Jogging to the usual cafe once school is out, I'm accosted by the local blond menace.

"Hey!" Naruto called, "Katsumi! I have something to say to you!"

Slowing to a stop and check the time on my phone, "No time, Naruto."

"Make time!" He hollers.

Scratching the back of my head, I nod, "Sure. Well, later."

Snatching my elbow as I turn to leave, Naruto gets in my face. "I know what you did to Sasuke."

It's rare to see Naruto serious. I consider whether I should hear him out now or force the issue. Analyzing his tense form and firm grip, I don't think he'll take no for an answer. I pull my arm from him and give him my full attention, "We have five minutes."

He nods, "I know you were the one to beat up Sasuke." He reiterates, "I let it go because you two seemed to have come to an understanding when he came back to school."

I notice his hands clench at his sides.

"Now," he continues, "now you two are talking again. I just wanna make sure you won't pull something like that again."

Me?

"It was a misunderstanding, Naruto." I state plainly, "I'm making it up to him."

The blond's stare intensifies before he nods, "I figured. Sasuke is an asshole but he has a heart."

His words bring to mind the awkward, if sincere, conversation I had with Sasuke on the rooftop. I keep silent, watching the determined boy closely.

"When my…" He looks down, then resolves himself and makes eye contact, "When I became alone, he looked out for me no matter how much I cried or tried to push him away. Sasuke... he might not show it much but he's not as tough as he pretends to be too! I won't let people walk all over his heart just because they can't see it."

There's a moment of tense silence. Unspoken words linger in the air with meanings I can't quite grasp. It feels significant, it feels important, maybe even a little… special. Yet, I can't really understand it.

I can respect it though.

"I'll keep it in mind, Naruto." I promise, "I'm not out to hurt him and I'll try… to be more understanding."

Brushing his nose, the suddenness of his somber attitude is gone just as fast it came. His usual grin is back, "That's all I ask of ya'. I'll be watching you though!"

"I'll hold you to it." With a wave goodbye, I head on with my routine.

The construction site lacks the typical hustle today. Workers linger around chatting or go about their work at a relaxed pace. An unusual sight since Hayate, for all his soft spoken ways, is a strict man who like efficient work. I jog over to Hayate to sign-in.

"Why is everyone so chill today?" I ask, waiting for him to assign me a section to work at.

He continues to leaf through the papers on his clipboard. I stand obediently at his side. Hayate Gekkō is a gentle, fair, and meticulous person. He's also a very at-his-own pace kind of guy, whether he answers or not is up to him, and bugging him for a response doesn't do any good.

I assume that he has a lot on his plate because he's always looking tired. Despite whatever keeps him busy, he's very attentive to everything and everyone. Perhaps, that is what keeps him busy. Whatever the case, it's thanks to Hayate that I was able to get this job. Working at CORE Construction is the first job that was willing to hire me when I needed to start supporting my family, just this past summer.

I was wandering around town looking for job openings downtown when I spotted a pickpocket lift a guy. The thief was scrawnier than me, so I thought I could stop him. A small struggle commenced and I was able to get the wallet he stole. When I turned to return it to the victim, I didn't notice the thief pull out a knife behind my back. By some stroke of luck, the supposed 'victim' was Hayate. He easily unarmed the thief and called the police.

He probably saved my life that day. He was kinda cool, then.

After that, I was scolded by him too. When he asked what I was doing wandering the streets so late, I told him I needed a job. I don't know why he took me in and gave me a position on his construction team. I'm under qualified and pretty young. Whatever the reason, it allowed me to be where I still am today.

"The materials got delayed." His voice shakes me out of my reminiscing. "There isn't much to do."

"That's too bad." I casually comment, "Should I go home for the day?"

Even though I'm the one to suggest it, I secretly hope he doesn't. Just being on site means I'll be paid and if I'm sent home, that's four hours of wages gone.

"I didn't send anyone else home." Is his gentle rebuff, "Besides, it wasn't our error that delayed the materials. Just hang around with us for the rest of your shift, a little break wouldn't hurt."

