The Boy in the Park

Chapter Eighteen

He felt watched.

He didn't know when the feeling had started, but suddenly, he felt watched in the afternoons. Naruko and Sakura had gone off to their first C-rank mission, and he had finally the peace and quiet life back to himself. He had bought half a dozen of underwear recently, because the old ones had disappeared mysteriously.

Somehow his cupboards had also filled with cup ramen overnight, and a chibi-drawing of Naruko winking at him was visible on the fridge after that, with the words 'Eat your daily Ramen!' written on it.

He actually had the time to socialize with the other teachers of the academy that day, and thus as 'noble and hardworking' sensei, they'd all be going to a tea house to enjoy in some relaxing tea ceremony.

Thankfully, the feeling of being under watch waned away as soon as the night came. Iruka Umino was next to him as they both chuckled beneath their breaths when the Kunoichi Class Sensei scoffed at the crude display of flowers. The kimono wearing Geisha entered one after the other with grace, their richly coiffed hair embroidered with golden baubles.

Their faces were all smiles and cheers, and soon the tea was prepared and served.

"So, how's Naruko doing?" Iruka asked him, after taking the customary sip of tea.

"She's as…vivacious as ever," he replied. "Always running around and training hard," he shook his head. "She'll be the death of me."

"That's good to hear, we need a bit of laughter in the village," Iruka remarked.

"She looks just like that Mitarashi," the Kunoichi teacher spoke then bitterly. "I'm sure she'll end up the same too. Nothing good will come of that, let me tell you," she pointed her accusing and withering glare at him.

"Now that's not right," he replied. "Naruko's a sweet child once you get her to calm down."

"A sweet child doesn't fill the flower pots with bee and wasp nests!" she remarked bitterly.

"She did that?" he asked carefully.

"Of course she did! Thankfully, no one was stung, but it was a dangerous prank! My, if someone had been allergic…"

"She did that for no reason at all?" he raised an eyebrow.

The woman scoffed. "It's not like a tasteless brat like her could learn the fine arts of flower arrangement or grace to begin with."

"I'm sure that if she tried, she'd manage it without a worry," he remarked looking to his teacup. "She never gives up, as long as there's someone who believes she can do it."

"Of course I shouldn't be having this argument with you: you can't be objective," the woman rolled her eyes. "You've practically adopted her."

"Well," he smiled slightly. "I suppose it tells something, that she latched on someone like me, who merely spent most of his time reading books on a bench. You aren't objective either. Did you really give Naruko a chance, or did you simply spite her?"

"Now, now," Iruka said nervously chuckling. "Let's calm down…"

"Of course I'm a teacher, and I gave her a chance! When she mocked my class, I just threw her out! And the next time, she couldn't even answer a single question! She really had no intentions of becoming a refined Kunoichi at all!"

"Or maybe she acted like a child the first time, like many other students regularly do!" his voice grew slightly heated, "And the next time, you asked her questions on the previous lesson didn't you? And she couldn't answer them because no one in her class had told her what the lesson had been about! She had all the intentions of taking your class, but you just shot her down in the beginning, without even giving her a chance!" he was breathing raggedly, holding on to the teacup with strength.

"W-What do you know about it anyway," the woman scoffed back, slightly pale.

"I know because she asked me! When there was a question she couldn't ask you, because you refused to answer, she asked me! I was the one who taught her how to read and write, because no one else wanted to! And if I have to stay here and hear you slander her efforts and her dedication to learning when a lesser person would have just surrendered to the pressure and given up, then I'd better be going before I do something I regret!"

He stood up then and, fuming, left the room while the Geisha who had assisted at the entire scene in mute silence didn't know what to do.

He paid his share at the reception and left afterwards. He'd go to Ichiraku and grab a bite —his tongue felt bitter.

Really, he wondered how Naruko could never get angry with them. He'd be fuming. He settled near the counter and nodded to Teuchi —Ayame had probably gone upstairs to sleep.

"Bad day?" the ramen maker asked.

"You have no idea," he grumbled. "Do you also serve sake by chance?"

"Drinking when angry never works, you should take that from experience," Teuchi acquiesced. "It just makes things worse."

He clenched his hands for a moment, and then took a deep breath. He shook his head clear of his thoughts and exhaled. "Yeah, you're right."

A steaming bowl of Pork ramen ended up in front of him then.

"This is on the house, kid," Teuchi said with a small smile. "So, what happened with Naruko?"

"Uh? How do you know it was about her?"

"You are always worked up when it's about her," Teuchi shrugged. "It's no secret you care about the kid, you know you used to vent off by talking with me, right?"

"Yeah," he shook his head. "Sorry…thanks for the meal," he opened his chopsticks and slowly began to eat.

Unknown to him, a purple haired woman —who had been in a Geisha outfit far earlier during the night— watched the scene with a predator-like smirk.

He didn't feel a chill run through his spine.

He felt like the Shinigami had just begun sharpening the scythe, especially when a kunoichi he had never seen before —wearing a fishnet shirt and a long leather coat— entered the stall and sat down next to him. Far too close to his comfort zone.

"Hey old man! I'll take a Pork Ramen!"

And why in the name of Kami did she remind him of Naruko to begin with!?

Author's note

This follows the 'light' atmosphere typical of Harem-Anime/Manga like Love Hina and as such, there is no 'One+many' but simply 'One+True Love'+many outside.

And I don't write lemon, so kindly, don't compare this to Harem stories where they end up doing stuff.

This is rated T.

And everything is fluffy and happy. No angst. No drama. Fluffy and Happy.

Fluffyyyyy.

*My muse just lost it*