# 10
It was an assignment for school. Apparently the life-skills teacher didn't think that her students new enough about her subject to survive on their own once high school finally let out. Pairings were made and the plastic babies were all handed out to their new 'parents'. Unfortunately there was an odd number of students in the classroom and a shortage of baby dolls.
"Taka-san," Naomi-sensei said as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "I believe that you informed me that your infant cousin would be staying with your family for the week, is that correct?"
Suzuna wasn't exactly sure where this was going but she nodded anyway. "I see. And do you have any close friends outside of this class that you would trust to take care of that child?"
Now thoroughly alarmed Suzuna ran through her list of friends. Unfortunately is consisted completely of the Deimon high football team and there was no way she would trust the 'huh' brothers. Mamori would be good but definitely not Monta or, she shuddered, Hiruma. He was a nice guy and all but letting him watch a baby…?
"Well, there is a girl a year older then me that I would probably trust…"
"Is she busy this week?"
Suzuna was about to say 'no' when she remembered that Mamori and Hiruma mentioned that there was a preparatory meeting for the managers and captains of the teams participating in the Christmas bowl for three days starting on Wednesday.
"Yes, she has a meeting everyday after school lets out. Why?"
"Hm, I was hoping you would be able to pair up with someone you trusted so that you would be able to take care of your cousin for your life-skills project. I suppose I'll just have to think up something else."
Normally Suzuna would have just let it go and allowed her teacher to figure it out when suddenly she remembered something that she should have thought of right off.
"Um, my…my boyfriend could probably do it…"
The class went crazy as the teacher gave the okay. Pulling out her cell phone Suzuna stepped into the hall to give Sena a call.
It turned out rather easy to persuade him to help her out since football practice was suspended for the week while Hiruma was attending meetings. After getting permission from the principal (by showing him a rather interesting card provided to each member of the team by Hiruma) Sena was dismissed from school for the week to attend Suzuna's classes with her so that he could help her care for her nine month old cousin Ken'ichi. Since he didn't have to attend his last class Sena quickly headed over to Suzuna's to begin the assignment.
"Alright, first question," Suzuna said as she absently bounced Ken on her lap. "What do you want to do for your job?"
"Well…I don't really know how to do anything except maybe football. Is that an okay career?"
"Hm…" Suzuna passed Ken to Sena so that she could look at her project sheet. "It looks like it is. Great! Now we just need to find an apartment, balance our checkbook, buy groceries for the week, and factor in our utility expenses."
"It would probably be a good idea to find out exactly how much I make don't you think?" Sena said while reaching into the bag at his feet to pull out a bottle for the hungry baby. "I could probably call the coach from the San Antonio Armadillos and see what an NFL player makes a year."
"That's a good idea, Sena." Suzuna said. "And while you're doing that I'll take Ken with me to go shopping for food. I'll make a list of what we need and the prices of it all."
"Don't forget to ask what the tax is on food. That will add up to a lot if we're not careful."
Suzuna made sure to bundle Ken up tightly to ward of any chill from the crisp December air before she set him in the stroller and strapped him in. Sena came up with the diaper bag in hand and a slightly concerned look on his face.
"Make sure that you don't stay out for to long, Suzuna. There's supposed to be a snow storm this afternoon and it's already three o'clock. I don't want the two of you caught up in it okay?"
"Don't worry so much Sena. We'll only be gone an hour. Two at the most okay?"
"If you're sure…"
"I am. I'll call if anything comes up. Oh! And my parents should be back from work at around four so if I'm not home by then please let them know where I went."
"You better be home by then," Sena muttered and Suzuna just laughed before kissing his cheek.
"You're too cute sometimes." Sena blushed as Suzuna opened the door with a wave. "We're going!"
After she was gone Sena turned back inside to find the phone to make his call. Even as he spoke to the Armadillos' manager he couldn't help but keep a close eye on the steal colored sky; worrying more and more as the minutes slowly passed.
As expected the snow started to fall only a half an hour after Suzuna and Ken had left and already Sena was anxious. He considered going out to find her but he was worried that he would miss her if she called about something important. The minutes ticked by like days as he tried to concentrate on searching for an apartment within their price range. Not that it would be much of a problem since he found out he would have a 275,000 a year salary with the San Antonio Armadillos.
At almost four o'clock the phone rang and Sena nearly preformed a Devilbat dive in order to catch it on the second ring. He was rather surprised to hear that it was Suzuna's mom. She greeted him normally, having expected him to be there since Suzuna had informed her he was helping her out with a school project. After leaving Sena with a short message about how she and her husband would be held up by the storm and would be staying at a hotel near their work just to be safe.
"You're welcome to stay over the night, Kobayakawa-kun." Taki Mamiko, Suzuna's mother said. "I don't want you to be caught outside in this weather. It's pretty awful."
"Thanks Taki-san, I think I might. Have a good night, bye!" After throwing the phone back in the cradle Sena darted for the door and slipped on his shoes. He had just pulled on his coat when the front door suddenly opened and Suzuna stumbled inside, Ken clutched tightly to her chest.
"Suzuna!" Sena said as he darted forward to embrace her. "I was so worried! I was about to come and find you! I knew I shouldn't have let you go alone!"
"I'm alright Sena, really. Shin-san was kind enough to help us back."
"Shin?" Sena said before looking over Suzuna's shoulder to spot the larger boy. "Oh, ah, thanks a lot Shin. I really appreciate you bringing her back safely. Did you want to come in for a bit? There's hot water on the stove for tea."
A smile seemed to tug at the corner of Shin's mouth as he shook his head. "Thank-you, but I must be getting home. I was expected sometime ago."
Sena gently pushed Suzuna in the direction of the main room with instructions for her and Ken to get warmed up and changed before he turned back to Shin and bowed. "Thank-you again, Shin-san. I really do appreciate it."
Shin just nodded before he pulled open the door and disappeared into the snow. By the time Sena made it into the living room with the tea Suzuna was already sitting at the kotatsu with Ken lying beside bundled up on a small futon fast asleep.
"You really had me worried you know," Sena said as he set the tray of tea down on the table. "You promised you would be back before the snow started."
"I'm sorry. I really thought we would be. It was worth it though; I managed to get what we needed."
"It wouldn't have been worth it if you and Ken died over it! What do you think I would feel if that happened!"
"Don't yell at me Sena, you could have come and got us if you were so worried!"
"I was just about to when you came in with Shin, what were you doing with him anyway?"
Suzuna snorted. "Are you jealous Sena? Don't be stupid, I wouldn't cheat on you, I'm a well brought up Japanese lady and Japanese ladies don't cheat on their husbands."
Suddenly the two of them froze, realizing just how idiotic they sounded. Looking up, their eyes met and they couldn't stop the laughter from spilling out even as they tried their best to stay quiet and not wake up Ken.
"We're being dumb huh?" Sena said and Suzuna nodded enthusiastically.
"Come on," She said, pulling a paper over. "Let's start on the question sheet." Looking down she read the first question. "Where do you want to be in twenty years? Well, um, honesty? Right here with you..." She blushed and looked up at Sena through her eyelashes as though expecting him to reject her then and there.
"Twenty years huh?" Sena said with a small grin. "I think you'd better make it ten."
Suzuna's blush deepened.
End # 10
Kaliea: Oh geez that was awful. Still, I did try. Don't forget to review!
Review Answers:
ItaSaku29: I hope that you liked it!
Kaliea: That's all for now. Till next time, ja ne!