Nodding my assent, I walk over to the designated rest area, and a take seat at the end a picnic-style table. Swinging my backpack onto the space next to me, I take out my homework notes. Typing up my homework on my phone is a little annoying, but I can't afford a laptop and don't have time to use the library. If I can finish the language arts project quickly, I'll have less to do later in the week.

Time passes slowly like that. I focus on my assignments and ignore the rambunctious workers. I'm not particularly close with anyone, so other than a few greetings I'm not bothered. So absorbed in my work, I didn't notice Hayate took a seat across from me until I came up to stretch. He was also focused, scribbling in the margins of his paperwork, his pen slashing and tapping as he went.

"Did you finish?" He quietly asks.

I look around me, but it's just the two of us at this table, "Ah, yeah." I answer, "All caught up for now."

He hands me a few papers. I carefully take them and read, "CORE Construction Statement of Cash Flows For the Month of April."

My eyes snap up to Hayate but he's scribbling on another paper already. "Am I allowed to be looking at this?" I ask skeptically.

"I know what I handed you." He says calmly, "Just make sure the calculations are correct and the numbers match the ones from the reports."

"Sir, yes, sir." I comply.

I am supposed to be working.

Doing as I'm told, I compare the papers, trying not to read what's on them too closely and focus only on the numbers. It's not that easy since I have to read a sentence or so to figure out which numbers correspond to each component versus the last month's or budgeted amount. Turns out, I end up reading most of the reports in full.

Finished, I hand it back to Hayate. He glances over my corrections and nods, "You're pretty good with your studies, I see."

"Why are you assigning me this stuff?" I pout, "I don't even know accounting."

He hands me a bigger stack, "No, but you know how to add, subtract and read. I'm not asking you to interpret the data."

Sighing, I get back to work. While going through everything, I start to wonder, "Why are you going through these types of documents though? Shouldn't this stuff be checked by, like, the boss of a department?"

"CORE Construction is actually a small company." He explains, "We just have a lot of labor workers. Recently, one of our department heads left so I'm picking up the slack until we hire another person."

"Is it really appropriate for a general contractor to do this?" I push.

"Well, I own the company, so I have the authority and I'm familiar with all this." He says distractedly.

"Oh." I blink, stunned, "Usually you big fish stay in your offices."

A shrug, "Most people wouldn't understand why you're hired. This makes things simpler."

So he's been tired because he's basically doing two jobs?

I pause in my work, sensing this, Hayate looks up at me in question, "Why go through all that for me?"

Rolling his shoulders back, he looks me in the eyes, "You're a hard worker Katsumi, I could see that from the moment we met. I don't know your circumstances but I admire people who want to be self reliant." He goes back to his work, "If you do this well enough, maybe I'll take you out of the dirt and bring you to work at the company."

Touched, I also continue to finish the papers he gave me. For the rest of the shift, I couldn't repress my grin. Near the end of the shift, Hayate passes me a steaming cup. I stare at him, he gets the hint and answers my silent question.

"Yūgao prepares a lot of tea for me to have throughout the day. She says this one is good for rejuvenating energy."

Taking a whiff, I'm hit with peppermint, lemon, and a flowery fragrance. Taking a sip, it is refreshing, light, and just sweet enough to highlight the flavors.

"It's good." I compliment, taking another gulp.

"It's a jasmine green tea she makes herself." He shares, "I'll pass on the compliment."

We sit in companionable silence. Drinking our tea as the approaching dark is lightened by the gradual activation of street lights.

"Hayate," I call, "do you think, you would be willing to teach me how to defend myself?" This probably seems out of the blue from me. I don't normally as favors or share anything too personal for that matter. I'm not sure if he even knows I'm a girl, never mind that I'm a twelve year old middle schooler. Nevertheless, he's one of the few people I know who has the skills to help me.

He glances at me out of the corner of his eye, and I get the feeling he's inspecting me.

