What To Do When You Meet A Troublemaker Kid

I was once again in the infirmary, at my desk and planning out my next lesson. My requirement was something about mental health. Another concept that was pretty hard to simplify to a bunch of elementary schoolers, but that was what the job called for. Mental health was a pretty important part of our lives, so I figured I couldn’t slack. I needed to bring my best material.

Though, while I was writing out my notes, there was something sitting in the back of my mind. That waitress lady. It had been about a week since Takahara, Inukai, and I had gone to the bar and had our drinks. I thought those thoughts in my mind were just the effects of the alcohol, but for some reason they kept on lingering outside of that.

She was really pretty, though. So I guess it’s not my fault. It’s her fault for being pretty, instead. I think that makes sense. Either way, my brain kept on drifting back to her and it was getting pretty annoying.

Maybe I should try visiting the bar again. I promised her I’d come back.

As I was deep in contemplation, a knocking on the door broke my train of thought. Did someone need assistance?

“Takeuchi?” Inukai’s voice came from the other side. “Are you there?”

“Ah, yes. I’m coming.” I got up from my chair and walked over to the door. On the other side, Inukai greeted me with an exasperated expression, and alongside her was a small girl with short black hair. She seemed to be wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and she didn’t seem all too happy. But also, there was a notable scrape on her elbow.

“Thank you, Takeuchi,” Inukai sighed, before pointing down at the little girl next to her. “I’ve got a bit of trouble here.”

“Oh! We need to get that patched up right away!” I said, immediately taking the girl’s hand and bringing her to my desk. I grabbed some bandages and disinfectant and began my work.

The girl remained silent throughout my entire treatment process. Only really looking at me to glare coldly. Ouch. Normally, that wasn’t an expression I got from the kids, but it didn’t seem like she took nicely to me.

“Just rest for a bit, and you’ll be all better,” I said, finishing up my care. The girl still refused to make eye contact with me. Rough.

“Takeuchi, can I talk to you for a second?” Inukai asked.

“Hm? Sure,” I said before turning back to the girl. “Just wait here, your teacher just wants something from me.”

With that, the two of us walked outside of the infirmary and into the hallway. Inukai firmly crossed her arms in a frown, before letting out a sigh.

“Can you do me a favor?” Inukai said.

“What is it?”

She let out another sigh, again. It felt like she didn’t really want to be telling me this, but I waited for her to get her act together.

“Can you… take care of this one for me?” Inukai asked.

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“This girl seems to be a bit of trouble, and she won’t tell me what. She’s also gotten into a lot of fights already, for how little time she’s been here.”

“Oh, she’s a new student? I guess you guys did talk about that kinda stuff back at the bar.”

“Yeah. We haven’t had a health class scheduled yet, so you haven’t really gotten to know her,” Inukai said. “But, normally I’d try to take care of her but it’s just a lot, especially with the other kids.”

“I mean, it’s not like I can stand in your class and watch her for you but…”

“I’m just saying that if you agree, you’ll be seeing her in your office a lot. Is what I’d expect. Just, can you help her? She seems troubled.”

I peered back into my office, where the girl was impatiently tapping on my desk. Take care of her? I supposed that was part of the job description anyways, and sometimes it does get a bit quiet around the infirmary.

“Sure. I’ve got you. What’s her name?”

“Misa Kusunoki,” Inukai said. “Thanks so much. I owe you one.”

“Maybe another drink, that’s all. Tonight.” I said.

With that, the two of us headed back into the office and went towards Kusunoki. The little girl looked at us both with a frown.

“Can I go now?”

“Yes. You should—”

Misa immediately got up from the chair and began to walk away before I could finish my sentence. Inukai caught the girl by the shoulder before she could leave, though.

“Hold on, there’s just one more thing,” Inukai said.

“Right. I’d like to properly introduce myself. I’m going to be teaching your class shortly too. My name is Minako Takeuchi, I’m your school nurse. If you’re ever injured, stressed, or anything then you can come to me.”

I tried to make myself look as welcoming as possible. I hoped it worked, but the girl didn’t seem to give much of a reaction to me.

“Cool.”

The girl began to head off on her own, leaving the two of us in the dust.

“Well, she doesn’t seem too cooperative,” I said.

“Yeah. Yeah… we’ll need to work on that,” Inukai sighed.

“I’ve got it. If she gets into trouble, then I’ll try to help her out. You’ve got my word,” I gave her a thumbs up of reassurance.

In truth, this was the first kid that I met in this school that didn’t immediately take to me. I have gotten really lucky with my work so far. But, it’s not like I wasn’t up for a challenge. I decided to take this kind of job for a reason.

“I’ve got a class to teach though. Yours, haha,” I laughed. “So, I’ll see you for that drink? Maybe just you and me, so we don’t have to listen to Takahara?”

“Y’know what, yeah. Sounds nice.”

With that, I gathered my notes and headed down the hallway. Leaving the troubles for the future.