The Sleeping Man
I know of a man that slept for three thousand years.
Went to bed in a flash
Slept peacefully without fears.
While his world turned to ash.
Fell asleep a husband
Now spouse of a stranger.
Fell asleep a father.
He awoke with no answer.
When they helped him pull through
They had not a clue
About the wife with no name
And the child holding the blame
The man went to find her
And send the responsible to task
The ones he loved forced his anger to a shelf
Because in Town they said, he couldn't be himself.
With help, he found a mask
And had a reunion to prepare
But she fell asleep in his arms
Not even knowing he was there.
The guy's best friend
Saw the man's world turning bleak
Said you have done so much, I'll fix this.
Just sleep another week.
The best friend then slept and became unknown
And the girl thinks she's alone.
Because unknowns can't wake the man.
Nor tell how to do so again.
"You Gotta Love These Family Moments." Day 5: Morning
The shrill alarm pierced the subdued light of Eddy's room. With a groan from the lone occupant, it was silenced with a slap. Eddy opened his eyes to the sight of his new blackout curtains lightly bellowing in the circulating air. The sight made him almost thankful for the clarity he had before his mental breakdown the night before. Rising up in his bed, he peered at the remnants of said breakdown which were scattered across his floor. Pages and pages of nondescript blueprints, entry logs, and thank-you letters laid across the wooden floor like large autumn leaves. Along with the blank photo stock on his desk and an overturned box tower with its contents spilling out the top, the area looked more akin to a junkyard than a living space. Overseeing the destruction, Eddy cricked his neck with a sour expression. So much for exploiting the 7 month hiatus. I'm no more prepared now than when it started.
Wondering if he had time to at least clean up a bit, he looked at his alarm. Give or take he had about a hour and a half to get his morning affairs in order. It was then that he noticed the pleasant smell of sunflowers that still lingered in his sheets. Along with a distinct clang of metal from downstairs. Eddy's mood lightened enough for him to smirk. Uh-Oh, Looks like Boss is stealing my kitchen again. Better set off the alarm.
…
Meanwhile downstairs in the kitchen, the pinkette intruder cursed under her breath as she held one of her fingers in her mouth. Briefly distracted, she accidentally grazed it on the side of a heated skillet filled with rice and small cuts of meat doused in sauce a moment prior. The sensation caused her to jolt, swinging the spatula she was holding against the metal bowl she kept to her right. Causing it to topple and spill a good amount of the sauce it was still holding onto the counter-top. After a brief wave of her affected finger, she moved to the sink and grabbed a rag. She returned to the mess and started to wipe, unaware of her co-worker sneakily hopping to the ground from the patio awning underneath his bedroom window.
"Damn, so much for second helpings," Natsuki grumbled to herself as she returned the white stone counter-top to its former sheen. She closed her eyes and shook her head as her headache started to subside. Why the hell am I thinking that? This is just a friendly meal between friends and co-workers. There's nothing romantic behind it.
"WHAT DOIN?!" Eddy yelled at Natsuki's back.
"KYAA!" Natsuki yelled dropping to the floor. She immediately swiveled and upon seeing Eddy laughing with a hand covering his mouth, her eyes morphed into brackets. "Rookie! You know I hate that!"
"Consider that your punishment for breaking my Uncle's rule about uninvited guests," Eddy smirked as his guest scrambled back to her feet.
"That rule only applied to my dad and you know it," Natsuki rebutted lightly tapping Eddy's cheek with her spatula. "Now play nice, or no eggs you hear me?"
"Ok ok," Eddy conceded. With that the chef returned to her devices. But not without briefly glancing at Eddy's bandages that were exposed underneath his white tank top.
"Do they still hurt?" Natsuki asked softly as she started tumbling the ingredients in the skillet. She was about to respond in her usual diffuse tactic of shutting down implications of her intent, but she stopped herself.
"Not as bad as they did," Eddy said rubbing the linen on his arm for emphasis. He then spotted the light pink wrappings slightly poking out of Natsuki's knee socks and shirt sleeves. "What about you? You doing alright?"
The concern in the boy's voice made Natsuki tug at her sleeves nervously. "Wh-what do you mean by that?"
