Chapter Text
The final bell of Kamone Academy had long since rang out, yet different sounds continue to populate the school grounds. They count down the seconds in a discordant yet measured rhythm, crescendoing until the final moments that mark the end of another year.
The rustling of stray papers, the scattered words that linger in the air, the scratches of chairs righting themselves in their temporary tombs. Doors close in a heavy sigh of finality, and footsteps march aimlessly, tapping incessantly on the tiles as if to imprint their parting words.
In April, the cycle starts anew. Come March, it collapses on itself once more.
“We’re finally done with it all!”
“No thanks to you, I might note. How did you forget all those forms at the last minute? It’s almost like- wait. Don’t tell me this is another one of your schemes.”
“Who, me? I want to start spring just as much as you! Hey, what do you think we should do? Travel around? Go strawberry picking? Oh! Are there any festivals around here?”
“Pass.”
“Ahh~ there’s the cherry blossoms too, how romantic! We can go see the first ones together. Maybe I should invite Akane-san, too.”
“Don’t even think about it. Besides, I can’t babysit you all the time.”
“Oh?”
“What? Ever heard of being busy? It’s none of your business anyways, so butt out.”
“Hm. Don’t come to regret those words~”
The last steps find themselves at the concrete of a school gate. At the edge of the beyond.
“Staying behind already? Don’t tell me you’re getting attached to the school.”
“You wish. I’m just waiting to see if Ao-chan is still here.”
“Hm? A bit late for that, isn’t it? Either way, I guess this is it for us.”
“Don’t get all sappy on me.”
“Can’t I give a farewell in peace? Here, look. Goodbye, ■■■.”
The silence holds like a bated breath.
“...”
“You have to say it back~”
There is nothing else. Nothing else but static.
“See you next year, President Minamoto.”
“Who are you?”
Teru squints his eyes at the student who has just entered the student council room. He had brown hair and striking green eyes, donning a 2nd year uniform. Teru immediately crossed him out for anybody he would be overtly familiar with.
“Um. I’m Suzuto. Suzuto Fuji, senpai.” The student replied with confusion on his face.
Ah. Recognition trickled into Teru. Suzuto Fuji is part of the student council, a quiet soul who Teru often saw worrying over paperwork. Although dedicated to the job, he can’t see why Suzuto would spend the early periods setting up in the student council room while he had classes to attend. In addition, Teru reacted in surprise when Suzuto-
“Why are you going to the Vice President's desk?”
Suzuto can’t seem to decide whether to feel concerned or amused. “President Minamoto? Are you sure you came back from spring break?” Suzuto adjusted the chair, further displacing it from its spot before he sat down and got comfortable. He took various items out of his bag in a mechanical motion. From files, to paper, to laptop, to stationery. It’s as if he’d done this motion hundreds of times in the past.
Teru stared at Suzuto, processing his behavior as the underclassman is none the wiser. Suzuto pauses and catches Teru’s gaze, tilting his head as if realizing Teru’s concerns are genuine. He clarifies, “I am the Vice President.”
Teru’s expressions furrowed, until he played it off with a small smile. “You… You are?”
A nod. “I am. We ran the campaign last year. And the year before that.”
“We did.” Teru said in a tone just barely questioning. “You are.”
Suzuto nods again, and focuses his attention on the files in front of him to escape the conversation. Teru begins to sort through his thoughts, unable to pinpoint where his sudden confusion came from. As he begins to recall, the memories seemingly appear to him. Yes, Suzuto is not lying. He has been Vice President since last year, serving under Teru as they sort out the school affairs. He can now remember staying after school with Suzuto to finish up paperwork and a soft voice following him around during the school festivals. They had a polite and professional relationship. Of course.
Teru and Suzuto continue to work in silence, finishing up their duties before second period starts. They clean up the room, making way to the halls before parting in a stifling goodbye.
Teru’s third and last year in Kamone Academy had just started, yet he couldn’t help but feel like something was already missing. It was a gnawing that began the moment he stepped foot onto the gate, and only intensified as he interacted with Suzuto. Ever cautious, Teru had already scanned around for any supernatural presence or curses, but came back empty. It seemed to be something entirely from his psyche, how tiring.
Nevertheless, he continued to go through his class, accepting greetings and small talk from just about every one of his classmates. A brief respite appeared in the form of Kou, in which he spent inquiring about his little brother’s day and calming any concerns Kou anxiously jumped to. In spite of this, the feeling only persisted. By the time lunch came around, Teru could only be miffed at the growing headache that came from the presence of wrongness.
It is only slightly consciously that Teru finds himself in front of the door of class 2-A at the start of lunch. He opened the doors and observed as every student in the class paused their conversations. Although some came to catch his attention, hushed whispers fell as Teru moved towards the side of the classroom. He scanned the audience, darting his eyes to search for someone. Someone that he knows and knows him-
“Minamoto-senpai?”
Teru breaks out of his trance, looking down to find Akane Aoi in front of him. Yashiro Nene sits next to her, both of them in the middle of unpacking their lunches. Ah. So that’s what he was here for.
Teru dons an open smile, greeting the girls with a friendliness that was more genuine than he had been expecting. “Room for one more?”
He can feel the stares digging into his back, the classroom waiting with baited breath as they watched the perfect scene play out in front of him.
“Of course. ♡” Aoi responds with a smile of her own. Teru twitched internally at how plastic it was, the familiar mask being strikingly disturbing when worn by someone else.
The class, however, was easily convinced. Breaking out into more obvious whispers as Teru settled down with Aoi and Nene. They aren’t disturbed, Teru notices, or at least they aren’t showing it if they are. Gratitude towards the two rises in Teru.
“So, Minamoto-senpai…” Nene started, undeterred by Teru’s unexpected intrusion, “How has your spring break been?”
“It’s been fine, Yashiro-san. Thank you.” Teru eases into conversation, “The Princess has been insistent in preparing for her first day of school, so Kou and I haven’t been able to do much but assist her.” Teru felt the familiar pang of emotional pride fill him, “She’s growing up so fast…”
Nene cooed, “Aw! Give Tiara my best wishes. She’s going to do great in school.” She lit up at the mention of her friend, “Speaking of, how is Kou doing? I haven’t caught a glimpse of him since school started.”
