Third period, social studies, Kakashi Hatake, is another matter.
His class is always a curveball. He teaches random chapters depending on what suits his fancy and assigns homework based on how much he felt like teaching that day. More often than not, it's silent reading for half the period then him asking random students a question. For a lot of students, Hatake-sensei's classes are stressful. Thankfully, his quizzes are pretty easy: vocabulary and any question he asked in-class. And from the looks of things, every topic said to be covered in the exam are coming along. If sporadically.
Hatake-sensei is really a teacher that emphasizes self-motivation to get a good grade.
As long as I keep one ear open for a question directed at me, dozing isn't too hard. I can always get the questions from Ino later.
—
One class I, sadly, cannot sleep through is fourth period, P.E. Mizuki Sugamuna is alright. Kind of annoying because of his blatant show of favoritism, but nothing severe. More importantly, though, he definitely would not let me slack off and take a nap though.
Shikamaru Nara tried to and he had to run extra laps.
P.E. is one of the classes that are mixed classes and sometimes years. Elective class being the other one. Typically there are two classes from two separate years, a combination of four classes in total. They are mixed together differently each school year. This year is the mix of Hatake's homeroom with Nohara's homeroom of first years and Tsubaki's homeroom with Umino's homeroom of second years. Sugamuna-sensei has three other assistant coaches to help with the large class combination.
Because of this, I get to meet Ino's childhood friends Shikamaru Nara and Chōji Akimichi. But I also have to deal with Neji, which is annoying. He's pretty pissed that I got the better of him in the hallway when he was harassing Hinata, consequently, he's always badgering me in whatever we do during P.E.
Just last week he was annoying the hell out of me when we were doing laps, so I tried to run faster to get away from him. It ended up in us facing-off around the track and finishing in record time. Now the track team won't leave me alone. The same things happen with the other activities, basketball, soccer, jump rope, if we do it, Neji is there trying to one-up me.
This time, however, I'm determined not to let him rile me up. No matter what he does, I'm going to ignore him.
"What are you looking so focused about, Katsumi-kun?" Ino asks.
She's pretty observant when it comes to my moods.
"I'm going to ignore Neji." I proclaim.
Ino guffawed in a most unladylike manner.
Shikamaru spoke up, "I doubt it." Staring at the above he rationalizes, "Since the second week of classes you two have been competing worse than Naruto and Sasuke. And trust me, that's really saying something."
"I will." I insist, "I just need to distract Neji with something else, then he'll leave me alone."
Maybe...
"I'll be back, I have a plan."
While helping some of the second years set up the soccer field, I call out to someone I've seen as a particularly determined fellow, "Hey! Bushy brows!"
"Is it I you are calling for, Tall Sir?" A bowl cut haired kid replies. His stare is intense as I nod in confirmation.
"I heard you're in Neji Hyūga's class." I start.
"It is true!" He confirms, striking an... odd pose.
"Well—"
"He is both formidable in his studies as well as in the physical arts!" He shouts, and I begin to regret my interaction while I'm trying to be in low-power mode. "However, I will not allow that to deter one such as I! For even if Neji-San is naturally inclined toward such feats, I shall Work Hard(™) to overcome such inborn talents! It is I, Rock Lee, who forces his guard up no matter the challenge! It is I, Rock Lee, who will never back down no matter the defeat or set back! It is I, Rock Lee who—"
"Cool." I cut in, "Rock Lee. Great. In that case, why don't you challenge him to the activities during P.E. from now on? Why didn't you before?"
"A valiant question, Tall Sir!" Rock Lee compliments? "I previously was offering my assistance to a certain pink-haired blossom whom my heart is now owned by! But, she has assured me that my presence is not a necessity as I have been seeing to it that she gets adequate physical condition during our physical education period! The instructor has also informed me of my success! So now! I, Rock Lee, shall challenge Neji Hyūga until I prove that fate can be overcome with Hard Work(™)!"
"Nice." I clap, unsure but, ultimately, goal accomplished, "Good luck with that. Bye now."
It only takes a few more minutes until all the cones are set up and I head back to the trio. I lean on Ino from behind, resting my head atop hers.
"What!" She flails.
"Talking to that kid was more exhausting than watching Naruto or you and Sakura getting into it." I explain.
"That's terrible," she allows, "but get off me! You're so manly the other guys might think you like me or were dating or something! What if Sasuke-kun gets the wrong idea!"
Oh, hehe, maybe too late for that one Ino.
"Fine." I sigh, straightening up. "Anyways, Neji is dealt with for the rest of the school year, at least."
"During P.E." Shikamaru reminds.
Chōji nods, "Maybe he'll have his annoyance at you all pent up. You should be careful if you run into him again."
"I didn't think of that." I sigh again, rolling my neck, "Well, I need the rest today. Maybe next week I can deal with him."
"Troublesome." Shikamaru intones.
"No kidding."
A whistle blows and everyone gathers around Sugamuna-sensei.
"We're doing a team sport today." He announces, "Well be splitting into eight teams. We'll have a mini-tournament with my assistant coaches as referees. Each match will end with the first team scoring the point as a winner. Winners will go up to the next bracket and losers will face other losing teams in a similar bracket formula. The winner of the loser and winner side will face each other, understood?"
A course of yes's is heard as people shuffle off into teams of 11. The extras being thrown in as benchwarmers.
"See you Katsumi-kun, Shikamaru, Choji!" Ino giggles as she runs off, "I have a date with Sasuke-kun!"
I wave goodbye then head to the nearest group, Shikamaru and Choji in tow. There's already nine of them, but the other teams are basically full. I greet the group and ask if I can be a benchwarmer.
"No way." A second year girl rejects, "You're so tall! You have to be the goalie, at least."
