CHAPTER 5: First study session~ ( ◜‿◝ )♡
Soon, Next week arrived. Which meant:
The beginning of their academic comeback.
V⚆ᴥ⚆V /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
After school, as instructed, Luca and Miyo were now sitting in the library.
A place of silence, Knowledge and Discipline. Which was about to be completely disrespected.
Luca sat across from Miyo, smiling like a happy puppy who had just been told "we're going to the park."
Miyo blinked at him. Then nodded a little. Like a shy cat acknowledging another creature's existence.
"Well!" Luca said, a little too loudly for a library. A nearby student flinched. "Should we start our lesson now??"
Miyo blinked.
Processing…
Processing…
"Mm…" A nod.
Luca grinned wider, immediately digging into his bag and pulling out, Geography.
The subject he chose because:
"It has nature in it." Which, in Luca's brain, translated to: flowers, trees, good vibes.
Miyo also opened his bag slowly and carefully. He pulled out, English.
The "easiest" subject. Which he still failed.
Consistently.
With passion.
Because miyo couldn't understand why some authors and poets speak about something simple so deeply? For miyo, it feels like they always only talk about the same thing since they don't have more ideas.
That's why you can say, for miyo to choose english– Their study session is already doomed.
Meanwhile as Luca placed his book down, he paused. Then blinked. Then… stared. Miyo. Now that he was looking at miyo up close. He could see those Soft silky pink hair, gently framing Miyo's cute doll like face like he was designed by someone who liked pretty things a little too much.
Miyo has those Big, droopy pink eyes. Completely empty. No thoughts. Just vibes. His skin pale and soft looking, cheeks slightly.
*…He's cute.* Luca's brain supplied, for once, correctly. His smile faltered slightly. Just a little. Because now he was staring.
A bit too much.
A bit too intensely.
Miyo noticed. Of course he did. Because even with one braincell, being stared at activates instincts. His cheeks flushed slightly more pinker.
He blinked up at Luca. "What…?" he asked softly. Luca snapped out of it like someone unplugged him and plugged him back in.
"Ah–! I was just thinking!" he said quickly, smiling again. "We didn't even introduce ourselves properly!"
A pause.
He puffed his chest a little. "I'm Luca! From Class 2-B!" (≧(ｴ)≦ )
Miyo blinked.
Then nodded. "Ah… I am Miyo… from Class 2-A…" (=^･ｪ･^=)
Luca's grin returned at full power. And if he had a tail It would have been aggressively wagging at that moment. And just like that,
Their study session began.
V●ᴥ●V
Lesson 1 By luca: Confidence Without Knowledge.
Luca went first. Of course he did. Confidence had never been his problem.
He opened his book dramatically.
"Okay! So!" he said, lowering his voice slightly (still too loud), "Today we're learning about… the biosphere."
A pause.
He nodded like he understood it deeply.
"So like… umm…" he began, gesturing vaguely, "the biosphere is… an area… where all the flowers and animals live together…"
He smiled brightly. "And love each other!"
Miyo blinked, he was already fascinated.
"Eh… really…? Sounds good…" Luca nodded proudly. "I know, right!? I wanna live in the biosphere too!"
Miyo's blank expression softened slightly.
A tiny, almost invisible smile appeared.
"…Mm…" He was imagining it. A Place with lowers, animals, love and Peace. And no study!
Neither of them realized...
They were already in the biosphere. -ᄒᴥᄒ-
Lesson 2 by miyo: Too much emotions (English Edition)
Then it was Miyo's turn. He carefully opened his English book to the easiest chapter.
A poem. About a boy. And a ball.
( Context: This poem has deep meaning. It is about a little boy whose balls has been fallen into the water but the poet here is explaining how this moment will be a great growth in the little boy's life as he learns about responsibility and learns that everything has to go soon someday and we must learn to let go if it and keep on walkinga ahead. And The poet also states that no one should help that boy in that moment because the boy should learn from this moment by his own.)
Meanwhile Miyo stared at it for a few seconds. Then spoke.
Slowly.
Seriously. "This poem…" he said softly, "is about a little boy whose ball fell into the river…" He frowned slightly. "…But the poet keeps talking about it again and again…"
A pause. His lips formed a small pout.
"…It feels like he is making fun of the boy…"
Somewhere, in another dimension...
The poet felt disrespected.
"He even says not to help him," Miyo continued, looking genuinely upset now. "He says it's for his growth…" His brows furrowed slightly. "…He is a liar…"
Silence.
Luca's expression slowly shifted.
From neutral.
To concerned.
To deeply offended.
"Aw…" he whispered, clutching his chest slightly. "Poor boy…" His eyes narrowed with judgment. "…That's such a bad poet."
They both looked down at the page with Sad eyes, remaining quiet for some moments.
They had little bit too much of emotions for a human being apparently.
They were practically mourning for a fictional child and his ball. Not understanding what actually the poem was about.
