Chapter 39: Long time no see

The last day of a new week at school has ended as Michael walks through the hallways. While walking to the club where the others are at, he stumbled upon a familiar face.

Michael: "Jason?"

Jason: "Oh hey it's been a while since we talked."

Michael: "It has. How've you been?" He looks at Jason holding some books in his hand. By the looks of them they are about the human brain.

Jason: "I'm doing well. How about you? You seem more cheerful than ever."

Michael: "Am I?"

Jason: "Yeah and it looks like you also changed your look?"

Michael: "Oh come on, I'm not that much different?"

Jason: "Eh true." He says sarcastically.

Michael: "What do you mean with that tone?"

Jason: "Never mind that. Are you on your way somewhere?"

Michael: "Yeah I'm going to the Literature Club."

Jason: "Really now?"

Michael: "Yeah, what about you? Where are you off to?"

Jason: "I'm just going to the library to do some research."

Michael: "Are you still planning to be a neurologist?"

Jason: "Sure am. Hey how about after your done with club activities we hangout again? My dad's been wanting to see you again."

Michael: "Well I need to let Sayori know since, you know I'm still injured and all that." He shows off his bad foot.

Jason: "Hey no problem. Just let me know after your all done. Oh, one more thing do you need help getting there?

Michael: "No I'll be fine. I'm already used to stairs, so I'll be fine."

Jason: "Well if you say so?" (Stubborn as always. Some things don't change.) "I'll see you at the entrance, so give me your answer until then." He waves to him before leaving.

Michael: "Yeah later." *Sigh* "Alright time to meet my enemy … stairs."

Later on, after making his way to the club.

Sayori: "I'm so sorry! I don't know why it took me so long to realize that you need help going upstairs! I'm supposed to help and take care of you and yet I did nothing about the most simplest thing of all! Stairs."

Michael: "I told you it's fine." (Honestly how could anyone forget? Thank God this isn't some story or that may be a huge plot hole.) "Anyways don't worry about it. I need to remind myself of my own independence and dignity."

Sayori: "But still …"

Michael: "It's fine. Now let's stop this scene and move on to the next."

Sayori: "Yeah ok."

Michael: "Oh one more thing to mention."

Sayori: "What's up?"

Michael: "Do you think you could head home without me today?"

Sayori: "Well sure I can, but why? We both live together for the time, so why not walk with me today?" She stares at his foot.

Michael: "I know that. It's just an old friend of mine asked if we could hangout today."

Sayori: "Really, well that's good." (Bet it's Jason?)

Michael: "Are you upset?"

Sayori: "No, I'm glad that you're more open than before, so I'm more happy than upset."

Michael: "Thanks for understanding."

Sayori: "Anytime. I'll just make sure everything is prepared for your return home."

Michael: "Thanks, I'll see you at home after I'm all set."

Sayori: "Just make sure not to do anything crazy ok?"

Michael: "And make sure not to burn the house down while I'm gone."

Sayori: "Hey!" Both share the joy as they continue on with the rest of the day with the club.

After everything was all settled. The both of them said their goodbyes as he sets off to the entrance of the school. When he got there, he saw Jason waiting at the entrance.

Jason: "Hey man, what's up?"

Michael: "Hey, sorry for making you wait. Takes me a while to go downstairs."

Jason: "It's alright. I just got here not too long ago.

Michael: "I see."

Jason: "So what's your answer? You good to go or?"

Michael: "My answer is sure, so let's head out."

Jason: "Cool, so let's get going then, so we don't have to spend too much time in the snow." Michael nods in agreement and the both of them head off to Jason's house.

His place wasn't too far but it wasn't a short walk either. More in the middle ground. Despite that, during their walk they had time to catch up. Michael told him about the Literature Club and about what occurred during the School Festival, despite Jason already knowing enough about it, but didn't say a word to him. Instead, just listened to what he had to say. He then told him about how he got injured with the whole suicidal prevention thing without mentioning Sayori's name.

Even though Michael made a dumb decision shooting himself on the foot, Jason was glad that he changed for the better. What made him really happy was when Michael told him he finally broke up with Sara and now has a different outlook on life. He notices how much talkative Michael has become. While he talks, Jason started to remember how he used to talk back then. So silent, so shy, so distant, only speaking when asked, but even then, it was vague. They kept talking until they reached his house.