Teru eased at the topic of his siblings. “Kou’s well. I saw him earlier. He’s a little nervous, but it’s nothing he hasn’t dealt with.”
“Thats good-”
“And after what happened last year?” Aoi finally spoke up.
The room felt suddenly charged, faced with the unspoken bond that connected them all. Teru knew that it was wishful thinking to believe Aoi would continue with her normal existence after being touched by the supernatural. Despite his best efforts, Aoi was now aware of his double life. He finds that the prospect isn’t as terrifying as it once was.
“He’s… faring as well as the rest of us.” Teru hummed, thoughtful. Ever since the three of them left No.1’s boundary, Teru had done his best to comfort Kou with the scattered memories he found himself in. Two lives flash before him, an effect of the grand clock’s distortion. A lack of clarity on which life was truly his own.
Nene gave an assuring smile, having been there for Kou when Teru wasn’t, “At the very least, it has been easier now that everything is mostly back to normal.”
Teru let out a long sigh at that comment, something that Aoi noticed, “Is there something wrong, Minamoto-senpai?”
“No, at least not yet.” Teru decides to voice the constant ache that’s been plaguing him since the morning, “Yashiro-san, Akane-san. Have you two felt off today?”
The two girls looked at each other, discerning where this query came from. “We haven’t, no,” Aoi responded.
“Are you sure? No weird feelings or misplaced thoughts?” Teru tries elaborating, “As if something has changed, or something in you is just… wrong.”
“I don’t,” Aoi wracks her brain, “I don’t think so?”
“Minamoto-senpai, is something the matter?” Nene bursts out, concern written all over her face, “I… do you think that there might be-?”
“I don’t know yet,” Teru admits, “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I think I was just frazzled when seeing Suzuto-kun this morning.”
“Ah! That reminds me, I need to turn in a form to Suzuto-kun for the gardening club,” Aoi suddenly remembered. “Nene-chan, can you please go with me?”
“Right now? Okay, Ao-chan.” Teru watched the girls as they packed up their lunches, taking note of how none of them strongly reacted to the news of Vice President Suzuto. As Nene finished packing up, she spared a worried glance towards Teru.
“Minamoto-senpai… if you feel as though something is wrong with this reality, please stop at nothing to find out why.” Nene looked at Teru with eyes too understanding. A soul empathetic rather than sympathetic, having lived through similar experiences.
Teru nodded, “You have my word.”
After the last bell of the day rang, Teru was surprised to find Aoi waiting outside the school gates. She stood there motionless, bag in hand. Her expressions betrayed no emotions, other than the implication that she wasn’t quite thinking about her actions.
Teru walked up to her, “Akane-san. What are you doing here?”
Finally noticing Teru’s presence, Aoi turned to greet him, “Minamoto-senpai. I… I’ve been waiting, I guess?”
“Waiting? For whom?” Teru grinned, “A secret crush?”
Aoi’s smile turned sharp, “No. ♡”
She took in her surroundings, processing the nearly deserted campus that was full moments ago. “I suppose it just, felt right.” She explained weakly.
Aoi thought about it more, “If anything, would you want to walk home with me, Minamoto-senpai?”
Teru, quite honestly, was taken aback by the request. He had never thought Akane Aoi would ever look in his direction enough to openly invite him. He automatically assumed that they were too incompatible, a fact Teru knows Aoi is acutely aware of. It comes with the territory of coming out of supernatural Hell together, he reckons.
“Of course, Akane-san, I’m honored by your invitation,” Teru continued before Aoi had the chance to respond, “But unfortunately, I have other tasks to attend to today.”
“Other tasks? Isn’t it too early for the student council to be this busy?” Aoi questioned.
“Let's just say, I’ll be working a bit of overtime,” Teru flourishes it with a wink.
Aoi, ever unfazed by Teru’s charms, mutely accepts his explanation. She nods to him as a goodbye, and he waves at her until her figure is out of sight.
With a sigh, Teru hardens his stance as he reaches for the bag that hangs over his shoulder as a constant companion. Unzipping it, he quickly takes out the Minamoto Sword and sheaths his Spirit Blade at his side. With this, Teru reenters the school with a family duty empowering him.
At the start of every year, Teru spends time after school scouting the campus, noting any changes with the supernaturals. He plans to pass this task down to Kou eventually, but the uncertain nature that comes with the School Mysteries means Kou is saved from the task for one more year. It is a simple routine, sometimes methodical, but between the stray supernaturals that make their way into the property or the sudden rifts that require more expertise to seal, Teru had come to not underestimate this tradition.
He pays special attention to the details this time, still feeling the disquiet that plagued him the entire day. Each classroom was surveyed and cleared, Teru banishing any traces or even hints of a supernatural in hiding. Despite this effort, he couldn’t discern any obvious source of his discomfort. The patrol was uneventful, aside from a handful of Mokkes who were in the final stages of a contract with a blood demon.
After giving the perimeter a thorough clear, Teru began to hone in on the powerful supernaturals ruling over the school— the Seven Mysteries.
No.5, as always, was the easiest to find. Teru found the bug sleeping in the middle of the Library with an upside-down book over its head.
No.4 kept to the canvases. Not once was Teru spared any thought or notice.
No.2 was irritating per usual, cursing out his bloodline for their disrespect towards supernatural boundaries.
No.6 was deep in its domain, lying dormant in levels Teru couldn’t bother getting close to.
No.1 was unchanged; the grand clock stood ever still with its three keepers hidden by its gears.
No.3 had changed. News to Teru, but by the way the supernatural squealed around and barely escaped Teru’s attack through the edge of a mirror, he doubts any major disturbances will come from it.
That leaves Teru at the entrance of No.7’s domain. He rolled his shoulders before taking a step in.
“I know you’re there.” He calls out into the open air.
A moment passed before Teru felt something shift, and he drags his spirit blade through an unsuspecting wall, before being met with equally formidable metal. The blades squeak as they make contact with each other, and Teru readjusts his grip to apply a stronger force, electricity flashing as it trickles from the blade. As suddenly as the knife begins to give, the blade twists and No.7 dodges Teru’s swing.
