It's my birthday month so time to unleash all the stories in the works. Both big and small.
I'm becoming more active on discord so anyone just a fan of fanfiction, any of my current or future works, or just wanna vibe, come on through.
Discord - GZM5HRMntp
Staphylococcal Epidermolysis Xeroderma (SEX). A skin disease unknown to 99% of the world.
Description; the host suffers immense pain with the opposite gender when conducted via skin contact. All past users have suffered death and as a result, little is known about the disease.
Symptoms include: rashes, accelerated heart rate, numbness of the body, and exposure may lead to death.
Remedy: There is no known cure.
As the morning rays shimmer within a small room, one lone figure adjusts their blazer.
Wincing as the fabric scraps his tender skin, he pauses.
How many times had he done the same dull, repetitious, actions?
Hearing a chime from his phone, he peers down at the notification.
Barou: Hey dipshit, don't forget my homework. It better be perfect if you want your money.
"Tch, how could I forget?"
Putting on a pair of gloves, he carefully puts them on for another chime to sound. Lowering his eyes, his sour mood elevates somewhat.
Mom: Good morning, champ! Have a good day at school and remember not to push yourself!
Even from the confines of a hospital bed, instead of resting, she always put himself before her own.
"That idiot."
Departing from his room, he gives a passing glance to a picture frame. A smaller version of him smiled alongside his mother. In her arms, a young infant.
Distant memories begin to surge for a shutter to snap such thoughts away. The time for loathing would come later. Not now.
Grabbing a few loafs of toast, he ventured outwards from his apartment. A short while comes before the sounds of footsteps join in tandem with his own.
Soon, more begin to crowd his surroundings until a symphony of pitter-patter resounds. Taking a sharp right as though he's done it countless times, he vanishes into a narrow alleyway within the city.
The layout of the city has become his own background. The easiest way to avoid encountering any civilians is to go where the least amount lies. Memorizing the traffic patterns is one of the few tasks he hasn't resorted to doing…
Hospital
Giving a few careful knocks, not too loud or soft, a tender voice answers.
"What have I told you about stopping by before school?" A woman sitting up in her bed asks with a chuckle.
"To stop by after because I won't get enough rest."
"Yet you don't listen, why?" She wonders with a mirthful grin.
"Because I worry." He chuckles walking to the side of the bed.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What am I to do with a son like you?"
"Not push yourself every morning and get more rest?"
"Ahaha, I'll do that when you start heeding my advice."
"You first, mom."
"You second, son."
"Looks like we're at a stalemate. Again." He sighs.
"Hmm. It would seem so."
Unconsciously, she lifted her hand. Instinctively, it reached out only for careful leather to catch it.
A sudden gasp came next. As though being freed from a trance, the mother's own jovial demeanor mellows as her eyes soften.
Slowly, their hands separate. Back to his side and down upon her lap.
"Sorry." She murmurs.
"Don't be. It's not your fault." He answers matching her own tone.
"Here." She says, reaching over to put on a pair of leather gloves of her own. "You missed a spot."
Hesitant for a moment, he leans forward. Carefully, as if a surgeon, her dainty hands adjust the corner of his scruffy hair.
Meticulous, brisk, sweeps of her fingers come one after another. As quick as it had begun, it ceases.
"There." She breathes out, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.
"Sorry."
"Now why are you apologizing?"
"You're still overexerting yourself…"
Feeling a light chop atop his head, he winces to look up meeting the pouting expression she now sports.
"Idiot." She huffs, shifting to a smile. "I'm your mother. I'm always going to push myself when it comes to you. Nothing you do or say will ever stop me." Ya here?" All the male can give is a defeated nod. "Good boy. Now, hurry along. I don't want the teachers getting on you should you be late."
"Yes, ma'am." Backing away, he stops at the door. "Don't do too much. For me, okay?" Not wishing to hear a negative response, he vanishes around the corner.
Looking for a moment, numerous things run through her mind. Yet, all she can do is chuckle. She was fully aware of the strenuous and dangerous life her son lived each and every day. Today would be no different than yesterday and tomorrow would likely be a mirror to today. Just like then and like tomorrow, they both can only face it the best way they can.
