MinAo nursery fic mini series.
Part.3.
A group housewives gathered around beside the road, sharing the latest gossip when their nosy chatters got interrupted by the sound of wheels.
Or rather, the sound of bike wheels.
"Oh no." groaned Mrs. Hagiwara.
"What is that sound?" asked Mrs. Tachibana, their new neighbour.
The other two quickly fill her in, "it's that dangerous looking man again. He seems to be a leader of a gang."
"Yes! yes! I think he did drugs and murder and other awful things!" added Mrs. Fujio with a high pitched voice!
Mrs. Tachibana is scared now and stepped back as the ear splitting noise became closer, "w-why aren't the police here to capture a dangerous man?"
Everyone couldn't answer that, they all know it depends on Akushima's mood if he feels like cracking on the Ribsters or Rhymers.
"There he is, there he is!" Said Mrs. Hagiwara as she pointed to the gray figure.
It happened in a flash. A big and muscular man drove an impressive bike past them as a large pink bird flew above their heads. Causing Mrs. Tachibana to shriek in man wore a long grey coat with military boots. His hair doned in the strangest Harajuku Fashion she ever saw from tv and that was all she could see from him in the split second he went past them.
"What an awful man! who is he?" she asked frantically as she combed back her messy hair from the wind.
"We only know he's called Mink. And not only that, he kept going to the Seragaki Nursery place almost daily!" informed Mrs. Fujio in a hushed voice now.
"How dreadful. Why would he go there?"
"He must be a loanshark! Demanding money from the poor Seragakis!" her neighbour added with enthusiasm and wild imagination. Possibly from watching too much soap operas.
The now worried Mrs. Tachibana look at the street where Mink drove off. Perhaps she should take matters in her own hands if the police nor the neighbours do anything about this situation.
The next day Yoshie-san laughed so loud, Mrs. Tachibana had to step back a bit.
"You mean that Aoba-chan? He's a sweetheart! He often compliment my Clara whenever I give her a makeover! Don't you think these pearls suit her? they're the latest accessory for Allmates these days!" she giggled some more, though her volume remain high like Mrs. Fujio.
Faking a cough, Mrs. Tachibana tried to get their conversation back in topic and not about spoiled Allmates.
"So, this Aoba... chan-"
"Aoba-chan is a nice lad!" Yoshie beamed and you can almost see the glint from her glasses, "He helped Tae-san run the nursery since he finished high school. He could have settle down after getting a lover but sweet child he dedicated his energy and time with the kids. All the children love him, you know?"
Tachibana harped in on the new information, "high school? but I heard he dropped out after some... accident."
"Oh that?" the bubbly plump woman waved her hand to brush off the topic, "boys have their rough moments. However Aoba-chan cleaned up and got better. Finished school with night classes and now a responsible adult. If only he drop by more often."
"Aha...ha, I see. So, I was wondering if you know about Aoba-kun's... relations when he was a delinquent and degenerate member of the society. Perhaps he was involved with drug dealers? gang members?"
Tachibana had no idea her words are so rude.
She only thought she's mentioning these labels like reading out a newspaper article. Plus due to her status of recently moving into this neighbourhood, she is ignorant of how life was harsher back when the government was still under Toue's rule.
"OH~ you know that Aoba-chan is such an angel! He knew some of the parents couldn't afford the monthly payment after a fire accident that occurred months ago and so they even had a charity event and donation for these poor families!"
Tachibana didn't seem convinced, once she learned Aoba had an unclean reputation in the past, she has then see him as unsuitable to be a worker that relates to child care. And she thought she's the perfect candidate to make these neighbours aware of their errors!
"Is that so? Did he asked his, what do they call it nowadays? biker gang members to threaten people for their money so these parents can keep paying for the Seragaki Nursery service?"
And Tachibana is so bad at extracting vital information about Aoba's past that she missed out the subtle hint of Yoshie's vein mark on her flawlessly plucked eyebrow.
"Oh Tachibana-san, you have no idea Aoba-chan is a darling! It's always a pleasure to have him come over so that I can have him taste test my delicious cooking! He even told me my cooking has improve so so much! Would you like a taste?"
She blinked at the change of topic before sitting down at the offered seat, "thank you but I'm afraid I'm particular with my sugar intake."
Yoshie added some extra flavouring to her... special dish, "oh you don't have to worry a single thing, honey!"
