Chapter 2

Looking into the mirror, he sighed as he reluctantly picked up his toothbrush.

"Why can't life be like it is in Valanear?" 

Brushing his teeth, he gazed through the mirror at the reflection of his character on the main character select menu of his game, noting mentally how inferior he was to his in game avatar who was much more handsome in appearance and confident.

Spitting out the toothpaste and putting his toothbrush back, he sighed again as he exited the bathroom and changed out of his dirty t-shirt and sweat pants and into his high school uniform before grabbing his bag. Taking one last look at his character on screen before leaving his small, dark one room apartment.

Stepping outside, he winced and flinched backward as the morning sunlight stung his eyes.

Locking his door and pocketing the key, he made his way down the appartment building stairs to reach the road while keeping his head down as he passed some of the other tenants until he walked past a door that was slightly open.

"Inoue, Dear! Have you eaten breakfast?"

Hearing the woman's voice, he stopped in his tracks, staying silent.

"Don't pretend not to be standing by the door, Dear. I know your morning routine. I heard you walking. Come in and eat. I know that you didn't eat and a boy your age shouldn't be going to school hungry."

He looked down at his feet, glancing at the door as a middle aged woman, opened it wider and stepped out.

Wearing an apron over her simple white blouse and long floral skirt, she crossed her arms, he long curled end hair bounced as she tapped her foot.

"Well? What are you waiting for young man? Come inside. Your breakfast will get cold at this rate." 

Without waiting for a reply, she ushered him inside quickly.

"Take your shoes off and go wash your hands, Dear. Your breakfast is on the table."

Sitting at the table across from the woman, he saw the breakfast in front of him that consisted of rice, grilled fish, some miso soup and some veggies and picked up his chopsticks.

"Are you doing okay in that appartment on your own, Dear? I worry about you."

Chewing, he nodded and avoided eye contact with her.

"Dear. If living on your own is too difficult, you can always come here and stay with me." 

She reached across the table to pat his hand as he glanced at her.

"I'm doing fine, Miss. Tanaka."

His simple reply made her pout slightly as she reached over to fix his messy hair as he ate.

"I know you say that all the time but... I can't help worrying about you. You're all alone up there and I always worry if you are eating. I still can't believe that your Mother could abandon you for a man she hardly knew on the other side of the planet. She's not fit to be a Mother." 

Hearing her critique of his Mother, he smiled, sipping some of the miso broth.

"She wasn't much of a Mom before anyway. So it's not like I miss her. At least she's not here to hit me or throw beer bottles at anymore." 

Miss. Tanaka shook her head at the mention of his past abuse. 

"I don't know how many times you came crying to my door over the years because of that monster of a woman. I should have fought her for custody of you. You're more of my son then you ever were, hers."

Finishing the grilled fish, he nodded and looked at his watch.

"Sorry, Miss. Tanaka I gotta go. I'm gonna be late. Thanks alot for the breakfast."

As he quickly finished the last bit of rice and the glass of water, he stood and was pulled into a tight, warm hug.

"Anytime, Dear. You go on and hurry to school. I wouldn't want you missing out on learning anything. Here's your lunch and I expect you here for dinner after school ok? Don't bother knocking and just come on in, this is our home, ok? You are my family, like it or not."

Taking the wrapped bento from her, he smiled as she kissed his cheek before gently pushing him toward the door, fixing his rumpled uniform.

"I won't be late, Miss. Tanaka. Thanks for everything you do." 

Pulling him into another hug and kissing his cheek again, she managed to fix his hair into a not so messy style before she fixed his tie.

"You never have to thank me for anything, Dear. Now run along and make sure to do your best for me." 

Walking out into the open air, other teenagers wearing uniforms from his highschool passed him without a second glance.

Putting his bento into his bag, he started walking in the same direction as them, keeping his head low to avoid making eye contact with any of them.

At the station, he sunk in on himself, trying to hide in the crowd as some of the more popular girls, a group of gyarus stepped close to him. Loudly making snarky comments about some of their classmates while laughing loud enough to disrupt the crowded train station.

Stepping onto the train, he quickly slipped into the crowed, seeing some members of the gang at his school that love to bully him and anyone they see as an easy target, accidentally bumping into one of his female classmates.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." 

He quickly apologized while hoping desperately that it wasn't one of the girls that hated and bullied him for being a quiet, otaku loser.

"It's, ok. I know that the train is unbearably packed this morning. I'm just glad it wasn't an old pervy man trying to sneak a pi ture or a touch. Oh, it's you Inoue." 

Looking up to see her face, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the beautiful face and long black hair of the student council president and the his childhood friend that sat next to him in class and most days at lunch.

"President... Phew, it's just you. I was worried that I bumped into Kohaku or Megumin."

The president's angel like laughter filled the crowded train as she shook her head.

"Could you imagine? They would never let you live it down that you dared to touch them. Those two spoiled rich girls would probably freak out if you even breathed in their direction. And how many times have I told you to just call me Yuna? We've been We've been friends since forever. Everyone else calls me President or Prez but I want you to just call me by my name." 

She moved closer to him as more people entered the train at the next stop, squishing his head agaisnt her voluptuous chest due to their size difference with a childish pout on her face.

"Do you have any plans for lunch today, Inoue?" 

Looking up at her, he shook his head. Hoping that she wouldn't make him eat alone since he would have to eat in the bathroom to escape his large list of bullies.

"Good, you'll be eating in the student council office today with me. Since Haruhi transfered, I lost my voice president. I could really Use your help with my workload. I'll make it worth your time. You'd be doing me a solid." 

Seeing the desperation in her eyes as she asked, he nodded again with muffled words. Too squished agaisnt her chest to speak properly.

"You mean it? You're a lifesaver Inoue. I don't know what I'd do without you." 

Hugging him as she spoke, he smiled; content that she couldn't see it. Thinking to himself that perhaps his life was worth living after all thanks to her and Miss. Tanaka.

As the train stopped and the doors opened, she grabbed his hand tightly, knowing his pension for lagging behind or trying to hide in the crowd. Pulling him along with her toward the hill that led to their school.