(A/N: Oh, boy. Essay time. Well, it certainly has been a while, hasn't it? Almost a year. I did not think it would ever take this long, but here we are. I am so sorry. Like, words cannot express themselves properly enough. So, basically, last school year (January-May) was a pretty hectic time, especially for someone like me. I'm a lazy person, but life decided it was finally fed up with me, so it hit me with a train going full speed. After summer started, though, all that busied me was pretty much gone, and I became a bowl of mashed potatoes. I mean, potatoes can at least roll around... But I'm back! This chapter was actually completed a few weeks ago, but I live in Florida, so, because of Hurricane Michael, I didn't have any internet at home. Came back this week, actually. Can't blame the storm too much, though. The school and college breaks are what got me to finish this. Speaking of this chapter, can I explain to you how painful this was to write? Like, it was so boring. Can't remember how many times I rewrote this thing—like, completely rewrote. I may have been a vegetable throughout the past few months, but I got into many writing spurts. This chapter proved to demotivate me quickly, however. It was the cause of my many writer's blocks. If any chapter deserves the title "Terribly Tedious" (I'm naming my chapters now), it's got to be this one. My God, am I glad it's finally done. Heads up; it's probably a bit of a boring read but it's a much-needed chapter. I can't just discard it. All that being said, the last part of it was fun to write. Then again, I typed it up with the intention of it starting off the next chapter. I've been holding you up for much too long now, so I'll stop here. )

A chiming sound riddled throughout the room, accompanied by the buzzing of vibrations. Gakushuu turned away from the sounds, slipping his blanket further up and over his face. It wasn't until the sounds continued for a few more loops that the strawberry blonde finally decided he was more tired of the noise than he was tired. He furrowed his brows and, after a moment's hesitation, flipped himself to his other side. He eyed the device that was producing the atrocious chimes, glaring at his phone as though doing so would stop them. The teenager quietly huffed before finally sitting up, silencing the despicable object.

Gakushuu sat there for a while, waiting for his mind to finish processing his surroundings before checking the time on his phone. He sighed in relief. It was the new alarm he had implemented last night. In contrast to yesterday, Gakushuu woke up an hour earlier than his usual time instead of the ten minutes later.

Before getting up, the boy let out a long, sleepy yawn, covering his stretched jaws. He wasn't as awake as he'd like to be, so he deduced spending half a minute to stretch wasn't necessarily unnecessary and did just that. Once that was done, Gakushuu walked over to his bedroom's light switch, turning it on. His eyes landed on a pile of textbooks laying on one of the surfaces in his room. The teenager took the ones he wasn't finished with and plopped them on his bed before placing himself on the furniture once more.

The whole reason behind him waking up so early was simply this: completing his long overdue—according to himself—homework he should've been done with. The strawberry blonde was awfully disappointed in himself. Just yesterday, he thought it was perfectly acceptable to lay it off one more day. Disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful. Honestly, what was up with him—putting it off as though procrastination was a thing he did?

Instead of coming up with an answer to his own query, Gakushuu forced all his focus on getting through the rest of the homework problems; it would be time better spent, of course.

As the time ticked by, however, Gakushuu found it harder and harder to remain on the same train of thought, his mind often flicking towards the newcomer and his arrival. And as he drifted deeper and deeper into the matter, the topic shifted unto the teenager's parents.

His aunt and uncle—whichever was the in-law, like hell he knew—was there an in-law, even, or were they distant relatives? He'd never even heard a word from them, a word about them, never even saw a glimpse. Absolutely nothing. A blank sheet in his ever-expanding mind palace.

And just like that, they were gone. Deceased.

The thought unsettled him. The pensive minor shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his pencil pausing just a bit before resuming. Gakushuu's amethyst eyes scanned the scribblings of numbers and symbols on the parchment, reviewing his work to be correct before he allowed his thoughts another dive.

