A familiar body lies on the floor, shivering and clutching its neck as kids point at it—laughing and repeating monotonously as if they're robots: "It's your fault. You did this!"
Kailus watches his doppelgänger on the floor, trembling at the onslaught of the crowd. "No, I'm sorry. I said I'm—"
Kailus bolts awake, his body soaked in sweat. His breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps—his mouth and throat parched like last training.
He remembers this feeling at the back of his mind—memories of his father pushing him through long, strenuous exercises—rare occasions that left unforgettable scars.
Kailus switches his wings' temperature to combat the burning sensation, as a grayish-green hue shines over.
'A nightmare again. It's getting to the point where it actually feels like torture. I'm thinking of getting a therapist at this point. Stupid past me.'
He rips off his sleeping mask and tilts toward the clock on his nightstand—6:00 a.m.
"Two and a half hours before class." Kailus mumbles to himself. "I'd better get ready. Hopefully there's a cafeteria—I'm starving, and I don't have the stamina to cook. But, my autobiography comes first~."
He touches the smooth tip of his nightstand as it offer its cold, hard surface.
'Wait… where is it? Heh, maybe it's in a different position.'
Kailus pats it again but to no avail. For the third time, he rubs his eyes, brushing the crust withheld his capability, just to glance once more.
"Oh, no, no, no. Don't tell me I lost it!" he mumbles incoherently. His eyes frantically search the floor as his halo daunts a purple hue.
Just as he's about to get up, he pauses—feeling something beneath him. Peering through the covers, he spots his autobiography between his legs.
"Is my book okay? Oh no, no, no," he mutters frantically, seizing and flipping through its contents with urgency.
Tears well up in his eyes. His breath silent in anticipation as soft rustling of paper fills the still room. A deep blue hue gently kisses the room, making it seem as if time paused at his inconvenience.
"No damage? Impossible—there has to be something wrong," he says aloud, inspecting the book over and over—searching for anything noteworthy—but none appears. After he assures himself, he exhales profoundly as if a great burden were lifted from his hands.
A faint breath echoes nearby, although it's unnecessary now that his book is safe.
Sitting up, he stretches, his flexible back crackling in relief and his radiant white wings unfurling endlessly. His halo shines with this newfound happiness, gently kissing the book's cover before placing it carefully on the nightstand.
"That was frightening. Let me start the day with a prayer at least," Kailus whispers. "God Almighty, let your will prevail—"
(Each morning, Kailus offers a blessing for protecting his family and the future. It has become an unbreakable habit ever since.)
During his daily prayer, a muffled laugh came from outside the door, halting his routine for just a moment. He cocks his head in that direction.
'Oh, and who can that be?'
He finishes his prayer and quickly leaves the comfort of his bed to begin his everyday routine.
However, as soon as he steps foot on the floor, something rubbery pulls his ankle—surprisingly gentle but tight enough to prevent any escape—from under the bed.
Kailus let out a squeal, akin to a squeaky toy, and his halo shone a deep purple than ever. The person behind the door laughs maniacally as their voice vastly fades in the distance.
Kailus kicks as hard as he can—sending whatever grasp his ankle soaring into the wardrobe—shattering it into many pieces. Only a flexible arm, a timer, and claw remained from the plastic machinery.
'A hand machine… Oh, YOU!'
He storms out with only one thought: confronting the culprit. Once he spots her at the front door, he shouts, his halo shining pinkish-red. "Akiro, you booby-trapped my room!"
Akiro smirks slyly. "Why so mad, dear? Furious and flustered at my harmless prank? And there you are, flashing me a look of approval. You couldn't even keep it in your night robe. I'll pray if someone has to face that in bed because it'd be a challenge for sure."
She laughs gently, covering her sly-ish lips, her bright velvet eyes flush with lust.
Kailus follows Akiro's gaze only to realize his robe dauntingly slipping off his curvaceous body. A pink hue washes over his reddened face.
Without saying a word, he bolts into his room, yanking his robe closed.
At that moment, Shalius opens her door and gets bombarded by the chaos outside. She stands there bewildered and blushing at the sight upon her. Before she could register what was happening, Kailus shut his door and hides in the bathroom.
'AHH! Why am I so blind? I flashed my family and now my roommate? I deserve it, but why now?! It can only get so much worse.'
Nevertheless, Kailus showers and scrubs himself clean. He combs his straggly hair and cleans the crevices of his wings. Then, he dons his celestial robe (Angelic Culture) and a golden necklace from his mother.
Just as he's about to wear his father's golden bracelet, he pauses.
