With no extra events, they moved into the classroom. During the lessons, nothing out of the ordinary happened, but the atmosphere among the four seemed to be less tense.
Of course, that was something only the affected people could tell. Outsiders didn't notice a thing. Before the Science lesson, Kagetsu went to pick some instruments with Freya trailing behind him.
She tapped his shoulder.
Kagetsu looked at her with lifted eyebrows, unable to mask his surprise. "Can I help you?" The boy wasn't cautious because of the hits he had received but was somehow unsure how to react. She displayed a warmer acceptance toward his older brothers, and he didn't want to blow it by being a meat-head.
She nodded and took out the notebook she had hugged during the morning. "But first"—the text had already been written inside—"I'm sorry for hitting you before."
"Don't mention it." He blushed a bit. "That was fine wrist work." He rubbed under his nose.
The girl giggled for a moment, taking a big breath after it.
Kagetsu read the next lines. "I've noticed your pictures in your books"—He scratched in his hair, mumbling oops—"and I wondered if you could sketch something. It's not for me but a friend."
'So she has at least one buddy.' The youngest Kamini smiled. "Sure thing."
"There are three figures from their story and..." The boy read the descriptions and small notes Freya added as she brainstormed.
A wide grin plastered across Kagetsu's face. "No prob. Can I know who this person is?"
Freya's face widened with a sheepish smile as she hid her head between her shoulder, turning smaller than him.
"No problem. I'll have it after the weekend." He leaned closer, whispering, "Could you not tell them who drew those too? It's kinda..." He played with his fingers.
She gave him a double thumbs-up, and he mirrored her answer. And so the plan hatched.
They got the equipment a bit later, and Kagetsu made up an excuse the sensei just waved, letting them both free. However, after the lesson, Aiyoku directed his younger sibling away from the crowd.
"Did Freya say anything to you?"
"No, we didn't talk." He shrugged his shoulders.
"You sure?" The blonde Kamini narrowed his eyes.
Kagetsu grinned, showing his teeth. "Nope, can't talk with mute people, right?"
"Not funny." His older brother fist-bumped him into the shoulder.
"She apologized for hitting me," the youngest sibling admitted. "Though, I never had a problem with that."
"Is that so?" Aiyoku leaned against the wall. "That's good."
"It's weird, isn't it?"
"You mean her not hating us?"
Kagetsu slid down, squatting. "Kinda, but it's really nice. She doesn't cling to us for our looks or status."
"Yeah, the first time that happened."
"Ai?" The blond brother looked down since Kagetsu's tone turned rather sad. "Do you think... after this... can we continue this school? Hang out... like before? I don't wanna transfer again."
Those soft words had more weight than the entire world. "Don't be silly."
With the bell announcing the next period, they returned to the classroom.
Later, after all the lessons, mentally exhausted, Kagetsu ventured on his own.
'Man, how can Ri follow all those numbers. And Freya is impressive too.' He yawned and stretched his body. He adjusted his shirt, tracing his sides with his palms. 'Did I turn fatter?' He frowned. 'On the second thought, I might have got more muscles.'
His steps took him into the garden where the Garden Parade winner would get their design realized. Since the front part was well maintained, the headmistress chose the back area. For a school like Kin High, it made little difference.
Even a picture on toilet doors could help an artist reach their dreams. After all, the graduated students landed jobs in big corporations or earned fame for themselves.
'What a crab.' No matter what, this was like any other academy they had attended. The boy leaned his head, watching the darkening sky. Heavy clouds shifted their shape, promising rain in a long while.
"Better go home, I guess." Frowns on his face deepened as icy breath shivered with his heart. "Home, huh? Did we ever have one?"
He put his hands in his pockets, continuing. 'Where did it all start? Last year? No, even further. In kindergarten?' His steps gain on length as he remembered the cheerful faces of his brothers. 'Before our father told us to become like this.' He paused, watching his palms. "Do I want this strength?"
His eyes glimpsed a movement, and he ducked. 'Well, a good body isn't bad in this case.' He peeked out near the ground. 'A late student? What is he doing here?' Besides, he was staying behind too, so he was just as guilty.
The student looked in a hurry as he panted. His hands rested on his bent knees.
'What grade is he from? Don't remember seeing him.'
The boy stood up, wiping sweat from his forehead. He wasn't tall, and his body seemed to have an ordinary build. Even his hair had the most common color, it made him easily forgotten.
Kagetsu yawned. 'Man, even his glasses are normal. Guess he is average.' A sting interrupted his heartbeat, reminding him how much he had owed to his oldest brother for tutoring. Without him, he would be below mediocre.
The student got on all fours, searching for something.
'I better go.' He slowly crawled away when his fingers touched a notebook. He lifted it, dusting off the dirt. 'Is this his? Kenta, huh?' He studied the title as he sat crossed-legged.
He opened it, reading a few lines. 'Is this poetry?' His face twisted with giggles as he read one after another. Some made him frown, and the next page brought tears to his eyes.
Meanwhile, without him noticing, the student named Kenta found his way to Kagetsu. He stared at the delinquent submerged in his work, which he hid under a bush, trembling as his brain slowly digested what his eyes had witnessed.
Upon reaching the last entry, the youngest triplet lowered the notebook, noting he had a company. They gawked at each other for a couple of seconds before Kagetsu lifted his palm. "Yo, did you write this?" He gestured with the jotter.
"Y-Yeah," Kenta mumbled, mustering all the strength he had in his slight frame.
"Awesome!" Kagetsu gushed with happiness. "I love it!" He hugged the notebook. "Ah, sorry! It's crumpled!" He tried to iron it with his hand, smearing dirt over the cover. When Kagetsu's heart stopped abusing his rib cage, he inquired, "Will you write more?"
"Uh?"
"The poems I mean."
"Eh... I... Yes, I want to."
"Cool!" Kagetsu gave him the jotter. "Let me know when you do. I so wanna read them!" He tightened his fists.
"But why?" Kenta asked without thinking.
"Why do you ask?"
The student bristled in fear. "You don't need to answer, senpai."
Kagetsu scratched at the side of his nose. "I always liked poetry. I just suck at writing it."
"But you don't..." Kenta's eye trailed his whole sitting frame.
"Now, I get it." He hit his open palm with his fist. "I'm more of a muscle head than brainiac, right?"
"I didn't mean!" Kenta straightened on his knees, waving his arms.
Kagetsu sighed. "Don't worry. I will not beat you. I'm not this type who bullies others."
"I've heard you have beaten all the sports captains."
A blush crept on his face. "If I didn't, they would pester me to join their clubs. I'm not into sports that much."
"But, you have an athletic body." Kenta sat down, feeling calmer. Perhaps this delinquent wasn't so bad.
"Yeah, my dad wanted me to train, so I guess that paid in the long run. I like to take exercises. It helps to clear one's brain from all the messy numbers."
Kenta giggled before bursting with laughter, and Kagetsu joined him soon after.