I've updated the pairing tags on AO3- the Iruma ships are still very minor, and are only going to become more of a focus in epilogue/extra's. I've had ideas for months now, but uh. I had to get through the big reveal and… figure out where I'm gonna stop focusing on adaptation, and go full original/time jump for the completion of this story. DX

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

Opera was having the weirdest, most fucked up emotional rollercoaster of a day, and they had no idea what to do with themself. Soon Iruma would be home for dinner, but what should they make? Should they bake a cake for him- no, that would be too much for them. She couldn't handle baking and decorating it as she was today. Should they make a lot of food? Half of the food they normally did? Did Iruma need more Mana? How much Mana would he need everyday?

Could they even provide him with a third of what he needed? Opera didn't have a particularly large Mana pool and Iruma was a growing boy. They had both missed out on too many years, and now they were playing catch up.

Opera plopped down on their kitchen stool and dropped their face into their hands with ears low and a heavy sigh.

She couldn't even start dinner. How lame was that?

All because she learned one, life-altering fact about her Ward.

"Opera." They made a grumbled sound in response towards their Lord's voice as he continued. "Let's just order out."

Opera practically pinched their neck with how fast they'd turned to meet his eyes, "But we never order out!"

Sullivan placed his hand onto their shoulder and squeezed reassuringly, "I think it would be for the best, tonight."

Opera took in a breath to retort against the idea, before slumping with a sigh. They honestly just didn't have the energy anymore. "...If that's what you believe to be best, sir."

Sullivan raised a brow before moving his hand to gently pat them on the head, "I think you need the time that you would have used cooking, to straighten out your thoughts and desires before Iruma-kun comes home."

Opera is quiet for a long moment before they nod and stand up wearily. "Then I shall retire and leave the ordering to you." Sullivan nodded as they slumped on their way out. They couldn't get themself to stand straight, and that wasn't a good sign.

They were either very close to a Wicked Phase, or it was her leftover depression. It was probably both, really.

Neither of which were good, and they would have to pull themself out of it for Iruma's sake. She didn't want him to worry about her, when they were just glad that their child was safe and under their protection.

They got to their room and quietly closed the door before slowly moving to change into night clothes. Normally, they wouldn't do so until after Iruma was in bed, but they were absolutely done with the day. Their appetite was lackluster, but they knew if they didn't eat before bed they would end up waking up in the middle of the night hungry, and that always had caused strange flashbacks and confusion for them over the years.

Though now, it made sense to them why they could get so distressed about it. It had been a recurring issue during their pregnancy that they'd get hungry often in the middle of the night and wake up nauseous.

Opera finished changing and plopped down to unbraid their hair. They did so slowly, and then gently used their fingers to comb through their hair. They did so meticulously from the bottom up in sections, and thought about what had been done during their own childhood.

They didn't hate long hair- though Shichirou had grown his out a little too long and hadn't managed it well before, but they also didn't like long hair on themself. Once it got past their mid-back, they got the abrupt frenzied urge to chop it all off, so they made sure to not let it get too far past the bottom of their shoulder blades.

Part of the reason for their frustrations with longer hair was the extra care needed to keep it just right. Their family had always taken great care in their grooming, and after a certain point, they just didn't like the feeling of a comb on their scalp, or the sound of the brush dragging down their strands.

But, they realize now, that they had forgotten how comfortable the earlier years had been, when they'd been young and innocent without expectation. They had basked in the feeling of their mother and father's Mana while they'd brushed their hair.

They have no idea where their father is now- they'd had at least one younger sibling born from a different father shortly before they left.

Having multiple partners wasn't abnormal for their Clan, though, there were some who bonded for life.

Opera looked at their hand and claws, flexing it, before sighing and falling back onto their bed loosely.

They stared at the ceiling tiredly.

Iruma already had a hair brushing routine with his classmates. It had never bothered them before, but now…

Now they very much so wanted to run their claws gently through his hair, and heal his abused ears from the years of having to hide them. Opera took in a deep breath and covered their eyes with the crook of their arm as they exhaled tiredly.

