Author's Note: So hey, I've been off of this novel since... well I got inspired for others, but ngl I missed making this one.
So recently I got into showing more of personalities for another novel, not gonna rewrite this one as its just... erm too long for me now. But personally I believe I did it fine, as you can just view it as people being considerate of Meiji, plus now as Meiji opens up he perceives more (although I used multiple Povs... forgive me for that xd...)
But anyway, enjoy my fellas, also thank you Damian for reminding me to check on this one, still see the constant powerstones and I'm ashamed to see such support. (/// _ ///)
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Monday - Meiji's POV
Meiji slid into his seat just as the first bell rang, dropping his bag beside his desk with considerably less ceremony than he'd used on his first day. The elaborate organization system had been quietly abandoned over the weekend in favor of a simple notebook and pencil case.
"Morning, Meiji-kun!" Yuki called from across the room, waving enthusiastically.
"Morning," he replied, surprised by how easy the greeting felt now.
Yamamoto-sensei entered and began setting up for their literature discussion. "Today we'll be analyzing the themes in last night's reading. Who can tell me what they thought was the most significant conflict in the story?"
Several hands went up, including Meiji's. When called upon, he spoke without his usual careful consideration of every word.
"I think the real conflict wasn't between the characters, but between what they wanted and what they thought they deserved," he said. "Like, the protagonist kept sabotaging herself because she didn't believe she was worth good things happening to her."
"Interesting perspective, Hasegawa-kun. Can you elaborate?"
"Well, every time something good was about to happen, she'd find a way to mess it up. But it wasn't conscious—it was like this automatic response. She was so used to disappointment that she created it even when it wasn't necessary."
The class murmured appreciatively, and Tanaka raised his hand. "That's actually really smart. I just thought she was being dumb, but you're right—she was scared."
Meiji felt a warm flush of satisfaction. Because he'd helped someone see the story differently.
Nejire's POV
During lunch, Nejire grabbed her newly heated lunch and bounced over to the table where Meiji, Yuki, and a new add-on to their table: Akira! were sitting, her eyes bright with curiosity about everything and nothing.
"Guess what I discovered today!" she announced, sliding into the empty chair with her usual enthusiasm. "Did you know that if you eat your rice in exactly seventeen bites, it tastes completely different than if you eat it in sixteen or eighteen bites?"
The table went quiet for a moment. Akira blinked. "Uh... what?"
"I've been experimenting all week," Nejire continued, completely oblivious to the confused stares. "Today was seventeen-bite day, and I swear the flavor profile changes! It's probably something to do with saliva enzyme distribution and palate exposure time, but—"
"Nejire," Yuki interrupted gently, "that's... really weird."
"I know, right? Isn't it fascinating?" Nejire beamed, apparently taking 'weird' as a compliment.
Behind her, Meiji frowned as he caught sight of some students from the next table over exchanging glances and eye rolls. One girl mouthed 'so strange' to her friend, who giggled quietly.
"Have you tried it with other foods?" Meiji asked, ignoring the background commentary. "Or just rice?"
Nejire's face lit up. "Oh, I've tried bread, noodles, even those little fish crackers! Each food has its own optimal bite count. Bread is twenty-three, but only if you chew each bite exactly fourteen times."
"That's... incredibly specific," Akira said, looking like he wasn't sure whether to be impressed or concerned.
"The human mouth is a complex sensory environment," Meiji said seriously even though he was inventing it as he went to make a reason for her. "It makes sense that different mechanical processes would affect taste perception."
Nejire practically vibrated with excitement. "Exactly! You get it! Most people just think I'm being random, but there's actual science behind it!"
Tuesday - Yuki's POV
During their afternoon break, Yuki was organizing her notes when she overheard a conversation at the desk cluster behind her.
"She's so loud," Sakura was saying, glancing toward where Nejire was animatedly explaining something to a group of first-years who'd approached her with questions about high school prep. "Like, we get it, you're energetic. You don't have to prove it every second."
"And the questions," Mika added. "Yesterday she asked me if I'd ever noticed that my shadow quirk looks different when I'm happy versus when I'm sad. Who thinks about stuff like that?"
Yuki felt a flash of irritation. Sure, Nejire was a lot sometimes, but she was also genuinely kind and interested in people.
"She's just curious about everything," Meiji's voice said from behind her. He'd apparently overheard too. "What's wrong with that?"
Sakura turned, looking slightly embarrassed at being overheard. "Nothing's wrong with it, exactly. It's just... a lot."
"A lot of what?" Meiji asked. "Enthusiasm? Interest in the world around her? Willingness to talk to people she doesn't know well?"
His tone was becoming oppressive, not argumentative, but just genuinely questioning, which somehow made it more effective than if he'd been defensive.
"I guess when you put it like that..." Mika said uncomfortably.
"She notices things other people miss," Meiji continued. "And she remembers details about people that make them feel seen. Yesterday she asked Tanaka how his grandmother's surgery went because she remembered him mentioning it three weeks ago. How is that a bad thing?"
The girls exchanged glances, clearly reconsidering their position.
