Last time recap:
The brothers make it to the club. Will they manage to adjust to their new lifestyle, or will Jerry keep getting hated on?
Jerry, Terron, Haru, Ryo, Aiko, and Nana stepped into the clubroom.
Aiko smirked. "Here we are, Terron. And you, Jerry—try not to be you."
Jerry smirked back. "Well, fuck you too."
The room was a chaotic mix of desks, books, and computer monitors. Empty energy drink cans littered the corner, and the faint smell of instant ramen hung in the air.
"So this is your humble club? Looks like a NEET's house after two years," Jerry remarked.
Haru smacked his forehead. "ACK! Don't disturb everyone. And your calculations are off—the club looks like this because a vandalizing student trashed it, that's it!"
Terron wandered around. "So… anyone else here, or?"
Ryo responded without hesitation, "Yeah, but they're usually late—like Kaito and Mina. They joined yesterday. Mina hasn't punished me or Aiko yet. She's probably still mad at you, Jerry, mostly because of you stopping us yesterday."
Jerry flinched slightly. "OI! Why is everyone always on my tip? You all have a vendetta against me? Just like that old man in my apartment! Assholes!"
Haru, Terron, Ryo, and Aiko all glared at him in unison. "Shut up, Jerry."
"Okay…" Jerry muttered, looking down in defeat.
At that moment, the door opened, and Nana appeared.
"Oh, it's about time, Nana. Slower than you putting on makeup," Haru teased. "By my calculations, we'd have jumped five generations waiting for you."
Nana's eyes narrowed. "Shut up, four-eyes, no-damsel-no-life. How about you get off your computer and touch grass? Maybe then you'll have a girlfriend instead of… whatever this is."
Haru froze. "…Bitch."
Nana lunged at him playfully, tackling him to the ground. "OH, YOU LITTLE—!"
Haru scrambled. "Ack! Time out, time out!"
Jerry watched, slightly scared of Nana's intensity. "Oh damn… that looks like it hurts."
Eventually, Nana let go. Haru rubbed his back while Nana returned to her book on universes beyond our own.
Terron glanced at her book. "What are you reading?"
"Do you believe in other worlds?" Nana asked. "Because I do. They discovered radio waves as old as the universe, human-made, and they're anomalies. That's proof that multiple worlds exist."
Terron blinked. "Okay… I guess I believe you slightly. I've seen documentaries on it on YouTube."
"Good. Someone here with style. I like your taste," Nana said, giving him a rare nod of respect.
Jerry wandered toward the bookshelf. "Uh… these are full of manga."
Haru immediately scowled. "Don't touch them! These are rare—RTA Speedrunner Cannot Return from the Game World. Best manga I've ever read."
Jerry shrugged and left the shelf alone.
Just then, the door opened, and Mina, the class president, walked in.
"Aiko, Ryo…" she said sharply. They froze.
"Yes, ma'am!" they chorused nervously.
"You know what happened yesterday, right?" Mina's eyes were sharp but not cruel.
Ryo stammered, "Y-yeah, but it wasn't our fault!"
Aiko added nervously, "But it wasn't my fault either—it was Ryo's and… uh, that guy… Jerry."
Jerry's eyes widened. "W-WHAT? YOU FUCKING SNITCH!"
Mina smacked the back of Jerry's head. "LANGUAGE, MISTER!"
"Owie… I think you hit me," Jerry murmured, rubbing the spot.
"Yeah, because I did hit you," Mina replied, frowning.
Terron nudged him. "Clubs are closed until the next break. Let's go to class, Jerry."
Jerry sighed. "Ah, okay… everyone, see ya."
Haru muttered, "You're not suitable for leadership. It would bring us all down. Follow Mina and Kaito."
Nana shrugged. "Terron's right."
"I HAVE A NAME TOO, YOU KNOW!" Jerry protested, slightly agitated but hiding it under his usual arrogant act.
Kaito entered the room. "Everyone, get to class. Mina, you're on supervision outside."
"Yes, sir," everyone replied.
Jerry's POV
I returned to class alone, my desk a small island of dread. I cautiously dug into the compartment, wary of sharp objects this time. Luck was on my side—a pencil! Victory!
Math class began. My mortal enemy. I cracked my knuckles, determined to survive, though my heart sank with every Kanji I didn't understand. I still got 60% wrong… better than yesterday, I guess.
Duolingo has been helping. My Japanese is slowly improving, but I still feel like an outsider.
And Kaito… I owe him. I need to help him someday. But not now.
Outside POV
After returning from the supermarket, Jerry and Terron collapsed on their futons.
"Well, at least we remembered to restock the fridge," Jerry said.
"Wait… how did we get money?" Terron wondered.
"Auntie gave it to us," Jerry explained. "She isn't a monster… most of the time."
Terron rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like all the time. Our family's messed up. Problems left and right. I'm only with you because I have to be, not because I want to."
"I know you don't really mean it," Jerry replied softly. "We're brothers. I'll always be around."
Jerry checked his phone. A message from his parents: hospitalized. He felt a pang of shame and frustration.
"…Why does alcohol destroy families? Drugs too… I hate this…" He curled up and sobbed softly, before eventually falling asleep.
Terron sighed. "Most depressing shower ever."
