03 • Fuck Learning
It has now been officially three years since I have been reincarnated — meaning I am now three years old. Over the last two years I have come to learn a few things.
The first thing is my birthday, April 4. Which is just fucking fantastic because of course I would be reborn on the fourth day of the fourth month. It's not like the number four is special or anything, right? It's not like it means and represents death. No, of course not. Silly me. (I'm gonna strangle those so called higher-ups—)
The second thing I learned is my older sister, Hana, is four years older than me and my twin. So she is seven years old while Tenko and I are three years old. I've also learned that she's a huge brat. Little shit looks and acts nice but heaven forbid she gets in trouble for anything! Oh no, it's all Tenko and I's fault because we're younger and don't know any better. The little shit, how dare she accuse Tenko of being a bad child. If my brother didn't love our older sister so much, I would have made her little life hell. I can't even be completely mad at her because she's an actual child that actually doesn't know any better and I'm a full grown ass adult (mentally [sometimes]).
The third thing I learned is that Father is an asshole with some serious issues (this was supposed to be a second chance! Why am I always saddled with deadbeats for dads?). He hates heroes - absolutely despises them. Every and anything that has to do with heroes is met with hate and anger. It's really dumb because they make up our whole fucking society. It gets worse! He hates them so much that they have been banned from the household. No talking of them, no toys of them, no watching them on the news, no looking them up on the computer — nothing. He's basically banned childhood! Like what the fuck!?
The fourth thing I learned is that children apparently need friends and social interaction. As in, I apparently need friends and social interaction. Me, the woman that kept others more than an arm's length away because it's dangerous to get too close. Me, the woman that made more enemies than allies. Me, the woman that would sooner kill a dozen men than try and play nice with others.
Of course I can't exactly tell my mother this, now can I? So, here I am, being forced to socially interact with my peers. It's disgusting.
"Rena-chan, stop pouting. It's just the park," my mother chides gently, frowning down at me.
"Not pouting, I'm scowling," I quickly refute, warily eyeing the park in front of us.
Tenko and Hana have already run off to go play while I stayed back with Mother. I can easily spot my siblings' black hair in the small sea of brown and blonde and other various colors. Honestly, why is green and pink and orange hair so normal? When did that become a thing? Last I remembered, hair being anything but a natural color was looked down on by the old wives of America.
Speaking of which, is that place still standing? There's like a revolution every decade and Americans are known for burning down buildings of political importance. Hm, I should probably do some history research on the place. I doubt that it's the same America that I, as Anna, was born into since this is an anime world. And the current year 2094 - quirks first started popping up sometime around 2014 if what the internet says is true and when I died, the year was most definitely not 2014.
"What's wrong with playing with the other kids? Tenko and Hana are having fun, see?" My mother's voice cuts through my thoughts. Right, the park and social interaction. Ugh.
"Kids are stupid," I bluntly state, very pointedly staring at a small brat that is crying after having tripped over their own feet. And the brat looks older than me! And I'm three! "I won't associate with stupid people." I honestly just don't have the patience to deal with children that aren't Tenko and Hana. They're both just so exhausting - I can't deal with more happy and hyper little shits!
Mother sighs, finally dropping the issue and turning to keep an eye on my siblings. I sit on the bench next to her, carefully following my brother with my eyes as he runs around the park. I can't tell what he and the other kids are playing but he looks to be having fun at least so I guess that's a win.
"I can't force you to interact with other kids at the park," Mother suddenly speaks up. The wording and tone set me on edge and I angle my body to face her as she looks down to me. "But you're going to have to eventually." The hell is that supposed to mean? "You'll be starting school soon after all."
"Ah fuck," I instantly curse under my breath, ignoring the sharp glare Mother sends my way. I can't believe I forgot about School but honestly I haven't been to school since I was 17 and graduated from high school. It's been more than 15 years since then and my death. "Do I have to? Why can't I study at home? We aren't exactly poor and online classes shouldn't cost that much!" I complain petulantly.
"Nope," Mother cheerfully denies, turning to look back over the park as I scowl next to her. "I've already enrolled you and Tenko to Hana's school. You start in two weeks."
"Two weeks!? What the fuck!" I cry out, attracting disapproving stares and shocked gasps from nearby mothers. Mother sighs tiredly in response and I would feel guilty if I actually gave a fuck about people's opinions. They should mind their own goddamn business.