An hour later the woman dragged herself out of Yoshie's place with a green face. This must be some sort of new torture! Yakisoba with strong sauce from a kettle?! Trying to keep a decent image among these passerby, Nakamura force herself not to throw up in public and rushed back home quickly. It seems it's useless to talk to these people. They are too tolerant. She didn't even get the chance to bring up the topic about the possible loan shark and dreadful gang leader named Mink since they all just sing nothing but affectionate praises over Aoba.
Plus after her brief interview earlier on with Haga, she now know of another family member called Min-kun... or whoever that boy living with the Seragaki is. For all she remember there's no boy except Aoba and Tae-san in that house. The kid must have been a distant relative that only come by during Summer holiday. Haga and Yoshie mentioned he's a quiet and polite child so the kid must be less than 10 years old at most. Thinking of the child, she felt determined to take matters into her own hands! If there's an innocent child about to live with the Seragaki during the holidays, she must act as THE responsible adult to hammer some sense into that Aoba boy!
"...Well then, I'll be going now."
"Be careful on your way, Mink!"
"I'll be fine. And don't push yourself, Aoba. You didn't sleep much last night right?"
"I-It's none of your business! I was just sewing up the kids' aprons and... some other stuffs."
Mink sighed with worried amber eyes, "I know we're saving up budget for the children but don't force yourself. I'll help after I'm done with signing the papers."
Their tightening budget has been on their mind since Tae announced how she's planning to close the place. Rent price has skyrocketed over the years and the family barely cover costs on food and water the past month. Not to mention supplies for the kids. Aoba didn't want to close this nursery house. The kids means so much to him, even if there's fewer kids these days since there's a newer facility nearby.
Aoba shook his head, "it's fine, Mink. Your 'Scratch' team members want to celebrate your entrance examination success right? I'm fine on my own here. Take your time and enjoy yourself out there!"
He brush off the imaginary dust from Mink's favourite long coat. He love it so much that one part of the arm sleeve is forever gone by now. It's their team's trademark coat and Aoba couldn't be any happier that Mink's loyal friends are always there for the teen.
The taller man on the other hand still feel worried. Aoba looked pale and he has a suspicious feeling that the older man has been job hunting for a side income. Perhaps he didn't want the nursery to close down because some of the parents can't afford to send their kids to the new nursery with expensive fee. As well as Aoba of all people didn't want any of the children to feel left behind or alone like how he felt when his parents were not around.
"...I'll be back as soon as I can.", Mink promised and raise his hand to lightly brush Aoba's cheeck with his knuckles.
"Okay, I'll see you later." Aoba flash him a gorgeous smile in return, making Mink's heart skipped a beat.
"Lock the doors."
"Geez, I know. Now go already, I'm the adult one here!" Aoba laughed though he felt a little dizzy.
He smiled when he saw the teenager's wave before his broad back disappeared by the gate. Now, time to start today's preparation. First he'll sweep the floor, next prepare breakfast and bring some for Baa-chan. He thinks he needs to add an extra pillow for her back. After that he'll open the windows of the play room to let in fresh morning breeze. And oh! need to wipe the piano clean, he felt bad that Clear had to do that often before music activity-
"Um, excuse me. Are you Seragaki Aoba?"
Aoba blinked and turned around in the midst of his sweeping, "o-oh yes, that's me." for a moment he almost got his heart jump out his mouth. How can a... person? woman? walk up behind his back without any sound just now? Is she some sort of ninja?
"And you are...?", he asked curiously as he study the woman's appearance. Sports clothes, thick sunglasses, hot pink cap and a face mask. She must be having her jog this early morning but... with a facemask? And here he thought Clear is odd. Is it a new trend these days?
"Just your friendly neighbour." she laughed but Aoba felt a shiver up his spine when it sounded like a cackle to him.
"I... I see... May I help you?"
"Why yes..." she moved closer to the man with an eager expression.
"You can help me plenty... if you can be so kind to listen to my suggestion."
"O-oh?"
"If you can be so kind to give me a tour of your nursery facility? I would like to inspect- oh pardon me, I meant I would like to study the architecture of your interior! I'm mad when it comes to walls!"
Aoba's brows furrowed.
"Uh... sure, I guess. But I'm afraid it can only be brief for I have to get ready and welcome the kids later."
So he let the strange woman in.
Alarm bells began ringing in his head when she study each room and even went so far into the main house's kitchen as if she's searching for flaws or evidence. What evidence? not to mention how she's been asking him intrusive questions about his daily life, his relations to people, if he smokes or do weed, if he ever stole something or do vandalism...
