tiny, genuine smile perking up at the corners of her lips. She soon shakes it off, however, pounding a fist to her chest and holding her head up high.
"Of course it is!" she boasts. "You don' need to say that twice. You boys have probably been helpless without me."
"Well," Dad says, straight-faced. "I don't know about helpless. All things considered, I think we've gotten by rather well."
Kiyoshi elbows him.
Dad hisses. "What!?"
"You don't just say that!"
"...You know your mother! I wouldn't want her getting an inflated ego-"
"What did we talk about?"
Dad pouts, before relenting. He turns back to the camera, expression genuine. "...Okay... I suppose inflated ego is acceptable just this once. We… have admittedly been a wreck without you." He pauses. "...And even if I still would not say helpless, the house has felt rather empty without you around. I am... anxious for you to return home soon."
Mom laughs.
"I know you are, silly," she reassures. "You don' gotta tell me that." She then turns to Kiyoshi, a mischievous look on her face. "Glad to see you've got him wrapped around your little finger, tho'."
Kiyoshi blushes.
"Er… well… I don't know about wrapped," he says. "But… yeah," he smiles. "We've had some time to talk. Don't worry: I've got Dad on his best behavior."
It's Dad's turn to blush, then. He averts his gaze, scratching awkwardly at the back of his neck. "Why do I suddenly feel like I'm being studied?" he asks.
"Because you are," Mom says. "Next question."
That's when there's a snuffling noise from underneath the table. Kiyoshi glances downward as something butts against his chair.
...Fluffy white fur. It seems a certain menace has finally come to investigate.
"Oh! Look!" he says, pointing down underneath the table. "Seems someone wanted to come and see you, too! He must've missed you."
Mom's eyes widen… then narrow. Then, in an instant she points a finger, declaring in the loudest voice her medication addled body can muster "Show him to me!"
Both Dad and Kiyoshi blink.
"...Pardon?"
"You heard me!" Mom repeats, her voice still slurred. "Show him to me! The bastard! My greatest enemy!"
Kiyoshi stares.
"Are you… are you talking about the dog?"
"Yes, I'm talking about the dog!" Mom cries. "Get him up there! Iwanna flip him off! It's been too long since I've seen his stupid fucking face!"
Dad doesn't move, an already exhausted look on his face. Kiyoshi, however, gets right to work... attempting to pick up the dog, and when that fails: pushing two chairs together and patting his hand on them in a meager attempt to coax Taro up onto them. Still walking in circles around the table, however, he seems disinterested at best in whatever it is Kiyoshi's trying to do.
"Oh! Come on!" Mom shouts. "Not like that! You've gotta do it, Tadaomi! You're stronngggg! With your ripped muscles! You can pick him up no problem!" She pauses… deep in thought, before grinning. "Actually… secondthought: forget the dog. I wanna see your muscles. Take off your shirt!"
Kiyoshi shrieks.
"On webcam!? And in front of me, too!?"
"Yes, on webcam!" Mom slurs. "And you can… you can turn around! The doctor guy too. I don't want no one perving on my man!"
"Ma'am…- I'm tying to keep some semblance of professionalism here, but you're making it extremely difficult," the doctor begs. "I cannot leave you unsupervised, because I am genuinely convinced you will rip out your IVs on complete impulse. Please at least try to behave while I'm in th-"
"When you think about it, it's only fair! Your wife nearly died and all, yeah? Just as like… a morale boost… a… uhhhh- consolation for the whole legs thing, I really think you should show her your fat fucking tits."
That's when Dad puts Taro on the table.
"Here," he says, voice completely blank. "The dog. Now please shut up."
In any other scenario Kiyoshi wouldn't be happy hearing his dad tell his mom to shut up, but just this once he thinks it might be warranted.
With all the excitable energy of a particularly curious third grader… or… y'know: Irina Jelavic doped up, she's soon distracted, anyways. She leans in close to the camera; awestruck… then lets out a low growl.