"The school year starts every spring," Mother explains instead of trying to scold me about my language. "You and Tenko turned three just a few days ago, the age when you start school. So yes, in two weeks on April 15 you and your brother will be starting school."
"Shit," I curse again, crossing my small arms over my chest and glaring at the playground set in front of me. "Wait, is that why we're here today?"
Mother nods, smiling a little now, "Yes, this is the closest park to your new school and many of the children here will be or already are attending your school."
I frown because that's a pretty smart plan for a mother. To introduce her kids to others before the school year starts - especially to children that will be attending the same school - so that her children will have a friend on the first day. This will also be a good opportunity for her to make some friends herself since she's a stay at home mother and only interacts with the parents of Hana's friends.
Another thing that I noticed - we hardly, almost never, have any guests over. Which is understandable since Father is a prick that hates heroes and that's most likely to be the topic of conversation between children and parents. So whenever Hana has play dates, it's always at the other's house and never our own. Gran and Gramps would watch Tenko and I as Mother and Hana are out.
"Two weeks?" I ask glumly as Tenko runs over smiling and flushed with happiness.
"Two weeks," she confirms as my twin halts right in front of me.
"Rena! Rena!" He pants excitedly.
"What?" I spit irritatedly with a raised brow.
Tenko just smiles wider and laughs because the little shit knows when I'm being serious with my annoyance or not. "Come play! Come on!"
I groan as he grabs my hand and pulls me off the bench. I glare back at my mother as she smiles and waves us off.
"Fine!" I shout as if I wasn't already walking next to him. "I'm taking your dessert for this," I mutter in English just as he pulls us to a group of children.
"Only if you play nice," he laughs back, grinning smugly.
I narrow my eyes at him and grit my teeth. So that's how he wants to play huh? Fine. Two can play at that game. I smirk when he glances over and he narrows his red eyes suspiciously. Briefly ignoring him, I turn to the group of children that look at us curiously.
Pulling my lips back, I smile brightly and wave excitedly. "Hi! I'm Rena! Let's be friends!" I cheerfully introduce myself. Tenko coughs next to me as several children return my cheerful greeting.
I smirk when I catch his shocked expression. He glares back but can't help the insistent twitch of his lips and he smiles. The little bastard. I don't care what game we're playing but I'm going to win and shove my victory in the bastard's face. Then it'll be me who's grinning smugly as I take his dessert tonight at dinner.
Being a child again sure has brought back my competitive side. Wonder if that's gonna kick my ass sometime in the future. Oh well, if it means more taiyaki for me than who cares.
ʕง•ᴥ•ʔง
My hands twitch as I stare blankly at the building in front of me. Tenko stands to my right, holding my hand as he nervously looks around. He turns to me questionly but decides not to push when my hands twitch again. Hana stands smiling to my left, rocking on the toes of her feet. Mother stands behind us.
The building is a bland beige color with the gates a grey color. The only colorful thing was the grass. And the children, who are my age, with their baby blue uniforms.
"This isn't a school," I state flatly, eye twitching to glare at the brats in front of me. "This is a fucking daycare."
"Rena, please," Mother sighs behind me. "This is Hana's elementary school and it offers a daycare program as well. You'll be attending the school in a few years as well."
"And this fucking outfit!" I hiss, glaring down at my own baby blue sweater and yellow shorts. Who the fuck decided that blue worked with yellow? Why yellow? What's worse is that I also have to wear a yellow hat. "What the fuck is the hat even for?" I ask as I look to my brother. He only shrugs.
Mother sighs again, "Hana, you're going to be late so hurry to class as I take the twins to find their room."
"Okay!" She chirps happily before hurriedly giving Tenko and I a hug and running off. "Have fun!" She calls back with a wave.
"Come on, let's go find your room and caretaker," Mother says, grabbing Tenko's other hand to pull the both of us along.
Daycare. I'm being put in a fucking daycare. How embarrassing. I'm over thirty in mentality, what the hell am I supposed to do in daycare? I don't even know how daycare works. Can I just sleep through it all or do I have to actually participate in activities?
I huff in irritation as I let my brother and mother pull me along. I take the moment to look around the yard at the various kids and parents. You would expect kids to be clinging to their parents or even running around, not standing patiently next to them.