They wanted to connect with their child, and hair brushing while sharing Mana was the best way to do so.

She just hoped that he would let them, and that they'd have the strength to not smother him in their pent up worries and frustrations.

They had never seen themself as the parenting type, but by the Deities, they were going to do their best.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

When Iruma got home, it was strangely quiet in the house. He'd done his usual greeting after coming through the door, and… Opera wasn't there to greet him, and neither was his grandfather.

Disquiet set in.

Iruma closed the door behind him, before taking his shoes off and glancing around. His ears were clipped down with two new reproduced clips thanks to Clara and a hefty number of favors in return, but they twitched a little, trying to capture any sound of anyone home.

There was a rustle, before a door opened, and Opera pressed against the upstairs banister while leaning over it to look at him in surprise. He wasn't used to them not in uniform, so he stiffened in shock. Was he not expected home tonight..?

Opera seemed to panic in indecision for a moment, before simply vaulting themself over the rail, landing softly while wearing house slippers, and hurried over to him, "I apologize for not greeting you, Iruma-sama, I lost track of the time. Welcome home." They were clearly frazzled and simply going through the motions as they put away his fall jacket and took his bag.

"Ah, uhn. I'm home." He paused, "Thank you."

Opera nodded before turning to him, "Sullivan-sama ordered dinner, though I do not know when it was meant to arrive."

Iruma watched them for a moment, and he realized neither of them knew what to do with the other.

There were too many thoughts, yet, nothing really came to mind to ease the situation or break the ice. It was simply the formalities of their everyday lives that were keeping them from going horribly mute with indecision.

Sullivan popped out of the dining room, "Iruma-ku~n!" He pranced over and hugged his grandson warmly while lifting him up, "How was the rest of your school day? Were you able to practice? Did anyone tease you? Did you have fun?"

Iruma blinked, "Ah, uhn, I figured out how to play my part, and I just have to talk to Kalego-sensei about a few things tomorrow before the joint practice starts."

Sullivan rubbed his cheek against Iruma's head with a hum, "Good, good. I ordered in food and it should be here any minute!" He set his grandson down and patted his head, "By the time you change, we should have it ready for you!"

Iruma smiled, "Alright, thank you grandpa!" He hugged him, and then turned to Opera, who stood there looking…

Somehow they looked downright abandoned and lost, and Iruma could help but jump into their arms and hug them tightly while burying his face into their chest, "You'll join us for dinner, won't you, Hahaue?" He looked up to them at that moment, and their eyes were almost glossy-

Their voice was very soft and warm, "Yes Iruma-sama, I'll join you and Sullivan-sama for dinner."

Iruma grinned and pulled back before running up the stairs to his room before closing the door to change.

He stretched languidly with a quiet groan, allowing his tail to stretch freely with him as he exhaled loudly while he dropped his arms at the end of his stretch. He'd barely been home the past week or so since the start of the Music Festival preparation, so it was nice to know he'd get to sleep in his own bed on his birthday.

He carefully took off his uniform and put on some comfortable clothes, before pausing to look at himself in the mirror.

That was right. He could… he could go around the house with his ears unbound, and his tail free.

He took off each clip and set them on his dresser, before taking a moment to properly look at himself.

He was a half-demon, the adopted child of his teacher, the emotionally adopted child of his… mentor? And…

And he was his butler's son.

He grasped his chest and took in a deep breath while tears warmed his eyes. He exhaled shakily as he grit his teeth.

He had a home, he had a family, had had friends-

He had more than he had ever had before, and it was all just… so, so much to take in.

Iruma crouched down into himself and hugged his knees while burying his face into them. Even for him, it was a little much to cry over this information again, but it was all so overwhelming, even though it didn't change much of anything for now.

Though, at the same time, what should he even hope for? His previous parents had been absolutely horrible, so how should he deal with having new ones? Especially since he'd been partially raised under a mountain of lies and abandonment?

He sniffed, and rubbed his face into his pants, "Ali-san…"

He didn't know why Alikred had gone silent, but he hoped, soon, that they'd be able to talk again.

He desperately wanted to know his opinion about this situation, and what words of wisdom he could give.

