Fifth period is foreign language with Tsubaki Nagashima. Another teacher I think is pretty overrated for a middle school. She teaches most of the foreign language classes. Fluent in Madarin, Japanese, English, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese, she's able to read and write in those languages too. She's a serious and somber instructor, though, she does have her gentle side if you go to her for personal reasons. Or so I've heard.

"Hey," I poke my friend in the back, "Ino."

"What?" She replies distracted.

"You've been using the wrong character for 'I,' wǒ, this whole time," I correct, "that's the character for zhǎo."

"What?!" She cries, "I just finished my paragraph."

"At least you don't have to redo it later." I try to comfort her.

Chinese was one of the harder languages to learn to write. No matter how good of teacher Nagashima-sensei is, Chinese characters come down to rote memorization. Something I have for days, considering I have an eidetic memory. As long as I have time to look over my study materials, it's not too difficult for most subjects.

"I see you're pretty chatty, Matsuzaki-San." Nagashima-sensei begins, "I take it you finished the assignment for today?"

"Yes ma'am." I reply, smiling politely, "I just finished the homework too."

The strict woman hums, "Feel free to help Uchiha-San then. He's having trouble writing his paragraph today."

I feel the eyes of rabid fangirls zero-in on me, but I have more than them for my pressure to reject, "I would rather not, Nagashima-sensei."

Her silence combined with her intent eyes are clearly commanding me to take it back. I feel sweat form on my hands but keep my smile in place, a nervous laugh escaping me.

Finally, she says, "It wasn't a request, Matsuzaki-San."

"O-of course, Nagashima-sensei." I reply, accepting defeat.

She walks off, but I can feel her watchful gaze even as her back is turned. Keeping a strictly polite smile on my face, I move to look over Sasuke's work.

"You don't usually struggle in class." I comment.

It seems he's struggling with we learned last wee—

"I was absent for most of last week." He reminds me unnecessarily, eyes accusing.

I slip on my polite smile, "I'm sure it must've been something you've done."

"Hn."

Shuffling through my bag, I pull out my Chinese folder.

"Here, this has my notes from last week." I hand over, rolling my eyes and shoving it onto his desk when he doesn't take it, "Give it back when you're done. Basically, we learned 40 new words and some sentence structure."

Turning back in my seat, I start on my other homework. It takes him a few minutes, but he warily opens my folder and flips through the notes.

What a hassle.

—

Sixth period is one of the few classes we have the chance to change room settings. Today was not one of the days we would do so.

Science is the second to last period of the day, taught by Rin Nohara. A gentle, bubbly woman with a clear passion for the sciences. Typically, all theory is taught in our usual classroom and assigned days are set aside for lab periods throughout the month. When and how many times we get to go to the lab depends on how well our class is behaviorally and academically in the subject.

As you can imagine, having the loud, clumsy, if well meaning, Naruto along with Sasuke and his hoard of fangirls, particularly Sakura and Ino, means we do not get lab days often. Or at all. We had one.

That being said, Nohara-sensei tries to make her class as interactive as possible for us. Bringing kiddie-proof models of whatever we may be learning or doing group activities that allows us to move around. So it isn't so bad. This year is earth and space science, so everything can be related personally in some fashion. She's able to keep everyone's attention most of the time and it doesn't hurt that she likes to bring goodies to her students.

Her class passes quietly.

—

Seventh period, the elective period, is usually something artistic like music, choir, pottery, or painting. You pick two electives and every other school day they switch off. Everyone's seventh period is elective, and most of the teachers pick up a subject. Personally, I think it's the school's way of forcing the teachers to get a hobby.

I chose calligraphy and meditation as my electives. Ino chose flower arrangements and calligraphy, so we have classes together every other day.

"Why did you choose those two electives anyway?" I ask while walking Ino to her classroom.

"I think they suit me." She replies, flipping her long ponytail over her shoulder, "I like decorating and plants and having pretty handwriting. I might even charm Sasuke-kun when he accepts one of my letters!"