“Hey! Woah, woah, kid! Calm down, I’m here- I’m here.” No.7 revealed itself, slipping away before Teru could deal another well-timed strike. “Jeez, you never get any more tolerable with these.”
Teru glared at No.7, unwilling to entertain the pest any longer than need be. “Then you know exactly what I’m here for.”
No.7 stuck its tongue out at Teru, “Nothing’s changed, all’s the same,” it reported with a breath of nonchalance.
Teru deadpanned, the skepticism apparent. He angled his spirit blade again, letting out stray sparks of electricity that naturally honed their energy onto the nearest supernatural.
“Youch! Careful!” No.7 jolted away, cowering away behind a bathroom stall door as if a piece of plywood could spare him from the wrath of the Minamotos. “I’m not lying, you know! The Seven are perfectly fine, all the school forces are in balance- Eep!” No.7 rushed out of the bathroom stall with its hands held out, perceiving Teru’s diminishing patience as the rambling continued.
“Contrary to everything you believe against me, I still do my job,” No.7 defended, “As the leader of the Seven Mysteries, I am well beyond capable of monitoring the school without you exorcists sticking your nose in here every year.”
“Careful~” Teru warns cheerfully, “I may have entrusted my brother with your exorcism, but I hold no qualms about helping him along the way.”
No.7 winced, muttering in curses as the threat was received. Despite his warnings, Teru was aware that little else could be done towards Honorable No.7. He concludes his annual patrol here, and goes to head out of the defunct bathroom.
Just before taking his leave, Teru stopped in front of the entrance. No.7’s breath hitched, bracing for any additional strikes Teru could throw in. Instead, what came out of Teru was another inquiry.
“Tell me, No.7, is this still the same world?” Teru is reminded of No.1’s manipulation, making the accusation in an even tone. “It would be to your benefit to cut the nonsense.”
A glance back at No.7 revealed a blank expression, eyes empty and untelling. “This is the present timeline.” No.7 confirmed, “Everyone is in their rightful place.”
Life continued as it does for the next month. Teru fell into a familiar routine of school, student council, and after dark exorcisms that left him scarcely enough energy to continue the next day. Despite the misfortunes which often followed Teru and his companions, namely Nene, the supernatural forces of Kamone Academy seem to have calmed down, which does not comfort Teru as much as it should. He has a rising suspicion that Nene continues to encounter misadventures that Teru is not made privy to. He can only hope that Nene and Kou are sensible enough to ask for his help before any situations gets out of hand.
The offputting feeling persisted, Teru realizes, disappointedly. It became a constant presence, something that often goes unnoticed until it is prompted again by chance circumstances. Teru finds a way to exist with it.
One change did get added to Teru’s routine, as he ended up taking Aoi on her offer. Their walks home becoming more common as the weeks pass by. Initially, they didn't mesh well. The students were none the wiser as new gossip flooded the Academy about Teru and Aoi’s excursions, yet many couldn’t see behind the well-placed pleasantries and docile smiles that clung to the two. The most popular boy and the most popular girl, unable to stray far from their roles.
Many times in their friendship, Teru wonders what drew the two together in the first place.
Eventually, the conversations became easier. Teru and Aoi were able to pick at each other’s exteriors, opening up to the only topics that truly mattered. Aoi made comments on gardening, on Nene, on animals, on quiet winter nights, on the pressure of it all. Teru accepted her and returned the favor. He opened up about his family, of Kou and Tiara, of arcades, of exhilarating summer nights, of the expectations that weigh on him like heavy armor.
It’s curious. Teru can’t pinpoint when his emotions became so much easier to give up.
The sun was bearing down on Friday. The transition from spring to summer was apparent in how Teru’s cotton shirt tended to stick to his skin. Perhaps it was the heat that made Teru more irritable, or maybe he just became accustomed to Aoi’s company, that Teru finds himself complaining more than usual.
“It’s just- the way he speaks, Akane-san! It’s like he barely processes what I have to say!”
“Be nice, Minamoto-senpai,” Aoi says pleasantly, but from her, it was similar to a chide, “Suzuto-kun is kind. He’s very helpful to you and us all.”
Teru bristles, kicking a rock that lay in the way of his footsteps. “Yeah, and that’s all he’s capable of doing, apparently. I can barely talk to him before it’s all ‘Yes, President Minamoto. Understood, President Minamoto. Whatever you say, President Minamoto.’ It’s awful.”
“So you’re saying,” Aoi tries to follow Teru’s logic, “You dislike him because he… listens to you too much.”
“Well-” Teru feels caught in the irrational standards, “He never has anything to add to the meetings. How can I run the student council properly if even my vice president is a yes-man?” Teru is rambling; he knows that. But how else can he describe the roadblock that Suzuto imposes on his workflow by simply existing?
Teru groans, “It’s just… you know.”
Aoi nods sympathetically, perhaps one of the few people in Kamone Academy who would.
“I can’t believe I’m stuck with him for this year,” Teru whines, “I can’t believe I already worked with him for one year.”
They walk in comfortable silence for the next minute, half focused on each other and the other half on the heat they haven't yet adjusted to. In the midst of the crossroads leading up to her house, Aoi lights up with an idea.
“Minamoto-senpai, would you want to head down to this convenience store nearby?” Aoi asks, “I frequented it as a child, and they have some cold desserts for sale.”
An uncommon request, but Teru would be lying if it didn’t seem appealing, “If so, lead the way.”
They walk down a small street, just barely diverging from their main path. It was a quaint alleyway with a handful of local residents, all living in the background as they opened their windows to let the slightest breeze blow through. Although unintimidating as teens, Teru wondered how a young Akane Aoi would travel by herself down the winding roads without company or supervision.
They arrived at the shop, a small convenience store that specialized in trinkets and treats, run solely by a kind lady at the back. Aoi signaled Teru towards the small freezer aisle, stocked with colorful brands that Teru had never been accustomed to. He points to a yellow and blue package, pineapple maybe, and Aoi quietly took the ice cream with her choice already in hand.
As Aoi made her way to the register and got held up in a warm conversation with the owner, Teru was distracted by the colorful machines that lined one wall of the store. He recognized them as gachapon machines, their colorful little capsules always out of his reach as a child. One more look around made Teru realize that he was unsupervised, and he slowly reached for his pockets to find a few coins of spare change.