Iruma didn't even care if all he'd do is call him a Momma's boy or something.

He missed his friend.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

Dinner was an awkward and stilted affair that led to Iruma over-eating. He knew he wasn't stellar with his food habits, but today had been a back and forth of not hungry, too full, eating to keep everyone from worrying about him, to suddenly ravenous and just shoving whatever into his mouth to avoid talking.

He held his stomach while walking up to his room to bathe, because he felt sick.

By the time he was done washing and dressed in his night clothes, he was almost hungry again, and he was… confused.

Iruma had never taken a mental step back to realize if something was wrong with his eating habits.

Now that he was taking a moment to evaluate himself, It didn't make sense- what was so different, that he could over and under eat all at once? People didn't just feel hungry again after eating like he did, so what was wrong..?

How much of it was him, and how much of it was Hermod and Alikred?

He had no way to tell right now, and with a towel draped around his neck, he sighed and wandered out of his room to maybe see if he could get something to drink.

"...Iruma?"

Iruma paused and looked over to Opera standing in the middle of the hall. He tilted his head, "Yeah?"

Opera wasn't normally one to hesitate, but they did, and this grabbed Iruma's full attention. They seemed to fight with themself before sighing lightly with some sort of resolve, "Uhm, would you be willing to allow me to brush your hair?"

Iruma couldn't help but feel sympathetic at how overly formal Opera was being over such a simple question. His classmates had demanded the chance to get their hair brushed and brush his in turn. Opera, his mother and his most trusted butler, was hesitant and unsure, when they were normally more opinionated and demanding than anyone else.

"Of course, I'd actually really like that." He smiled kindly, and Opera seemed to go from almost gloomy to glowing.

They smiled with a tiny flush to their cheeks, as their ears raised high and tail waved happily. "Then come, your hair's still damp and I want to make sure you got all of that devigel out of your hair." They snagged his hand and brought him along behind them. He almost snickered, until he realized they were going towards Opera's room. He'd never been there!

Opera paused and looked back at him, "Ah, I suppose it would be better if we took care of your hair in your room-"

"No!" Iruma flushed, "I just- I never saw my parent's room growing up, and I've never seen inside yours so I just kinda-" he took a breath. "I was surprised, that's all."

Opera blinked before pulling him into a hug to nuzzle her face into his hair, "It's quite alright, Iruma." They held him tight for a moment before pulling back to finish bringing him to their room.

Their room was a strange assortment of hard dark lines of wooden furniture with metal studs and leather seats, while also sporting an assortment of ruffled pastels, ribbons, and assorted plushies. It was a perfect intermixing of particularly masculine and feminine aesthetics. Iruma could pick up the scents of lavender, chamomile, and bergamot there, and it was calming.

Opera let him look around as they moved to settle near the head of their bead, fussing with the placement of a few pillows to make a better backrest, before settling onto their bed, with one leg crossed, and the other bent over the side. They patted in front of them, a comb set and some other products beside them on their nightstand, "Come here, little one."

Iruma blinked before cautiously shuffling over to their mother. He hesitated for a moment, before Opera took his hand and gently pulled them onto their bed to settle. He shifted a little bit, unsure of how he should sit before Opera huffed lightly, placed their hand onto his shoulders, and moved themself into a better position. "I suppose you're used to doing this with your classmates at school, hmm?"

Iruma nodded as they took the towel from around his shoulders and gently began to massage his head to try and finish drying his hair, "Yeah, I am."

Opera nodded to themself, and simply shifted all of their attention to towel drying his hair.

Certainly, a hair dryer would speed up the process, but they wanted quiet after everything that had happened during the day.

Iruma slowly allowed himself to relax, and after a while, hesitantly brushed his Magic against Opera's.

He never would have known Opera had paused, had they not been working on his hair, before they gently brushed their Magic back in response.

Iruma's Mana latched onto Opera's, not hungrily, but in the way a child does when they run up to their parents after being separated for a time. There is joy and relief there, and as Opera carefully allowed Iruma access to their Mana reserves, Iruma realized that there are terrible and deep scars between the both of them.