His brain delved further into their deaths, ponderings of their funeral popping up. As of yet, Gakushuu had heard nothing from his father about the funeral, but with what information he was provided, the boy presumed it would very likely be held on one of the following days—if they were to hold it normally, that is. And because he had heard no word, he wasn't quite sure if he was to help with its preparations.

The adolescent hoped he wouldn't have to. He already had enough on his plate, but life was deciding seconds were a good idea. God forbid there should be thirds.

Another sigh escaped his lips. Perhaps it would be in his best interest to try and, again, solely focus on the task he'd appointed himself prior to all these musings. And so, Gakushuu slaved away at his homework until he was completely finished and satisfied with it.

It had taken a bit more time than Gakushuu would have liked, the homework, but that was why he'd planned to wake an hour earlier. He knew that he didn't have much to do, but he also knew his mind would be preoccupied with the previous day's event, which proved to be correct. And because of that preoccupation, there were mistakes in some of his work. Of course, Gakushuu being Gakushuu, they were few and far between. They were also a bit tricky to spot right away. The ace would find himself at times growing frustrated just locating the error. Still, even with all his backtracking, there was a good amount of time before his normal alarm would start ringing. Twenty-three minutes, to be exact.

The day had already started off with a head start, and, because of that, Gakushuu opted so, too, should his morning routine. Starting with a shower, this time around.

While he was busying himself in his schoolwork, Gakushuu found himself being enveloped in a slight warmth—and not the comfortable kind. Instead, Gakushuu noticed creeping onto his skin was a thin layer of perspiration. Such warmth had no right to be releasing such fluids; it was too low of a temperature, especially considering he was, for the most part, idle. Sweating in and of itself was already an unwelcome experience, but, of course, life was merciless to him at this point. The sensation was…unpleasant, to say the least.

So into the shower he went, once again turning the faucet to a cool setting. The teenager took a little longer than the day before, which was a fact he noticed only after he'd gotten out, all thanks to the clock mounted to the bathroom wall (as stated before: Literally every room).

After going through the rest of his early morning routine—at least, whatever was required of the bathroom—Gakushuu was once again faced with the decision of taking either one painkiller or two. What with yesterday's experience, Gakushuu didn't hesitate in popping two of the white pills into his mouth. Still, he didn't trust the pills alone would relieve him for the rest of the day. The strawberry blonde briefly wondered if there were any almonds left in the household. They could prove to be of use.

A couple almonds, Gakushuu could swallow. What he couldn't swallow, however, was the idea of him having to go through last night's strenuous and monotonous experience for the second meal in a row. The mere sight of something substantial to digest weakened his appetite, he soon realized. His body wanted to refuse, but he knew better; he knew better. Still…

And so, because of his internal dispute, Gakushuu was found some time later having a stare down with a basket of apples. In the literal sense.

"You okay there?"

Like the two times before, Karma's head of red appeared into the kitchen. It caught Gakushuu's eyes immediately, his head shooting to the right. He could make out a faint smile on the elder's face, and he could've sworn he'd heard an even fainter snort. Then, a moment later, his face ducked down to the left out of embarrassment. How many times did this make?

"Yes. Quite," he replied in a quiet tone, his words coming out almost like a sharp squeak due to said embarrassment. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Karma nod slowly. And there it was again. Gakushuu was positive he heard an airy snort this time. His face scrunched up in a scowl, but he refused to look at the other.

Thankfully, Karma said no more. Instead, Gakushuu noticed from his peripheries that the elder's smile slowly dropped, and he was wearing that expression again. At that, Gakushuu's own expression softened up a tinge, unaware he was making a similar, thoughtful face. Just what is going on inside his head, he wondered.

Shooing away his curiosity, Gakushuu chose to leave the older boy to his own devices—as of the moment, it seemed as though he was just browsing for breakfast—and, instead, focus on the matter at hand. Giving it some thought, the strawberry blonde thought it best to settle on half an apple—an idea he still didn't find appealing, but what other option was there? And no, skipping breakfast was not an option…unfortunately.

