The sun drooped low, casting a sleepy glow over the staffroom where Futaro and Itsuki lingered at their desks, surrounded by the day's debris of papers and textbooks. The air was heavy with the scent of dry-erase markers and lingering buzz from classes long dismissed. At the forefront of the disarray lay two copies of "The Dancing Girl" by Mori Ougai, their pages ruffled and marked with sticky notes.
"Look, Uesugi-Sensei," Itsuki pushed up her glasses and rubbed her eyes. Her voice echoed slightly across the empty staff room. She tapped on her copy of the text with a slender finger adorned with a simple band. "This book isn't just about the words on the page. It's about the culture, the emotions, the era. My approach could really help the students connect with the material."
"We've been through this already-I understand your enthusiasm, Nakano-sensei, but this won't work. You need a lecture plan. We shouldn't underestimate the value of a well-prepared lecture," Futaro exhaled loudly as if to drive the point home.
"No no, you don't get it," Itsuki implored, gesturing with open hands as if she were trying to shape her ideas into something visible. "An interactive lesson could spark something in them! A traditional lecture might just go in one ear and out the other- don't you remember being bored out of your mind in class when you were a student?"
Futaro raised an eyebrow at her.
"Okay, bad example," Itsuki pursed her lips. "What I'm trying to say is that things have changed! It's not just about teaching them, it's also about inspiring them."
Futaro leaned back, the plastic chair emitted an awful creak under his weight. They promised to replace our chairs last year, Futaro's mind wandered. It was clear the malaise and exhaustion of the day was getting to him. He watched Itsuki's animated face, her reddish-brown hair cascading over her shoulders like an autumnal waterfall. He sympathized with her. First-year teachers are all the same-even he was the same. Doe-eyed, ambitious, out to change the world and spearhead a new generation of scholars, professionals, and leaders. Kaisei didn't do much to help things either. It was praised as one of the top-performing schools in the nation. Students who came here were legacies. They came from prestige or otherwise highly educated families. Behind closed doors, there was always an unspoken rule that the staff shouldn't try to step out of the mold too much. In some ways, it was actively discouraged.
"We're trying to teach them," Futaro stressed, his voice laced with a tint of condescension. "We risk losing control of the class if we just play games all period long. They need structure, especially since we're still establishing our authority."
"Authority?" Itsuki countered, "We're not running a prison camp here!"
Futaro grunted and set his head down on the desk. Futaro closed his eyes for a moment, envisioning the chaos of a classroom untethered by his meticulous planning.
"Alright," Futaro said, his voice muffled by the desk and his arms. "We'll try it your way. But," he added quickly raising his head to meet her eyes, "if it starts to fall apart, we revert to lecture. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" Itsuki exclaimed, her voice ringing with triumph. "Thank you, Uesugi-kun. You won't regret this."
"Uesugi-sensei," Futaro corrected.
"Right, sorry," Itsuki shrunk back.
His though his mind was far from settled they quickly packed up their materials, itching to leave for the day. Their silence hung between them-a fragile truce. "Let's call it a day-see you tomorrow," he said quickly, already heading towards the door of the staff room. Before leaving, Itsuki spoke up with a polite bow. "Thank you for your hard work today, Uesugi-sensei," Itsuki said, to which Futaro responded with a callous 'hmph'
The next morning the school bell's shrill ring reverberated through the halls, signaling the start of another day. Futaro rushed across the hallway, his arms filled with textbooks and lecture notes. He rushed through the crowded corridors, narrowly avoiding a collision with a group of excitable first-year girls who giggled at his flustered state. Futaro entered the staffroom and bowed deeply to no one in particular. "Good morning, sorry I'm late," he muttered. However just as he was about to move out of the way a large mass bumped into Futaro back forcing him to stumble forward awkwardly. He turned around was was surprised to be faced with a towering bag of volleyballs larger and taller than he was.
"What the-"
"Good morning Uesugi-sensei!" said a muffled voice from the other side of the mass of gym equipment.
"I-Takana-sensei!? Is that you?!" Futaro asked in bewilderment.
"Yes, I'm just finishing up morning practice with the boys-sorry could you please move out of the way?"
Futaro let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. "I swear, every morning must you insist on bringing your entire circus act?" But Haruki didn't seem to hear him. He continued until he had arrived at his desk, setting the seemingly heavy bag down by his desk.
