Kagami Toshiki POV
It is currently Tuesday morning.
I am seated in the chair across from my dad while we are having breakfast.
"So what's the thing you were going to talk about, Toshiki?" my dad asked curiously.
I took a bite of chicken before meeting his concerned stare.
"Eh? Was I about to say something? I think you're just imagining it, Dad," I lied as easily as I breathed.
"If you're having personal problems, you can always turn to your mom and me for help," he said in a bothered tone.
I'm sorry, Dad, but I would sound like a complete lunatic if I told you everything that happened this month.
Especially what happened last night during my sleep.
[Well, I might just be your imaginary friend that you never moved on from. Or worse, you might have schizophrenia.]
Can you please not talk to me while I'm having a conversation with my dad?
Also, how in the world do you even know those words? Don't tell me you went through my memories.
[First of all, I can only read your thoughts and not dig deep into your memories. Second and lastly, this world and my world are almost identical based on things you said to me.]
[Except for what you call fantasy elements, of course.]
I guess I learned something new.
Ignoring the voice, I turned my attention back to Dad.
"I'm fine. You don't have to worry," I said while flexing my arm with a small huff.
He gave a wry smile and shook his head just as his phone rang.
"I'll excuse myself," he said as he set his cup down and stood up.
After finishing my breakfast, I packed my bag and got ready to leave.
Before heading out, I stepped into the living room where my mom was watching a drama.
She immediately looked away from the television when she noticed me.
"You're done eating already? It's still early, you can have more," she said.
"I'm already full," I said while tapping my stomach with a grin.
She responded with a long and suspicious mhmm.
"Are you sure you are all right?" she asked. "You should slow down with your writing if it is becoming a burden."
"Don't misunderstand. Your dad and I support your interest. But if it is affecting you negatively, that is a completely different story," she added in a stern tone.
I really could not escape my mom's watchful eyes.
I already knew she had been noticing my odd behavior over the past few weeks, but I kept dismissing it.
"Don't worry. I'm fine," I reassured her.
She let out a heavy sigh, clearly unconvinced, and did not press the matter any further.
"Take care on the way," she said as she turned her attention back to the television.
"I will. Don't worry," I replied before leaving the living room.
I met Dad on the way out and we exchanged a short conversation before he saw me off.
Once outside, I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
My gaze drifted toward the house next door. Mochi was not there.
"There goes my morning energizer," I muttered with a regretful groan after failing to spot the dog I was hoping to see.
[So this is what Japan looks like.]
My disappointment is immediately replaced by curiosity as the voice spoke again.
Recalling it, you once said that your two Japanese friends are the only Japanese people you know.
Haven't you ever seen or visited Japan in your world?
[Only through pictures. Did the dreams not show you what happened to them? Or Jin sharing his experience?]
Nope. I haven't seen anything or heard anything about it.
I do remember you mentioning something called a Bloody Birthday, though.
[I will tell you the full details someday. Just not now.]
Bummer.
Is it really that long of a story?
[Short version. Something happened because of a daemon, and a certain younger self of a fist-brained idiot was consumed by rage and nearly wiped out an entire continent before Carys came to the rescue.]
That sounds messy.
[Anyway, I will talk to you later, kid. I am going to take a nap.]
Do you even need sleep?
[Just because my body does not need sleep does not mean I do not crave it.]
Well, I cannot blame you. It must be boring to be trapped in that place.
[You have no idea.]
Those were the last words I heard before everything went silent.
I stopped in my tracks when the signal light turned red.
"I'll just write tonight, I guess," I muttered to the empty air.
Thanks to Osmond, I finally knew what to do with my premise.
I could not wait to write down all the ideas swirling in my head.
"Oh, it's Toshiki," someone called out my name.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Keiji.
"Morning," I said as I formed a fist.
We bumped fists.
When the light signaled for us to go, Keiji and I walked side by side as we crossed the road.
"Oh yeah, have you started reviewing for the exam?" Keiji asked.
Now that he mentioned it, I realized that finals week was already coming up the week after next.
"No way I am starting this early," I shrugged.
"Dude, I just hope you do not end up like last midterm," he said in a concerned tone.
I shivered just thinking about it.
Thank God Keiji saved my butt that time.
Cramming is really bad for my health, but like a nicotine addict, I could not help doing it despite knowing the consequences.
"Math is probably my top priority this time," I said while stroking my chin and looking down.
To be completely honest, I am only average at math.
Which means not studying is a big no.
Keiji crossed his arms.
"Man, you have to remember that your score will determine whether you get a summer break or not," he said as he snapped his fingers.
"I'm not usually like this, you know. It was just bad timing. The game I was waiting for happened to come out that week," I said with a smirk.
"This guy," Keiji muttered, raising his hands in surrender.
"Unlike you, I don't eat numbers for breakfast, Mr. Newton," I teased.
"I already told you and the rest of the class to stop calling me that," Keiji said in an annoyed tone.
Even though Keiji loves games and anime just like I do, he somehow finds solving math problems entertaining no matter the situation.
The harder the problem is, the more excited he gets.
He has already corrected our math teacher twice after noticing mistakes in the equations written on the board.
That is why our class collectively agreed to call Keiji "Mr. Newton" whenever he solves the examples given to us.
"I just like numbers. It is like solving a puzzle for me, you know? That is why the more complicated it is, the more satisfaction I get after finding the right answer," he said, sharing his honest thoughts.
"Sorry, but I cannot relate," I said as I tapped his shoulder.
He is new to our school, yet he is already making a name for himself our class.
After all, scoring higher than Harada-san on the last exam, the undisputed smartest girl in our grade, is definitely enough to draw attention.