disclaimer: I do not own khr, it is owned by Amano Akira

Had to reupload the chapter because of a huge mistake, shout out to Kalmaegi for pointing it out

Chapter Ten: Decisions

I used to think students were the ones who were the most excited when they heard the incessant ringing of the school bell at the end of the school day. But I realized a week into school it wasn't the students, but Nezu-Sensei who would walk out the staff room with an extra pep in his step and his eye glasses gleaming in the sun.

I would join him, I really wanted to be skipping down the hallway and treating myself to some ice-cream, except I couldn't. Not when I was suppossed to be in the small gymnasium in the west wing at - I look down at my wrist and stare in horror as the long hand tics to 6 and practically sprint down the hall.

Pausing outside of a weathered off white door, I try to catch my breath-

Holy shit- wow, Midori probably hasn't exercised in a few years. Breathing hard, my lungs and throat feel like they're on fire and my legs like jello. I also just may be a tad dizzy, just a tad. Damn, this girl needs to go to the gym or something, I literally was only running for two minutes.

But I ignore the haphazard breathes, and take in the surroundings of weeds infesting the structure and green vines wrapped around the corners of the building. Trying my best to block out the foul smell of trash intermixed with sweaty pubescent boys, I swing open the door and ignore the ear splitting freak of rusty hinges.

In truth the "small gymnasium" the boxing club used, was a long forgotten storage room at the back of the campus, coincidentally it was also located right next to the trash and recyclables.

It was a total shit-hole.

But how can I say that out loud when I have sunny faces crowding around me?

"Harada-sensei, thank you so much! You won't regret this, I swear on my honor." Sakamoto, Yuki is the tallest of the five boys before me. I can't help the tug of my lips as I remember his determination in the teacher's room a few days prior. Gone are the watery eyes, replaced by a broad smile. The third year captain puts his chestnut colored hair back with a headband and proceeds to tug at the tattered boxing gear.

His fellow third year Haruka, Tatsumi follows indifferently, "Yeah, thanks sensei."

I can feel a small quirk of my eyebrow, he is the definition of calm and collected bad boy. He swipes at his tousled black hair and the 14 year old boy's sharp gray hued orbs absorb the condition of the room. He's rather popular with Namimori's female student body, if the passing giggles are anything to go by as he walks in the hallway.

My gag reflex almost kicks in as a yellowed rag that I think was originally white, is tossed across the room. "Start tidying up that corner, Hiroshi", Haruka orders.

Hiroshi, Hiroto also known as Hiro-Hiro grumbled as he plucked the affronting cloth off his head, revealing a shaggy mop of bleach blonde hair. Although, he looked like the stereotypical delinquent who would scream 'Bancho!', after reading the roster I almost did a spit-take (yes people that happens in real life, thankfully the dribble didn't land on any papers). The grumbling goofball, was ranked 3rd in the whole school.

I blinked rapidly as Takahashi who with his short stature bounds over to me and looks up with that same cherubic smile. "We're really excited your our advisor Harada-sensei, please take care of us in class and after school! Right, Ryohei?" He's bowing and surprisingly strong enough to shove his trailing tan classmate's back with his hand, both boys bowing till I spot their hair whirls.

"I'm excited to learn more about boxing," at this I saw all the boys pause and stare, with varying degrees of wide eyes. "But just because I'm your club advisor, don't think that means you can slack off in class, okay?"

I'm adopting my 'stern but cool' teacher look, hands on hips with a quirked eyebrow accompanied with a joking glare. I think I'm nailing it, when I spot grins with a hint of nervousness. The black haired 7th grader still has the angelic smile plastered on his face, so I take on an easier target.

Sasagawa is looking anywhere but my face with a quick clearing of my throat, gray orbs meet my own brown eyes.

He blurts it out quicker than Takahashi can elbow him in the side, "We were going to use boxing as reason for missing homework assignments, TO THE EXTREMEEEE!"

The shorter boy lets out a boisterous laugh, "Ryohei, did Haruka-senpai hit you in the head too hard yesterday?"

The rough and tumble boy's brows begin to furrow, "We didnt't have pract- ow!"

Sasagawa's bandaged hands rub his back as he shoots his friend a confused glance, before walking over to the trio of upper classman who have a cleaning rag waiting for him. Takahashi is still beaming at me and an amused smirk makes its way on to my face. "Have you ever heard the phrase 'Fake it, till you make it', Takahashi-san?"