"YOU!" she says. "Don't think I've forgotten' about you while I've been gone! I've been thinking abou' your dumb ass the whole time! When I get home you're dead meat, okay, dog? Dead meat!"
True to her word, she flips the dog off. Kiyoshi's not entirely sure what it is Taro even did, but he supposes he's just happy to see his mom in a good(?) mood. Taro doesn't seem particularly bothered by the aggression, anyways. He simply stands on the table… tail wagging and tongue lolling out of his mouth as he gives her a content look.
"Okay," Dad says, finally seeming to realize what he'd done. "That's enough of that." Expression still blank, he picks Taro up in one swift motion and takes the dog off of the goddamn dinner table.
At first Mom cries out, saying "I wasn't done with him!" but as Dad continues she relaxes, seemingly satisfied just watching him pull off some ludicrous feat of strength.
"Where were we?" she asks, chin resting in her palms
"How much we missed you, I believe," Karasuma says in a tone that seems to imply 'maybe if I'm sentimental enough she'll be taken aback… and who knows? Maybe she'll even stop talking about my fucking penis!'
Hook line and sinker, Mom takes the bait. She blushes intensely, before giving him a huge smile.
"Don't miss me too much, okay?" she says. "I'll be home before you even know it! I've got a plan!"
Dad cocks an eyebrow, apprehension to his tone.
"Do you now?" he asks.
"Fuck yes I do!" she replies. "Okay! So hear me out! I am really, really, really good at being annoying. And sexy, but that's not important right now because these bozos have 'Hippocratic oaths' and also my hot ass only belongs to one man." ...Okay. So maybe she hasn't entirely gotten her mind out of the gutter, but it's a start. "Which is why I'm gonna use that to my advantage!"
She pauses. "The annoying thing! Not the sexy thing!" she clarifies. "I'm gonna bother these bozos so much! Scream an' bitch constantly! Before we even know it, they'll get sick of me and kick me out! 'ts foolproof!"
Dad blinks.
"...Now I don't know if the doctors are going to kick you out-"
"Yestheyare!" Mom insists proudly. "An' I'm not gonna have to worry about any of that 'physical therapy' junk. I can take care of that at home. I don'tgotta stay here. I'm just gonna getback and see my boys!"
"No. You are not," Dad replies sternly. "You stay in the hospital as long as you need to. And you behave yourself while you're there. The doctors are working hard, and they will discharge you when you are ready. I don't want to hear a word of you giving them a problem." He pauses… expression softening slightly. "In the meantime Kiyoshi and I will call you every single day. We will keep you company… as... a motivator to stay on your best behavior. And when you are actually ready to return, we'll be here to greet you with open arms."
He shuffles slightly, giving her a firm, but reassuring look.
(If Kiyoshi squints, he swears he can even see his father smiling.)
"OOOOOOOKAYYYY," Mom relents. "But only 'cause you're such'a stick in the mud! If I had it my way, I'd be bothering these guys nonstop! But I don'twanna deal with you 'yelling at me' and 'telling me to behave.' Tha's a damn headache. You better thank me when I get back, Tadaomi! I'm gonna have to eat hospital food while I'm here! Hospital food! "
"Yes. I'm aware that's far from ideal, but-"
"I bet it sucks! Probably the kinda food you like. Shitty fast food! I think you should be in the hospital, Tadaomi! You eat way worse than me."
Dad's six-pack abs would beg to differ, but Kiyoshi decides not to comment on that for now.
Mom and Dad bicker forth for a little while longer. It's tedious, but despite himself Kiyoshi even finds himself joining in. It's nice to get to hear her voice again… to exchange dumb jokes and see her smile, even from halfway across the world. Mom's voice slurs. She's clearly not in her right mind, and she's got a sickly look to her… IVs running in and out of her arms. But despite it all, she laughs. She throws her hands in the air… makes dramatic movements, tells them she loves them, and tells them she'll be home before they even know it.
She's still got a long way to go. It'll be months before she's home... months before she can hold him again and he can bury his face in her neck… declaring "I'm so glad you're finally okay."
