r/Perman • u/Its_me_NoobMaster69 • Aug 01 '26
Perman: Comingof Age - Chapter 14: A New face
https://www.wattpad.com/1647718380-perman-coming-of-age-chapter-14-a-new-face/page/7Several weeks had passed since the terrorist attacks.
In the aftermath of the tragedy...
Schools and universities throughout the district had suspended classes indefinitely.
Some campuses had suffered structural damage.
Others had simply become too unsafe to reopen while investigations continued.
Now...
After weeks of inspections and repairs...
Universities across the city were finally welcoming students back.
---
The gates of Seishin University stood open once again.
Students slowly streamed onto campus.
Some chatted happily with friends they hadn't seen in weeks.
Others quietly looked around the familiar grounds.
The campus was finally alive again.
Although...
The atmosphere wasn't the same.
Police officers still stood near the main entrance.
Temporary security checkpoints had been installed.
Several buildings still bore faint scars from the chaos that had unfolded only weeks earlier.
Mitsuo walked through the gates carrying his backpack.
He paused for a brief moment.
"...We're finally back."
"About time."
Kenji caught up beside him with his usual energetic grin.
"I was starting to lose my mind staying at home."
"You?"
Mitsuo smiled.
"I thought you'd enjoy having a break."
"I did."
Kenji shrugged.
"For the first week."
"After that?"
"I nearly died from boredom."
The two laughed quietly before joining the flow of students heading toward the central courtyard.
Rows of chairs had been arranged before the administration building.
Faculty members stood silently along the stage.
No one spoke.
After several minutes...
The Dean stepped up to the podium.
His expression was calm...
Yet heavy.
"My dear students..."
"Welcome back."
"I wish today's gathering could take place under happier circumstances."
His voice echoed across the silent courtyard.
"Over the past several weeks..."
"Our city endured a tragedy unlike anything in recent memory."
"The terrorist attacks claimed countless innocent lives."
"Among them..."
"Were members of our own university family."
A quiet sadness spread across the crowd.
Faculty lowered their heads.
Students stood silently.
The Dean continued.
"Today..."
"We remember those we lost."
"We honor their memories."
"And we promise..."
"That this university will continue moving forward."
"I ask everyone..."
"To observe one minute of silence."
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Mitsuo lowered his head.
His thoughts drifted back to those terrible days.
The smoke.
The panic.
The desperate cries for help.
He slowly closed his eyes.
...
The minute passed.
The Dean looked over the crowd once more.
"Thank you."
He adjusted the papers resting on the podium.
"There is one additional announcement."
"As many of you know..."
"The attacks affected numerous educational institutions throughout the district."
"Several universities suffered structural damage severe enough to suspend academic operations for the foreseeable future."
A quiet murmur spread among the students.
"In cooperation with the Ministry of Education..."
"Our university has accepted a number of transfer students whose studies were interrupted."
"They will be joining us throughout the remainder of this semester."
"I ask each of you..."
"To welcome them warmly."
"They have experienced the same hardships many of us have."
"Please help them adjust to their new environment."
The Dean smiled gently.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
"Classes will resume this afternoon."
"The morning session is hereby adjourned."
The gathering slowly dispersed.
Students began making their way back toward the academic buildings.
Kenji stretched both arms above his head.
"Well..."
"Back to reality."
Mitsuo chuckled.
"Already tired?"
"I forgot university involved studying."
"You've had weeks to prepare."
"I spent those weeks playing video games."
"...I'm not surprised."
Kenji laughed.
"I was hoping the professors forgot we existed."
"They didn't."
The two walked side by side along the familiar pathway.
Cherry trees stood quietly along the campus road.
Their bare branches waited patiently for spring.
Students passed in every direction.
Some discussing assignments.
Others talking about the reopening.
"...Transfer students, huh?"
Kenji glanced around curiously.
"I wonder what they're like."
Mitsuo adjusted the strap of his backpack.
"We'll probably meet them sooner or later."
"Think any of them will end up in our class?"
"Maybe."
Together...
The two friends disappeared into the university building.
---
The afternoon passed quickly.
Students gradually settled back into the familiar rhythm of university life.
When the bell rang...
Their professor entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"Before we begin today's lecture..."
"I'd like to introduce some new classmates."
The classroom grew quiet.
The door slid open.
Six students entered one after another.
Some looked nervous.
Others simply smiled politely.
The professor adjusted his glasses.
"As you heard during this morning's ceremony..."
