The two weeks leading up to the midterms were a period of intense, almost frantic, study for Itami. He was a diligent student, but the sheer volume of material, coupled with the pressure from his family, weighed heavily on him. He spent every available moment in the library, his notes meticulously organized, his textbooks dog-eared and highlighted.
His most consistent study partner was Ren. Itami patiently walked Ren through the intricacies of modern academics, trying to simplify concepts like "quantum mechanics" into something Ren's ancient mind could grasp.
"Just think of these particles as tiny, unpredictable spirits," Itami explained, pointing to a diagram in a physics textbook. "They exist in many places at once until you observe them, like a hidden enemy. And when you try to pin them down, they change."
Ren listened, his brow furrowed in concentration, occasionally offering a comment that was both insightful and utterly anachronistic. "So, their very essence is mutable? A dangerous concept for any strategist." Itami found a strange satisfaction in these sessions; Ren's unique perspective often made even the most abstract concepts click into place in unexpected ways.
They had been at it for nearly two hours, surrounded by the quiet hum of other students studying, when Itami's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his cheerful demeanor instantly deflated. His shoulders slumped, and a deep sigh escaped him. The easygoing focus he'd maintained throughout the tutoring session vanished, replaced by a visible tension.
"Everything alright, Itami?" Ren asked, noticing the sudden shift.
Itami ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit. "Yeah, just... something at home. I gotta go. Like, now." He started packing his bag with a hurried, almost frantic energy. The usual meticulousness was gone. His movements were jerky, his eyes darting towards the library exit.
"Is it... a threat?" Ren asked, his eyes narrowing, his mind immediately jumping to the Awakened or Valerius.
"No, no, nothing like that," Itami mumbled, avoiding Ren's gaze. His voice was tight, strained. "Just... family stuff. It's fine. I'll text you later about the history review, okay?" He didn't wait for a reply, slinging his bag over his shoulder and practically jogging out of the library, leaving Ren alone amidst the quiet hum of studying students.
Itami walked home with a growing knot of dread in his stomach. The bright afternoon sun felt oppressive, the familiar streets seeming to press in on him.
He usually cherished the walk, a time to decompress, to think about chess strategies or new manga releases. But today, his thoughts were consumed by the looming issue at home, a tension that had been building for weeks, threatening to finally snap. He hated leaving Ren, especially with midterms so close, but some things couldn't wait.
He pushed open the door to his house, the usual quiet replaced by a strained silence. He heard hushed voices from the living room, sharp and low. He took a deep breath, steeling himself. It was going to be another one of those nights. He just hoped it wouldn't be too bad.