Ep.44: The One Who Believed, Part 1

“Wake up.”

I hear a familiar voice calling out to me.

“Wake up, sleepy head,” she says in a sing-song voice.

“I will… just… hmmm… give me two more hours,” I say while rolling over.

“You’re going to be late,” she warns gently.

“I was up all night… after sneaking out I’m really tired,” I respond with a peaceful smile.

“Oh? Is that so?” She replies, kindly.

“Yep. It was the best… mmm…” I answer, grinning.

“I’m glad to hear that, you little shit!” My mom says, escalating to a shout.

“Huh!” I open my eyes only to see that devilish look I know so well on Lukai’s face. “Wait… wait… WAIT! You can’t take what I say in my sleep serious!”

“Oh. So you’re telling me that was all a lie?” Lukai says while cracking her knuckles with an evil smirk.

“I… Umm…” I turn my head while whistling. “Of course, I don’t know what would give you that impression.”

“Oh… you’re a real little shit.” Lukai kicks me out of bed. “Get the hell out of my sight! You’re late for school!” she roars, smashing the ground right next to me.

“Ok… ok! I’m going.” I quickly jump up and dash towards the window. “Bye, mom!” I announce with a smile just before leaving. “Alright!” I say as I land on the ground. “It’s time to come up with a game plan!” I declare, dashing towards school. “Kekekeke!”

***

“Let me see. Let me see… hmmm… I need to find an opportunity to sneak in,” I say while sitting on a tree branch, looking at my classroom from the outside. “This is going to be a true challenge!” I shout, smacking my fist against my palm.

“Huh?” Ramsey looks out the window with a blank expression. “Must have been my imagination.”

“Damn… that was close,” I say while hiding behind the tree. “Think, Fukai…” I look over and notice that Maka is dozing off. “Lucky.” I climb to the top of the tree. “Alright. The back window is open, Maka is at the front of the classroom… This should work. Kekekeke.” I conclude, laughing.

Ramsey is sitting right behind Maka, poking him. “Wake up. Wake up…”

I inhale, then exhale. “WAKE UP, MAKA!” I shout and smirk.

“Huh?!” Ramsey looks outside.

As Maka slams his hands on his desk and lifts his head to alertness, his ears standing at full sail and with everyone’s eyes but Ramsey’s focused on him, I grasp the branch above me with both hands, swing my legs up to it and launch myself forward, using my momentum and gravity to shoot towards my target: an open window leading into the classroom. With my body streamlined, I zip through, hands first, rolling to land safely in a crouch in the back of the classroom. “Safe,” I say quietly as I quickly crawl towards my desk’s location, close to the back doors. “Maka, you really shouldn’t be sleeping in class!” I chirp while smiling after I take my seat.

Ramsey looks over at me. “When the hell did you get here?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ramsey,” I quip with a grin. “Wait. Could it be that you feel so guilty for snitching on Maka that you’re trying to change the subject?”

Ramsey starts to grind his teeth in frustration. “Damn you for setting me up! Tsk.”

“Wait. Me set you up?” I reply with a smirk. “How could a ‘complete idiot’ set up the ‘genius’ Ramsey?”

Ramsey stands up suddenly, his chair rattling as he pushes it out of the way to come at me. “Dammit, Fukai! How dare you!”

“That’s enough.” Gwyn throws a book, hitting me square in the face to interrupt us. “To the boy who was sleeping, the boy who interrupted my class, and, last but not least, the boy who thought he could sneak into my classroom without me noticing:” Gwyn looks at us firmly, “go out in the hall and do Koa stretches while you think about what you’ve done.”

The whole classroom begins to laugh derisively as Maka, Ramsey, and I walk out. I look over and notice Anaea, turned in her seat in front of mine, waving goodbye while smiling.

“I’m confused,” Maka says.

“Just blame Fukai,” Ramsey states.

“Come on guys, don’t be like that,” I tell them while smiling.

“Back to the lessons…” Gwyn announces as I close the door.