Luka and Shinsuke
Luka and Shinsuke's House
Shinsuke
Oy, you should wake up now! We're almost late.
Luka
What? *rubs eyes* It's Saturday today, right?
Shinsuke
No, it's Friday! And it's already almost 7AM for heaven's sake. We're going to go to detention again this time.
Luka
WHAT?! 😳 But--ugh, that damn Yamada! He fooled me into thinking that it was Friday yesterday! Does that also mean... That I wasn't able to watch the finale for the Kagemusha series! Aw!
Luka
I waited for the finale episode for months, and I hadn't been able to watch it.
Shinsuke
That's what you're worrying now? Come on, get up, and we have to catch up the first period or else we'll be spending the whole day in detention. For the 10th time this month.
Luka
Alright, alright. I'm standing up, see?
Shinsuke
Better hurry up or else I'll leave you.
Luka and Shinsuke have been living together in the same house since the third year of middle school. Shinsuke has been independent all his life, that's all Luka knew. Meanwhile, Luka has been sent home from his parents who are in the US to Japan to finish his studies.
At first, Shinsuke doesn't talk much. Actually, he still doesn't talk a lot, but at least Luka thinks they are kind of friends now. Everything is okay, for the time being.
Luka goes into the bathroom, still yawning.
Luka
And here I thought that I can spend the whole day gaming. That's sad.
However, as he's about to enter the door, he caught a glimpse of something.
A purple haired girl, wearing a cloak, running outside.
I mean, that's pretty normal. But--they are on the fifth floor, for crying out loud!
The girl also caught his eye. They looked at each other for a brief moment.
But then, just like that, the girl was gone.
Luka ran to the nearest window and tried to find the girl running. But she got lost in the middle of concrete jungle of Tokyo.
Luka looked down the street below. He shivered slightly when he saw how high they are.
Luka
I couldn't think of a possible explanation of how that happened!
Shinsuke
(from afar) LUKA!!!
Luka
I-I'm almost done! Wait for me!
Minutes later, Luka and Shinsuke are walking to school.
Luka is still thinking about that strange girl he saw in the window.
Shinsuke
Huh? Are you talking to me?
Luka
😳 H-huh? N-no. I was just talking loudly to myself.
Shinsuke
Of course, you hadn't had breakfast. Sooner or later you'll be off your rocker.
Luka
😑 Come on, don't say that. Also, if you had just let me finish that toast, I wouldn't be so hungry now, wouldn't I?
Shinsuke
😒 It's not my fault if you got fooled by Yamada for the 11th time this month. By now, you shouldn't have believed everything he says. After that free burger incident.
Luka
😤 Don't remind me about that.
Shinsuke didn't answer. They were quiet for a while. Despite his hunger, Luka is still thinking about the weird thing that happened this morning. He's finding a rational explanation for it.
Luka
Do hoverboards fly up to like, 100 meters high?
Shinsuke
With the current technology we have now? No.
Luka
I-is there a crew filming near our apartment building?
Shinsuke
Oh, like in a movie?
Luka
Why did you even answer?
Shinsuke
Why are you even asking these questions?
Luka
It's just--I saw something earlier.
Luka told him about the girl running in the air.
Shinsuke looked at him. First, with a bored expression. Then it turned into pity.
Shinsuke
Alright, it's my fault. I should've been more lenient to you. I mean, we're used to getting detention anyway so, what's new if we're late again today?
Luka
Huh? What do you mean?
Shinsuke
You're clearly hungry that now you're seeing things. Alright. I'm going to treat you today. But only this time! If you still wake up late next time and don't eat breakfast, I will let you starve to death. Okay?
Luka
I'm telling you, I really saw that girl running in mid air earlier!
Shinsuke
Oh, yeah. And she wears a shinigami suit? Or a priestess clothes?
Luka
N-no--but she's wearing a cloak. Like a monk's cloak!
Luka
Okay, let's disregard her clothes for now. But she looked at me! Our eyes met!
Shinsuke
So you're saying a beautiful girl stared at you, from the window, looked into your eyes for a moment, and then vanished into thin air?
Luka
😤 I SAID I'M NOT LYING!
Shinsuke
You know, I'd be more inclined to believe you if that girl laughed at your face.
Shinsuke
All I'm saying is when you walked into the bathroom, your hair was a mess and there were traces of dried saliva in your mouth. Don't you think she'd at least notice that?
Luka
Maybe she's polite and kind. Unlike you!
Shinsuke
But seriously, you should eat your meals regularly.
Shinsuke
You're starting to see things.
Shinsuke
Just like the other day when you told me you saw a dragon in our toilet.
Luka
I wasn't lying that time, too!
Shinsuke
Come on, of all the places he'd choose to go.
Luka
That's your concern?!
Shinsuke
Well, just one of them...
Before Luka and Shinsuke got into the classroom, Shinsuke stopped by the canteen to buy a quick snack for Luka. Usually, that's not permitted, but Shinsuke kind of knows the cook. How? Luka has no idea.
While walking, Luka finished his bread.
Shinsuke is listening to his music player.
Luka
I haven't been able to thank you.
Luka
Even though you make fun of me most of the time, you're always ready to help me.
Luka
Thanks for the bread.
Shinsuke
No worries. I've actually added that to your tab.
Luka
Wait--? I have a tab?! To you?!
Luka
I thought you gave these away for free--
Shinsuke
I never said that. But don't worry, I'm not asking you to pay me. Yet.
Luka
H-how do you want me to pay you? And when?
Shinsuke
When the time comes. When the right time comes.
They agreed to attend the second period since they are already late. Luka braced himself for the inevitable: the wrath of their teacher.
However, when they got there, the teacher was nowhere to be seen.
The students are chatting noisily.
Luka
😦 W-what's happening?
Some of their classmates turned to them. Including his worst enemy in that school.
Yamada
Oh, look who's here. You've finally arrived!
Luka
Yamada. Thanks to you, Shinsuke and I are an hour late! Why wouldn't you stop picking on me?
Yamada
Oh? Why, does that make you want to cry?
Luka
Tch. I'm not crying because of something so petty.
Yamada
😈 Really, huh? Well, I bet you'll be crying now to your Mama in States before the day is over.
Some of their classmates laughed.
Yamada
😈 You'll see. You--and your other friend right there, by the way.
Luka turned to Shinsuke, but he's now sitting on his desk, still listening to his music player. Luka bets he heard nothing of what Yamada said.
Luka
I have no time for your games, Yamada. Goodbye.
Yamada
Oh yeah, it really is goodbye this time, pale-haired freak.
Luka just stared at him. He's really having a bad feeling about this.
But he chose to ignore Yamada. Instead, he went to his chair beside Shinsuke.
The second-period teacher arrives.
Teacher
Good morning, Class IV-D
Teacher
We will have our regular classes today. But before that, I need to talk to Engel-kun and Saito-kun first. Okay?
Luka and Shinsuke looked at each other.
Teacher
Please follow me, you two?
Luka and Shinsuke pick up their respective bags, then stood up.
Some of their classmates giggled, while others just gawked.
Luka and Shinsuke follow their teacher outside the classroom.
As they walk in the quiet hallways, the teacher turned to them with a grave look on her face.
Teacher
Engel-kun and Saito-kun. I'm afraid I have some bad news.
Teacher
We will have to expel both of you. Today.
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