A Maelstrom's Tale
Chapter 12: Many routes of Learning
It's a normal day as usual for Ebott City…well as usual as it can get since monsters are living with them now but good nonetheless. At the moment, Naruto as well as Frisk and Asriel were currently riding on their bicycles to school in the morning whilst greeting passerbys along the way.
"Come on guys, we need to hurry a bit or we'll end up being late," Naruto called out, leading the group in front.
"We know, Naruto. We're pedaling as fast as we can," said Asriel, trying to keep up.
"And we're almost there too," Frisk added.
As Frisk said, the trio had finally arrived at the school gates where the front yard was decorated with stylized hedges done by Asgore himself, one of them even looked like Papyrus in a rather funny pose. Naruto had seen many take pictures of it and post online. Waiting at the gates was Red dressed more casually compared to her Royal Guard uniform.
She's currently wearing a black tank top with white accents, a red pleated skirt around the waist, black thigh-high stockings, red-and-black sneakers, and she wears a red cloak with the hood down.
Red perked up upon seeing the trio and waved them over to her, they stopped next to her and got off their bikes.
"You three were cutting it close today," said Red with a small frown.
"Sorry around that, there a few delays along the way," Frisk explained as they moved their bikes towards the bike rack in front of the school and locking them in place before walking into the building towards their classroom.
"Yeah, plus mom had forgotten a few things back home. So we had to take them to the restaurant first before coming to school," Naruto explained.
Red nodded in understanding "I see, that would explain why you three were late,"
Music Start: Deltarune OST; School
The group of four arrived at their classroom and went inside to find that some of their classmates, both humans and monsters were already inside with three of them calling out to the group.
"Hey guys!" said Monster Kid happily.
"Good morning, glad to see that you made it," said a female reindeer-like monster with short brown fur, a red nose, freckled cheeks, and prominent front teeth, and has long golden blonde hair. She wears a red and green checkered sweater with dark grey sleeves and a dark grey skirt.
"Good morning, Noelle. We had to do something before coming here," said Frisk in response.
"It wouldn't surprise me that you end up late, I wasn't expecting any form of perfection from any of you," a male monster scoffed at Naruto and the others.
The third monster is more of an anthropomorphic avian with blue feathers, a yellow beak, and yellow legs. He wears black framed glasses, a collared white button-up shirt with striped sleeves, and a black shirt layered underneath.
Red spoke sternly at the monster "I do not appreciate that kind of tone in your voice,"
"Yeah, knock it off Berdly, it's always the same thing with you," said Monster Kid with a frown.
"Like either of your opinions matter to someone as intelligent as me," said Berdly haughtily.
"Guys, calm down. Let's just settle down and get ready before the teacher comes in," said Asriel, trying to calm everyone down before things end up going out of control.
"Azzy's right, let's all take a chill pill," said Naruto in agreement.
"Okay Naruto," said Red albeit reluctantly.
Everyone went to take their seats at their assigned places right as the door opened and Alphys came inside, greeting the students once reaching the teacher's table.
"Good morning, class!" said Alphys nervously, she had become much more confident in herself but has her moments of nervousness.
"Good morning, Miss Alphys!" the class greeted.
"Now then, let us begin with the first lesson. Please bring out your notebooks and get ready t-,"
Alphys was interrupted when the door suddenly opened and someone stood at the doorway with everyone looking to see who it is.
A tall purple female reptilian monster with freckles at the sides of her face, she has messy aubergine hair which covers her eyes from view while wearing a long purple jacket, a white shirt with blue trim, a pair of torn jeans and a pair of black shoes.
"Oh Susie…g-good to see that you're here," said Alphys.
"…," Susie was silent for a moment before speaking "…am I late?"
"…not really, we were just about to start. Now take your seat while I write down the notes for you to jot down," Alphys reached for something on the table but soon noticed that what she was looking for wasn't there "Uh, has anyone seen the chalk?"
"No we haven't miss Alphys," said Noelle politely.
"Really? This is the third time that a chalk has gone missing, who keeps taking it?" said Alphys with a small frown.
"Well, I'm sure that there's an extra box of chalk in the supply closet," said Asriel thoughtfully.
