DISCLAIMER: Images, dialogue and plot all belong to the author of haikyuu at 3am which you can find here: http://03xlimit.tumblr.com/

traaash a/n: so you know what i said abt updating twice a month? ye fuck that. im updating once a week from now on cuz ye. ill probably forget anyway-

Chapter 3: Cool Midday

How to let go and be forgotten

"What happens when the countdown reaches zero?" Daichi asked.

"What do you mean? You don't break that attachment you have before the clock reaches zero, your body dies and you disappear from existence." 12am explained, lacing their fingers together and fixing Daichi with a determined stare. "But don't worry. I've never let it get that far."

"Ah! It's time for my shift! Why now out of all times?!" 9am exclaimed, breaking the tense atmosphere as they started to fade away. "I'm sorry I couldn't stick around any longer! But don't worry Limit, you can do it! We believe in you!"

9am faded away with a warm grin, leaving Daichi and 12am by themselves. The number on Daichi's shirt changed to 23 and he suddenly remembered how he people had shunned him. He remembered his mother shouting at him as he just sat there, a blank look on his face. He remembered 3am's smile and how they had welcomed Daichi.

"What if I don't want to wake up?" Daichi's words made 12am look up as the room faded into silence.

"We get Limits every now and then. I made a mistake with one...He came here before you some time ago." 12am started to say, his eyes drifting to a picture hidden between a few books.

[ ] 

"The world of Limits is painful...But Limits undoubtedly feel more pain by staying in Knowhere." 12am said, remembering a Limit that went by the name of Kozume Kenma.

Welcome to the Meiji Restoration (1887)

"The world of a Limit can be exciting...It can be very confusing...and it can also be grim." They continued, remembering how Kenma had told them about the bullying.

"Dream Catchers understand the life of a limit is driven by their dreams...and we understand they always seem to lead turbulent lives riddled with pain...even if they don't show it to other Limits." 12am said, remembering how Kenma was crying because of all the hate he had gotten ever since he had arrived at the school.

"Just like you, their pain builds and they are plagued with nightmares...Dream Catchers exist to shield Limits from that pain."

"Yet, sometimes of their own accord...or by a stroke of their awful luck...their pain slips through the cracks and brings them here." 12am remembered how they had stopped Kenma from killing himself, but had ended up almost getting killed by the bullies.

"Limits are not made to live here. They become attached so easily...because we take their pain away." Kenma had found 12am, the Dream Catcher falling to his knees. The Limit had thrown his arms around 12am, hugging them. 12am just stared at him with hurt in their eyes as Kenma pulled away, revealing the 24 on his shirt. "Even if they know they are not made to survive, the price Limits pay to be happy is incredible."

"No matter how desperately you try to save them...No matter what ugly things you tell them..." 12am had tried to save Kenma, but the teen didn't listen.

"...Limits never listen."

"If there is still a connection between a Limit and a Dream Catcher, the Limit cannot return to their home." 12am remembered Kenma's smile as the number on his shirt changed to 02. 

"That bond must be severed to protect Limits from being engulfed by their comas...all attachment must be lost..." 12am had gritted their teeth and raised his hand, trying not to weep at Kenma's hurt expression as they had slapped him across the cheek. "...For their happiness...for their own good..."

"Limits can be fragile and Dream Catchers will always be there to protect them..." 12am remembered leaning against the bookshelf, watching Kenma look around the room.

"...Even if they never knew we were there."

[ ] 

"Anyways, enough about past limits. We need to focus on you. C'mon Limit. There's someone you need to meet. It's more fun than me and it'll know what to do with you." 12am said, walking past Daichi. Daichi followed him, confused.

"Who is it?" Daichi asked, following 12am down the hall.

"Ohoho, you'll see. They're a real..."

'...Hoot.'

(Time Master A/N: ...tik tok...time to go owl hunting)