"Yeah sorry everyone. Don't mind my big bag of balls," he said with a broad grin, patting the large sack affectionately. Some of the staff gave him a mixed response of amusement and disapproval, but Haruki simply shrugged. "Sorry, coaching teenage boys," he explained. Futaro watched from the corner of his eye Itsuki failed to stifle a laugh. For some reason, this made him even more irritable.
"Tanaka-sensei," Rika cleared her throat. "It's your turn to do the morning announcements. You may begin at any time," she markedly forced her words as if to make it clear that she was not amused.
"Ah, yes. Right away, Sato-sensei," Haruki bowed and immediately began to recite the staff announcements from a sheet on his desk. Futaro took advantage of the distraction to quietly make his way to his desk, trying not to draw attention to himself.
Itsuki leaned forward "Good morning Uesug-" He made a shushing gesture towards Itsuki as she tried to greet him. Itsuki giggled and leaned back in her chair as Futaro sat down.
Haruki cleared his throat and straightened his tie before addressing the group. "Right, so that's the end of the important announcements. Now I have some important club announcements to share," he began, his voice formal and not at all like his usual manner of speaking. "First of all, I've been informed that starting today, the Science, Debate, and Mathletes club will be meeting on the second-floor classrooms at 3:15 pm every Wednesday for the rest of the trimester." He scanned the room, making eye contact with each member before continuing. "We've also been informed by this year's student council that they will be re-requisitioning the conference hall on the third floor to have their meetings every Friday after school. Lastly, the boys and girls volleyball teams will alternate morning practices starting next week, and Girls' practice will start this afternoon." Haruki turned to Futaro and Itsuki and gave them a thumbs-up. "Please finalize your team starters by the end of next week. And as always, thank you for your dedication and hard work," he concluded with a polite bow. Futaro felt his stomach knotting at the mention of the volleyball practice. He had stayed up late the previous evening in front of his laptop, typing into Google: 'How to coach volleyball'. He spent hours poring over guides and tutorials, jotting down notes on strategies and player positions. He felt like he was just as lost as the night before.
Futaro's mind snapped back into focus, and he grabbed his lesson plans and materials from his desk. He turned to Itsuki who seemed to be reviewing her lesson plans which she had detailed meticulously with ample notes all over her journal. "Are you ready, Nakano-sensei?" asked. She yelped slightly and blinked rapidly as if she was unsure where she was. "We teach first period," he urged, pointing towards the staff schedule. Itsuki quickly gathered her things and joined Futaro at the door. They ascended the stairs to the third floor. Futaro noticed Itsuki clutch at her chest. Maybe I should say something, Futaro wondered. But what would he say? Good luck? That sounded stupid even in his thoughts.
"It'll be great. first years are easy," Futaro offered. He looked forward to teaching the younger students, finding them more open-minded and eager to learn compared to the jaded high school seniors he usually taught. But Itsuki seemed to have already moved forward, having already composed herself for their first lesson.
"Good morning everyone!" Itsuki said cheerfully as they entered the classroom. Futaro almost recoiled at how loud and cheerful she seemed which was at odds with the nervous woman who had ascended the stairs with him. One of their students must have already told others that Itsuki and Futaro were coming because when they entered the classroom, the students had already taken their seats and arranged themselves in their correct places.
"I'll take up a spot at the back. You go ahead and start your lesson," he said to Itsuki. She stood at the front, her eyes bright behind the lenses of her glasses, clutching a copy of "The Dancing Girl" against her chest like a shield.
"Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice an octave higher than usual. "I, yeah. I'm Itsuki Nakano-sensei... and Uesugi-sensei and I are going to be the new English teachers for you first years-ah, but you all already knew that," Itsuki chuckled awkwardly. "T-today, we're going to explore a classic-' The Dancing Girl' by Mori Ougai." She flashed a hopeful smile, but it faltered under the collective weight of thirty stares.
"Before we begin, have any of you ever felt torn between two worlds?" Itsuki asked. Murmurs rippled through the class, but no hands rose. Her smile wavered, but she pressed on, undeterred. "Perhaps, you've been in a situation where you've had to choose what's right for you, even if it meant disappointing others?"
