PUT YOUR RECORDS ON (oikawa t.)

ch. 2: school is back in session

When April finally rolled around, Himari could barely get through the day without thoughts of school going through her mind. It was like, the moment she woke up, 'You have to do well, or else mama will be disappointed,' echoed in her mind. It repeated constantly throughout the day, keeping her up at night.

All she wanted to do was draw, but instead, whenever she walked into the kitchen to grab a snack, Himeka would be there to remind her:

"You need to be studying. Do you want to end up jobless and broke? Come on, Himari, I want to see one of my kids graduate."

'What about Itaru,' Himari would want to say, but wouldn't. She already knew the answer—

"Itaru is Itaru. You are you."

Himari didn't know what that meant and didn't question it. Instead, she grabbed her snack, walking quietly out of the kitchen and back into her room. There, she'd study and study and check over her homework and check over her homework. Finally, if she had any time, she'd talk to/hang out with Takara and draw.

School snuck up on her, despite the fact that she'd been preparing herself for it all summer break. Alas, she woke up on April the first with a pounding headache and a bit of nausea. It felt like her mind was too loud. Nonetheless, she got ready, made sure Itaru got ready, and then they began the walk to school through the dewy, early morning air.

Itaru went to middle school, which he had to take a bus to get to. Himari always walked him to the stop.

"Have a nice first day," she said with a little smile, looking down at him with her hands laced together in front of her.

Itaru had a mischievous grin on his face already, as he ran his hand through his messy, black hair. He was looking through one of the windows at a friend of his who was already seated on the bus. "Yeah, yeah, see ya," he muttered, flapping a hand at Himari. He climbed on, not taking a second look back at her.

With a little frown and a sigh, Himari made sure he was safely seated before she, herself, began her walk to school. At this point, the sky was a baby blue, cloudless, and it was one of the coolest days she'd felt that summer. Miyagi was already awake and bustling, with people briskly walking to their jobs or to their schools all around her on the sidewalks.

"Hima!"

Himari spun around, lips parted in a small 'oh.'

Running towards her was Takara. Her uniform, a cream colored skirt and a pale purple button up, was all twisted, and Himari was sure Takara's shirt was inside out (how did one manage to turn a button up inside out and not notice?). Not to mention, Takara's hair was up in a messy ponytail with strands sticking out everywhere.

"Hima!" Takara repeated, panting once she caught up with Himari, "I woke up late."

"Oh? I couldn't tell," Himari said lightly, causing Takara to roughly push her. Laughing softly, Himari said, "When we get to school, I'll help you out, okay?"

"Thanks!" Takara grinned widely, but then her expression turned sour, as they continued to walk down the sidewalk, "I can't believe aniki didn't wake me up! He's such an asshole."

"Maybe he thought you would wake up on your own."

"Hima~" Takara whined, scrunching up her nose, "You're supposed to be on my side. Besides, I know he did it on purpose. That's just how he is."

Himari hummed.

"I really do need you to help me out, though," Takara said, suddenly having a pep in her step and brighter eyes.