His Mana holds onto theirs, and they hold onto and feed him in return, and it isn't long before Iruma feels tears dripping down his face again.

Honestly, his cheeks kind of hurt from how much he'd cried over the course of the day.

Opera gently used his hair towel to wipe away his tears, their eyes glossy as well, as they feel out how much hurt he's hiding, and so many fears and anxieties that his human guardians had never tried to reassure and pacify him over.

Iruma doesn't notice Opera putting a few products into their hands and running it gently through his hair. He just closes his eyes and holds tight to the Mana and Magic he's finally come into contact with that is absolutely, and without a doubt, his Hahaue's. It filled in gaps and hurts, fears and worries, confusion and doubt. There is acceptance and love there, and his chest feels almost too full from the depths of affection they have for him.

The feeling of their claws running through his hair and scalp is soothing, even when they carefully apply a gentle salve they rub onto his ears that tingles as it seeps into thin bruised skin. He can't help but feel sleepy as he slowly leans back into their care, and eventually, he falls asleep in their hold.

He wakes up on his own alone in their bed, but their scent is still warm and fresh around him, and he dozes until they wake him up like they always have.

But there is a connection, and the warmth of parental love and care that is hesitant and new between them.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

Purson stood stiffly with a bouquet of flowers in the music room when Iruma walked in to greet him brightly, "Morning Purson!"

"Morning Iruma." He showed off the bouquet he'd procured, "Are you really gonna go through with this?"

Iruma grinned, "Yup! Thank you so much!" He took them from the other boy and inspected them, "They're pretty!"

Purson huffed lightly, "They're just flowers."

Iruma looked at Purson and frowned with the hint of a pout, "Girls like flowers."

Purson nodded, "So do you."

Iruma nodded proudly, "I love them." He carefully set them down, and fiddled with his phone for a moment, before nodding. "Kalego-sensei still has the clothes from yesterday set up, so shall we go get ready?"

Purson smiled wryly to himself, "After you, sir."

Iruma laughed lightly and grabbed his hand before marching off to where their dress clothes were.

Iruma chose a different set for the top while using the same pants as the day before, while Purson simply reused the suit.

Carefully, Iruma brushed his hair back, tied it, reclipped his cat ears, and messed with his bangs until his hair seemed to hold a similar style to the day before, but loosely.

Iruma nodded at himself in the mirror, turned to Purson who gave him a thumbs up, and they returned to the music room just in time for Kalego to startle and give them a weird look. "What exactly are you two doing?" Kalego was looking the two of them over with suspicion.

It's not that he wasn't aware of Iruma's plan. It just seemed…

It was fucking stupid and humiliating in his opinion. He wouldn't have been caught dead doing this kind of shit as a teenager.

Iruma slayed him a lot, and he would never, ever admit it. He hoped that whatever it was Iruma was trying to accomplish with this nonsense worked out, because it was so damn embarrassing.

Keroberos chuffed with laughter in the back of his mind. "Your poor mates."

Kalego growled deep and low in chest, just outside of the two teen's hearing in response. My mates aren't saps.

"You've never tried to woo them."

Kalego stilled at that. I've never had to.

"Lame. Wuss. Cold-hearted dog."

Kalego clicked his tongue and turned to the two boys as Iruma raised one eyebrow high and half stated, "They get chatty at the worst times, don't they sensei?"

Kalego nearly choked on his tongue, "Uh- yeah." Iruma- he could… tell?

Iruma grinned in the eeriest way Kalego had ever seen while his eyes seemed to hold ancient unspeakable knowledge, "Maybe dogs really are psychic." And fucking. Walked away with an envelope in his hand!

Kalego couldn't help but gape after the boy while Purson obediently followed after him with the bouquet of flowers. Kalego shook himself and hurried after them- it would do no good to be left behind by his students, no matter how baffled and irritated he was by his most troublesome-

Right. Iruma was his. Son. Adopted, but hishishis-

Jazz noticed them first, "Oh, the music team is here!"