Even then her life will be changed. Their whole family will. Things are never going to go back to the way they were before. But even so… at least Kiyoshi can finally be confident in something he was so certain he'd never believe.
...Mom really is going to be alright.
There are still things they need to talk about…: how she actually feels about her injuries, and how she's going to react in light of losing her job... just how scared Kiyoshi was of her dying, and how badly this whole incident messed him up. But now's not the time. She's all sorts of doped up, and she's going through enough as is. All of that can wait. For now… she can laugh.
They chat for another hour. They chat about happy, casual things… about the dumb dog, and about how Kiyoshi did on his midterms. Sooner rather than later, however, the doctor steps in and admits it's time Mom should go.
"She's still recovering from her injuries," he says. "She's going to need lots of rest if she's ever going to get better. Are you okay with ending this now?"
Dad frowns, but nods. "Of course," he says. "She needs her sleep. Don't worry, however," he says, turning back to Irina. "...You know we will be willing to pick up the phone at any time. We'll be seeing you again soon. So don't worry about any of that. Just get some rest for now."
Mom throws a fit and complains… but eventually, she relents. Okay… yeah, she's tired... and she does feel like she got hit by a bus... but she's only gonna rest for a little bit, okay!? She'll be back to bothering them before they even know it!
Dad smiles.
"...I wouldn't have it any other way."
They exchange their goodbyes; their 'love yous' and 'see you laters.' Mom leans into the camera… gives her phone a goddamn hug and tells them she'll miss them.
"I know you will," Kiyoshi replies. "But don't worry about it. Dad's right. We'll be talking again... like... as soon as possible"
He says it so confidently, but he's not sure who he's even trying to reassure most: Mom or himself.
He's not given much time to think it over. Mom gives them one last smile then ends the video call. Dad's silent for a moment… before quietly shutting down the laptop. He gives Kiyoshi a relaxed look.
"That… went better than I expected," he admits.
Kiyoshi nods. "Yeah. I don't know what I thought would happen… but I guess I was worried she might be like..." He hesitates. "...distraught."
"As was I. But it seems she's taking this in stride," Dad says... "At least… for now. There's no knowing how she's actually going to cope with the situation until she's weaned off her medicine, but…" He pauses. "I'm proud of her. She was... her usual self."
"Her usual goofy, disgusting self alright," Kiyoshi agrees, before falling silent. Dad finally sits down. Taro puts his head up on his lap. Dad strokes his fur absentmindedly.
"Does she know about everything?" Kiyoshi continues. "Like… the extent of her injuries? Or what's gonna happen to her job?"
"Oh," Dad says. "I'm sure the doctors have explained her injuries in depth. As for her job… I'm not sure. I sincerely doubt they've told her she's being let go, but she's an intelligent woman. She can put the pieces together."
"That really sucks, man…" Kiyoshi says. "I mean… I know I was just the one complaining about how scary you guys's jobs were, but she loved what she did. What is she going to do now?"
"For now she just needs time," Dad admits. "It'll be a good six months before she's even equipped to enter the workplace again. I'm sure she'll have plenty of time to think it over." He shrugs. "...I'm sure she'll come up with something. She's adaptable like that."
"Mmmm," Kiyoshi says. And he believes that. At least… he thinks so. But it still doesn't make him feel much better. It sucks to have your dreams stomped on, even if you have a backup plan.
He frowns.
"...Thanks for not telling her about how bad I was doing, for the record.
Dad blinks.
"Excuse me?"
"You know… how I've been spiraling lately," Kiyoshi says. "...I know it must be really worrying for you, but I didn't want her to hear about any of that. I wouldn't want her to think it's her fault."
"Ah," Dad replies. "Of course." He shakes his head. "Your mother and I… need to talk about your mental health eventually. I really do believe you should be in therapy. But now is… not the time. She needs her rest, and besides…" he pauses. "When that conversation does happen, I'd prefer it be one that happens on your own terms. You're old enough to be there when we make those decisions."
"Mmmm," Kiyoshi replies. "...Admittedly I'm not sure a therapist can help me with most of what I'm going through, but… it's worth considering."
