"Kevin, are you okay? You barely touched your favorite Mr. Begle limited edition cereal." Arthur asked me who was lost in thought.
I looked at my full bowl of cereal, or to be precise, dog biscuits. Okay, I know that I am a dog now, but that doesn't mean I am okay with eating dog food.
"Uh... Dad, are you sure that this thing is edible for us?" I asked as I glanced doubtedly at the bone-shaped cereal.
"Huh? What are you saying, son? It's this what you eat every morning?" He raised an eyebrow as he peeked from over his newspaper. "You were the one who said that you wanted instant food for breakfast yesterday since you wanted to get to school early."
I did say that because today was the first day of the exam. I wanted to spend more time studying in school, so I asked for something that was quick and easy to serve for breakfast. How would I know that they would give me literal dog food?
I glanced at the cereal box on the kitchen table. A beagle with a bright smile was staring at me back with the same cereal bowl in his hands. A flashy text like [NEW MR. BEGLE SWEETENED CEREAL], [LIMITED EDITION COVER: COLLABORATION WITH PAW PAW ATTACKS III THE MOVIE WITH MR. BEGLE FIGURE TOY SPECIAL EDITION BONUS(COLLECT ALL THE VERSIONS!!)], and [CONSUME EVERYDAY TO GET SHINY AND HEALTHY FUR LIKE MR. BEGLE] was written in a suspiciously fancy style, especially the last one.
Mr. Begle the beagle. They didn't even try to put any effort into naming their own mascot.
"...Just to be sure, this is not dog food, right?"
"Huh? What do you mean? It is dog food." He paused before adding. "Well, 'dogs' like us I mean. But I heard that actual dogs can also eat it since it's good for their fur."
That makes me even more reluctant to eat it.
(AN: May God bless us all with this edited cursed meme)
I pushed the bowl away. "I think I'll have my breakfast in the cafeteria. I'm not that hungry right now."
"Well, sure, if you say so." He shrugged before continuing to read the newspaper. "Have you prepared enough for your test?"
"Yes, I suppose. I don't think I will do bad."
"That's good." He smiled and patted my head. "We know that you have studied hard for the past few weeks. Just don't burden yourself too much. No matter what results you get, we will still accept it."
I had noticed it long ago, but Arthur—and also Jeremy—seemed to be paying too much attention to my well-being. Well, I didn't blame them though after what already happened. I was happy that they cared about me, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel guilty. Right now, I was literally deceiving them by pretending to be a different person. Even if I was happy to be reincarnated into this body, there was no way I wouldn't feel bad about it.
"Thanks, dad." I answered him with a warm smile. No matter how I acted, they are still someone else's parents. Sooner or later they would realize how my habits, behaviors, and personality were different from the original owner. Even with an amnestic excuse, it wouldn't explain everything.
There was no use thinking about that at the moment. Until that day comes, I just have to live my life to the fullest.
After I packed up my stuff, I went to the front door to go to school.
"Kevin, wait." Jeremy called me from behind.
As I turned around, she wrapped my neck with a red scarf.
"It's getting more and more cold outside. You should wear something warmer before you get sick." She talked as she adjusted the scarf. "There, it's all done. Make sure to stay safe on the way."
"Yes mom, thank you."
She brushed the fur on my forehead and kissed it. "May God bless you."
"Amen." I replied.
The Atkins were what is considered to be a religious family. I never believed in God, but if He really exists, then I must give Him credit to give me a loving family.
"Mom, dad, I'm leaving." I said as I went through the front door.
When I was already outside, I looked up. White particles feel down from the sky, covering the street and pavement. Some of them fell directly on my muzzle.
"It's already snowing, huh?"
In times like this, I was grateful to have thick fur covering my whole body. This was ten times better than a fur coat as this was part of my body. Although it still didn't protect me completely from the cold, this was much better than nothing.
With that in mind, I tightened my scarf around my neck and started running through the snow.
***
I arrived at my class earlier than I planned. Not many students could be seen except for some. I was surprised that Bronte was one of the exceptions. It seems he became more diligent after our time in his room.
I went to my seat and sat beside him. I couldn't be the only lazy one here. It would be a joke if I lost to someone that I invited, right?
Okay, now I need to focus on my studies here. After all of those studying sessions, fighting the drowsiness, Troylen's strict lessons, and sleepless nights, I finally have some confidence in this exam. I need to do well to pay back all of the efforts.
And just that, time passed quickly like a swan that flapped its wings from the lake into the sky.
***
A week has passed since then. Yesterday was the last day of the last exam and now was the day when the results were out.
I laid my head on the table and covered my answer sheets.
"Hey, Kevin. How's your exam going? Is it good?"
Before I realized it, Rannier was standing beside me. With hands behind his back, he tilted his head while looking at me with his usual unreadable smile.