Everyone turned and silence fell as Iruma stood straight and sparkling. He turned to Purson, who handed off the flower bouquet with a good luck fistpump. Iruma then strode through everyone until he was before Elizabetta and got down on one knee as everyone watched in skeptical confusion.

Iruma closed his eyes for a moment, to block out everyone as he spoke with a hand to his chest, "I have always been charmed by your smile and songbird laughter. You are our flower, pure and lovely- the pinnacle of beauty…" He carefully set down the bouquet of flowers and pulled out an envelope to present to Elizabetta while meeting her eyes, "This is a love letter I wrote for you, please accept it!"

Everyone couldn't help but stare gaping at the play before them. 'Nee-san…'

Asmodeus, Clara, and Lied immediately went into a mental frenzy as the others watched on in various levels of shock and embarrassment. Lied burst out, "STOP RIGHT THERE!?" Clara and Asmodeus screamed and frothed beside him while he continued ranting, "What do you think you're doing Iruma-kun!? Y-You traitor!" "Iruma-chi!"

Sabnock had regained his senses and snatched Asmodeus and Clara to prevent them from running over to their friend, while Gaap held onto Lied, "Wait, wait, wait-!"

Elizabetta couldn't help but flush as she held her cheek, "Oh my~! I'm so happy~!"

However, Iruma pulled back the letter before she could take it, snapping her out of her momentary affection towards him while holding up a finger, "But. Please decide if you'll accept it after listening to our performance first."

He stood, took off his outer jacket, and bowed to the piano before sitting down. It was quiet as they all watched the two musicians prepare themselves, and once Purson was in position, Iruma took in a deep cleansing breath. 'Listen carefully.' He began to play.

Kerori observed the two boys, and was impressed with Iruma's set-up, though…

Lilith's Red Carpet. A sonata about one beauty being courted by many suitors. Nee-san is playing the magnificent Lilith worshiped by men. But… Why are you… Playing it like that!?

'Pianissimo…!? He's playing the men's advances so quietly…' Kerori was baffled.

Purson took in a deep breath and filled in the scene that swept them away. Visions of a beauty filled their minds, surrounded by presents, flowers, and an ocean of men vying for her attention. She stepped up a staircase of presents and spun with a withering crown of roses as she reached out wondering, 'Ah, how I long to find a love that burns like fire!'

And suddenly the moment was over, and the Misfits were posed in position around Elizabetta as she gasped softly from exertion.

The Misfits didn't know when they had started moving and performing to the song, but they had been caught up in the scene Iruma and Purson had pressed upon them, and they were breathless.

Iruma stood and moved over to Elizabetta's side while holding out the envelope, "Nee-san… Will you accept my offer?"

Elizabetta looked down at Iruma in a new light, stunned, before smirking and winking at him mischievously, "Alright… But since I'll fall in love with your writing, you won't be able to speak a word to me anymore. Is that a fair trade?"

Iruma couldn't help his snicker as he grinned widely at her, "As expected of Lillith!"

The class cheered and Lied couldn't help but immediately ask as Clara glommed onto Iruma's front and Asmodeus hovered closeby, "That love letter isn't real, right!?"

Iruma rubbed the back of his head, "It's part of the set-up." Lied just gave him a more distressed look and made a panicked noise while Iruma tried to appease him, "I tried my best!"

Jazz patted Purson on the back, "Purson, you were cool! The music was awesome!"

And despite the emotion and noise around him, Purson could feel his phone steadily vibrate in his breast pocket.

He ignored every call.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

The Misfits found themselves pushed along into one of the Nap Rooms, where piles upon piles, and racks upon racks of clothing, accessories, and all assortments of garb could be found for their perusal. They all (sans Kerori) gaped at the assortment before running in to rummage through everything.

Kerori huffed, "Remember that you're looking for what you're going to wear during the performance!"

Various sounds of affirmation met her ears as she observed them all with pride. They'd all come a long way, and they were all drawing ever closer to her silent wish of performing a Helldance.

It made her giddy inside to know that such a feat could actually happen.

Asmodeus and Clara poked around ties and ribbons, trying to see what would be suitable for Iruma. They'd seen him in an ascot, as well as their school ribbon, so they knew both would be quite nice-

Iruma picked up a pile of armor, "This one looks strong!"

