Life Will Change

Chapter 15: The Long Wait

Begin!

~Normal POV

4/22 - Thursday

The following day, Akira noticed something was off about the school. Despite the commotion their calling card had caused, it was strange to see that no one had done anything about it. There was no tightened security, no investigating police officers; the only thing that had changed was the cards had been taken down. But it wasn't until lunchtime when he noticed the most glaring difference in the building.

"Hey, have you seen Kamoshida at all today," Ryuji asked.

Akira thought for a moment before answering, "No, I haven't..."

There had been absolutely no sign of the teacher today. Even the volleyball team seemed confused by his absence. Was this supposed to happen? Was it simply part of the process of changing a heart?

"Ah, there you two are!" Ms. Kawakami approached the two boys in the hall. "I wanted to let you know that study hall will be held in place of P.E. for the next few days. Just in case you hadn't heard."

"Oh, why?" Akira asked.

"Mr. Kamoshida called in to say he won't be coming to work for a while."

"He ain't here!?" Ryuji said, surprised.

Kawakami looked just as confused by this news too. "Well, if you really want to know, he said he's 'putting himself under suspension.' I've no idea why. Principal Kobayakawa said he went to talk to him, but he supposedly wasn't making any sense. Odd, isn't it? The talks about your expulsions will be put on hold. Anyway, that's all I needed to tell you." She walked away.

"...Suspension?"

"It sounds like he's still alive," Ryuji muttered, "But how would we know if it was a mental shutdown?"

"I guess we'll just have to keep waiting. At least it sounds like something happened..."

~...

Later that evening, after Akira had returned home from cutting a deal with Dr. Takemi for some part time work, Ann had sent out a message in the group chat.

Ann: [I went to see Shiho today.]

Akira: [How is she?]

Ann: [She hasn't woken up yet, but I told her we settled things with Kamoshida. I don't know if she'll even remember what I've told her but I had to make amends.]

Ryuji: [Whaddya mean? You didn't do anything wrong, Ann. Right, Akira?]

Akira: [That's right. It's not your fault, Ann. And Kamoshida trying to say that it was, is just him messing with your head.]

Ann: [But I wasn't there when she needed help. I'm a failure as a friend... I have to do all I can to make up for that, starting now. Otherwise I don't think I'll be able to move on.]

Ryuji: [Damn, I didn't know you were so passionate. I totally didn't notice it back in middle school.]

Ann: [I think it's because of you guys. It is a little embarrassing though... Anyway, Ryuji, Akira, I hope we can keep helping each other out from now on too.]

Ryuji: [Totally!]

Akira: [We got your back. :) And if you ever need some company when you visit Shiho just ask, ok?]

Ann: [I might, but for now, I'm fine going alone. It's more personal that way. Maybe when she wakes up I'll bring you along to visit.]

"Hey, kid."

Akira looked up from his chat to see Sojiro talking to him. He stepped out from behind the counter and spoke again. "I want to talk for a minute."

Akira was quite sure he hadn't done anything to break the rigid rules the man had laid out for him, but his heart still dropped at the possibility the old man was angry with him. He set his bag down on one of the booths, with Morgana still inside it, and approached his guardian hesitantly.