Chapter 10: School / A Cat.

It was finally time.

The start of Leafs school life was today. It was time for a whole new life. Leaf was excited.

She stood in front of the mirror, checking out her uniform for a minute.

It was the first time she had worn it, and it looked good on her.

She glanced at the time.

It was still a little early to head out to school.

She put some bread in the toaster.

To make toast.

She couldn’t make toast, the toaster was broken.

She fell to her knees, cursing life in her head.

She realized how much she had taken for granted while she was staying with Charm, chiding herself for her complacency.

She stuck a piece of untoasted toast in her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

A knock came from the door, startling her.

Leaf got up, brushed off her knees, and answered the door.

“Hey Leaf. Good morning.” Sun said.

“Morning.” Neko said, still a little bit sleepy.

“Why do you have a piece of bread in your mouth?” Sun asked.

Leaf invited them in and went to go get her board.

“It’s not bread anymore. It’s untoasted toast.” Leaf wrote.

“I…..see.... I’ve been wondering this since yesterday, but why are you writing everything down?” Sun asked.

“I can’t speak.” Leaf wrote, pointing to her mouth.

“Oh. Wait! You go to our school?” Sun asked, noticing the uniform Leaf was wearing.

Leaf nodded.

“Awesome! Brother, she's going to school with us! Leaf! You want to walk there together?” Sun asked excitedly.

“Yes. When are we leaving?” Leaf wrote.

“Hm. How about in fifteen minutes? We should arrive decently early.” Sun said.

“We would barely be a few minutes early.” Neko said.

“Ten minutes is still decently early!” Sun said.

“Let’s leave now. It looks like we are all ready.” Leaf wrote.

They agreed, and left for school...

“Woah, really? Leaf, is that true?” Sun asked.

Leaf nodded.

“The daughter of the top organized crime syndicates leader is helping you?” Sun asked.

Leaf gave a thumbs up, nodding.

“Leaf told me that she’s very nice. And very powerful.” Neko said.

“Wait, then... Leaf has greater influence than whoever the girl that's currently threatening you does, right?” Sun asked.

Leaf stopped, taking out her board.

“What type of influence?” Leaf wrote.

“Underground crime stuff. I think her dad’s yakuza or something.” Sun said.

“Are we going to get people to clean up the body, or do you want to do it yourself?” Leaf wrote.

“What? Body? No, not kill her-Wait, why did you ask me that?” Sun asked.

“Sis, I should let you know that the day we met, there was a sniper tracking me the whole time. I only noticed the red dot after she pointed it out.” Neko said.

“Even you didn’t notice it? That’s… How skilled were they?” Sun asked.

“More so than grandpa in his prime, multiplied. I don’t actually know how much, I couldn’t really tell. There’s even people around us right now in hiding, apparently.” Neko said, laughing dryly.

“What? Leaf, is he telling the truth?” Sun asked, paling.

Leaf made a gesture to the shadows, and a person melted out of them.

“You needed something?” The guard asked.

Leaf gestured with her hands.

“I see. It’s nice to meet you two. I’ll be watching over Mrs. Leaf most of the time when outside of school, so please, don’t worry too much.” The guard said, melting back into the shadows.

Leaf did a double thumbs up, smiling.

“Jeez. How many guards are there?” Sun asked.

“A few to a dozen, apparently.” Neko said.

"Less than 5." Leaf wrote, correcting him.

“Is it an international organization or something? There's no group that powerful in Japan, if all of them are that skilled.” Sun said.

“It’s international. I came here from america.” Leaf wrote.

“Oh my god. Bro, how in the hell did you manage to find someone like this?” Sun asked.

“I offered to help her carry groceries.” Neko said.

“Oh? There’s actually a story? Interesting. Wait. Tell me later, I have to go talk with a few of my club members. Sorry.” Sun said, walking over to a group of students a little ways away.

“Smooth” Leaf wrote.

“I’m pretty sure you’re being sarcastic. If so, you are absolutely correct.” Neko said, sighing.

They reached the front of the school.

Leaf poked Neko.

“Everyone is staring at you. Did you do something?” Leaf wrote.

“This happens every day. Wait…. Leaf, tell me. How would you rate my looks?” Neko asked, curious.

“7/10? Average.” Leaf wrote.

“I knew it. You can't tell, can you. If you asked anyone else here they would say 100/10. That’s why everyone’s staring.” Neko said.

“Braggart” Leaf wrote.

“I am not! I’m just saying what my friends told me before. And they complain about it all the time. But, if everyone’s watching….!” Neko grinned.

He grabbed leafs hand in his own.

Leaf stared at him, unable to write. But she didn’t resist.

People’s eyes seemed to almost pop out of their sockets at the sight of the two of them.

Leaf actually grew concerned for one girl, who had started to foam at the mouth.

“Ignore them.” Neko said.

A voice yelled at the two from behind.