The Boy Who Couldn't Care Less, and The Girl Who Cared Too Much

The Sun shone brightly through the windows of the small apartment, dancing in golden rays across a barrage of empty Sapporo cans and discarded instant ramen cups scattered across the living room of the humble abode. Perched in the center of the mess was Akifumi Taichi, slumped over a kotatsu fast asleep. His long and greasy red hair was slicked back into a long ponytail that draped across the tabletop as though a small, furry critter had curled up upon his sleeping head. A nearly empty can of Sapporo still clutched in his hand as he snored gently.

Intermingled with the sound of his snoring was the gentle pitter-patter of a roiling boil of water from the lone pot atop the stove in the small nook of a kitchen which sat adjacent to the living room. Standing over the shining stainless-steel pot, a lone bastion of pristine cleanliness in the otherwise shabby residence, was Akifumi’s eldest daughter: Yuriko Taichi, her long brunette hair pulled back into a loose ponytail wrapped in a mint green bandana and garbed in just her pajamas and a baby pink apron as she watched her father, sighing.

Looks like Dad had quite the night last night.

Turning back to her boiling water she reduced the heat and added a dollop of miso paste, stirring it gently into the simmering water before turning her attention to the countertop beside her and steadily setting to chopping up a serving of green onions and bean curd.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be so bad, but could he at least try to pick up after himself?

As if in response Akifumi coughed loudly in his sleep, no doubt stricken ill by her mental criticisms.

Yuriko shook her head, dumping the newly diced ingredients into her awaiting pot before scampering down the hall to collect her siblings.

*****

In the living room Yuriko and her siblings, twins Niko and Miko, sat gathered around their sleeping father at the kotatsu as Yuriko served them breakfast. Despite being twins, the two youths couldn’t be more different with Niko sitting bright eyed and alert, his school uniform pressed neatly, and his short, brunette hair neatly combed with a side-part as he eagerly awaited his breakfast. In contrast his sister Miko knelt upon her knees nearly slumped over the kotatsu in a surprisingly similar fashion to their father as her shimmering red pigtails draped across the tabletop while she lazily rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

“I don’t see why Dad gets to sleep in, but I have to get up.” Miko muttered.

As if in response, Yuriko reached out and slammed her fist upon their father’s head, shocking her younger siblings and startling the older man awake.

Looking about in surprise, he gradually came to, taking in the situation and grinning lopsidedly at the sight of his breakfast.

“’Bout time you got up.” Yuriko said.

Akifumi began chuckling:

“Oh, my dear daughter. Pray you never know the desperate fate of a working salaryman! Nay, a dedicated Patriarch who must bravely venture forth into the unforgiving world to face day after day of backbreaking labor all to provide for the family he loves!”

“You mean playing pachinko at the parlor on the corner?” Niko asked.

Falling over in surprise, Akifumi quickly recovered, clearing his throat with a blush.

“Well, each man must bear his own burden, as they say.”

“Sure, Dad.” Miko said.

“Y’know, Dad. Hanako said her father just got hired at that new travel agency downtown. Apparently, they really need people right now. Have you thought about applying?”

Akifumi laughed,

“Oh, sweet, naïve Yuriko. Apple of my eye and trophy of my loins. You know I’m far too much of a nationalist to ever support a business that encourages people to leave Japan, even if it’s only for a temporary excursion.”

“They do domestic trips, too.” Miko said, taking a bite of her salad.

Falling over in surprise, Akifumi quickly recovered, clearing his throat with a blush.

“Yes, erhm, well. What’s the point of that? Why plan a trip across Japan when you can strike out on your own with only your intuition and destiny as your guides! Now that, children, is the only way to travel!”

The three sat in silence, a bead of sweat dripping down their heads in embarrassment.

“Well, either way I wish you’d get out there and start looking again. We’re already behind on rent and we can’t keep living off your pachinko winnings.” Yuriko said.

Akifumi laughed.

“Oh, my sweet daughter. Do you have such little faith in your own father? I’ll have you know that I already have a new career path lined up and ready to go starting today.”

The children gasped.

“What? You do?” Niko asked.

“Yay, Daddy!” Miko cheered.

“Really, Dad? Are you serious? That’s great news!” Yuriko said.

Chuckling, Akifumi said:

“Yes, yes indeed. And this is the big one, kids. I’m talking lucrative! The kind of money we used to only dream of.”

“No way!” Niko said.

“Does that mean we can go on a vacation?” Miko asked.

“Dad, that’s amazing!” Yuriko cheered.

“Well, don’t give me all the credit. I’ll need your help, too, Yuriko.” Akifumi said.

