章 8: Chapter 8

Danuja couldn't exactly show up like she actually thinks she can fight off five boys, who were most likely older than her by at last a year and surely much stronger than her. And another horde of chicks that were armed with phones, nails longer than Dad's and enough spite to bury her.

She couldn't leave either. Just the though of the rumors next day of her running away or whatever rumor those girls will cook up in their anger, made her insides churn and teeth grit.

So she did the next best thing she could thing about in that moment. Let it be noted that it wasn't her best plan.

---

The next day, there were dozens of workers cleaning up the rubble the old, rusted fire escape let behind, together with the bushes and growing trees behind the school. The rumors circulated so much and when Danuja presence couldn't be seen there, then the only ones punished where the group of teens from the day before, with Kimiko and Ichika in the lead.

Though there was little the school could do when said students were in hospital or treating their injuries at home. The rest of the study group know more of less what injuries the teens suffered, from a broken arm, to the small cutes and bruises on their body's.

There was also a small rumor how they actually wanted to kill Danuja by destroying the stairwell, but no one minded it for long. After all why would people not smile when the worst of the worst were out of their range?

How fickle Danuja would though when hearing Kimiko and Ichika other friends laughing at their misfortune

Somehow, the rumor that no one minded become the same rumor that people suddenly paid attention. Because suddenly, the smallest and weakest students in her school begin eating lunch with Danuja. And Danuja wasn't so used with being avoided since it was discovered she called an animal by a paternal term, with eating lunch alone and spending time by the school gate with said animal than she would have been happy with the company.

She would have been happy if this was the case a couple a years ago but now?...

Now, the only thing Danuja can do was snort loudly when the school nerds, the manga maniacs and the queer students begin to circle around her wherever she was, making her remember of a hen with her chicks.

Though she was sure no mother hen would avoid her chicks like the plague.

And so, Danuja entered winter break with rust under her nails, still healing knuckles and pure relief.

--- -

A traditional Japanese house, with wooden floor and steel pillars. A big koi fish pond towards the back with a beautiful, careful maintained garden with exotic flowers and a simple bench near said pond. Close enough to see the fish dancing in the water, on a terrace a man was seating leisurely on his chair smoking a cigarette.

Beside the small grey hairs at his temple and slightly stained hands, the man didn't look a year past his mid-twenty's. Even if he was seating down, he was still emitting an important aura, giving off a dangerous feeling and goosebumps for any encounters.

There was no need to glance at the younger man that just arrived, who bowed down, eyes fixed on the man sparkly shoes.

'' Sir. The girl destroyed the school old fire stairwell to escape the situation. Her only injuries are probably broken nails, though there are changes of having none present injuries. '' the younger man said before lifting his head, looking calmly but respectfully at the man. A couple of seconds passed before the man let out a ring of smoke, snorting amused.

'' Destroyed that rusty thing you say. Must have used her fingers to unscrew the screws. Smart girl.'' he commented before making sign for the other to continue

'' Additionally, the students that targeted her are in the hospital though most of them would return to school after the winter vacation. The worst injury was a piece of metal stabbed in one of the boys hand while one of the girls that targeted her has a broken arm.'' the younger man said, eyes flickering in amusement before settling down

'' And no one even though of looking towards her.'' the man finished for his subordinate before bursting out laughing '' Her unbothered attitude is so refreshing. Don't you thing so Takeshi-kun?'' he asked before continuing without letting the younger man add anything '' A normal girl. A normal person. Would not continue with their days, all the while knowing that they almost killed a bunch of her peers. ''

'' She is still untrained Sir.'' the young man, Takeshi, said hastily before bowing his head in apologize '' Her only source of training is the animal she keeps around the occasional scuffle in school. '' he said, hands twitching almost wanting to fret them

'' True, true. '' the man said getting up before stalking inside the house, Takeshi following still bowed. The man stepped into the room, that looked like an office mixed with a library, like old and new at the same time, before opening another door towards a small room with a sink. The man sighed before taking a small package of baking soda, cleaning his hands thoroughly with it.

'' Tell me more Takeshi-kun.'' the man said almost gently before seating down at his desk making the other nod

'' Her reflex are great for a person her age, it seems that they are more from playing with her dog and training it as well. Apparently the animal never had a muzzle despite it's obvious size therefore there must have been accidents over the years. She learns enough to not fall behind but at the same time to not attract the teachers attention. The only subject she proposedly ace is English. She has no friends at school and beside some older women's she meets on the street doesn't really interact with anyone. Overall she is loner, an abandoned child with no social skills, too much pride and stubbornness.'' he said listing everything carefully under the man pleasant eyes

'' She sounds like a perfect match Takeshi-kun.'' the man stated staring a little at pack of cigarettes before taking his jacket down switching with another one

'' Sir, she has no fighting skills beside a common tackle.'' Takeshi said almost scandalized and just the littles bit annoyed

'' That shouldn't be a problem for you would it? '' he said patting the other back roughly '' I want a report with your progress a week from now.'' he said smiling pleasantly taking his leave, leaving the younger man staring at him, his mouth agape trying to understand where did he go wrong.

Was it joining a criminal organization? Or was it actually giving a thoughtfully report unlike his seniors?