"You're right," Sakura admitted. "I didn't think about it like that."
Yuki smiled to herself. A few weeks ago, Meiji probably would have either said nothing or launched into an overly formal analysis of social dynamics. Now he was just... standing up for his friend like it was the most natural thing in the world.
'What a relief...'
Wednesday - Nejire's POV
Nejire was in her element during their science class, raising her hand enthusiastically every few minutes with questions that ranged from insightful to completely off-topic.
"Sensei, if quirks are genetic mutations, does that mean we're technically all different species now?" she asked, bouncing slightly in her seat.
"That's... actually a complex question in quirk biology," their teacher admitted. "The scientific community is still debating the classification criteria."
"But what do you think? Like, personally? Are we watching human evolution happen in real time? Is this how new species usually develop, or is the quirk phenomenon unprecedented in evolutionary history?"
Several students groaned quietly. Nejire's rapid-fire curiosity was a daily occurrence that some found exhausting.
"Can you maybe save some questions for after class?" Kenta muttered from two rows back. "Some of us want to get through the actual lesson."
Nejire's face fell slightly, and she slumped back in her chair. "Sorry," she said quietly.
Meiji turned in his seat to look at Kenta. "Her questions are part of the lesson," he said calmly. "She's thinking about the implications and connections, which is exactly what science is supposed to encourage."
"Thank you, Hasegawa-kun," their teacher said. "Hado-san's questions often push us to think beyond the basic curriculum, which benefits everyone's understanding."
Nejire shot Meiji a grateful smile, her natural brightness returning.
After class, as they packed up their books, Meiji bumped her shoulder gently with his. "Don't ever apologize for being curious," he said. "The world needs more people who ask questions, not fewer."
Thursday - Meiji's POV
Their English teacher announced that they'd be working in groups of three for a presentation project. Meiji felt the familiar flutter of anxiety about group dynamics, but it was duller now, more manageable.
"Meiji-kun!" Yuki called immediately. "Want to work with me, Nejire and Akira? Although Nejire is yet to confirm as she's sick."
"Sure," he said, genuinely pleased by the invitation.
As they huddled together to choose their topic, Akira suggested analyzing different heroic archetypes in Western literature.
"That could be interesting," Meiji said. "We could compare classical heroes like Beowulf with modern interpretations, examine how the definition of heroism has evolved."
"Ooh, and we could include how quirk society has changed heroic ideals again," Yuki added excitedly.
"Perfect," Akira grinned. "Meiji, you're obviously our research guy. Yuki, you're great at presentations. I'll handle the visual stuff."
"Actually," Meiji said, surprising himself, "I'd like to try doing some of the presentation too. If that's okay."
Both his groupmates looked pleased. "Of course," Yuki said. "You explain things so clearly anyway."
As they continued planning, Meiji found himself naturally taking on a coordinating role, suggesting how to divide the work and keep everything on track. But unlike his usual detailed schedules and comprehensive analysis, this felt collaborative and flexible.
"Should we meet this weekend to work on it?" he asked.
"Definitely," Akira said. "My house? My mom makes amazing snacks."
"Sounds great," Meiji replied without even thinking about optimal study environments or productivity metrics.
Thursday Afternoon - Nejire's POV
Walking home together, Nejire was in full investigative mode about a mystery that had been bothering her all day.
"But seriously, Meiji, don't you think it's weird that Yamamoto-sensei always wears that same green tie? I've been keeping track for two weeks now, and it's been green every single day. Different patterns, but always green. Do you think it's his lucky color? A deceased relative's favorite? Some kind of psychological comfort object?"
"Maybe he just likes green?" Meiji suggested with amusement.
"But that's what I'm saying! What if there's a deeper reason he likes green? What if it represents something significant in his personal history? What if—"
"Nejire."
"What?"
"Sometimes people just like things because they like them."
Nejire paused, considering this revolutionary concept. "But that's so... simple."
"Simple isn't bad," Meiji said. "Not everything needs a complex explanation."
"Says the person who used to create detailed analysis charts for choosing what to eat for lunch," Nejire pointed out with a grin.
Meiji laughed. "Okay, fair point. Maybe I'm learning that simple is okay."
"You're definitely learning something," Nejire said, she was studying his face with her characteristic intensity. "You seem... I don't know. More relaxed? Like you're not thinking so hard anymore about everything all the time."
Yet, before Meiji could respond, she'd already moved on to wondering whether their school's cafeteria lady was secretly a retired pro hero based on her "suspiciously perfect" knife skills.
Friday - Meiji's POV
The week was ending on a high note. During their final period study hall, Meiji found himself actually enjoying the casual atmosphere instead of feeling like it was wasted educational time. Students chatted quietly while working, occasionally asking each other for help or sharing answers.
"Hey Meiji," Tanaka called softly from across the room. "You're good at English, right? Can you help me figure out this grammar thing?"
"Sure," Meiji said, getting up to look at Tanaka's worksheet.
The question was about conditional sentences, and Meiji explained the concept quickly and clearly. Instead of his old habit of providing comprehensive background theory, he focused on practical understanding.
