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Purson sat at the back of the class as he usually did.

He just… didn't know what else to do.

He watched everyone enter and pass him by.

He minimized his presence more and more, to the point that he felt like he might be melting into nothingness.

He was so so numb.

Kalego was speaking, but the world around him was still and white. He watched the man with unhearing ears.

But then the face Kalego was making was strange and unusual, what was going on..?

"He doesn't know what to do." Iruma's voice is gentle but stressed. It pierced through the numbness. "Purson-kun must want to perform in the Music Festival, but after being told to withdraw, he felt lost and disappeared."

Iruma turned, and the rest of the class turned with him as he continued, "He's right here!" Iruma swallowed, and clenched his fists to his chest as he yelled, "Purson-kuunn! I-We want to perform with you in the Music Festival!"

The other Misfits joined in after him, making their own desires heard for his participation, one by one. Tugging on his heart strings, and adding to his confusion and distress.

But he had no doubts that they wanted him to perform with them.

Iruma finished everyone's words with a yell, "We will practice! Until we're able to match your skill! So all thirteen of us can stand on stage together!"

They were so determined. Purson felt tears well up in his eyes as he gripped his knees and stayed silent with a bow of his head.

There were five more days until the Festival.

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Jazz helped Iruma stretch out his hand muscles so that they would be less injured from his near-constant practicing.

He glanced at Iruma's hands as they stretched out in length, "Oh, your nails are broken!"

Iruma paused and looked them over with an unconscious grin, "Ah- yeah. I guess I didn't notice." It happened a lot.

Sabnock perked up, "My Rival's nails are damaged?" Jazz and Iruma nodded at the taller teen, and he hummed, "There's a repairing nail polish I'd recommend!"

Asmodeus overheard and was startled to realize he hadn't been paying enough attention to Iruma's physical care, to miss his nails breaking. He swiftly texted David to purchase a bottle, as it was one he used as well, for Iruma.

By the end of the day he had a fresh new bottle of highest quality black polish to hand over to his friend, and Iruma was ecstatic, "Are you sure I can have this, Azz-kun?"

"Absolutely! Make sure to use it before you go to sleep!"

Iruma took it happily, "Alright, thank you Azz-kun!"

Asmodeus couldn't help but glow in his friend's praise, "You're welcome, Iruma-sama!"

Later that night after dinner and getting ready for bed, Iruma couldn't help but shuffle over to Opera while they were cleaning the dishes, "Uhm, Hahaue?"

Opera paused in their work to give him their full attention, "Yes, Iruma-sama?"

Iruma smiled shyly, "Uhm, today Jazz noticed my nails were broken, and Azz-kun got me a bottle of repairing nail polish… so, uhm… since I don't really know how to paint my nails, I was wondering if I could ask you to paint them for me?"

Opera smiled warmly as they set down the dish they'd been drying and wiped down their hands before gently petting his hair, "Of course."

Iruma beamed up at them with flushed cheeks, "Thank you!"

Opera nodded, "Give me about ten minutes." Iruma nodded and ran off to get the bottle.

He settled down to wait, and when Opera joined him to paint his nails, Sullivan was close behind and settled down beside Opera.

Iruma had sometimes noticed that the others had painted nails. It wasn't something too many guys did back in the Human World, and from what he could remember from his schools, the girls couldn't paint their nails either.

So it was a little exciting to get his nails done, especially since he knew he couldn't get into trouble because of it.

Opera took his hand, and one by one, his fingernails were perfectly painted by their expert touch. He watched their hands, observed their face, and gently pressed against their Mana. They smirked a little when he did so, and they responded by clasping his Magic within theirs. It was like a hug, and he felt his chest rumble in a contented purr at the feeling of their Mana.

Almost too soon they were done, and he cautiously held up his hands to admire their work. He couldn't help but feel a little more demonish.

Sullivan sparkled as he clasped his hands together, "It looks good! It suits you, Iruma-kun!"

Iruma grinned at his grandfather, while Opera nodded with a small clap, "It certainly does."

"Thank you Opera-san!"

Opera moved behind him and pulled him to their chest, before nuzzling the side of his head from behind as they gently spoke, "You're welcome, Iruma."

Iruma nuzzled them back.

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Opera sat in the Chairman's office, contemplating. They had completed their administrative work for the day, so now they could do as they wished.

Admittedly, what they wished to do, and what they needed to do, were two very different things.

They sighed softly, acknowledging that there were three more days until the Music Festival. They needed to ensure they had good cameras, sound gear, lighting, and a comfortable chair for Sullivan for the big performance. There was no way they wouldn't be present to record and photograph such a momentous occasion.

Opera smiled warmly to themself for a moment, before falling back into neutrality.

They picked out a suitable piece of paper, their favorite pen, took a deep breath, and stared at the empty page.

