Knock Knock Knock
Slender fingers tapped gently on the heavy door. The door was wide and sturdy with either side having large expanding windows. The window blinds were shut tightly, not even a ray of light escaped from the fringes. Right in the middle of the upper half of the brown door was a board which displayed two words written in regular bold script, 'School Psychologist'.
"Suzuki-Sensei, can I come in?"
Soon enough, one could hear certain sounds from within the office. Sounds of clothes rustling, vessels clinking, and chair squeaking among various other voices were transmitted from within the office room. The chaos dispersed in a time frame of 90 seconds and a deep voice rang out right after that.
"Yes, you can come in now."
Entering inside the extensively lit up office, a man was seated leisurely in a swivel chair carrying a playful air around him. His looks can be classified as something exceptional. The features on his face were well defined, lips curled into a smile, ready to present a welcoming attitude towards anyone who steps past that door. He was dressed in formal attire, all black making his honey bronze skin look inexorably brighter.
"Good Morning Sensei."
"Aaah, if it isn't Jiang Wei! Good Morning, don't hesitate and have a seat." Suzuki leaned forward and placed his hands on the table to express an intent listening position.
"No. I'm fine, it won't be long. I'm not here for counselling." Jiang Wei refused politely, smiling back in response.
"Mmn in that case, how can I help you?" Suzuki sat upright, he looked somewhat in a hurry.
"It's about your student, Fujita Izumi class 11-B. She won't be taking the classes today. She got drenched on the way to school in the morning and I'm afraid she has been feeling a little under the weather since then. Could you please sign on this consent letter to send her back home for the day?" Jiang Wei handed over the thick sheet of paper to Suzuki.
"Definitely, you don't need to ask twice! Tell her to take care and attend the classes only when she's completely recovered. She has always been distant from her classmates, I was sure she didn't have someone to rely on. But I'm glad you're looking after your junior, it makes me feel at ease." Suzuki acknowledged while signing the paper with a thin black inked fountain pen.
"In fact, can you do me a favour and send her home? Don't worry about missing the roll call, I'll talk to your homeroom teacher about it. Let me find her address..." He clicked open the folder named 'student information' and resolutely searched for Fujita Izumi's name.
"There it is! Ms. Fujita lives in Yoshikawa Colony right beside the Midorigawa Shopping Complex. A five minute walk from there will get you right to her doorstep." Saying this Suzuki passed on the singed paper along with the printed address to Jiang Wei.
"Thank you, Suzuki-Sensei."
"No, I should be the one thanking you. Report to me if you face any uncertainties. Have a nice day!"
Jiang Wei was a bit hesitant to leave.
"Is there anything else you would like to say?"
"Sensei, I've been meaning to tell you this for a while. But there's some lipstick on your left cheek. Please wipe it off before you go for the lessons, otherwise everyone in the senior department will get the whiff of your affair. I don't think that'll be a pleasant scenario for you and your lover. I hope you have a nice day too. Thank you for your assistance." Jiang spewed out a bunch of vicious words coherently and bowed in silently to leave.
Click.
Suzuki still processing the conversation that had occurred a moment ago, checked his reflection on the black screen.
"Good gracious, she's quite blunt. Isn't she?" Suzuki glanced to the left of the office room.
"Is this what you've taught your students in the past year, Naomi?"
"Oh darling, what can I do when you're the one sitting up here with your silly tactics? I told you we shouldn't meet up at our workplace. You never listen." A lady stepped out of the restroom, her clothes in unkempt, hair dishevelled and smudged lipstick. Despite the untidiness she looked immensely alluring.
"You're a middle-aged man, you still can't keep your hormones in check?"