Risk [An Uzui Tengen Story]

[4] Unstable

[Chapter C/W: Mentions of bullying, Strong Language]

Kohaku awoke Wednesday morning to the sound of her alarm blaring in her ear. She was quick to hit the snooze button and roll over in bed to saver a couple more minutes of peace before she had to get ready for work. She was dreading today especially, seeing as it was going to be her first day of tutoring Tamami. She still thinks that if she wasn't in the bind that she was, she would have turned this down. However, the situation can't be helped. Not like she can control when her apartment decides to break.

When the alarm goes off a second time, Kohaku turns of the alarm and feels around for her glasses, sliding them on her face.

"Now is as good of time to get up as any." She says groaning.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Kohaku arrived at school and was quick to set her things down and join Mitsuri at the front to welcome in the students.

Kocho sensei made an appearance at the entrance and called,

"Ameyama san, do you have a moment?"

Kohaku goes over to her boss and away from the children for a moment.

"I wanted to let you know that there's a new child joining you today. His name is Shinazugawa Daiki. His parents just enrolled him recently." She says.

"Oh, thanks for the heads up!" Kohaku says smiling.

After all the students arrive, Kohaku takes rollcall as usual. She noticed that her new pupil Daiki was meshing rather well and already getting along with the other students. It's not always easy being in a new place away from your parents. So Kohaku was glad that he seemed to be adjusting well.

The day went by as usual. Play time, some arts and crafts, and rounding the day out with some English practice. Today the students were working on colors. Most of the children were doing well with remembering the colors in English, but Kohaku couldn't help but notice that her silver haired pupil is indeed falling behind. She wouldn't answer any questions or even speak up when the class would repeat the names together. This must be what Tengen noticed. She is only four, but if she can get the basics down now, it will be a lot easier to learn the language as she gets older. So Kohaku could understand why her father wanted her to excel.

The day came to a close and the kids all went home except the two whose parents are always late.

Kyojuro came in at about 5:50pm, his usual time, to collect Riku. This left just Kohaku and Tamami to wait for the fuchsia eyed man to make an appearance.

"You're coming home with me and daddy today?" Tamami says.

Kohaku was surprised to hear the child speak, considering she's usually very quiet when it's just the two of them.

"Yeah! Were gonna work on some English together for a little bit." Kohaku says smiling.

"English is hard..." Tamami mumbles.

"I know, it's very hard, but we can learn together." Kohaku says reassuringly however Tamami doesn't seem too convinced it will be easy.

It was about 10 minutes after Kyojuro and Riku left that she heard a familiar voice from the door.

"Princess, are you here?" Tengen says.

Tamami jumps to her feet and runs over to her father, attaching herself to his leg.

"Hi daddy!" She says smiling up at him.

Tengen giggles and ruffles her hair gently. Kohaku takes the opportunity to grab Tamami and her's things.