A week has passed, and the Tokitō twins find themselves in one of their Mother's cleaning frenzies.
"If you're not going to help, get out of the house, now!" She exclaimed.
Father had made his way out a long time ago.
It's a Friday evening, and there's not much to do around the house for the boys. Muichirō wanted to help around the house, but quickly got in the way of Yuichirō's mopping, and slipped on the wet floor while carrying a glass vase, causing a lot of commotion. He upset the water bucket, which sent soap suds flying down the hallway and into each parallel room, and broke the vase.
"Boys, what's that noise?!"
"Mama! Muichirō spilled all the water in my bucket!"
"I didn't mean to, I'm sorry!"
"Look at the mess you've made!"
Their Mother quickly arrived at the scene with rags and a dustpan. Yuichirō stood in the middle of the hallway, his pant legs wet, and was yelling at his younger twin, who was pressing down on a cut on his palm, and fighting back tears.
"I'm sorry Mama," Muichirō sobbed. "I didn't mean to break the vase, or spill the water bucket."
Mother hushed him, lifting him out of the mess of glass. "It's alright baby, don't cry."
"I was just trying to help," he whined.
"I know you were. Let's fix the cuts on your hands, okay? Then we can talk about how you can help."
He nodded, and she carried him off to the bathroom.
"What a baby. Always clinging to Mama like she's life support! Ridiculous." Yuichirō scoffed to himself.
Grow up already.
****
The circus ringleader had given his permission to let Mitsuri train with the gymnasts and acrobats for the two weeks that they were in town.
At the beginning of the week, Obanai had walked her to their campus after school. She couldn't stop squealing and hugging him on the way.
"I'm so glad you could take me, Iguro-san!!"
"Yeah. Me too."
Several campers and tents lined the grassy field behind the town mall. Inside the mall, artists had access to a gym, and the stage, where all the acrobats practiced.
"Let's go find the ringleader, he said his RV was the last one on the left field."
Mitsuri nodded, clinging onto Obanai's arm tighter. As excited as she felt, she was also nervous.
What if I flunk out during this rehearsal and he doesn't want me back? What if I get banned from attending any more circuses because of it?! Oh man, I don't even want to think about that!
Obanai sensed her nerves, and rubbed her on the shoulder. "It'll be fine, Mitsuri. You're very talented, you'll do well. Besides, Sir was very nice when we last talked to him. Don't worry."
"Thanks Iguro-san," she said softly, wrapping an arm around his waist.
"Hello there. Kanroji and Iguro, I presume?"
Mitsuri stared around the RV's homely interior, while Obanai maintained eye contact with the ringleader.
"Yes Sir," he elbowed Mitsuri, who snapped to attention.
"Yes, it's me!"
"Great. Kanroji, your parents called me and gave their permission for you to attend the acrobatic league. I'd like to ask you to sign these liability waivers first, and you're good to go."
YOU ARE READING
The monster under my bed
FanfictionEvery young child has a monster living in their closet or under their bed at some point. But they all grow out of it at some point. Muichirō is known to have a hyperactive imagination. So when he thinks there's a monster under his bed that also live...
