Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Prologue
A year had passed since Kazutoshi had stopped going to school- or at least, it had felt like an eternity. It was hard to tell with the way things were going for the blue haired boy. Days feeling like weeks, months feeling like years. Recently, Kazutoshi was forced to relocate apartments due to his current complex being torn down. unfortunately for the boy, this also meant he would have to travel further for his job- or even get a new one.
In times like this, Kazutoshi couldn't help but sigh, his breath quiet but rough as stress began to overwhelm him. He couldn’t stop worrying about where he’d go and what job he would have to get next to pay for his bills. The boy sat there gripping his sleeve, the cold air from his open window making his face paler and his nose pink. Unknown to Kazutoshi, during the time he had spent stressing, hours had passed.
“Almost midnight? Damn” he thought to himself.
The boy still hadn't made a start on packing the little belongings he had. Not wanting to disturb his sleep schedule that he had spent all week cultivating, he decided to call it a night and continue tomorrow.
The sound of birds chirping awakened Kazutoshi, the light from outside peeking in from a spot the curtains didn't cover. The light smothered Kazutoshi's eyes as he laid in his bed, and he cursed as his eyes stung- a combination of the light as well as the lack of sleep. Kazutoshi could feel the exhaustion in his body as all his limbs ached, but today was the last day he had free to pack and he really wanted to finish before it got too late. The boy slowly sat up while supporting his body with his arms, letting out a sigh. Kazutoshi pulled his duvet off him ,sitting still before getting out of his bed. each movement was slow and drawn out. Mornings weren’t great for Kazutoshi, and they were even worse with bad sleep. Once Kazutoshi is up, he looks down at his messy bed. He decides to fold up and pack away his duvet first.
As hours pass and the sun began to set, Kazutoshi finished boxing up the last of his belongings. The packing had taken him a surprising amount of time considering the little number of things he owned. The boy slumped down onto the floor, his back on the wall and his head resting on his knees.
“How much longer..?.” the boy mumbled to himself.
Before Kazutoshi knew it, a few days had already passed. He was standing in the doorway to his new apartment. The place was empty and spacious- which was expected due to the higher rent- but still was something that had been worrying him. Due to his worry, he had been doing research on work nearby but instead found out that there was a school near his apartment that provided aid for students who were living alone or working to help support their family. Kazutoshi truthfully hadn't been planning to return to school. He was supposed to be dead right now, but he isn't, so he has to work things out somehow- and going to this school was his best bet.
Over the next week, Kazutoshi takes a day to unpack, placing a few sketchbooks onto his desk. During the week, Kazutoshi also contacted the school that he had previously read about. He explained his situation to the school board- stuff like how he hasn't been in school for the last year, as well as his living situation, surprisingly to Kazutoshi, the school was happy to take him in at the beginning of the semester- and were even willing to help pay for his apartment right away, alongside supporting him with his school supplies.
Sure enough, not even a few weeks later Kazutoshi was notified when the money was transferred into his account. Just enough for rent, bills and some food- although the school was willing to provide lunches to accommodate his diet. Alongside the money, books had been sent to his place for the classes he had planned to take. Additionally, there were things like pencils, pens, equipment, and a good quality backpack. Kazutoshi couldn't help but sigh, feeling grateful for all the help this school was offering, but also feeling guilty that he had accepted all this help from the school.
After all, he didn’t plan to live long enough to graduate, did he?
For now, the boy decided to not let it dwell in his mind too much, instead focusing on preparing for his first day at school- which was only two weeks away.