A familiar body lies on the floor, shivering and clutching its neck as kids point at it—laughing and repeating monotonously, as if they're robots: "It's your fault. You did this!"
More figures emerge, pointing at the disheveled figure. "It's your fault. You did this," they repeat in synchronicity.
Kailus watches his doppelgänger curl into a ball. "No, I'm sorry," he says, shivering as tears flow from his cheeks. "I said I'm—"
Kailus bolts awake, drenched in sweat. His breaths come in shallow, ragged gasps, and his mouth is drier than usual.
This exhaust-inducing state gave whiplash to his mind: memories of his father pushing him through long, strenuous exercises—rare occasions that left unforgettable scars.
From the timid sounds around, he could hear his father's commands echoing: "Work harder!" "Get up!" "10-minute plank!" "500 push-ups!" "It's your fault!" "It's your fault!" "It's your fault!"
Kailus' mind returned to his surroundings; his ears rang intensely. He tried to lift himself, but the weight was too great, as if his body were stapled to the bed.
He adjusts the temperature of his wings to combat the burning sensation, as a grayish-green hue gleams over his sweat-silken body.
'A nightmare again. It's getting to the point where it actually feels like torture. I really need to get a therapist at this point. Stupid past me.'
He sluggishly rips his sleeping mask off and tilts toward the clock on his nightstand: 6:00 a.m., it reads. He can barely register from the blurry vision.
"Two and a half hours before class," Kailus mumbles to himself. "I'd better get ready. Hopefully there's a cafeteria—I'm starving, and I don't have the stamina to cook. But, my autobiography comes first~."
He touches the smooth tip of his nightstand, which offers its cold, hard surface—a blessing in his current state. He pauses for a moment, closing his eyes in ecstasy, before continuing his search.
'Where is it?'
Kailus pats it again but to no avail. For the third time, he rubs his eyes, dispelling the illusions, just to glance once more.
"Oh, no, no, no, no—where is it?" he says, his voice rushing in between the vowels. His eyes frantically search the room as his halo takes on an ominous purple hue.
Just as he's about to get up, he pauses momentarily—feeling something unusual beneath him.
'That's odd.'
Peering through the covers, he spots his autobiography between his legs.
"Is my book okay? Oh no, no, no," he mutters frantically, seizing and flipping through its contents. "Please, please, please!"
Tears well up in his eyes as he holds his breath, silent in anticipation. The soft rustling of paper fills the still air, while a deep blue hue caresses the room, as if time had paused to his inconvenience.
"No damage? Impossible—there has to be something wrong," he says aloud, inspecting the book over and over, searching for anything noteworthy—but nothing appears. He exhales profoundly as if a great burden were lifted from his hands.
A faint breath echoes nearby, although it's unnecessary now that his book is safe.
Sitting up, Kailus stretches, his flexible back crackling in relief, and his radiant wings unfurl endlessly. His halo shines with newfound happiness, gently kissing the book's cover before placing it carefully on the nightstand.
"That was frightening. Let me start the day with a prayer at least," Kailus claps his hands. "God Almighty, let your will prevail—"
(Each morning, Kailus offers a blessing for protecting his family and the future. It has become an unbreakable habit ever since.)
During his daily prayer, a muffled laugh comes from outside the door, halting his routine for just a moment. He cocks his head in that direction.
'Oh, and who can that be?'
He finishes his prayer and leaves the comfort of his bed. However, as soon as he steps on the floor, something rubbery pulls his ankle—surprisingly gentle but tight enough to prevent any escape—from under the bed.
Kailus let out a squeal, akin to a squeaky toy, as his halo changed purple. The person behind the door laughs maniacally as their voice gradually fades in the distance.
Kailus kicks as hard as he can—sending whatever grasp his ankle soaring into the wardrobe—shattering it into many pieces. Only a flexible arm, a timer, and a claw remain from the plastic machinery.
'A cuff machine… Oh, YOU!'
He storms out with only one thought: confronting the culprit. Once he spots her at the front door, he points and shouts, his halo shining pinkish-red. "Akiro, you booby-trapped my room!"
Akiro gives a childish grin. "Why so mad, dear? Furious and flustered at my harmless prank? And there you are, flashing me a look of approval. You couldn't even keep it in your night robe. I'll pray if someone has to face that in bed because it'd be a challenge for sure."
She laughs gently, covering her sly-ish lips, her velvet-bright eyes flushing with lust.
'Dear Lord, this better be one of her perverted jokes. For if it's—'
Kailus follows Akiro's gaze only to witness his robe dauntingly slipping off his curvaceous body. A pink hue washes over his reddened face.
Without a word uttered, he bolts into his room, yanking his robe closed.
As on cue, Shalius opens her door. Before she can register her thoughts, Kailus shuts his door and hides in his bathroom.
'AHH! Why am I so blind? I flashed my family and now my roommate? I guess I deserve it, but why now?! It can only get so much worse.'