I give her a deadpan look and she huffs and looks away, "The first one is true, in any case," she continues, "and the second isn't a lie. I originally joined calligraphy because that's one of my father's hobbies." She admits.

"Oh wow." I say in surprise, "That's actually pretty cute of you Ino."

I see her face flush before she looks away, "I'm not a child." She mutters.

"No, you're not." I agree. "But you're, well your father's child. I'm sure he'll be touched."

"I guess." She answers. Ino is not one to usually be shy, but whenever her father is brought up, she gets subdued.

Grinning, I give gentle a shove, pushing her into the classroom. She gives an unladylike squawk before righting herself and sending me a glare.

"See ya." I wave, walking to my own classroom.

Oddly enough, Shiranui is the one who teaches meditation. I guess his laid back attitude matches it enough, although, I would've thought Hatake would have thought of it first so that he wouldn't have to actually guide a class. Also, I thought more students would sign up for this elective since you basically didn't have to do anything. My guess is that the girls wanted to join the classes either Sasuke or Neji joined, and the boys wanted to join the girls.

Walking in, I see that it's only Shiranui.

"I promise that my class on your opposite days have more students, Katsumi-Chan." He says, exasperated.

I shrug, "Whatever you say."

"Are you ready?"

I lay down in the spacious classroom. All the chairs and desks have been moved to the side. This way, students can relax in whatever position they wish. I usually sprawl out in the middle.

"It feels more like a therapy session than meditation today, Shiranui-sensei." I complain.

There's an unexpected silence, and I look up to peer at the usually quick witted teacher. He's in the teacher's stool, staring intently. Sighing, I sit up to act serious too.

"I thought we had our little heart-to-heart on the rooftop, sensei." I gripe.

"I just worry you're bitting off more than you can chew, kid." He reveals, "I might not know you well, but you've been looking stressed this past week."

"It's nothing." I reply, nothing new, "This job will help, don't worry too much sensei. You have like, a million other kids to worry about too."

"I have a feeling," he says slowly, "they have enough other people in their lives to worry about them."

I stand up to look out the window, not because there's anything I want to see. It just gives me something to do.

"It's not that hard, sensei." I reassure, "I'm just a little tired, I swear."

I hear his step getting closer, and a rough hand settles atop my head. We stand quietly for a while. I'm not sure how much time passes or why I don't push him off. Is this what an adult is supposed to be like?

"I'll be here if you need me, just remember that kid."

—

After school, I rush off to the cafe across from my work sight. The cashier is the same girl as always, a high schooler who also thinks I'm a cute underclassman. Emphasis on the man.

For a few pretty words she'll give me a sandwich before work. A wink here and there and I might get a dessert to share with Kumo later. I change from my bomber jacket, long sleeve, and unintentionally ripped jeans to my black cargo and uniform shirt. Tying my hair back into a bun, I shove everything into my backpack before waving a goodbye.

"Katsumi!" My name is shouted as I drop off my bag at the break area.

"What do you need me for, Hayate?" I ask the general contractor of the site.

"Just in time." He noted, "I need you in area 3, just the usual heavy lifting."

Stretching my arms I jokingly complain, "How boring."

"You're lucky I even gave you the job," Hayate retorts, a playful gleam in his eyes despite his harsh words, "now get going. You're only here for four hours, might as well make the most of it."

"Sir, yes, sir."

Being on the lowest rung as a construction worker is hard work, but it pays better than other jobs. Because I don't have actual experience in the field, I'm put to work as a runner. Moving materials from one spot to the next, or informing one person or another of something. I'm not allowed to do any of the technical work or use any tools or man any of the vehicles. Which is fair. By the end of the work day I'm exhausted, but it pays a decent amount and I get exercise. A win-win for me.

"Good work today, Katsumi." Hayate compliments as usual. He's as put together as when I first saw him at the start of my shift. As general contractor, he just supervises, but keeps everything on track.

"Thanks for your hard work, Hayate."

"Don't get cheeky." He scolds with no heat, "It's getting dark, so head straight home, ya hear?"