He scanned the selection of machines, finding one that had various prizes of aquatic animals, which became scarcer with each rarity. Loading the coins into the machine, Teru carefully turned the metal knobs and watched in awe as a bright blue capsule made it’s way out of the hatch, shaking and chiming as the mechanics processed the purchase. Although Teru’s date with Nene had already introduced him to the wonders of arcade games and these childish machines, he still couldn't stifle the delight each one gave him.
Holding the capsule like a prize, Teru slowly opened the gachapon and gasped softly as he was met with the face of a shark. One glance back at the front of the machine confirmed his suspicion; it was the rarest type of the bunch. The shark was a small keychain and was very easily manufactured, yet Teru couldn’t help but be giddy at the new addition to his small but growing collection of trinkets and toys.
Suddenly filled with a need to boast, Teru turned to his companion, “Look! Look what I got, Aoi-”
He stopped at the sight of Akane Aoi standing next to him, with two ice creams in her hands and her eyebrows raised. She was caught off guard by the first name, but quickly made adjustments. “Congratulations, Teru-kun! I don’t think I have that one yet. I should show you my collections from this store one day.”
She handed his ice cream to him and tore off the wrapping of her own. Teru can barely process Aoi moving out of the store as his breath was seemingly stuck in his lungs.
Aoi. He froze at the name. Of course, it was undoubtedly his friend’s name, and he reasoned that the two had been getting closer than usual. There are many explanations for why Teru had called for Aoi, but-
He just couldn’t understand why it felt like Aoi was a completely different person.
Unease builds inside Teru as he cautiously follows Aoi outside the store. She seemed unaware of his current dilemma, continuing on another story in her childhood as they made their way back to her house. At the door of the Akane household, Teru finally looks Aoi in the eyes and asks her a long-forgotten question he’s had since the start.
“Akane-san, why did you invite me to walk with you? On the first day of school?”
Aoi tilted her head, confused as to the sudden change in honorifics. She replied to him plainly, “Who else have I been walking home with?”
Teru accepted the answer, waving goodbye to her as he headed towards his house. With every step he takes, he tries to forget the sense of wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong wrong-
He glances down at his hand, the half-melted popsicle stick staining his fingers. Teru finishes the treat in one bite. It is too sweet.
The next disturbance to Teru’s routine was quite uneventful, in hindsight. It came in the form of a lost boy in front of the student council room. Teru had stayed after school for the day, rushing to finish up paperwork just a few weeks before summer break. Usually, this process would be faster with Suzuto, but Teru had found that it was easier to dismiss Suzuto early rather than juggle with his unwarranted animosity towards the vice president.
It is for this reason that, hours after school, Teru was surprised to find an unfamiliar face outside the student council room when he stepped out. It was a surprise to the underclassmen, too, Teru notices, as the boy jumped at Teru’s appearance and immediately looked as if he wanted to flee.
“Ah! P-President Minamoto!” The boy stammered, eyes flying anywhere but at Teru.
“Hello? What are you doing here so late after school?” Teru asked. He took in the student’s appearance as the boy tried to piece together a response. He had reddish-brown, almost copper hair that seemed to shift alongside the dying spring sunlight. It was short, parted in the middle in a way that barely reached his eyes. The boy had plain, almost soft features and adorned a pair of equally warm eyes that contained flecks of teal and oranges.
“I was just,” the boy speaks up, “On my way home… from a club.” The last part was close to mutters, “The meeting ran late…”
“And so you decided to stare at the student council door?”
“Right! N-No, well…” The boy quieted, wallowing in embarrassment as Teru could see thoughts flying through his eyes.
Teru took in the scene. Of the unusual time and the simple, unsuspecting boy who captured his attention. As the boy stammered through his words, Teru found an involuntary feeling of… fondness flash by. Something which caught Teru off guard, unused to such a strong reaction from a stranger.
Curious, Teru thought. He immediately decides to prod the boy for more. “Could it be that you were waiting for me?” Teru added a dose of princely charm to his tease, finishing off with a smile and a wink for good measure.
Unexpectedly, the boy was immediately opposed to the idea, expression souring up in a sour distaste that Teru had never seen targeted towards himself. “God, what? No! Is that what you immediately think? Gross-”
“Alright, alright, not another secret admirer,” Teru cut him off with amusement, “But you can't fault me for assuming~”
The boy in front of him was in the middle of snapping back, before he froze. It seemed something Teru said displeased him. His next words were clipped, “If that’s all, goodbye, President. I’ll be going.”
“Off so soon?” Teru didn’t want their conversation to end. “Would you want me to walk you to the school gates?”
“No, not particularly,” the boy answered quickly.
“Really? I’m already heading in the same direction-”
“I have absolutely no need.”
Teru frowned at the rejections, “Could you at least tell me your name? It feels impolite since you already know mine.”
This made the boy pause in his tracks. He takes a moment to consider his options, harboring a deep sigh when he comes to a conclusion, “I don’t see why you need or care for it,” He started, “But fine. It’s Sato Minori.”
Sato Minori. Teru internally memorized. “It was nice meeting you, Sato-kun. I hope to see you around.”
The boy, Minori, stared at Teru. Conflict was apparent in his eyes. Eventually, he spoke again, “Have a good day Presi… Minamoto-senpai,” and disappeared through the hallways.
For the next days, Teru’s life continued as normal. It was hard to notice if the change even happened, but internally, Teru knew differently. Almost involuntarily, Teru’s thoughts always strayed back to the strange interaction he had that late evening, poring over the boy’s individual actions and words. The fact that intrigued Teru the most, however, was the unnatural sense of calmness that Minori brought to Teru. He had felt comfortable in Minori’s presence, like a weight had been lifted.
Sato Minori, Teru finds himself wondering. Now, whoever could you be?
Aside from their after-school walks, Aoi made her way into Teru’s life in another way during lunchtimes. Yashiro Nene also shared this period with the two of them, and the three made a close-knit group that changed spots throughout the school. On occasions, Kou would join the trio in favor of his friends, Nene would instead spend lunch with No.7, Teru would be caught up in student council duties, or Aoi would be busy helping another teacher. Nevertheless, the three often stuck to their arrangement, and Teru couldn’t be more grateful for the company.
