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

[discard]

[She's correct.]

Yes, that would be fine.

[Please let's go home, since people are still staring. HOME IS SAFER.]

I have an idea of what I would be interested already.

[...]

If... that would be acceptable. [It's still kind of weird, not to be told what to study or what to learn exactly.]

[mombastic]

Of course!

[ To the car, Leon--! ]

You're the one benefiting most here, so it makes sense that you study what you have an interest in.

[discard]

[Does it............ he supposes he does, but it's still a lot more than he'd ever expect......]

... Right. Of course.

[of course.

He was not at all doubtful here!!!

... let's just. to the car.]

[mombastic]

[ Right. And home!

Where Otome will head for the bookshelf in his room and point it out-- you know, because it's so easy to miss. ]

Science and medical textbooks should be on the middle shelf. Philosophy and English will be on the bottom... math's on the top.

[discard]

[Ah... yes. Here is where he admits--]

I...have gone through a few of these.

[When he was bored and homework was done rather promptly because it wasn't as though it was challenging... all he really had to keep his attention was practicing his swordwork (best done elsewhere, but there aren't many "elsewheres" for sword practice here, so he's just careful in his room) or... reading through the textbooks while talking to Chal. Chal doesn't always get them, admittedly, but he's at least good company while Leon works his own way through them.

And it's a challenge, which he enjoys.]

[mombastic]

...

Somehow, I'm actually not too surprised.

[ A boy who had too much time on his hands, reading things? It was better than catching him with porn magazines, so really, Otome couldn't be happier. ]

Did any certain subject catch your attention?

[discard]

[Could you really imagine Leon with porn magazines though.]

I did not mind the math, though the science was more interesting.

[Learning things about a world that's totally different from his own is fascinating.

... He makes a slight face.]

I did not read much of the philosophy.

[He saw it as a waste of time.]

[mombastic]

[ Maybe like... food porn. ]

That's not for everyone, honestly... [ Just Kogami. ] But if it's science... you'll probably love learning with Fumi. I'm not so bad with it, but I'm more medical-based.

[discard]

[Magazines of this hidden under his bed.]

... I'm not interested in learning with anyone else. [So...there!!! He doesn't want to learn with Fumi, he wants to learn with Otome.]

If you would rather begin with the medical textbooks, I have no complaints.

[mombastic]

[ Don't you touch those strawberry sundaes, young man--! ]

... Well, to understand some of the medical terminology, a good grasp of science is pretty much essential. So why don't we do one science textbook, and one medical textbook? We can alternate.

[ Leon, you're precious. ]

[discard]

[Don't tell me what to do, mom!!!]

That would be fine. [He... likes learning, honestly, it's one of his favorite activities, so he's actually kind of excited about this.]

When should we begin?

[mombastic]

Why don't you go through the books tonight and decide which two you'd like to focus on first? I'll come up with a lesson plan based on that, and we can begin tomorrow.

[ Well, it's not too different from teaching her class. ]

[discard]

Okay.

[That was a little overeager, Leon.

A-ahem.]

That is-- I suppose that sounds fine.

[Nailed it.]

[mombastic]

... That's the happiest I've seen you in awhile.

[discard]

I'm not--!

[...... ugh.

He just looks away, flustered and embarrassed.]

... I don't mind learning new things.

[mombastic]

It makes me happy, too. So I can still help you, even like this...

[ This was what he wanted. ]

[discard]

[W-well... if it makes her happy....

Though that does make it sort of vaguely easier for him to admit his opinions.]

Well, if you insist upon something like this because it makes you happy, I have no arguments against it.

[Which translates to "this makes me happy but it's easier to pretend it's for you"]

[mombastic]

I'm glad my opinion's so valuable here!

[ With a laugh, as she moves to leave the room. ]

I'm going to start dinner-- let me know when you've found where you'd like us to start.

[ RAMEN TIME... ]

[discard]

[RAMEN TIME...

Though Leon does hesitate at that. He's had so much free time while Otome was busy, that--]

... I'll cook.

[He picked up on it relatively quickly, actually, which is what happens when he stops being a baby about things and actually tries. Finding recipes was easy, picking up supplies at the store on his way back from school was cake. He hadn't really wanted to bring it up before now, but... Otome does deserve better than instant ramen.

He can at least make a proper meal.]

I should still have time to go through these textbooks tonight.

[mombastic]

... Are you sure? I mean, I realize I kind of burned the noodles last time...

[ Otome. Honey. You need work when the 16-year-old boy is offering to cook in your stead (and is probably better at it). ]

[discard]

It isn't for any reason like that.

[IT'S NOT BECAUSE YOUR FOOD SUCKS... well maybe a little but he doesn't want to admit to that, because he doesn't want her to feel bad.]

I want to see what I'm capable of.

[That much is true, he thinks he can handle cooking properly.]

[mombastic]

All right... but let me know if there's something you're unsure of, or need help with.

[ She'll start thinking about how she wants lesson plans to go, so she'll just go fetch a notebook to start brainstorming. Let her feel useful here, please. ]

[discard]

[This is the point where he would ask what she wants to eat, but honestly... he's still learning, so he's not confident enough in that. Instead, she's getting what he can make.

Which is...... omelette rice.

(Shut up, it's one of Stahn's favorite foods and it sounded easy-ish.)

So let him get to work in the kitchen, he's got this.]

[mombastic]

[ PLEASE DON'T BURN ANYTHING-- but no, she trusts him. It should be fine.

She'll glance up every so often to check on him, though. ]

[discard]

[Surprisingly, nothing is getting burnt here. In fact... it starts to smell pretty decently in time. Leon's talented when he stops being a fussy child long enough to actually try, and that's shining through here as well.

The food's coming together pretty decently, and... Leon himself seems really satisfied with this. It's nice to do something competently, and to contribute.]