Then suddenly, with a huff. Luca stood up. His expression Determined. He snapped the book shut. "Let's go."
Miyo blinked, looking up and tilts his head in slight confusion. "Eh…?"
"I can't read this anymore," Luca said seriously. "That poet ruined the mood."
A pause. "Let's go to a café. There our mood will refresh too!"
Miyo blinked.
Processing…
Processing…
His cheeks turned a soft pink, he ooked at Luca. At luca's bright face, shining eyes full of love and warmth.
Miyo is usually a type of person who doesn't spends time with someone, he not close, that easily but... When he looked at luca's eyes. He couldn't help but give in and nodded. With tiny determination of his own.
"…hnn. Let's go." He packed his books.
Slowly.
Carefully. Like this was a very important decision.
And just like that, Their first study session ended, without them studying and going to a cafe.
As they walked out together—
One tall, loud, glowing.
One small, soft, drifting.
Both of the Dumbos were filled with all the empathy a human could have or imagine.
Somewhere far away, Sir Kellum paused mid-sip of his coffee. "…I feel like something is going wrong." Sir Rowan, across the room, shivered. "Please…Don't say that."
V●ᴥ●V/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
The bell above the café door chimed softly.
A warm, gentle sound. Unlike the chaos that had just walked in. The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed.
Soft lights and warm wooden tables.
The faint smell of coffee, cake and vanilla.
And cats.
Everywhere.
Sleeping on shelves.
Curled on chairs.
Staring down from high perches like tiny judgmental gods.
Miyo stopped walking. Like someone pressed pause. His eyes widened, just a little. But for Miyo? That was equivalent to full emotional explosion. "…Cats…" he whispered softly. (^._.^)ﾉ
Luca blinked. Then looked around. Then gasped. "WOAH. Is it a cat cafe!?"
A fluffy orange cat walked past them. Slow. Confident. Royal. Luca immediately crouched like a cute playful pully. "HELLO."
The cat ignored him.
Walked past.
Did not acknowledge his existence.
Luca froze and his mile faltered into a slight pout. "…It rejected me." U ´꓃ ` U
Meanwhile, miyo had already been chosen.
A small white kitten had quietly walked up to him, Sat near his feet. And was now staring at him like it had found its long-lost soulmate. Miyo blinked down at it.
Then slowly crouched.
Carefully.
Gently. Like approaching something sacred.
"…Hello…" he whispered. The kitten meowed. Soft. Tiny. Perfect.
Miyo's entire soul melted. He reached out slowly then gently patted its head.
The kitten leaned into his hand.
Miyo froze. His brain: *I am the chosen one!*
"…It… accepted me…" he murmured. Across the room, luca watched. Absolutely sulking at cat's favouritism.
"WHY DOES IT LIKE YOU!?" he whisper-shouted, pointing accusingly. "I said hello first tho!!"
Miyo blinked up at him. Then looked at the kitten. Then back at Luca.
"…Maybe… you are too loud…"
Luca gasped.
Hand to chest.
Deep betrayal. "I'm NOT loud," he whispered loudly. A nearby black cat opened one eye. Stared at him. Then slowly turned away.
Luca collapsed into a chair.
"I've been rejected by society…"
Meanwhile, the white kitten had climbed into Miyo's lap. Like it belonged there.
Miyo sat very still.
Back straight.
Hands hovering awkwardly.
"…It is sitting…" he whispered.
He didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't blink.
Because if he did—
It might leave.
Luca leaned forward, eyes sparkling again with hope and wide smile.
"Can I touch it!?"
Miyo hesitated.
Looked at the kitten then looked at Luca's big puppy eyes and felt little bad. So he nodded slowly. "hmm…Gently…"
Luca nodded. Too fast. Too confident.
He reached out...
The kitten slapped his finger.
Smack. Luca froze, his pout back on his face. Then slowly pulled his hand back.
"…It hit me." he said softly, little whine on his tone.
Miyo looked down. Then softly patted the kitten again. "…It did not hit me…"
Luca stared at the kitten with narrowed eyes and soft pout then back at Miyo. "…It has favorites."
Then a staff member approached, smiling politely. "Would you like to order something?"
Luca immediately perked up. His pout immediately melting away. "YES!"
Five minutes later, their table was filled with:
two drinks, two slices of cheese cake
and Luca's unnecessary emotional recovery snack.
Miyo stared at the cake. Then poked it lightly with his fork. "…Soft…"
Luca took a big bite, eyes lighting up instantly. "THIS IS SO GOOD!!"
Miyo took a small bite. Paused. His eyes widened. Just a little as he nodded in agreement. "mmm…Sweet…"
Luca grinned. "Told you! Café was a good idea!" Miyo nodded softly. "…Mm." The kitten was still in his lap. Purring.
Luca leaned back in his chair, watching him.
