Alex Brim, Hero for Hire

r answers on my desk when class ends. Don’t forget to put your name on it. It’s probably better if we relax for a whil

eyes, “Sensei, I wouldn’t mind hearing everything about Sakamo-

g at him with an inexpressive face and asked, “What do you say, Saka

atsuma, Nakanojo. I never knew my father because he died before I was born. My mother died of tiredness when I was three years old, trying to keep two jobs to grant me a house and food. I lived in the streets of Nakanojo for on

ment. One boy from the central row asked, with a mocking smile, “Is that so? I thought all the Monks were bald, but

acing him, “That’s probably because you are

ave my hair like all my brothers because the Head Monk, my adoptive father, never allowed me to become a Monk. He always said that he was exp

on tests? Because the Principal said that yesterday when he called out your name to do a speech, and it was funny to see

ck at him with a serious expression. He raised one eyebrow while speaking, “Really? The Principal mentioned something about bei

question made all the girls hold their breath. “Do you

e to be a proper boyfriend. Well, I was never one to begin with. All my knowledge about

rm with a big smile, “I won’t mind

boys. One boy spoke in between his laughter, “Ahahah! Hangaku-chan found a n

kind offer, Hangaku-san, but you don’t know me that well, for target

r head. “With your looks? No wa

attention. “Alright, calm down everyone. Who wants to sp

ves, with Sakamo listening very carefully, to mem

ueue to get up and approach Sakamo’s desk, flooding him with questions. Sakamo was looking for a way to escape so many questions, when he saw

said made everyone look at the short and round Tak

, it seems. You really became popular in such a short amount of t

by giggling girls, his phone vibrated inside his pocket. Sakamo grabbed it and smil

o have Sakamo grabbing his left arm and pulling him near. He whis

t uniform! Way better than your usual Monk garment! I bet the girls are cra

don’t say that so loud, they might hear you and believe

performance tomorrow night. You want to come, considering it’s Friday and

w why people buy your albums, with that annoying voice of yours! Someti

why I gathered the courage to pursue my career! Are you coming or not? Yo

e if any of them

ud voice, “Is that the pop-idol Shubuyaky Tomoe? I want to

angaku Mae shouted when she recognized Sakamo’s friend, “No way! Do you know the amazing Tomoe-chan? I lov

alking about? Ryu-kun is mine, and I am not sharing! G

dn’t know…

just messing with you! I always like to meet my fans! Convince that stubborn to come to my show tomorrow, so that we can talk some more!

. “Don’t you dare,

much you value your privacy! But come tomorrow, will you? I miss you a lot! We can talk for a bit during my breaks, and we could go to drink something in the

saw her begging eyes. Takechi Hito was right next to her, almost crying in expectation. Sakamo sighe

all and looked at the anxious pop-idol and said, “I guess you will need to find a spot f

o go, they are calling me! See you tomorrow night, Ryu-kun! Enter through the

amo shouted, “Wait, y

and another group will sing one hour before her, to set the mood! You don’t even know that?

could only be with her and the rest of the gan

a puzzled face, “Only

in New Year’s and on Children’s Day, because that

t is more surprising to me is that the overly

voice, “I like her voice. The lyrics on her songs are very melodious,

when no one else saw it. I used to be a very revolted and angry boy, and my adoptive father could never put me at ease, not even w

tected a faint nervousness in her voice. “You seem to like T

e conclusion that we were better friends than we would ever be boyfriend and girlfriend. She sometimes

y were looking at each other and asked, “I bet you know some s

of a person Tomoe-chan is. Maybe she tells some of her stories tomorrow if she feels comfortable with all of you. Probably it would be better if none

g or performance they saw, when another Teacher entered and told