Rounds of agreement and that was that. The girl who rejected my request became the captain of the team. Slight build but athletic, with two buns on each side of her head, she introduces herself as Tenten, second year in Nohara-sensei's homeroom. Shikamaru ended up being the left forward and Choji the left defender. I could hear his complaining of 'troublesome' from the goalie box.
Tenten ended up being a pretty good captain and gathered some cooperative teammates, thus the ball stayed away from our side for the most part and I didn't have to do much. Luckily, we were eliminated from the Winner and Loser matches before we had to go against Neji, Rock Lee, Sasuke or Naruto. Despite their best efforts, the team didn't have the athletic capabilities to defend.
"We gave it a good go, everyone!" Tenten cheered at the end, "I had a lot of fun, so thanks."
With a cheerful smile like that, no one could be that upset. Plus, we got to rest afterwards.
—
"Finally, lunch period." Shikamaru grouches. "You gonna eat with us today, Katsumi?"
"Not today," I replied with an apologetic smile, "I'm gonna head to the roof and take a nap."
"Suit yourself."
"You're gonna get caught one day." Ino scolds, "I don't know how you even have access, but teachers go up there too you know!"
"What, are you gonna tattle?" I tease, grinning down that blonde.
Her face heats up again and I chuckle, she just shoves me and walks on ahead.
"You're so mean, Katsumi-San." Choji reprimands in his gentle way.
I shrug, "She'll get used to it eventually, I'll enjoy it while I can."
"It's so troublesome how good looking you are." Shikamaru bemoans, "Even girls end up liking you."
"Even, huh?" I ask, peering down at Shikamaru from the corner of my eye.
His shoulders twitch but he says nothing, "Just head up to the roof already, you troublesome woman."
Waving my goodbye, I head up, my lunch in hand.
Finding a secluded area on the top floor, I hold my lunch bag in my mouth. Finding something secure to grip, I climb out and up the nearest window. Most middle schoolers are too short to reach anything that would give them enough leverage to pull themselves onto the roof. Most people would have the physical strength either. I am no such middle schooler. I'm tall enough to be considered a short adult or growing high schooler. With the right clothes, everyone assumes I'm just a pretty boy. Nevertheless, old enough to work, old enough to apply for jobs, old enough to take care of my younger brother.
Passing over the railing, I lean against the shaded side roof entrance and eat my lunch. A simple meal of rice, chicken, and whatever vegetables were on sale the day I went grocery shopping. Food is merely a form of nutrition, the taste hardly matters... is what I tell myself.
One day, I'll make enough money to buy whatever I want to eat.
Putting everything away I stretch out to take a well deserved nap.
I'll get used to the new schedule soon.
—
A light tap against my arm wakes me up. Grabbing the offending thing, I feel a sock and the edge of a shoe. Ripping said shoe off I fling it at the person who was tapping me with their foot and stand, backing away.
"What the—" A familiar voice exclaims, "Now that was unnecessary Katsumi-Chan."
Genma Shiranui.
"That Chan is unnecessary, Shiranui-sensei." I quip back. "What'd you need so badly you had to wake me up?" I ask, stretching.
"I heard you've been sleeping through all your classes today." He leads, casually slipping his shoe back on.
"One of which was yours." I agree.
He sighs, the toothpick wriggling more aggressively. "You feelin' bad or somethin'?"
I shake my head, "I'm fine."
Another sigh and he wraps an arm around my shoulders, his weight forcefully pulling me along as he sits on the ground. Once seated, he removes his arm and leans back to support himself.
"Just tell me what's up kid, stop beating around the bush."
"...Shouldn't my homeroom teacher be the one counseling me?" I ask instead.
Irritated, he flicks me on the cheek. It doesn't hurt but it is annoying. I rub the spot until the stinging settles down.
"Stop avoiding it." He says, "Besides, you have Kakashi Hatake as a homeroom teacher. He avoids anything that requires emotion by a ten foot radius."
Pulling my knees to my chest I shrug, "It's nothing to worry about, I just got a job. I'll get used to the change in schedule."
"What's a kid like you doing with a job?" He asks, eyebrow raised. "Is that even legal?"
I roll my eyes, "I can handle it, old man."
"That's not what I meant and you know it." Shiranui-sensei says, a serious look in his eyes. "Listen," he sighs, rubbing the back of his head, "if you're in trouble, you can come talk to me. I'll help you sort it out."
If they sort it out, my brother and I will be in an orphanage and separated.
A light touch brings my attention to my clenched hands, I relax them immediately. His hand pulls away.
"Everything is... not alright." I admit, "I'll get through it though." A beat of silence, "I'm serious, it's just getting used to a new schedule. I'll be fine by next week."
I can feel him looking over me, except, I know for certain he won't find anything. I made sure of it.
His hand gently ruffles my hair and the feeling is so foreign it gives me pause for a second.
"Whatever you say kid." Shiranui relents, "When you need it, I'll be here. Here's my contact if you're ever in trouble."
Returning my phone, I look up at him shocked, and a little disturbed. It must have shown on my face because he immediately defends himself.
"You dropped it when you climbed out the window." He explains, "And it's for emergencies! I'm not tryna hit on a brat like you, I'm old enough to be your father."
"When you were what? Thirteen?" I snark back.
Another hair ruffle, this time I shoo his hand away. I get a deep chuckle in response, "Close, if I had a kid when I was seventeen or eighteen, they'd be as old as you, kid."
"I'm going back to sleep," I declare, "I don't care how old you are, and I'm fine."
A soft heh is all the response I get, but I hear his footsteps fade and the sound of the roof entrance opening and closing. He doesn't relock the door after he's left.
A/N
A little show of adult support. I believe someone would notice that Katsumi isn't quite a normal child, and I feel Genma is the type to mother-hen haha.