Monday, February 26th.
It was just another Monday.
Julien woke up, feeling refreshed and exhausted at the same time. Carefully picking up his phone so that he didn't cut his hand on the shattered glass, he checked the time.
[ 5:45 A.M. ]
There were still 15 minutes left before his first alarm.
…
He decided to go back to sleep.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Click—
[ 6:00 A.M. ]
His alarm went off. Pushing himself out of bed, he moved his tired body to the bathroom.
Brush teeth, wash face, fix hair.
Stare at his reflection in the mirror.
…
He'd seen worse.
Turning off the faucet, Julien yawned as he exited the bathroom. Rather than going downstairs immediately, where the smell of fresh biscuits, eggs, bacon, and a wider assortment of delicious items waited for him, he entered his greenhouse and donned a pair of gloves.
Greenhouse Temp: Check.
Weeding: Done.
Plants—
Ah.
He allowed a small smile to appear on his face. Some of the flowers he'd planted in December were in their budding stage while others were beginning to unfurl.
Glancing over at a flowering bundle of baby's breath at the other end of the room, he noticed the leaves were a bit yellow and that some of the flowers around the edges had shriveled up.
Grabbing a set of gardening shears, he approached the plant and snipped away the shriveled flowers, allowing them to fall into the soil. Lifting the pot, he checked the leaves and—
Was it actually just the flowers?
Putting the pot back down without much thought, Julien stripped off his gloves, hung the shears back on the wall, and stepped out of the greenhouse.
Pulling out his phone, he checked the time.
[ 6:37 A.M. ]
Nodding to himself, he quickly washed his hands before picking out a change of clothes—a pair of loose-fit, wide-legged white pants and a slightly oversized, long-sleeved brown shirt.
After tucking in the front of his shirt and fastening a matching belt, he headed downstairs.
"Good morning."
Pause.
Andrew wasn't standing in the kitchen today. He'd cooked like normal, set the table like normal, brewed tea like normal.
But the man in question wasn't there.
Thump thump
Looking around the open space, Julien pursed his lips.
He didn't leave did he?
With a calming breath, Julien approached Andrew's room and knocked on the door.
Knock knock-knock knock
Silence.
"Andrew?"
Waiting for a few moments, his heart picking up the pace with each second, Julien reached for the doorknob—
"Good morning."
"—!"
Julien spun around as a voice reached him from behind. Placing a hand over his beating heart, he let out a curse.
"Sweet mother of— Dude I'm begging you. One footstep, I just need to hear you once or my heart is gonna explode!"
Andrew tilted his head before nodding and tapping his foot on the ground.
Tap tap
Julien let out a huff of disbelief.
Gently moving Julien out of the way, Andrew entered his room and came back with a familiar black bag.
"Your stuff."
Taking it without thinking, Julien furrowed his brows.
"Where were you just now?"
Andrew pointed to the ajar study door.
Julien blinked.
Right…
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Andrew spoke first.
"Bring your laundry downstairs."
Pausing for a second, he seemed to roll over a selection of words in his head before opening his mouth again.
"What are you doing on the first?"
Julien paused then looked up at the other man.
"This Friday?"
Nod.
Hanging the bag over his shoulder, Julien thought about it for a moment.
"I have a couple of classes in the morning… and I think that's…"
Trailing off, he thought about the therapy sessions he'd been skipping—hadn't had a chance to go to—lately. Glancing at the other, he finished his reply.
"Yeah, that's all I have planned for now."
Sorry Dr.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Julien raised a hand indicating for the other to give him a second before going upstairs and returning with his laundry basket. Placing it by the door, he waved Andrew over and sat down at the counter.
"Did you already eat?"
Andrew shook his head, paused, then sat beside him as he replied.
"…Don't make any plans."
Julien furrowed his brows before realizing it was a continuation of the previous conversation. Nodding, he didn't say anything more as they dug in.
—
[ 7:03 A.M ]
Julien was sitting on the couch in the main area while Andrew took a trip downstairs to deliver their laundry.