Leaning back, her mind recalls that moment his hand grabbed hers. The slight noticing of bandages hidden within his sleeve makes her eyes glaze out the window.
"There are more than last time…"
Asahiyama High School
Stopping under a bridge a short distance from the school grounds, he stops before a group of males. At the lead, a tall young man with red eyes and long black hair in a spiky style.
"Well?" He wonders as those around snicker.
Wordlessly, the male reaches into his bag pulling out a pile of papers. At the same time, the tall male pulls out a wad of cash.
"How much?" The male questions.
"Enough. Now hand over the work, mongrel."
"Hand over the cash first, Barou."
Ever so slightly, Barou's eyes move. Before the male can grasp a thing, something hard slams into his face. One millisecond of realization comes followed by another filled with pain.
Unable to do anything, he can only bring his arms as heavy fists begin to pummel him one after another.
"You… little… shit! Who do you think… you are, huh?! Ordering… me around?! You've lost… your… damn… mind!" Barou's shouts of anger were the last thing he heard as all went black.
Infirmary
Stirring, he attempts to move for the ache he feels to surge forward making him fall back down.
"A new day, same old results." A voice sighs.
Looking over, a studious-looking male can be seen in a seat studying.
"Fuutarou…"
"This is the worst they've beaten you this week."
Gritting his teeth, he forces himself up.
"What-"
"We still have a little while before school starts. Considering the nurse is famous for arriving at the last minute, it's a constant mystery how no one ever comes in here."
"Who would need to go to the infirmary this early?"
Seeing out his peripheral at the student slowly swing to the side where his legs now dangle, he can only sigh discarding his notes.
"How are your grades?"
"The same as when you asked me yesterday." The student breathes inspecting his bandaged form.
"Keep it that way. If we're to make our futures a success-"
"I know, Fuutarou."
About to comment on yet another time he's been cut off, Fuutarou decides against it. He knew better than to argue with his childhood friend. They were both stubborn and if it wasn't regarding academics, then they wouldn't get very far most of the time.
Still, he disliked the circumstances as much as the bandaged-up mummy before him.
"Your skills at medical work still need improving."
Batting an eye, he chooses to ignore the comment.
Both were given the short end regarding tending to their financials. He his family's debts and-
"Didn't you need to return that textbook to the librarian before class starts today?"
Blinking, a trait he's gained from his friend over the years, the words spoken click as a surge of urgency rises.
"Crap! I'll see you in homeroom! I put the money they left in your wallet!"
Gathering his things, he gives a quick wave before rushing off.
After a moment, the protagonist's eyes soften like his mother's.
"That idiot." He chuckles, falling back on the bed. He'd removed most of the unnecessary bandages leaving only the usual wrist and freshly added head wrapping.
He was fully aware of the lengths he made Fuutarou go through. He acknowledged that many of the things he did would be something no ordinary or sane person would even hazard a thought over. However, the wounds from his life's trials and tribulations spoke a greater deal than the male himself.
Fuutarou was unfortunate with enduring his family's financial problems and he his mother's life.
Feeling his headache, he closes them for only a moment when the shuffling of a door catches his attention.
"Hey, Nino, I found the clinic!"
"You didn't need to follow me, Ichika!"
"What kind of elder sibling would I be to leave my younger sister in pain~?"
"I'm not in any pain! I just broke a nail because of-"
Tilting her head radiating curiosity, the short-haired girl follows her sister's gaze to find the clinic preoccupied.
Sitting up, vermilion eyes meet blue.
"Who are you?" The long-haired girl demands.
Noticing the male's brows furrow, the short hair intervenes.
"Apologies, my sister can be somewhat blunt." She smiles with clasped hands in an apologetic manner ignoring the scoff from said sister. "This is Nino Nakano. I'm Ichika Nakano. We just transferred. Could you tell us your name?"
There was no attempt, no chance of feigning ignorance. All three recognized this at that moment. What they could not foretell however was that this chance encounter would reshape their very lives.
"Relon. Relon Lucinance."