"Abe-san told me what happened with the fireworks. I was wondering if you wanted my help?" Eddy pressed as he scratched the back of his head.
"Oh, no I'm alright," Natsuki replied hoping the boy didn't see her growing blush. It didn't help that she was remembering the last time they baked together. "I'm almost done. I'll- let you know when it's ready."
"Alright, I'll be in here if that changes," Eddy dropped the subject and left the kitchen to the adjacent family room. He took a seat on his black leather couch and grabbed a remote off the glass coffee table in front of him. With a click the television activated,
Ed! Edd! E-
Eddy immediately shut off the TV before he could hear himself and dropped the remote. "A-actually I'd better go shower and change before I get too comfortable," He said with a nervous chuckle. He headed up the stairs not noticing that Natsuki watched him panic.
In the time it took Eddy to go up the stairs and walk into the master bathroom, his box realized the faux-pas and began to throw a fit in response. Through the resulting migraine, Eddy splashed his face with fresh water. C'mon, get it together. He chided himself as he tried to slap himself away from a familiar fear brewing in the back of his head. J-just because there's cartoon characters that look and act like me, Ed and Double d doesn't mean anything. People get inspiration from all sorts of places. Unsurprisingly his rationalizing did nothing to soothe the box nor his nerves. So instead he turned on the shower, undressed himself, and walked in. A few minutes of hot water and steam silenced the box leaving Eddy to slowly hung his head and sigh in frustration. Yay first day of school.
Meanwhile back downstairs Natsuki was investigating what made her charge jolt. All she found was a cartoon drawn in a art style that gave everything depicted a squiggly feel. The background music had the likeness to free-form jazz. And the focus was on three children with the same name. Now why would Eddy be freaked out by this of all things? Natsuki thought as she watched some of the episode play out. After briefly pondering if he reacted that way before, she switched the television's input to a streaming service. She decided her cooking needed more attention at the moment and tabbed the thought for later.
…
"So Boss, how do I look?" Eddy grinned pridefully as he tightened his tie. He then rubbed the sides of his blazer. "Like a million yen, eh?"
" You forgot the vest, Dummy," Natsuki deadpanned as she took a bite of her omelet.
"Oh, I didn't forget. I ain't wearing it," Eddy replied coolly.
"Oh ho ho, yes you are buddy-boy," Came the response from his superior. "I'm not going to have you get in trouble on the first day."
"It's just a vest, people don't really get in trouble for not wearing something do they?," Eddy defended.
"They do in Kokoro, they've put the hammer down on people for lesser things," Natsuki crossed her arms and pouted. "I know that personally."
Eddy understood what she was alluding to. "Well, it doesn't help that I sweat whenever I put it on."
"That doesn't matter, that's the dress code Rookie," Natsuki huffed.
"Who's bright idea was it to have everyone dress in suits anyway?" Eddy complained. "It's just school. It's not like we're meeting important people there."
"I'm not having this argument Rookie," The chef glared. She then pointed to the space next to her. "Now sit, your food's getting cold."
"Fine Mom, but I'm not putting it on until we leave," Eddy grumbled using Japanese to drive his point home. This prompted a surprised expression from Natsuki as he took his place on the couch. After a few moments of internal conflict later Natsuki's expression softened as she rallied to her previous point.
"Look, I don't like the getup either. If it was up to me, everyone would be allowed to wear casual clothes. Hell, I would even allow people to wear Renders," Natsuki swiped a hand over her face for emphasis. "But that isn't what's happening now. And the last thing I want is for you having to deal with Ino if he finds out you were breaking rules right out of the gate."
"Even if you were hosting him?" Eddy took a bite of his eggs.
"Ino is Ino regardless of who hosts him," Natsuki said as she took a bite. One beat later she jolted and spat out some meat. Prompting a chuckle from her co-worker as she stared back at him in shock . "How the hell did you know I was hosting him?!"
"Ino doesn't seem like the guy to be interested in romantic comedies from a couple of centuries ago," Eddy answered with a smirk. "Poor guy acted like he had no idea what he was doing after a while."
