When the sound of the last period bell rang throughout the school, students prepared to leave. Kaoru was no exception. As soon as the bell rang he started packing so he can leave as soon as possible.
Today was a very bizarre day. His strange nightmare, the strange blandness of food, it all made sense. The only explanation that made sense was that he was... Well he was just sick. Maybe he has a strong fever or a cold. It didn't matter what he had. The only thing that matters is that he is sick.
'Maybe i should visit a doctor. Nah, I'll just do it tomorrow. I guess I'll have to skip school.'
He wasn't really happy about the fact that he had to miss classes, but if he attended and didn't rest, his grades could drop in the long term. And for that reason, he chose to skip tomorrow.
***
Arriving at his house, he was greeted by his mother. The house had a nice, soft and friendly vibe with the smell of meat grilling and the ivory scent of soup hanging in the air. But Kaoru was unable to smell it.
"I'm home." Said Kaoru.
"Welcome back." Replied back a woman in her forties.
Albeit being in her forties, she had very pale skin with blonde, beautiful hair. His mother was ahead of her age, or maybe behind? Nevertheless she was a very beautiful person.
"Oh, what's wrong Kaoru? You look pale. Are you sick? Do you have a cold? Well I made soup just in case."
"Okay, thanks, mother." Said Kaoru in return.
'how did she know? Is she a psychic?'
This woman he called mother, had a very strong sense of intuition. She was very sharp. Kaoru one time said that his mother was wasting her talents by retiring early and would have been an even better detective than she was.
Heading towards his room, he passed by his little brother and finally reached his room. Entering the room, he stared at his desk with tired eyes and proceeded to sit down in his chair. Exhaustion was catching up to him.
'I may skip tomorrow but I still have to study.'
Forcing himself to study, Kaoru filed through the pages of his math textbook.
***
Interrupted by the sound of his mother announcing that dinner was ready, he walked towards the kitchen downstairs.
'Strange, I don't smell anything. Is it the fault of me being sick? Whatever I'll just eat and continue studying.'
"Mmh, smells good, mom." Claimed Kaoru.
"I'm glad you think so. Look I made your favorite pudding. You are allowed to eat it after dinner though."
With a satisfied smile, Kaoru said:
"Ahaha, thanks mom, I appreciate it."
With that he sat down and waited for his father to come home.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back, father." Answered Kaoru to the voice that came from the front door .
Walking straight into the kitchen, his father sat down with a tired look in his eyes, and leaned back in his chair. dark circles under his eyes , and his skin a little pale from exhaustion.
"Welcome back, dear."
With that Kaoru's mother called his little brother and they all sat at the table.
"Thanks for the food." Said Kaoru as he dug through the food. Or at least that's what he was planning to do. But there was a slight problem.
'why does it look so ... Bad? It's just my imagination, let's just eat it and get done with it.'
But no matter how many times he looked at his food, he could not get the idea of putting it in his mouth very appealing. Nor could he get in the mood for it.
"What's wrong, Kaoru? Do you not like the food?"
He infact did not like the idea of eating it, not the food itself... Or did he?
"No, it's just that I might have a cold."
"What kind of cold? I don't think a normal cold could make you unable to eat, though. Replied back his mother.
"I don't know . I just don't feel like eating. Well nevermind."
With that, he forced down the food on his plate and left the room.
"Thanks for the meal. It was delicious."
"Well if you say so. Replied back his mother."
"Hey dear,does Kaoru not like my cooking? Did he get bored of it?" Uttered his mother.
"No that can't be the case. Since I've been eating it for more years than he has been alive. I still love it."
"Oh, dear. Thank you."
***
Sitting down at his desk and studying, Kaoru felt an immense amount of sleepiness. He even fell sleep but woke up because he banged his head on the desk.
" I- I have to buy something. I haven't even finished my assignments!" Exclaimed Kaoru as he tiredly yawned.
Going down the stairs he put on his shoes and jacket.
"I'm going out for a bit."
"Where are you going this late at night?" Spat his father from across the living room. His hair a little damp, betraying the fact that he took a shower.
"I'm going to the convenience store. I'm gonna buy an energy drink." Replied Kaoru back with an indifferent voice, almost... Tired.
"Then make it quick. You don't wanna worry your mother, after all."
"I understand, father ."
With that, he made way towards the convenience store. He was feeling very tired and each step felt heavier and heavier.
'ah damn! Why am I so tired!?'
Finally arriving at his destination. The convenience store. He stormed inside, and looked at the direction of the drink section .
"Welcome, how can I help you?" Said a young man in his mid twenties.
"Ah I'll just look on my own." Answered back Kaoru as he proceeded to walk toward the drink section.
Browsing through the drinks he finally found the one he wanted and took it out of the fridge. Heading over to pay the cashier, Kaoru suddenly got a small feeling of energy, and hunger.
"Um, how much do I owe you?"
"Can you please wait a moment? I have to cut this paper since my boss is very strict about these things. You know how bosses are."
"Oh no, take your time. Bosses are indeed very strict, aren't they?" Claimed Kaoru with a polite tone.
But he didn't want to waste time here or else he would collapse from lack of sleep.
'Hurry it up, tetsuya-san.' Said Kaoru looking at the man's tag with a name written on it. "Tetsuya K... a.... Kaoru could not make sense of his last name since his eyes were closing and his focus was lost .
With a smirk the cashier uttered in a tired tone.
"Hah, tell me about it."
But then something unexpected happened.
The cashier cut himself with the paper knife he was using to cut paper. Blood oozing out of his small wound.
"Damn! Please wait a moment, kid. This damn job!" Licking his finger and hurriedly putting some towels, trying to patch it up, his blood spilled on the floor. That's when it happened.
For some reason, Kaoru could smell the metallic scent of the crimson-red blood that was flowing into the floor. It smelled oddly...
Comforting, pleasant and... Delicious.
'w-what is wrong with me why does it smell so good?'
His pupils dilated, Kaoru looked at the young man in a strange feeling of hunger.
"Oh I'm sorry for making you wait. That drink is all you need?" Apologized the cashier.
But Kaoru was not listening. Sudden energy flowing inside of him, and a sense of hunger gripping his stomach, Kaoru had lost his sense of hearing and could not concentrate.
"Kid? Oi kid!"
Startled by the sudden voice of the cashier,
Kaoru came back to his senses and looked at the young cashier in confusion.
"Oh, I'm sorry. This is going to be all, how much do I owe you?"
"It's going to be 250 yen. Cash or card?
"Oh cash. One moment, here.
Taking back his change, Kaoru left the store. "Thank you very much. Please visit again."
With the faint sound of the cashier in the background, Kaoru headed home. Fast. Running. He was sprinting to reach his house. The scent of blood caused him an unexplainable, immense amount of hunger .
Finally reaching his home Kaoru hurried to his room Kaoru felt his hunger subsiding and he fell asleep on his desk. The crash of his hunger made him unable to continue staying conscious.
***