Their conversations varied, oftentimes limited to any stray thoughts that came to any one of them, which worked as they were all comfortable enough to discuss anything. The nature of their friendship and their identities as individuals, however, led to some burning subjects that would never be brought up anywhere else.
“Aoi, have you heard any rumors recently?” Nene asked, almost absentmindedly as she picked at her lunch.
Aoi and Teru glanced at each other. It wasn’t as if the supernatural was a taboo topic, per se; it just came with an air of existentialism that places a damper on the mood.
“Hmm, I don’t think I’ve heard any good ones of late.” Aoi pondered, “Maybe I could tell you one of the old mysteries in the school?”
A subject that Nene and Teru are well versed in, Aoi should be aware. But Nene doesn’t voice any objections, and so she continues.
“Let’s see, why don’t we start with one of my favorites?” Aoi cleared her throat, retelling the story with an uncanny cadence:
“...Have you heard the rumor?
It's school mystery number oneー The three clock keepers.
There's a big, big old clock somewhere in the school.
That clock is time itselfー the time that flows through the school.
If you move the hands of that clock, the school's time is yours to command.
But you see...
...There are guards watching over the big clock.
They are the Three Clock Keepers who represent past, present, and future.
If anyone touches the clock without their permission...
...The Three Clock Keepers will steal the time from that person's life...!”
Teru listens to the display with ease, unsurprised by the story he had already heard before. He opens his mouth to make a teasing comment before realizing that Aoi was taking another breath. She continued the rumor.
“They say after being stuck in time for so long, a Clock Keeper grew antsy.
The Keeper of the Present grew jealous, watching the lives of the students pass.
‘Why can’t I bask in the moment, just as much as they do?’
Bitterly, the Clock Keeper abandoned their post…
…And disguised themselves amongst your peers.
Here, the Keeper of the Present lies, slowly stealing the youth of everyone to relive their adolescence for eternity…!”
Aoi finished with a smile, “And that’s all. ♡”
Nene reacted with a small applause, unfazed by the addition to the story. “I know that the Second Clock Keeper is meant to represent eternal youth and all, but jeez! What a bad deal.”
Aoi giggled at Nene’s words, “You say this every time.”
“And I’m not wrong, am I? Imagine having to relive high school all over again. All the tests and the drama and the anxiety!” she shudders, “Just once in my life, thank you!” Nene then turns to him, “You have to agree, right, Minamoto-Senpai?”
Teru, barely processing her words during the chaos in his mind, gave her a slow answer, “Oh. Yeah, right.”
Thankfully, the two girls accepted it and went back to their conversations. Teru absently listened, but was otherwise preoccupied with the sense of panic that spread through him.
Of course, Teru knew the rumor of the Clock Keepers. Of their power over time and the numbers in their midst. He gained an even more insightful yet painful introduction as they all traveled through No.1’s boundary last year, getting scattered across time as a result. The harder Teru thought, however, the more pieces came into place. His anxiety quells a bit as he now recalls bits and pieces about the Present Clock Keeper’s condition. Of the student who’s supposed to represent the second of the Clock Keepers, of their power to stop time at intervals in a day. It was all knowledge he had prior.
So yes, Teru knew the rumor of the Clock Keepers. What was beyond him was why Teru did not know who the Clock Keeper of the Present was.
If the rumor is to be believed, the Clock Keeper is among the student population, a supernatural being hidden in plain sight. It was like one of Teru’s worst wishes came true. Of course, supernaturals interacting with the students was not impossible. No.5 was a teacher for longer than Teru was alive, but a supernatural disguising itself as a student? Teru's hand twitched towards the beaded bracelet on his wrist, fiddling with the charm.
Teru had attended Kamone Academy for five years. So why, pray tell, had he not found out who this student was yet?
It’s decided, Teru concluded. He would need to seek out this supernatural and neutralize the threat. It didn’t matter that they were a School Mystery or No.1, Teru would force that slimy pest back into the boundary it belonged in. Teru’s head ached as he dwelt on the disappointment of letting a supernatural run free for so long.
Teru’s attention returned to the two girls looking at him with concern. He flashes them another smile and assures them that nothing is wrong, which prompts them to return to a previous conversation.
“I can’t believe the teacher made the math test so hard!” Nene whined, placing her head flat on the desk out of despair. “Ao-chan, please tell me the answer to number fourteen was sixty-seven.”
“I don’t know Nene-chan, some questions didn’t make sense to even me,” Aoi soothed her hand over Nene’s hair. Teru can understand the desire to comfort her, but he doubts Aoi was as lost as she made herself out to be.
Nene lets out another groan, “I wish I had asked for help from Sato-kun before the day of the exam…”
That name piqued Teru’s interest. “Sato-kun?” He repeated.
Nene nods, “Sato Minori. He’s one of our classmates. Apparently super smart, so he tutors those who ask him.”
That name again. Teru hadn’t quite forgotten Minori from a few weeks ago, but he didn't expect him to share a class with Nene and Aoi. It implies Minori would’ve had to be in the same room as Teru one moment or another, and he’s a tad ashamed he never even noticed.
“I’m unfamiliar,” Teru answers honestly, “What do you know about him?”
“Hm…” Aoi was the one to answer this time. “We don’t really know him that well. Nobody does, supposedly. I’ve heard people say that Sato-kun is a new student at the school, recently moved here this year.” She placed her hand on her cheek, “He’s friendly to everyone, but hasn't tried to get closer to anyone. He’s a bit of a loner in that sense.”
Teru listens intently, absorbing the little info there is about Sato Minori. “Is he in any clubs, by chance?” Teru tries.
“What's with the sudden interest, Minamoto-senpai?” Aoi scrutinized him, “This isn’t like you to be so eager”. Ah, he was caught.
Teru played up his bashfulness, “Oh, it’s nothing. I just ran into Sato-kun a few times,” more like once, “And I was just concerned about how he was adapting to the school. Student president duties.” Even if he had to give an honest response, Teru wouldn’t even know how to properly express it.
“Right, ♡” Aoi looked at him with knowing eyes, “I believe he’s in a few clubs. I can only remember some of the ceramics students mentioning him, though.”