'Something is missing from my memory, but what?'
He stands idly for a few seconds, staring blankly at his reflection, until one particular event snaps him out. "Ahh, yes, I have to visit Teacher Lascuda today. I hope she can accommodate the college's hours with my tardiness."
Rushing out, Kailus spots Akiro and Shalius waiting near the front door. In a low, threatening tone, he warns, "Don't you dare mention anything about today, Kitsunē."
"Why would I?" Akiro teases, her many tails swaying gently. "You wish to savor that moment for your future wife, right? And also, it's Kitsuné."
"Fine, Kitsunê." Kailus retorts, rolling his eyes.
Akiro laughs frivolously. "Oh, you're playing that game, huh? I know you're a pretty religious zealot."
"And I-I know… you're bland… just.. boring," Kailus murmurs.
"Looks like your insult level is too low. If you ever wish to defeat me, train for another one hundred years," Akiro jokes with a fake pride plastered over her creamy, pinkish lips.
Kailus scoffs and flutters down between them. He's about to open the door but hesitates upon realizing his situation. "I—um, I have to go to Carolice to get the schedule. I'll join you soon."
"No need to worry, dear friend; we all share the same classroom. You can follow me," Shalius says, patting Kailus on the back.
Kailus sighs in relief. "Ah, thank you. I assumed they would differ by gender, yet I'm proven wrong furthermore."
"Or it's the same for us because we're female," Akiro quips with a wide grin.
Kailus tenses at her implication. "Is that true, Shalius?"
Irritated by her teasing, Shalius snaps: "Stop prolonging this conversation. It's no different from ours, Akiro."
"UHHH, I don't know about that~," Akiro answers dumbly.
As they argue, Kailus ponders. 'Should I believe Akiro or Shalius? Shalius has shown loyalty toward me. She wouldn't lie to me, right?'
In his mind, Akiro perches on Kailus's right shoulder with an evil presence, and Shalius on his left with a godly aura.
Little Shalius says in her peachy voice: 'Believe me, Kailus. I wouldn't lie to you.'
Little Akiro answers in a deep tone: 'Don't believe that girl. She lies like an evildoer.'
'You are an evildoer!', the tiny Shalius retorts.
The endless arguing irritates Kailus as he brushes them off.
He concludes, "I-I believe you, Shalius."
Akiro slumps in feigned defeat. "I was never good enough for this."
(After today's antics, it's 6:30 a.m., two hours before class.)
Shalius glances at the clock and then turns to Akiro. "As lazy as you are, what will you do to improve your heritage?"
"I only care about myself," Akiro responds calmly. "I'm probably going to work at Jipsie's carnival or some fun place."
Shalius' eyes narrow just slightly before asking Kailus. "And you?"
'Oh, she's very judgmental. I have to be careful what I say.'
"Umm—I don't have any plans at the moment," he replies, as in turn, his stomach emits a loud growl.
Shalius laughs softly. "Well, how about we get breakfast and discuss this later on? They have many alternative choices there."
Akiro perks up. "Really, love?"
"Yes," Shalius says, turning to Akiro. "But you should work out; you're getting a little chubby. Be glad that your fast metabolism is working overtime for that physique of yours."
Kailus glances at Akiro's stomach. "Uh, yes, you do need some training. Maybe the same as my father's?"
Akiro shrugs. "I'll do it later, guys. I also hate how fat I'm getting. I've tried getting larger kimonos, but my thighs are getting too thick to hide them. I hate how revealing my body looks."
"Then why wear so openly in the dorm if you hate revealing yourself?" Kailus asks, tilting his head. His halo casting a grey hue over the room.
Akiro rolls her eyes. "Because you're my roommate, I might as well leave it open. You don't mind the view, do you, Kailus," she says, staring at his halo.
Kailus' halo shines pink at her teasing, whereas Shalius' eyes gleam with excitement—her body shimmering softly. "Then I'll forcibly train you. You'll suffer indefinitely—but you'll end up with an amazing physique. Breakfast and lunch will be your last greasy meals before our session commences. It's for the good of your health."
"You don't have to do this. I can exercise myself," Akiro protests.
Shalius smiles warmly. "Then I'll remind AND show you how to exercise for your own good. From your words, you disclose only about treasuring yourself. I'm merely following your belief to the extent that you follow."
Akiro's ears flopped to her head, realizing Shalius had cornered her.
"F-fine," she stammers.
Shalius grabs the doorknob and turns toward Kailus. "Now that's settled, let's eat, shall we?"
Kailus nods eagerly as Shalius opens the door.