MONDAY
The morning started off like any other day.
Sousuke followed Kaname to school.
The first salvo came from an unsuspected source.
"I will be assigning the homework projects for each class. Please have a piece of paper and a pencil handy." The history teacher had rotated into home room responsibility that morning.
The balding curmudgeon of a man assigned the students separate exercises from each of their different courses, following an experimental educational protocol instituted by the school board.
"Mr. Sagara. As you have shown an over-abundance of historical knowledge...."
A number of students snickered at that while others frowned.
"...You will be excused from doing any homework for History."
The grumbling in the class made it clear that no one liked that caveat.
"Instead, you have extra assignments in Math, Science, English, and Cultural Studies. Perhaps with sufficient effort, you can raise your level of expertise in those areas as well."
It looked as if at least one of the teachers was going to get into the game. That was taking school spirit a little too far, Kaname thought. But, she had to admit, in the long run it would actually be for Sousuke's own good.
A number of people in the class applauded.
"Way to go, Einstein." One of the rugby players from the newly formed squad handed an apple to Sousuke. "I was going to give it to the teacher. Eat up. I have a feeling it may be the last good meal you get this week."
Sousuke took a bite of the offered fruit, then stopped when everyone on the rugby squad started laughing.
"It's OK, man. Munch on! The apple's fine. I even washed it." The boy enthusiastically nodded his head.
Sousuke took another bite.
"Yeh……… in the urinal!!!" Another rugby player couldn't keep the secret any longer. It was alright: the damage had already been done.
The class exploded in laughter.
The teacher looked relieved. He really liked apples.
"I see. I have eaten much worse in Afghanistan. The apple will still maintain its nutritive value. However, I must return this fruit." He threw it to the boy who had given it to him.
"Huh?" The boy who gave Sousuke the apple had not expected such a calm response form Sousuke.
"No doubt, as you have christened it in your own bodily fluids, your gesture has some form of sexual significance. I must refuse. I have no such feelings for males." Sousuke's comment led to stunned silence.
"Or women, apparently." Kaname groused under her breath.
Despite her grumbling, she had begun to worry about Sousuke. It had never been her intention to see him be cruelly abused.
Still, maybe a little hazing would do him good. The other students might even begin to see him as one of them.
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK, YOU SON OF A BITCH...."
The rugby player knocked over his desk in an effort to get at Sousuke.
His plan had backfired.
"Look how eager he is to get his hands on Sousuke!" Someone from a rival sports club yelled out.
Catcalls followed.
The rumors would be all about the school by mid-afternoon.
The entire rugby squad growled.
Sousuke's time would come.
Kaname changed her mind. She wondered if Sousuke would even live through an entire week.
"Mr. Sagara. We cannot have this kind of disruption in class. If you please……… take your desk and move it to the rear corner. I shall note the appropriate number of demerits." The teacher smiled. "At least you have not blown up anyone this morning.
Sousuke did as he was told. He was not taken aback. This was nothing for someone who had survived the cruel jokes of the mujahadeen as a child.
Kaname passed him a note.
"I'm sorry, Sousuke," it read.
Sousuke sent one back. "It is not a problem."
The teacher intercepted the second note. "I'm afraid it is a problem, Mr. Sagara. I would have thought you had outgrown this kind of childishness before now." The teacher wrote something down on a pad of paper. "Today, after lunch, you will be responsible for cleaning the blackboard erasers in each class room."
The day didn't get any better for Sousuke after that.
He found gum on his chair, the hard way.
Someone had stolen raw liver from the kitchen and placed it in his desk.
His protein bars were replaced with dog biscuits.
The latch on his school bag was glued tight with epoxy.
Legs seemed to come out of nowhere in the hallway.
Between classes, the teachers found him hanging out of an upper window, mouth taped, arms and legs bound together.
Kaname spoke to him in the hallway. "Sousuke, I think it's time to modify the bet. You can do whatever is necessary to defend yourself." Her conscious was beginning to bother her. She had been so happy, so impressed with herself.
She failed to think things all of the way through.
"No, Kaname. Your concern does you credit. It is good to learn what kind of person you are, when the chance presents itself." Sousuke pulled the last piece of adhesive tape off of his arm.
Kaname blushed.
She liked hearing that, but was in no mood to accept it.
At that moment, she didn't think it was right for anyone to compliment her.
"Don't be stupid, Sousuke. This isn't some macho show-off thing, you know. You don't have to go proving yourself to me! HMMPPFF!!"
Boys could be so stupid.
"You misunderstand, Kaname. I have already proven myself to you. You are still alive." That statement hit Kaname like a pole-axe. "It is a matter of honor. I made a promise. I will keep that promise. Under any and all circumstances. If you did not want me to make that promise, you should not have tried to extract it from me."
As Sousuke stood there, a group of rugby players emptied a garbage can filled with water over his head. They did not bother to remove the garbage first. A slimy banana peel sat on the young operative's head like a helmet.
