The monster under my bed

Chapter 1: Clouds and Closets

It was late afternoon, and most children were home from school. It cannot be said that everyone was being productive at the given moment, as being cooped up in school for several hours each day can give you a huge boost of adrenaline. However the same could not be said for Tokitō Muichirō.

The nine year old sat in his room and read his geography book. His friends were playing outside, but he found no reason to join them. If we happen to have a test or a pop quiz tomorrow, it'll be best if I'm ready. Those of them with poor grades should probably be doing the same right now.

He settled himself more comfortably in bed, and kept reading.

* Thump thump *

Muichirō jumped at the sudden sound. He glanced towards the window, and saw nothing, save for his friends, who were still at play.

* whump *

The sound was coming from his...closet. No doubt about it. Muichirō walked up to his closet and slid both doors open. There was nothing, no one inside. The clothes were all untouched, everything was lying inside neatly, just like the time when his mother had helped him organize his closet.

He smirked to himself. Maybe he should make a mess just so she can help him clean it up...no. That's mean. He can't do that. Muichirō chewed on his lower lip. Something was making that noise. But it could have been his father in his garage workshop. Or it could have been something else. Things got quiet, so he dismissed the activity.

Muichirō plopped back down on the bed with his textbook, and almost fell asleep reading it.

Suddenly, his bedroom door swung open.

Startled, Muichirō sat up in bed quickly. "What?"

"Mui, you want to come outside? We're going to the store to get some ice cream."

It was his identical twin brother, Yuichirō, standing in the doorway and twisting the door handle up and down.

Muichirō's face brightened. "Really? All right! Tell them I'm coming."

"Sure."

Muichirō got his shoes, socks, and jacket, and followed his brother outside, where he was greeted by Tanjiro, Senjuro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu.

"Hey Muichirō!" Tanjiro patted him on the back. "Did Yuichirō tell you we were going to the store?"

"He did," Muichirō grinned. "Also, where's Genya?"

Zenitsu snorted. "Sanemi didn't let him go, 'cause he failed yesterday's math test. He said Genya has to study, and can't go on outings until his math grade improves."

Senjuro shuddered. "Sanemi's a math ace. I'd hate to be his younger brother."

"Sucks to be Genya I guess," Inosuke shrugged. "Can we go get ice cream now? I'm getting hungry."

The twins walked home by themselves from the store. Tanjiro, Senjuro, and Zenitsu had decided it was getting late, and they should head home. Inosuke stayed at the store, as his mother, Kotoha, was filling in that shift.

Muichirō gazed up at the dawning sky as they walked. The clouds took on very interesting shapes, he thought he could see a cat."Yuichirō, can you see that kitty in the clouds? Oh! And that man! He's walking up a mountain. Do you see it Yuichirō?"

To his surprise, his brother only scoffed. "What I can see is you getting too far into your head. Look where you're going." He yanked Muichirō out of the way for a biker that rode past them.