"Hey dad, are you home!?" No one answers. He sighs annoyingly. "He's probably in the garage again. You can have a seat anywhere you like. I'll be back."

Michael: "Ok?"

Jason heads off to the garage and sees his dad with headphones on. He waved his hands to catch his dad's attention.

Jason's Dad: "Oh hey you're home."

Jason: "Yeah I am and I brought a guest with me."

Jason's Dad: "So you found a girlfriend? Look at you. You grow up so fast."

Jason: "Knock it off. I brought Michael over."

Jason's Dad: "Michaels here?"

Jason: "Yeah and …" Before he could finish his dad rushes off to the living room. "Why can't he be like that anywhere else?"

Jason's Dad: "Hey there Michael, it's great to see you again."

Michael: "Hello Mr …"

Jason's Dad: "Don't be so formal with me. Just call me by my name."

Michael: "If you say so Dan."

Jason: "Dad try to be careful with him. He's injured on his right foot."

Jason's Dad: "Oh crap sorry about that. What happened to you?"

Michael: "It's a long story."

Jason's Dad: "Well you can tell me about it during dinner. It's great to see you after all these years."

Michael: "It has been what, two years now, maybe more?"

Jason: "Sorry to interrupt, but what do you want for dinner dad?"

Jason's Dad: "Oh, I'm not sure."

Jason: "Of course you don't. What about you Michael? What sounds good to you?"

Michael: "Oh well I'm not sure what I want?"

Jason: "You too huh?"

Jason's Dad: "How about we get fried chicken?"

Jason: "You do know that you're going to have to drive there to get it right? They don't deliver."

Jason's Dad: "That's fine. The both of you could use this as an opportunity to talk to each other again."

Jason: "Well I guess that's true?"

Jason's Dad: "Then it's decided. I'll go get our meal and the two of you can stay here and chat until I get back."

Jason: "Sound like a plan. Be careful out there."

Jason's Dad: "Yeah, yeah, I'm starting to think that you're the parent of the house?"

Jason: "Someone has to."

Jason's Dad: "Smartass" He leaves the house with jacket in hand.

Jason: "My dad can be such a kid at times, but it makes my life more enjoyable."

Michael: "Must be nice." He leans on the couch.

Jason: "…" (Maybe I should avoid dads as a topic?)

Michael: "Say how's that project of his? Last time I was here he was making plans for the project."

Jason: "The Virtual World? He's still working on it, but he did told me that he's getting closer to finishing it."

Michael: "That's cool to hear."

Jason: "Yeah though I wish he could come up with a better name than the one he's currently calling it."

Michael: "What's it called right now?"

Jason: "Doki Doki"

Michael: "Huh?"

Jason: "You see what I mean?"

Michael: "I-I guess so?"

Jason: "That idiot dad of mine."

Meanwhile at the drive through.

Jason's Dad: *Achoo!* "Wow it's freezing today." He says as he rubs his nose.

While Dan waits at the drive through for his order, both boys stayed at the living room talking until he came back with the food. When he came back, they all went to the kitchen and ate dinner together. During that time Michael would tell Dan about what happened to himself and all that has occurred these past few months. After sharing his story to Dan, Michael slowly got up.

Michael: "Thanks for having me over, but I believe it's time for me to head home?"

Jason: "Yeah it is getting late, but it's dark outside for you to walk alone."

Jason's Dad: "It's no problem. I'll drive you home."

Michael: "Are you sure? I could walk there myself no problem. I'm not that injured."

Jason's Dad: "Don't worry about it. Come on and grab your stuff." He gets off his seat to get his jacket.

Michael: "Well ok why not. Thank you."

Jason's Dad: "With pleasure."

For the remainder of the night Dan along with Jason gave Michael a ride home, still having a conversation. When they arrived at Michael's place, they helped aid him to his front door and said their goodbyes before leaving.

Jason's Dad: "It was nice seeing you again. Sleep well so you can use both legs again."

Michael: "Will do."

Jason: "See you around."

Michael: "Same to you."

Both Jason and his dad drive on back to their house while Michael enters his. When he opened the door, he is greeted by a ball of sunshine.

Sayori: "Welcome back MC. Did you have fun?" She smiles brightly to him.

Michael: "… Yeah." He smiles back to her. "I did."

End of Chapter 39