"OK, Sousuke." Kaname sighed. "I hope you know what you are getting yourself into."
She couldn't help herself. Kaname found herself impressed by Sousuke's character.
Strolling away, she smiled. He looked so funny with that peel draped over his hair.
"I had little choice, Kaname. I did not want to be ordered away."
Kaname stopped in mid step, stumbling against the wall. She cursed her reaction. What was the big deal? He had implied as much the other day when she forced him into the promise.
She told her heart to stop beating so fast.
When Kaname went to her locker and opened it, an odd colored envelope fell to the ground. She left it there for a minute, checking her watch.
'Usually
about..... NOW .....Sousuke would have knocked me aside and grabbed
the envelope. Then it would be exploded, burned, X-rayed, or
something'
Sousuke just stood there. There were beads of
sweat beginning to form at his temples.
Kaname decided to have some fun.
"Hmmm..... This smells really funny.... sort of like gunpowder. No, that's silly..."
Sousuke took a step-and-a-half, then stopped. His eyes were big. His throat moved as he swallowed repeatedly.
"O, my mistake" Kaname said. "I just smelled the residue of the last letter you blew up in my locker. Wait. There's a strange smear on this. You'd probably think it's poison or something. OWWW..... I cut my finger on it. A razor blade.…….. I...……."
Kaname crumpled to the ground.
"Kaname!" Sousuke rushed to her side. "Kaname, speak to me. Please. I need for you to describe the symptoms." He shook her.
"GOTCHA!!! " Kaname opened her eyes. She showed Sousuke the letter. It was just a note from some boy interested in her.
There was no razor and no foreign substance.
"We haven't found a dangerous letter yet, have we Sousuke?"
Sousuke sat a moment after Kaname left.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The lunch ladies wasted no time in getting back at Sousuke.
While he was eating one of the dog biscuits……… they did after all contain an impressive assortment of vitamins and minerals……… the vengeful women upended a huge vat of sesame sauce over him.
It would take them and the janitor the better half of an afternoon to clean up the mess; but, they certainly were not complaining. That little episode ought to brighten their lives for a good while, and give them tales to tell until the day they each retired.
Kaname began to see the other side of the bet.
Shinji and a group of other boys were discussing their favorite war novels and movies. It was a prime chance for Sousuke to be one of the boys, to make new friends.
Instead, the young soldier sat silently, responding only to questions that had nothing to do with warfare or the military. He didn't really seem like himself. It was like watching a seal in someone's bath tub, or an eagle kept in a canary's cage.
Suddenly, things got ugly.
Tempers flared at a pair of tables near the center of the room.. There was bad blood between a number of street gangs, the members of which attended Jindai High.
Chairs were thrown. Punches, too. Food was flung over combatants and bystanders alike. Before security could be called, knives were drawn.
One boy ended up with a shallow cut across his ribs. The blood seeped quickly into the porous fabric of his sweatshirt.
As security led one boy away……… and the teachers escorted the other boy to an awaiting ambulance……… Kaname felt the tight squeeze of guilt around her heart.
That was not the first time that violence had threatened to erupt in school. In the past, however, Sousuke had been very quick to defuse matters.
He was usually quite equitable---if no one listened, he would knock both unruly students out with his taser. As Sousuke served a useful purpose, the school officials overlooked that particular weapon.
"Great job, Sagara!" One of the gang member's friends said sarcastically as he walked by quiet boy.
"You were informed of my pledge," Sousuke answered, unconcerned. "In fact, you were one of the ones who put improper substances inside my desk, were you not? I found your fingerprints."
Kaname raised her halisen.
Fingerprinting bordered on the otaku.
She resisted. Sousuke was trying. He was also busy at the moment.
"This is DIFFERENT. Peoples' lives were at stake." The boy glowered down at Sousuke, looking as if he was on the verge of getting violent himself
"That is true. Why didn't you help him, then. Perhaps it was more your responsibility than mine. He was your friend, was he not?" Sousuke's words struck like a knife.
No, more like a spear to the heart.
The boy's face froze. There was nothing he could say in response.
Other students stood stunned as well. A number began to see Sousuke in a different light. They had always feared him or laughed at him for some of his tendencies. But, they had always taken certain things for granted as well.
It was something to think about.
"Sousuke...." Kaname mopped her brow.
Around her, Ryo, Maya, and Kyouko looked concerned.
"It is not a problem, Kaname. It was not my job. I already have one person to protect. They should learn to take care of themselves. I may not always be here." Sousuke shrugged.
Kaname flinched.
That was true.
She had even threatened as much, even though she knew it was not something she wanted. Still……… to hear those words spoken so matter-of-factly……… she came to understand just how real that possibility was.
Why did she keep coming back to this subject?
"Sousuke...….. you shouldn't have eaten all of those dog biscuits. Can I buy you a lunch?" Kaname was certainly feeling guilty.
"No thank you, Kaname." He took something wrapped in cloth out of his pockets. "I know how you like to sneak out for snacks between classes. I thought I would save you the trouble. You can have these if you like…."