Kerori came up behind him and bonked him on the back of the head with rolled up paper and scolded him, "You'll stand out in that. Just like I told you, everyone should wear black except the stars."

Asmodeus and Clara patted Iruma's head as he sniffed lightly from his scolding. Admittedly, the bonk hadn't hurt at all, but Iruma appreciated their enthusiasm to soothe his supposed hurt.

Kerori pointed over to Elizabetta, who was trying on a pretty dress as Kamui admired her sparkling bright figure, and then…

Then there was Purson, in black robes and a veil, slumped seemingly in the shadows while Allocer observed him.

Purson didn't like his outfit, "What's up with this?"

Kerori huffed, "That's a high-end costume you know. It's perfect for hiding your face, and it's used at Devilum to hide one's appearance, a "Secret Veil." It's perfect for your inability to stand out." She had taken his circumstances into account, "You'll seem like a floating shadow to the audience, only to burst out with a bright and wonderful sound. The real "Mysterious Pixie" will make a great impact upon the Music Festival."

Kerori looks around at everyone, "It fits Lilith's universe, and this way, all thirteen of us can stand on stage together!"

Purson's chest constricted with gratitude as he took in her words. She'd really gone out of her way to find a solution for his problem, without even knowing the full details of his family situation.

Kerori lifted a finger, "Since we're hiding who you are, you better give your all during the performance!"

Purson nodded as he pulled down the veil and looked at the garment in a new light.

Kerori continued speaking, "I'll take care of the rest!" She seemingly had flowers blooming around her happily, "I'll ask a certain studio to do backgrounds, props, and I'll call a professional to do make-up, and everyone's nails will be black-"

Jazz couldn't help but to make the side comment, "It seems like that'll cost a lot, even though there isn't a limit…"

Iruma clasped his hands at his waist, "Is that really okay?"

Kerori turned and moved into his space, "Do you think it's not fair?" She straightened and held a hand proudly to her chest, "This is simply the result of what I've sown, y'know? All of my time, blood, sweat, and tears went into making these kinds of connections. These are my assets, and the fruit of my labor!"

Purson blocked out the rest of what she said between everyone and Kalego and focused on a specific part of her speech.

Reaping the reward of the things she'd sown…

Jazz interrupted his thoughts and asked if he was itching to play, while Lied cheered him on. Eventually all of the Misfits were cheering for him to play something for them. "Well, okay…"

He began to play, but in the back of his mind, Kerori's words kept ringing.

The one thing he'd sown so far for the future, were the notes he played with his trumpet in secret from the rooftop of Royal One.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

The days of practice continued, and the primary thoughts on Purson's mind were about his instrument, and the notes.

He wandered the halls as he always did, rehearsing his sections.

Iruma had gotten to the point that Jazz was wrapping his fingers with compression bandages to help with the ache of playing for so long since he wasn't as used to playing an instrument as Purson was.

Purson had several thoughts on his mind, about the music, the festival, about how hard it was to sync with someone else…

But he could help the smile on his face. It felt worth the trouble, the smiles on his classmate's faces made each frustrating part worth the trouble, because… Because one day, the entire school would watch them all in wonder, and his heart swelled at the idea of their happy expressions.

The intercom dinged, "Purson Soi, report to the teacher's office. Immediately."

All of his joy bled out of him as his arms dropped at Kalego's tone.

He'd been ignoring his phone for days. He only stopped by the house for a short while before sneaking back to the school to stay at Royal One, to avoid confrontation.

Purson made his way to the Teacher's Office, and Kalego turned to him with the phone in his hand, "You've got a call from your father."

Kalego handed the phone over to Purson, and a numb static filled his body and bones as his mind slowly went blank, while his father didn't so much as ask, but tell him his options, and stated his demands.

Purson could only agree to the tone of his father's voice. There was no way for him to get a word in edgewise, and it would be pointless.

He hung up the phone, and was quiet for a moment, "...Please." He had no idea how pained he sounded.

