REMPAK: The Destruction

Part 4: How Can We Be Called Lover?

"Dad heard from the school board."

Airi looked down deeply. He looked at his little legs. Guilt gnawed inside Airi.

"That's no big deal. Don't worry." Her father patted Airi's head slowly, calming. Slowly, Airi's shoulders softened hearing him.

"really?"

"Yes. Sure oes. It's not like you're harming anyone." His father smiled a little. Airi could feel the veins of her face begin to loosen because of the tension faced with Jizo.

"Oh yes, dad. Introduce this Akane. He's my friend." Airi introduced the two important people in her life. He almost forgot about Akane looking at his father full of light ever since he saw him coming out of the council room.

"Akane, what are you doing?" Airi whispered to Akane. Seeing his friend's behavior made him confused.

"You never told me about your father." Akane whispered back in Airi's ear. True as well, Airi never did. Akane did the same thing.

They have been friends for the past two years without knowing their backgrounds.

"Dad—, are you okay?" His father did not respond, so he intended to confirm if something was wrong. And Airi's father just stood there quietly looking at Akane who pulled the corners of her lips to the end.

"Dad?"

"O-oh, huh?" As it was being pulled over quickly, Airi's father regained his concentration.

"Dad, it's Akane. He's my friend."

"Akane, this is my father. Say hello." Airi repeated the two people's introductions session because they had not been seen connected earlier.

"Greetings, Airi's father. I'm Akane, Airi's friend. Nice to meet you." Akane introduced herself politely although her gentle smile did not fade.

"Hai-hi. Greetings to know too. Thank you, hm, for taking care of Akane." Airi frowned looking at her father who suddenly stuttered. It's freaky.

"It's no big deal, sir." Akane retorted with a slight bow, demonstrating her gracious demeanor. Airi just shook her head inexhaustibly.

"Airi, it looks like dad should leave now. See you at dinner."

Not having time to return his greetings, Airi's father had darted away so quickly. He seems to be in a hurry. Just being able to come today was lucky.

"Water! Airi's! Why don't you tell me about your father!" Airi shook her head in shock as her back was patted hard by Akane.

Airi's expression of pain was inversely proportional to Akane who looked like she had just hit the jackpot.

"Sickness, Akane. You never asked." Airi retorted as she walked towards the nearest trash can to throw away her pack of cheese bread earlier.

"I didn't know your father was like that!"

"I should have played to your house!"

Airi listened to Akane's chatter with a little bit of disbelief. Why did this friend of his suddenly have such a good mood just from meeting his father?

"By the way, my father was rarely home. Going to my house doesn't guarantee you'll see him." The girl smiled. He returned to the front of the council room staring at the door as he spoke.

Why isn't it finished yet? Has the punishment not been determined?

Akane was jumping up and down behind him.

"really? Did ya? What's your father's job?"

"Where does he work? How's the work environment? Have you ever been with him to work?"

Airi processed one by one random question Akane. Jeez, if his curiosity is like this, Airi can only resign.

"Why indeed? You want to come with my dad to work?"

"Heee, I just want to know." Akane still maintained her smile. The curly hair tied in two with blushing cheeks made her look cute. Airi couldn't bear to refuse.

"My father works at the pier. Months on the ship. Still interested?"

"But the Western District doesn't have a pier?"

"My father works in the Eastern District" Airi explained.

"Akane, I never knew being friends with you would be this profitable." The friend looked at Airi with blazing eyes. A happy light comes out of there.

"You're kidding, right?"

"No."

"Jeez, Akane..." Airi frowned inexhaustibly. There's just this Akane.

"Akane, I won't call you my mom someday." Airi gave a small giggle, followed by Akane who also chuckled. They were flying into the ceiling.

Ah, it's nice to have a friend joking. During Akane's time, Airi felt that her problems were not always solved alone. He's got someone to distract for a moment from the heavy stuff.

