Chapter 7: Lenient Bashing【P1】

Anza

Tock. Tock. Tock.

From the darkness, a tapping drums against my forehead.

W-what?

Tock. Tock—

My eyes spring open.

A rice paddle hovers above my face, poised to strike. It comes down—my arm shoots out on reflex, catching the handle mid-air.

The wood stops just short of my eyes.

Following the handle back, I find my trembling roommate.

“Ryota! What are you doing?” I tug the handle, but he refuses to let go.

He yanks the paddle out of my grip and holds it against his chest like a caught thief as a sudden red shoots from neck to hairline.

“I-I was... JUST CHECKING IF YOU WERE ALRIGHT! I’M SO SORRY!”

He scrambles backward, retreating to the safety of his bed.

“W-what!”

My confusion escalates into bewilderment. I bolt upright, hands flying over my body. “Is there something on me?”

Avoiding my eyes, he grips the utensil tighter. “I-I just…”

He trails off, scanning the room for an exit, lingering on the open window just a bit too long for comfort.

“Right...”

Guess I am not the only one who woke up weird this morning.

The racing pulse slows down as my brain finally wake up to process what happened. Now I know how rice feels when it is being fluffed in the cooker…

At least the outside sounds normal.

The open window between the beds lets in a warm breeze, carrying away the last of my adrenaline. Morning sunlight streams in alongside the buzzing energy of the already busy streets below.

Shifting up to the top of the bed-frame, the view opens to crowds of students in casual outfits. One group carries towels, likely heading out for a swim. Further down, another seems to be scouting for a breakfast spot, eyeballing the menu at a bistro.

I stretch my arms up, letting out a long yawn. Another day!

My attention drifts back across the room. Ryota sits frozen, clutching the paddle like a lifeline to his chest.

“Ryota, what’s up with the kitchenware?” I poke the air toward the utensil. “You could’ve just given me a nudge if you needed to wake me up.”

“I really am sorry,” He deflates into a bow on his bed. “You didn’t move at all. I genuinely thought you didn’t make it.”

“...”

“My roommate last year snored like a failing engine!” he blurts, chopping his hands between shallow breaths. “I spent the whole year in acoustic warfare, trenches and all!”

“Warfare?”

“Then the Housing Ministry shuffles the deck.” He deals a hand of imaginary cards with a grim expression. “And places me in a room with someone who doesn’t even make a sound while breathing. When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was check for a halo!”

A small laugh escapes me. The absurdity corners my irritation, leaving no room to stay mad.

“Well.” I tap my cheek gently. “I’m alive. Thanks for checking, I guess.”

“Yes, right. Glad to hear it…”

He shakes his head wildly and sets the paddle on his pillow. Turning to the window, he checks his hair while a hand races through it.

I swing my legs out of bed, the chilly floor waking up my bare feet. “Had breakfast yet?”

“Hm? No.”

“Good. I bought some ingredients yesterday we can use.”

With lazy steps, I wander into the kitchen alcove by the entrance. Swinging the mini-fridge open, I duck my head inside. “Let’s see, let’s see... what can I whip us up?”

Ah!

With both hands, I lift the carton above me like a trophy. “How about fresh eggs and toast?”

The room remains silent.

Ryota kneels with his back turned to me, head bowed toward the bedside table as he clasps hands above his head. On the stand, the plastic anime girl remains frozen in a dynamic pose, her painted smile looking down at the makeshift shrine of unboxed light novels.

“...Holy Starlight Kaguya,” he whispers with surprising sincerity. “Grant us your divine protection and blessings for this day—”

Setting the carton on the counter, I give the kitchen cabinet a helpless smile. Some things are better left unquestioned.

Crack. Crack.

The eggs sizzle against the hot pan. A dusting of salt and pepper catches the yolks.

As the edges start to crisp, Ryota shuffles a few steps closer to the counter, scratching the back of his neck. “So, um... did you have a good night’s sleep?”

“Aside from a rice paddle trying to bore a hole through my skull, pretty good.”

I slide the eggs on toasted bread. “Breakfast is ready!”

“Oh, Good. Right... thanks.”

Balancing the plates on my wrist, I walk with glasses in hand to the low table at the foot of our beds. A short metallic clatter comes from behind before his footsteps follow.

He sets the forks down, dropping onto the floor across from me.

I clasp my hands. “Let’s fuel up! I’m going to need the energy if I want to explore the whole city today.”

A sip of chilled orange juice washes down the first bite of toast. “How about you? Got anything planned?”

“I’ve already seen the whole city a million times.” He shifts the food around with his fork. “My friends usually spend the vacation days at the lake, so I guess... I’m going to the lake. Again.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad. Maybe I’ll see you there later. My friend wants to check out that bicycle club near the edge of it. Something with... Velocity? The Velocity Association?”

“The Velocity Squads?”

I nod, lowering the glass. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Yeah, they’re alright if you like waking up at dawn to stare at spandex,” He props his chin, taking another bite. “But sports clubs here are strict. They check if you follow voting recommendations and force you to hand out flyers on the street before you can even apply.”

My fork stops mid-air. “Flyers, huh? What did you have to do to join yours then? Did they—”

I catch myself, shaking my head to clear the thought “—I mean, if you’re in a club, of course. Sorry...”

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Discover what happens next in: Chapter 7: Lenient Bashing【P2】

Written by Limited_Infinity. Extras, official publishing platforms and updates are publicly available only on the Patreon page “_Limited_Infinity_”

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