This time, a few nods bobbed in the classroom, a glimmer of connection flickering to life. Itsuki seized on it, her voice strengthening. "That's exactly what our protagonist..." But her words were drowned out by the sudden clamor at the door as a latecomer burst into the room, apologizing profusely. The fragile thread of engagement snapped, and Itsuki's shoulders slumped ever so slightly. "Let's start with a fun fact about the author," Itsuki pressed on, trying to inject life into her words. She scribbled 'Mori Ougai - Army Surgeon' on the blackboard, the chalk screeched in protest. A few students flinched, but none seemed roused by the historical tidbit. "Interesting, isn't it?" Itsuki prodded, clasping her hands together. Silence answered her, punctuated by a muffled yawn from the back row.
Futaro watched from his quiet corner, feeling a twinge of something he couldn't quite name. Was it pity? Or perhaps empathy? He knew all too well the sting of a lesson gone awry, the throbbing silence when students remained disengaged. Yet, frustration gnawed at him too. He had seen this coming. If she'd listened to him, this wouldn't have happened! Futaro's heart clenched. It wasn't supposed to be like this-He wanted Itsuki to learn something from this experience, but this was painful even to him. We all go through this, Futaro told himself. It's better that she get's it out of the way now.
"...Ougai was also a prolific translator," Itsuki continued. "He helped introduce Western literature to Japan." She paused, seeking affirmation, but found only blank expressions staring back. "Uesugi-Sensei, perhaps you'd like to add something?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation as she looked towards him.
Futaro straightened, caught off-guard by the sudden shift in attention. He pushed away from the wall, stepping into the sea of desks, eyes locked with hers. "May I, Nakano-sensei?" he said, his tone a careful blend of support and authority. Itsuki nodded desperately. Futaro took command at once. "Class, the point that Nakano-sensei is arriving at is that understanding the context in which a work was written is crucial. It allows us to appreciate the nuances within." A few heads nodded, and there was a soft shuffle of papers as some students began taking notes. He glanced over to Itsuki who offered him a small, grateful smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Futaro approached the front of the room to join Itsuki. "Let's consider Ougai's historical context," he suggested, tapping into the facts and analysis that were his wheelhouse. "Imagine yourselves at the turn of the century in Japan..."
As he spoke, he moved deliberately around the room, making eye contact, engaging the students with questions that challenged them without intimidating them. He wove the narrative of The Dancing Girl with relevant themes, bridging the gaps that had caused Itsuki's attempts to falter.
"However, let's not forget that the heart of this story lies in its exploration of love, sacrifice, and the cultural disparities of the time," Futaro continued, feeling the slight ease in the room. "Nakano-sensei, do you have something you'd like to ask the students to consider as they begin the novel?" He said trying to offer Itsuki something which she could contribute.
Itsuki seemed surprised to have been included, but her voice quickly steadied. "Yes, that's right. As you read the first two chapters, we want you to think about the main characters and how they navigate their lives. Any thoughts on the symbolism within the narrative?" Her voice was now barely above a whisper. "We must consider when 'The Dancing Girl' was written," Itsuki cleared her throat. "Understanding the Meiji era's influence on Ougai's work is crucial."
"Exactly Nakano-sensei," Futaro nodded. "the protagonist's internal conflict is not just about love-it's also about his identity within a rapidly westernizing Japan," Futaro explained, the students nodding along.
Futaro looked at the clock; there were only a few minutes left in class. "So," Futaro continued. "With all this in mind as you begin reading your novel tonight, make sure to keep in mind that as much as this is a story of love and frustration, it is also a story of transition and growth. Now consider that you're reading this novel in English, instead of its original language-Japanese. Think about how that affects the experience, the word choice, and the tone of the novel."
The room fell silent as the students absorbed Futaro's words. Some scribbled notes; others stared blankly, processing. The sunlight streaming in through the classroom window caught the dust particles lazily drifting in the air. Suddenly, the bell rang out again, this time signaling the end of class. Startled, a few students dropped their pens and jolted up, hastily gathering their belongings.
"Thank you, Uesugi-sensei," one student called out as the bell rang, breaking the spell of the lecture.
"Of course," Futaro replied, a hint of a smile touching the corner of his mouth. "Remember to read the next two chapters for Friday."
As the students filed out, and gathered their belongings to go to P.E., Itsuki gathered her notes, her pride clearly wounded yet still intact. She avoided meeting Futaro's gaze, not wanting him to see the deflation he had inadvertently caused.
"Good job today, Nakano-sensei," Futaro said quietly, attempting to offer solace despite the awkwardness between them.
