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CHAPTER TEN

"Hey there, Izumi-kuun."

I look up from my book, frowning. "What do you want, Honjo?" I ask.

"Hmph! You're supposed to call me 'Honjo-san'," she says.

"Piss off."

Honjo gasps. "I'm telling the teacher!" she says. "You said a bad word!"

"Go ahead. I'm not afraid of the stupid teacher."

Honjo pouts and runs out the door. I try to turn back to my book, but Tanaka is staring at me, awestruck. "What?" I ask.

"Dude... You're my idol," he says.

I roll my eyes.

"I know it must be difficult adjusting to a new school," my teachers says scoldingly, "but that doesn't excuse you using foul language in class."

"We weren't in class. We were on break."

"That's not the point, Izumi-kun!" the teacher says, slamming her hand on the desk. She sighs and puts her hand to her head. "I hear you're living with your uncle," she says. "I know it must be difficult being separated from your parents, but-"

"Wait, so am I misbehaving because I'm adjusting to a new school, or because I'm separated from my parents?" I ask. "Because you've just said that both 'must be difficult'."

"I did?" the teacher asks, looking up.

"Yeah, you did."

"Well, maybe it's a little of both," she says. "In any case, if anything is bothering you, you can come talk to me about it any time. That's what I'm here for."

"I thought you were hear to teach."

"I'm here to do both things. If you interrupt me again, I'm suspending you. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Now-"

"Hey!"

The teacher covers her face with her hand while the others in the room fight to keep from laughing. "Go back to class," she says. "I'm keeping you after school today."

"I thought you were going to suspend me."

"Which you clearly want! Now go!"

"Aw, you suck."

"Just go back to class!"

"I'm hoome!" I call, running into the Izumi's house.

"Welcome back," Mr. Izumi calls from his office. "Now get in here so I can yell at you!"

"I'll pass! Thanks!"

"Just get in here so I can pretend!"

I sigh and head to the office. "What is it?" I ask. No point in assuming it's about school if it's not.

"I got a call from your teacher," Mr. Izumi says. Dammit. "She said you 'cussed out' one of your classmates."

"Then one of them was lying," I say simply. "All I said was 'piss off'."

"Oh, okay then. You're free to go."

"Thank you. Can I go to the arcade with Tanaka and them on Sunday?"

"No. I should at least give the illusion that I'm disciplining you."

"Good, 'cause I didn't want to go."

"So it's a win-win!"

"Seems so. I'm gonna go watch TV."

"All right. Have fun."

"What? You really can't come with us?" Tanaka asks the next day, pouting.

"Yep. It's a real shame."

"Well, I guess we can go next week," Tanaka says, frowning. The tone of his voice suggests he's trying to make me feel better.

"You know, there's a trope for people like you," I muse.

"Huh?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Um, Izumi-kun?"

Why must everyone in my class insist on interrupting me while I'm reading? Maybe if I pretend not to notice her, she'll go away.

"Izumi-kun!" No such luck, it appears.

I sigh and put my book down. "What is it, Yamada?" I ask.

"Um, well, I was just wondering," Yamada says, fidgeting and looking away. "?"

I stare at her, confused. "Okay, try that again," I say slowly, "and this time, put spaces between your words."

Yamada takes a deep breath, her face bright red. "C-Can I... J-join you and your friends for lunch?" she asks, then quickly recoils and puts her hands up. "I-It's okay if you don't want me to!" she says. "In fact, forget I said anything, okay?" With that, she turned at headed back to her seat. I watch her go, frowning. Girls are so weird.

"Hey, what did Yamada want?" Tanaka asks leaning across his desk to whisper in my ear.

"She asked if she could have lunch with us," I answer, opening my book. "Then she left before I could answer. You're sitting right behind me. How did you not hear her?"

"Hiro was talking to me," Tanaka says, pouting.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Akimoto says dismissively.

I frown at them. "Why do you care what she wanted, anyway?" I ask, and Tanaka's face turns beet red.

Yamashita snickers. "Michiru likes her," he explains teasingly.

I study Tanaka for a moment, confused. Then I turn back to my book. "Weirdo," I say conclusively.

"Oh, shut up!"

Everyone who reads this far receives a DVD box set of AIKa.

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