Family isn't always by blood

Chapter 3

It was weird, Shindou concluded. There was definitely something wrong going with Tenma.

After Tenma’s sudden departure, the team one by one, called their parents to pick them up.

One by one, occasionally two or three at once started to leave, causing Tenma’s tiny room to feel… less tiny? If that was possible. 

Apparently it was, considering how bare the room was in reality.

Kogure, the resident who sent Tenma off, decided to sit with the remaining players, who were Tsurugi, Shindou, Kirino, and Sangoku.

Tsurugi stayed, claiming that he had no one to pick him up, and could at least use this extra time finishing his homework. Which is exactly what he was doing, on Tenma’s desk.

Shindou’s parents were at an important business meeting, and wouldn’t be able to pick him up for another hour or so. However, they offered to drop Shindou and his friends off when they came, something Shindou was thankful for.

Kirino decided to wait with Shindou, so they could leave together.

Sangoku, ever the overprotective teammate, refused to leave until all of his underclassmen left. He was truly thankful to Shindou and his family for offering to drop him off, so he wouldn’t have to walk home in the rain.

Kogure decided to entertain the four students with some card tricks he learned when he was younger.

The four players were… unimpressed to put it simply.

“Come on! Not even a ‘Wow!’ or ‘That’s so cool!’ ?” Kogure complained, when he saw the four student’s unimpressed stares. 

“Wow.” Tsurugi said blandly, before looking back at his homework.

“That… That was something?” Shindou said with a sweat drop.

“Oh! You guys are boring! Nothing like Tenma!” Kogure wined, putting his hands in the air in exaggeration, “Why can’t all kids be like Tenma? The kid would woe with anything!!! Unlike these inexpressive kids!”

All four stared at the manor resident throwing a tantrum with a sweatdrop.

Sangoku, the ever mature one, got the older to talk about his school days.

“Ah! I remember the end of the school year ceremony! Everyone cried! Except me of course! Now that I think of it, I don’t think Kidou was wearing his goggles that day… Hmm…” Kogure said, his finger on his chin in thought, “Wait! Don’t you guys have your midterm ceremony coming up?” 

“Yeah!” Shindou said, “It’s on Monday!”

“Really? That soon? Today’s…” Kogure paused for a moment to think, “Wednesday, right? So in five days?

The teens nodded, causing the elder to ponder.

“So THAT’s what Tenma was saving for…” Kogure whispered. Apparently, he wasn’t so quiet, since all four teens heard him. 

“Saving?” Kirino asked, visibly confused.

“Mhm! He’s been doing extra chores around the manor recently and has taken more hours at his job. I was wondering why, but I guess this solves it! He’d want the extra money if he’s going…”

“Wait! He has a job?!” Shindou asked, flabberjacked.

“Yeah! You didn’t know?” Kogure asked, “He has two jobs! One as a delivery man and another as a waiter!”