The May Experiment

Prologue

"Riddle me this: why are we here again?"

       "To help."

"Partial answer."

       Another hand lifted up, "to educate".

"Getting there."

       Another raised arm, "to guide others".

"Oh, come on people!"

       "We're here to teach and to be taught." The young man who had made the claim rushed to the nearest available seat in the sunlit room.

       "Bingo!" The demanding man snapped his fingers and halted his steps to face where the response he had desired came from.

       "Bravo, Mr.Tardy", he announced with a lifeless grin.

       Souchi Tatsumi had his eyes follow the accused to his seat. After the attention of the room had settled down Souchi inquired the man, "And who might you be exactly?"

       The late man subconsciously corrected his stance and became very alert about the long haired man glaring at him. His sitting being in vain, the man stood up and stated his name.

       "Uh- Morinaga. Morinaga Tetsuhiro.. Sir."

"And are you lost, Morinaga Tetsuhiro? Students aren't due back until next week ya know."

       "Tatsumi-san, Morinaga-kun here is the pinch chemistry teacher for the rest of this school year while Fukashima-san recovers from his accident", spoke up one of Souchi's subordinates.

       "What!? You've got to be kidding me! This guy's like 12, 13 tops" exclaimed Souchi - his hair swaying as he motioned towards Morinaga.

       "Twenty-one, actually" stated Morinaga, shying away when his speaking earned him a keen gaze from his new found superior.

       Isogai, one of Souchi's more affiliated co workers who had little care for formalities, stalked up to the stirred man and rested his head upon his shoulder. He whispered nearly parallel to Souchi's ear.

       "Morinaga-kun is a bit young, but he's quite capable. Besides, he's only two years your junior. He attended Nagoya University on a full ride and completed his master's in agricultural science in just three years. Now, doesn't that remind us of a certain someone?"

       At that remark both men turned their heads to face each other.

"Don't be so hypocritical, Sou-chan."

       Souichi turned back to stare at Morinaga who still stood tall; awaiting what would unfold in the next few moments.

       "Do you know what you've signed up for, Morinaga", Souchi asked in a testing voice.

       "I have close to no experience, I'm practically still a child myself, and it'll be my first time teaching - and I know it won't be easy", he lifts his chin just the slightest bit higher here, "but I showed up - didn't I?"

       At his declaration Souchi is taken back, even if just a little, but he soon recovers and his expression settles back. He breathes out a dry, fleeting laugh and nods his head once ia approval.

       "Indeed you did."