"Er- well- I think that had more to do with the hospital then the manga," Natsuki said going back into her meal. Her face flush with embarrassment. "As for Fruits Basket itself, I was actually surprised he took to my suggestion like he did, I thought he would just reject the thought immediately. Instead afterwards when I gave Font-san the mask back, Ino asked to keep a few volumes for later reading."
"Don't know why you're surprised about that. Just because your Dad has a conniption about manga, doesn't mean his brother would too," Eddy pointed out.
"No- I know that," Natsuki defended after a slight hesitation. "It's just that- you know I don't really indulge my interests with anyone. Well- outside of you and the club I mean."
Eddy was surprised about where this conversation came to. He didn't really expect Natsuki to give him more insight about her "Picture Book Stigma Complex Thingie" as was eloquently termed by him. Hell, he didn't expect her to even bring it up at all after everything that happened this week. But in a way he felt comfortable with the fact she had a supporter in her family circle now. "Well, it certainly sounds like your experiment was a success then," Eddy concluded ending with a downing of his coffee milk.
"I hope so," Natsuki replied with a light smile. "I need more people who understand good literature."
The conversation wound down into a comfortable silence that lasted through the rest of the meal and the duration of the show Natsuki chose from the service. Even in the silence however Natsuki found that she was more interested in Eddy than the program. More importantly that he was slightly shaking. She wasn't really sure if he was aware of it or not, but she was starting to fear that he may not be coping with everything as well as his outward demeanor would imply.
She looked away as guilt seeped into her heart. Damn it, why am I burdening him about who likes manga or not? He nearly saw Sayori and Monika die in the span of two days. He lost the only family he has and almost lost his life again on top of that! He didn't get to enjoy the festival! He didn't get to taste the cupcakes we made together! He-
he-
he-
he-
he-
he-
hehehehehehifdvvdvvsdufuerkamal;vipjvivvisvkvhe ggggggggggguvsvbvbsdvsidvkcaoolmzxvdbvHe will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!He will suffer!V0FSTklORzogQU5PTUFMWSBERVRFQ1RFRCBJTiBTQ1JJUFQucHB5Li4uCkFOQUxZWklORyBTT1VSQ0UuLi4KLi4uCi4uLgouLi4KLi4uCi4uLgouLi4KU291cmNlIGZvdW5kLi4uCkJlZ2lubmluZyBxdWFyYW50aW5lLi4uCi4uLgouLi4KLi4uClF1YXJhbnRpbmUgcHJvY2VzcyBzdWNjZXNzZnVsLi4uCgpCZWdpbm5pbmcgUk9MTEJBQ0suLi4KLi4uCi4uLgpSb2xsYmFjayBmYWlsZWQuLi4KQmVnaW5uaW5nIGNvdW50ZXJtZWFzdXJlLi4uCi4uLgpSZXN0b3JpbmcgcHJldmlvdXMgc2V0dGluZ3MuLi4KUmVzdG9yZSBjb21wbGV0ZS4uLgpCZWdpbm5pbmcgc2NyaXB0UHVzaC4uLgouLi4KLi4uClByb2Nlc3MgY29tcGxldGUuLi4K
…
An hour of pleasant companionship followed after Eddy and Natsuki had their little moment. Then after another argument about the vest, Eddy (now wearing the vest) left the house and began his trek over to Sayori's place with Natsuki in tow. "So, what else do the teachers have a stick up their ass about?" Eddy asked her, trying to distract himself from the sweat forming on his forehead.
"It really depends on the teacher mostly. You'll have plenty of time to figure it out," Natsuki shrugged. "Just remember your honorifics and try to make a good first impression with everyone in class. You're going to be dealing with them for the rest of the year."
"Really?" Eddy raised an eyebrow. "We don't go to other classes?"
"Besides gym, the teachers change classrooms not the students. We still get a break in between for whatever but we go back to the same room when its over," Natsuki explained. "That's why it's important not to embarrass yourself."
"Embarrass myself?" Eddy asked with fake surprise. He then smirked. "Boss, it's like you don't know anything about me. I got charisma for days."
Natsuki grinned mischievously. "This coming from someone who forgot how to use the bathroom a month ago."
Eddy fell to the street comically. When his companion turned back he rose his index finger and pointed. "That- was a low blow Boss."
Natsuki giggled in response. "Just trying to keep your ego in check."
