Getting Pulled Over and Bundled into the Trunk

Everything is fine

Gakushuu looked embarrassed while Itona openly glared at the man "I'll get my coat..."

He walked over to the small wardrobe that hid the boiler while his father stood in the middle of the apartment.

"I see you boys have been doing some building," his father said, looking at the small drone the two of them had been building, the small table covered in mechanical parts.

Itona picked up the drone possessively. "Yeah..."

Gakushuu quickly slipped on his coat. "Okay, let's go." He went to the front door and slipped his shoes on, adjusting his backpack.

"Alright then," his father replied, shooting Itona a smile. "Bye, Itona."

Itona regarded him coldly. "Hm..."

Gakushuu sighed, opening the front door again. "Let's just go."

His father readied the umbrella and passed him his. "Of course."

Gakushuu glanced over his shoulder as he left, feeling his anxiousness grow when Itona shot him a pointed look that made him doubt if he was making the right decision.

***

"I'm so happy you're home, son," his father said brightly at dinner.

"Hm, yeah." Gakushuu replied numbly, pressing his spoon down at the chicken and mushroom stew.

"I was actually hoping we could go over a new study game I created." His father kept talking.

Gakushuu felt a prickle of uneasiness, remembering his father's last idea of a 'study game' was memorising fractions until he passed out from exhaustion. "...What kind of game?"

"The objective is to transcribe and translate some mandarin poetry within a set timeframe – have you been practicing?"

Gakushuu held back a grimace, his gut twisting when he felt a spark of anxiety. "No... not really."

"Oh..." His father's smile faded briefly.

You're falling behind.

"I've just been busy," he replied, gripping his spoon tight. The room felt too small. "I haven't—"

"No, it's okay," his father reassured quickly, smiling again. "I'm not mad, I was just surprised." He squeezed his shoulder tight, while Gakushuu watched him warily. "I know you've been busy – how about we catch up on it this evening?"

Gakushuu started to feel sick and poked at his food more. "Okay."

"Good." His father patted his shoulder. "How has everything else been going? Are you getting enough sleep and eating properly?"

"Yes," he replied, sighing.

"That's good." His father looked at him pointedly. "...The neighbourhood you were in seemed loud," his father commented offhandedly. "Are you sure it's safe?"

Gakushuu's brow furrowed. "Yes, it's safe."

His father hummed, shrugging. "Well, if you say so." He smiled at him warmly. "I cleared my schedule for this weekend," he announced cheerfully. "So we can spend a whole weekend doing whatever you want."

That was supposed to be good news, a voice prodded in his head.

Gakushuu swallowed a lump in his throat and forced a smile. "Good."

"So..." His father looked at him expectantly. "What would you like to do?"

His smile wavered but he forced it to stay. "I'm not sure, I'm fine with anything."