What should they write about first? Where would they even begin..? They hadn't contacted their family in years, and they almost weren't sure they recalled their Clan's address.

First things first, though. One can't send a letter without writing one.

Opera ran a hand through their hair. They rubbed their shoulder, and twirled in their chair before leaning back with a silent groan as they looked up towards the ceiling.

'Why did the Lady have to start talking to mother..?' They couldn't help but lament the fact that Kalego's mother had been in contact with their's. They had no idea what the two of them had ever discussed about their personal affairs, but as far as they could hope, it was very little.

Opera pushed themself to sit up properly, before pressing the pen to the paper.

'Dearest Mother,

I have a fifteen year old son.'

They stopped.

They stared at the page.

They should start over.

They didn't know what else to say.

They folded it up neatly, placed it into an envelope, and texted Kalego's mother for their mother's address.

They sent it off without any further thought.

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Kalego stood with his arms folded in front of his students after the school's pre-festival broadcast, "Tomorrow the Music Festival will finally begin. We have only one goal: to win. We've done all that we can do, so show them what you've learned from your training! Which means-!" He grit his teeth and snarled, as his students darted around in an anxious frenzy, "Calm down a little, you brats!"

It was the epitome of chaotic nerves. They were losing things, attempting to go about their day normally, or simply shutting down and huddling together.

Iruma was getting squished between Clara and Asmodeus.

Kalego sighed to himself with a grumble, "The very picture of panic…"

Kerori sighed, "What a lost cause…" She put on an 'Akudols 4 life' ribbon, and pushed up her glasses, "Fine then! I will teach you a confidence building ritual of an Akudol (fan)!" She motioned for Jazz to come closer, "Come over here Jazz-san."

She had him stand in the middle of everyone, and began yelling compliments. He flushed from the torrent of positive affirmation.

Kalego couldn't help but bare his teeth in disgust, "Is this hell..?" Each student had their turn in the center, before they turned and attempted to drag him into it.

Kerori smiled up at him, "You should join in too!"

"Absolutely not."

The Misfits cheered and praised one another, until they felt confident about their performance the next day. Once dismissed, Iruma had to convince Asmodeus and Clara to head home without him, since he had some business to attend to.

Opera brought him what he requested, and he made his way upstairs to the roof of Royal One.

It had been six days since Purson had played anything, and the student body was beginning to notice that the Mysterious Pixie wasn't playing at their usual time. It was unsettling, as the students had come to expect it.

Iruma opened the roof's door. "I came here to chat. I know you're here… Purson." He stood on the empty roof with confidence in his winter jacket. "You're always here at this hour, on the roof of Royal One. The place I first found you… You definitely are…"

"And that's why I'll begin 'Purson-kun's secrets revealing' party." Iruma held a wad of papers, and began to read through them, "The first anonymous report- Despite his mature act, Purson has kids' taste buds and can't even drink coffee."

!?... ?! ! !

"He once said "kitty," and quickly changed it to cat."

! ! ! !

"He can't skip."

! ! ! ! !

"He once came to me with a serious face and asked how to be popular with gir-"

Iruma's mouth was covered by a distressed and sweating Purson's hand as he dispelled his bloodline ability. "Stop." He grabbed Iruma by the shoulders and shook him a little, "Y-you dont… Don't you have something more suited to the situation? Like, it's a reunion at dusk, yeah? Nostalgia? Beautiful memories? Anything?" He took the stack of anonymous reports from the other teen, "And what's with this dirt from everyone?" Iruma shuffled off to grab the things he'd hidden behind the roof's second door as Purson continued yapping. "I can drink coffee just fine- with sugar and milk. And I totally can skip. Kind of." Iruma happily set out 2 futons, got out a few thermoses, and set up some bento boxes. "And also Kalego, like, really? Can you maybe, not? And…" He stopped to look at what Iruma was up to, "What are you doing?"

Iruma presented his little set up like a prize, "The deluxe chatting set." Ta-dah!

Iruma continued as he shifted to sitting on his knees, "Before it was kind of like I was monologuing… So let's talk properly- about anything you want. I think you have a lot that you want to say."

Purson settled onto his legs before Iruma and began to dissipate in indecision, before forcing himself to be solid. He couldn't help but wilt in disappointment with himself. He'd seen Iruma's most personal moments, yet he could barely speak about his own home issues. His wings lowered as he bowed slightly into himself, feeling shame and regret. "Aren't you… angry with me? About my sudden withdrawal… Or that I disappeared without a word?"

Iruma was silent for a moment before giving him a smile that held more concern than joy, "We were surprised… but we were more worried than angry. Everyone wanted to talk to you, and so did I…" Iruma took a deep breath and looked Purson in the eyes. "I want to talk to you."

So he asked him a question to start off, and soon he and Purson were talking back and forth, even while eating.