Purson couldn't read the look on Kalego's face, but he had the feeling it was more so a look of uncertainty and concern as he plainly asked, "...Are you sure?"

"...Yes." He ignored the fact tears were running down his face. That it was embarrassing to cry in front of a teacher.

He just felt numb, and empty, and helpless. He was still a child ruled by the opinions of his parents.

Kalego didn't say a word as he handed him a formal withdrawal form, but Purson knew the man was wholeheartedly against the decision. If he hadn't felt so apathetic, he might've even asked if Kalego had fought with his father before calling him.

His heart just wasn't there to ask, and he walked away from his teacher and melted into obscurity.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

Purson huddled silently in the corner of the Nap Room still filled to the brim with clothes, late into the night. He was so exhausted, staring at the unfilled withdrawal form.

He didn't want to leave. He should follow his father's orders. He didn't want to disappoint his classmates. He didn't want to disappoint his family.

He buried his head into his knees tiredly.

He hadn't eaten anything since early this morning, so now he was hungry, but there was no way he could move.

He'd absolutely get caught, and he didn't want that.

It didn't matter how good he was at hiding- eating always left a scent.

Purson took in a deep breath and sighed silently, and absently wondered if any of Iruma's snack stashes were in the room. Admittedly, meat and potatoes sounded pretty good, to the point that he could practically smell it...

Except… Except he was definitely smelling something, and it smelled amazing, but it couldn't actually be right outside the door, could it..?

Purson carefully shifted and got up, before very, very cautiously peaking out the door.

There was a tray with a glass of something, meat, potatoes, and a vegetable.

It had to be a trap!

Kalego's voice grumbled from the dark hallway, "Eat your dinner, brat."

Purson startled before opening the door carefully to meet his teacher's eyes- though, he was still hiding in plain sight. The man couldn't see him, but Kalego was blending into the dark in the creepiest way possible.

The man's eyes gleamed a dim lavender in the dark, "I see nothing, so I know nothing." He was sitting against the wall with his legs and arms crossed. Before Purson could grab a utensil the man closed his eyes, "All I've done is set a tray of food down, and when I open my eyes, I will simply find an empty plate."

Purson took his words seriously, knowing that he was being literal, and quietly ate his food. There wasn't a single scrape of his utensils, and soon enough, even though he'd eaten a little too fast, the plate was empty, and he set down his cutlery precisely where he'd found it.

Kalego opened his eyes, and the plate and glass were empty, just as he'd stated.

He huffed and moved to take the tray and leave, until Purson grasped his arms and appeared before him with glossy eyes, "Sensei, what would you do!?" He was desperate, "What would you do, if you were in my position?!"

Kalego's face was always stern, but during their practices he'd come to learn some of the nuances of his expressions, and he certainly looked… pained. And sympathetic.

"You already know it."

Purson sucked in a sharp breath, confused for a long moment.

Kalego gently placed his hand on the teen's head, "I knew damn well that my family wouldn't accept Iruma."

Purson's stomach sunk and his heart rose as his mind processed that.

Kalego patted his head lightly, "Sometimes, the things we believe we must do will sometimes go against the hopes and wishes of the people we love… And whether or not it is a mistake is something only we ourselves can find the conclusion of. However, whether we do or don't do that something, there are simply times when doing either choice can end in regret… or reap incredible reward."

Kalego pulled back with a silent sigh, "I can't give you your answer, Soi. But no matter what decision you come to in the end, make sure it is the one you will regret the least." He grasped the tray and carefully stood up while avoiding his student's eyes. "That's how I came to my own decision, in the end, no matter how seemingly emotionally impulsive it might have seemed to others. It was the choice I could live with."

He left his student there, in the doorway of Royal One's Nap Room alone.

Kalego met Shichirou's concerned gaze as he passed by, and the two left Purson to his own thoughts and indecision.

xXx-xXx-dissonance-xXx-xXx

Please let me know how you liked the chapter! I plan to focus on updating my Kingdom Hearts fic Trash Woke next time I'm off, since it's been almost a literal year since I've updated it, so it'll be a few weeks before another update on this one!