"Did something happen?" He counters. The question takes me by surprise. Even though Hayate has helped me a lot, he's never asked me anything personal. Not when I told him I was looking for a job, or even after he offered one. Even now, when he's basically promoting me, he doesn't ask why about anything else.

Since I am the one asking a favor, I figure it's only right to be honest.

"I work another job." I share, "It's during the night so it's not the safest. There was an incident, but nothing came about it. I just… want to be able to do something next time."

"I can suggest you to someone." He replies, "I don't think I'd be a good fit. The way I fight wouldn't suit you."

"Oh," I reply, feeling a little rejected, "and why's that?"

"It's mostly offense, which isn't what you want." He starts, "Even if you were okay with that, it requires a long time to train, so it wouldn't be convenient for you. And finally, you're a girl."

"You can tell?" I ask in bewilderment.

"It took a bit, but you're not very masculine to start with. In a couple of years, you won't be able to pretend anymore."

I look at him in disbelief, I'm not manly but I'm not foolish enough to believe that I have the 'pretty' look either. What's up with the 'you're a girl' reason though?

"I didn't take you for a sexist, Hayate." I frown.

"It's not because you're a girl." He sighs.

"You literally just said you wouldn't teach me because I'm a girl." I retort.

"I'll explain." he amends, "You could learn, but it's better for you to learn something more suitable to females. You're a big kid now, but there will always be guys that can overpower you."

"There's weak men too." I argue.

"Yeah, they shouldn't try to fight force with force either." He agrees, "Generally, females won't be able to gain strength or resistance as quickly as males, especially when they've grown. I was trying to say a different style would suit you because there's a difference in the amount of lean muscle a male or female body can build, which does have an impact the way I fight."

I nod, "Okay, I get it."

"Good." He nods back, "Just play to your strengths, but don't over rely on it or it'll become a crutch. I'll see who'll be willing to teach you."

"Thank you, Hayate."

—

I was nervous going back to the Lotus Lounge. I didn't want to run into Itachi again, but a job's a job. I could only comfort myself with the thought that Itachi didn't seem the kind to be a regular at this type of establishment. On the other hand, if he finds out I was the one to mess with his brother, he knows exactly where to find me. Until Sasuke and I finalize our deal, I can't let down my guard.

Hopefully Sasuke has an answer tomorrow.

Thankfully, the night was peaceful. I was still learning the ropes, but cleaning up wasn't a hard job. I wasn't pushed into a substitute host position this time around, so the shift passed quietly.

When I arrive home, I browse the delivered mail, check my bank statements, pay for rent, utilities, cable and phone. I calculate how much we have for groceries this week. With the third job, I'll make enough to buy Kumo some new clothes and was even able to put aside a little money into savings. Kumo is able to fit some of my old clothes, but they are in bad shape and I don't have to sew them. Right now they're used as his junk clothes if he ever does anything dirty at school.

New clothes will make him happy.

Sighing, I lay my head on the table. It hasn't been long since I started to take care of the household, it's been two months now. I just wonder how long it can last. No matter if I can pay the bills, put food on the table, take care of Kumo and keep us out of trouble, there are still things that parents need to show up for. Parent-teacher conferences, school events, parent permission slips. It can only go on for so long until people start asking questions. At my age, I could just say I have distant parents, always at work. In Kumo's case, it could be considered negligence for a child his age. People will start noticing.

I can forge a signature, and I would be happy to step in for any school activities. Luckily, our schools run on a three-term system, so I have more time to think up a plan. However, I don't have even an inkling of how to handle a required parent-teacher conference. My father would never go. He's too stuck in his own mind to do anything other than drink, eat, and sit around. Even if I got him to change and look presentable, he wouldn't be socially acceptable. In fact, questions might be raised faster.

At least mother isn't here.

Deciding to go to bed, I clean up the papers and go about my night routine. Shoving Kumo to share the space, I knock out from sheer exhaustion.

I've finally set up a schedule for this story! I'll be updating every Wednesdays with at least one chapter.

Stay safe.