Chapter Text
The alarm rang.
Then again.
And again.
It already has been the third time that Subaru had hit his alarm clock to snooze some more, but he didn't want to bring forth the wrath of his mother.
She was a gentle and kind soul, but her eyes could melt the coldest of ice creams, something he shared with her.
He rubbed his eyes and pushed himself up. His room was a mess, mangas were strewn out across the floor, a plate from last night's dinner was on his counter and even his dirty cloths were out. It looked like a museum exhibit titled 'Life of a Dropout'
He managed to drag himself out of bed, groaning, "Uhhhhhh... why did i think it was a good idea to humor my parents."
He started doing has daily stretches, one arm to the left, the other to the right, one foot up, the other out.
With all the strength and energy he could muster he shouted out, "VICTORY!!!!" Well... at least he tried sounding enthusiastic. He sighed as he started heading to go to the bathroom to brush his teeth and do the bare minimum to look presentable for the first day of school.
After some time he managed to get on his school assigned uniform, a black jacket, clean white shirt, and a tie that didn't quite stay straight.
He looked straight at the mirror, started looking at himself for a bit before frowning. "Still a disappointment," he muttered. "At least a well-dressed one," before heading downstairs to great his parents.
Downstairs, he walked to the kitchen and saw his mother finishing up breakfast as his father was reading the newspaper. He went to his mother, and as Naoko turned to see him she had a warm smile on her face.
"Subaru, it's quite surprising to see you up so early, but I guess I'll be seeing a lot more of that." She sized him up, but: "You look great honey, ready for your first day back." Subaru faintly smiled, trying to look happy for his mother even if she knew he was putting up a front. "For sure, mom. Can't wait to go back to worthless studying for stuff I don't need and teachers breathing down my neck if I start snoozing first period."
Kenichi looked up from his paper, "Then don't slack off, Subaru. Don't tell me that your old man has more energy then a young'n like you."
Subaru turned his head to look at Kenichi. "Yeah, sure dad... say, I'm quite surprised that you didn't wrestle me out of bed like you usually do."
Kenichi chuckled at him. "I didn't want to leave my son looking like a mess his very first day back. Besides I would have if you stayed in bed for ten more minutes. You better count your lucky stars."
Subaru shook his head with a faint smirk on his face as he took a seat at the table.
Soon enough Naoko finished up breakfast and served it, scrambled eggs with sausage. Subaru ate it as fast he could so he wouldn't be late for school.
Subaru packed his bag and started to walk out the door but just before he fully opened it, Naoko ran up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Try to have a great day, Subaru." He nodded his head. He'll humor his parents... Just for today.
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The streets were filled with fellow students walking by, the April weather hitting his face. Subaru stared straight, thinking of the many ways he could embarrass himself and mess everything up.
He really did think school was pointless, he used to be the best on everything he did and always tried his best. But somewhere along the way, he stopped being the best at what he was good at, and everything seemed pointless. He tried filling that void with being the center off attention, basically making a fool of himself. Until it finally clicked to him, he wasn't anyone special, just a guy who had nothing going for him and tried to make people like him.
"Sigh".
After a few minutes of walking later, he turned a corner and there it was, the new school he was enrolled in. He walked closer as waves of fellow students walked alongside him. Subaru stopped at the main gate as he read the banner:
Lugunica High School - Welcome, New Students!
"Guess this is it," he said quietly. "Another loop begins, huh?"
He started walking to the opened doors and entered the school.
Subaru looked around. This school was like nothing he had seen before: it had three floors, multiple labs, and even a grand library, not like Subaru even knew the difference between them.
He was looking at the library's doors, bookshelves stacked upon bookshelves. "I wonder if they have the latest issues of Attack On Titan in there, or at least Dragon Ball," he said. He closed his eyes, and turned to leave— BUMP!
Someone had grazed his arm and bumped into him. "Watch where you're going, I suppose." He heard what sounded like a feminine voice say.
He turned to face the aggressor. "Watch where I'm going? You mean watch where you're going, you—!" Subaru stopped his sentence short as he saw a small figure open the library door and step inside, not paying any more mind to him.
Subaru stared at the closed glass doors. All he saw was a pare of twin drills entering the library. "Was that a grade schooler?" Subaru said, wondering of what just happened. He looked to his left to see a clock, it pointed to seven twenty. "Oh, I have ten more minutes..... I HAVE TEN MORE MINUTES!" Subaru scrambled to a random hallway.
This school is big as hell. No way I can find my class in this amount of time!
He stopped running. Panicking wasn't going to help him out in this situation. He took out a school map he got when he entered and scanned around.
Okay Natsuki Subaru, think think, where could class 3-A be, maybe at this floor...? No, this floor seemed to be where all the extra stuff is at, not main classes.
Subaru was starting to loose hope. First day in a new school and already he was gonna be late. Biggest loser award goes to yours truly.
"Hay, you lost?"
A voice that came from behind him was calm and polite, carrying a tone that made Subaru straighten up before turning.
The guy standing there had bright red hair, a composed posture, and an easy, sincere smile. His uniform was neat, his eyes clear and confident. The type of student teachers loved and everyone respected instantly.
"Uh– yeah", Subaru said, scratching his cheek. "I'm looking for class 3-A, but this place is like a labyrinth. No Minotaur, though, so points for that."
The red haired student chuckled lightly. "You must be new. Don't worry, it's easy to get lost here. I can take you there, its on my way."
"Wait, for real? You'd do that?"
"Of course." He extended a hand. "Reinhard Van Astrea; it's a pleasure to meet you."
Subaru blinked, then shook his hand. "Natsuki Subaru, professional at getting lost. And uh, thanks. You're a life saver."
"It's no trouble," Reinhard said warmly. "As part of the student's consult, it's my duty to help students and alike in need." He gave off such warm energy, it felt like being next to a tall golden retriever.
They walked side by side, passing through corridor to corridor. The sound of morning chatter filled the halls. Subaru stole glances at him; everything about Reinhard screamed perfect. He probably had perfect grades, great manners, and a girl fan club just as the cherry on top.
Meanwhile, Subaru felt like a piece of gum, stuck under the shoe of fate.
They reached an empty hallway. Reinhard pointed to a door.
"This is class 3-A. You'll be in good hands here."
Subaru nodded, hesitating for a moment. "Hay, Reinhard.... thanks, seriously."
Reinhard smiled that same bright, effortless smile. "No need to thank me. See you around, Subaru." He walked off, his presence as radiant as the morning sun. Subaru watched him go, then sighed.
"Great, my first friend is a walking inspirational poster."
He turned back to the classroom, muffled talking coming through it. As he reached out and grabbed the handle of the sliding door, he whispered under his breath:
"Okay, Subaru. Round two. Don't screw this up
The door slid open, the sound echoing faintly through the hallway—
And his new life began.