Classes resumed in the afternoon.

It was pretty uneventful considering all that happened. Except for a couple of things...

Michael was still giving me glares as though I might sprout horns. He did look wary and seething. I think Kevin might be spot on about him being jealous of whatever soccer skills I had. Even if the part about me having any sporty skills were true...which I highly doubt.

Meanwhile, the Sosies were all excited because they had new juicy gossip to post about in Facebook. I even remembered seeing them whip out their phones to take pictures. How they managed to sneak those in their gym clothes when we weren't allowed to have them on the field was a mystery to me.

Apart from that, everything went on as usual.

What with Amy Kawaii still in the infirmary it looked as though we didn't have a new student at all. Eventually, we soon reached our last class for the day: Algebra, which were taught none other by our own homeroom teacher, Ma'am Luz. I admit I was a bit apprehensive and the fact that I would probably have to explain to her about what happened. Somehow it registered in my mind that having a new student knocked out cold by her classmate with speeding soccer ball would not do well for her. Apparently as our homeroom teacher, Ma'am Luz was already informed. So when everyone tried to give them their (slightly exaggerated) recount, she quickly told us she already knows about it and was the one who called her father. The thing about Ma'am Luz is that she isn't the type to gossip and she prefers facts. She knows from experience how wildly exaggerated the class' recount can be.

She quickly turned our attention to her lesson which was on the Quadratic Equations. After our last hour of class the long awaited end-of-school-day bell rang. As soon as the bell rang, everyone began to stuff their belongings back into their bags.

RIIIINNNGGG!!!

"Before you all go home, remember to turn in your assignment in Chapter 7 by lunch. I will not accept late homework. And also please remember that we will have our long test this Friday on all the topics we have covered. Alright, class dismissed."

Everyone got up and started to make their way out the door.

Kevin stretched and flexed his arms, "Ah, finally! I thought this day would never end!"

"You're not only one..." I said, feeling glad that day was over.

"Hey, can I read off your homework tomorrow?"

"I thought you promised me that you would do your own homework from now on?"

"Mr. Castillo? Can I have a word with you?" Ma'am Luz said from behind the teacher's desk. Her fingers were interlaced. Uh-oh... She only does that when she has something serious to talk about.

Kevin looked at me, gave a sympathetic pat, "I'll be waiting for you outside at cafeteria."

As soon as he left it was, just me and Ma'am Luz in the room.

"So Ricky...are you feeling alright..."

"Not so good..." I admit.

Hey, I have to be truthful here.

"I still feel guilty doing that to Amy."

Ma'am Luz pats my hand kindly.

"Ricky-dear, what happened was an accident. And you did not do that on purpose. Some things happened in the way we least expect it to. Rest assured though, that Amy is alright."

"Yeah, Kevin told me that several times already Ma'am..."

"Nevertheless, I do want you to personally apologize to Amy for what happened."

I nodded. It's the least I could do.

"Yes, Ma'am Luz..."

"And also I would like you to bring her belongings to the infirmary."

She pointed at Amy's seat.

I looked at the seat next to mine. Indeed, I still saw that Amy's bag, books and personal stuff were still left on her desk.

"You mean she's still here? Didn't her dad and uncle come over to pick her up?"

"Ah! So you know about it. Yes, her father and uncle came during lunch. Yet, they had some discussions with the Principal concerning her safety and the school's security protocol if I recall."

Hearing that, it felt that I had swallowed a rock. I was starting to get scared again.

Was this really that bad? Why would her family have to have a discussion with the principal regarding a ricocheting soccer ball? Well, I know they would be concerned but to have to discuss on the school's safety and security protocol, isn't that a bit of an overreaction?

I mean I've seen the basketball team dunk one of their own into the lake just for fun. And even that didn't merit detention.

"I would also like you to inform her about the assignment. Will you do that?"

"Um...yeah, sure..."

Ma'am Luz nods, "Very good. Now off you go!"

I quickly headed towards Amy's seat, gathered up her belongings, and made my way out the door.

"Goodbye, Ma'am Luz..." I said before exiting.

"Goodbye, Ricky."

I made my way towards the infirmary which was in the other wing of the school.

I've never been to this part of school at this time of the day. Usually when I pass by here the hallways would be filled with people and students. But right now this part of school was clearly empty. The echoes of my footsteps were the only sounds that could be heard from the corridors. The light from the afternoon sun was sifting through the windows.

To be honest, it is quite creepy in here.

When I finally arrived at the infirmary I and I was just about to knock on the door when I heard someone talking. It was a bit muffled but still audible. Somebody must be talking from the wards.

"I'm telling you this was a bad idea from the start, Hiroki-san." says a deep gruff voice.

"Kong please, for the last time this is not something to get worked up about." says another voice, with a heavy Japanese accent.

I froze in my tracks. Dread was creeping up on me.

The voices behind the door...Could it be Amy's father and uncle?

My great fear has been realized. I was expecting that I would only have to apologize to Amy alone in the infirmary but I had not anticipated that her family would be there too! To be frank I was hoping that they were still in the Principal's office.

"Look at her, Hiroki-san! Not one day has passed and already your daughter was knocked unconscious!"

"It was just an accident, Kong-kun! Strange as it may be sometimes these things do happen!"

"I still say we withdraw her now before any of them notices!"

What does he mean by "Them?"

It sounds like they're talking about the Mafia or the Yakuza. Oh no... Did I get myself on the wrong side of some crime syndicate?

"Kong-kun, we are not withdrawing Amy because of a soccer ball. That boy clearly meant no harm."

Oh great...I am connected to this conversation.

"It's hard enough that we have a lot to worry about them. Not to mention they know you're here on your business!"

