Fade to Darkness
Title: Fade to Darkness
Rating: M
Fandom: Detective Conan
Summary: Reincarnation only existed in fanfiction, yet Michael Leo Field was reborn as Akai Senichi, the younger twin brother of Akai Shuichi. However, his new life takes a dark turn; at the age of ten he is kidnapped and at twelve, he is forced to join the organization. [OC Insert as Akai Sibling] [Family/Angst/Drama/Crime]
Arc I
Chapter V
Elementary
Warnings: Panic Attack
"Hey Papa," Senichi asked when they were alone again. "Mama said that Shuu and I are starting Year 1. Aren't we too young for first grade? First graders are six to seven years old. Shuu and I are only five,"
"First grade?" Tsutomu questioned. "Oh, did you perhaps grow up in the United States in your previous life?"
"Yeah," Senichi nodded. "I was born and raised in Hawaii. I've never been to the main land though,"
"England's a bit different from the US," Tsutomu informed. "From ages four to five is reception, which I guess is the equivalent to America's kindergarten?"
"But kindergarten is from ages five to six," Senichi pointed out.
"Like I said, England's a bit different from the US," Tsutomu repeated. "Year 1 is age five to six. Year 2 is age six to seven. Year 3 is age seven to eight. Year 4 is age eight to nine. Year 5 is age nine to ten. Year 6 is age ten to eleven. Then it's the end of primary school and the start of secondary school. Year 7 is age eleven to—"
"Okay, I get it," Senichi interrupted. "You don't have to explain all of the grades. How many are there anyway?"
"Thirteen," Tsutomu answered.
"So I'll have to pretend to not know the lessons well until Year 12 and Year 13 where I will actually start gaining knowledge," Senichi groaned. "Well, technically we'll be moving to Japan when Shuu and I are fifteen. That'd be ninth or tenth grade depending on if it'd be later into a school year or early in the next one,"
"By the way, I've noticed that you use my laptop a lot when I'm not using it," Tsutomu noted. "And you even made an account just for yourself. What do you do on it?"
"I read manga and watch anime," Senichi answered. "I am a bit upset that I have to wait a few days for the manga to be translated into English. I can't read Japanese,"
"Would you like me to teach you and Shuichi?" Tsutomu offered. "Knowing more than one language is useful,"
Senichi's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Yes!"
XXX
In Year 1, Senichi and Shuichi were in the same class. They were taught to recognize, name, and write all twenty six letters of the alphabet in uppercase and lowercase. The only problem Senichi had was he pronounced Z as the American zee rather than the British zed. He also had a bit trouble adapting to British spelling. It was a habit of his that he had yet to break and was the only thing he really had to work on.
They were also taught how to write, order, and count up to the number thirty as well as add and subtract small numbers. They were taught to name and describe shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles as well as sort them by color, size, and shape. They were beginning to learn a bit about time and seasons.
XXX
In Year 2, Senichi and Shuichi were told that they were going to be in separate classes. Shuichi immediately grew angry and frustrated. "Papa, Mama, I want to be in Sen's class!"
"Shuu, Sen, we both think that it's best if you two had different classes," Mary told them. "That way people will see you as two individuals rather than as the Akai Twins. You both will be able to make your own friends,"
"But I can't protect Sen if I'm not with him!" Shuichi argued.
"Shuichi," Senichi said. "I'll be fine,"
"I'm your big brother!" Shuichi pointed out.
Senichi gave him a blank look. "You're literally only a few minutes older than me,"
Shuichi eventually accepted the fact that they would be in different classes, though he was still unhappy about it.
XXX
Mary and Tsutomu first took Shuichi to his classroom. After telling him that they'd pick the both of them up later on and Senichi reassuring him that he'd be fine, the parents dropped Senichi off at his class. Senichi grinned and waved enthusiastically as they left. Once they were out of sight, Senichi turned to the classroom.
Suddenly, he felt dread welling up. Despite the fact that he was right in front of the classroom door, it felt like it was miles away. His heart pounded loudly in his chest and sweat had already begun to coat his forehead and hands. Senichi forced himself to reach out and turn the doorknob. He took a step inside and silently wandered the classroom until he found his seat with his name on it.
'W-Why am I acting like this?' Senichi asked, his body trembling like a leaf on a windy day. 'Why am I so dizzy?' He clenched his eye shut and gripped the front of his shirt. 'My chest hurts too…'
"Hey," A six year old boy sitting beside him put a hand to Senichi's shoulder. He had short, spiky, messy, black hair and pale grey eyes. He didn't look British at all and instead had Italian features. "Are you alright?"
"I…" Senichi's throat fell tight. "I'm fine…" He glanced around the classroom, searching for any signs of his parents or brother. Of course neither of them were present at the moment.
"I need you to slow your breathing," The boy said. "Can you breathe with me? Let's inhale," He inhaled slowly.
Senichi nodded and followed the boy's action.
"Now let's exhale," The boy continued. "Let's do this ten times, okay?"