"I remember now!" Alphys turned to Susie "Since you're the last to arrive, could you go and fetch the box of chalk so we can begin the lesson?"
"…whatever," Susie left the classroom whilst slamming the door on her way out.
"Um, Naruto…why don't you escort Susie to the supply closet and make sure that she gets it and stays out of trouble?"
Red rose from her seat in protest "Miss Alphys, why don't I go instead?"
"It's okay, Red-chan. I'll be fine, we're just going to pick up a box of chalk," Naruto rose from his seat and made his way out of the classroom before Red could protest any more.
Naruto was in the hallway and saw Susie ahead of him, he noticed that she tossed something into her mouth and was chewing on it but he couldn't see what it was since her back was to him. Susie turned to head back to class but was apparently startled upon seeing Naruto.
"Naruto…didn't see you there," said Susie.
"Miss Alphys had sent me to help you get the box of chalk from the supply closet," Naruto explained.
"You don't say…," said Susie, standing there silently before speaking again "You didn't see what I was doing earlier, did you?"
Naruto quirked an eyebrow in response "Not really,"
"Is that so?" Susie began to walk towards Naruto till she was right in front of him, her height making him look up to her face albeit he couldn't see her eyes because of her hair "Hey Naruto…let me tell you a little secret,"
Normally, Naruto isn't one to be expecting lots of things from time to time, but he certainly expecting to be grabbed by the collar of his jacket and slammed to the lockers by Susie.
"Dweebs piss me off," Susie growled, her hot breath blowing into Naruto's face due to being so close to him.
Music Change: Deltarune OST; Susie
"You think just cause you and that wimpy human girl helped free the monsters from the Underground, I can't tell exactly what you're thinking?"
Naruto blinked in confusion "W-What?"
Susie began to imitate Naruto's voice "It's over! I caught Susie eating all the chalk! This is her last chance; she'll finally be expelled!"
"I wasn't thinking anything like that, I didn't even know you were eating chalk!" Naruto protested.
Susie simply scoffed, pressing him further against the lockers "Don't play dumb! Everyone's waiting for it, they all want it. So congrats, you got me. I'm all done for,"
"Susie, please listen,"
"Then again, seems like a waste to get expelled just for having a snack. Might as well be kicked out for a little carnage," Susie sneered at the blonde "Say Naruto, how do you feel…about losing your face?"
Susie lifted Naruto into the air and slowly pulled him towards her open jaws for him to see her yellow sharp teeth. Naruto's eyes widened at this and his right hand began to shake with a strange red glow at the palm of his bandaged hand which faded away with neither noticing. He was merely inches away from the teeth when Susie suddenly pulled him away and dropped him to the ground then turning from the confused blonde.
"Naruto, you've got a good mother…it would be a shame for her to bury her child," Susie started walking away "Let's go and get the chalk, then you keep your mouth shut. Don't even bother give a response, don't want my time wasted,"
Music End
Naruto watched Susie as she walked away, he raised his right hand to see that it was still shaking before grabbing it with his left hand to stop the shaking much to his growing frustration…but the thing is that he isn't frustrated at Susie but rather at himself. He eventually got up and followed after Susie to get the chalk then returned to class, handing it to Alphys before taking his seat.
"Naruto, is everything okay?" asked Frisk out of concern, noticing that he wasn't exactly being his usual self before he left the classroom.
Naruto smiled assuredly in response "I'm okay, Frisk-chan. Nothing to worry about," Susie glancing at the duo from her seat and smirked with glee, seeing that he wasn't reporting to the teacher.
Soon afterwards, things went on like usual for both the students and teachers in the school until lectures were finally over. Alphys was giving the class final instructions before they left for the weekend.
"A-Alright everyone, be sure to do your assignments during the weekend so you can submit it on Monday. I won't be accepting any excuses for not doing them. Have a good weekend and see you all on Monday," said Alphys.
"Goodbye Miss Alphys!" said the class before packing their bags and leaving.
Naruto and the others were walking down the hallway when they heard someone calling out to them and looked to see that it was Toriel who was carrying a file of papers due to being a member of the teaching staff and a well-liked one by both humans and monsters.
"Howdy mom," said Asriel cheerfully.