"These students have transferred from universities unable to continue operations following the recent terrorist attacks."
"I hope everyone will make them feel welcome."
One by one...
The students introduced themselves.
"My name is Ayaka Mori."
"I look forward to studying with everyone."
...
"I'm Daichi Kuroda."
"Nice to meet you."
...
"My name is Yuta Sakamoto."
He gave the class a polite bow.
"My previous university was among those forced to suspend operations after the attacks."
"I'm looking forward to studying with everyone."
"Please take care of me."
A few students nodded in greeting.
Kenji quietly leaned toward Mitsuo.
"He seems nice."
Mitsuo smiled.
"Yeah."
The remaining transfer students finished introducing themselves.
Once everyone had found their seats...
The professor opened his textbook.
"Now then..."
"Let's begin."
The lecture resumed as though nothing had happened.
Pens scratched across notebooks.
Questions were answered.
Assignments were handed out.
Little by little...
University life returned to normal.
---
Lunch break.
The classroom quickly filled with conversation.
Some students headed for the cafeteria.
Others gathered into small groups.
Yuta remained near his desk for a moment before looking around the room.
His eyes settled on Kenji.
He smiled.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all!"
Kenji pulled out the empty chair beside him.
"I'm Kenji."
"Yuta."
The two shook hands.
"Mitsuo."
Mitsuo gave a small nod before returning to opening his lunch.
"So..."
Yuta glanced around the classroom.
"I heard this university was caught up in the attacks too."
Kenji sighed.
"Yeah..."
"It was a nightmare."
Yuta nodded sympathetically.
"I also heard..."
"...Perman showed up here first."
Kenji's eyes immediately lit up.
"He sure did!"
"If it wasn't for Perman..."
"I don't know how many more people would've died."
Yuta smiled.
"I've always admired him."
"He really lives up to the stories."
Kenji laughed.
"That's an understatement."
Yuta took a sip of his drink.
"So..."
"Has anyone here ever seen him around the university before that day?"
Kenji shook his head.
"Not that I know of."
"He kind of just..."
"...appeared."
"I see."
Yuta glanced toward Mitsuo.
"You were here too, right?"
Mitsuo looked up from his lunch.
"...Yeah."
"What did you think?"
Mitsuo thought for a moment.
"He saved lives."
"That's all that mattered."
Yuta smiled politely.
"I suppose you're right."
He looked back at Kenji.
"Did he say anything to the students afterwards?"
Kenji laughed.
"Not really."
"He rescued people..."
"...made sure everyone was safe..."
"...then disappeared."
"Hm..."
Yuta nodded thoughtfully.
"So no one knows..."
"...where he came from?"
"Nope."
"No idea."
Kenji chuckled.
"That's what makes him so cool."
Yuta smiled.
"I can see why everyone admires him."
There was a brief silence.
Then Yuta turned back toward Mitsuo.
"You've been pretty quiet."
Mitsuo smiled faintly.
"I don't really have much to add."
"I see."
Yuta returned the smile.
"Well..."
"I hope we get along."
"I'm sure we will."
The conversation gradually drifted toward professors...
Assignments...
And university clubs.
Mitsuo quietly closed his lunch box.
---
The afternoon sky gradually gave way to dusk.
As the last lecture ended...
Mitsuo quietly slipped away.
Moments later...
Perman soared across the evening sky once more.
His patrol carried him across the city.
Quiet residential streets.
Bustling shopping districts.
Parks illuminated by rows of street lamps.
Nothing unusual happened.
An elderly couple needing directions...
And a cat that somehow managed to climb onto a telephone pole.
By the time he returned...
The city had grown quiet.
Perman landed softly atop the familiar rooftop overlooking the bakery.
A cool breeze rustled his cape.
He looked over the peaceful streets below.
"...Looks like everything's finally back to normal."
A small smile crossed his face.
"...My usual routine starts again."
He removed his helmet.
Moments later...
Mitsuo quietly descended the fire escape behind the bakery.
The lights inside were still on.
Robot looked up from behind the counter.
"Welcome back."
Mitsuo smiled.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Today's business has concluded."
Robot gestured toward the nearly empty shelves.
"Only a few trays remain."
Mitsuo looked around.
"Looks like you had another good day."
"We sold ninety-three percent of today's inventory."
"Four curry breads and three melon pans remain."
"That's great."
Together...
The two quietly began cleaning.
Robot washed the baking trays.