"Thanks," she murmured, seemingly uninterested as she reviewed her notes in her journal. As he began for the door, he couldn't shake the feeling that despite his intentions, he had widened the gap further. He felt the sudden urge to console her. "If I can offer some advice, Nakano-sensei," Futaro started. "Consider that these students are not children. They're budding adults and they're often heirs to corporations and trust funds and some even enjoy the status of celebrity. These students will always put on airs. And so the teachers must do so as well. They don't respond well to silly games."
Itsuki scoffed. "'Put on airs,' huh? I disagree. They are children. And they should have the opportunity to act as such. Is that why you have such a long stick up your ass?"
Futaro paused mid-motion, the unexpected retort leaving him momentarily speechless. Itsuki watched him from the corner of her eye, a faint blush tinting her cheeks at her own audacity.
"...Let's just try and get along for the next while," Futaro gathered the rest of his things and left Itsuki behind in the student's classroom.
Walking down the hallway, Futaro mulled over Itsuki's words. Was she right? Was he too rigid? No. They're here to learn. All the other stuff is just a distraction from the goal. She was wrong. Her lesson plan sucked and that's that. She has no idea who her audience is, and she has no idea who these kids are. Futaro was beginning to feel a slight tinge of regret. As he rounded the corner he felt someone tap his shoulder. He stopped abruptly and turned to see Itsuki walking closely behind.
"Don't get the wrong idea," she said, not meeting his eyes. "It'll just look weird if we don't return together. This is for your benefit," Itsuki said, gently pushing his back and forcing him to walk alongside her.
"I don't need you to do me any favors," Futaro said through gritted teeth.
"You're right, You don't. I'm sure you don't need anyone, right?" Itsuki snapped back with a sharp venom. It had become clear to Futaro that inside of her poised and calm demeanor was the same irritating person he'd always known. They hadn't seen each other eye to eye nearly seven years ago, and now they certainly didn't seem to be under any pretense that they'd understand each other now. Perhaps this was the better outcome. Futaro didn't have to pretend to be nice or be courteous if there was no one else around. It's good that we've reached this understanding.
When they returned to the staffroom the awkwardness felt palpable. He felt that Itsuki probably regretted exchanging seats with Tanaka-sensei. Throughout the rest of their classes, Itsuki remained distant, only speaking to Futaro when necessary for teaching. She let him take charge as lead teacher, while she simply observed and handed out paperwork when needed. Fortunately, there was no homeroom class that day, so they were able to avoid any unnecessary conversations. As the school day came to a close, Futaro gathered his notes about volleyball. He'd drawn diagrams and jotted down essential rules, trying to get as familiar with them as he could. It felt like he was studying for exams all over again, only this time instead of trying to get top marks, he was hoping to not make a fool out of himself in front of a bunch of high schoolers. Futaro glanced at Itsuki who'd taken to resting her head on the desk. It wasn't uncommon for teachers to try and rest their eyes in between classes, so he decided to leave her be. As the school bell rang for the final time that day, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the staffroom. It seemed to have been a busy day for everyone. Even Tanaka-sensei had been too occupied with his class to stop by and have a chat with him. That's when Futaro realized that Haruki's absence had thrown off his day quite a bit. He used to talk so much to me when we sat next to each other, Futaro remembered.
"Shall we head to the gymnasium?" Itsuki asked as she cleared her throat. Itsuki had pulled her hair into a bun and had put on a dry-fit long sleeve and track pants. "Maybe you should change too."
Futaro glanced down at his usual teaching attire: a simple dress shirt and slacks. A little formal for a volleyball match, he supposed. "Good idea," he replied, reaching for the gym bag he'd brought with him, filled with a change of clothing and the new sneakers he'd bought specifically for this occasion.
In the changing room, Futaro felt like a student again, pulled back in time by the familiar scent of polished hardwood and crisp, clean lockers. He changed quickly and quietly, nervous energy bubbling in his gut. When he emerged, Itsuki was waiting for him.
"Were you waiting for me?" Futaro asked curtly. "You didn't have to do that."
Itsuki straightened up, maintaining her calm and professional demeanor. "No, but I noticed we didn't discuss a coaching plan for today. So I wanted to let you know that I'll be following your lead-again," she explained. "Wanna go?"
Futaro nodded and forced his way past Itsuki."Yup, let's."