"As my business identity...not as my other alias..." Mr. Kawaii points out.

Business identity? Other alias? Does this man have different aliases? Oh God, he is in the Yakuza, isn't he?

"I can't do my bodyguard duties and protect Amy-chan from the waiting area at the guard house!" Uncle Kong says in exasperation.

Hang on...Bodyguard duties? The guy is Amy's bodyguard? I thought the guy was her uncle?! And another thing: why does Amy need a bodyguard?

This just confirms my suspicions that she must be part of some syndicate.

"I know it's difficult but in order for this to work Amy has to blend in as a normal girl. It would pretty much give the game away if her bodyguard were with her in class. You have reviewed the safety measures with Principal Abuan?"

"It is satisfactory...for now. I still say it would be easier if we get her a private tutor like the kid who sang that song about a baby."

There's a song about a baby? What kind of song is that?

This is getting weird. It feels like I'm listening on something I shouldn't be. If I'm caught out here listening to this I'm pretty sure I'll be dead meat.

Frantically, I thought of different ways how to get through this.

Scenario 1: Should I just go in there, say I'm sorry to Amy and her family, then give her things and inform her of the assignment Ma'am Luz gave us then be on my way?

It sounds go but too simple.

Scenario 2: I could wait out here and until somebody to goes out, the school nurse or a student assistant maybe, tell them to give Amy her belongings and necessary info then apologize to Amy the next day. That is if she's still here the next day.

The only problem is the nurse would probably tell me that I could just go in there and give it to her myself.

Scenario 3: Hold on to Amy's stuff until tomorrow then to apologise to her before class.

That one is big no. That's no different from stealing! Plus I would fail to inform Amy of her assignments. I'm already in big trouble for the soccer ball thing, doing that would result in many complications.

Argh!!! What am I going to do?

I decide to go for another way to do this.

Scenario 4: I can...

"What are you doing here?" says a voice behind me.

I must've jumped three feet in the air!

I turned to look behind and saw the school's head nurse, Nurse Jo. She was an elderly nurse wearing white scrubs and having her hair tied to a neat bun.

"No need for you to get jumpy."

"I'm sorry...Nurse Jo. I'm Amy's classmate and I came here to bring her belongings..." I showed the bag and notebooks.

"Ah! But I'm sorry young man, but the infirmary is off limits for now."

Off limits? How can the infirmary be off-limits?

Just who exactly is Amy for her to have the infirmary all to herself?

"It's Principal Abuan's orders..." she adds seeing the questioning look in my face.

"Well, can you please give these to her then, ma'am?"

"Of course, dear!" she says kindly.

I hand over the belongings to her. "Oh, before I forget, Ma'am Luz has an assignment for Algebra. It's on page-"

"Can you write it down for her? I'm not sure I can remember all the details."

I have my doubts in that. I'm sure as nurse she would probably have good memorization skills. But since I'm the one asking the favour I obliged.

I borrowed Amy's notebook and looked for a blank page. Wow! She has a neat and pretty handwriting. I have to admit and she even had little drawings of small cat-like characters. Maybe she's into cats? I was about write down when I realized that she may not take kindly of me writing on her notebook without permission.

"Um, wait for a second..." I pulled out one of my own notebooks. I wrote down the assignment on the back page, ripped it out and then clamped it on Amy's notebook.

"Here you go and thank you, Nurse Jo."

"Will that be all, dear?"

The truth is I wanted to go in there and apologise to Amy. But right now, I don't think I'm ready to face her folks and possibly that scary uncle of hers.

"No, nothing else..."

"Well, you better head on home then! It's getting late."

I nodded and proceeded to walk away.

As I turned the corner, I heard Nurse Jo opened the door to the infirmary.

"Who was that you were talking to, Nurse?" the gruff voice of "Uncle" says to her.

"Oh, it was a classmate of Amy's..." she says as she closes the door.

I quickly picked up my pace.

A lot of things were going through my head. A lot of questions, suspicions, theories you name it. But neither of it made sense. Amy's father is some kind of business man with another alias. He is clearly not a Mangaka (where did Kevin get the idea anyway?) On the other hand, Amy's "uncle" is a bodyguard protecting her. But protecting her from what? Then there's Amy herself...she's clouded in mystery and she seems influential enough to have the school's safety and security measures double checked. Not to mention, the principal closed off the infirmary just for her?

Just who is Amy Kawaii really?

My head was still pounding with questions as I headed down to the cafeteria. I found Kevin was waiting for me while having a hearty snack.

"What took you so long? Did Ma'am Luz chew you out or something?" he asked as soon as he saw me.

"I had to do a few errands for her. Like bringing books and-hey what are you doing?"

Kevin just looked at me closely, his eyes narrowing in suspicion, "Bro? What's wrong? You're looking quite pale..."

"Oh, it's nothing! I'm just out of breath from running but I'm fine..." I quickly lied.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

Dang it! Kevin is quite observant when he wants to be. I need to change the subject fast.

"Nothing at all...I just want to go home."

"Why?

"I'm really tired plus I have to get to work on Ma'am Luz's assignment!"

The moment I said assignment...ironic enough... he quickly got sidetracked.

"Hey, that reminds me! Can I come over at your place?"

"So you can copy my homework?"

"Naturally!" says Kevin as he grins at me.

"Then the answer is NO..." I turned on my heels and walked away.

"Eh? Why not?!" moaned Kevin as he gathers up his bag.

"It's for your own good to do your own assignments and besides...it's not a good time to be in my house today." I said with a downhearted sigh, remembering the part-two of parental scolding that was waiting for me at home.

Today is one of the longest days in my sixteen years of life.