April 10th

I had a strange dream. Ruin? Rehabilitation? What does it mean?

"Looks like you're up," a gruff voice spoke.

Sojiro came into the room, wearing his white suit and fedora, "Well then, let's go introduce ourselves properly to the staff about your transfer. The school, you're attending is in the Aoyama district. It'll take a while to get there by train. The transfers are a real hassle, too. I'll drive you there but just for today. Let's go. Sheesh, men aren't usually allowed in my passenger seat."

Does he think having another man drive with him will make him look gay or something? We arrived at Shujin Academy. It was bigger than my old school but not by much.

"Do you me a favour and behave yourself, alright?" said Sojiro. "Don't get me wrong, I don't care what happens to you. Just don't cause me any trouble."

"Understood, Sakura-san." I said.

We went inside. Being Sunday, the halls were absent of students and teachers. We went into the principal's office. I couldn't decide if the man was a toad or a conscious mass of pudding. He had no neck and appeared to be on the verge of bursting from his tacky gold coloured suit and red tie. He stated at me in contempt as Sojiro filled in the paperwork. There was a tired looking woman present who was my height, thin and pretty with messy dark brunette hair. She was wearing a striped yellow sweeter and a long denim skirt. In a school uniform, she wouldn't look any older than me. She looked like she just wanted to go home. I couldn't exactly blame her, being **** to come in on her day off. Is she putting in overtime or something?

"To reiterate, just so we're clear, you will immediately be expelled if you cause any problems," the principal said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "In my opinion, you're nothing but an liability but we had our circumstances to consider. Whatever you might have gotten away with on your hometown, those days are over."

"Yes sir." I said.

The man was just like everyone else. He didn't see me, just my criminal record.

"If you are thrown out from our school, there will be no place for you to go. Keep that in mind. This is the teacher in charge of your class."

"I'm Sadayo Kawakami. Here's your student ID. Be sure to read the school rules. Any violations will send you straight to the guidance office and if by chance you cause any problems, I won't be able to protect you at all."

I know all that.

"That is your promise, yes, Principal Kobayakawa?" asked Kawakami.

"He is responsible for all his actions." the principal nodded.

"But really though, why me? There should've been better candidates."

"It was a sudden transfer and your class was the only one that had an opening." the principal shrugged.

Can't these people at least act like I'm here. Are all the teachers gonna be like this?

"If you're done explaining things, mind if we get going?" asked Sojiro. "I got a store to get back to."

"Sakura-san, please keep a close eye on him," the principal said with a frown. "Don't let him cause any trouble outside."

"Well, I'll be sure to have a serious talk about the situation he's in."

"Come to the faculty office when you arrive at school tomorrow," said Kawakami. "I'll show you to your classroom."

Sojiro and I left the room. I had never been so glad to leave a place.

"Everyone's giving you the cold shoulder," Sojiro said. "That's what having a criminal record does to you. Turns out you're past follows you wherever you go. By the way, if you get expelled now, I won't hesitate to kick you out. Got it?"

"I think I'll scrape by." I said.

"I could save us all a little time and just kick you out now that's gonna be your attitude," Sojiro sighed, "School never changes, huh? Come on, we're going home."