Chapter 23: Second Offense
Our mini-vacation is over all too soon, and before I register it we are already sitting in Sesshomaru's car in front of my building. We kiss goodbye, and he does not drive off until the door to the lobby shuts behind me. By the time I enter my apartment the sun is already setting reminding me that it is around 1700 hours on a Sunday. "I should be preparing for my return to school tomorrow," I think to myself after slipping off my shoes and walking across the room to the window. I look out over the city for a while before finally getting my things in order. Finished, I shower and head to bed.
The buzz of my alarm wakes me up the next morning. I am disappointed—to say the least—to wake up in my studio and the buildings I have woken up to for nearly a year; rather than the captain's quarters of the yacht and the view of the bay. I wash up, dress, and eat before heading out. The mid November air bites at my nose, so I rewrap my scarf to cover my face as I make my way to the train station. The quiet ride allows my mind to wonder, and I review raw and unedited memories of the weekend. I play only my highlights so that by the time it is over I reach my destination.
My body is on autopilot with the normal six-days-a-week routine. First, walk to school from the train station. Second, switch into school shoes at my locker. Finally, head to class and wait. The routine is all the same except for this time I feel different. I feel light, new, and ready. My strides are slower as I take in and appreciate my surroundings rather than being swift and focused. I find my eyes rolling less at the underclassmen who still cannot get their shit together two terms into the year. I feel more patient.
"Sakura-senpai! Are you feeling better?" Haru-kun asks me as I take my seat next to him.
"Um, yes. I just came down with a fever and needed to stay at home."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, senpai."
"If you had a phone you could've called one of us! There's a fantastic pho restaurant on our block," Girl Number One joins in. "I have a phone now, but—oops—left it at home."
"Hana, what is with you and pho when you're sick?" Haru-kun asks Girl Number One whose real name is revealed to be Hana. "Huh, so that's her name. At least I didn't have to shamefully ask."
"Hot soup is the best cure for a cold!" Hana-chan cheerfully states.
"I think you mean medicine," rebuttals Haru-kun.
"No, Haru-kun. Food is the answer to all problems," I correct before Sesshomaru walks in and homeroom begins.
"Class, as many of you are aware the end of our second term is drawing near," he begins while getting settled in. "That means finals are coming up then after, winter break."
There are a few hoots and hollers at the mention of winter break. I sink into my seat. Winter break means New Year's. New Year's means meeting his family. Meeting his family means making up more lies. I am so done with living around lies. "My anxiety just spiked." With an exasperated sigh I pick up my pen and begin writing important dates into my planner.
"Worried about finals, senpai?" Haru-kun whispers to me.
May as well practice my lying now. I nod.
"You've missed too many days this term," Hana-chan whispers to me from behind. "You're very smart, senpai, but would you like to get together with Haru and I and we'll catch you up on the notes?"
"That sounds great," I smile with my honest reply.
In the following classes I sit in my seat poker faced and hopefully hiding all confusion. "What the fuck is this? When the fuck did we learn that?" I scream in my head but dutifully write everything down even though I have no idea what I am writing. Then it hits me: "I never picked up any makeup work while I was out. That's why I'm lost." At lunch I do not sit alone at my desk for once. Instead, I pull my desk close to Haru-kun's, Hana-chan's, Girl Number Two (still need to learn her name), and we discuss our study date.
"So, when should we get together?" Haru-kun asks.
"Get together for what?" asks Girl Number Two.
"Oh, Hana and I are going to help Sakura-senpai get caught up. Can you come?" Haru-kun says to Girl Number Two. "Say her name."
"Sure, I would love to!"
"When works best for everyone?" Hana-chan asks.
"School is the only thing on my schedule this week," I say.
"Same here," Haru-kun and Hana-chan reply.
"I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, so I will not be here," Girl Number Two nervously says.
"Oh, are you going to find out if…" Hana-chan trails off.
"Yeah, we're crossing our fingers."
Silence falls upon our group. With confusion, I look to everyone's faces and they all look melancholy. I look back down to my lunch and push the food around.
"I'm sure it will be alright!" suddenly Haru-kun is full of cheer. "They're bound to find a match."
"Yeah, there has to be a match," Girl Number Two says.
I sit there quietly. "Someone please say her name."
Before lunch is over we decide on meeting Saturday after school in the library. "I still don't know her name… And something is up." As the day goes on I realize that it will not be easy to figure out Girl Number Two's real name now that I care to know. She use to get called on a lot in class, but I never paid full attention. Right before the last class of the day starts I am pulled out of my musings when a paper ball hits me on the back of my head. Irritation clear on my face, I turn around to meet the beady eyes of Minami and Motoko.
"Are we seriously back to this shit again?" I say aloud and raise heads from desks.
Haru-kun picks up the paper ball and un-crumples it. He frowns at what is inside then flips the paper to show Hana-chan, Girl Number Two, and me its contents. On the paper there is a picture of an Onna Bugeisha committing seppuku inside of a box while there are two girls on the outside of the box in ceremonial graduation attire. My three allies turn to glare daggers at the Dreadful Duo. I close my eyes and count to ten.