Airi did not dare to imagine what it would be like if she had never known Akane. His life was perfect without laughter. Airi wanted to appreciate Akane's existence throughout her life.

"But! Stay on! While your father's at home, let me visit, will you?" Akane hasn't given up. Actually, Airi didn't mind. That's a great idea. This will be the first time a friend has come to her house.

"But how could your father be so young, have a daughter your age, Airi?"

"My father is not young. He's just too healthy."

"That's a good thing! Your father is also handsome!" Her father is not that handsome either. Akane is just exaggerating.

"Tell me about your parents too, Akane." Airi directs Akane to share her voice about herself. So that they open up to each other.

"My parents? Just ordinary. They're scary and stale." Akane did not seem to like talking about this, as evidenced by her face that instantly turned grim.

"Thrilling, huh? Dad's scary sometimes." Airi just muttered to herself. He thought, maybe all parents are. The girl raised her lower lip.

"But, Akane. What are you doing here? You don't have class?"

Akane gawked, Airi blinked.

"CHUCK! THIS IS THE BELL IN!" Akane passed away without saying goodbye after shouting. Airi had to close her ears to save her hearing.

Airi stared at Akane's departure who was running as hard as she could with a small smile. The sound of his footsteps was loud and slowly dissipated.

The girl simply shook her head before returning to look at the door of the council room.

It's been over fifteen minutes. Her father hadn't been here all along. Well, even though it might affect Airi's school days until graduation. Airi switched on the time pointer in her hand with misgivings.

He wasn't worried about Jizo, he just wasn't sure the man hadn't said anything bad about him. A Jizo can do that, and that's for sure.

Airi's confidence level has reached its lowest limit, but she still does not want to go in and talk even if that is her only option.

Airi thought, it would probably be better if she returned to class first. It's not like Jizo and the board members will be out right after he hopes. There's no point wasting time here.

Airi had only sat for a few days on the third level, and leaving a day of learning was a troublesome thing for her to bear as a result. The girl did not want to add any new problems because she was not present in the class.

Airi's steps were calm without a sound. He peeked slowly and held his breath, to find out who taught the clock.

The girl cheered inwardly when she found that there was not a single supervisor there. The people in his class just scattered around.

Airi entered the classroom through the back door with the same silence. He tried his best not to make a sound and be the center of attention.

Kreeekk.

Unfortunately, Airi's chair creaked so hard that almost the entire pair of eyes were pointing at her at this moment.

The bench in front of Airi was also empty. Of course, it belonged to Jizo. Only the two of them did not return after lunch.

Slowly but surely whispers began to spread throughout the room. Airi didn't listen, she just acted unconcerned.

This is not the first time they both rumored this and that. Airi became accustomed, inevitably. Of course, most of it is not true. However, it was not like Airi had enough energy to silence everything.

"They're really partners in the bad."

"I guess he's just being bullied, it turns out he's the same."

"They're like a real couple."

"You're sure they're not dating?"

Under Airi's eyes twitched hearing the last question. Can they call Airi and Jizo a couple? Huh uh?!

Airi can understand about partner in crime but boyfriend? Joking. Which part of him and Jizo looks like a couple?

Can't they headline gossip with a little creativity and common sense. Calling Jizo Airi's lover is a perceptible! Injuring Airi's self-esteem!

They might be a couple. It never will. Not likely.

Remember well!

ps.

The Kido Prefecture contains 6 distinct districts, each of which is controlled by the strongest group of organizations in managing its resources.

Western District: Taka territory. Metropolitan area. Producer of lead and bullets.

Eastern District: Corvus territory. Coastal area, Kido Prefecture main pier.

Northeast District: Caracal's territory. Chemical plant industrial area.

Northern District: Alba's territory. Local wine producing area.

Southern District: Noumin's territory. Clove plantation area.

Southeastern District: Turquoise territory. Marine mineral mining area.

The entire balance of Kido Prefecture cooperation between the group of organizations and the central government is set out in the Kido Open Agreement.