It was another afternoon of teaching the class as they played their instruments. And this time it was a lot more tolerable. Each and every one of them started to sound on the level of Chiharu, slightly. I walked back and fourth of the chalkboard watching them demonstrate their skills.

With my music botan, I instructed each rows performance. As usual I kept my criticism to big minimum, since tough love was not always the answer to everything. For years, I've always held a firm, strong, grip on myself as well as my teammates. I never believed in being soft and thought it was nothing more but crutch.

At times, I've treat them like adults and less like kids. So I guess that was my mistake on my part. As I sensed a flaw, I halted the class's performance for second.

But the bell ring before I could say anything.

I sigh. "Well saved by the bell class, so practice your instruments. I expect a good performance out of all of you, no slacking off. Keep up the good work Chiharu." Chiharu took a bow in acceptance.

As I walked through the hallways of the school, I saw Chiharu was the only one who just got to her locker. What was she still doing here when school was out? I'm guessing getting practice in the music room. So I'll at least give her some credit for making an effort unlike most people.

When she opened her locker, garbage came down upon her. It would seem like her locker had by sabotaged. Most of the trash had got into her to her school outfit. As I rushed to her aid, I also found markings or graffiti on her locker. The words were in Kanji it labeled "teacher's pet" on the door.

And to my other surprise, she didn't get mad. All she did was bushed the trash off and walk away. It didn't take me long to spot a couple of girls running away from the event. But it would serve no purpose to bust them without evidence.

"Are you okay?" I ask Chiharu.

Chiharu wiped off her eyeglasses. "It's no big deal sensei. Their just playing a joke." I already knew that definitely was not the case.

"Hey Juno…after work you want to…?" Peorth came inquiring, but paused at the sudden sight.

In the nurse's office, Chiharu continued to wipe herself off with a towel. And through this process, I explained the event to Peorth. We spoke outside the office. "I see, so someone was picking on her?" Poerth asked.

I nodded. "It seems like it, most likely coming from the upperclassmen. From what I see it's Hana Suebatchi and her friends."

"Chiharu, is there any reason at all why those girls would be picking on you?" I asked Chiharu.

"Not really, I don't think so. It was just an innocent prank. They got a good laugh and so did I."

I've rolled my eyes. I can't count how many times I've heard that excuse before. "Are you sure?"

Chiharu nodded. "It's fine sensei." After setting down the towel, she took her leave running.

Even if she assured it was fine, her face and reaction had told otherwise. I could not help but think about that situation. As a teacher it was my obligation look out for students. And know my years of being the boss; I also looked out for my employees as well.


"This doesn't make sense. Why would Chiharu not tell anything?"

"I guess maybe because she feels ashamed to do so Juno. You know how teens are when something bothers them. They always tend to handle things on their own without asking for help." Peorth explained. "I'm sure you know it as well, since you never ask for any help. Even when you were a young boy, you were always as harsh and stubborn as that Hana girl."

I was about to ask how she knew.

"Your mother shared some interesting stories with me." Peorth answered. "You were no different than when she was young. You cried like a little baby when they picked on you. You were no different from them once. So why do you care?"

"I'm not a bully." I exclaimed.

"Oh really, who do you think you're talking to?" Peorth inquired. "I know all."

Peorth's words stuck me like arrows. I did remember the times I went too far with my criticism. It was both to kids and adults. I was never physical, but my words were. Words don't ever hurt people, but deep inside they did. Still, why did I care so much? Was it because of my stats as a teacher or me as a person?

"Either way, they were words of encouragement, not insults." I tried to tell myself and Peorth.

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." Peorth replied, not convinced at all. "I know the truth and deep down you know it."

"Man, that woman should learn to keep her mouth shut." I muttered blushing. Switching the conversation up, I asked. "Anyway, what do you think we should do about this? For all we know, it may turn physical."

"Oh you think too much Juno. Chiharu does not seem like the type to get into any fights, whatsoever."

"I guess you have a point, but this still bothers me. The fact that she's those girls punching bag and no one knew about it. And even that message on her locker told something."

The goddess glanced deep at my face. "You're so cute, when you act concern for your own students." Peorth complimented me. I stopped myself to blush again, slightly losing my place. "You should not let that bother you, just like Chiharu does not let that bother her. I mean there are ways to end conflict without doing anything drastic."

"I know that but still…" I paused while digging my fork into my salad.

As the pour of rain, Peorth and I quickly took shelter. Since we didn't bring our umbrellas, we had the roof cover to shield us. We watched everyone walk through with ease without the fear being wet. The puddles even soaked the streets as cars rolled by. Through the wet surface, Peorth rushed to the store for an umbrella.

While Peorth was gone, I thought about what she said. I didn't want to admit it, but I was the same as those girls. If it went further I could have been much, much worst. I was either blind or too stuck-up to even see it for myself. Maybe they took it the wrong way or maybe they didn't read between the lines. Now I was just over thinking the situation.