I frown, straightening out of my slouch to look around properly. All the parents look to be in formal wear which is weird. Why does everyone look so….rich and of importance? I know that my own family is pretty wealthy and Father is always lecturing about images to uphold when he's not talking down on Heroes. But... hold on, don't tell me…
"Mother," I call out, turning my attention back in front of me to see that we've entered the building.
"Yes, Rena-chan?" She asks, looking down at me curiously. Tenko glances my way as well, head tilted in a silent question.
"This is a school for the rich, important, and snobby, isn't it?" I ask bluntly as we stop in front of a door. The door is dull in color, just like the rest of this place. There is a star shaped sign with a name written on it hanging on the door at least.
"Don't be rude," Mother chides quietly while crouching to be level with us. "And this school is the best in the neighborhood," she says in an excuse of explaining or confirming my statement.
"The rich, important, and snobby," I repeat flatly.
She shakes her head in either silent defeat or exasperation, I can't tell. She rests a hand on my brother and I's heads, smiling softly. "I won't give you the same speech I gave Hana because she didn't attend the daycare program and only goes to school here," she begins, speaking quietly despite the hall being currently empty. "Your father says to remember that you're representing the Shimura name. So be respectful and nice to your peers and caretakers."
Tenko straightens next to me and nods while I slouch back and roll my eyes. Father can go choke on air. He isn't even here to tell us this so why should I listen?
"And I say," Mother continues, bringing my attention back on her, "Please don't start a fire. Again."
Tenko snorts quietly and I glare at the side of his head. "One time. It was one fucking time," I mutter. "All I wanted to do was light the candle but no one would give me the matches. What was I supposed to do?"
"Not use the stove to light it," Mother answers dryly. I was missing my independence, sue me.
"But more seriously, be nice, make friends, and have fun," she smiles before turning to look at Tenko directly. "Tenko-kun, please try to keep your sister out of trouble." He nods as seriously a three year old could, tilting his head a little to smirk at me. I snarl back at him, ready to hiss at him but Mother turns to me now.
"Rena-chan, please try to stay out of trouble," she sighs as I roll my eyes but reluctantly nod. She smiles again, "And watch over your brother okay?"
I smirk this time, "Someone has to."
"Rude," Tenko mutters next to me, punching my arm slightly.
"I wouldn't have to be if you weren't a little brat," I mutter back, knocking my shoulder into his.
"And," Mother cuts in as we glare at each other, "remember: you're siblings. Twins. Always, always, have each other's back."
I glance at my brother, catching his eyes with mine. Neither of us are smirking or smiling anymore. Tenko may only be three but he's smart and observant. While I have the experiences of being Anna with me. And as twins, we're closer to each other than with anyone else. For fucks sake, I practically raised the boy by teaching him everything.
We had left the house for the first time that day at the park. Tenko made friends and was having lots of fun but he came back for me. Just like how I didn't leave him behind in my endeavor to master English again and learn Japanese.
So for Mother to even imply that we'd let some self-entitled, spoiled, snot nosed little shits get between us...she must really be worried.
I sigh internally. How bothersome. To live a second life with an actual mother and family that cares after that mess as Anna...talk about being out of my depth. Tell me to kill a man and I wouldn't even blink but tell me to deal with emotions and family? Fuck that shit I'm gone.
"We're the Shimura Twins," Tenko states, looking at me with as much seriousness a three year old could possess.
"Nothing and no one will ever get between us," I finish for him, meeting his gaze head on. It's a phrase we often say to each other. I started it as a way to reassure the little bastard when he was upset and worried. It's stupid, cheesy, and cringy as fuck but it fucking works.
We turn towards mother, "And that is a fucking promise."
Mother blinks at us, looking conflicted. She eventually sighs and smiles in exasperation. She stands back up, and opens the door for us. "Alright. Have a good day. I'll be back when the school lets out to pick all three of you up. Bye!"
Tenko happily says his goodbye as I wave. I turn to peek inside the room and see that there are already several children inside and two caretakers.
"Ugh," I quietly groan, tugging on my brother's hand still in mine. "Come on, let's get this shit over with. I want a fucking nap already."
"Mom said to be nice," he mutters as I open the door a little wider for us to walk through.
"I am," I mutter back, taking my time to observe the room. There are desks in the middle of the room and a large rug at the front of the room. To my left, the corner has some bookshelves. And to my right, looking past Tenko, is a closet most likely for supplies. The colors are, again, bland.