"For now I'm just happy to see your mother at all. We can have the serious family discussions later."
Kiyoshi nods. "Agreed."
He shifts slightly, leaning over to pet Taro as well. Dad smiles at him, and Kiyoshi pauses. He thinks all's well that ends well, but there's still something that's been bothering him.
"Hey," he says. "Can I ask you a kinda… redundant question?"
Dad cocks an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
"That stuff you said earlier… to Mom… about you being proud of me... and about me handling this as well as I possibly could have. Did you mean all of that? Or were you just saying that to make her feel better?"
Dad pauses… no longer petting Taro. He reaches up a palm and places it on Kiyoshi's head.
"What do you think?" he asks.
"Well… uh- I'd like to think you meant it. You've been telling me you're proud of me an awful lot, lately. But I just- I worry…- I doubt. Y'know?"
"Of course I meant it," Dad clarifies, ruffling his hair. "And I'll repeat it as long as you need me to."
"Okay," Kiyoshi says, leaning on his side. "...I told you it was a redundant question," he admits with a laugh.
They spend the rest of the morning cooking breakfast together… flipping eggs and talking about Mom. There's still a weird atmosphere to the room, but remembering Mom's laugh and the honestly-pretty-good conversation with Fumiko from yesterday, Kiyoshi relaxes just slightly. He's not letting his guard down yet. Every time up until now he's convinced himself 'things will be okay' something's gone horribly wrong. But chatting with his dad… sitting down to eat as the dog curls up by his feet, Kiyoshi does the best thing he can possibly figure:
Smiles, and waits eagerly for Mom's next call.
[2/18/2031 10:11 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] AWWWWWQQQWW
[2/18/2031 10:11 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] i love you brats too 3
[2/18/2031 10:12 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] fuck yuo though
[2/18/2031 10:15 AM:] [Nagisa] ?
[2/18/2031 10:15 AM:] [Nagisa] WAIT.
[2/18/2031 10:15 AM:] [Nagisa] IRINA
[2/18/2031 10:15 AM:] [Nagisa] YOU'RE AWAKE!?
[2/18/2031 10:16 AM:] [Nagisa] Oh my god! I'm so glad you're okay!
[2/18/2031 10:16 AM:] [Nagisa] Does everyone know?
[2/18/2031 10:17 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] ️
[2/18/2031 10:18 AM:] [Nagisa] I'll pass on the great news!
[2/18/2031 10:19 AM:] [Nagisa] And. Uh. You just get some rest, okay?
[2/18/2031 10:19 AM:] [Nagisa] Because I am NOT sure if you are supposed to be texting right now.
[2/18/2031 10:20 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] I absolutley am not.
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] but k.
[2/18/2031 10:32 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] wait. Did you seriously call me an attention whore?
[2/18/2031 10:34 AM:] [Bitch-sensei] NAGISA
[2/18/2031 10:20 AM:] [Nagisa] GUYS IRINA'S AWAKE.
[2/18/2031 10:20 AM:] [Kurahashi 💛] Oh my god I am SO glad she's okay.
[2/18/2031 10:20 AM:] [Rio] omg. did karasuma tell u?
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Fuwa] I KNEW SHE HAD PLOT ARMOR!
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Nagisa] Karasuma didn't text me, no. She actually texted me herself.
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Nagisa] Karasuma probably wants time alone with his family right now.
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Nagisa] That said, however, don't be surprised if you end up getting texted by her as well. I told her to rest, but I sincerely doubt she's going to listen to me.
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Yada] That's Bitch-sensei for you. 😅
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Rio] LOL
[2/18/2031 10:21 AM:] [Isogai] She's up? Oh my god. I should prepare her a care package or something.
[2/18/2031 10:22 AM:] [Kanzaki❤] Do you think she'd appreciate one of those 'get better' teddy bears?
[2/18/2031 10:22 AM:] [Kanzaki❤] Or would she get offended and, like, burn it up?