" , please. I feel uncomfortable with your questions." his lack of sleep and headache is bothering him so much that he can't mince his words to suit her delicate senses, "what are you trying do actually? you're obviously not interested about walls but rather about my very personal life."
"That is correct." She too dropped the act of overly eager neighbour dropping by for a cup of tea and gossip.
"Why?"
"Because..." she take off her sunglasses, "I see you as a threat to the children under your care, Aoba-kun."
He felt like someone punched his guts.
Him? a threat?
To Kio, Mio, Nao and the others?
"W-what do you mean?"
"I've investigated your background. It's a laughing matter that a former school drop out and delinquent is now in charge of innocent children under this roof. Who knew what you do to them when the parents aren't looking? Besides, only a woman is perfectly suited to care for the young ones. Men like you on the other hand..." she gave Aoba a once over with a disappointed look.
Aoba could have defended himself but his mind is not responding to him.
For her words still stung him right in the chest.
'A threat.'
She see him as unfit to be caretaker or nursery teacher to the kids.
It's been weighing on his mind since he took over the place from Baa-chan.
Did he do well? is he doing this okay by himself? He fed and played with the kids but is that enough? He gave the parents with short income some slack for payment, he didn't mind volunteer work. He listened to the older kids that had problems at school. He helped brushed Mio's hair into the panda buns she liked so much, how he applied bandages to the scrapped knees and elbows... how he cooked for them the best he can of their cravings and demands as if this is a restaurant and not a nursery but despite how the brats said his food taste weird, they finished each crumb...
"Are you listening to me, Aoba-kun?"
"H-huh?"
"I recommend that you close this nursery place so that the children can be released to be sent to the much better facility nearby. Taking care of children is not a game, it's a serious job and with your background, I do not want to see these angels be influenced in the worst possible way!"
"..."
"They should be doctors, teachers and any job that pays well. It makes me ill if they believe they can just drop out of school and be a useless member of the society."
"..."
"I think I've made myself clear, I hope you'll realize what you need to do next and repent for your sins." she misunderstood Aoba's shocked silence for his agreement about her one-sided view of him.
Aoba didn't even hear her leave the house as he just fell to his knees and look around the empty play room with sad eyes.
"Baa-chan, I guess I wasn't good enough to inherit this place from you. I'm... so sorry."
Later, most of the kids go to play with Clear instead of Aoba. Not because Aoba said anything mean to them but because they realized their favourite teacher was so quiet and... sad.
"Master, the children are asking if you want to play originami paper making with them." Clear went up to Aoba as the shorter male was waiting for the kettle to steam.
"No, it's fine. You do it, Clear. They love your jellyfish dress Orignami than my weird puppy cutouts. Plus I'm waiting for this kettle to finish boiling."
Clear has a troubled expression before his gloved finger turn on the socket of the kettle. Turned out all this time the kettle was plugged in but no electricity was working.
Aoba mentally face palm at his stupidity, "sorry about that and thanks."
"Master... perhaps you should take a nap."
"No, I promised we'll talk about your salary for this month, right?"
"That's right but-"
"Ah! I forgot to buy something for breakfast! We need bread!"
Clear lightly touch Aoba's arm as the adult hastily take off his apron and wears his Jerry Blaine jacket.
"Aoba-san, it's already late afternoon."
"I... I mean snack time! yeah!"
"You already made them pudding. You made so much there are still leftovers at the fridge."
"..."
"Aoba-san, what's the matter, really? this is not like you. You look so beautiful when you smile and play with the children. But today..."
"Was the pudding too sweet?"
"Huh?"
"Was the calculations of their sugar intake alright? I won't cause them cavities right? I make sure to tell the parents to bring their toothbrush so that they can brush their teeth. And I bought milk last night so milk should help with their growth, right? I... I did the correct way of caring for them, right Clear?"
Aoba shook like a leaf by now.
Clear open his arms to hug him but Aoba remembered Mrs. Tachibana's words and he step back.
Rejecting Clear.
The pain look on Clear's face nearly kill Aoba.
He did it again.
He caused so much damage like back in his Rhyme days... so much bad influence to the kids and now even to Clear-
"I... I'm sorry. I need to go out for a bit. Tell Baa-chan I'll be back later."
"Aoba-san!"
