Chapter 1: Lunar Rock
Amane was sitting in a empty classroom, cleaning up his belongings. it was the last day of Junior high school, Tsukasa was waiting at the gate for Amane with Sakura. he had to stay behind because Tsuchigomori, Amane's homeroom teacher wanted to talk to him after class about something. "Are you getting bullied?" Tsuchigomori asked Amane, bluntly.
"Ts-" he was saying, but then his teacher's question cause him too quiet down as he glanced away. Amane flinched when Tsuchigomori placed down the first aid kit on his desk. Tsuchigomori reach his hand out toward Amane, Amane silently lift his arm up. Tsuchigomori rolled Amane's sleeve up, their was some bruises up Amane's arm.
he grab Amane's wrist, cleaning up the wound with some cotton. Amane winced in pain as the rubbing alcohol cause his skin to sting. "who is doing this to you, Yugi?" Tsuchigomori asked, his tone more firmed than before. "as your teacher, I want to help my students"
Amane glanced down, he wanted to tell Tsuchigomori but as soon as he opened his mouth, he closed it again. he couldn't form any words, remembering how his bullies told him that they'll make him regret it if he told anyone. Tsuchigomori knew he wouldn't be able to get anything out of Amane. "your little brother has told me this has been happening since you guy's first year." Tsuchigomori told him, Amane glanced to the side, his frown growing.
Tsuchigomori wrapped up Amane's hand, and arm with bandages. Amane turned toward Tsuchigomori and glanced down at the arm that Tsuchigomori was still holding. "…" he didn't say anything, not even thanking his teacher.
"you don't have any friends either" Tsuchigomori brought up, Amane's eyes up as he went to argue back but was stopped by Tsuchigomori "Miss Nanamine doesn't count. she's more Tsukasa's friend than yours." he was saying, he wondered if that was too harsh of him.
Tsuchigomori got up from his chair that was in front of Amane's desk, he was going to grab something for Amane to eat when he noticed that Amane looked skinner than usual. '…' Tsuchigomori didn't want to think the worst case scenarios, all the signs lead to Amane being bullied but they also lead to abuse. "i heard you skipped your other classes again today, what's that about? you even skipped your science class which isn't normal for you, since you love science" Tsuchigomori asked him, as he grabbed his the food box which had some snacks and fruit in it.
"get off my back, Tsuchigomori-sensei" Amane huffed in annoyance, clearly not enjoying the lecture he was receiving from his favorite teacher.
Tsuchigomori held back his anger, he was annoyed by Amane's attitude, when all he was trying to do was help the kid. "you little…" he stopped himself before he could finish that sentence.
"why are you acting like you care so much sensei?" Amane asked, his head lowered so his expression wasn't visible. "i know you don't care, your just doing this because it part of your job" Amane stood from his chair, as he glared up at Tsuchigomori.
Amane's eyes widen when Tsuchigomori suddenly grabbed him firmly on the shoulders. the sudden touch startled Amane, "I do care!" he wasn't used to the teacher's raised tone, it didn't even hold any anger only… Concern. Amane fell back down into his chair, Tsuchigomori eyes widen as he stepped back, releasing Amane's shoulders. "I'm sorry Amane, are you okay?" Tsuchigomori asked, as he wondered if he should reach his hand out to Amane, or wait.
Tears slipped down Amane's eyes, Amane got up from his chair and started walking toward the window. "huh?" Tsuchigomori turned around to see what Amane was doing.
"i want to go to the moon" Amane told him, he turned around. a smile appearing on his tear soaked face "when i was 4 years old, me and Tsukasa found a lunar rock!" he was saying as he show the rock to Tsuchigomori. "me and Tsukasa had gone outside, we were talking about the moon. i was feeling sick, and that's when…" Amane could remember that day like it only happened yesterday instead of 10 almost 11 years ago. "a lunar rock fell into Tsukasa's hand and he gave it to me, he told me he would treat it like a shooting star and wish for my condition to improve"
Tsuchigomori walked over to Amane's side, glancing down at the lunar rock in the little boy's hand. 'Tsukasa probably found the rock when Amane was distracted by his sickness, and knew if Amane believed that he found a lunar rock, it would make him happy', "would you believe me if i said it was real?" Amane asked his teacher.
"… No" Tsuchigomori answered back.
Amane's tears were starting to vanish, a small laugh breaking out as he smile. "Ah ha! thought not!", already having expected that answer from Tsuchigomori. "but we believe its real. and that's why… no matter what anyone says, this is a lunar rock!"
Tsuchigomori was distracted in his thoughts, as he watch Amane run over to the whiteboard to write on it. he remembered he had checked Amane's book in 4pm bookstacks, and came across the part of Amane's book that said that in recent years to come, Amane will die. he hoping with all his hearts that he can somehow change his future… just like that girl changed her future. "Tsuchigomori-sensei!" Tsuchigomori was broken out of his thoughts by Amane yelling into his ear.