"Yes, sir." I salute, jogging my way to the boys and girls club.

Everything is pretty close in this area. It's a ten minutes jog to school from the house, with Kumo's school being a five jog in the opposite direction. From the school, the construction site is down four blocks. The boys and girls club is another ten minute jog from the site, and the club being a fifteen jog from the house.

"Ah, Katsumi-san." The front desk worker greets, "I'll call for Kumo-kun now."

"Thank you." I smile, taking out my water bottle from my backpack.

Kumo appears not too long after. I sign him out, then swing him onto my back. His laughter fills the air as I make our way out.

"How was your day, Momo?" I ask, walking briskly. A jog would jar him too much, so a brisk walk is better.

"Super fun!" He exclaims, "I made friends with an older kid, Konohamaru, today. We played a lotta fun games together."

"I'm glad." I say sincerely.

"He said, he wanted me to play at his house one day." Kumo starts, "Do you think..."

"What is it? Do you want to visit your friend?" I probe.

"I want him to come over to our house first." He mutters into my shoulder.

I hum, before answering, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"I-I know. Sorry, Kat—"

"But," I interrupt, "we can all go to the park together. And have a picnic if you like. Just let me know when and I'll find time to play with you all too."

The grip around my neck tightens, and I make no objections. Even though he is so young, Kumo doesn't like it when I made it obvious he was crying. He also understands the kind of situation we're in.

"Sorry I've been busy lately, Momo." I say, I feel his head shake against my shoulder, "Well have more time soon, just hang on a little longer, okay?"

I feel his nod, wanting to cheer him up I say, "Tonight, we'll have Katsu curry, your favorite!"

—

The apartment is drab and I have to fit the key in just-so or the lock won't open. But it's a roof over our heads and we can be together, so I don't mind it too much. Removing out shoes at the entry, I lock up behind us. Kumo runs to the common area, climbing up a chair to start on the homework he couldn't finish. I make my way to the other side of the table, the designated kitchen area. Opening the fridge I grab everything to make an improvised curry.

As I cook, I keep an eye on my brother and an ear out for my father. The low, indistinctive chatter of a tv can be heard from the en-suite bedroom along with the occasional clinking of glass. I would like to ignore that man, but it's safer if I keep track of him. That, and if I make sure he has the necessities, he won't come out and bother us.

Letting the curry simmer and the chicken finish frying, I go to look over Kumo's work. Leaning on the back of his chair, I notice that shoulders of his shirt are a little tight and the hem of his pants a little high. I make a note to get new clothes for him soon, mentally calculating if I'll have the budget for it next week.

"How's it looking?" I ask, though it's obvious he's having trouble from the pinched expression on his face.

He heaves a deep sigh, flopping back against the chair and allowing his arms to hang like noodles at his sides. "It's so harrrd."

"Maybe I can help." I grin.

He grins back, "Maybe you can tell me the answer instead."

"Oh?" I hum, "And what would you give me in return?"

Puffing out his chest he boldly says, "A hundred-million-kajillion-billion dollars of course!"

I mock-deflate, "Oh. Is that alllll?"

He also deflates, his mouth open in shock, "I think it's a pretty good deal."

Tapping my fingers on the table I make exaggerated 'hmmm's and 'haw's, "No deal." I declare, "I value my little brothers education a liiiiittle more than that."

He groans and goes back to his assignment.

"I'll give you a hint though." I compromise.

The beaming smile I get is priceless.

—

"Dinner is ready." I tell Kumo, turning around to make sure he was till focused on his homework, "Did you finish that hard problem?"

"Yeah." He assures, "You explain it wayyyy better than Konohamaru. He was kinda confusing."

I chuckle at that, "Maybe he was just too excited to be helpful."

"I think he's just kinda dumb." Kumo admits.

I set his plate in front of him, along with utensils and turn around for my own. "Just be nice about it, alright? You wouldn't want him to be sad."

"I know," He starts, "kinda like how dad is sad, right?"

"...kinda." I say, "Tell me more about your new friend."