Sousuke held out the dog biscuits.
Kaname's face began to turn red.
Her jaw was set.
The halisen twitched.
"….They might whiten your teeth."
Kaname should have made Sousuke promise to get a clue.
The halisen sent Sousuke sliding across the cafeteria floor.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
After lunch, the remainder of the day's classes had been canceled.
This was a special week at Jindai High.
Today the students would have Apprentice Day. Tuesday afternoon was scheduled for Cultural Day. There would be a musical presentation by the band and chorus on Wednesday, and Sports Day on Thursday. The school dance was on Friday.
Because Kaname had been busy with other things, the organization of the day's activities had rested in the hands of another girl.
That particular girl had a grudge of sorts with Sousuke. He had blown up the love letter she sent him.
Kaname was assigned to work with a Cosmetician for the rest of the day. Not exactly a line of work she would choose to pursue, but there would be a chance to learn something about running a small business.
Shinji was apprenticed out to a librarian. Maya would be helping out at a bakery. Ryo would be stationed in a jewelry store. Kyouko would be at the Aquarium, working with a marine biologist.
Sousuke's services were given to the hard working crew of Truck #38, of the Refuse Reclamation Department.
He didn't say a word. He just accepted his folder, checked the address, and looked in the paperwork for any necessary apparel or equipment.
Kaname was incensed.
She knew exactly why Sousuke had been given that position.
"That's not fair, and you know it!" The blue-haired girl said, coming to Sousuke's defense.
"Sure it is," the girl retorted. "So much garbage happens around here because of Sousuke. So much garbage is created around here because of his antics. Where else could he learn such a valuable lesson?"
"I can think of a lot of places," Kaname growled.
"Yes. Well, it's a shame that our class representative was too busy to take on this responsibility. By the way, there has been a last minute change." The girl crossed a line through Kaname's name.
"Aki really wanted to work with a cosmetician. She'll be happy you gave up that opportunity. But, you're in luck too. There is a vacant spot on Truck #38." The girl smiled. "Sousuke will probably enjoy the company. Aren't you glad you could help him out?"
Kaname had been speechless.
She hadn't expected to be slapped down like that simply by trying to help.
She caught her breath again. That phrase described a lot of Sousuke's actions. Maybe she should cut him a little slack in the future.
It was also interesting to see just how deep some peoples' grudges went. Satsuki wasn't usually that brazen and forward. There was truth to the saying 'absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
After that, the day stank for Kaname.
Literally.
She and Sousuke were given overalls to dress in. Hers were size XXL. The arms hung down to her knees and she could have fit her entire body in either pants leg. Both gloves were way to large. They looked like catcher's mitts. She even got to wear a jaunty scarf.
Whoopee!
Sousuke never said a negative word.
He impressed the workers from the moment he arrived. The well-conditioned young man could sling loaded garbage containers as if they were filled with air. He hung off of the back of the truck like he had gibbon blood. In the truck bay, he was a whirling dervish with a scrub brush and polishing rag.
It might not be a career he would ever choose, but his sense of duty would not allow him to do less than his best.
Kaname was a different story.
"I hate this job." She must said that to Sousuke more than one hundred times.
"I really loath this job." She said that fifty times.
"I'm going to kill Satsuki." That was said twenty five times.
Kaname lost track how many times her hands slipped out of her gloves. Despite her skills as an athlete, she fell off the truck a number of times. Occasionally, slipped into dumpsters: the one outside of the fish market was the worst.
She got garbage and any number of unidentifiable substances all up and down her arms.
It would take more than a week just to scrub away the stench.
The men all made fun of the irritable girl. Mainly, they did so because she complained so much. But, it was also because she was a woman.
Sousuke said nothing.
His pledge had struck again.
Still, as the day moved into night, Kaname gradually came around. She took her lead from Sousuke. She worked more and spoke less.
Surprising herself as much as anyone, she began telling jokes and laughing at other peoples' jokes. The final time she fell in a dumpster, she came out laughing, holding a copy of a popular magazine. The lead story was titled 'New Popular Jobs For People On The Move.'
A miraculous transformation took place. The men all warmed to her. By the end of the shift, she was like a daughter or a sister to some of them.
She and Sousuke even ate dinner with the crew at their favorite sushi bar.
"You did very well today," Sousuke said, walking home from the restaurant.
"Thank you, Sousuke" Kaname said, blushing.
"Everyone was very impressed, I think." Sousuke nodded his head.
"They were good guys," Kaname said. "I never realized how hard they worked, or the conditions they had to work under." She was also beginning to see the parallel with Sousuke and the things he did.
"You may have found your calling, Kaname." Sousuke had not meant it as a joke.
"WHAT???"
Kaname's fists clenched. She ground her teeth together.
"It should be obvious. You are capable enough to excel as a Refuse Reclamation specialist."
"BAKA!!!"
It took the public works department fifteen minutes to extract Sousuke from the storm drain.