Nevertheless, Kailus showers and scrubs himself. He combs his strandy hair and cleans the crevices of his wings. Next, he dons his celestial robe (Angelic Culture) and a golden necklace from his mother.
Just as he's about to wear his father's golden bracelet, he pauses.
'Something is missing from my memory, but what?'
He stands idly for a few seconds, staring blankly at his reflection, until one particular event clicks. "Ahh, yes, I have to visit Teacher Lascuda today. I hope she can accommodate the college's hours with my tardiness."
Rushing out, Kailus spots Akiro and Shalius at the front door. In a low, threatening tone, he warns: "Don't you dare mention anything about today, Kitsunē."
"Why would I?" Akiro teases, her many tails swaying gently. "You wish to savor that moment for your future wife, right? And also, it's Kitsuné."
"Fine, Kitsunê." Kailus retorts, rolling his eyes.
Akiro laughs frivolously, crossing her arms. "Oh, you're playing that game, huh? I know you're a pretty religious zealot."
"And I-I know… you're bland… just.. boring," Kailus murmurs.
"Looks like your insult level is too low. If you ever wish to defeat me, train for another one hundred years," Akiro jokes with her arms to her waist and a fake pride plastered all over her creamy, pinkish lips.
Kailus scoffs and flutters down between them. He's about to open the door but hesitates. "I—um, I have to go to Carolice to get the schedule. Do you know whe-ere I'm going? Otherwise, I'll join you soon."
Shalius pats Kailus on the back. "No need to worry, dear friend; we all share the same classroom. You can follow me,"
Kailus sighs in relief. "Ah, thank you. I assume they'd differ by gender, yet I'm proven wrong furthermore."
"Or it's the same for us because we're female," Akiro quips with a wide grin.
Kailus tenses at her implication. "Is that true," he says toward Shalius.
Irritated by her teasing, Shalius snaps: "Stop prolonging this conversation. It's no different than ours."
"UHHH, I don't know about that~," Akiro answers dumbly, her eyes in two directions.
As they argue, Kailus questions his fate. 'Should I believe Akiro or Shalius? Shalius has shown loyalty toward me. She wouldn't lie to me, right?'
In his mind, Akiro perches on his right shoulder, and Shalius on his left.
Little Shalius says in her peachy voice: 'Believe me, Kailus. I wouldn't lie to you.'
Little Akiro answers in a fake, dark accent: 'Don't believe that girl. She lies like an evildoer.'
'You are an evildoer!', the tiny Shalius retorts.
The endless arguing irritates Kailus as he brushes them off.
He concludes, "I-I believe you, Shalius."
Akiro slumps in her posture. "I was never good enough for this."
(After today's antics, it's 6:30 a.m., two hours before class.)
Shalius glances at the clock and then turns to Akiro. "As lazy as you are, what will you do to improve your heritage?"
"I only care about myself," Akiro responds calmly, twirling her finger in the air. "I'm probably going to work at Jipsie's carnival or some fun place."
Shalius' eyes narrow just slightly before asking Kailus. "And you?"
'Oh, she's very judgmental. I have to be careful what I say.'
"Umm—I don't have any plans at the moment," he replies, as in turn, his stomach emits a loud growl.
Shalius laughs softly. "Well, how about we get breakfast and discuss this later on? They have many alternatives there."
Akiro perks up. "Really, love?"
"Yes," Shalius says, turning to Akiro. "But you should work out; you're getting a little chubby. Be glad that your fast metabolism is working overtime for that physique of yours."
Kailus glances at Akiro's stomach. "Uh, yes, you do need some training. Maybe the same as my father's?"
Akiro shrugs. "I'll do it later, guys. I also hate how fat I'm getting. I've tried getting larger kimonos, but my thighs are getting too thick to hide them. I hate how revealing my body looks."
"Then why wear so openly in the dorm if you hate revealing yourself?" Kailus asks, tilting his head. His halo casts a grey hue over the room.
Akiro rolls her eyes. "Because you're my roommate, I might as well leave it open. You don't mind the view, do you, Kailus," she says, staring at his halo.
Kailus' halo shines pink, whereas Shalius' eyes gleam with excitement—her body shimmering softly. "Then I'll forcibly train you. You'll suffer indefinitely—but you'll end up with an amazing physique. Breakfast and lunch will be your last greasy meals before our session commences. It's for the good of your health."
"You don't have to do this. I can exercise myself," Akiro protests.
Shalius smiles warmly. "Then I'll remind AND show you how to exercise for your own good. From your words, you disclose only about treasuring yourself. I'm merely following your belief to your extent."
Akiro's ears flopped to her head, realizing Shalius had cornered her.
"F-fine," she stammers.
Shalius grabs the doorknob and turns toward Kailus. "Now that's settled, let's eat, shall we?"
Kailus nods eagerly as Shalius opens the door.