Half A Fool

by elgeonmb

Two young people come to the bizarre and many-faceted city of Suitai-no-Tachi. These nascent Wild Cards, as part of with the anti-Shadow group YUME, must unravel the bizarre dream logic of the city to save its inhabitants from the Shadows. Not all trials can be fought head-on, and YUME will come face-to-face with secrets best left hidden in their quest for a better world for all.

4. Chapter Four:April Ninth

"I hope you've learned the value of punctuality, young man," said Komori.

"Yes, ma'am," Nobuyuki said wearily. His arms felt like leather belts, dangling from his shoulders uselessly.

"Good," said Komori, "That sounded quite sincere. Tell me, do you think your life has been improved through having to serve this detention?"
Oh, one of these teachers. Nobuyuki groaned internally. "Yes," he said. It sounded expected of him.

"Oh? But surely, you'd rather be out there, playing your games and reading your comics, or whatever it is youngsters nowadays do?"

"Yes, ma'am," Nobuyuki said.

"Would that have improved your life too?" Komori asked. Nobuyuki wanted to scream. The whole line of inquiry was inane.

"Yes, ma'am," Nobuyuki said. "Err, no, ma'am. Not as much as this detention, ma'am."
"What a response," Komori said with a chuckle. "Tell me– why do you think this detention was so enriching? I don't think you found it pleasant."
"No, ma'am."
"I don't think you'd like to repeat it."
"No, ma'am."
"Then what is it about this detention, beyond whatever else you might do with your time, that made it worthwhile?"

Nobuyuki winced. "I don't know, ma'am. I guess, I'll never be late again? Or, it's made me a better person?" he guessed. Something along those lines, at least.
Komori looked at him like he had swallowed a bug. "So you won't," she said at last. "Dismissed!"