Chapter 12 - Good Grief

Academy-

The pencil circle around one of the multiple-choice answers on the packet. It surprised her when she walked into class and there was a test.

"I need to work harder there is only a few months left." She thought then flip to the last page circling the answers.

Finally.

She closed the packet and was relieved that she was finished. She looked around and the room was emptied then looked up at the clock," Did I really take that long? – The time is almost up."

She hurried and walked to the front desk then handed the packet to the homework teacher." Should I have answered some questions differently? No, it's too late to talk about that now."

"Can I speak with you for a bit?" The homeroom teacher asked.

She answered with concern," About what?"

"I will start off by addressing that I see major improvements—At first, when I heard about the Hideaki incident, I was sure that you would drop out but now your behavior and grades seek to be looking up." He said then there was a change in his voice," However, I worry about your living condition. You haven't returned those papers with your parent's signature which pretty much confirmed my suspicion. Is there something happening at home that you should inform me of? Do you want me to call the police?"-

The palm on her hands got sweaty and her heart rate increased. "I cannot let anyone find out."

"Oh, that forum!"

She opened her bag then reached for the document that had both parents' signatures. She nervously handed it to him as she observed his expression closely.

Please don't compare the handwriting!

Yes. That's right! Copied from their signatures from the birth certificates

He put down the paper then added it to his folder," It looks good! Also, if you give me a number to contact your parents it would be nice. Do I need to update the profile?"

The words slipped from her mouth and tried to tell the most believable lie." That's right! My mother recently dropped her phone in the toilet and now we're waiting for a replacement. For the moment the two of them are using the same number."

She picked up the pen from his task then wrote it down quickly and sounded a bit jittery.

He spun around in his chair and face towards the computer in front of him." Thank you, I will be sure to update your profile."

The sound of the consistent clicking on the keyboard made her paranoid. When he spoke again, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"I wasn't trying to pry I'm just a teacher concerned about the well-being of his students—Are you okay? You don't look well." He says and notices her strange behavior.

"No, I mean. Yes! I just need to go somewhere--- I feel really sick."

"You can hurry along."

She was waiting to hear those words then rushed out of the building before the teacher could dial that number while she was present.

"Please go straight to voicemail. It'll be better if nobody answers it!" She thought then checked her device for any message or calls – none.

Well, that's a good sign huh?

She was relieved then put away her phone in the locker while she begins her shift. – It was busy today and there weren't breaks for employees.

When her shift was over, Kotori opened her locker to gather her belongings. She picked up her phone then notice 15 missed calls and a text message from Kyosuke.

Her heart dropped down to her stomach and was afraid of what he had to say. She accidentally opened the message

Mr. Nakamura" Did you give away my number without my permission? Your teacher is leaving me countless voicemails. I thought a part of the contract was to keep personal affairs aside—How many times do I have to tell you so you can wrap that around that stupid head of yours."

"He must be really upset I figure that much." She looked and started typing that stopped. She could find a good excuse for her actions.

"At least I won't have to face him for a while he said he'll be out of town for a few days." She opened the door and took off her shoes then put down her bag. It been a very long day and she was ready to take a hot shower.

When Kotori stopped him on the couch she froze like a statue. She choked on her words

He spoke before she can.

"Don't give my number out to anyone else if you respect me that you would've asked, or I will destroy every piece of dignity you have left."

He thought her expression was very amusing and gullible." I didn't expect her to take me so seriously."

She immediately apologized," I'm very sorry it was just spur of the moment. I didn't know anyone else number and I couldn't give mine since it is already in the system—I promise I won't make that mistake again."

"Rest assured: I will let this go with a small warning it'll be a hassle if it was made available to the public. You don't have to worry about the teacher bothering you. To make it up to me, I will need a favor from you in the distant future."

Oh, just great! Just add on to the debt.

"Of course, that would be my pleasure." She says as she clenched her teeth and smiles.