Yuriko furrowed her brow.

“My help? Really? With what?”

Reaching into a duffle bag laying on the floor beside him, Akifumi produced a miniature camera attached to a discreet battery pack.

“One of the guys at the Pachinko parlor sold me this for ¥50,000. All you have to do is wear it under your uniform when you girls are changing for gym and we’ll be rich, rich, rich-”

BONK

In a flash Yuriko pounded the back of her father’s head, causing him to cry out as a large knot formed atop his crown.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Yuriko said.

“Seriously, Dad.” Miko said.

*****

Ren Masamura sat atop the entrance-way to Kazanara High School peeling an orange as he waited for first bell. His spiky, silver bangs falling over his glimmering red eyes as he focused intently on the piece of fruit before him.

“Hey, Masamura! Get down here you coward!”

Looking down Ren saw the unmistakable spiky blond hair and vibrant orange eyes of Benjiro Hayase, his self-proclaimed rival and wanna-be delinquent, flanked on either side by his cronies Yamamura Hojo and Tatawaki Tojo as his trademark electric yellow vest, a sore uniform violation that he refused to retire, dangled atop his otherwise acceptable uniform.

“Buzz off, Hayase. I don’t have time for you this Morning.” Ren said.

“What was that, you freaking punk? How dare you insult me like that!? When I get my hands on you, I’m gonna-”

SMACK

The boy’s words were cut off quite unexpectedly as Ren descended from the archway, planting his foot squarely in Benjiro’s face and knocking him to the ground. Yamamura and Tatawaki both made a desperate attempt to save their unconscious leader by lunging at him, but Ren sidestepped both as they crashed into each other, knocking themselves out cold and collapsing atop Benjiro in short order.

“Idiots.” Ren muttered, sitting down atop the pile of his would-be attackers he continued peeling his orange, discarding the peel mindlessly as he did so.

“And just what do you think you’re doing?”

“Oh, not this clown.” Ren sighed as he was approached by a very vexed upperclassman.

“Mr. Masamura!” called Kosei Nakamura, one year Ren’s senior, with a huff: “What is the meaning of this?”

“It’s called breakfast, Nakamura. Ever heard of it, or are you sustained entirely by hot air?” Ren asked.

Kosei growled irritably.

“I mean the peels you ingrate!”

“Yeah, what about them? They your favorite part or something?” Ren asked.

“You can’t just go leaving litter all around! Don’t you have any respect?” Kosei asked.

“What’s it to you?” Ren asked.

“Mr. Masamura, as head of Kazanara High’s Beautification Committee it is my solemn duty to defend the honor, nay the integrity of our prestigious institute and her reputation now and forevermore! Without exceptional youths such as myself holding the front line of pedigree and civility our civilization would collapse into a gaggle of ragamuffin knaves such as yourself.”

Ren grit his teeth in irritation. Just as he was about to respond, an unexpected voice cut him off.

“Hey! What’s going on here?”

Pausing, Ren glanced towards the sound and saw his Class Rep, Yuriko Taichi, walking towards them followed by two nervous girls in matching school uniforms. He recognized them as her friends: Hanako Ishikawa and Yui Aoi.

“Ah, Ms. Taichi! Just the person I wanted to see.” Kosei said.

“Me, Nakamura-senpai?” Yuriko asked.

“Yes, my dear, it seems one of the rapscallions from your class has been littering on our precious schoolgrounds.” Kosei said.

Yuriko’s expression immediately flashed to one of annoyance as she turned to face Ren.

“Seriously, Ren? That’s so gross!”

“Oh, now look what you did.” Ren said, standing up. “Look, Taichi, I don’t want to hear it today.”

“Well, that’s too bad. I already meant to give you a talking to for skipping out on your cleaning duties the other day, and I bet you didn’t even try to finish today’s assignment.” Yuriko said.

“Alright, that does it.” Ren said, losing his temper: “I’m sick of people messing with me today! I don’t care about your stupid Beautification Committee, and I certainly don’t care about some dumb chore chart, either!”

“What nerve.” Kosei said.

“I oughta clock you!” Ren said, shaking his fist at him.

“Wow, that’s some attitude you’ve got, buster. Are you going to hit me, too?” Yuriko asked.

Ren blinked in surprise, pausing.

“I, uh, well I…. You know what? You wouldn’t be worth my time!” Ren said, stepping over Benjiro and his lackies as he stalking off with a blush.

Yuriko watched him go, shaking her head.

“How rude.”

*****

“You shouldn’t have antagonized him like that, Yuriko.” Hanako said.

Yuriko scoffed.

