Chapter 7

The classroom was buzzing with hyperactive teenagers, desperate to finish preparations for the school's festival. I don’t have any experience with these types of events. I was usually out working or just doing nothing. I was more of a floater for this festival, there to be the muscles if anyone needed anything or to get things from supply closet or the kitchens. I don’t mine, Kei has been showing me around the school so I’m familiar with the school's layout now. Currently I'm sat at the computer with the class rep, Mina, helping to design some flyers for our pancake stall when Mr Hashimoto came over. “How’s it going you guys?” he asked, pulling up a chair. “The poster is looking pretty good.”

“And we have an awesome stall placement too,” Mina exclaimed. “We’re sure to be one of the top sellers this year.”

“Sounds excellent,” Hashimoto praised. “I might need a favour from you Mina, if you wouldn’t mind. Also Aki, you too.”

“Sure teach, what’s up?” I asked.

“My little Akemi wants to come but I need to run off for a bit, could you take it in turns taking her around?” He put his hands together in a begging motion. “She’s found of you both as well as Kei.”

“I’d be honoured to help look after her,” Mina squealed. “She’s just so cute.”

“I’m happy to take her around as I'm the floater anyway,” I smiled. Perfect, I can help Akemi really enjoy the festival this way as well as give her some happy childhood memories.

“Thank you both,” Hashimoto’s expression seemed to sadden. I raised a brow, it almost looks like he had something heavy on his mind. The past couple of weeks I’ve been in this school, Hashimoto has certainly been a teacher everyone can confide in, whether you were in his class or not. He was kind to everyone and would eat lunch with students who had no one. He was just as Akemi described him to me, so why does he do what he does? “Let me know when you need to get these printed and I'll give you the access code for the staff printer.”

With that said he left us to finish off our design. “I’m glad he’s bringing Akemi again,” Mina cooed. “I always wanted a little sister.”

“We can take it in shifts looking out for her,” I offered. “I’m sure Kei will help me take her around all the game stalls.” Akemi was always a sucker for arcades, I'm sure game booths at school's festival are just as much as a weakness.

“Sounds good,” Mina said, turning back to quickly add the final touches to the design. I would say I helped but I just added whatever Mina told me too. She’s amazingly creative. In fact, everyone in this class is talented in one way or another. Then there's me: the twenty-two-year-old who barely scraped by in his first run through of high school. I sighed; well not much I can do now. Just try and focus on my mission as well as passing high school all over again.

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The day of the festival soon came around, Mina and I at the pancake stand our class was running. Kei was helping the members of our class who would be performing on stage, putting on our class rendition of ‘Cinderella.’ Seems Kei is really into theatre, nothing something I expected but when I saw his video collection, it does make sense. “Mr Aki,” my heart jumped for joy hearing Akemi calling out for me. I turned around, seeing her running over to us, already with a candy apple in her hand. She stopped in front of us, holding up her candy apple. “Look what daddy got me.”

“Oh my,” Mina laughed. “You’re going to be all full of sugar before everything has even started.”

“It’s the most fruit she’ll be eating today,” Hashimoto laughed but looking at his face I could see the dark circles under his eyes and the red rawness on top of his cheeks. He handed up a piece of paper with his number on it, advising us if we needed anything we could call him. As well as handing us some money, more than enough to make sure Akemi could eat or play whatever she wanted. He leant down to Akemi, giving her a big kiss on the cheek. “Daddy has to go do something. Mina and Aki will take care of you.”

“Okay daddy,” Akemi’s smile never faded as she waved her dad off. “Bye bye.”

My heart sunk into my stomach; something feels off. “I’ll take the first shift,” Mina said taking hold of Akemi’s free hand. “I’ll give you a call when it’s time to swap as I have a shift in the pancake stall.”

“Sure thing,” I nodded. “I’ll go around handing out some flyers, try get some attraction to the stall.”

I grabbed a handful of flyers deciding to head over to the main hall to catch up with Kei. As I walked over, I was handing flyers to anyone and everyone who would take one. I smiled to myself, the buzzing atmosphere and the laughter truly made me feel warm. This is what a school festival is like? I’m glad that I got the opportunity to experience one this time. “Hey Aki,” Kei waved me over from the entrance to the hall. I ran over still holding onto the flyers tightly. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

“Sure have, I want our class to do well,” I laughed nervously. “Plus, as soon as I'm done, I'll be taking Akemi around the festival while Mina takes her shift at the stall.”

“Sounds like you guys have it planned out well,” He laughed. “I should be done soon, and I can join you.”

I hummed, leaning on the wall as I watched Kei continue to take the tickets of the students and parents. “Say,” I started to say. “What do you know about Hashimoto’s personal life?”

After the next few students pass, Kei giving me his attention. He shrugged, indicating he didn’t really know much. “He and his wife are getting a divorce but other than that, I don't really know much.”

Wife? Akemi never mentioned her mom to me? Maybe their divorce was hard on her and that’s why she never mentioned her. I opened my mouth to speak again when my phone started to ring. I pulled it out my pocket, seeing Mina’s caller I.D. “Hey, we still have time before we swap right?”

“Aki,” her voice sounded shaky, as if she wanted to cry. “It’s Akemi, I saw something on her back and I’m not sure what to do.”

“Mina, what did you see?”

“I saw a bruise.”