On The Highest Branch

Chapter 4

The whimsical notes of Edward Elgar's Chanson De Matin roused Hiro Cameron from a deep and surprisingly peaceful stupor. He shook his head at his mother's obliviousness.

For Mrs. Haruka Kimura-Cameron, her son deserved nothing less than the best, and that included classical music as a wake-up call. Even though Hiro clearly did not share her preference.

He took a shower and headed straight downstairs for breakfast. Usually, his parents would already have been at the table by now, discussing business. But, instead, Hiro found the dining room empty, bar a note from his mother reminding him to meet her at her friend's house after class.

"Good morning, Hiro."

Hiro looked up from his tamagoyaki, Japanese-style omelette, and saw one of their domestics, with a vacuum cleaner in tow, hovering by the dining room entrance.

Hiro waved her in, "Hi, Diana. I'm almost done.

"So, first day of Senior Year, huh? Are you looking forward to it?"

Hiro grunted, "Like I look forward to Mom's chocolate chip cookies."

Diana laughed. His mom was notorious for her culinary skills, or lack thereof. Fortunately, her busy social calendar hindered her from reigning over the kitchen, but, every now and then, when suddenly besieged by guilt, she prepared Hiro's snacks herself. Hiro had perfected the science of making himself scarce on those days.

Hiro did not linger at the breakfast table, but immediately went down to their basement parking lot, got into his Mercedes Benz , turned on his phone, and drove off.

Upon arrival at Bardem High School, he found his friends, Dylan Syler, Jr., Thomas "Tommy" Hyde, and Sean Benson, already smoking at their usual spot, the alley behind the library building.

"—might report us." Dylan was saying as Hiro walked up to join them.

"I told you to leave her alone, Dylan." Hiro calmly said, as he accepted a light from Thomas. He knew what, or whom, they were talking about. This was merely a continuation of their ongoing Messenger thread.

Hiro frowned at Dylan. He was becoming troublesome. While Thomas and Sean were still as scared of him as 10 years ago when he gave them a wedgie for the first time, it was getting more and more difficult to control Dylan.

"No, I still think we should have talked to the bitch. We should have made her understand the dire consequences that await her if she opens her mouth."

Hiro finished his cigarette and flicked the stub off his shoulder. "We returned her bike, didn't we? That should be enough to let her know we're watching."

Dylan obviously still wanted to argue, but the bell rang and they all headed to the auditorium for the First Day of School Assembly. As they walked down the corridors, most students in their path stepped aside to make way. None dared meet their eyes, and a few scampered away before Hiro's group caught sight of them. It sure felt nice to be respected. Or, at least, feared.

Hiro sat through a series of presentations covering the usual rubbish. There was a talk from a teacher about nutrition and health. Then, their guidance counsellor came on to outline the school's zero-tolerance policy for bullying. Finally, when the school nurse started yapping about safe sex, Hiro had had enough.

He raised his right hand.

The school nurse, who had had a few unpleasant run-ins with him, warily acknowledged his raised hand with a nod, "Yes, Mr. Cameron?"

Hiro stood up, loosened his tie, and pulled on the lapels of his already wrinkled school blazer. "I was wondering, Ms. Phillips—" There was no doubt that Hiro's strong voice could clearly be heard by the entire student body in the massive auditorium. "Which would pose the least risk of STD – the doggy style, the corkscrew, or the 69?"