Takagi walked down the streets on his way to school with his backpack hanging precariously from his shoulder. As usual he held twice as many books as was necessary in his hands. Two sketchbooks, one of his favorite books in his manga collection: death note number 2, two novels, a clip board, and a pencil case. He clutched them to his chest as he walked. His clothes were not too unusual but they were too big. They hung loosely on his frame. His tee-shirt was one-and-a-half sizes too big, the pants were too loose at his thin waist and were held up by an old army camouflage belt. His shoes fit ok but the laces were tangled and would never be untangled. The bully who had tied Takagi to a bike rack with the pair of sneakers as ropes had made sure of that, if nothing else. A slim black car pulled beside him. The window rolled down to reveal Sato sitting with a huge smile on her perfect face.
"Hi Takagi!" She said happily. The pair had been friends since 6th grade. For them that was a very long time. Even if they were only in 8th grade, the fact that their friendship had lasted three years was a small miracle. They were from opposite planets, in short, opposite sides of the cafeteria. She was queen of the school, class president, the sovereign of the world. He was the geek from anime club, art club, art and literary magazine, and a dedicated member of the tutoring programs. He tutored one 6th grader twice a week. Takagi had skipped two grades and was in all AP classes. Sato had all her classes with him, all AP. Sato's family was rich. She had more allowance in a month then Takagi had saved all his life. Takagi lived in a poor rundown neighborhood; his family struggled to pay the rent and to scrape together enough money to send him to collage.
"H-hi Sato," He replied. He smiled shyly at Sato, who smiled back and turned to her driver, Miss Hattie.
"Can Takagi get a ride with us to school?" She asked.
"You know what your mother has said about that boy. He's not at your level and you are not permitted to see him. You were told to take the car with me or walk with your fiancé" Hattie said mercilessly. Sato scowled.
"Takagi and I are friends. Besides I'm not walking with that pig. Shiratori is never going to be my boyfriend. Or my husband! Come on Takagi! We're walking!" Sato opened the car door and stepped out clutching her designer purse in one hand and her backpack in the other.
"B-but won't you get into trouble?" He asked nervously.
"I don't care!" Sato said irritably, "My Mom is such a jerk!" Ever since Sato lost her father her mother had been desperate to set Sato up with someone who could 'take care' of Sato. That person was Shiratori. Naturally it was a touchy subject for Sato. She stomped away from the car. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment at the very idea of marrying anyone other than someone she loved. Takagi smiled apologetically at Hattie and rushed over to Sato.
"W-wait up!" He called. She slowed down for him. "Thanks Sato"
"She'll come around eventually Takagi. I'm sorry about all that. I just can't stand being pushed into all this. Even worse than that, I know that you hate Shiratori's guts." Sato said dejectedly.
"Don't worry about me. It must suck being engaged to him… Arranged marriage…" Takagi said benevolently. Sato punched his arm gently.
"I can take care of myself," She said with a smile. Takagi nodded.
"You'll be the one taking care of your guy, when you get one." He teased. She rolled her eyes.
"Can I come over before training today?" She asked. Takagi turned a pale green, then bright red. Sato raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, I-I umm… I don't really think… My parents won't be h-home and uh…" He stammered. She sighed. It was hard being his friend; he was always shy and embarrassed, especially when it came to his house.
"Why are you so embarrassed? I mean, I have been to your house before," Said Sato.
"S-sure, we can pick up some bento boxes on the way." He said resolutely. It was the last school day before training started that night. The training Sato was referring to was the junior police training that the pair was doing for the first time. It got them out of classes for several months. They would move to the training area where they would be partnered up for several months with someone. They would be taking classes as well as physical training. