Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[mombastic]

You can do more than plenty in this place, Leon. I hope you realize that-- you kept up with my students, didn't you?

[discard]

... I'm aware of that.

[Sort of. It...still helps to at least hear it, honestly.]

But even so, I'm also aware that I am sometimes still adjusting to this place.

[A few days ago it was the bus that threw him for a loop.]

But cooking is not complicated.

[mombastic]

Some things don't change, no matter the world. If you do still have questions, though...

[ Please ask. ]

[discard]

... I don't.

[Mostly.

It's somewhat that he just doesn't want to admit he has a bunch of questions still.]

Regardless, I am fine like this. [Being able to cook, being able to learn, and living with Otome--this is all fine.]

[mombastic]

Mm... well, I don't doubt that. You're incredibly resilient.

[discard]

[That's... kind of ironic, all things considered, Otome.]

... Is that so...

[...Hm.]

I suppose I will have to take your word for it.

[mombastic]

[ Shh. ]

I can honestly say some of the natives have had more trouble.

[ Sorry, Daichi. ]

[discard]

I'm not satisfied with just being better than those around me.

[aka he's stupidly hard on himself and is such a perfectionist.]

[mombastic]

I see... you want to truly master things, then?

[discard]

... I intend to master whatever I can, yes. I do not approach things halfheartedly.

[mombastic]

Yes, I'm well-aware... let's just continue to take things one day at a time, okay?

[discard]

Yes, I suppose that is all we can do.

[It's not...a bad life, this way? Just....]

Admittedly, this is still a little strange for me.

[mombastic]

Understandably... asking you to live in a world not originally your own might come across as unreasonable.

[discard]

...Don't misunderstand.

I am more than aware of the fact that I've been incredibly lucky.

[Look, he's not so tsun or ungrateful that he can't acknowledge when he's been saved from death.]

It will... just continue to take some time. So-- [...] --please continue to be patient with me.

[mombastic]

Leon...

[ ... ]

It's not a matter of patience. I know it will take time... I'm just relieved that you're trying. [ That he's willing to live. ]

[discard]

[He is... trying. He's willing to live right now. And even he knows that that's an improvement from how he was.]

... Yes, well. There's no need to worry about that.

[AHEM.]

Anyway, we should continue. [and stop talking about embarrassing things.]

[mombastic]

Mm, that's right! I'm all fired up for dinner and hearing how your studying went!

[ ONWARDS. ]

[discard]

[ONWARDS.... it's strange to have this much interest be taken, but also gratifying.]

It has been interesting, I'll say that much. However, by cross-referencing textbooks, I believe I'm understanding things well enough.

[mombastic]

Most people your age would have a very hard time understanding it. I'm impressed.

[ Sincerely. ]

[discard]

[Oh....... oh, he's actually embarrassed now. He clears his throat awkwardly, looking away so his hair hides his face.]

That is... N-naturally this sort of thing is only to be expected from me...!

[he's really pleased... that mom is proud.]

[mombastic]

The only thing I expect from you, Leon, is to give things your best effort. Regardless of the result, I'd still be happy.

[discard]

... I won't be, however. I intend to be successful, regardless of any hurdles in place.

[Ok Leon.]

[discard]

[College treats Leon much better than attempting high school for the hot moment that he did ever did. He's only 16, yes, but he has the sort of discipline and work ethic that a lot of college students can only dream of, and he's intelligent enough to handle it; he settles in easily enough, and while he doesn't really have much in the way of friends, he at least seems engaged enough in the source material and classes.

So he's consistent.

Every day, he's up early to make breakfast for the both of them, to look over his homework once more and then to prepare to go to class. He doesn't really mess around, and his schedule is really consistent.

Until it isn't.

It's been cold, recently, and honestly, Leon's immune system hasn't seemed to have entirely recovered from...well, dying. Whatever bug he caught, it's knocked him right off his feet; the minutes drag on in the morning but he doesn't get out of bed, curled up in a ball of half-awake misery as he is.

Whoops.]

[mombastic]

[ Whoops indeed. Otome's up and going over her notes, but when she walks into the main area and there's no breakfast smells - shamefully, she's almost gotten used to this being a daily thing - she can immediately tell that something's amiss.

She's at least nice enough to knock on the door first before she opens it, whether he answers in the affirmative or not. But spotting the miserable blanketed lump, she's quick to go go over there and drop to her knees beside the bed. Just one look tells her enough, but to make absolutely sure... ]

Let me feel your forehead.

[discard]

[There's a vague grumble from the blanket pile.

And then he shifts enough to poke more than just messy hair out of the pile, blearily opening his eyes and peering at her. Still, seeing her face seems to properly make it sink in that something isn't going quite right this morning; his brow furrows, and then he hoarsely manages:]

Otome...? What time is it?

[Is he supposes to be getting up right now...]