[2/18/2031 10:22 AM:] [Karma] Chop the legs off of it.
[2/18/2031 10:22 AM:] [Kayano] KARMA
[2/18/2031 10:22 AM:] [Okuda] KARMA!?
[2/18/2031 10:22 AM:] [Nagisa] KARMA!
[2/18/2031 10:23 AM:] [Karma] WHAT!?
[2/18/2031 10:23 AM:] [Kayano] SHE'S IN THIS FUCKING GROUP CHAT, KARMA
[2/18/2031 10:23 AM:] [Karma] SO!? SHE HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR!
[2/18/2031 10:24 AM:] [Yada] 😱
[2/18/2031 10:24 AM:] [Hayami] Even if she DID (She does not), I would like to remind you that Karasuma-sensei is in this chat.
[2/18/2031 10:24 AM:] [Rio] SOMEONE'S IN TROUUUBBBBLEEEEE.
[2/18/2031 10:24 AM:] [Karma] OH, COME ON. I am NOT afraid of him.
[2/18/2031 10:24 AM:] [Kayano] You say that now but when he comes knocking down our door holding a butcher knife Nagisa and I are not protecting you.
[2/18/2031 10:25 AM:] [Nagisa] You deserve whatever's coming for you.
[2/18/2031 10:25 AM:] [Kurahashi 💛] tbh even if karasuma doesn't come to kill you i will.
[2/18/2031 10:25 AM:] [Yada] Me too.
[2/18/2031 10:25 AM:] [Kayano] Seconding that.
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Karma] :/
[Irina-Sensei 💞💕💗 is now typing...]
[SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE TYPING]
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Okuda] OH GOD
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Isogai] HI THERE?
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Nagisa] I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GO TO SLEEP
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Rio] GET HIS ASS!
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Irina-Sensei 💞💕💗] OK SO I JUST CAME IN HERE TO ASK IF ANYONE MISSED ME, BUT I SEE HOW IT IS.
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Yada] I missed you!
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Karma] You gotta admit you think it's hilarious.
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Kurashi 💛] i missed you too!
[2/18/2031 10:26 AM:] [Kurashi 💛] we all did!
[2/18/2031 10:27 AM:] [Isogai] how are you feeling!?
[2/18/2031 10:27 AM:] [Kanzaki❤] Does anything hurt?
[2/18/2031 10:27 AM:] [Irina-Sensei 💞💕💗] im great, honetsly.
[2/18/2031 10:28 AM:] [Irina-Sensei 💞💕💗] ggot to talk to tadaomi and kiyoshi already, adn its nice to see my army of brats missfd me 💄
[2/18/2031 10:28 AM:] [Isogai] of course we did!
[2/18/2031 10:28 AM:] [Okuda] we were all so worried!
[2/18/2031 10:29 AM:] [Kayano] Except Karma. :/
[2/18/2031 10:29 AM:] [Nagisa] Except Karma.
[2/18/2031 10:29 AM:] [Rio] yeah, except karma.
[2/18/2031 10:29 AM:] [Karma] OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE ALL GANGING UP ON ME ALL OF A SUDDEN?
[2/18/2031 10:29 AM:] [Yada] TALK SHIT GET HIT, BITCH.
[2/18/2031 10:30 AM:] [Nagisa] Well… if nothing else, I'm glad things seem to have gone back to normal so quickly.
[2/18/2031 10:30 AM:] [Irina-Sensei 💞💕💗] you know i wouldn't have it any other way 😘
For the rest of the morning, and afternoon, too, the E-Class's phones all light up. Not one dares to mute them, however, as they each greet their long lost teacher in their own unique way.
Monday is the best Makoto's felt in a long time.
Not only does he get the news that Irina's doing better, but he gets to reflect on the fact that Kiyoshi and Fumiko are seemingly doing better, too. He still doesn't know exactly what it is they'd talked about, but Kiyoshi tells him they'd 'made some amends,' and that even though things 'aren't perfect yet, he thinks they're on the right track."