Upon entering the gym, a cacophony of squeaking sneakers and volleyballs thumping against the polished floor greeted them. The first-year girls' volleyball team were already warming up, their energy infectious despite the day winding down.
"Alright, let's gather around!" Futaro projected his voice across the gym, summoning the students to attention. The students shuffled into a semicircle around him, their expressions ranging from amused to puzzled. Itsuki stood off to the side, watching Futaro with an unreadable expression. "Before we start practice, I want to go over a few basic rules of the game," Futaro stood in front of the team, struggling to project his voice over the loud chatter. He fiddled with his clipboard and cleared his throat before trying to regain control. "So, uhh, let's first, let's discuss serving..." Futaro began, only to be interrupted by a hand shooting up in the crowd.
"Uesugi-sensei, we've been playing since junior high," a girl with a ponytail interjected. "We know how to serve." A murmur of agreement rippled through the group, and Futaro felt his cheeks warm slightly. It hadn't occurred to him that these students might already know how to play.
"Ah, of course," he recovered, trying to mask his embarrassment with a chuckle. "My mistake. Let's proceed with some drills then..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at the clipboard in his hand, stalling for time. What were those drills called again? The question hung in the air like a bad smell. The girls watched him; some with amusement twinkling in their eyes, others with a hint of pity. He could hear the faint whispers and stifled laughter around him. Futaro glanced at Itsuki who was standing to the side watching the entire exchange. He almost saw a faint smile touching her lips.
"Maybe, something... for defense?" Futaro frowned, somewhat irritated at Itsuki just for simply being there to witness this dumpster fire of a practice. She looked back, eyebrows raised. Was she expecting him to say something? He cleared his throat. "Umm, Nakano-sensei would you mind guiding the girls through today's drills?" he asked with a tone that failed to even convince himself. Itsuki nodded with a smile.
"Okay, everyone!" Itsuki Nakano called out, her voice echoing across the gym. It instantly pulled everyone's attention. "Why don't we try something a little different today for our first session? Coach Uesugi and I want you all to pick your favorite position-wherever you feel you shine the most-and we'll do a round with everyone in their top spot!"
The sudden instructions seemed to have electrified the girls. They buzzed with excitement at the possibility of having an easy day for their first practice session. It was a collective energy that seemed to sidestep Futaro entirely. He watched as the girls shuffled themselves naturally into four teams of six. Soon after volleyballs began to soar as the girls quickly got in some practice shots against the wall before starting their matchups. The gymnasium's ambient sounds faded into a rhythmic pulse as Futaro Uesugi stood at the sidelines, feeling like an intruder in a world where his rulebook no longer applied.
"Coach Uesugi," Itsuki called out to him. "We should take notes on their performance. It will help us understand where each girl is best at and how we can utilize their strengths."
"Right," Futaro replied, his voice betraying a hint of reluctance. The clipboard in his hand felt like a shield, something to hide behind as he scribbled observations he wasn't sure held any weight.
As the practice continued, Itsuki's enthusiasm never waned; she cheered every well-placed spike, offered gentle corrections for a mistimed block, and made every player feel seen. Futaro's notations became less about performance and more about the light in their eyes when they talked strategy, the way their faces lit up after a successful play.
"Great job, Aya-chan! That serve was ace," Itsuki praised, clapping her hands as the student beamed.
"Who even says 'ace' anymore," Futaro muttered, the words slipping out almost begrudgingly. He added a star next to Aya's name on the clipboard. He thought he had glimpsed Itsuki stick out her tongue at him, but he wasn't quite sure if he had just imagined it. As the practice wound down and the girls began to gather their belongings, chattering excitedly about the day's session, Futaro felt a distance between him and the world he was supposed to be part of. Itsuki, meanwhile, seemed to be at the very heart of it.
"Thank you for today, Coach Nakano," one of the girls called out as they exited the gym, their voices echoing back to them.
"Anytime! You all were wonderful," Itsuki responded, her genuine affection for the students evident. "See you tomorrow!"As the last student trickled out of the gym, Itsuki turned to Futaro, wiping sweat from her brow. "Great job today... are you heading home?"
Futaro shook his head. "No, I have more grading to do."
Itsuki nodded sympathetically. "Same here. Let's head to the staff room then," she suggested as she collected her bag and water bottle.
