9.8 Meters a Second. [Complete]

21. In Due Time

In the two years since December, I wish I could say things had been eventful. Honestly? Life has been really, really normal. Things got so hectic so fast, and calmed down just as suddenly. And then Junior year began.

Life was good, honestly. Inaho, Asseylum, Inko, everyone, really, had found a place. We all gravitated to different clubs and apart. Or, at least we tried to.

Inaho always saw things as they were, logically. He was a thinker, I guess. So when things got distant between everyone he seemed okay. Me? Not so much.

It was around August 17th when I started realizing how strange the world around us had become. Coming back to school put that in all of our brains.

The 18th of August came to be a realization.
"Nao," I preface as we sit together to eat for the lunch block.
"Yes?" He asks, setting his sandwich down.
"How do you feel?" I ask. It's a question I don't truly know how I want answered.
"About?" He asks. His face shows a quiet concern, muted by the small eyepatch.
"In general."
"How do I feel in general?"
"Yeah, in general."
He pauses a moment and looks down at his sandwich. "Hungry."
"A fair answer." I respond, slowly raising a spoonful of hot soup from my thermos.
"Do you mean about how things are different?" He asks, leaning forward and studying my face.
I stop to consider it. He always knows what I'm thinking.
"Yeah, something like that."
"I think it's good to have change. What do you think?"
I look over his facial features. Stoic, calm, gentle, and yet still sharp.
"I feel confused about life. After all, you started the early college program. So did everyone else, now you're the only person to sit with me at lunch. I don't know what I want to do."
"So you're bothered by lack of purpose?" He poses, sitting back. "You like books, don't you? And history?"
"I do," I respond with a twinge of frustration bleeding into my tone. "What does that matter?"
"You should study history." He says, almost as a penultimate.
I stare at him, and he doesn't mind.

Saturday, August 19th, I'm in the front office applying for the college program. A few moments later, Saazbaum, my English instructor from my Freshman year is giving me an entrance exam in the history course.

'#57. Who discovered the rate of acceleration of gravity?
A. Sir Isaac Newton
B. Albert Einstein
C. Galileo Galilee
D. Charles Darwin'
Easy, choice C. 9.8 meters a second, by the way.

August 21st, and I get a letter at lunch time.
Inaho looks over my shoulder to read what it is.
"Slaine Troyard, we are pleased to inform you of your acceptance into the historical society of Aldnoah High School. You have been extended an invitation to the Historical Scholar study before your graduation in 2019."
I'm smiling ear to ear, and Nao is hugging me from my side. He's quiet and soft as he hugs me.
"Good job, pretty boy." He whisperes in my ear.
Almost instantly, my cheeks are red in embarrassment.
"Nao, what the hell? Did you just call me pretty boy?"
"Yeah," he says casually. "We've been together for 2 years, I think I can flirt with you... Right?"
I sigh, and soften up.
"Right..." I mumble, kissing his cheek.

Sure, the sort of ring of friends we had may have faded, but we had eachother. Our hearts were full and we were okay.

One Month Later.

Slowly but surely our group has been falling back into place. Inko is looking into a program with communications so she can have a voice for herself. Asseylum is working on public speaking and business, just like her parents. But, knowing her, thats a much different case than what her parents in terms of policy. Rayet began working towards becoming a therapist so she can work to help families. Inaho is into mechanical engineering, which is no surprise. He's easily the smartest person I know.
Things just seem full now. There's so much to think about.
Asseylum decided that today she would announce something.

Everyone had been waiting at the lunch table eagerly.
Asseylum approached with that walk she has; one that conveys confidence and pride. She sat at an empty spot and places an envelope on the table.
"I thought about it a lot." She says. "I'm going to be transferring to a school specializing in business."
Everyone in the group is kind of quiet. Two years ago, the group would've been devastated. Though, now it seems its only me.
"But, then you won't be here with us?" I asked rhetorically, not expecting a direct answer.
"I won't." She sighs. It was rare she ever showed sadness. "But I think it's for the best that I do. Aldnoah doesn't offer the resources I need to learn."
"Where's the school at?" Inko asks with a soft, almost withdrawn tone."
"Out of state..." Asseylum says
Inaho grabs the envelope from the table and reads it, including the letter inside. He makes a little hum and places it back on the table.
"I support it. Your future matters." He says. "I think we all agree that."
Everyone, even I, nod with a quiet sadness.
Asseylum looks down at her hands on the table.
"I'll always come visit..."
"Yeah," Rayet chimes in. "After all, we were all close. What happened to that?" She asks. Theres a bittersweet note in the tone of her voice.

Months passed, and we're all deep into our schooling. Asseylum never came to visit.

Come December, around the time Nao lost his eye so long ago, and things are calm again.

After school on Friday night, December 15, Inaho and I sat together to watch a movie. A sweet little film about two people exploring the ideology of being human.
Through the movie, Inaho begins to cough. At first, its a little tickle in his throat. Soon, its a full coughing fit.

Once he's calmed down and had a drink of water, I sit next to him.
"Nao, are you okay?" I ask him.
He shrugs.
"I don't know. My lungs felt like they were getting ripped out." He says casually.
On Sunday, he calls me. Well, his sister does.
"Slaine? Hey, it's Yuki." She says into his phone.
"Oh, hey Yuki. What's up?"
"Nao wanted me to tell you that he's gotten really... Well, sick. He's been coughing nonstop. He's in the hospital right now."
I sigh, and sit down. I curse under my breath.
"What's wrong?" I ask, my legs restless with anxiety.
"The doctors think he may have some lung infection right now... He hasn't gotten results back, but it's likely. Do you want to come see him?"
"Yeah," I say, getting up and getting my coat on. "Will you come get me in the lobby of the hospital?"
"Yeah," she accepts. "Get here safe, okay? He misses you."

And with that I'm on my way. Within 20 minutes I'm at the hospital. Yuki is in the lobby, and she waves to me.
"Hey, little buddy." She says with a noticeable worry in her voice.
"Hey. How are you doing?" I ask. She can tell I'm worried for her too. She sighs gently.
"Worried, I suppose. He'll be glad you're here."
And with that, we were off to the room.

As I entered the door, Inaho sat up to see me.
"Slaine," he gave a gentle smile. "Hello."
"Hi, hi..." I say, taking his hand in my own. "What's going on?"
"Don't know. Chest pains." He says with disregard. "My lungs are apparently infected."
I raise his hand to my cheek, and then I kiss it softly. "Then I'm gonna stay here with you as long as I can, okay?"
"Okay."