ANON, STOP RIGHT THERE!
Saying nothing after hearing the voice equivalent of an apocalypse trumpet, I grabbed my precious bag and dashed away from the source. Without even looking at the source I ran through the school hallway, knowing my pursuer perfectly well.
"Why today?"- thought I, calculating my way out of the mess I had gotten myself into. Second floor, stairwell ahead. Congestion on the way down due to lunch break. Only way was up, ahead, then down another stairwell to ground level and into the school grounds. Then it's a run for any other exit of the school, and it's just a matter of hiding in one of the empty club rooms. Or anywhere, really. Secure in my plan, I weaved through the crowds of hungering children and followed it.
"By the way, it hasn't even been three minutes since the lunch break began. Did she get tipped off?" I almost injured my wrists when I threw open the heavy wooden doors of the highschool building and ran a good thirty metres outside. I afforded myself one look back and saw her. A small stature, betraying her sheer might and speed. A girl, dressed into the most innocently modified version of the school uniform, if we compare to our gyaru squad, with big yellow armband and small white wings peeking from her back. A little personal angelic nemesis of mine, closing in on my location at speeds approaching Mach one. Kanata Amane.
Luckily, this pursuit was already over the moment I turned around the corner. In the twelve seconds she would take to reach this corner, I opened the window to the cafeteria and let myself in. The window was always open because those unfortunate souls on cleaning duty in the cafeteria were very eager to leave the school grounds to buy some of the snacks from the shop nearby.
This daily routine was a part of my quote-unquote job. When my parents decided to leave me alone in the house with essentially no strings attached but the tight budget, I decided to graciously give my more authority-fearing or lazy classmates what they wanted, for a reasonable price. Energy drinks not sold to you because someone in government decided to attach an age restriction to them? Bought in bulk, sold at a premium. Need protection but too afraid to buy it at the local shops because "people talk"? Your embarrassment is my profit. Need something even more extreme? I can try and procure it, but no promises. I still look too young for these kinds of stores.
And today it was a manga volume, with a bit more spice than is usually permitted to sell to a teenager. This was my hottest and most difficult to procure commodity. You bet your sweet ass I got a premium and a half for it. I checked my bag for it and-
Oh shit, - I silently mouthed, trying to not get into trouble with the elementary school teachers who brought their classes to the cafeteria. The book in an impeccable condition was gone. I thought back to a place where I might have lost it and-
Greetings, Anon, - I heard a voice as sweet-sounding as her family name in Japanese. - It surely is a lovely day today, huh?
I felt a death grip holding me down by the sleeve of my shirt. Her small hand held me in place like some sort of dog by a leash. If I tried escaping I am pretty sure my uniform would've gotten ripped off. Or my arm. Or I would just split myself in half, one half running away and the other left behind at her mercy.
Gotta ask, Kanatan, how did you catch up with me so fast? - I somehow screwed up the escape route. Note for later: need to use a completely different route. Perhaps I just jump from the first floor window next time? Couldn't be this far of a jump. Or jump down from to the elementary classes down below.
Don't play with me, Anon. Come, we need to talk, - Kanata said while essentially dragging me... Into the nearest empty arts and crafts classroom? I walked silently as she grabbed a key from somewhere and opened the door.
Ladies first, - I jokingly tried to weasel out of the situation but she essentially pushed me into the room and closed the door behind us.
We sat down near a window. Some children were playing outside, some upperclassme marched on to the football field, but no one would be able to see us here.
Now, Anon, I understand smuggling in energy drinks. I read up on it, one drink a day wouldn't ruin your body too much more than two small cups of coffee. With your prices I highly doubt someone could afford to seriously harm themselves. I get that the people need p-prophylactics, it is s-safer t-that way. And on this y-you might be doing a great job, it's just inappropriate to bring to school. But this? What is this? What excuse do you have this time? You definitely broke a law or two to get it, not just some school regulations. T-this kind of book is-
Great, isn't it? It is also in a very high demand because, surprise, boys need to vent! Do I really need to explain to you what happens when you get too pent up? You get tired, angry and emotional. Kind of like you, you know?
Kanata slammed the offending book onto the table. Despite its plastic cover being dirty, it was still unharmed under it. She looked at me with incredulity and anger, offended at the suggestion.
Oh, you know why I am like this! Because in between studying, student council, singing, trying to keep the idiots off the demis and trying to keep you from bringing weird stuff to school, I need to somehow relax, but I can't!
I stayed silent. I couldn't really claim I knew the source of her frustration. And even if it was the case, I would probably recieve a slap, which with her strength would be enough to push my brain out of my ears. And it would simply be too much of a dick move. I knew I had to concede today and bring this episode of To Catch a Smuggler to a close.
My bad, sorry. No bullshit, I will lay off of it for the next, let's say week or so. No need to chase me down, just come to 10-A at lunch, I'll just show you the bag and you'll have less stuff to worry about, okay?
...okay.
At this point she looked defeated, and strangely cute. I wanted to go and pat her head but we weren't on these kinds of friendly terms. She took the volume, wrapped it in a bunch of papers to obscure the arousing image on a cover and stuck it in her bag. At this point I accepted my fate that it will probably be shown to the principal and I will get detention. Oh well, can't win them all.

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Pub: 11 Mar 2024 20:49 UTC

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