Normal. What is normal anyway? Today, anything unusual is normal, and if it isn't weird in some way or the other it's abnormal. What if though you were normal, would that mean you're no different from anybody else, or would it mean you're very different, but you don't seem to be because today's standards don't really expect much from you anymore? Wouldn't that make you weird though? Hmm, these kinds of thoughts create more questions than answers, and so with a sigh Takuya stopped writing down his thoughts on normality. They had an essay due in two weeks on normality, and he at first figured, 'Easy stuff.' The same guy was sitting at his computer at a loss for what to type, seeing as he just now confused himself. Not even the smartest people know what's normal today, why? Because they're not normal, and if you're not normal, how can you judge what normal is and is not? Then, if you were normal, then that would make you abnormal because nobody is normal anymore, which then leads to the question how do you exist? Wouldn't that then make you abnormal? But if you were in a society where nothing is normal, wouldn't you be then normal even if you had three horns or something? Moaning, right there Takuya decided to stop his trail of thought. No one can blame him for that one; it was getting kind of confusing…

Kanbara Takuya, age 15, and official soccer captain. Not to mention official 'Mr. I'm-failing-because-I-don't-understand-not-because-I'm-a-lazy-ass-teenager-with-no-respect'. Stretching, he decided to… 'accidently' tell his parents all his homework was done, and visit Kouji's just because. Just because meaning to annoy his pony-tailed friend seeing as he was procrastinating and his younger brother, Kanbara Shinya was over at Tomoki's. What? Is there a problem with saying their last name first? Are you their friend? Didn't think so, so get used to the idea periodically they shall be called Kanbara. Grabbing his goggles and hat (it's a habit he refuses to grow out of), he walked (slid) down the stairs and took his time (snuck) out of the house. Enjoying the scenery (running without watching his steps), he didn't notice when he walked (ran) into some random person.

"Oi!" A girl's voice yelped. "Watch it!" She growled, and Takuya shrugged.

"Heh, gomen Ruki-san!" Takuya said with an apologetic smile, and dashed away before he could feel the girl's wrath. Her wrath was quick, powerful, and might we add highly painful. This, of course was what saved him from a kick that almost got him. Nothing out of the ordinary since she moved in next door, nope. Luckily, Kouji's house was only a good five minutes away (if you're running for your life) so he made pretty good timing. His parents didn't even see him get away, so there was a bonus. On the better side, he usually went over to Daisuke's so they wouldn't know where he went to hide! With a quick knock, and much yelling, someone answered the door. It was Mrs. Minamoto, and she smiled seeing Takuya.

"Well, I haven't seen you in quite some time young man. Come in come in…" She said, and opened the door wide open. As he walked in, sirens blared all around, and police came inside claiming he wasn't permitted to be inside the orange farm after midnight.

Takuya's POV

"Awww…" Moaning I rolled over to make the stupid alarm clock shut up. "I was having such a good dream…" I sighed, before slowly getting up and rubbing the sleepiness from my stuck eyes. Yeah this was considered a good dream because it made sense for the most part, as usually my dreams are random, and never helped in any way. Releasing another sigh, the closet was opened, and through some random rummaging I have found my usual clothes, and tossed them on. The truth was, I really did have an essay on anything normal, I'm fifteen, Kouji really didn't live that far away, and my new next door neighbor was the bitch from hell, Ruki. I don't have anything against Ruki, but she is scary… Especially when she's mad. Then you have to run for cover otherwise you may be a target, and no one likes being a target. Ask Kenta, for whatever reasons he's the usual target.

"School school, and more school!" Shinya cackled evilly, and held up a pencil. "I will burn you down…. Oh yesss…" Did I mention my brother has developed the personality similar to a pyro-maniac? Well, if not then he did, and he's usually rambling about fire, or burning down some building. He scares me to, and with good reason. Hey, you would be scared too if he set your bed on fire just because he was bored. While you're sleeping in it. School was barely out of walking distance (Thank you!), and I generally get a ride from Kouji's mom due to the fact that he's never sick and my house is on their way to school too. Other than a ride to school though, we have no classes together or even a lunch period together. No matter, he wouldn't talk to me so I guess it doesn't matter. Junpei is a year higher than we are, but I have his lunch. Izumi has algebra with me, so I get to talk to her. When we actually don't have work to do that is. Tomoki is still in elementary school, so I don't get to see much of him unless Shinya invites him over, and they have fun in the bathroom lighting things on fire. We're normal, despite what the dictionary says, trust me. Please?