Ceramics, Teru noted, filing the information for later. He looked back up to see Aoi and Nene holding a silent conversation without him. He would question the behavior, but based on the mirthful look in their eyes, Teru doubts he would enjoy the answer.
To give Teru some credit, he did try to search for the Clock Keeper of the Present. It seemed like a simple task at first, another one of his investigations into the supernatural, but the search ended up fruitless as he lacked a clear place to focus on. Going through each classroom was a start, but between the six years in Kamone Academy, two divisions, and the student body of around a thousand, Teru doubts he would happen upon the Second Clock Keeper by chance. Staying after school seemed promising too, but it wasn’t worth abandoning his nightly patrols to chase after a ghost in their eternal domain.
It did not help that the rumor emphasized the Clock Keeper’s disguise, further camouflaging the supernatural beyond normal means of Minamoto clairvoyance techniques. Stumped, Teru puts aside the task until he can get more information out of the other Seven Mysteries.
This, Teru reasons, is why he otherwise found himself in an empty classroom, with less than mutual company.
“I still don’t understand why you have to be here,” A bitter Minori says for the nth time.
“Like I said, I’m simply here to provide you company,” Teru chirps back. He watched as Minori’s dirt-stained hand dunked itself into the water bucket once more. They raised up, flicked off the excess moisture— much of which ended up on Teru’s clothes— before reaching down to tackle the lump of clay again.
“Funny. Don’t remember ever asking for your, or anyone else’s, for that matter, company,” Minori snarks, enunciating the last word. The quiet engine of the potter’s wheel hummed as Minori stepped on the peddle. Teru watches in fascination as the piece of clay squishes and conforms under Minori’s tight hold, eventually collapsing out of his hands as he accumulates another failed attempt.
The two watched in silence as Minori gently turned off the wheel, tracking the misshapen lump’s circles around and around until it slowed down into a stop.
“...Anyways,” Teru continues, “I wanted to help you adjust to the school! You’re a new student here, are you not?” Teru is met with grumbling as a response, interspersed with slapping and punches as Minori reshapes the clay into a usable mass.
“If you’re unfamiliar, Sato-kun, I’ll be willing to show you around campus,” Teru smiled, “Introduce you to some of the history of Kanome Academy.”
SLAP! Minori dealt a rather aggressive blow towards the ball of clay, further deforming it more than anything. “And you’re doing this now?” Minori shot Teru a deadpanned look, “A week before the semester ends?”
Teru’s smile strained, “I’m sorry, I’ve been busy. You know how it is. Fortunately, my schedule is clear for the week, so you’ll have me all to yourself.” Teru offered.
“No thanks.” Minori stared directly at Teru as he held out his hand and dropped the new lump of clay onto the potter’s wheel. A loud THUNK filled the room as the clay stuck to the surface. It was misaligned. “Spare yourself the trouble.”
“Really, it’s no problem,” Teru insists, ignoring the parts where it was. He’d figure it out later. “I just want you to be welcomed here, Sato-kun.”
“Yeah, I’m not buying that,” Minori proclaimed, “You. Most popular guy in school. Top scorer in his year. Student Council President. Has time for someone like me?” Minori scoffed.
Ah. Dammit. Teru didn’t expect Minori to immediately call him out.
“Besides,” Minori seems to have given up on forming a bowl, and is instead opting to flatten the clay into a plate-like shape. “Why can’t the other student council members do this? This is exactly what your subordinates should be doing, not the president himself.” Minori absently reached for the wire clay cutters, slowly slicing the uneven slab of clay from the wheel.
He looked back up and scrutinized Teru, “So, President Minamoto. Cut the bullshit and tell me why you’re really here.”
Teru can only flash Minori another smile, “Simply doing my job.”
The only response he got was a weak whack from the wooden dowels of the clay cutters. Minori ignored him in favor of figuring out how to transfer his flimsy creation without breaking it.
To Minori’s dismay, he found himself face to face with Teru every day throughout the week. It’s as though Teru managed to find a detailed list of Minori’s schedule throughout the day out of vengeful spite for his wounded ego (Minori’s words, not Teru’s). In Teru’s defense, he did, but he did not get to use it as much as he wished. Classes and club meetings were still a concern, unfortunately, so they only crossed paths a few times a day.
Such as now, where Teru finds Minori crouched outside the school garden with a camera in hand. He had borrowed it from the photography club to take pictures and is currently trying to focus on a lone flower. Teru stood beside him, leaning on the fence as he observed.
“You’re hands are shaky,” Teru comments.
“Shut it.”
“Are you done taking that photo yet?”
“Are you finished being a nuisance?” Minori snarks back.
Teru noticed how Minori doesn’t hold back on his insults now, willing to make his annoyance with Teru more clear with every interaction they have. Teru finds it refreshing, in an almost comforting manner.
“Why are you trying photography, Sato-kun? Are you even good at it?” Teru moves his gaze to the scenery in front of him. He spots the football club holding their drills in the distant grass field. “I saw you getting invited to play football with the first years a few days ago. You were pretty good at it.”
“What? Were you spying on me- ugh, I don’t even want to know,” Minori finally took his attention off the camera, giving Teru an astonished look. “And I usually played baseball, not football.” He sighed, turning around to sit directly on the ground, the camera falling to his lap.
Teru perked up with curiosity, “Really? You’re good at sports?” A nod from Minori, “So you’re too impatient for ceramics, and your hands are too shaky for photography. Why don’t you just join any of the sports clubs?”
Minori’s face twisted into a grimace. His eyes were trained on the horizon, focused on finding words in the blurry line where the sky meets the ground, as if looking towards a future that Teru was not privy to.
“No,” he finally says.
“No?”
“I can’t,” In an almost defeated tone, “I have to try something new.”
Teru took in his words, his interest only increasing with every little detail he drew from Minori.
“Well! I don’t see the point,” Teru broke the silence. “Develop your actual talents; it’s no use to be good at everything!”
Irritation filled Minori like clockwork, and Teru was directed an increasingly familiar glare. “Like you’re one to talk.”
“What do you mean, Sato-kun? I’m only saying-”
“Hey, Pres. Look down.”
