A familiar body lies on the floor, shivering and clutching its neck as old classmates point at it—laughing and repeating like robots without a code: "It's your fault. You did this!"
Kailus stares at himself shaking, his voice breaking at the onslaught crowd, "No, I'm sorry. I said I'm—"
Suddenly, Kailus bolts awake, his body drenched in sweat. His breath came in shallow, ragged gasps; his throat parched.
He remembers this feeling at the back of his mind—memories of his father pushing him through long, strenuous exercises—rare occasions that left unforgettable scars.
Kailus changes his wings' temperature to combat the burning sensation, as a grayish-green hue shines over.
'A nightmare again. It's getting to the point where it actually feels like torture. I'm thinking of getting a therapist at this point. Stupid past me.'
He removes his sleeping mask and tilts his head toward the clock on his nightstand: 6:00 a.m.
"Two and a half hours before class." Kailus mumbles. "I'd better get ready for class. 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.
'Wait… where is it? Heh, maybe it's in a different position.'
Kailus pats it again, only feeling its cooling surface. He rubs his eyes, brushing the crust away to glance once more, hoping for a better outcome.
"Oh, no, no, no. Don't tell me I lost it!" he mumbles incoherently, his halo turns a daunting purple hue. He's about to get up but pauses—feeling something beneath him. 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 with urgency. Kailus holds his breath in anticipation as the soft rustling of paper fills the room. A deep blue hue gently kisses the room, making it feel as if time had paused at his inconvenience.
"No damage? Impossible—there has to be something wrong," he says aloud. He inspects the book over and over, searching for anything noteworthy. But when none revealed itself, he exhales profoundly. A faint breath echoes nearby, although it's unnecessary now that his book is safe.
Sitting up, he stretches, his flexible back crackling with relief and his radiant white wings unfurling unendlessly. His halo shines with this 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 whispers. "God Almighty, let your will prevail."
(Each morning, he offers a blessing for protecting his family and the future. It has become an unbreakable habit since he was eight.)
During his daily prayer, a muffled laugh came from outside the door, halting his routine for just a moment. He cocks his eyes in that direction.
'Oh, and who can that be?'
He quickly finishes his prayer and leaves the comfort of his bed to begin his everyday routine. However, as soon as he steps foot 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 shone a deep purple.
The person laughs maniacally as their voice vastly fades in the distance. Kailus kicks as hard as he can—sending it soaring into the wardrobe—shattering it into many pieces. Only a flexible arm, timer, and claw remain from the machine.
'A hand machine… Oh, YOU!'
He storms out with only one thought in his mind: confronting the culprit. Once he spots her at the front door, he yells, his halo shining a mix of light pink and sophisticated red. "Akiro, you booby-trapped my room!"
Akiro fixates on his body and smirks slyly. "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 as her bright velvet eyes flush with lust.
Kailus snaps back to his senses and follows Akiro's gaze, realizing his robe dauntingly slipping on his curvaceous body. A pink hue washes over his reddened face.
He bolts into his room, yanking his robe closed.
At that moment, Shalius opens her door and observes the scene before her. She stands there bewildered and blushing at the sight upon her. Before she could register what was happening, Kailus shut the door and ran into his bathroom.
'AHH! Why am I so blind? I flashed my family and now my roommate? It can only get worse.'
Nevertheless, Kailus showers and scrubs himself clean. He combs his strandy hair and cleans the crevices of his wings. He dons his celestial robes (Angelic Culture) and a golden necklace that his mother had given him.
Just as he's about to wear his father's golden bracelet, he pauses for a while.
'Something is missing, but what?'
He searches through memories until one particular event snaps him out. "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 waiting near 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. "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 a fake pride plastered over her creamy, pinkish lips.
Kailus scoffs at her comment, fluttering down between them. He's about to open the door but hesitates upon realizing his situation. "I—um, I have to go to Carolice to get the schedule. I'll join you soon."
"No need to worry, dear friend; we all share the same classroom. You can follow me," Shalius says, patting Kailus on the back.
Kailus sighs in relief. "Ah, thank you. I assumed they would 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.
Irritated by her teasing, Shalius snaps: "Stop prolonging this conversation. It's no different from ours, Akiro."
"UHHH, I don't know about that~," Akiro answers dumbly.
As they argue, Kailus ponders.'Should I believe Akiro or Shalius? Shalius showed loyalty toward me yesterday. She wouldn't lie to me.'
In his mind, Akiro perches on Kailus's right shoulder with an evil presence, and Shalius on his left with a godly aura.
Little Shalius says in her peachy voice: 'Believe me, Kailus. I wouldn't lie to you.'
Little Akiro answers in a deep tone: 'Don't believe that girl. She lies like an evildoer.'
'You are an evildoer!', the tiny Shalius retorts.
Their endless arguing irritates Kaikus as he shakes them off, dismissing both. He concludes, "I-I believe you, Shalius."
Akiro slumps in feigned defeat. "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. "I'm probably going to work at Jipsie's carnival."
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 smiles softly. "Well, how about we get breakfast and discuss this later on? They have many alternative choices 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 training 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 their head, as a grey hue plasters over them.
Akiro rolls her eyes at the question. "Because you're my roommate and I can't avoid you. I might as well leave it open. You don't mind the view, do you, Kailus?"
Kailus blushes slightly at her teasing, whereas Shalius' eyes gleam with excitement—her body shimmering softly. "Then I'll forcibly train you. You'll suffer—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 ancestors."
"You don't have to do this. I can exercise myself," Akiro protests.
Shalius smiles warmly at Akiro. "Then I'll remind AND show you how to exercise for your own good. Didn't you say you only care about yourself? I'm only trying to help you be the best in yourself."
Akiro's ears flop to her head, realizing Shalius 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 for breakfast.
Shalius opens the door.