"Don't get me wrong…" he admits over the phone. "I still think I really hurt her… and I don't know if I can ever fix that, but… I think she's at least starting to understand I didn't know about any of this up until recently. And she's… tentatively willing to allow me into her life, at least for now. She wants to give me the chance to prove myself."
He laughs meekly. "...I really hope I won't let her down."
"Aw! C'mon," Makoto replies, a smile to his voice. "I'm sure you won't. You're the best. She'll come around before you even know it."
Kiyoshi pauses.
"You should talk too, you know," he says. "You really upset her... made her feel like she wasn't important to you... I know that's not true. But you should let her know that. Because right now I think she might even be a little bit angrier at you than she is at me."
Makoto laughs at the notion.
"I'm not sure that's true," he admits. "We're like peas in a pod. I'll talk to her, though, yeah. Let her know she's the best. And let her know that now that everything's back to normal, I'm glad we can be friends again."
"Well… I'm not sure about normal," Kiyoshi admits. "But… it's a start. Good luck, Makoto. I'm sure you've got this in the bag. Be considerate of how she feels, alright? She's sensitive."
"Yeah, of course," Makoto replies. "Don't worry about it. Before you even know it we'll go back to being the three musketeers."
Kiyoshi seems to mumble something, but Makoto can't quite make it out. They hang up soon afterwards, exchanging their well wishes.
"Ha. Gotta go again," Kiyoshi says. "Mom wants to call. Be seeing you around, though, Makoto. And it was nice to chat."
He doesn't turn up to school that day... or Tuesday. either. Says he might be back Wednesday, but he's not sure.
"Things are still weird, you know? Talking to Mom's helping a lot, though. I think I might be ready to come back to class again soon. Not certain, but…" He pauses. "Seeing you in person could be nice."
Makoto has definitely started to miss him in his absence, but he thinks he can survive one day more. Kiyoshi will be back soon enough, and besides… some time between just him and Fumiko will give the two of them a chance to talk.
She's guarded when he approaches her that morning. Her brows furrow and she lets out a low huff.
"What do you want, Makoto?" she asks, a weariness to her tone. "If this is about the talk I had with Kiyoshi, then I'm not interested in hearing anything from you exce-"
"Yes this is about the talk you had with Kiyoshi!" Makoto interjects. "Is it true the two of you finally made up?"
"Sort of," Fumiko admits, expression tense. "I… think I'm finally ready to let him back into my life, but-"
"That's great!" Makoto interrupts. "So… things can go back to normal then, yeah?"
Fumiko's silent.
Makoto shifts uncomfortably. "Y'know… now that you know he's not a bad guy. It's all smoothed over. We don't gotta worry about any of that anymore, right?"
Fumiko sighs. "...Listen. I'm not really interested in talking about this right now, Makoto," she admits.
"What do you mean? But I thought you-"
"Not. The time," Fumiko's interjects. "I am… not emotionally prepared for this right now. So can it, alright? It's… uh…" she glances to the side. "Not okay yet, actually."
"Huh? What?" Makoto asks. "Why? He didn't… he didn't get into another argument with you, did he?"
"No," Fumiko says. "...Nothing like that."
"Then-"
"Then nothing. I told you to give me space, Makoto. Please. If you don't I will tell Shiota-sensei that you're bothering me."
Makoto's expression falls. He opens his mouth to argue, but no words come out.
"I… okay," he says, slowly turning. "I'll bounce. But… uh…- talk again sometime, okay? We… still have a lot to figure out… and I'd be worried if we didn't eventually talk abou-"
"Yeah. Okay. Whatever, Makoto," Fumiko says, irritation prickling in her tone. "We'll take care of whatever you need. But not right now. That's all I'm asking."
"Okay," Makoto replies, his voice meek. "...Be seeing you around!"
Fumiko doesn't respond, even as he bows his head and returns to his desk.
He doesn't get why she's still treating him so coldly. Her and Kiyoshi made up, right? That means… she finally understands where he was coming from! She finally gets that he's a good guy… that it's wrong to persecute him. And so why is she still being so icy? Could it be that… could it be that Kiyoshi lied? Or maybe…-
...Maybe Fumiko really hasn't forgiven him after all.