The TV was currently set to the Real Raúl News Network or Double RN as some liked to call it. While he was only half paying attention, spending his time texting his friend about the news rather than actively watching, he did pick up a few things.
For one, the date for the International Horticulture Exchange had been set for the end of May.
[Navi]
| No.
[Jules]
| Why not? It'll be fun. (￣▽￣)
[Navi]
| Fun for you maybe.
| What's fun about watching a bunch of nerds ramble about how 'My plant grew three cm taller than last summer!' 'Well mine grew 10!' (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ
| I'm not going. (⇀‸↼‶)
[Jules]
| What if I bought you ice cream?
[Navi]
| Not happening.
[Jules]
| We can go anywhere you want afterwards?
The messages stalled for a second.
[Navi]
| … Where (⌐▀͡ ̯ʖ▀)?
[Jules]
| Anywhere you want ◮_◮
[Navi]
| …
| Deal. But no complaints ya hear! ٩(ÒہÓ)۶
With that successful bargain, Julien raised his head to look at the TV screen.
「A group of high school students that went missing in the fall reappeared over the weekend. With several showing late stage Drove symptoms, authorities are struggling to get answers from the incapacitated students. One student that regained consciousness spoke candidly about their experience, describing it as 'escaping from a nightmare into a dream.' When asked to elaborate—」
Drove huh.
He drummed his fingers against his leg.
According to Madam Afenia—
Ding!
Julien blinked before looking down at his phone.
[Navi]
| Whoah, it's like real life isekai
[Jules]
| ?
| What?
[Navi]
| Those kids that got spirited away
| I'm telling you they got isekai'd! (◉ᗣ◉)՞/
Julien scoffed.
[Jules]
| Whatever.
[Navi]
| You doubt me so but if werewolves are real why wouldn't there be another world!
| Hell, maybe they were abducted by aliens!
[Jules]
| I'm turning my phone off now.
[Navi]
| Naysayer! 𓃗
| One day you too will see the truth!!! \(ʘдʘ)/
He laughed before shutting off his phone.
Yeah, there was no need for him to think about that right now. It was an average Monday with nothing going on.
Checking the time, he decided to listen to one more story before getting up.
「Since the establishment of the Demerico system, violent crime has been on the decline, reaching a historic low of just 5.4%. Additionally, in the 8 years following the armistice with the SMWE, the program has played a crucial role in reconstruction, leading to the topic re-entering the public mind.」
Displaying several articles on the screen, the blonde reporter continued.
「Over the course of the program's 35 year history, several polarizing opinions have remained at the forefront. Dissenters call the practice 'inhumane' and 'a waste of taxes', while supporters argue the program's benefits far outweigh the costs and ethical concerns. What do you think, Hao Yun?」
Adjusting her bowtie, the other broadcaster smiled at the camera.
「Laura Laura, it's the perspective isn't it? Certain nations, such as the SMWE, still impose the death penalty for violent crimes and spend more resources—ahem—containing those inmates than they do actually reforming the ones that they can.」
She placed a hand on her chest.
「So the question is really this. Is giving criminals a chance to contribute to society better than having them rot away in jail?」
She chuckled.
「You may've forgotten Mrs. Beau, but the number one complaint with this system was that the program was considered too lenient on those that've committed grave offenses.」
Broadcaster Laura tilted her head.
「Then what happens to those even this system deems irredeemable?」
Broadcaster Hao Yun winked.
「That ball is in the court of public opinion.」
Tap tap
Julien lifted his head at the sound of tapping coming from behind and saw Andrew standing there staring at the TV. He wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry.
I didn't mean it literally.
Turning back to the screen, Julien picked up the remote and raised it above his head.
"Are you watching this?"
Andrew looked at him and shook his head.
Hm.
Turning off the TV, Julien picked up his phone and checked the time.
[ 7:45 A.M. ]
"Then let's go."
