Chapter Text
When Muichiro woke up in his room the next morning, he felt awful. His eyes were puffy, he felt sluggish and hungry. He Whined into his pillow pulling himself into a ball even if it wasn't cold.
When he wiggled his way to roll over he glanced at his clock. 9:15am.
He very much slept in.
Normally he would panic but he felt so gross right now that he didn't bother. He wiggled an arm away from his chest to the bedside where his phone sat left off charge. Strange.
When he turned it on he could see the flood of messages on his phone.
Buff pinkie-pie - Omg guys I had so much fun today!! What did you think @ Tiny Astronaut ?
Himbo - I'm glad to see you're a part of the chat! Would you like me to introduce all of us @ Tiny Astronaut ?
Stripper lights - @ Tiny Astronaut you there? Did you zone out or something?
They were from last night however this morning had a lot more…
Buff pinkie-pie - let's meet at the station today @ Tiny Astronaut ^-^
Buff pinkie-pie - @ Tiny Astronaut are you there?? Did you leave already?
Himbo - Are you not coming to school today @ Tiny Astronaut ?
Mosquito - @ Tiny Astronaut did something happen are you ok?
Shrunken Severus Snape - @ Tiny Astronaut tell us if something happened.
This spam continued on for a while. Muichiro could quickly assume he was tiny astronaut, though it was a rather stupid name.
Still though with a grumble he opened his phone and went on to the group chat and started typing. As he started trying to explain why he hadn't replied he realised HE didn't even know why.
His memory was patchy, he didn't even remember dinner. Or coming home.
That was a good reason to get up.
He closed his phone with the message yet to be sent getting up and shuffled out of his room. He let his feet drag on the floor of the wood every now and then letting out a soft squeak cry out from the friction of his skin.
He knew he wasn't home alone. He’s never left home alone after all. He could hear the radio in the kitchen talking about some kind of interview. He didn't really listen in as he wandered the kitchen looking for some food.
He settled on some cereal taking his time to wake up rubbing his eyes in hopes the dried tear crusties would leave. He took his time and was careful with the milk and just ate at the kitchen island that separated the kitchen to the dining room.
He heard the back door open and when he leaned over he saw Kokushibou walk in gardening gloves on. “Oh you're awake. How are you feeling today?” He asked, pulling off his gloves and wiping his hands on his pants that were already covered in dirt.
“I feel tired and gross. What happened last night?” Muichiro muttered, shoving another spoonful of cereal in his mouth.
“No surprise. You pretty well passed out after I picked you up.” He hummed, getting himself a cold glass of water from the fridge.
“You picked me up?” Muichiro asked, watching as his old man moved to sit at the table and motioned him to follow. He followed with his bowl of cereal and ate while listening to the man explain.
“You ended up zoning out on the train for who knows how long. You ended up being taken out of town completely. You were clearly tired after the day and with you still having a mild concussion I don't blame you. We didn't get home till around 9 last night and you fell asleep on the way back.”
Muichiro’s eyes widened. He didn't actually remember much but it did make his small loose memories make sense. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to.” He whimpered out feeling bad that he must have worried them so much.
There was a soft chuckle before he was patted on the head again. “It's alright, I know it wasn't your fault. However, we're gonna have to change your walking home pattern. I want you to go to Yoriichi’s shop after school. If you are going to hang out with friends I want you to either meet up with my brother after to take you home or have one of your friends take you.” He was firm with all of this.
It stung a lot. It made him feel useless and pathetic that he had to rely on others to even get home on time. He understood that this precaution was in place to not repeat yesterday's events but it just made him feel depressed.
“We wanted you to have today off school to rest after yesterday and give yourself time to think. Spend it however you need.” Kokushibou was a strict grandfather he was not going to take any slip ups on this new rule he put in place but he knew this was a lot to take in.
“I'll be out in the garden weeding. The weather is lovely. Come out if you feel up to it.” With that he stood up and left the way he came.
Muichiro was left feeling moody. He wanted to yell and hit something but this sinking guilt and frustration left him staring at his food with a loss of appetite.
Stripper lights - @ Tiny Astronaut did something happen?
The timing of the message felt surreal and almost scary. But he couldn't be any more thankful to be pulled out of his head.
He opened his phone and finished typing his message explaining everything without too much detail.
Tiny Astronaut - Sorry for not responding. Something came up last night so I needed time off today. I had only just woken up. I apologize for making you all worry.
Stripper lights - oh thank god! We genuinely thought you were hurt or something!
-do you want to talk about it? The family stuff I mean.
Tiny Astronaut - not particularly. I think I’m just going to enjoy today. I wasn't going to message you all. But since I woke up to spam I thought I should tell you.
Stripper lights - ohhh!
-Ok I get ya.
-yeah that's fine don't worry kid ;)
Tiny Astronaut - Can I ask something real quick before I go though?
Stripper lights - shoot.
Tiny Astronaut - who am I talking to?
Stripper lights - PFFFF-
-Its Tengen lol. Sorry I kinda forgot you wouldn't know.
Muichiro made sure to write that down in the notes of his phone before sending a quick thanks and closing his phone. He put his half eaten bowl away and shuffled back into his room.
He still wasn't in the mood to deal with Kokushibou right now so he curled up in bed and stuck his nose in his books. He tried to read for a while but gave up finding his head throbs too annoying by the 10 minute mark. He was left alone in bed groaning. He felt like shit. He hated feeling like this.
He ended up busying himself looking through the group chat he was added to and scrolled through to the beginning of when he joined.
He read messages past through class between them
He looked at the images they posted from their adventure yesterday; he was even seen in the background of a few of them. He looked different in them somehow. He wasn't even smiling, he just… it looked like he almost belonged there.
Scrolling through the chat he found himself amused by the banter. ‘Buff pinkie-pie’ was even making birthday invitations for the snake.
He read those messages over and over for a while. It was easier since they were separated sentences compared to his novel.
He saved the images to his phone in a folder and just let the memories from yesterday lift his mood.
He still had them.
He had them now.
He found himself gone again lost in thoughts only to be brought back for lunch. By then he was feeling better, he enjoyed lunch with his uncle outside on the engawa, dangling his feet off the edge.
For the afternoon he stayed outside choosing to lay on the grass and watch the sky listening to his grandfather work on weeding the garden.
It was probably the most soothing time he’s had in a long while.
Over the day he got notifications from different people saying they were glad he was ok. When school was over he went back inside to start dealing with the messages. The sun had already lost its heat so returning inside was the smart choice anyways.
When he started messaging he was given a formal introduction by everyone.
The Himbo - I’m Rengoku!
Buff pinkie-pie - It’s me Mitsuri!! ^-^
Stripper lights - Tengen ;)
-Like I said before
Mosquito -This is Shinobu~
Drowning in angst - Giyuu.
Shrunken Severus Snape - I’m Obanai
Kakashi on steroids - It’s Sanemi
Buff Pinkie-pie - You might also see Gyomei on here too! He doesn't really text much but he listens to all our messages through text to speech!
Kakashi on steroids - yeah he’s @ Toph the rock Johnson
Tiny Astronaut - blind people can message?
Mosquito - He reads the messages to keep up to date with us. If he needs to talk he just calls us.
Buff pinkie-pie - Isn't it super cool!! :D?
Muichiro sat curled up in his room, texting them or just reading the messages for a while, smiling. He didn't really know why, but he couldn't wait for school tomorrow.
Tiny Astronaut
- Yeah, it is.