"Why hello children, what are you up to?" asked Toriel fondly.
"We're heading over to mom's restaurant to have lunch before going home," Naruto explained.
Toriel nodded in understanding "In that case, be sure to extend my greetings to her. I'll be home in time to make dinner, Asriel,"
"Okay mom," said Asriel.
After bidding the motherly monster farewell, the children rode their bikes towards the restaurants. They found Kushina working on the register at the counter and went to greet her.
"Hi mom," Naruto greeted with the others extending their greetings as well.
"Hello everyone, did you all have a good time at school today?" asked Kushina fondly.
Asriel nodded in response "We sure did, and my mom says hi,"
"I'll be sure to call later, so what brought you all here?"
"Well, Naruto had suggested for us to have our lunch here before going home," Red explained.
Kushina nodded in understanding "Well you all came at the right time as we had just dealt with the lunch rush, just let me finish this order and I'll get right on making lunch for you kids,"
Kushina treated the kids to Omurice along with Hashed Beef sauce and soft drinks in addition, Asriel and Red had come to really enjoy Kushina's cooking considering that she has travelled all around the world to learn from the best before starting up the restaurant. They were just about finished eating when Kushina approached them.
"Once you're all done eating, there's something I'd like for you to do for me," said Kushina.
"What is it, auntie?" asked Asriel curiously.
"Apparently there's a client planning a birthday party and had requested my services, I want you to deliver a list to Ms Muffet at the bakery for me,"
"Okay, but why don't you just call to tell her?" asked Naruto, then he deadpanned when his mother looked away from him "…don't tell me that your phone is out of power and you forgot to bring your charger with you?"
"…,"
"*Sigh* at this point, you should get yourself more than one phone charger. Anyways, we'll take the list to Ms. Muffet,"
"Thanks sochi," Kushina went to pick up the list in the kitchen.
"Auntie Kushina can be so funny sometimes," Frisk giggled.
Naruto let out a small groan "I know, but she can be embarrassing during those times too,"
Kushina soon returned with the list in hand and passed it over to Naruto "Here you sochi, you can go home afterwards,"
"Okay mom, and please try to get a charger next time," said Naruto, Kushina chuckled sheepishly at his words.
"Let's just be quick in delivering the list and go home," Red grumbled.
"Don't be like that Red, we can even buy some of the baked goods for dessert since we already had lunch," Asriel pointed out.
After bidding Kushina farewell, Naruto and the others left the restaurant and rode over to the Miss Muffet's Bakery, parking their bikes securely and going inside to find Muffet already hard at work, serving the customers with her spider kin scuttling and swinging around to help. Naruto recalled how the humans were a bit freaked out about the spiders but were calmed down once she provided a genuine certification of sanitation plus her baked goods proved to be quite delicious.
Muffet caught sight of Naruto and smiled amiably "How good it is to see you little cutie, just give me a few minutes and I'll be happy to spend my time with you,"
Naruto blushed a bit when the spider girl winked at him then he was tugged back by Red and Frisk who were frowning for some reason.
"Don't forget the reason why we're here, Naruto," said Frisk with a pout.
"O-Okay," Naruto nodded nervously in response.
"You can also help yourselves to some of my baked goods…at a discount of course," said Muffet playfully.
Red rolled her eyes at this "For obvious reasons, of course,"
Naruto and co and went to look at the current assortments of baked goods, Muffet had really expanded upon her repertoire of baking thanks to Kushina and partaking in catering school where she graduated with high marks before officially establishing her bakery.
Naruto took chocolate chip cookies, Frisk helped herself to some glazed doughnuts, Asriel selected macarons for himself, and Red took Cinnamon Bunnies which were her absolute favorite. They sat and waited whilst enjoying the pastries until Muffet was finally done serving the customers and approached them.
"So what brings my cutie and his friends here besides visiting little old me?" asked Muffet fondly.
Naruto reached into his backpack and pulled out a file to pass to her "Mom wanted me to give this to you, needing your help for an upcoming birthday party. She would have called you but her phone was out of commission as of now,"
"Hmmmm, I see. My kin and I will get right on it and contact her later," said Muffet, taking the file and passing it on to one of the spiders to carry to her office "By the way, when are you ever going to accept my invitation to come over for tea? You know it's not polite t keep a lady waiting afterall,"
Naruto sweated nervously, not knowing exactly what to say considering that it isn't the first time Muffet invited him for tea, flustering a blonde boy who has little to no experience with girls like her.