Aoba didn't turn around to look at Clear as he grabbed his jacket and went out the kitchen's door.
"Stupid... stupid... stupid..." Aoba cursed himself as he stomped across the pavement.
If only he can change his past.
Be a respectable student, never drop out of school, never get his parents to leave him, never to trouble Baa-chan with his troublesome teenager years...
"Mink..."
Entering the neighborhood forest area, he plan to stay inside among the greenery and silence for a few minutes. Just until he calm himself down. Usually talking to Mink help but right now the teen must be enjoying himself with his pals so Aoba won't disturb him. He won't become clingy and ruin anymore of the kid's career. Angrily he wiped his tears that threatened to trickle down."
"Gyaaah!"
Aoba wasn't looking where he was walking and fell down a narrow ditch!
"Damn it. Today is just not my day..."
He plan to get up and brush off the dirt but then-
"Oww!"
His... his ankle.
He can't move it without puncturing his lip with his teeth. The pain is agonizing!
Shit, did he sprained his ankle at the worst possible time?
"Clear! I need to call him- shit!"
He forgot that he's not wearing his Coil. It's a rule where gadgets are to be left at the shelve when handling food or during work.
Sighing in defeat that he's probably going to be stuck here for indefinite time, Aoba lay back and look up into the darkening sky. He should be preparing rice porridge for Baa-chan now.
Just then he heard the sound of wings flapping. He look up and saw a pretty large bird flew across the sky. It's so beautiful he almost want to stretch his arm and touch it
"Mink... I want to see you."
After several minutes, Aoba ended up falling asleep. Giving into the Sandman's whispers since he hasn't have a good sleep since yesterday. Just when he dozed off, soft steps of four paws can be heard from behind the bushes. The creature took a familiar whiff and barked at its owner.
A tall man dressed in black follows its dog out of the bushes.
He saw Aoba and approached the victim before picking him up in his arms.
"...let's go."
His dog barked back and chase after its master's trail.
When Mink returned home, he cursed when his bad feeling is confirmed.
Haga-san, Yoshie-san, Tae-san and a few of their neighbors are there in the house. Everyone were in various state of panic.
"Mink-san! It's Aoba!" Clear came to him to relay what just happened.
The taller man grit his teeth, "he's been missing since 3:30pm you say?"
"Yes! and it's already 8:30pm now. We've search the places Aoba-san might frequent to but we couldn't find him anywhere!"
"What happened? you look like you wanted to say something to me."
Clear feels like he wanted so much to wear his old gas mask back to cover his expressive face, "it's about Aoba-san before he left the kitchen..."
He narrated about what Aoba said about sugar and calories and milk and stuffs about is he being a good caretaker or not. Clear was having trouble explaining Aoba's state of mind but it was enough to make Mink comprehend the gist of everything.
He's angry.
Especially towards himself for leaving Aoba alone.
Exiting the house, Mink called his coil and shouts, "you lot, come here right now!"
His team members who were half drunk from the party all arrived at the Seragaki front house in 1 minute!
"Boss!"
"Aoba is missing. We're going to split into groups, 3 people each and search every place he could possibly go. Report to me every 15 minutes. Understood?"
Despite Mink's stern tone, the Scratch guys actually felt nostalgic. They've been missing their old boss when the team was still active. Besides, they'll never forgive anyone who harms Aoba-san who has helped them so much with food and shelter in the past!
"Yes, Mink-san!"
As the team move out, Mink too hop back on his bike and started the engine.
"Aoba... I shouldn't have left you alone. I don't want... to loose anyone important to me again."
He kick the paddle and started driving, praying with all his might to rescue his beloved on time!
Back at the front door of the house, Clear watch worriedly until he notice someone stood beside him.
"Oh, Tachibana-san. What is it? do you need to go to the ladies' room?"
She shook her heard, her eyes never left Mink's back as he sped off.
"What was that just now? isn't that man a dangerous loan shark?"
Clear was so shocked by her outrageous words he almost step back, "what? no! no! Mink-san is a wonderful friend and an important family to us. That's why he was known as Min-kun to the elders here. Plus, he care about Aoba-san the most!"
Mrs. Tachibana couldn't believe what she just saw.
How Mink effortlessly commanded a group of rag tag delinquents to search for a missing adult.
Is it possible that... not all delinquents are evil, destructive with low morals?
"Wait, you mean..." she paled at her slow brain processing the new information, "HE is the boy called Min-kun?"
To be continue...