Life Will Change

Chapter 17: Kamoshida Confesses

Begin!

~Normal POV

5/2 - Monday

Akira was standing in the underground waiting for his morning train. He was reading his book, while Morgana slept in his school bag. Supposedly, today was the day of the board meeting where Kamoshida had intended to have them expelled. But still there had been no word from him. Finally the school had put in a sub for the gym class, given how long he'd been away from work, but that only made the situation more worrying. What if he had a mental shutdown after all and nobody had gone to check on him?

"Good morning! Crowded as ever today, huh-" The bright, cheery, voice of Ann interrupted his reading. "Oh, sorry I didn't mean to-"

Akira smiled and put away the book, "No it's alright, I've read this one before. What's up?"

Ann looked relieved. She knew people preferred to be left alone while they read. "I was gonna ask if you're tired of the subways by now. I bet you've had enough."

He shrugged. "I think I'm used to it."

Her sunny disposition faltered. "The board meeting is today, isn't it?"

"Yep... Though I heard we're having an assembly too."

She sighed. "If this doesn't work..."

"It will, I'm sure of it."

"But what if you guys get expelled anyway?"

He didn't want to tell her about the full terms of his probation. That would only make her more anxious. "We gotta stay positive. And when it works out, we'll celebrate somewhere, how's that sound?"

Ann pouted at him, "How do you stay so damn calm?"

"To tell you the truth, I have no idea."

She studied him for a moment. "Oh well... I guess you are right, we do need to stay positive. And if this ends well, I think I know a way we can celebrate."

"What'd you have in mind?"

"I'll tell you later; leave you in suspense." She winked. "Anyway, let's go!"

"...You mean head to school together?" Akira said, quizzically.

"Is that a problem?"

"No, not to me, but aren't you worried? I mean, people might think-"

Ann cut him off with a laugh. "Akira, I don't give a shit what people think."

"Well, if she doesn't mind then I'm not gonna complain..."

~...

The school hadn't told anyone what the assembly was about. As they stood around in the gym waiting for it to start, many other students whispered about whether or not this was about Shiho or related to the incident. Ann tensed up listening to them and kept close to her two friends for comfort. Once Kobayakawa stepped onto the stage to start the assembly, beginning his rant about the incident, he didn't get very far before he was interrupted.

The doors to the gym opened, and in walked Kamoshida. Everyone went completely silent at his sudden appearance, having heard nothing from him for so long. Stranger still, he looked very different. His eyes were downcast and quite red as if he hadn't slept well the past two weeks. He also appeared thinner, like he hadn't been eating right either. He was still dressed for work but looked like he was in no condition to do so.

"I... have been reborn." He said, with the room being silent everyone could hear him. "That is why... I will confess everything to you all..."

He took a few heavy steps up onto the stage with Kobayakawa, who looked just as confused as everyone else was by what was going on. Kamoshida dropped to his knees and spoke.