Frisk suddenly cleared her throat and spoke "Naruto won't be having the time for tea,"
"She's right, we'll be having a training session with Commander Undyne and Papyrus this weekend," Red added, pulling Naruto to his feet and guiding him towards the door.
"Oh, you're right! I almost forgot that it's tomorrow," said Asriel with surprise, raising from his seat to follow them.
"Awww, that's quite a shape. But remember cutie…," Muffet winked at the flustered blonde "…my schedule is always open for teatime,"
"Uh okay," said Naruto, feeling rather awkward.
"Come on already, Naruto. We need to get going!" Red scolded before pulling Naruto out of the shop with Asriel and Frisk right behind them.
Muffet watched them leave with a knowing smile on her face "They're so cute when they're jealous, it's too much fun to point out that they like him more than they think they do. Might as well enjoy myself while it lasts,"
Outside the bakery, the children were on their bikes and ready to pedal off when Asriel chose to ask a question.
"So, what do we do after this, go home?" asked the prince of monsters curiously.
Naruto hummed thoughtfully before responding "How about going to my place and doing the homework together? We could get it done a lot faster and then have some fun before you guys would head back to your homes,"
Frisk nodded eagerly at that "It sounds like a great idea!"
"I'm up for it," said Red in agreement.
Then the children rode off towards Naruto's home, intending to carry out the aforementioned plan for the rest of the day before heading for their individual homes.
Later on that night, inside a house. We find Alphys sitting on a couch in the living room and watching a new episode of an anime on tv with excitement. She was snapped out of her excitement from seeing Undyne quickly walking around whilst carrying various items and stuffing them in a duffle bag with a grin on her face.
"What's got you so excited Undyne?" asked Alphys curiously.
Undyne looked back with a grin "Don't you remember what's happening tomorrow?"
"No, what is it?"
"We'll been having a training session with the kids along with Papyrus and Sans tomorrow at the mountains! I can't wait to bring out their greatest potential from within them, not only do I get to train the prince but also the brats too. Maybe even get to teach them magic too!" said Undyne excitedly.
Alphys blinked in realization "Oh, I can't believe I forgot about that. I guess some things at school really got me occupied,"
"What could possibly be enough to make you forget about tomorrow's training?" asked Undyne.
"Just one of my students having trouble fitting in with the others, it's like Susie finds it difficult fitting in with the others and seems to have a certain view about the people around her. I tried to help her by pairing up with Naruto from time to time, but I'm not sure if it's working,"
Undyne hummed in thought "I've heard about her, seems to have a bit of an attitude problem. Looking more than ready to start a fight with anyone,"
"It's getting to the point that Lady Toriel is expressing concern about this matter,"
"Well, we can put this in the backburner for now. Let's concentrate on tomorrow's training instead! No doubt it will clear your mind off these downers until you're ready to take them on with your fiery passion!"
Alphys smiled with her cheeks tinged in pink "Thanks Undyne. You're right, plus I could get valuable data on Naruto, Frisk and Asriel during the training session,"
"That's the way, now help me pack these stuff up for tomorrow so we can go to bed early!"
"Umm, I could simply put them into my item box for easier carrying," Alphys suggested.
"I keep forgetting about that, thanks a million Alphys!"
This is Hussbek online with the latest chapter, Naruto and co are doing their daily commute in between their homes, schools and others places. Things are going okay for now, though it appears that not everything is merry given Naruto's interaction with Susie who was anything but friendly and something unusual was happening to Naruto in the midst of it albeit no one noticed it. It appears that the kids will also be having a training session in the weekend with San, Undyne, Alphys and Papyrus. One can wonder what it would entail during then.
Sorry about the rather short chapter, it's all in preparation for the next major arc so I'm just putting in some calm moments as well as bringing certain things into attention before things start getting really hectic in the next few chapters so be sure to look forward to that. Read and review as always.
This is Hussbek from Ghana.
Signing out and staying alive.