"You cursed," Tenko mutters in English, bringing my attention back to him. "That's not being nice."
I raise a brow, "Give me a moment to count how many fucks I give. Oh right, none. Besides, I haven't called anyone a little shit, bitch, bastard, nor started a fight. So, yes, I am being nice."
"Not yet you mean," he replies easily, looking around and pulling me towards the desks.
I snort, not denying his statement because it's true. My moral compass is pretty fucked since I'm a toddler now. It's basically: no hurting or killing anything 21 or under but I can and will fight anyone my age and older. The only way to "fix" my moral compass seeing how I'm three now, is that I don't start fights. But if someone picks a fight with me then that's on them, not me.
Tenko eventually settles on the desk closest to the door. It's a simple desk that seats two people so we're fine. There's nothing indicating assigned seats either. We would have ignored it if there was anyways. People can fuck off for all we care.
I rest my head on my crossed arms, letting my hair fall over my eyes so I could look around without anyone knowing. Being back in a classroom like setting doesn't sit well with me, especially since I stopped going to school after graduating high school. The fact that this isn't even school but a fucking daycare only makes it worse.
"Is he sleeping? Why is he sleeping? He can't sleep!"
And this little fucker sure as shit isn't helping. I am not a 'he' you little shit. Just because I have short and fluffy hair like my brother, who's my twin for fucks sake, doesn't make me a boy! And why can't I sleep? Who the fuck is talking anyways?
Peeking through my bangs I see a small boy with brown hair and eyes frowning at me. He has his arms crossed, looking disgruntled. I can hear Tenko shift next to me. He'll probably tell the little shit to fuck off, at least he'll do it in a polite and non-vulgar manner.
"My brother is just a little tired. He's resting a little," Tenko answers and I can just feel the smile that little shit is wearing.
My eye twitches as I refrain myself from turning to him to punch him. If that's how he wants to play then fine. Two can play at that.
I pick my head up with a fake yawn, blinking at the boy in front of me. I turn to my brother with an obviously exaggerated pout. "Sister should have woken me," I say, keeping my voice level and quiet to hide my natural higher pitch. How annoying, having to dumb myself down this much.
I can see Tenko's eye twitch in irritation but the corner of his lips twitch upwards with newfound mischief. Ah, seems we're doing that then. It's been awhile but no one knows us here. This should be fun.
"Sister is sorry, sister was worried that brother didn't sleep well," Tenko apologizes, smoothly controlling his twitching lips into a worried frown.
I narrow my eyes but close them to pull off a perfectly innocent smile. "Brother is sorry for making Sister worry. Brother is fine," I reply before ultimately turning away from him to observe the boy that started this Twin Switching game.
"Hello," I politely greet, smiling a tad bigger like I know Tenko would. "I'm Shimura Tenko."
Tenko huffs quietly next to me but he follows my example and turns towards the boy. He tilts his head, narrows his eyes, and leans back. "I'm Shimura Rena," he greets shortly just like I would.
The boy blinks, expression twisting into confusion. He looks between the two of us before huffing loudly and tilting his chin up. "Whatever. I'm Takahashi Hiro and you're weird," he declares, turning sharply to walk away.
My polite expression falls as I glare at the back of Hiro, holding back the urge to yell at him to look back so I could flip him off. "Yeah well fuck you too. What a rude little shit," I mutter instead, turning to look at my brother.
He shrugs in return, frowning a little. "Think we did it too much Nee-san?" He asks a little worriedly.
I blink, staring blankly for a moment. Right. Tenko actually wants to make friends here. He's actually three years old. Fuck.
"Nah," I wave away, looking back to where Hiro walked off to. "He's just a spoil sport and we're too good for him. He wouldn't have been fun to play with anyways. The kids in the park were more fun than this hell hole."
"Language," he mutters while looking towards Hiro as well. "Yeah. You're right."
"I'm always right," I sniff in faux arrogance, watching as my brother rolls his eyes.
"That's a fucking lie and you know it," he refutes with a smirk.
"Language," I argue back with my own smirk.
Tenko opens his mouth, most likely to complain or call me a bitch, but before he could the two adults in the room clap their hands grabbing everyone's attention. I scrunch my nose in disgust seeing just how happy their smiles look. This is going to test my patience isn't it?
I never got my damn nap too.