Teru was only given a moment to process Minori’s words before a blinding FLASH rings out, ending as fast as it came. Teru felt his hand instinctively reach for his sword before finally realizing the situation.
He looked down to find a giggling Minori who was clutching the camera as if it held a national treasure. “Hah! Minamoto-senpai, Look here!” Minori taunts, “I finally have a photo that you look horrible in! Take that, you and your infuriatingly handsome mug!” His face donned a huge grin, a new sight for Teru as Minori continued to fawn over the ill-conceived photograph.
Teru finds that he would be more bothered by the situation if his heart wasn’t racing at the thought of Minori’s nickname for him.
In another instance, Teru finds himself departing from his usual group during lunch to seek out Minori. Aoi and Nene barely questioned him, exchanging knowing smiles that Teru immediately understood held promises of a later conversation. Tracking Minori was difficult during lunchtimes, as he didn’t have a designated group or spot that he spent every day. After searching for most of the period, Teru found Minori hiding in the back corner of the school’s theater room.
“You’re not supposed to eat back here,” Teru says in place of a greeting.
“Who-? Oh, come on!” Minori groaned in realization, “Can’t you take a hint!”
“I’m trying,” Teru settles down right next to Minori, “But you’re not giving me many good ones.”
“Now you’re just being dense on purpose.” He was not amused. “Now, really, why are you even here?” A flash of unease passes through Minori, “Don’t you usually eat lunch with, um, you know…” he trails off, waving his hand around as if it was a sufficient explanation.
“I know?” Teru tries to decipher Minori’s discomfort, coming up blank.
“Don’t make me say it-” Minori calmed down and composed himself, “With, uhm… your girlfriend.” The last part still came out whisper.
Girlfriend? Teru snorted internally. It couldn’t get farther from the truth. “My girlfriend. Right. Which is who? Yashiro-san?”
“No, Ao-chan, you idiot!” Minori burst out, looking at Teru in a confounding mixture of anger and sadness. It was only moments before Minori turned away from Teru, unwilling to elaborate.
Teru sighed, approaching it one step at a time. “Sato-kun?”
He didn’t get a response.
“Sato-kun, you’re misunderstanding.”
That got a rise out of Minori, who barely turned his face back to aim a half-glare at Teru.
“Akane-san is not my girlfriend,” Teru said plainly.
“Don’t lie to me,” Minori scorned stubbornly, “I know you two are close. You even walk home together now.”
As much as Minori amazes Teru, he also finds that the boy is infuriatingly confusing. “I didn’t think you were one to listen to rumors, Sato-kun.”
“I’m not, I figured it out myself. It doesn’t take a genius to piece it together.”
Teru crossed his arms, “Well, no matter what you say, Akane-san and I aren’t dating. I doubt she holds any feelings for me, and I know for sure I have none for her.”
Minori was finally starting to listen, looking back at Teru with doubt, but also hope, in his eyes. “But,” he started, “But, why are you guys walking home together?”
“We’re friends. We do that as friends.” Teru couldn’t truly understand why he was so determined to deny these rumors when he and Aoi were so indifferent to them before. “Are you saying a man and a woman can’t walk home together platonically?”
“I-” The argument in Minori’s mind immediately died out. “Oh.”
Teru actually scoffed now, “Yeah. Oh.”
Finally understanding, Minori sat down normally and faced Teru fully. His eyes latched onto Teru’s, looking at him with an overwhelming amount of sincerity. “I’m sorry.”
“Right,” Teru coughed, not able to hold the eye contact for long, until darting away. Something else came to him, “I am curious, though, why are you so interested in mine and Akane-san’s love life?”
Minori immediately tensed up, as if caught in something he wasn’t supposed to. “I- uhm. No reason.”
A weak excuse if Teru’s ever seen one, “Sure, Sato-kun. No reason in particular?”
“You can’t make me answer that.” Minori defended, as if it didn’t make him look even more guilty.
“Oh? So you’re not going to say anything if, for example, I think you’re in love with Akane-san?” Teru teased. “I mean, you did call her Ao-chan earlier-”
“Absolutely not.” The response came out faster than Teru thought it would. It was harsh, desperate, as if Minori wanted to be utterly certain of it.
An interesting response. One that cleared none of Teru’s suspicions. In any case, he pressed on. Teru slowly leaned into Minori’s space as he was still turned away, angling his face close enough to be intrusive.
As Minori turned around to find himself eye to eye with Teru, he stared dumbfoundedly as his face heated up.
“Or, could it be,” Teru smiled tantalizingly, “That you have your eyes on me?”
The two froze in their place, not daring to move or give an inch. Teru didn’t expect himself to be so entranced in the encounter, unconsciously leaning in until-
The soft rings of the lunch bell rang out.
Minori acted first, shoving Teru’s face aside until he could stand up and begin packing up his belongings. “In your dreams, Minamoto-senpai,” he forces out breathlessly, “Not everyone is mindlessly obsessed with you!” he slams the door of the amphitheater open, sparing one glance at Teru before scurrying down the hallway.
Teru stayed in his place, unable to move. He stared at the spot where Minori was standing as if time had stood still.
It seems obvious now, when looking back at the signs, yet Teru still found that the realization came in the most ordinary situation. On the last day before summer break, Teru found himself in the cooking club watching over Minori’s shoulders. Surprisingly, Minori didn’t outright ignore him in the days following their lunch together, opting instead to never mention what happened.
In Minori’s pursuit of expanding his skillset, Teru is left on the sidelines as Minori closely examines the recipe book. He was currently making a tiramisu, and didn’t believe that Teru had any part in it. At any point, if Teru tries to touch the utensils or check the ingredients, a quick-acting slap to the hand and pointed glare prevent him from ever interfering. Teru is sure that if Minori were given the chance, he would have immediately kicked Teru out of the room. Unfortunately, the student populace was still easily enamoured by Teru, much to the bafflement of Minori.
That is to say, Teru was easily bored while watching Minori cook, opting to bother him in the meantime.
“Why don't you just mix in all the sugar in at once?”
“And make a mess with the electric beater? No, thank you.”
“Dipping those biscuits is taking too long, let me help-”
“I said Hands off. You’d just throw all of them in the coffee at once, anyway.”
“You missed a spot there.”
“What? Do you think I'm perfect? Grow up.”