"You will fail this year again, ronin," Motoko shoots the snide comment at me. "3… 4… 5…"
"One who skips class will also skip work. You won't contribute to society," Minami says. "6… 7… 8…"
"So do us all a favor."
"That's it, bitch," I do not make it to ten. I get up from my seat and take the doodle from Haru-kun. To be honest, there was a tiny desire to make amends with Minami, but when Divine Providence takes such people out of your life you will only hurt yourself trying to get them back. "I can't make you literally choke on your words, but I can make you choke on your doodle."
Motoko sinks into her seat, but Minami stands up with a come-at-me look on her face. "God, what an eye sore, ear sore… you know what? She's just a sore—a complete pain in my ass. Code to live by number three: Do No Harm, but Take No Shit." I march over to her while balling the doodle in my fist. Not even two steps away I lunge for her and tackle her down to the ground. The sound of chairs and desks scratching the floor are all I hear while I pin her to the floor with my knees resting on her arms. I raise my fist to strike down, but I am stopped abruptly.
"Enough! What are you doing, koibito?!"
Time stops in that instant. There are a few gasps and funny looks. I muster my best confused look, which is pretty easy since I have been confused all day today, and slowly turn to look at Sesshomaru who pulls me off of Minami.
"Um… What did you call me?" I say trying not to smile and trying to sound disgusted.
Sesshomaru's facial expression, or lack thereof, remains stoic but realization hints at the back of his eyes.
"That is trivial. What do you have in your hand?"
I pass him the crumpled ball of paper. He unfolds it and closely examines its contents. His eyes widen a fraction. Then he raises his gaze to Minami and masks all fury under a cold stare.
"I will have Kokubunji-sama escort you to his office, Minami," Sesshomaru icily states turning around. "And Sakura, I will see you in detention."
"What the hell?!" I exclaim.
"Fighting is strictly prohibited on premises. It's also barbaric. Everyone bring your desks back to their original position, and take your seats."
Sesshomaru sits at his computer, emailing Kokubunji-sama no doubt. Within a few minutes our principal is knocking on the classroom door. He does not wait for a response as the door slides open. We are all sitting quietly as Sesshomaru gets up from his desk with the crumpled piece of paper in hand. He hands it to Kokubunji-sama. I sit quietly looking as unfazed as I can.
"Minami rise," Kokubunji-sama sternly says after examining the doodle. "Was there anyone else involved in this act of poor conduct, Sakura-chan?"
I shrug my shoulders, "If there was he or she should own up to it now, like a good functioning citizen in society, or remain a coward while their accomplice takes the entire fall."
"Very well. Follow me, Minami."
Minami follows behind Kokubunji-sama and shoots a glare Motoko's way before they leave. No one, not even myself rat out Motoko. Sesshomaru knows well that she is also involved, but like the rest of us we leave taking responsibility up to her. "Such a coward." We get halfway through class before there is another knock on the door.
"Enter," Sesshomaru says with irritation and interest.
"I am here to collect Watanabe Motoko," says the school secretary. I hear the class turn to look at Motoko. I am uninterested in the fact that she just got pulled under the bus by her pal. I read ahead in the text. "You may want to bring all of your things with you."
Motoko quietly leaves and the secretary apologizes for interrupting before closing the door. From that point on class continues like normal.
"Finish this chapter at home and answer comprehension questions one through eight," Sesshomaru says closing his book. "Answers must be no shorter than three sentences. You are all dismissed."
Everyone packs and stands up to leave. I pack and wait for everyone to leave.
"Goodbye, Sakura-senpai," Hana-chan says to me.
"See you tomorrow," Haru-kun adds on.
Girl Number Two smiles and waves.
"Bye, everyone. Get home safely."
As soon as the last student leaves I get up to begin the cleaning duties. Once I finish putting the last chair on top of a desk I feel arms circle around my waist.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am," I reply. "You slipped."
"I know, but I believe the students are more interested in what is happening to Minami and Motoko."
"What is happening to them? Do you know?"
"Although it is just a drawing their track record isn't on their side. The two are suspended for the rest of the week and will be removed from class 3-A. One more offense and they will be expelled."
"They told me to go kill myself."
"Did they?" Sesshomaru questions after turning me around to face him.
"Not bluntly, but it was implied. Strongly implied. I'm sure everyone in class heard it."
"I will notify Kokubunji-sama."
"It's fine. What about me? I almost broke her face today."
"I omitted that from the email. You didn't break her face, so it was not worth mentioning."
"I wish that you let me get one good hit in," I say with an evil smile.
"If I did your hands would be dirtied," he says kissing my knuckles. "Can't have that now."
Hi, guys!
Happy First of December! Alright, the ideas are flowing and school is over for me on Wednesday until late January. ^_^ Expect more updates! And, thank you Loving Neko! I'm glad that you were excited for the update, so we can dedicate this speedy update to you!
Until next time...