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[ What a great question! A responsible teacher would answer that right away and make sure their student is calmed in a new situation. That's what Haruaki always thought he would do if he ran into one of his students here. He'd be stalwart for them, right away.

But this isn't just one of his students. It's Sano.

And Sano won't be surprised when he bursts into tears, wrenching his wrists free to throw his arms around him, pulling him down into a bear hug. ]

It's really you! I didn't dream you up? Sano-kuuuuuuuun, I've missed yoooooou!!!!

[Sano's gut twists. Haruaki is always clinging, always crying, but 'I've missed you' - this urgency - has Sano feeling uneasy. He tries to pry himself away from Haruaki just enough to look him in the eye, grab his face and make him focus.]

Seimei. Look at me. Tell me what you're talking about.

[ Haruaki does look, blinking away his tears, sniffling like a pathetic whelp of a thing. Anyone walking past them would have no idea he's supposed to be the older, wiser one. ]

D-did you just get here? Oh no, did you just wake up in the Garden? Sano-kun...

[ He must have missed him by a hair's breadth. Stupid wind. Stupid nap.

Haruaki squeezes Sano's forearms, shakes his head. ]

There's a lot I should tell you, but all of it's going to sound weird. Please promise you'll believe me!

[Sano searches Haruaki, brow furrowed, genuine confusion on his face. He finds himself gripping the man's shoulders, looking him directly in the eye. His question comes out low, serious.]

Why wouldn't I believe you?

I will. I promise.

[ Of course Sano will believe him... It settles something in Haruaki's heart, and his tears dry up, his expression smoothing out.

He moves to sit up straighter as he speaks, hands still on Sano's forearms. ]

This place... it's a world totally separate from ours. People get brought here from all kinds of places. There's no guarantee that someone from your own world will be here, too. I've met a lot of people who are alone...

[ He squeezes again, a grounding force. ]

I've been here for months. Takahashi-sensei got here way before me, too. And then there's Principal and Ebisu-sensei... and now you.

[ What does it mean? Why so many of them, and why is Sano the only student? Are more of them going to start showing up now? Guilt twists Haruaki's gut into knots; he'd just talked to Odasaku about this, about how dangerous it would be to want them here at all. Is this his fault? ]

Still with me?

[It's a lot to take in - really, that's putting it lightly, but...it's not necessarily the strangest scenario they've found themselves in. If anything, it's the combination of personalities that makes this whole thing truly odd - that, and...]

Months...?

[His voice is quiet. He looks...young and dumb, stunned; really, he's quietly horrified. Haruaki has been without him too long...

[It's no wonder he was so happy to see him...]

Seimei...

[ It was the most confusing, frightening part for him to learn about, too. Haruaki will never really have words to describe how it felt to find out Akira had been entirely alone without Yamazaki, or Utagawa, or anyone from their world for almost half a year.

He doesn't want Sano to feel like that now. He smiles, reaching to pat his hands over Sano's shoulders. ]

It's okay. It's okay, Sano-kun. [ A beat, and is that smile getting a little watery again? Oh, no... ] I'm really glad you're here now.

[Sano doesn't blame Haruaki for having a watery smile, or a thin voice, or reddened eyes, but he does have to look away, even if it's only for a minute. His hands still grip Haruaki's shoulders, and he squeezes them, idly grounding.]

What are we supposed to do...?

[Surely, they can't stay here, but...it occurs to him, not without a healthy amount of dread, that even the Principal hasn't been able to figure out an escape.

[His grip on Haruaki's shoulders tightens, and Sano's gaze snaps back to match his.]

Don't tell me you've just settled in.

[ Ah. That's a difficult question.

Some degree of settling in is necessary, but...

Sano will learn that in time. For now, Haruaki shakes his head. ]

We've been trying to find ways to leave. It's harder than it seems, though. There are people who've been here for years...

[ And then he gasps, straightening all the way up until he starts to stand, still clinging to Sano. ]

Wait! I forgot to say the worst part! When you get here, you don't have any of your powers, Sano-kun!!!

[Sano inwardly flinches, some internal glitch that even he doesn’t fully understand—

[No. He does understand. When he fell asleep, or passed out, or lost himself, or whatever happened, he made a wish.