A small smile on his face. Warmer now. Quieter. "…You look like a cat too," he said suddenly.
Miyo blinked, pausing mid eating and look back up at him. "…Eh?"
"Like… small… quiet… soft…" Luca gestured vaguely. "And cats like you. So you must be one."
Miyo thought about that.
Very seriously.
Then nodded.
"…Mm. Maybe."
Luca accepted that immediately. "Yeah."
And just like that, They continued sitting there. One talking. One listening.
A kitten in between.
Their books?
Still in their bags.
Untouched.
Unopened.
Unhelpful.
After some hours. And several emotional breakdowns over cats. It was finally time to leave.
Or at least… That's what the café owner wanted. "Please," the owner said, hands pressed together like they were begging for mercy, "we are closing."
Luca clutched the back of a chair dramatically. "But the cat just sat on me!"
"It sat on you for forty minutes."
Miyo, meanwhile, was still seated.
Very still. Because the white kitten was still in his lap. "…It is sleeping…" he whispered.
The owner's eye twitched. "Yes. And it will continue sleeping after you leave."
Miyo looked… conflicted.
Deeply.
Emotionally.
"…It might forget me…" he murmured.
The owner inhaled sharply.
"IT WILL NOT–! please come again tomorrow."
Eventually, After gentle persuasion…
firm persuasion…
and one very determined staff member physically lifting Luca away from a cat tower. They were successfully removed.
The bell chimed behind them as they stepped outside.
The sky had turned orange.
Soft. Warm. Calm.
The kind of sky that made everything feel a little quieter. Luca stretched his arms behind his head, sighing. "Haa~ I guess we couldn't just stay there forever…" U ´꓃ ` U
Miyo stood beside him, looking down at his small Mary Jane shoes. Then at their shadows on the ground.
Two shapes.
One tall. One small.
"…Mm…" (￣(ｴ)￣)ﾉ
A pause.
Peaceful.
Then, Luca suddenly flinched.
Like he had been struck by a horrifying realization. "Ah–!" Miyo blinked up at him.
"I'm late!" Luca gasped, grabbing his head. "If I'm late again, my mom is gonna feed me carbs until I explode!"
Miyo blinked.
Processing…
"…Carbs…?"
"YES. RICE. BREAD. PASTA. ALL OF IT. AT ONCE."
Miyo considered that.
Very seriously. "…That sounds… dangerous…"
"It IS." Luca exhaled dramatically.
Then looked down at Miyo. "Won't your mom get mad too, Miyo~?"
Miyo blinked. Then shook his head slightly.
"…Mm… no…"
A pause. "My…Mama wants me to go out more. And says If I don't go out often, I will turn into a real cat…"
Luca froze, his blue yes widening.
"Woah…" He crouched slightly, staring at Miyo like he had just discovered a rare species. "…That makes sense…"
Miyo blinked.
"…Eh?"
"You already act like one," Luca nodded seriously. "So you're like… halfway there."
Miyo looked down at his small hands. Then back up. "…Mm…" He accepted that.
"…But papa will worry too if I go out often…" he added softly.
Luca blinked again.
Then nodded.
"Yeah… dads do that. But you just have to ignore it and follow your mama's wishes. After all, dads don't have any powers in home~" He says cheerfully.
With all the confidence required, since he have seen his father lose against his mother everytime.
A pause.
Then...
Luca suddenly grinned.
Bright, Warm and slightly Dangerous.
"Still.." he said, pointing at Miyo like he just solved a world problem, "even if you do turn into a cat…" He puffed his chest proudly.
"…you'd be a cute one."
"But!" he continued, waving his hands, "I think I like you more as a person!"
Silence.
Miyo froze.
"…Eh…?"
His cheeks turned pink.
Then pinker.
Then... Just pink.
Luca didn't notice.
Of course he didn't.
Miyo blinked.
Once.
Twice.
His brain: error.
"…Eh…?" he repeated, softer this time.
Did Luca know what he was saying?
No. No, he did not. Luca just kept smiling.
Bright. Easy. Honest.
"So!" he clapped his hands once, completely unaware of the emotional damage he had caused, "to stop you from becoming a cat…" He pointed at Miyo again.
"…I'll hang out with you every day after our study sessions!"
A pause.
"Yeah! That's a good plan!"
Another pause.
"Okay, I'm late, I have to go—BYE!"
And just like that, he turned. And started jogging away.
Then stopped.
Turned back.
Waved.
Big. Bright. Happy.
"…Bye, Miyo!"
Then ran again.
Then turned again.
Waved again.
"…Don't turn into a cat!"
Then ran again.
Miyo stood there.
Still.
Blinking.
"…Ehh..? You don't need to…" he murmured softly.
But Luca was already far away.
Miyo looked down. Then slowly touched his cheek. Warm. "…Strange…" he whispered.
And for some reason...
That evening didn't feel as empty anymore.