Futaro nodded in agreement, his mind already occupied by the stack of papers awaiting them. The sky had turned a deep shade of navy, the sun completely swallowed by the horizon. The soft glow of moonlight seeped through the windows, casting shadows on the quiet halls of the school. Their footsteps echoed off the walls, creating an almost eerie atmosphere in the usually bustling building. The air felt still and tense.
Upon entering the staff room, they found piles of ungraded essays occupying their desks, silently taunting them. Futaro sighed, knowing that their day was far from over. Itsuki, on the other hand, appeared unfazed, and dived right to work, not bothering to even change out of her gym clothes. Futaro decided he wouldn't change either.
As the silence settled in, she shifted awkwardly in her chair and reached for the coaching tips manual sitting on the edge of her desk. "Would you like to borrow this?" she asked, hoping to break the tension. Futaro glanced at her from behind his stack of papers, his eyebrows furrowed as he considered her question. Finally, he set down his pen and locked eyes with her. "Is that Takana-sensei's? I think I remember seeing it before." Itsuki shrugged nonchalantly. "He left it behind, forgot to take it with him. Same difference, right?" With a twinkle in her eye, she flashed a mischievous grin that caused Futaro to chuckle. Both of them laughed awkwardly, their smiles breaking the tension that hung thick in the air.
"Thank you, Nakano-sensei," Futaro said, choosing his words carefully. "Despite our disagreements earlier, I have to admit... your methods during practice proved effective."
"I appreciate that, Uesugi-sensei," Her eyes were tired and slightly red from strain. It fascinated Futaro how so late in the day she could still look so... Beautiful?
"Really, though," Futaro continued, "I'm grateful for your help today. You did a great job."
Itsuki's smile faltered, and she looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the edge of a paper. "Uesugi-sensei, when you co-taught in your first year. Where did your senpai stand?"
Futaro frowned. "I don't remember," he strained his memory. "My senpai was Sato-sensei. I guess she always stood beside me while we lectured."
"I see," Itsuki frowned. There was a hint of sadness in her voice that Futaro couldn't help but notice. "Tomorrow I'll do a more traditional lecture for English-not entirely, I still want to play an easy game or something-but for the most part it'll be your template from today."
Futaro nodded. "Yeah, that's for the best-"
"But next time I want you by my side, Uesugi-san," Itsuki interrupted. Her eyes demanded attention and her expression left no room for protest.
Futaro considered her for a moment. He considered many things. He wanted to correct her again, but the point already felt moot. He wanted to apologize because he realized that leaving her up at the front of the class alone wasn't the correct thing to do as her mentor. Futaro opened his mouth but nothing came out. Finally, he willed his mouth to move. "I can do that... Nakano...san."
Seemingly satisfied, Itsuki turned her attention back to her stack of papers and continued to write without another word. The room fell silent once more as the two teachers returned to their grading duties. Futaro found himself stealing occasional glances at Itsuki, studying her profile. He thought back to the days when they were younger. It felt like another lifetime ago. The barriers they had both constructed felt like insurmountable obstacles now, and he was unsure of how to navigate this complicated relationship with his childhood friend turned coworker. Why am I even minding her so much? Futaro silently chided himself. Futaro's thoughts continued to churn. He knew that if he wanted truly mend things, he would have to confront a lot of uncomfortable truths about himself. But now's not the time for that.
For now, at the very least they were able to tolerate working next to each other. And for now, that'll have to be enough.
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A/N Hi everyone! Thank you for joining me in chapter two of Lesson Five! So much of this chapter had to be trimmed down for brevity, but Im overall, quite happy with the result. It's a little strange writing "normal novel-length chapters" since I'm so used to the long narratives of a Marching Forward Chapter. But strangely, I find these a lot easier to edit. (fewer words lol duh)
Announcements: Some HUUUGE life things have happened since we last met, and the reality is, I'm unsure how consistent my upload schedule will be for both Lesson Five and Marching Forward. I'll be as consistent as possible, but if I'm late by a few days. please understand. I'll be updating Marching Forward within the next ten days or so, so please look forward to that. Last I will be finishing both my projects this year, so I mean to get to work! hahaha!
Thank yous: Thank you to Meckee, Yamakiri, Gazara12, TheMist33, Fuck Names,WinterfalllStarQ, and Ubberr for your reviews and thoughts! This experience writing is so much more richer for having you be a part of it! Thank you! and Happy New Year!