[Open. In that giant mushball universe where everything revolves around the Fourze universe]

[beetlesazer]

Amanogawa High School.

Not my first choice as far as first school to teach at goes, but considering my other 'job' it's probably the one where I'll be needed the most. I actually find it sort of amazing that the school is still running, let alone keeping the regular attacks on the students and faculty a secret. I only know about it from Ein and Zwein's careful surveillance from Beet-Vizor.

It's been almost six years since I've seen them in person - about as long as it's been since I've seen Gordo and Patora, but I assume America isn't as dull as being in space - I hope they're not lonely up there in orbit by themselves. I wish I could see them once in a while, but then, I barely see Takuto anymore with all his traveling, and Ad's taken to wandering in recent years too.

Stop that, Kane, I stop in my steps to breathe in and out and shake my head to clear it, get my focus back. It won't do to go and get all weepy on your first day of proper teaching.

I push my glasses up my nose and fix the sleeves of my jacket. Ad was supposed to be joining me here soon, I won't be completely alone for much longer.

There are also fellow teachers and my new students to get to know. Not to mention I have to keep my eyes open for signs of the dark forces at work here. Lots of things to keep my mind busy.

Comments

[solidliketheearth]

"How far away is Akira?" I ask softly. My knuckles are white where I'm gripping the dashboard.

[flightylikethewind]

"Far enough," I grumble. Why couldn't his hospital be closer, damn it. This is really inconvenient and unco-operative of him.

[solidliketheearth]

"Okay," I say, starting to feel sleepy. "Sorry," I manage eventually.

[flightylikethewind]

Oh nononono, no passing out. Even I know passing out right now would be bad. "Hey," I try. "Hey, no sleeping, Go, okay? Stay awake, at least until we get to the hospital."

[solidliketheearth]

"Just for a little while," I murmur comfortably, nestling against the door. "Don't worry."

[flightylikethewind]

"No," I say firmly, taking a hand off the wheel long enough to elbow him in the side. "No sleeping."

Not working. "Look, if you go to sleep I'm calling Akira right now. While I'm driving.

[solidliketheearth]

I jolt awake. "Jin! You wouldn't! That's so unsafe, and it's illegal!"

[flightylikethewind]

At least that still worked. If it hadn't I'd really be panicking.

"Stay awake then and I won't."

[solidliketheearth]

"Okay, okay," I subside grumpily, but I keep a worried eye on him. He'd better not do something so *stupid*.

[flightylikethewind]

He's watching me with that look on his face that means he's suspecting I'm about to do something stupid. Usually it's completely unwarranted, but he might have a point this time because I'll do whatever I have to to keep him awake.

[solidliketheearth]

"Akira'd better be close," I grumble, then I break into a huge yawn.

[flightylikethewind]

"Hey!" I protest, nudging the car into a faster gear. "What did I just say about sleeping?!"

We come to a red light and I make the most of it to whip my phone out and try to call Akira.

[solidliketheearth]

"That was a yawn, I'm not sleeping!" I protest, but he's got his phone out.

I lunge at it.

[flightylikethewind]

I flail as he grabs for my phone. "Red light!" I protest. "Red light for crying out loud. It's perfectly safe!"

Well, at least I know this works.

[solidliketheearth]

"Yes, but you're still driving a car!" I snap, but I'm sleepy and he's too deft.

[flightylikethewind]

"A car that isn't actually moving," I snap right back. Except the light won't stay red forever and there'll go my chance to talk to Akira.

[solidliketheearth]

"I'd write you up if I had my book!" I tell him firmly, but then I yawn again, and settle back against the door.

Hell with it. He can do what he wants.

[flightylikethewind]

"Just as well you don't have it then," I retort. Because he totally would as well.

I sigh and make another attempt, but just as I'm about to hit 'call' the light changes and I have to start moving again. I scowl at him in frustration. He's not helping either of us, here.

[solidliketheearth]

Maybe I should make up a book for home use where I could write him up for infractions like leaving the light on in a room when he leaves it.

...He does that, doesn't he. Huh.

"I love you," I say suddenly, then I yawn again.

[flightylikethewind]

...Of all the times. I swallow hard and focus firmly on the road in front of me. "I know. I'm very lovable, why wouldn't you love me?"

I just hope that's a sign his memory's starting to come back.

[solidliketheearth]

"I don't know," I say with sudden concern. "Why wouldn't I?"

[flightylikethewind]

"That was a rhetorical question," I snap. "Because there's no reason why you wouldn't, I'm just that great."

The hospital's getting closer, finally. He should never react like that, more like tease the hell out of me for saying something like that.

[solidliketheearth]

"Ah, okay," I relax a little, now I have the reason. "That's good. Thank you."

[flightylikethewind]

"You're welcome."

I sigh in relief as I pull into the hospital car park. Well, finally. Now maybe we can get some answers.

[solidliketheearth]

I get out of the car and shut my door solidly, then walk around to his side. "Who are we visiting?"