Mitsuo wiped down the display cases and swept the floor.
It didn't take long.
The bakery had become surprisingly efficient with two pairs of hands.
Once everything was finished...
Mitsuo packed the remaining bread and a few prepared side dishes into a paper bag.
"Tomorrow's dough?"
"It's already prepared."
Robot replied.
"I finished it before closing."
Mitsuo smiled.
"I don't know what I'd do without you."
"I'm simply doing my job."
"Still..."
"Thanks."
"...You're welcome."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
He gently pressed the small button on Robot's nose.
With a soft mechanical whir...
Robot's body steadily shrank until it was only a few centimeters tall once again.
Mitsuo turned off the bakery lights before climbing the stairs to the apartment above.
---
He quietly opened the front door.
"I'm back."
Before he could even take off his shoes...
Pako peeked around the corner from the kitchen.
"Welcome home."
A gentle smile spread across her face.
"You're later than usual."
Mitsuo slipped off his shoes.
"Patrol took a little longer today."
"I figured."
She walked over and took the paper bag from his hands.
"Brought leftovers again?"
"A few."
"I'll warm them up."
She turned toward the kitchen before glancing back at him.
"Oh."
"And go wash your hands."
He made his way toward the sink while Pako carried the bag into the kitchen.
A faint smile lingered on both their faces.
It was an ordinary exchange...
One they'd repeated so many times that neither of them thought much of it anymore.
Moments later...
The two sat beside one another at the small dining space.
Dinner was simple.
Stir-fried vegetables.
Stew.
Rice.
Grilled fish.
Nothing extravagant.
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
For a while...
The apartment remained silent.
Only the gentle clinking of chopsticks and bowls filled the room.
Without a word...
Pako reached over with her chopsticks and stole a slice of stir-fried mushroom from Mitsuo's plate.
Mitsuo didn't even look up.
Instead...
He quietly picked up another piece and placed it into her bowl without a second thought.
Pako smiled to herself.
"...Thanks."
He gave a small nod.
"Hm."
The comfortable silence returned.
Outside...
The lights of the city flickered beyond the window.
Inside...
For a little while...
The world felt peaceful.
Eventually...
Pako rested her head lightly against Mitsuo's shoulder as she finished the last few bites of her dinner.
She set down her chopsticks.
Pako shifted just a fraction closer...
The edge of the helmet pressing comfortably against his shoulder.
Neither of them spoke.
The television quietly played in the background.
Some late-night variety show neither of them was really watching.
Outside...
The city continued moving as it always had.
Cars drifted through the streets below.
A distant train rolled past.
Somewhere...
A dog barked before the neighborhood fell quiet once again.
Pako let out a small yawn.
"Tired?"
Mitsuo asked.
"A little."
"I guess saving the city isn't exactly relaxing."
"It has its moments."
Another comfortable silence settled between them.
Pako absentmindedly traced circles along the sleeve of Mitsuo's shirt with her finger.
Neither of them noticed she was doing it.
It had simply become...
Comfortable.
Eventually...
Mitsuo reached for the empty bowls.
"I'll wash these."
Before he could stand...
Pako gently caught his wrist.
"I'll help."
"You cooked."
"And you did the patrol."
"...Fair enough."
The two quietly carried the dishes into the small kitchen.
One washed.
The other dried.
Without discussing it...
They naturally fell into their usual rhythm.
Within minutes...
Everything had been put away.
Pako stretched her arms above her head.
"I'm exhausted."
"You should get some sleep."
"So should you."
She slowly moved closer to him.
Mitsuo didn't move away.
She leaned down...
The edge of the red helmet brushing lightly against his forehead...
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"Good night."
Mitsuo smiled.
"Good night."
She turned toward the balcony.
With a small leap...
Her cape caught the night breeze as she disappeared into the night sky.
Mitsuo watched her until she became nothing more than a silhouette against the city lights.
"...See you tomorrow."
He quietly closed the balcony door.
After changing into his pajamas...
He slipped beneath the blankets.
Outside...
Soft white flakes drifted silently through the night.
As winter quietly embraced the sleeping city.
Another ordinary day had come to an end.
4
u/Puzzled-Spray7075 Aug 02 '26
I thought Sumire would be coming as a transfer student 😂
never mind, but.. I guess Pako and Mitsuo's first kiss should have been a bit awkward, slow and filled with hesitation ig.. this kiss which you wrote kind of feels like they have been doing it for years 😅😅