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This is bullshit. Absolute bullshit. Who in their right mind would give this to a child?!
"It's just blocks Rena," Tenko sighs next to me.
"It's an insult to my intelligence is what this fucking is," I bite back, glaring down at the offending objects. "They aren't even wood! I can't throw these at people! Useless!"
It's been a month. I've had to stick around spoiled kids for a month. I don't think I can ever hate something as much as I hate this place. The first day had everyone introducing ourselves, which apparently also meant bragging about our parents' jobs and money. There are only about twenty of us in total and all the other kids are such little shits. First interactions did not go well.
("I don't care that your daddy is rich, Sasaki. You don't own the fucking crayons, give them here!" "No one cares that your mom is some foreign foot model Haru! I was reading that book, give it back!" "Oh for fucks sake Takahashi! Stop being a whiny ass little bitch and kick the fucking ball already! We're playing kick ball! Not cry at first base!")
Fortunately for everyone, I'm sensible enough to curse the other kids out in English and under my breath. Tenko could only stand by and try not to laugh while simultaneously trying to get me to calm down. I'm ready to simple ditch at this point but I'm three and being a fucking toddler means low stamina and I have absolutely no idea where I would be going.
As it is, apparently a month is enough time to have everyone acquaintanced before moving on to trying to teach us stuff. Right now is math. Using soft blocks.
"An insult," I hiss, squeezing the block in my hand as much I could.
Tenko can only sigh again, using his own set of blocks to build a tower in his boredom. Having me as a twin ensured that he retained an early education and not just in the art of Vulgar Words and English but in the basics of Math, Reading, and Writing as well. Essentially, everything we would be learning here at the daycare.
I huff irritatedly but pass my set towards him, resting my head on my desk. We were given a simple math worksheet and the blocks were passed out to help us in solving the various problems but we finished the assignment rather quickly without needing the blocks. Now we have to wait as the rest of the class finishes.
"Oh screw this," I mumble as I straighten out and raise my hand. Attention immediately falls on me. Unsurprisingly since I'm known as the "weird" and "troublemaking" child of the class.
"Yes Rena-chan?" Yoshida, our main caretaker and primary teacher, acknowledges while standing up from where she was crouching to help some other kid I can't remember the name of at the moment.
"May I please be excused to use the bathroom Yoshida-sensei?" I ask politely after lowering my hand. I was, quite reluctantly, taught manners in this life.
She does not respond. Instead she narrows her eyes and walks over. "Have you finished the assignment?" She asks and picks up the mentioned paper after I nod. The woman doesn't like me since she understands English and has heard my various whispered and mumbled comments.
I can tell she's slightly surprised and impressed with my work with the way her eye twitches. "So it would seem," she mutters before clearing her throat. "You'll have to wait for someone else to finish—"
"I'm done," Tenko interrupts, tilting his head to stare blankly at our teacher. He doesn't like that Yoshida doesn't like me and has some odd vendetta against me. So he takes to inconveniencing the woman whenever he can. I'm so proud!
She twitches, gaze turning to look at my brother. He just holds out his worksheet for her to see. She frowns, takes it, looks it over, and quietly clicks her tongue. "So you are," she mutters, looking over the worksheets to meet our gazes.
"Very well. Shimura, if you would accompany your sister to the bathroom?" She asks but Tenko is already out of his seat and tugging my along.
"You don't even have to ask Sensei," he calls over his shoulder as we step into the hallway.
I snort once the door closes shut. "I thought I was supposed to be the delinquent?" I ask, placing my hands behind my head and walking in the direction opposite of the bathrooms.
"You are," he shrugs, following after me with his own hands in his pockets. "But I have to have fun somehow."
I snort again, grinning over to my brother to see him grinning back. So long as Tenko is here, I can probably tolerate daycare. Possibly. Maybe. Meh…
"Hey, lets go try and find Hana-nee! Maybe even ding-dong ditch some classes! Classes are in session right now, right?" I ask, leading us towards the main building and school. "We can get away with being lost children, yeah?"
Tenko laughs, "And if we get caught?"
I smirk, pushing the doors open to the main building. "Simple. You're deaf and I can't speak Japanese or English. Oui?"
Tenko stares for a moment but starts to cackle quietly. This might just be fun.
ʕง•ᴥ•ʔง
Everything has me feeling depressed y'all. Sorry.
