Kuma was now walking into Mr. Tanaka's office. Every step he took the time slowed down ever so slowly. And the impact of his feet touching the ground pound in his ears. He was nervous and starting to sweat. Dr. Tanaka sat in his chair and Kuma sat across from him. Doctor took out some lined paper and a pen.
"You take good notes?" He asked.
"I will do my very best Doctor." He said sitting straight in his seat trying not to move too much.
"I'm surprised. Not sure if you would show up boy. Like I thought I was bullshitting you."
"I don't think an individual in your profession would joke about such a thing Doctor."
"You have a very good perspective."
"Thank you. I appreciate that. Now I have an assignment. Go for it."
"Take this pen and paper." The boy grabs it and is ready to write. "I need your full name, address, and cell phone number." Kuma writes down all his information as neatly as possible and raises his head. "Now. In less than a page, ask me why you are here."
"I will do my best. Tell me when to start." Doctor Tanaka laughs. "Doctor what's so funny?"
Dr. Tanaka regains his composure and sits straight in his chair. "Well you don't have to write. You pass."
Kuma itches the back of his head and sweatdropped. "I am so confused."
"You didn't ask me why you had to write. And I know why you're here. The point was is how well you did. Asking few questions and following instruction. Dressed appropriately for this occasion as an added plus. You seem very easy to teach."
"Thank you sir. What's my next task."
"Let me show you around. You need to get used to this environment." Dr. Tanaka steps out with Kuma to show him his rehab center. Different workout machines, and various chairs and mats for massage purposes. Then a small closet room in the back corner. On the inside it was filthy. Garbage everywhere and supplies scattered about. It looked like a small room was thrown into a blender. "Tell you what. First step is I need you to organize this back room."
Dammit. Well I guess it's how to break someone in. "Yes sir."
"Any questions son?"
"Two Doctor. Can I get a trash can? And do you mind if I use a little of the hall to try my best to organize?"
"You are very smart. I'll get a bin in a second. Alphabetical correct?"
"The only proper way to do it."
He smirks. "My man. I'll check back you in a bit. I have a client with tennis elbow." And he walks off.
Kuma looks at his elbow. It reminded him of an injury he had as a kid playing baseball. Well I'm glad I at the moment don't have injuries. Can never forget what happened because of Mai's help. This is super. I can't express how good this feels. C'mon Marik, you can do this. This is supposed to be your second job. Make it happen.
First off was as much trash he could find. Dirty gloves, open supplies, and anything past expiration date. Then anything touching the floor for sanitation purposes. A quick few minutes and it was already looking better. Then it was putting things by color and by size. Such as gloves medium to extra-large and different color represented different thickness.
It was a combination of things. Bandages, cotton balls, needles, and more had to be sorted. It was a ten by ten meter closet space. But it was so big and time went by so fast he couldn't do nearly enough as he should of.
It was the end of the day at this point. Dr. Tanaka came over. He looked at the trash can and then in the closet. "Wow we should probably keep a trash can in there. Look at that. You had patience too. You were a base stealer, right?"
"Yes sir."
"Patience, timing, and delivery. You covered a lot of ground in here."
"Thank you."
"Thank you actually. Least we can find our gloves fine. I won't be having this nonsense happen again. There will be no more excuses. This includes me as well."
"This mean you want me to finish up?"
"Tomorrow if possible. The sooner the better."
"I plan on making another trip here tomorrow."
"You're a good man Marik. Now be sure to finish your schoolwork and rest well."
"Will do my best. Have a good evening."
"To you as well."
~~~~~
That night Kuma was making dinner and called Mai. She was in her room.
< Hello? >
< Mai what's happening? >
< Hello Kuma. >
< Evening. >
< Work out for at least today? >
< Definitely. Just cleaning for now and going from there. >
< Okay. No one starts on top. >
< I've done worse for money. >
< Marik be honest with me. Would you do anything for money? >
< Not anything. That's stretching it right there. >
< Okay. Good. >
< Why do you ask? >
< Difference in need money and money hungry. >
< Well you don't have rent. >
< I put that in consideration. If I had your kind of money I'd be saving up for college and eventually treat myself after a while. >
< Not even ahead there. >
< Don't doubt yourself. The other girls wouldn't like that. >
< What's your game? >
< I don't play games Marik. I'm just saying if you want a girlfriend one day, she's going to want brains and time. >
< A probably a nine out of the ten scale. >
< Oh shut up. Like you aren't close. >
< Say what again? >
< A nine not sure. Close? No doubt. Figure it out yet? >
< A girl has not ever said that to me. >
< Another girl never healed broken bones overnight. >
< Right... >
< Anyways I'm glad it worked out. See you tomorrow. >
< Till then I guess. > Click.
Over on Mai's end she's in bed. She laid back and her head hits the pillow. All according to plan. Thank you for not making it difficult. But you're changing my life almost as much as changing yours. I'm starting to see more why Haru wants to go for him and why Aiko's mom finds him husband material.
~~~~~
Mai met up with the girls outside her house. But something was wrong. They all looked sad and she didn't know why.
"Girls? What's going on?"
"We need to help him." Aiko pulled Mai's hand and they took off.
"But for what?" Gasped Mai.
"They're taking him." Cried Haru.
"His father." Assured Gen.
"They can't. They just can't do it. Or it's a foster." Mai ran past the other girls. Mai possibly haven't ran that fast in a long time. If ever.
"She's more worried about my cutie then I am." Said Haru.
"You have the hots for him and she's the Guardian Angel. It's close." Said Gen.
"Skip the chat girls he can't leave us." Said Aiko on the side of them.