"This is my prize possession." Amane smiled, as he glanced up at Tsuchigomori.
Tsuchigomori had almost forgot what they had been formerly discussing, this annoyed him because he wants to help Amane but the boy had completely changed the subject and he was running out of time to talk to him before he leaves. "we're not talking about the moon, Yugi. we're talking about y-" he was saying, but then Amane ran past him while smiling.
"Hey! look at that!" he smile widely.
Tsuchigomori's usually good patient was beginning to grow thin for the brat. "LISTEN TO ME!" Tsuchigomori snapped at him.
"Sensei!" Amane yelled out, as he opened the window he had been walking over to before. "the moon's already out!" he smiled.
Tsuchigomori noticed the bandages were already beginning to come lose, as they untie. he sighed as he turned around to grab the first aid kit he had left on Amane's desk. "have you ever wanted to go to the moon, sensei?" Amane asked, which confused him.
"huh?"
he turned around, and saw Amane standing on the windowsill, as he glance up at the moon. his eyes widen, as fear engulfed him. Amane started to slip, Tsuchigomori dropped the first aid kit as he bolt over to Amane. grabbing his arm, and pulling Amane back inside as they both hit the classroom floor.
the door open "Ts-" Sakura was saying, but her eyes widen as she noticed the disarray of the classroom. the first aid kit was on the ground, it's equipment scattered across the floor. Tsuchigomori was on the ground, his hand still holding on Amane's arm. Amane had a late reaction, he gasp in shock. he nervously glance up at Tsuchigomori. "What happed in here?" she asked, Tsukasa follow soon after.
"Amane! what's taking you so long! we waited and waited, and you still hadn't come!" Tsukasa, Amane's younger twin complained, but then he noticed the condition of the classroom. Tsuchigomori got up and help Amane to his feet.
Sakura and Tsukasa had a knowing look on their face when they noticed the bandages around Amane's arm. "we were discussing some stuff while I took care of Amane's injuries. and then a incident happened, but everything's alright now. i think i have kept you guys back longer than enough, go home, I'll clean this mess up" he told them.
"one last question, Tsuchigomori-sensei" Amane asked, glancing down as if avoiding Tsuchigomori's eye contact. "do you think… it's possible for me to go to the moon one day?" he asked.
Tsuchigomori was silent, contemplating on if he should say what he truly think or give Amane's hope. he decided on the latter, he place his hand on top of Amane's head. this confuse him, as he looked up at the teacher, Tsuchigomori ruffled his hair. "i think one day you will, if you put your mind to it" he lied, he knew Amane would die before than but he just kept lying through the smile on his face.
Amane glance to the side "I still can't understand why you're worried and want to help someone like me. but i really appreciate everything you've done for me, Sensei.", Tsuchigomori eyes widen at Amane's words, he was used to Amane pushing him away, but for once it seems like Amane was letting down his walls gradually. "then would you.. do just one thing for me?" Amane asked, as he glance up at Tsuchigomori with a hopeful expression, some light in his casually cold eyes.
"… alright" Tsuchigomori agreed, not used to Amane asking for stuff. Amane never asks for anything, always doing things by himself, not accepting anyone's help.
Tsuchigomori was confuse when Amane smile, he was the only teacher at the school who could get a smile out of Amane. but it was still shocking every time, but it always give Tsuchigomori relief and hope when it comes to Amane. "great!" Amane had Tsuchigomori open up his hand, Amane place the lunar rock in his hand.
Sakura and Tsukasa gasped, Amane never lets anyone expect for Tsukasa hold that lunar rock. Sakura was Tsukasa and Amane's closest friend, well Amane's only friend because she was Tsukasa's childhood friend, and she had only been able to hold it once in 10-11 years of friendship. "huh! are you sure, Amane? you basically never let anyone hold it, let alone keep it!" Tsukasa yelled out. Sakura nodded quietly.
"isn't this your prize possession?" Tsuchigomori asked him, as he glanced down at the lunar rock in his hand.
Amane smiled, his hands behind his back. "just something to remind you of me, when i go to the moon in the future. because that will definitely come true in the future just like you said it will. I'll just have to put my mind to it!"
"ah! it's already this late!" Amane gasped as he looked down at his watch. "Bye Sensei!" he yelled out, as he ran toward the classroom's door, grabbing Tsukasa's arm on the way, and Tsukasa grabbed onto Sakura's arm.
as Amane ran out of the door, he turned around as he waved goodbye to Tsuchigomori. Tsuchigomori returned the gestured, smiling as he waved goodbye to his students. the twins were in his class, Sakura was a high school student but she was there childhood friend so she walks home with them.
once the door close, Tsuchigomori fell into his seat at his desk in the classroom. he held his hands together, the lunar rock in between his hands, as he lead his head on his hands. "why… must he die so young. he'll still be just a child when he dies…".
Next Chapter: Hanako-San of the bathroom.
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