The boy plucked a knife from the knife stand nearby and sliced the apple in two. He then proceeded to cut one of the halves into smaller slices. He took out plastic wrap from a drawer and covered the other half completely before placing it into the fridge.

Of course, after he was finished, Gakushuu's eyes wandered back over towards the newcomer and saw that the teenager had settled on a pack of rice crackers. Hmm. Not the most appropriate breakfast, but Gakushuu had no right to judge (at this point in time, anyway. He thinks his judgment can be very crucial. It most often is, he says.). He near skipped his. Which reminded him—there were apples to be eaten.

Gakushuu near collapsed onto one of the passenger seats. He. Was. Exhausted. Half of him wanted to fall asleep right then and there, but the other half refused to in such an uncomfortable setting. Despite the fewer amount of passengers in the season, Gakushuu still felt the atmosphere was suffocating—more so, even. Nevertheless, he supposed he should be thankful to that fact. After all, if it was absent, he'd be unconscious at this very moment. When he would wake up, who knows. It didn't help that he was practically drained socially. An added bonus? Yay, me.

Turned out his sour attitude wasn't exclusive to his cousin—which was rather obvious, especially considering the higher quantity of people. The strawberry blonde had attended a student council meeting prior to him boarding the bullet train, and it took all he had to keep his demeanor. All that effort only for his mask to be full of cracks—he assumed anyway, but it was highly probable. He could just imagine it: His smile obviously strained, his replies to stupid questions harsh (He'd kept his tongue clamped firmly between his teeth throughout the majority of the meeting to limit his remarks. It was a surprise he had not bitten it off). It was very likely that there would've been an eyebrow twitch every now and then. All these years, perfecting his craft only for it to crumble today. A part of him hoped everyone was too oblivious to notice the slipups. Another assured him they were.

Gakushuu had honestly thought about skipping the meeting earlier today. After all, he had already discussed with his vice president beforehand the contents of what he wanted to confer about, so it shouldn't have been a problem. He was sure the other could handle the reigns. Not to mention, Gakushuu was who he was—he could easily come up with a reasonable and believable excuse.

Still, the ace had his doubts. He didn't like the thought of missing a single student council meeting no matter the reason—and if he had to make up truths, what was the point? Furthermore, he couldn't be sure of the adequacy meetings without him held. Without him, they wouldn't be perfect, and why settle for less? They needed him. So he attended—if not for anything else, then for the benefit of the meeting and his council.

Choosing to temporarily forget the ordeal, the boy rested his eyes on his phone. His father still had not contacted him, and Gakushuu wondered if he might've when the younger wasn't looking. Unlocking his phone, he opened up the message app. Nothing new. He clicked his tongue.

He shouldn't be getting worked up. He didn't even want to be a part of the funeral preparations. There was the wake's, too. Nevertheless, he should still be informed—at the very least, of its date. His curiosity was teetering on the edge of impatience now. Perhaps he should send a text? Gakushuu entertained the thought—

No, no, no, that won't do. There was no need to complicate things. Absolutely none whatsoever. If his father needed anything, the man would be sure to tell him. Gakuhou always knew what he was doing—even if Gakushuu thought otherwise. He'd always initiate contact. No reason to change that.

Satisfied with his reasoning, Gakushuu left it at that. Or so he thought.

Suddenly, there was a ding, and amethyst popped right back to the screen (despite there being no vibration). A second later, however, from the corner of his eye, he saw the train doors open, the intercom informing him of his stop.

Ah. How long was he lost in his thoughts, exactly?

Quickly, people began filing in and out, and, with a moment's hesitation, Gakushuu got up to join the exiting crowd. He had almost wobbled but managed to catch himself. Hmm. Perhaps he was in need of a tiny break.

Oh well. Gakushuu could worry about that when he got home. What he needed to pay attention to right now was getting there.