“Who? Ren? I’m not scared of him. He acts all tough but he’s a big softie deep down. He’s just throwing a temper tantrum.”

“I don’t know, Yuriko. Did you see what he did to those guys? He might be dangerous.” Yui said.

“Oh, please. I’d like to see him try.” Yuriko said.

“Keep it down, Yuriko! He might hear us.” Hanako said.

Turning around she saw Ren sitting at his desk staring out the window, his unreadable.

“Humph! Well, if he doesn’t like getting nagged than he shouldn’t act like such a delinquent all the time.” Yurko said.

“Oh no, he’s coming over.” Hanako said.

The girls all turned and watched as Ren approached them, passing by without a glance as he exited the classroom.

“See? Look at that, he’s skipping! I can’t believe he thinks he’s going to get away with this.” Yuriko said, standing to follow him despite her friends’ protests.

“Hey, Masamura!”

Ren turned around with a groan.

“You again? What is it now?”

“Do you really think you’re going to just skip class? You know it makes us all look bad when you do things like that. Don’t you ever think of anyone but yourself?” Yuriko asked.

Ren looked away.

“Whatever.”

“No, not whatever. Y’know, I don’t ever bring this up because it’s nobody’s business, but I’ve heard the others talk. I know you’re from a pretty well-off family, and I think it’s pretty sad to see you squandering your opportunities.” Yuriko said.

“Excuse me? Just where do you get off-”

“I’ll tell you where I get off! I wish I had half the resources you do, but I still make it work. In fact, I’m near top of the class despite all I deal with at home. So, what’s your excuse? You just think it’s lame? You have money so you don’t have to try like the rest of us?”

“Would you just knock it off already!?” Ren yelled.

Stalking off, he left Yuriko watching after him in surprise.

“Maybe I went a little too far.”

*****

Sitting on the edge of the roof, Ren stared up at the clouds thinking back to his confrontation with Yuriko earlier.

“Wow, that’s some attitude you’ve got, buster. Are you going to hit me, too?”

Sighing, Ren tried to push the thought from his mind.

“What’s her problem, anyways?”

Suddenly, the bell chimed signaling the start of third period, which was gym for his class.

“Oh, the one good class of the day. I might as well go to that.” Ren said.

Seemingly in response, his stomach started to rumble.

“Ah, shoot. Hopefully, the girls are done changing and I can grab my lunch quick.”

*****

Making his way towards the classroom Ren saw two of the delinquents from earlier, Tatawaki Tojo and Yamamura Hojo, crouched at the door peeking through a crack.

“A-Are you sure we should be doing this, Tatawaki?” Yamamura asked.

“Shut it! I know what I’m doing.” Tatawaki said.

Sneaking up behind the two Ren called out:

“What do you two idiots think you’re doing?”

Yelping, Tatawaki and Yamamura turned around in a hurry.

“Oh, it’s you! Buzz off, idiot. We don’t have time to deal with you right now.” Yamamura said.

“You want to try that again?” Ren asked, cracking his knuckles.

“H-Hey, calm down Masamura. There’s more than enough of them to go around. Benjiro always blows a gasket when he hears about us peeping, but you: I can tell you’re a man of culture, as well. How about you get in on this with us?” Tatawaki asked.

Ren growled.

“You call that culture?” He asked.

Before he could think, he took a wild swing at Yamamura and Tatawaki as they both scattered, causing him to miss his mark and go flying through the crack in the door. Ren suddenly found himself surrounded by his female classmates in all manner of undress. There was a moment of pause before the room erupted.

Shrieks and shouts filled the air as the girls threw their books and school supplies at him while he blocked himself, attempting to avert his eyes and tried to explain himself.

Covering herself, Yuriko marched forward, her patience with her delinquent classmate already passed its limit.

“You perverted jerk! How dare you-”

Just then, she stepped on a discarded pencil that had landed on the floor in the disarray, tumbling unexpectedly forward. Grasping blindly, she grabbed hold of the first thing she could latch onto, accidentally yanking Ren’s trousers down as she fell.

There was a moment of pause before the room erupted. Ren shrieking more shrilly than any of the girls as his face turned beet red.

Suddenly, the classroom door burst open and, in the doorway, stood their principal, Mr. Aizawa, and their teacher Ms. Hoichi. They stared dumbly at the scene before Mr. Aizawa shouted:

“Masamura! Taichi! Just what do you think you’re doing!?”

Looking up, Yuriko realized her mistake as her face turned beet red and she and Ren rushed to opposite sides of the room, garbing themselves and desperately trying to explain the situation.

“My office! Now!”