Together we walked through the rain covered by an umbrella with our shoulders touching. It may have given the impression to people like we were a couple. We found all sorts of eyes on us. But I found it perfectly natural as we continued to walk through the slippery ground.

When we cross the bridge together, I caught glance at one of my students at the river. Chiharu's feet were submerged in water while she dug her hands inside the water. For what I can see, she blindly searched for a missing object through the water. She was also soaked to the bone. Her clothes were sticking to her body.

Without wasting anytime, Peorth and I rushed to her. I took off my coat and covered her wet body. "What are you doing?" I asked her directly. "Are you crazy, don't you know you can catch a really bad cold out here?"

Watching the river, she remained silent. She glanced all around the water. I immediately found out after I saw her violin floating in the water. After I told Peorth to get her to cover, I went in to retrieve it. Even if the current was rough on that rainy day, I strived to get the item.

Now I was also soaking wet. I found the same girls that were picking on Chiharu running away from the scene. They had guilty written all over them. But I could not bust them since they were not on school grounds. So they should consider themselves lucky.

Without any choice, I brought her back to my place to get her warmed up. Peorth was in charge of drying her wet clothes and keeping Chiharu warm. She also provided Chiharu with some spare dry clothes. I worked on the violin. There were some slight tears, but I managed to repair the strings.

As I handed it to Chiharu, she grabbed it with both hands. She held it deep in her arms like a born baby. I wanted to ask her what happen, but held off for her sake. "You must really treasure that violin, don't you?" I said.

"It was my grandmother." she said after taking a sip of hot tea. "She was an orchestra player for the past forty years. I looked up to her as she played her violin so gracefully. I would always listen to her tapes and watch her videos of her wonderful performance. I wanted her to teach me how to play as well, but I never got that chance."

"What happened after that?" I asked with my arms folded.

"She passed away when I was six and left me her violin." Chiharu said choking up. Tears nearly flooded her eyes. "I wanted to also play great like her, but my parents never put the effort or even gave me a tutor. I missed my grandma so much." Chiharu said with a defeated head down. The tears now were dropping down the floor.

Peorth offered her tissue. "I suppose that violin is a memento of your grandmother. When you play it, you feel that she is there with you."

Chiharu wiped her tears. "Yes, that is why I love it so much."

Peorth placed both hands on Chiharu's shoulders. "That fact that instrument has been through so much means that you care for it from the bottom of your heart. I think that's makes you special as well." Peorth held Chiharu cold hands. With her magic powers, the goddess was able to warm her frozen hands. "You have a good heart Chiharu. Don't you think so Juno?"

I nodded in agreement. "I'll say. You have more inner strength than anyone else. And I think it's more than those fools who are desperate for attention. Either way, don't let them get you down, alright. Just focus on doing your best." I told her.

"Yes sensei," Chiharu nodded proudly.

"Peorth, could you take her home for me?" I asked the goddess.

"You got it." Peorth replied with a wink.


As Chiharu played in the school halls, Hana and her girls approached her in rude manner. She snatched her violin away from her. "Well I see you managed to get this old piece of junk back. When will you get with the times?" Chiharu tried to grab her violin from the girl. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you'll have new one in your hands once this old thing is gone." She held the violin off the stairway attempting to drop it.

Before her hand can let go, I grabbed both the violin and student's hand. "Is there a problem girls?" I asked with firmness.

"We were just playing sensei." Hana tried to explain.

"So you say, but I suggest you get your kicks somewhere else besides here. That is when you are mopping the floors of the classroom for the next two months." I told them with bucket soap and scrubbers.

"That's bullcarp, we didn't even do anything, yet!" Hana shot back.

"Great, now that is three months. Would you like an extension? I hear Chiharu was not your only victim. I wonder what would the others say, or even your parents."

Grumbling and mumbling, they grabbed the buckets and walked away. And thus, Chiharu's problem was resolved.

"I saw everything Juno. You handled it quite perfectly." Principle Ayame interrupted with her hand behind her back. "Our school takes bullying really seriously. And so long as I'm principle, I no longer want to see any harm done upon these students. I'll continue to expect great things from you as well as you Chiharu."

"Thank you Principle." I said bowing my head.

"Thank you as well sensei." Chiharu gave me a grateful bow and left to class. "Even if others say otherwise, your a good sensei in my book."

I felt so honored getting compliment from a student of mind. "Think nothing of it."

"You continue to impress me too Juno." Peorth touched my shoulder and gave me smile as well. She was also proud of my process.

"I don't won't her to end up like me thus becomes a bully herself, even when pushed to extremes."

"Speaking from experience, I suppose." Peorth wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah, guess I realize that the hard way."