12 Roses

5 | The Line of Dreams and Reality

You tapped your pencil on your forehead, staring at the large jars you had perched on the gurneys in the infirmary, watching how they reacted to different poisons, some injected, some through physical contact.

The door opened and you saw the light front the hall way seep in, making you turn, seeing Gojo at the door. You pulled your hearing aids out of your pockets and fumbled with them before placing them in your ears. "Sorry. Still getting used to them."

"Hey, I didn't say anything. I want you to come to class today."

"Why?"

"Well, first of all, you've been here since 5:30am and that's weird. And secondly, you're getting a new classmate."

You raised a brow. "New student?"

"Yep! And while it'd be more helpful for him to meet the people who mainly do combat, it'd be pretty good to meet the brightest sorcerer of her age!" He rubbed your head, ruining your hair.

"Alright..." You placed your clipboard and pencil on a nearby table and followed Gojo back to the main building.

Maki, Toge, and Panda were already in their seats.

You sat down at your own desk, which was usually empty when they were out training or on missions, and stared at Gojo as he dramatically introduced the new student.

The door slowly opened and the first thought that passed through your mind was how bad you felt for the poor student who had to wait for Gojo's long introduction to be over, then it was how the air suddenly went heavy and suffocating as the boy entered, like poison had just been released into the room.

Maki jumped to her feet, her weapon out and aimed at the boy's neck in a moment.

Panda raised his fists to strike, his gentle eyes turning to a deathly glare.

Toge placed one arm in front of you, the other grabbing at the scarf covering the lower half of his face.

You hadn't moved, but not out of fear or lack of agility, but you stared at this boy before acting and saw that, while his presence was polluted and dark, his soul was quite pure. You couldn't figure out why you knew, though.

•••

You sat up, holding your head as the unexplainable ache from your dream lingered. Then your brows furrowed in confusion. Was Panda... an actual Panda? You shook your head and slipped out of bed, getting ready for school.

Panda was already sitting in the bus when you stepped into it and you listened to him talk about the horrible dinner he had the night before, his hands flailing as if it were something much more serious.

It was October and the sun hadn't quite made a comfortable place in the sky, so nature's first green was poking through the window and shining on his panda head's eyes, making them sparkly.

The two of you got off the bus and he urged you to go straight to class so the two of you could wait for Toge and Maki there.

Gojo sat at his desk surprisingly early, asleep with his feet propped up on his desk.

Maki and Toge arrived before you and Panda took your seats.

You sat down at your desk while Maki sat on her desk, planting her feet on her chair.

Toge decided he'd take a seat on top of your desk, while Panda pulled up his chair.

You couldn't help but fix on Panda, imagining the actual animal sitting as he did, placing its behind on the chair as an actual person did.