Chapter LI: Another Day at School
Monday morning arrives with the stubborn brightness of a sun that refuses to let anyone stay sleepy. Thus, the University of the Constellations buzzes again.
Students flow through gates like rivers splitting into streams with their different uniforms, different districts, and different lives. But enough for all districts like the Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces, and more, because we are converging into the Aquarius District at the Sadalmelik Building.
Mr. Furukawa drops Ryujin at Gate 2 of the University, which is meant for all Aquarius Students, Teachers, and staff. He walks through the corridor, bag slung over his shoulders, hair still slightly messy from the rush of the morning, or something was in the air that might have altered a cycle at the Furukawa Residence?
"Ughh, should have locked the attic door on him, Ichiro could have made it worst, ah man.", he thinks to himself.
Apparently an hour ago, Ryujin was checking their attic for some cool art supplies, and some old papers. As he was getting down the stairs, Ichiro unknowingly went up to the attic.
"Hey, Oni-chan", Ichiro playfully says.
As Ryujin looks behind him, Ichiro shapeshifts into a deer and kicks a cabinet near the opening of the attic, thus plummeting towards Ryujin. Ryujin tries to run, but gravity is not working for him.
"Cartoon rule, Oni-chan. Gravity won't work unless you look down.", Ichiro jokes.
"You're gonna pay for this, Ichiro! And by the way, I'm looking forward, that's horizontal, and it's not affected by gravity!", Ryujin exclaims.
The cabinet falls on him. However, recovers easily.
Back to the present, and Ryujin walks through the corridor. The hallway smells like floor polish, paper, and the faint sweetness of cafeteria bread from somewhere downstairs.
He reaches their classroom door, and slides it open. Haruto is already there, leaning back in his chair like he owns the place. Inoshiro sits beside him, scrolling intensely on his phone. Both look up.
"Ohooo, the Aquarius himself has arrived," Haruto announces.
Inoshiro turns his screen. "BRO. Look."
"What is it?", Ryujin sets down his bags on his chair and area.
Ryujin steps closer. It's the subscriber counts. The eternal war is still upon the YouTube Community, and the YouTubers are standing at a still as it's almost neck and neck between Pewdiepie and T-Series.
"Still close," Inoshiro mutters dramatically. "This is history."
Haruto presses imaginary glasses up his nose. "Future textbooks will say: 'The Great Sub War of the Digital Era.'"
Ryujin snorts. "Oh, shut up. It's almost neck and neck yet, you can still do it Pewds!"
"Brofist, forever Brofist!", Inoshiro says.
"9-year old army in the house! Support our number 1 YouTuber! Brofist!", Haruto says.
The door slides again and Miran enters, calm as always, followed by Hageshi who looks like he sprinted from another planet.
"Did I miss anything?!" Hageshi pants.
"Only global history," Haruto says. "You failed."
Hageshi gasps. "NO, is it?"
"Relax, dude" Ryujin laughs. "We're just talking memes and PewDiePie."
Hageshi immediately recovers. "Ah. Then, civilization is safe."
They huddle closer, voices overlapping.
"Bro that meme where that guy goes like-" (Hageshi)
"NO WAIT the one with the-" (Miran)
"Instant regret playlist still undefeated-" (Haruto)
"Roundabout memes are immortal—" (Inoshiro)
"Gentlemen, dudes, please, one meme at a time", Ryujin mediates.
The noise level climbs.
RINGGGG
The bell slices through the chaos.
Arita stands. "Everyone, flag ceremony. Let's now go."
Groans echo and chairs scrape, such sounds reverberate inside the classroom. They march outside toward the Sadalmelik grounds.
Upon reaching there, the field is already full. Rows upon rows of students from the Aquarius District line up, morning air crisp, flagpole gleaming under the sun.
Then Arita turns.
"I almost forgot...It's our class' turn to lead."
In and everyone might be silent on the outside but in reality, it's collective internal screaming.
She scans. "Hageshi, Inoshiro, and Ryujin."
Ryujin freezes, and feels a trembling force within him. His breath shuns with a flashing lights, like those rustic fluorescent lamps in a hospital hallway. The crowd. All of their eyes. Hundreds of students not just from the Sadalmelik Building, but also from all of the buildings in the Aquarius District. His stomach tightens.
"You'll be fine", a calm voice echoes in his mind. It's Pacificus.
"Breathe. You are not lightning without direction. You are control."
Ryujin inhales.
"...Okay," he says quietly.
They step forward. They handle the rope, and then the flag. The entire district watching.
Hageshi whispers, "Do you know how to tie this?"
Inoshiro whispers back, "I thought YOU did!"
The rope slips, tangling. The flag almost tilts sideways. A ripple of murmurs spreads.
Ryujin grabs the rope, fingers steady now. "Hold it there."
Together, awkward but determined, they fix it.
The flag rises and the anthem plays. Morning sun reflects off the bright red circle in the middle of the fabric. And for a moment, Ryujin forgets his fear.
Back in the classroom, adrenaline fades into chatter. Their first period, Marielle isn't here yet. It's still freedom.
Haruto slams his hand on the desk. "MEME SESSION ROUND TWO."
Ryujin shows a cursed edit. Inoshiro wheezes. Hageshi nearly falls off his chair laughing.
"Why does this exist—" (Hageshi)
"THE INTERNET IS A MISTAKE—" (Haruto)
"NO IT'S A GIFT—" (Ryujin)
On the other hand, a different conversation between friends are resounding across the room. Kitsune, Rikiyo, and Saki lean together.
"I'm telling you," Rikiyo says, "the new BTS merch sold out in like five minutes."
Kitsune gasps. "Scalpers again?"
Saki giggles. "Meanwhile I just want anime figures."
They spiral into anime talk, debating openings, crying over scenes, reenacting dramatic lines in whispers.
Meanwhile, another group chatters at the back corner. It's almost like a Mobile Legends battlefield.
Takeshi: "PUSH MID—PUSH MID—"
Aoto: "I'M TRYING—THEY JUMPED ME—"
Okaki: "CRAB RAVE ENGAGED—"
Kuebiko calmly farms like a monk in chaos. Miran quietly carries the team.
Another again, is at the near the windows. Samero, Arita, Fujima discuss school life. About their homework, sleep, and existential dread.
The door opens and Marielle enters; and an instant transformation throughout the class, like a military drill inside a campus. The students scramble as phones vanish, and chair spin. Students teleport back to their respective seats.
"Good Morning Class, we are gonna focus on Hiragana today," she smiles.
Then, afterwards, it's their next period, and it's Dr. Aoshima. The room shifts into seriousness as Dr. Aoshima enters the room.
"Today," he begins, writing on the board, "we discuss cellular respiration and energy cycles."
He calls on students.
"Aoto?"
"Glucose breaks down to produce ATP."
"Good. Saki?"
"Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell."
Hageshi whispers, "Classic line."
Ryujin elbows him. Discussion deepens more on oxygen roles, electron transport chains, life processes. Dr. Aoshima's eyes occasionally flick toward Ryujin's hand. The ring glints faintly.
Finally, the bell rings. The students exhale. Then suddenly,
"Ryujin," Dr. Aoshima says calmly, "come with me to my office. ASAP."
Silence falls.
Haruto blinks. "Bro what did you do."
Inoshiro whispers, "Did you hack the school WiFi?"
Hageshi: "We ride at dawn."
Ryujin stands slowly, heart steady.
"...Alright, sir."
He walks out. The squad is watching. Air heavier now. And somewhere ahead... the answers are waiting.