Pausing, Julien shot Nevaeah a quick message, and after receiving a thumbs up, he raised his head.
"Do you mind if we swing by Vae's later? She still has… dog."
?
Our dog? Your dog?
Scrunching up his face, Julien stood up and rubbed his neck.
"We need to pick up Cello."
Andrew glanced off to the side for a moment before slowly nodding. With that, Julien grabbed his things from the study, slid on his shoes, and stepped out the door with Andrew in tow.
—
[ 7:55 A.M.]
Waiting outside the classroom after leaving Andrew in the courtyard, Julien looked up as a certain brown haired professor approached. He raised a brow.
Wasn't he on leave?
"Good morning professor."
The cinnamon'd professor faced him with a subtle smile.
"Good morning."
Professor Vale pressed his hands together.
"Excuse me for a moment, but have you seen anything unusual or experienced fluctuations in your fortune, good or bad?"
Julien involuntarily let out a laugh. He could think of a lot of answers to this.
Can I make a presentation first?
"Not really."
The professor scanned the hallway for a moment before nodding.
"Yeah, you're right."
"…"
Professor… What are we talking about exactly?
Was it because the man was sleep deprived that he was spouting nonsense like this? Checking the time, Julien furrowed his brows.
"Did you need something?"
"Oh! Yes, actually—"
Taking a piece of paper out of his coat, he handed it to Julien with a genial smile.
"If you made any new friends recently or started hiking in the Southern Borough forests, do leave that at the doorstep."
The frozen gears in Julien's brain began to turn.
"… Excuse me?"
He wasn't talking about what he thought he was talking about, was he?
Unaware of Julien's confusion, the good professor clapped his hands as if remembering something and pulled something else from his pocket. Taking Julien's hand, he dropped the item in his palm.
A chestnut?
Julien looked at the professor with a bewildered expression.
"If you bring me good news, I'll give you more."
I don't want this though?
"…Are you…"
Julien closed his mouth. This was supposed to be a normal day.
"Shouldn't you go home? You're still on leave right?"
He just wanted one day.
"I'll email you… if I think of something."
So please leave.
Professor Vale looked at the now ajar door of the classroom and nodded.
"Thank you. If you need help with anything you can ask the same way."
Patting his arm as a goodbye, Professor Vale walked down the hall and out the door in a chipper mood.
…
Looking down at the two items in his hand, then glancing at the backs of his classmates filing into class, Julien pursed his lips and went inside.
Whatever that was, he'd worry about it later.
—
Two hours into a three-hour lecture, Julien set down his pen and leaned back in his seat. They were on break, and he was distracted.
Exams exams. One tomorrow, another on Friday…
Should I go to the library today?
…
He checked his schedule for the rest of the day.
Maybe not today.
He still had to meet Nevaeah.
Hm.
He stared at the ceiling.
Should I just take her with me?
Tap
Turning his head to the feeling of someone tapping his shoulder, Julien looked down at the piece of paper in her hand.
Professor Vale's note.
"This is yours right? You dropped it."
Blinking at her, Julien reached into his pockets and sure enough.
"Yeah. It is."
Smiling politely, he took the note from her hand and stood up.
"Thank you."
Ignoring her stare, Julien walked into the hallway and leaned against the wall, note in hand.
To read or not to read that is the question.
He stared at the folded paper.
I mean… he gave it to me.
It's not like he said he couldn't read it.
…
He was just a little curious is all.
He unfolded it.
He froze.
"This wasn't for you to read, Julien."
Blinking twice he looked again.
The same.
He flipped it over then back again.
…
What?
Folding the note back into its original state, he raised it to the light and what he saw was—
◼
Black.
Dense, ink-like streaks layered over one another until the page looked almost burned. When he tried to focus on them, the lines blurred together, refusing to become words.
Feeling an odd chill, Julien quietly put the note back in his pocket.
…
Let's just go back inside.
—
[ 10:00 A.M. ]
Julien left class with an odd feeling of dissonance.