The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 15 - Daydream Believer

"What's with that dreamy expression, Haruto?"

"Huh, wait, what?"

"You surely didn't forget we're still in school. Come on, it's been three minutes since break began and you've been looking like a Daydream Believer." (Amane)

"What's that stupid reference to that old song?"

"Hey! It took at least an hour to think up of that cool end phrase."

"It's not cool."

"Stop being so blunt! Come on, let's go outside."

"But class is going to start in a minute. We need to go get changed downstairs and meet up at the gym, right? Since it's PE next class?"

"Bah, screw PE. Let's just go ditch class."

"How can you say something outrageous like that without changing your facial expression? Also, could you stop dragging me across the hall while I'm trying to lecture – ow!"

That "ow" part was because Amane, apparently fed up with dragging me along, resorted to a more barbaric way of throwing me down the stairs.

"Be more gentle! I'll break!"

"What, you made of sticks, boy? Live on the streets, and maybe I can pack stronger stuff into you."

"No thanks, cause that probably means you'll stuff lead into my brain."

"Does that imply I'm stupid, punk?"

"What are you talking about? I haven't said any– "

"Stop messing with me punk!"

Amane kicked me point-blank in the face.

"Could you stop being all abusive and violent as soon as you're confident no one's watching?"

"Could you stop being a wimpy complainer of everything I do?"

"As I said before, only stupid people answer questions with questio– where are you dragging me off to?"

"The gym, cause you act like a good boy and good boys don't ditch class."

"Does that mean you won't ditch class as well?"

"Nah, I'll take this time as an excuse to take a smoke break without a nanny nagging me around."

"How many times are you going to make me remind you that smoking at your age is illegal! And who are you calling a nanny!"

"Well, be grateful I dragged you here."

With the grace of a blundering elephant, Amane kicked me into the gym, causing 25 pairs of eyes turning toward me.

"Why does she need to be so rough?"

I grunted as I pulled myself up, and ignoring the bewildered eyes staring at me, I joined my class as nonchalantly as I could.

From there, the entire day was a blur. By now, I had more or less caught up to the school curriculum, so I didn't have any urgent problems to take care of.

And as the school day end, as usual, I walked with Amane. I recently decided to spend my afterschool time hanging out at Ayamoto's tavern (much to Shi-chan's dismay.)

"Mom, I'm home!" (Amane)

"Please excuse me." (Haruto)

"Welcome back!" (Ayamoto)

"A! Haru-chan!" (Shi-chan)

"Hey, Shi-chan, I told you not to call me that, right?"

"But you told me not to call you "master"."