On Wednesday Kiyoshi returns. He looks like a damn skeleton… cheeks gaunt and hair a mess. Nevertheless, he walks into class with something close to optimism, and when Makoto rushes over to wrap him in a bear hug, he gives him a tired smile… telling him he missed him, too.
Fumiko watches them carefully from the other side of the room, an iciness to her gaze.
Makoto catches the two of them talking during lunch. He'd stayed back for a moment to grab something from Nagisa, then caught the two of them whispering. There's an apprehension to their tones.
"It just… it pisses me off, you know!? It's like he doesn't even get it!"
"I know. I know. And I'll talk to him-"
"It's not your job to babysit him! He should know better by now! I don't want to hear some… some apology if it's just because you told him to say it. That doesn't mean he gives a shit!"
"I mean- I think he cares. He just…-" Kiyoshi sighs, frustrated. "I don't know. It's complicated."
Makoto pauses, frowning. He… wonders who it is they're talking about. It certainly sounds like it could be about him, but… but…-
His friends wouldn't gossip about him, right? And what does he even have to apologize for, anyways? He was right! Fumiko agrees with that now! He's not going to back down and apologize for saying Kiyoshi deserves to be treated like a person.
...He's not going to regret that stance! Never!
He approaches them, an awkward smile on his face. They even eat lunch together. There's an emptiness to their conversation, however, and a bitterness that hangs in the air.
Later that day Nagisa arranges a game of Cops and Robbers. He says it's pretty warm out for a February day, and who knows? It might even be a good way for the class to get some of their excess energy out. He divides the teams into colors as usual… placing Makoto and Fumiko on Team Blue, and Kiyoshi on Team Red, halfway across the forest.
Fumiko scowls when she hears Makoto's name called, and he feels an ache in his heart. She's not… she's not… reacting to him that way… is she? No…
(He doesn't want to think about her hating him)
Chiharu ends up in charge of Team Blue, more than happy to fulfill the obligation. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he's a nice guy, after all. He places Makoto and Fumiko both near the prison, asking them if they can guard it together. He must note Fumiko's hesitant expression, however, because he frowns and tacks on "Only if you're okay with it. I can swap you if you'd like. I just thought you two… like… really got alo-"
"We do! We do get along!" Makoto interjects, panic rising in his voice. "Right, Fumiko? We should… stay together, yeah?"
Fumiko opens her mouth to argue, but shakes her head.
"Yeah. Whatever," she says, turning to Chiharu. "I can handle it. You just go on with planning."
"If you're sure…" Chiharu says, scratching at the back of his head.
The two of them are left alone as the game begins. Nagisa blows a whistle somewhere from deep within the forest and their classmates rush off. Makoto turns to Fumiko, giving her an awkward smile, before speaking up in the cheeriest voice he can muster.
"So… I guess we're working together on this, huh?" he says.
Fumiko shifts slightly, the forest underbrush crinkling beneath her boot. She shrugs, before saying "I suppose so."
There's a distance to her tone.
"We'll have to be on the lookout, then," Makoto says. "Our opponents can be super skilled, you know. I'm sure our classmates have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves."
"...Mmm."
"Not that - not that that's any reason to worry, though!" Makoto continues. "They may be skilled, but at least we're working together, y'know? As long as we team up, I'm sure we've got this in the bag."
It's a long moment before Fumiko responds, and when she does it's to take a step away.
"Listen," she says. "I… think I'm gonna head a bit deeper into the forest. I - uh… might be able to get a better vantage point on the red team there-"
Makoto frowns. "Wait! Nooo- don't go."
"I… I really think I should," Fumiko replies. "It's… just strategy, that's all."
Makoto pauses… before taking a step after her.
"I do care about you, y'know," he says.
"...Pardon?"
"You're- you're acting like I don't. I'm not stupid, Fumiko. I know you're mad at me…- I just don't get why!"