"Nope," he's very animated, and it's a wonder how he doesn't fall asleep more often with how energetic he is during the day. "You said you wanted to learn more about boxing, right? I can teach you right now!"

"Hey! Stop slacking over thereand come help us clean!"

He's humming cheerily now, with a whiteboard and marker in hand "I dont't know what you're talking about Hiro-Hiro-senpai." He's humming cheerily now, with a whiteboard and marker in hand, "I'm just teaching sensei about the sport, it wouldn't do to have a boxing advisor who didn't know anything about boxing right?"

The second year starts to adopt the look of a ripening mango in a flurry of yellow bleach blonde hair and a reddening face he advances towards us. Only when a hand grips his shoulder does he halt in his stride, Sakamoto is grinning as he pats the teenager's shoulders.

"Now, now, I love this enthusiasm on our first day back in the club! Let's put all that good energy into the ring." He's sending the duo a beaming smile, I can almost hear his teeth 'ping'.

"Yes, captain!" The teens chorus.

Surrounded by sweat stained boxing gear and beaming boys, I grab the nasty looking rag with spirit. "Let's get this place clean and fit enough to be called the Namimori's boxing club room!"

Let this place be a shithole no longer.

-x-v-x-v-v-

The one major thing Midori and I shared in common was how filial we were towards our parents. Despite moving to Namimori, I called them daily updating about our days and talking like friends. It was the one thing I knew they appreciated and loved as it had been something Greenie had done in the past with them.

We were the same person, as much as I had initially disliked my alternate self we did share common core values.

So when I phoned home on her walk back to Sayaka's house, I was not expecting the young girl's voice to greet me.

"Good evening Harada-sensei, Harada Mama can't answer the phone right now because she's driving."

Harada Mama?

I tugged a ringlet because - holy cow this cannot be happening.

"Hayama-chan?" There must have been a hint of incredulous disbelief in my voice, as I heard the happy voice go quiet.

Instantly regretting my short-sightedness, because this was Nagi. The girl who was so emotionally abused and neglected, what would she feel when an adult who had been caring suddenly grow cold? I silently cursed her mother, excuse me - I mean the woman who birthered her and practically abandoned her.

I'm smiling tenderly, when I imagine the frightened doe eyed look she probably has on, "It's wonderful to hear from you sweetheart, I was just surprised is all. How are you doing?"

"Good," a small voice replies. I give her a second and she continues, "we're going home to make dinner together for Hayama Papa."

Going home to make dinner together with HARADA PAPA, I could all but internally scream.

"Thank you for always being so helpful, what delicious meal will you be making tonight?"

The cheer in her voice is back, "Curry rice!"

"Oh that sounds incredibly tasty, I hope that I can try what you make someday!"

We continue to chatter, I realize I miss hearing the young girl's voice. How at first she always remains timid and shy, but with a little coaxing she slowly begins to chatter animatedly (still quiet though).

I hear quick shifting as the car is parked and familiar laughter rings from my cellphone. There's a far away quiet cheer before my mother's voice is heard, "Midori, how are you doing today? How was your first week of working?"

"It was great, i'll tell you all about it in a second. How come...?" I don't know how to ask - don't know how to form the question without drawing attention to my skepticism.

Why is Nagi who's I'm 99% sure is Chrome with you? Please don't say you kidnapped her!

It's no secret my mother has an incredibly large soft spot for the long blue haired child. Nagi who is incredibly sweet, like sugar and jam, and a caring girl. Someone you can't help but help and get worried about. She really brought out the mother hen in adults.

"The school called home asking for you, the teachers wanted to see if you'd be looking after her tonight. I decided to take her home since that woman wouldn't."

Ignoring the venom in her voice, I clarified, "You talked to her didn't you?"

"Yes dear, and I would like to not have to repeat that lovely conversation."

I'm scoffing, thinking about the exchange and the crap spewing from Nagi's birth giver's ruby red painted lips, was going to make my blood boil.

It was situations like these that made me wonder if I should keep my stance in trying to not get involved. But at this point I was already involved, and I couldn't ignore child abuse.

I wouldn't.

Plot. Be. Damned.

AN:Short chapter, but getting my juices going, I shall no longer make promises on updates because I'm a filthy liar. Shameless plug in for a new Naruto SI story I'm writing called Raining Pebbles that's about life as a noble in Iwagakure. Enjoy and feedback is always appreciated!