A New Normal [A Dragon Maid Story]

Be like a child.

Spring has shown itself in the Kobayashi household. The streets have grown noticeably more green over the last few days, and after a long vacation, children are finally going back to school. With a notable exception. The newest arrival has been looking longingly at the passing groups, displaying signs of envy to whoever cared enough to look her way.

One such person was Hutch, who had his eyes on Kanna ever since she started watching over the balcony. The giant had enough of it and eventually came close to her, striking a conversation. "So, kid... you want to go to school?"

The small dragon turned her head towards the large man. "Master..." she said, still slightly dazed from her daydreaming. She then turned back towards the children before nodding in confirmation.

The hero was caught thinking for an instant, then quickly ruffled Kanna's hair. "Wake up early tomorrow. You better not be late on your first day." Before Kanna could even thank him, his focus had shifted to his phone, sending many text messages.

And so, just as he promised, the next day, Kanna was accepted in the nearest school as a transfer student. For this day, Hutch was replacing the school's janitor, mainly so he could watch over his protegee for her first day.

"What a dull problem." Tohru was given a similar order by Kobayashi, who was unaware of Hutch's own plans. The two stalkers figured out they were better off cooperating and kept a mental link.

"I sure hope you find it dull. I don't think you would like being put in the same class as Kanna." Tohru could feel the mental smirk from the knight and sighed in annoyance.

"What is even the point of putting kids of such different levels in the same class? Would it not be better to sort them by their levels?" Tohru asked, visibly bored.

"You're seeing the problem wrong. School is about learning a certain amount. Nobody cares how fast you get the knowledge, just that you eventually do get it." Hutch replied, without putting much thought.

"So in the human world, potential isn't rewarded? How wasteful. What is even the use of such a structure?"

"Well, they make for a great setting for romcoms." Interrupting the conversation was the ringing bell. The kids now had to take their PE class, and the stalkers' attention was brought back on the matter at hand. At least for a few minutes until they realized Kanna was doing perfectly fine.

"Say, Siegfried." The man in question motioned to nobody in particular. "Us dragons always live very lonesome lives, so I've never had to experience the fleetingness of human life. How do you deal with such grief?" Tohru was very serious, which prompted the knight to follow through.

"It's about Kobayashi isn't it?" The knight took a break before continuing. "I can't tell, I never really experienced love. I lost many friends in my several lives, and I made some more. And while I was sad seeing them go, the memories I made will always be a part of me. I guess love does work the same way. I will probably be immeasurably sad once I lose her, but the happy memories will make it all worthwhile. I guess dealing with it will just come as you experience separation over and over again." Hutch came out of his trance like state, finishing with a smile. "Sorry, it was probably not the answer you were expecting"

"No no, you've been more helpful than I thought. I guess I'll just have to wait for the time to come." She concluded, looking apprehensively towards the field where Kanna's been doing some miracles. Or, at least she would have done so if she didn't get noticed by a professor making the rounds around the school.

The rest of the day went by rather slowly, thanks to the lack of a conversation partner forcing Hutch to take his occupation as a one day janitor seriously. At the moment school finished, Hutch was still in the middle of his report. "The day has gone on without a hitch, boss. Though I'd still recommend a degree of care with the recent influx of dragons. What do you mean a partial report? You know just as well as I do how dangerous they are! Tsk, what's the point in sending me if you're going to ignore my input?" Hutch looked down to see he had gathered quite the amount of children.

He sighed, crouching down to their level before giving them all a good look. "I'll need you to keep a secret. There's a dragon hiding in this school, but you can't let it see me." Hutch does a shushing motion, drawing a lot of discussion from the children. Eventually, he noticed Kanna from the crowd. "Agent K, I'll need your assistance for this task." He grabbed Kanna's hand and waved all the other kids goodbye.

"This is going to be hard explaining all of that tomorrow." Kanna spoke in a tired tone.

"Trust my experience, a lot of kids in school have awesome superpowers. I'm sure a dragon hunter is nothing special." He answered with assurance.

"Is that so?" Kanna doubted.

"Yup, the high school anime have been very clear on that."

The two of them kept conversing about school until they made it back home. Tohru was busy cleaning dishes and Kobayashi was sprawling on the couch, all life visibly gone from her eyes. Hutch decided it was probably a good idea to check on her. "So, I take it work's been particularly rough today." The large man plopped down on the couch, waking his friend from her trance.

"Oh, it's you. Same old routine, the manager's been really happy chewing me out." Kobayashi replied, twirling her finer along the lid of the can of beer she had in hand.

"There seems to be more of that. You normally don't let this sad old man get to you like that." Hutch stated. As he moved his arm, Kobayashi collapsed on his side, leaving the alrge man rather flustered.

"It's just..." The office worker tried to say, despite her eyes getting more and more shut. "Usually you always get in the middle, try to take your part of the blame, and just try to cheer me up and all. I guess I got used to it."

"It's my fault then. Fine, I promise I won't leave you again." Those final words fell on deaf ears as Kobayashi was now sleeping soundly. "How could I ever leave her?"

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Yes, this is the shortest chapter, but in my defense, I really wanted to put this one on lock because next is the beach episode.