"You don't get why?" Fumiko responds, her voice tense.
"Yes I don't get why!" Makoto responds. "You're… you're distancing yourself from me! And I don't know why. Do you seriously think you just don't matter to me, Fumiko? You are… like… one of my best friends! You changed everything for me-"
"Did I now?" Fumiko asks. "Is that why you took my abuser's side over mine?"
Makoto freezes. Jaw agape, he hisses "Is that what this is about!?" He throws his hands in the air. "W- why!? I thought we were done with all of that! You forgave Kiyoshi!"
"Okay. So I didn't forgive him first of all," Fumiko says, whirling around to face Makoto. "The only thing I have done is give him a chance."
"What's the difference!?" Makoto replies. "As long as - as long as you're not mad at him- as long as you're willing to let him back into your life, then what should it matter!? We can all be friends again! You should just drop it-"
"Drop it? DROP it!?" Fumiko demands, irritation growing in her tone. "I am not just going to drop it. What happened to me back then… it still matters to me-"
"Then why are you treating ME like this!?" Makoto cries. "We were… we were friends! Korosensei and Aguri. We faced everything together! Does that just not matter to you anymore?"
"Of course it matters to me!" Fumiko responds. "I'm asking if it matters to you! Because I think if I was really as important to you as you pretended I was, then you wouldn't be treating me like this."
"Treating you like what!?" Makoto asks. "I am being as nice to you as I can."
"Okay. So is that why you haven't even apologized to me once for undermining my feelings?"
"Woah! Woah! WOAH!" Makoto replies. "I would never do that! I have not - I have not once told you you're not allowed to feel some way! And I'm not going to say sorry for what I did! The only thing I did was stand up for Kiyoshi… and now that you agree with me he deserves a second chance, I don't get why you're so upset about that? If anything, it should be you apologizing!"
"Me? Me? Seriously, Makoto!?"
"Yes, you!" Makoto refutes. "You should be apologizing! To Kiyoshi! For acting like he was subhuman! To me! For saying all those terrible things you said to me! Do you seriously think it was my fault you got murdered?"
Fumiko's eyes widen, but her expression soon hardens. Her frown twists into a grimace.
"Yes," she says. "I do, actually."
"No! You don't!" Makoto replies. "I know you don't!"
"You're always doing this!" Fumiko shouts. "You're always telling me how I should feel!"
"I am not!"
"Yes you are!" She insists.
"No I- it just doesn't make any sense to me!" Makoto replies. "If you understand my perspective, if you like Kiyoshi, then why are you still so goddamn mad at me!?"
"Because you - because you didn't even try to understand my perspective, Makoto! Not even for a second! You just dug your heels in the dirt because you're always right! It's infuriating! I was talking about my abuse, and you didn't even care to stop and think about how I felt! You didn't care what I went through! And I put so, so much faith into REALLY believing you did!"
"I did care!" Makoto cries. "I do! It's not that I don't - I think that was horrible, Fumiko! And I care how you feel! But I care about how Kiyoshi feels, too, and you were acting like… like… a bitch!"
Fumiko stiffens. Petrified… then furious, she asks "A bitch? A bitch? Is that what you see me as, Makoto? "
And… and he doesn't. At least… he doesn't think so. But he meets the way she's looking at him and feels his stomach do flips. He thinks about Kiyoshi weeping alone in his room and feels his fist clench. He thinks about how kind… how perfect Aguri was, and feels something snap in his chest.
"Yes! I do! I think you're acting like a bitch!" he replies. "I think you're acting mean, I think you're acting cruel, and I think you don't care about how other people feel! You know you're wrong and you still won't even admit it! That is bitchy! There's no other word for it! And I'm disappointed in you, Aguri! I thought you were better than this! And I thought what we had was more important tha...-"
He doesn't get to finish the sentence. He sees something snap behind Fumiko's eyes, too, and drifts off… shocked. Namely because he watches her jaw clench… her breath go ragged… and her posture wrench backwards as she growls.
"Than… than…-"
That's when Fumiko full-body tackles him.