"TAKUYA! SHINYA!! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!" Ah, the voice of my beautiful mother whose asked out every two days. Hmm, actually I think my dad was crazy when he married her because she lacks patience, has high standards, and job that keeps her away more than any natural job should. Unless Shinya's involved, then suddenly her work is gone. Hmm, wonder who the favorite child is… "DID YOU HEAR ME?!?!" She screamed. Deciding no breakfast was better than death, with the speed of a cheetah I was outside waiting for Kouji's mom just in time to hear my loving mother screaming at Shinya for setting her hair on fire. Again. Someone needs to take that lighter away… and the matches.

"Takuya!" Kouji's voice called, and I got in to escape the possibility of my mom coming out yelling at me. You can just see it now, her running out and telling me off for using telepathy to alter Shinya's sweet mind to set her on fire. Heheh… what?

"You should really convince your parents to take that child to the therapist." Mrs. Minamoto said with worry, and I just laughed.

"Who? My sweet, innocent little brother Shinya? No, according to them he would never purposely harm anyone else." I answered with a chuckle, and that's how the rest of the ride went. Me and her talking, while Kouji just… sat there. You'd think after all we've been through in the Digital World, he wouldn't be like this anymore, but noooo! Two months after, he went back to being silent. ARGH!!!! We made such progress too… sniff… HE ACTUALLY TALKED ONCE! Oh, the Digital World? Well, if you don't know, then… wait, why am I talking to non-existant people? Hmm, guess Shinya's a pyro, and I'm schizophrenic.

Normal POV

Nothing interesting happened that day at school, and if something interesting had happened then many of the teens would be weeping for joy, because Odaiba High was very boring. Very, very, very boring. As the bell rung, the same bored teens walked out of the school grumbling while carrying large books.

"Well, today was fun." Izumi said sarcastically.

"A blast." Junpei added with a roll of his eyes.

"It was so wonderful…" Takuya muttered.

"Hn." Kouji never added much input.

"Well, I thought it went pretty well…" Kouichi shrugged, gaining himself weird looks. "What? You make it sound as if today was midterms. Or finals. Or even worse… The Test." They all stopped walking and shuddered.

"He has a point." Izumi sighed, and all five friends nodded their head in agreement. Yes, even anti-social Kouji, he agreed, just because he doesn't talk much doesn't mean he lacks opinions.

"Can we hurry up? Y'know… in case the teachers heard…" Junpei whispered, and they all scuttled off, not wishing to suffer the fate of taking The Test. Separating, they all waved good bye to each other (except Takuya and Kouji who had a ride together back), and went their separate ways. For today.

"Kouji?" Takuya began.

"Hn?" Was his reply. How very talkative he is…

"Can I stay over this weekend? Please?" Takuya asked, and was prepared to start begging.

"How many essays do you get?" Kouji asked incredulously, already knowing the cause for such a pointless question. Takuya, knew this was a yes in Kouji language, and he proceeded to cheering, and being oblivious to the fact his friend was asking 'Why me?'

Due to the fact lazyitus is a terrible (and non-existant) disease, it was already Friday night, and during the week no important things occurred! Takuya looked proudly at his bag full of clothes, and what he had of his essay so far (nothing) all packed and ready. Lugging it up, he made his way down the stairs. Stopping to let his brother run by with a torch, he then proceeded to waiting outside with a coat on. True, it was very, very cold but personally he's rather be cold outside instead of risking to be a human torch inside. Mrs. Minamoto pulled up, and smiled as she popped the trunk for him.

"Have dinner yet?" She asked as he put his bag away, closed the trunk and went into the small car.

"Have you?" Takuya asked. Yes, he had dinner, but he could easily have another one.

