Kato heard the alarm to wake up but somehow fell back to sleep and awoke again late! Damn! He threw on his clothes and made a mad dash to the chow hall, but he was too late. It was closed, and that meant he was late to class also. He wouldn't get fed until lunchtime now.
He walked quietly down the hallway and sneaked up to the window in the classroom door. He peaked in and saw the instructor sitting at her desk which faced a class of thirty obediently oppressed pupils busily doing schoolwork, minus one-him. What can I do? He wondered. Where can I go? He had no options. Being late was serious. He bit his lip and reached for the handle to open the door when another hand grabbed his. In shock, he swallowed down a yelp as he turned to see Takahashi with his finger over his lips making a Shh! sound. Kato's heart thumped hard at seeing him there. Takahashi grabbed the handle of the door and with a quick turn, opened it and pulled Kato after him.
Sister Mary rose at the sight of two of her tardy students. She had a thick wooden rod in her hands and a glare that could make the devil blanch. She barked out, "Takahashi-san! Kato-san!"
Takahashi moved forward with his head bowed and gently pulled Kato with him, protecting him from the fury that was about to be unleashed. He softly spoke with deference, "Sister Mary, we are truly sorry for sinning against you and our Lord with our inconsiderate tardiness. Please show us mercy." Kato was bewildered as he had never imagined that such humble and meek words could be spoken by Takahashi to Sister Mary, considering how much he hated her.
Sister Mary, who saw through Takahashi's façade, yelled, "About face!" Takahashi turned around and looked into Kato's eyes with a bit of sorrow and yet a steel resolve. As she approached from behind, Takahashi pulled Kato close and used his body to shield him from her. She began flogging Takahashi with unbridled brutality as she poured her hate for him into every blow.
Kato could feel Takahashi's warmth and taste his scent, causing his heart to thump. At the same time, he could feel each and every blow reverberate through Takahashi. The pain bled out from one boy and into the other. After a dozen blows, Kato heard something he would never forget as Tahakashi whimpered out one word, "Ren," before he collapsed to his knees carrying Kato down with him. Takahashi continued the embrace despite shuddering in agony. Kato's heart, too, was shuddering in agony.
After the beating, Sister Mary spoke in sing song, "Takahashi-chan, report to the infirmary." He pulled back from Kato and let him go. He rose unsteadily, and Kato did his best to help him to his feet. Takahashi looked once more into Kato's teary eyes before he moved him aside and walked out of the classroom.
Sister Mary, who was completely victorious, turn her gaze to Kato. With another musical note in her words, yet still laced with evil intent, she said, "Kato-chan. Takahashi-san took both his beating and the one meant for you." Then, with a sneer, she said, "During lunch, you are to sit here in class while everyone else is excused. You can use the time to consider whether association with Takahashi-san is good for your health, or not." Another meal missed.
-----
Kato watched the rain patter against the single-pane window, alone. The rest of the class was at lunch. He was very hungry and sad. He felt something amiss with his jacket, so he reached into the pocket and pulled out a small package. It was wrapped up in paper napkins. He unraveled the package and saw a small croissant sandwich that contained egg, cheese, and bacon. He didn't know how, but while Takahashi was being beaten, the package was put into Kato's pocket.
While he ate it, tears flowed down Kato's cheeks, meeting at the corners of his mouth, mingling with the croissant and adding a sad saltiness to the flavor. Kato's heart ached as he reflected on whether association with Takahashi was good for his health or not. He concluded in his heart that it was.
Takahashi was not in class that afternoon. This caused Kato to worry endlessly. His mind kept going over the last thing Takahashi said to him: "Ren." He was hardly able to pay attention to anything in class. Instead he thought of only Takahashi.
-----
"Wait up!" exclaimed Murata.
Kato was on his way out to the Sports Complex for class and turned and looked back.
Murata came jogging up. "You okay?"
Kato sighed. "I'm far from okay." He started walking with Murata.
"Unbelievable, what happened."
"Yeah, that bitch deserves to die for hurting him," Kato said.
"Takahashi-san must surely be the most special seme at this school. Kato-san, you must realize now how much he loves you," Murata said.
"I know," Kato replied.
"How can you not love him back? What is still stopping you?"
"I dunno anymore. Maybe nothing. I no longer care if he wants to have sex with me now," Kato said.
"Kato-san, that's not the same as wanting it," Murata spoke softly.
"I know," Kato admitted. "I'd give up almost anything to get him back."
"Almost? So, everything except you," Murata noted.
Kato was so tired of word games. "What do you mean, Murata-san?"
"You are the only thing that you have that he wants. And you won't give it to him."
"Fine, he can have me. I said that before," Kato argued.
"But it has to be something you want, not just something he wants," Murata said.
Kato stopped for a moment. He looked at Murata. "Thank you for always trying help me but I think this time I need to help myself. I will find a way."
Murata put his hand on Kato's shoulder and shook him gently and said, "I certainly hope so."
-----
Kato went to his swim class. Takahashi wasn't there. After class, he thought about the ointment he put on Takahashi's back. Who's going to do that for him now? Kato recalled what 5 canes looked like. That that was only five days ago. Now Takahashi has 12 more to add to that. Kato seriously hoped no ribs got broken. He just couldn't believe that bitch of a nun could do that. Kato started getting mad. He wanted to stab her with a letter opener and see how she liked it.
He missed Takahashi taking care of him and looking after him. He missed all the things, big and small, that Takahashi did for him. He also missed doing things for Takahashi, even if he realized that they were so very few in comparison. He vowed that if he got a second chance, he's going to work harder at being a better uke and start giving back to his seme.
After showers, he decided he was going to swap with Takahashi no matter what. He wanted his wolf back, both of them.