Hours passed. Dusk became twilight. Twilight melted into evening, and into midnight. They moved their futons to become more comfortable, and leaned against them and the pillows and blankets Iruma had brought.

Midnight moved into early morning, and crawled into dawn.

Iruma was exhausted, but he couldn't help but smile throughout their entire talk. As Purson talked about how he watched them, wanted to join them sooner. How he loved his family and they loved him in turn.

Purson almost couldn't think anymore as he watched the sunrise. "I want to participate in the Music Festival, but… I also don't want to break the promise I made to my family… I can't choose. I don't have an answer… sorry."

Iruma sat up and shifted to face Purson. His vision was blurry, and he was ready to drop right then and there. "I understand how you feel… I see how important your family is to you, and how difficult it is for you to make a decision. I understand how difficult it is for you to participate in the Music Festival. I've got it all… but I have to say sorry, and that it doesn't change what I want to say to you." Iruma gazed at Purson with bleary eyes, "It must be you. I want to stand on the stage with you, all thirteen of us together. It can't be anyone else but you, Soi-kun.That's why… we'll wait.. For.. y ou…" He passed out into sleep, and Purson shifted to catch his shoulders to settle him gently onto the ground.

Purson sat beside him for a long moment, grateful to Iruma for listening to every stray thought that had entered his head unconditionally, and moved to place a pillow beneath his head, and a blanket over his body.

Purson ran his hand gently over Iruma's hair, and the clips that held down his poor cat ears.

He smiled sardonically to himself before disappearing, and left Iruma behind.

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The birds are singing, the sky is clear blue, the warm sunlight hits my eyes, and the world is in motion-

Iruma startled into awareness, "Hmm!? Eh!? So fast! Opera-san?!"

Iruma was wrapped up in his blanket while carried over Opera's left shoulder. "Good morning Iruma-sama."

Oh boy, their tone of voice sounded kinda-

Iruma tried to make sense of the situation. He was so tired! "Why is- why…"

Opera shot back, "What do you mean "why"? You said you were going to "talk with a friend," and then didn't come home last night. I found you on the roof-" They'd been rather cross when they found him sleeping peacefully without a care in the world alone on the roof of Royal One. "And now I'm bringing you home."

"S-sorry!"

Iruma might've been more prepared to be held while the other party flew. He was not ready for the high speed Opera ran at, nor their jumping capability. It was a shared ability, but he was still too used to being the only one he knew who could move like that. Opera spoke while roof hopping, "Today's the big day and we need to get ready pronto. Be prepared for some drastic measures."

Iruma yelled, and the moment Opera came through the front door they interrupted Sullivan's crying and threw an apron at him, "Good morning Lord Sullivan, please make breakfast. In the meantime, we'll take a bath."

Iruma startled, "Wait- I can-!" Opera swiftly unwrapped him from his blanket and tossed him into the bath, "Aaagh!"

The bath was a blur of suds, deft movements, and a towel suddenly draped over his now clean self.

Iruma couldn't process anything even after he'd been redressed and set at the table with a freshly prepared spread, while Opera used their fingers to comb through his hair with a blowdryer to dry it.

Iruma was almost finished with his meal when Opera returned with a cup of…

He didn't know what it was, but it was the most questionable thing their butler- mother had ever handed to him. "Iruma-sama, here you go."

Iruma pulled back from it, "Why is it bubbling-" Opera was pushy, "Drink this." Iruma has no idea it's a Balam trademark to help restore energy, similar to human energy drinks.

But absolutely horrendous.

Iruma tried to protest more, but one of the house cats grabbed the cup and shoved it at Iruma's mouth, "Aagh!" He drank it on instinct. It was horrible, and made him feel tingly, but he didn't have the heart to shove the cat off of him, so he drank it to its last drop and didn't even have the chance to feel like throwing up before he felt… Cloudy?

"Principal, you should get ready as well, or you'll be late for the judges."

Sullivan set down a huge helping of rice and nodded, "Of course." He left the rest to his Security Devil, and made his way to Babyls.

Iruma finished his meal as usual.

And then…

Why is the world so spinny? There are butterflies everywhere! What was I doing again?

Opera held Iruma by the shoulders as they helped him walk to school as if they were helping a happy drunk home. 'The medicine… may have been too strong.' They couldn't help but be a little embarrassed that they had somehow managed to get Iruma drunk on an elixir. There wasn't even alcohol or catnip in it!

They'd have to discuss the side effects with Shichirou later, to figure out a balance that would work for Iruma.

Opera had to hope the strange side-effects would wear off within the next five hours, before it was time to perform.

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A/N: I'm still re-reading Trash Woke, so you guys get a chapter instead! Also, FFnet's alert system is broken, and the app isn't showing the latest chapters! Lol! Please read on AO3 if you can, under the same author/title of yumetakato/Lost and Found.

Please leave a review and lemme know if you enjoyed it!