"Oh, that makes sense," Tanaka said. "Thanks! You're way better at explaining this stuff than the textbook."
As Meiji returned to his seat, he realized he felt genuinely happy. Not accomplished or successful, just... happy. It was such a simple emotion, but it felt profound in its ordinariness.
The final bell rang, and students began packing up with the relieved energy that came with surviving another week.
"Any fun weekend plans?" Yuki asked as she organized her bag.
"Working on our English project with you, Nejire and Akira," Meiji said. "And probably helping Nejire with whatever new experiment she's conducting on food or human behavior."
"Speaking of Nejire," Akira said, glancing around, "where is she? I haven't seen her bouncing around asking random questions in at least ten minutes."
Nejire's POV
Nejire had been waiting outside the classroom as she came back late from the restroom, practically vibrating with excited energy as she watched through the door window. She'd spent the week observing her best friend, and the changes she'd noticed were making her almost giddy with happiness.
The moment Meiji emerged from the classroom, she pounced.
"Meiji!" she called, bounding over with her biggest smile. "I've been watching you all week, and you've changed so much since starting here!"
Meiji stopped mid-step, his cheeks immediately flushing pink. "Really?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of pleased surprise.
"Really really!" Nejire confirmed enthusiastically. "You're talking more naturally, and you don't overthink every single thing before you say it, and you stood up for me when people were being weird about my questions, and you just seem so much more... you know... like yourself!"
"I feel more like myself," Meiji admitted, his blush deepening but his smile growing.
"It's awesome!" Nejire declared, linking her arm through his as they started walking. "Like, you were always amazing, but now you're amazing and comfortable, which is even better!"
"Just let me grab my bag!" Nejire shouted before rushing in and out as fast as a breather.
Yuki's POV
Following behind Nejire and Meiji as they headed toward the school exit, Yuki couldn't help but smile at their interaction. Nejire was right—Meiji had changed noticeably over the week.
On Monday, he'd still been careful and measured in most of his responses. By Friday, he was cracking jokes, defending his friends, and participating in conversations without that slight hesitation that had marked his early interactions.
"Hey," she called, catching up to them. "Nejire's right, you know. You seem way more relaxed now."
"Thanks," Meiji said, looking genuinely pleased by the observation. "I think... I think I'm starting to understand how to just be a normal student."
"Normal is overrated anyway," Nejire declared. "But comfortable? Comfortable is perfect."
As they reached the school gates, Akira jogged up to join them.
"Don't forget—tomorrow at my house for project work," he said. "Two o'clock, and come hungry. My mom's already planning to feed you all until you can't move."
"Looking forward to it," Meiji said, and Yuki could tell he genuinely meant it.
Friday Evening - Lady Nagant's POV
Nagant was in the kitchen preparing dinner when she heard the front door open, followed by Meiji's voice calling out his usual greeting. But something in his tone made her pause and listen more carefully.
"Mom, I'm home! And I think I actually understand now why people enjoy weekends!"
The comment was so naturally enthusiastic, so unconsciously normal, that she felt tears prick at her eyes. When Meiji appeared in the kitchen doorway, his hair slightly messed from the walk home and his school bag slung casually over one shoulder, he looked like any other teenage boy coming home from a good day at school.
"Tell me about this weekend revelation," she said, turning from the stove with a smile.
"Well, tomorrow I'm working on a group project at Akira's house, and instead of being worried about productivity and outcomes, I'm actually excited to hang out with my friends and see if his mom's cooking is as good as he claims," Meiji said, dropping into a chair at the kitchen table. "And Sunday, Nejire wants to investigate whether the park near here has different bird populations depending on the weather, which sounds completely random but also kind of fun."
Nagant studied her son's relaxed posture, his animated expression, the way he talked about his plans with genuine anticipation rather than analytical assessment.
"That sounds wonderful," she said simply.
"It does, doesn't it?" Meiji agreed, seeming almost surprised by his own enthusiasm. "Nejire said I've changed since starting school, and I think she's right. I feel... lighter, somehow. Like I don't have to calculate every interaction or worry about optimal outcomes for everything."
"How does that feel?" Nagant asked, sitting down across from him.
Meiji considered the question seriously, but his response came more quickly than his old careful deliberations.
"Good," he said with a genuine smile. "Really, really good."
As they talked about his week over dinner, Nagant marveled at the natural flow of his stories, the easy way he mentioned classmates and teachers, the unconscious assumption that his experiences were worth sharing simply because they'd happened to him.
This was what healing looked like, she realized. Not the absence of scars, but the presence of joy. Not forgetting the past, but building a future worth living.
And watching her son laugh as he described Nejire's latest food experiment, Nagant knew that future was already beginning.
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Second's Author's Note:
So I kinda forgot what was the plot and read it after doing the chapter, I may have thought for some stupid reason that Nejire wasn't in the same classroom. Why...? I was drunk when writing it, so... yeah. I corrected it I believe but please have some mercy on me if you find some errors on that, let me know and I'll change 'em.
Ciao! Gn.