Eddy just grumbled under his breath as he stood again. After a wipe of his brow, he followed his officer to the corner of the street. Where he started to notice a brassy melody floating over the sounds of the people and cars around them. He turned to Natsuki, "You hear that?"
Natsuki had to take a moment to notice the sound. But when she did, the emotion slowly drained out of her face. She lowered her head in embarrassment. "My dad's with Ino today."
"Can't escape "Trumpet Time" can ya?" Eddy asked patting the girl on the back with a light laugh.
When they moved closer to Sayori's house, the baker's hypothesis became too accurate for her liking. In front of the house in a flat-bed truck sat two grown men playing brass instruments with a jazz accompaniment playing on a small box radio in between them. Ino on the trombone, and a shorter, wiry, pinkish-white haired man with cotton-candy colored eyes on the trumpet. In stark contrast to Ino white tank-top and black jean shorts, the pink-haired man was dressed in a red and yellow polo shirt with a purple patch with the initials "MTT", red pants, and white shoes. Not in stark contrast was the RBF he and Ino seemed to have in common.
"Hey Ruto!" Eddy called out. "They tested the disaster drill last week! You don't need to do it again!" The abruptness of his remark caused Natsuki to break up her greetings with laughter.
"Morning Baby Girl. Go to hell McGee-san," The man responded.
"Already there Gillespie," Eddy replied as the Ruto returned to his playing.
The music began to crescendo as the two men bellowed at faster and faster speeds. The sound made the two utility workers involuntarily vibrate. In an attempt to lessen the nightmare she was stuck with at that moment, Natsuki turned away. In the process, she spotted Sayori walking out of Sado's house. In the time of the last hanging note played by the men, she saw her demeanor brighten as she quickened her pace to the truck.
"Good morning everyone," Sayori greeted with a bright smile. The greeting was returned in a mix of words, grunts, and simple head nods. She took notice of the new addition to the party. "Oh hello, you must be Suichiro I take it?"
Ruto looked at Natsuki with a slight fear. She just smiled in response. "It's alright," She reassured. "She just likes to be informal."
"Uh- yeah," Ruto answered turning his attention back to the coral-haired teen. He then moved closer and extended a free hand. "Suichiro Nejima, RMIN: Ruto-sai."
"Sayori Onzai, RMIN: Bun-nii," Sayori replied warmly as she shook the man's hand. "Natsuki told me a lot about you."
"Good things I hope," Ruto replied dismissing his trumpet with an uneasy smile.
"You've got to shake that paranoia," Ino remarked clasping Ruto's shoulder. He then turned his attention to Sayori. "Sado-chan not coming then?"
Sayori's smile faltered at this. "She had a bad night last night. Her mom will take her to school after she gets some more sleep."
Eddy's eyes perked up. What? Sado-chan?
"Ok, her loss," Ino concluded figuring from his tenant's expression, she was not really wanting to elaborate. With that everyone filed into the truck, with the adults in the front and the teens in the back. Eddy by complete happenstance ended up in between Natsuki and Sayori. Although the more optimal term would probably be "squashed" between Natsuki and Sayori.
"Look at us," Sayori observed with a giggle at the predicament she and her friends were in. "We look like canned tuna."
"Yeah, fantastic," Natsuki responded with a dry expression. Her face pressed hard against the glass.
"I'm going to become more two-dimensional at this rate," Eddy grumbled before his eyes widened in surprise. He looked down then to his right. "Hey Sayo-, I like the enthusiasm but Ino's right there."
"Ah! Sorry!" Sayori squeaked moving her hand away. "I thought I was touching a leg."
Ino smirked watching the three squirm as they attempted a semi-comfortable arrangement. "Maybe it was a good thing Sado didn't want to ride with us." He muttered.
"Hey if you need more room back there, I can ride in the truck bed," Ruto offered after a yelp of pain came from a close rub of Eddy's arms and a quick apology from both of the girls. The passengers looked at each other and Sayori called shotgun before anyone else could react.
Ruto shook his head with an amused smile and moved out of his seat. The positions changed and sighs of relief harmonized with the trucks air conditioning. Once Ruto gave a ready signal from the bed of the truck, the party began their trip into the city proper.