Senichi nodded once again and they slowly inhaled and exhaled while the boy counted each breath out loud until they reached ten. Senichi had managed to calm down. "I…"
"Are you feeling better now?" The boy questioned.
"Y-Yeah…" Senichi nodded. "Thank you…"
"It's nothing," The boy smiled. "My name's Alistair Rei. You?"
"Senichi," He rasped out. "Senichi Akai,"
"Oh, are you Japanese?" Alistair inquired. "But you look British?"
"Half," Senichi mumbled. "Mama's British and Papa's Japanese,"
"Wow, we're very similar," Alistair commented. "I'm mix too. Mamma's half Italian and half British. Papà is full Italian,"
Before they could continue their conversation, class began.
XXX
When the end of the first day of Year 2 came, signified by the bell, Senichi practically sprinted out the doors. He hurriedly looked for his parents and brother and rushed to them, crying tears of relief. "Mama! Papa! It was so scary without you or Shuu or Kichi!"
Shuichi had the opposite experience and had gained new friends. Once he saw his brother crying, he waved goodbye to his friends and then ran over to his family. "Sen, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine," Senichi wiped his tears away with his sleeve and tried to change the subject. "I…I made a new friend! His name was…uh…"
"Alistair Rei," The Italian-British said as he walked past the family.
"Yeah!" Senichi nodded. "Alistair's my new friend!" 'I don't want them to worry. It's not like my life was in any danger so it doesn't matter if they don't know,'
XXX
"Okay Sen," Tsutomu said once they were both alone. "What's really wrong? That wasn't like you and I could tell that it wasn't you acting,"
"I-I just think I was feeling sick," Senichi stuttered. "I was a bit dizzy and shaking. My chest was hurting and I was sweating a lot,"
Tsutomu put a hand to Senichi's forehead. "You don't seem to have a fever,"
"My sickness went away as soon as school was over," Senichi claimed. "I must be allergic to school," 'Okay, I know that's the dumbest conclusion ever but what else could it be?'
"Maybe it was a panic attack," Tsutomu suggested. "Those do seem like symptoms of one,"
"But why would I be panicking?" Senichi scoffed. "It's not like it's my first time ever to school. Though, I was all alone. You and Mom weren't there. Neither were Shuu or Kichi…"
"It's your first time being alone," Tsutomu told him. "Sure, you've been alone in a room in the house, but you could've always gone to one of us if you wanted company. But now when you go to school, you and Shuu are in separate classes. You're truly alone,"
"That kinda explains it," Senichi groaned. "I kinda like being alone sometimes but not in a new place. At least Alistair helped calm me down,"
"I guess you weren't lying about him being your friend then?" Tsutomu asked.
"I mean, we did talk a bit in class," Senichi shrugged. "I don't ever remember having a friend before,"
"Not even in your past life?" Tsutomu frowned when he received a nod. "How old were you when you died?"
"Seventeen," Senichi answered. "I don't remember anything before high school though, so I might've had a friend," 'Even before being here for six years, back in the Real World I couldn't remember anything before high school. Why though?'
XXX
The rest of the school year went by smoothly, though Senichi still struggled using British spelling. He was just so used to the American style such as color, analyze, and center instead of colour, analyse, and centre. After using American spelling for seventeen years, it would take a while to break the habit. Tsutomu gave tips to Senichi on how to calm himself down during a panic attack. Alistair was a great help too.
Shuichi and Senichi's seventh birthday was coming up and they were allowed to invite their friends over. Senichi gladly invite Alistair who accepted. Shuichi invite Emma, a young French girl with bright blonde hair and dark brown eyes, and Avery, a young British boy with messy dark hair and bright blue eyes.
"Hello Mr. Akai," Alistair greeted in a polite and formal tone. "Hello Mrs. Akai. My name is Alistair Rei. It's a pleasure to be here,"
"Wow, aren't you a little gentlemen," Tsutomu chuckled.
"I apologize," Alistair blushed slightly and looked away. "This is my first time being at a friend's party. I didn't want to offend you,"
"Al!" Senichi happily ran over to him with Sable by his side.
"Hi Sen," Alistair smiled, foregoing the formal tone and using a casual one. "This is a nice party. I brought a gift for you,"
"Thanks!" Senichi grinned, taking the box and placing it over with the other presents.
The two friends and Sable went off to play the party games and eat yummy food. Occasionally, Shuichi dragged Senichi off to also play with him. Senichi didn't mind since it was his brother's birthday too. When it was cake time, the twins blew out the candles and happily cut the cake. After the cake was presents and the two marveled at all of the gifts they had received.
The information about the British school system and panic attacks is what I got from online. I apologize if any of the information is wrong.
Hiyori:
Thanks for the update! :)
Skai:
Thanks for reading.
elsischneider:
Thank you for all of your Detektiv Conan Fanfictions. They are really Good and Every time i got the message that a new Chapter is out. I'm happy to read it. Really thank you for your Work
Skai:
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoy my stories.