Teru grew irritated at that. Minori was arguing to spite his advice at that point. He bristled, thoughts wandering to what Aoi was doing until an idea dawned on him.
“Hey, Sato-kun.” Teru piped up, “hey, Sato-kun.”
Minori rolled his eyes once more, not even looking at Teru when he responded, “What.”
“Why were you so opposed to me and Akane-san dating anyway?”
Minori looked up at that, raising his eyebrows as if questioning Teru’s boldness to bring back the topic. “Why does it matter? You’re not.”
“Yeah, but what if we were?” Teru replied, “If we were dating, would you really hate it that much?”
Minori froze at that, staring at Teru as if to discern his intentions. “But you’re not actually.”
“Nope!”
“Right,” Minori thought over his words, considering his options, “I suppose Akane-san just deserves better.”
“What!” Teru mocked offense, “You don’t even know her!”
“I don’t need to,” Minori declared boldly, “I only need to know you to tell that she’s way beyond your league.”
“Hey,” Teru warns, “You’re talking to the Student Council President here. I’d say I have more than enough excellent qualities.”
Minori snorted, “More like redeeming qualities.”
“And who's to say you even know me that well?” Teru challenges, “We’ve only talked for a week.”
“Really?” Minori looked at him as if it was the easiest answer in the world, “I think you’re pretty easy to read.”
“You’re stubborn and impulsive enough to bother a random poor underclassman who wanted nothing to do with you.” Minori started listing, the background ambiance of the classroom fading out as he continued.
“You’re scarily disciplined, in all the right and wrong ways. I can’t even fathom how someone could turn out like you.” Teru’s breath hitched, scared and exhilarated at once.
“You pride yourself on your skills and talents, yet can’t even take one second to appreciate them.”
“And,” Minori finishes with a flourish, presenting a small cup of buttercream and coffee-soaked ladyfingers in front of Teru, “You’re still a massive, massive baby.”
“I-,” Teru cleared his throat, “I thought you had to refrigerate it for five hours.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, you wouldn’t have lasted that long,” Minori rolled his eyes. “Anyways, Minamoto-senpai, that concludes my reasoning on why you would never, ever, be a deserving partner for Akane-san!”
Teru stared at him. Taking in the sight before snorting to himself and grabbing the tiramisu cup in Minori’s hand.
“What?” Minori suddenly looked embarrassed, as if finally processing what he’s been saying, “Do you have a problem with it?”
Teru did not answer, opting instead to stuff his face with a spoonful of tiramisu instead. He notes Minori’s cute expression, becoming more unsure of himself as Teru stays silent. Nothing is wrong, Teru thought cheerfully, I just have a crush on him.
Minori covered his face and resigned himself to the situation, groaning as he immediately wanted to take his words back. He peeked out from under his fingers, trying instead to focus on the dessert in Teru’s hand, “Is the tiramisu good? Tell me that, at least.”
Teru thought over the flavors in his mouth, a nice combination of decadent richness and sweet coffee. It could be better mixed, he notes, but not bad for a beginner. He should ask Kou to attempt a recipe later. He goes to inform Minori, “It’s not bad but-” What.
Teru completely went rigid, his mind finally catching up to what he realized earlier. Teru has a crush? On Sato Minori? That couldn’t be right-
Teru felt a grasp on his wrist as he realized Minori had been panicking at his response. He looked at Teru with concern, eyes jumping around as he tried to deduce what went wrong in the recipe. Subsequently, Teru felt his heart rate spike.
Right. So he does have a crush. Illuminating. Now, the second question Teru had was why he accepted it so easily. Wasn’t this supposed to be more groundbreaking? Earth-shattering? Teru didn’t even notice when he realized, for God's sake. Not only that, he’s a Minamoto. He shouldn’t be caught up in romantic feelings for anyone else, much less a boy-
Oh shit. Minori is a boy. Is Teru gay? The way the area Minori was touching him burned his skin was evident enough, much less the manner Teru had been clinging to Minori for the past week. Wait, is that what it was the entire time? Teru groaned internally. It was so unlike him to act that way towards anyone he knew, much less a stranger he knew for half a conversation; he should’ve figured it out sooner.
Now it was just blatantly obvious, how could he not have noticed for so long? It just felt so natural to him, he never questioned it. Does this mean Teru knew he was gay the whole time? Of course not! He wasn’t even aware until this moment! And yet the knowledge came to him so easily. Teru assumed he should act a lot more conflicted with the realization, considering how the news would go over horribly with the Minamoto clan. And yet, all he felt at the moment was a quiet acceptance. It doesn’t make sense, as if Teru had been in this situation before-
“Minamoto Teru! If you don’t respond right now, I swear I will-!” Minori’s voice yelled out, before pausing as he realized Teru was responsive again.
A harsh smack landed on Teru’s shoulder, almost enough to bruise the spot as Minori scolded him, “What the hell was that, Pres? Why did you stop talking for forty-seven seconds? I thought I poisoned you or something!”
Teru lit up at the sound of the nickname again, finally finding his voice to respond to Minori, “Sorry for the scare, Sato-kun.” Teru tried his best to sound apologetic, “Your tiramisu was so good, it just left me speechless!”
Minori gawked at him, as if unable to believe his eyes. “You’re unbelievable”, he verbalizes this thought.
Teru was given another thorough checkup, at Minori’s insistence, before being deemed perfectly fine by the school nurse. Despite the curses Minori threw his way, Teru grew remarkably warm when he still shared most of the chilled tiramisu for Teru to take home.
Lying in his bed, at a time too late to fall into a nap and too early to start his nightly patrols, Teru twists and turns with untapped energy at his realization. In a flash of inspiration and restlessness, Teru took out his phone and dialed a number he had saved months ago.
“Hello?” Aoi’s soft voice made its way through the speaker, “Who is this?”
“Akane-san,” Teru exclaims with wonder, “I have a crush on Sato Minori.”
There is a pause on the other end, the speaker completely silent aside from low static and the sound of rustling. After a moment, Teru heard soft laughter come out of Aoi as she said with amusement, “About time.”
Teru took the phone from his ear as the line immediately went dead.
Its with a quiet realization that Teru notices the mysterious feeling was gone for the first time in months.