Gakushuu practically passed out on one of his couches as soon as he had gotten home. The time couldn't even be described as evening, yet Gakushuu's overworked mind couldn't care less. Everything had taken its toll by the time he'd arrived. One moment, he was at the front door, and, in a blink, he found himself before a couch. He didn't even stop to think about, well, anything. He was just so tired. Moments after closing his eyes, he was out like a light.

When he'd fallen asleep, it was bright outside, but, by the time he woke up, it was dark. Too dark. It took Gakushuu sometime to get out of his dazed state, but when he did come to, that fact hit him like a train.

He didn't know the hour—it was much too dark to even read the clock—but he didn't need to know. After all, it wouldn't affect what he did know: he'd wasted his time—his, Asano Gakushuu's—on sleeping. Time that was supposed to be spent on finishing his schedule, on keeping it in check, on not delaying it, on being productive—all that time, on sleeping? Sleeping‽He felt like bashing his face into a wall. Repeatedly. He felt so careless! Stupid!

So caught up in his own thoughts, Gakushuu hadn't noticed it at first. When he did, he jumped, startled.

Just a distance away, at the edge of the couch, there was a huge, looming shadow. No, not a shadow. A figure. A man. Gakushuu blinked, his eyes then squinting.

His father.

His shoulders relaxed a bit but were still tense. It may not have been a nightmare, but one could say it was arguably worse.

With his hands clasped behind him, the intimidating man stared down at his son with cold, amethyst eyes, harsher than his son's could ever attempt to be. Gakushuu's eyes—dilated half due to the dark and the other, suspense—flashed about his father's face, studying each and every facial feature, taking it all in. In seconds, the boy recognized the expression, and his hand instantly clenched into a fist. Because… Because, this time, he agreed with it wholeheartedly.

Disappointment.

Disappointment had filled the man's features, and shame flooded into Gakushuu. Amazing how a simple look from his father could accomplish what all his self-berating couldn't. As much as Gakushuu wanted to hang his head down, he couldn't bring himself to look away. He gripped the blanket until his hands threatened to cramp, his throat dry from anticipation. It felt like an eternity before the patriarch spoke.

"Sleeping? So soon? Had you completed everything there was to do?" he inquired, his tone laced with much-deserved condescension. A moment, he waited. Another, and he had already come to his own conclusion, dismissing the question.

"Never mind that. Have a suit prepared tomorrow evening. Two. Your cousin will be in need of one, also. He should be your size if I'm not mistaken. Oh, and if it wasn't obvious, you'll have to heavily readjust your schedule. Am I clear?"

The strawberry blonde gave a slight nod. In response, so too did his elder.

"Yes, well, I do believe that's that. I won't…," and here, the brunette broke eye contact, only to gesture toward the sofa Gakushuu was sprawled over, before returning it. "disturb you any further."

He turned on his heel and walked out of the living room, his fading steps leaving echoes in his wake.

Only when silence was heard and then some did Gakushuu release his hold on the blanket and his breath. Needless to say, he was wide awake now. And yet, he just idly sat there for some time.

Eventually, the teenager got up to move off of the couch, removing the entirety of the blanket off his body. Not yet letting go, Gakushuu allowed himself to caress it, feeling the softness of the sleek fabric, a single thought crossing his mind.

A blanket?

(A/N: Who left Gakushuu the blanket? I'll leave it for you to decide. I'm honestly fine with either answer. Anyway, I'm thinking about amending the father-son relationship in this story. It's not a definite thing yet, but if that's something you'd like to read, it may just happen here. Also, you may find it nice to know the next chapter will come out soon; it's already being typed up. Don't know how soon, but it's practically a breeze compared to this one. Just need to do a lot of fact-checking, but I know exactly what I want to do with it. At the very least, be assured it won't take a year, much to my co-owner/beta-reader (basically)'s disappointment. She really wanted me to publish this chapter in December. Anywho, thanks for reading, and I appreciate any follows/favorites/reviews, as well as constructive criticism. If you haven't dropped this fic yet, you're the best. See you, hopefully, soon. ~Thorn)