Life Will Change

Chapter 16: Opening Up

Begin!

~Normal POV

4/23 - Friday

While they continued to wait for any sign of Kamoshida's change of heart, and any updates from Ann about Shiho's condition, all they could do was attend school normally again. There was still no sign of Kamoshida, and the volleyball team seemed to start to relax a bit. Even Mishima looked more content than Akira had seen him before. (Though he was likely still suffering silent guilt over Shiho, it seemed that the gym teacher's absence was bringing him a small comfort.)

"I know we beat Kamoshida and all, but I'm still kinda nervous..." Ryuji admitted to him after school let out.

"I am too, waiting around not knowing what to expect next? Not only that, it's weird seeing everyone so calm about it." Akira replied. Morgana had gone for a walk, leaving the two to their discussion, and Ann had already left school.

Ryuji thought for a moment before asking, "Hey can you help me with something? To take our mind off things?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Well, I realized in the Palace that I can't move the way I used to..."

"I noticed that; you would have died from tripping at a really bad time."

"Yep, like I said, it's been a while since I ran that hard." Ryuji answered. "So you want to train with me for a while today? We can use the area behind the gym."

Akira agreed to this. Anything to keep his mind occupied from worrying. "Sure, but I gotta stop at the library first."

The school library was one of the few places Akira had not visited yet. He had been meaning to go there since day one, but the business with Kamoshida and the Metaverse had repeatedly derailed his plans to do so. Being a lover of books, he simply had to try out their selection at least once. (At least until he had the money to browse the bookstore in Shibuya.) Ryuji conceded to stopping there with him, despite not caring much for reading.

The library was on the third floor. Upon opening the door they found that many students were still in here to study. Ryuji hung by the door while Akira went to the back where the mystery books were. He grabbed one in particular, a book he'd read before but sadly didn't purchase yet, and brought it to the front desk. A student assistant rung up the book for him and gave him a rather strange look.

"Is this your first time coming to the library?" She asked.

"Yes." Akira answered, bluntly.

She studied him. "You... Are you that transfer student?"

Akira resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He could see Ryuji scowling at her as well for that remark. "Yes..."

Her curious glance changed to a nervous one. "Um, maybe you... shouldn't be here..." She quickly tried to correct herself. "Oh, I don't mean that you can't use the library, it's just- you see, you might frighten the other students-"

Ryuji stepped in. "Hey, Kani, ya practicing your asshole routine today or something?"

The girl flushed with embarrassment at being called out on her judgmental attitude, but didn't reply. She finished signing out the book for him and the two left.

"I don't know what she was talking about." Ryuji said, as they made their way to the gym to change. "If anything they're more hostile than scared."

"Let them talk either way. I don't give a shit," Akira said, bitterly.

There it was, his favorite comfort on this earth: books, taken away from him. What he wouldn't give to find that politician now. He couldn't even read in peace anymore without the arrest looming over him.