Hours later, both brothers were asleep.
---
Jerry's POV – Late Night
I woke to use the washroom, glanced in the mirror, and saw it again: blood, three bullet wounds. I rubbed my eyes. Maybe pills were necessary.
"Kaito… I'll help you when I can. I'll be a friend first, classmate second."
---
Next Day
Jerry and Terron got ready, brushed teeth, made coffee, and headed to school. They met Haru, Nana, and Mina.
"Morning, Jerry, Terron," Mina greeted.
"Morning, Mina, Haru, Nana," they replied.
Nana asked about Tomo. Mina explained she had been away training.
Tomo burst in. "I HEARD ARCADE! Not fun without the squad! …Who are these two new faces?"
Kaito introduced them. "This is Terron and Jerry, Canadians. Terron's already loved here. Jerry… well, not so much."
Jerry muttered. "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?"
Tomo smiled. "New friends won't hurt, right?"
Terron nodded. "Yeah. Friends tomorrow?"
After school, Kaito, Haru, Aiko, Mina, Tomo, Nana, Terron, and I were all in casual clothes, wandering toward the arcade.
I glanced at Haru. "You look like one of those stereotypical nerds who always has a trick up his sleeve."
Haru adjusted his glasses, annoyed. "Shut up, Jerry. Your casual clothes don't give you anything other than making you more efficiently an asshole."
Tomo smacked him on the head. "Watch your mouth, Haru!"
"I swear I'm going to get brain damage because of you, Tomo," Haru groaned, holding his head.
Aiko bounced with excitement. "CMON, SLOWPOKES! I WANNA FIGHT SOMEONE ON THAT FIGHTER GAME!"
Nana smiled softly, happy to see Aiko gaining confidence, but she knew someone still needed to push her further. "Alright, guys, let's not keep Aiko waiting for the arcade."
"Okay!" everyone chorused—Kaito, Haru, Terron, Mina, Ryo, Tomo, and I.
At the arcade, I helped Nana buy the tokens. Once everyone had theirs, Aiko immediately grabbed Ryo and ran off, determined to destroy him in the fighting game.
I wandered past the machines and spotted Mina alone.
"Hey, Mina. How've you been? Even though we just got here?" I asked, approaching her.
She looked at me, teal eyes soft as she watched Aiko. "I've been better than yesterday. But… Jerry, what brings you here to talk to me?"
"Well, I thought you might need company," I said tiredly but genuinely. "It's kind of sad when someone has no one to talk to, you know?"
She chuckled softly. "Thank you… but I'm fine. Sometimes, though, I feel alone. Jerry… do you ever feel alone?"
I thought for a moment. "Yeah… a lot's going on in my life. Terron's still trying to get a grip on everything, but we'll climb that mountain together."
She frowned, her voice quiet. "I'm scared of being alone… and being abandoned. My parents are always at work. They care, but… they're never around. But… Ryo, Haru, Aiko, Tomo, Nana, Terron, and you… you make me happy. Even if it's just for today."
I gave her a soft, understanding look. "It's normal to be scared of being alone. No one wants to be left behind. But you're strong. I can tell you're a fighter, not someone who breaks easily."
Mina shifted her black hair softly, looking down. "Thank you… for listening, Jerry. It makes me happy that you make sure I'm not left out. And I trust you'll help Kaito and Aiko too."
I smiled at her. "I will. I promise. I'll help them too. And Mina… don't worry about being alone. Me, Terron, Ryo, Aiko, Nana, Haru, and Tomo—we've got your back. I might be an asshole, but I fit… like a stupid puzzle piece."
She playfully scolded me, "Don't you dare say anything bad about yourself, Jerry."
I felt a strange warmth in my chest but nodded, walking off to find Haru.
"Hey, man, what's up?" I asked.
Haru fiddled nervously with a keyboard toy. "I… need to study. I need to make sure my family is okay."
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's not healthy. I know you care, but enjoy your time with everyone else. Who knows when we might all be separated again?"
Haru's eyes softened slightly. "Unlikely chance… maybe 0.5%. But… I'm scared of being hated. Jerry… do you hate me for what you said when we first met?"
I sighed. "Why would I hate you for something small? That'd be stupid. And I'm glad you're my translator. If it weren't for you, I'd be failing math even worse. But because of you keeping everyone grounded… look at them now. Terron, Aiko, Ryo, Mina, Kaito, Nana, Tomo… all best friends."
Haru narrowed his eyes, a small smile forming. "Don't exclude yourself from the group again. You're a nerd with us—like it or not."
I chuckled. "Yeah… I am. Now we're all nerds together."
We all split into our gaming groups: Haru and Aiko racing, Terron, Ryo, Nana, and Tomo shooting, and Mina and I talking quietly.
Hours later, the arcade lights faded behind us as we all returned home. Terron and I brushed our teeth and collapsed on our futons.
Jerry's POV
Today was… full of events. Mina opened up, Kaito's issues are still looming, Aiko is slowly gaining courage. I'll help everyone… eventually.
But the mirror again. Blood, three bullet wounds… am I losing it? Maybe.
I have one last task before sleep: deep-clean Terron's hair. Nits don't sleep. One night, one mission.
Goodnight.
End of Chapter – Arc 0: Homesick Arc