But when they got there it was all a train wreck. A moving truck outside and a police car.
No. Marik please. Tell me I'm not too late. Please God tell me this is isn't true.
"Get your hands off me." Kuma screamed.
"Kid I got to do this." Said the officer.
"I pay my rent. I feed myself. And you're letting this dick take me back?"
"Fuck you kid. Don't make me" Said a man hiding behind a big tuxedo coat.
"Touch me we're both going to jail." The man did so. Hitting him on top of the head with an open hand. Then blasted him right in the face as Kuma fell over. An officer caught him. The other officer arrested the man and put him in the car.
"Mr. Iwakuma I am charging you with assault, assault to a minor, and child abuse."
Mai falls to her knees and starts crying. "No. No... I... I failed. I messed everything up."
Kuma gets up and sits on the steps. The girls try to come closer, but the officer waves his hand telling them to stand back.
"Marik." Mai called.
"Hi."
"Talk to me."
"Sure. How about thanks. For nothing."
As soon those words came from his mouth Mai woke up. She was sweating. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was breathing heavy with tears soaking her face.
A dream? No. A nightmare. An awful one at that. Mai looked at her alarm clock to check the time. It was a little past 3 am. She grabbed a few tissues to clean up her face. That hurt. It really hurt. I feel weak. I never cry. Especially over a boy. What's wrong with me? I'm just trying to do a good thing and help him. Be his friend too. But why did this happen? She throws the wet tissues in the waste basket and lays back down. But she couldn't. She was going to be up in less than two hours to begin with. And after that, no way she was going back to bed. Guess I'll see if I could read for a bit maybe and then cook a breakfast. Maybe something for him too. He wouldn't deny my cooking. Maybe we could even walk to school together. I might have to knock too.
As far as "reading" would go she turned on her lamp and tried to get a few chapters in. She got through only a mere few pages. Most of it just filler. Then she checked the clock again. She exhaled. This isn't working. You know what? More time to mess around with my makeup. Early shower it is.
After a long hot shower, she wraps herself in a towel and sits on her bed. Then picks up her phone. It's not even 4 am. She goes and sends a text.
< Hey Haru. Look I know it's early I'll explain later but get yourself dolled up a little today. It's for Kuma. > And she isn't the only one to do so. Time to make a man look stupid when he sees me. And her. Who knows what she'll do?
After blow drying her hair, she looks in the mirror. Thinking of what to do different. She looks at hair straight and long. Then tries to figure out what to do.
Ponytail? Nope
Bun? Too formal.
Messy bun? I'm not in a hoodie and sweatpants.
Pig tails? Wait maybe. Actually, if he's into Manga he's going to totally go for this. Hmm makeup. Oh Kuma, I hope you have a drool bucket.
~~~~~
When Mai is making egg sandwiches in the kitchen her father walked in.
"You're up early. Any special reason?"
"Bad dream. Up two hours earlier. Thought I'd make breakfast for everyone. Kuma too."
"Is that why you look like that?"
Mai along with the pigtails was wearing stockings that latched and for the makeup did her eyeliner thick and dark with red lips. "What do you mean?"
"You only dress like that during big dinners and get-together event. What's the catch?"
"None." She didn't want to say.
He laughed. "If you say so."
"Father I am single and not on the market."
"I believe one of the two. Now I'm going to make some tea and read the paper for a bit. Thank you for the food."
"You're welcome even though I'm speaking the truth."
"Nice try."
"Ugh. I'm leaving."
"You are leaving early?"
"The girls and I are going to meet early."
"With Marik?"
"Yes. Okay?"
"Have fun." He smirked and hid his face in the paper.
"Bye father." She closed the door behind her.
"Oh Mai. You are so clueless." He sighed and continued to read his news section.
Mai walks out the door and into the cold. The wind isn't too strong as she paces over to his house with a bag in her hand ready to feed the boy.
She knocks on his door. Only to wait a minute and she finally rings the bell.
"I'm coming. I'm coming. Sheesh. I was putting pants on." He opens the door. "Whoa! Hello!"
"Hehe. Good morning Kuma."
"Mai?"
"Yes sir?"
"Why are you at my apartment this early?" He blushed.
"Few reasons." She cooed.
"Name them."
"I brought you a sandwich I made this morning. For starters. Up early this morning. Couldn't sleep. Bad dream Honey."
"Thank you. And I'm sorry."
"No problem Love. You want it now?"
"Yes please. Hey wait." He looked at his friend and her whole get-up." Why are you dressed like that?"
"Like what?" She asked.
"The hair and makeup."
"A girl needs to keep things interesting. Like I don't see you blushing and having perverted thoughts."
"Flattering? Yes. Pervy? Hell no."
"Do I sense nosebleed? You're looking between my skirt and stockings."
"Yes I am. Nosebleed no."
"Put a shirt on and let's go."
"And maybe you're the perv checking me out."
"Darling I said you had a developed body. No shame. Anything else?"
"Why are women so confusing?"
"To keep things interesting. Especially to men. And to see who's naughty and who's nice."
"Naughty and nice?"
"You compliment me. Another would say have me lean over against the bed and ravage me."
"And you would decline."
"Decline is understatement. I'd smack him and kick him so hard in the crotch he couldn't reproduce."
"That's the Mai I know and love?"
"Define love?"
"My best friend."
"Good. Now let's meet up with the girls. Haru is looking forward to seeing you today."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"She got a little pretty for you."
"Me?" He blushed. "Pretty? That mean more than usual?"
"Probably. Let's go."
Marik was quick to get ready. Got a shirt on and slide on some shoes. Then locks his door and starts walking with Mai. She winks at him as they walk in the cold wind to school.
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