[Dread sinks in his stomach like a stone. Is he why they’re all stuck here?

[For years?

[He thinks the horror must be showing on his face, so he tries to swallow it. He has no idea what to say. It can’t be ”I’m sorry.”]

They’re…just gone?

[ That horror does show on Sano's face – very clearly, too, at least for someone as hyper-attuned to the boy's emotions as Haruaki.

He squeezes Sano's shoulders, shakes his head. ]

Only in the beginning! You can wish for them back. I already have mine again.

[ Another squeeze. Haruaki can't let him go. ]

It's okay, Sano-kun. I know it's scary, but I can be the one to protect you now!

[That's right. Sano is supposed to protect Haruaki. It isn't just that promise he made to Ame anymore. Making sure Haruaki is safe has become Sano's purpose...

[Isn't that why he wished his powers away...?

[Stupid. Selfish. What was he thinking?]

Wish for them back - I will. Tell me how.

[ That horrified mask over Sano's features hasn't slipped. Something nags at the back of Haruaki's mind – it can't only be the circumstances they've found themselves in, strange as they are. There's something else going on... ]

You can't do it right away. You have to be here for a little while first. I'll take you to the crystal in a couple days so you can see how it works, okay?

[ A beat, and then– ]

Sano-kun... can I ask what you were doing at home before you woke up here?

[A little while - months, years. It doesn't make sense. Sano tries to remember who Haruaki named, but can't imagine that it would be so few of them - the Principal, Dr. Takahashi, Ebisu... What about the others? What about Mame?

[Sano tries to focus on the question. He looks Haruaki in the eye, expression hardening into something more serious, but he can't shake that...shakiness.]

We got turned around on the mountain. We followed a path to a shrine and ended up in that city for kitsune youkai. Then...

[He feels his teeth grit, pain tugging at the features of his face. He looks angry; confused, afraid.]

That youkai showed up. The last thing I remember...I...

I don't know. Something knocked me out, or...something.

Huh?

[ Huh???? ]

Shrine...? Mountain? Wait– we had a field trip coming up!

[ Only a couple days after the last thing he remembers...

Ebisu was from just a few hours ahead of it, it seemed– crucial, critical hours that let him know Toubyou and Kurahashi would be okay. And now Sano is from even farther along than that? ]

Sano-kun, you're from the future for me!! Only a few days, but still...

[Just another bit of disturbing information, but it hits Sano hard. He shakes his head.]

How is that possible...?

What's the last thing you remember?

It's totally possible! Look...

[ Haruaki finally lets go of Sano so he can use his hands to speak, drawing out a timeline in the air before them. ]

The last thing I remember is finding out Toubyou-kun and Kashima-kun were in trouble! I was going to head to a circus to find them, but then... [ His hands move to the next point on the invisible timeline. ] Ebisu-sensei remembers us going there and rescuing them! [ And then a third point, farther down. ] And now you remember something that would happen a few days later! Isn't that weird?

[Sano wants to ask about the other two Haruaki mentioned as well, but it seems a moot point. He can't keep the confusion, the frustration off of his face. He glares at the ground, shaking his head.]

I'd wanted to blame that kitsune we met, but I guess I can't, considering you haven't met him yet. Damn it...

Kitsune?

[ Gasp! ]

I did think it was strange I never saw any kitsune around the island...!

[ That means kitsune are going to find them on their field trip? How scary!

But Haruaki won't ask about all that. It's probably not great to inquire about the future – and anyway, Sano's expression is so clouded, so miserable, the last thing he wants to do is interrogate him.

Haruaki moves to stand at his side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders with a comforting pat. ]

Come on, we shouldn't hang around the garden, right? Why don't you come get your bearings at my place? When you're ready, I can help you get settled in!

[Settled in. Sano doesn't want to be settled in.

[He wants to go home.

[So, he's stiff under Haruaki's arm, unable to relax, accept that comfort. He doesn't lean into his teacher's touch, grounding as it is.

[He looks miserable. He sounds it.]

Fine. Whatever...

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cries we can wrap this one up soon i think :whyyyyyyy:

wrapped :c