"Oh, hi Ranny. Good weather today..." I answered lazily as I pointed at the outside of the window, which was in a blizzard.
"Oi, r u dead?" He poked my face. "I can see your soul leaving your mouth there."
"Perhaps..." I sighed deeply with my head still on the table. "I've never felt as dead as I do right now."
"Hey, take it easy man. At least the hellish period is already over. You can take a rest now." He reassured me while patting my head. "Here here here. You did a good job. Who's the good boy? Who's the good boy?"
"...Yes... ...It's me..." I was floating in bliss as he scratched the back of my neck. Being praised like this was not so bad.
"Huh. He really acts like a dog, doesn't he?" Someone snorted beside us. Bronte was looking at us as he put his head on his hand.
I turned my back to him while snorting back. "Don't talk to me. I'm angry."
Rannier, who was standing between us, frowned. "Huh? What happened?"
"Heh, he just doesn't want to admit that he lost."
"Lost what?"
Bronte handed his answer sheets to him. As Rannier examined every sheet, he glanced at mine on the table.
"Ah, so that was the case." He nodded in understanding.
In Bronte sheets, there were a lot of [B-] and some [B+], while mine were [C+] and one [C-].
"B for this lord Bronte. You can change your name to Cevin with those results, haha." The bear mocked.
I scratched my head with both hands, still keeping my face flat on the table.
"Aaaaaargh... So close... Why...? Even though he's just Bronte... Even though he's just Bronte..." I murmured stressfully.
"Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" Bronte snorted while looking at me annoyed. "Just accept the result if you're a man. And don't forget our deal."
I looked away while pouting. "Tch. Even though I wanted to try something new after this..."
"So you already prepared something beforehand after all..." Bronte murmured while rubbing his arms.
"Well, in the end, all's well that ends well, isn't it?" Rannier mediated between both of us as he clapped his hands. "Now that the two of the most idiotic students in our class have gained satisfactory results, I'm sure Mrs. Morrison will be happy about this."
""Don't you have something nice to say for once?""
We both ended up replying at the same time. Rannier's sarcastic remarks really know no bounds.
"I'm glad." A familiar voice could be heard behind us. Before we knew it, Troylen had already stepped out between us with Rannier.
"I know you two can do it when you try. At first, I thought I couldn't do anything to help, but it seems my worries were unnecessary." He put his hands on his chest and smiled. "I'm happy that our efforts have paid off."
Kugh- W-What's with that angelic smile? It's so bright! Even Bronte had to cover his eyes with his hand too.
"But this couldn't be done without your assistance. It was thanks to you that the two of them could make it."
Rannier patted Troylen's head. They closed their eyes as they smiled at each other like friends who got through hardship together.
Hey, that's not fair! We were the ones who worked hard here! And since when had they become that close? Give me more pats!
But before I could utter any protest Rannier changed the topic. "Well, now that the exam has ended, the holiday is finally here. What are you planning to do for winter break?"
We were silent for a few moments.
Troylen was the first one to speak. "I have nothing special to do other than spend time with my family. Perhaps we will be busy decorating the house for the upcoming Christmas."
"Well, my family planned to visit my grandparent's house on Christmas." Next was my turn. "They said that it has been years since we visited them."
"Why should I tell you about my plan? Hmph." Bronte looked away, again.
"Well, you all seem to have your own plan. That's good." Rannier stretched his right arm to his back. "Unlike you, I will be busy with the winter cup competition. Can't say I will have a decent break."
Yeah, just brag about your basketball life all you want. It was not like I was jealous of your popularity.
"Winter break huh..." I thought for a moment. "We won't see each other for a while then. Is there something we want to do before the holiday starts?"
"Like what?" Troylen tilted his head with a questioning look.
I smiled meaningfully.
"I have an idea." I stood up from my chair. "How about we go somewhere and make some memories to celebrate our success?"
"I have a bad feeling about this." Bronte looked at me worriedly. "Do I also need to go?"
"Of course you should. It's the perfect opportunity to end our semester. We've been studying like crazy until now. Time to get rid of stress."
"Though the 'like crazy' ones are only you two, though." Rannier shrugged.
"W-Where are we going to?" Troylen continued to look at us with a worried look.
I giggled a little.
"A place full of adventures. Kinda off-limits for us, but that's where the fun is."
***
"W-What is this!?" Troylen asked with his mouth wide open.
Bronte rolled his eyes and sighed like he was already expecting this. While Rannier... I don't know. His eyes already look like a dead person's.
"Cool, right? My friend, or can be called a senior(?) recommended this place to me. I also didn't know this place existed until now. It sure is a unique place to have a meal, right?"
"Why did he recommend this place of all places?" Rannier pinched the gap between his eyes.
***