"No! Onwards then, to dinner!" Kouji's step-mom cheered, and well, off they went. While her and Kouji got along, it just wasn't a mom/son-like way. It was a 'Since-I'm-Stuck-Living-With-You-Let's-Just-Get-Along' way. Meanwhile, her and Takuya got along very well, due to their personalities. You can probably guess that Kouji and Mrs. Kanbara got along pretty well too, but not so well Kouji ever went over there. In fact, he only went inside Takuya's house once before, and that was to see why the baka wasn't outside ready for school. After grabbing pocky, yam-yams, and random other candies with dinner, they made their way silently to Kouji's house.

"Welcome back sweety." Mr. Minamoto said warmly as his wife came inside, and Kouji continued to sit in front of the television, remaining oblivious to his step-mom's return with Takuya. The two adults pecked each other on the cheek, while the brown-haired visitor made a feeble attempt to gain Kouji's attention. Nothing out of the usual occurred here.

"What?" Kouji finally snapped, getting tired of the hands waving to and fro.

"Hello." Takuya said, and blinked in front of Kouji, who slowly sweat-dropped.

"…" Kouji sighed and got up, knowing the dreadful knowledge that if he didn't Takuya would continue to pester him and this was something he did not want. No, in fact the thought of him permitting such a horrid act terrified him, but you wouldn't guess from the annoyed expression. In fact, quite a few weird things went through Kouji's mind, but no one knows that because he's so damn calm and collected it's often questionable if he really is as old as he claims to be. He also knew why he reverted back to be usual Koujiness (this was a creation all of Kouji's… and it explains why he never says what he really thinks). Though, it's not going to be told, because it just isn't.

"Does this look good sweetie?" Mrs. Minamoto asked like an embarrassed schoolgirl.

"Yes, as good as you." Mr. Minamoto gushed, and both fifteen-year olds felt like they were going to lose their lunch (or previous dinner in Takuya's case). The two adults were flirting. At dinner. And possibly referring to other subject matter neither boy cared to hear about. Especially with food nearby. Euuggh...

"Isn't this just delicious?" Mrs. Minamoto said with a wide smile, and took her chopstick to Mr. Minamoto's mouth for him to try.

"Irresistible… just like you." He replied with a smile and his wife blushed. Meanwhile, the two friends were currently having trouble eating, and knew they would probably be unable to sleep tonight too. Takuya started to choke on his dinner with that thought, and Kouji smacked his back to help him.

"Thanks…" Takuya whispered, and Kouji nodded his head. It was a long dinner basically.

"How long have they been like this?" Takuya groaned as he flopped down onto Kouji's bed.

"Three nights… three rather disgusting nights…" Kouji sighed, and seeing his chance sat down on Takuya's back.

"Hey!" Takuya yelped, now finding himself unable to get up. He glared instead at Kouji who was acting as if this was normal, when actually it wasn't.

"They want to have a kid together, and so they've been trying to 'enlighten' their relationship enough to… well, you hopefully already know." Kouji explained, and grabbed a deck of cards off his dresser next to his bed, without letting Takuya escape.

"Blech… have they…?" Takuya began, not wanting to finish the sentence, and hoping Kouji knew what he was referring to.

"…" Kouji was quiet for a moment, and then noises started to come through the wall. "…now they are." He said and shuddered.

"Perhaps we can sneak to Kouichi's and escape this horror…" Takuya whimpered, and grabbed a pillow to hopefully blot the sound out.

"We could, but he lives a good twenty kilometers away, and I'm not in the mood to go walking in the cold. Besides, Kouichi is out of town." Kouji explained. And laid down, his butt still on Takuya's back keeping the other from escaping.

"Damnit, will you get off?" Takuya sighed.

"Now you know how I feel when you sit on me." Kouji shot back with a smirk, and stuck his tongue out at his victim. Takuya stuck his tongue back out at him, and the two then looked towards the merciful stereo. Half the street could hear Utada Hikaru that night.

A/N: First chappy done! Wow, I'm so happy, I'm finally back to writing fanfiction again! Uhm… super thanks to Dragi-san for helping me out!! Thank thank thank thank thank you!! It was inspired mostly by 'Kouji the Wolf' and I'm pretty sure the other one was titled… 'Fire cat'. Sweat drops Lots of OOCness… and I'll work on the next chapter next week. Why? Because I'm busy this week damnit! Plus… do any of you realize how much fun it is to write Quartz Academy. XD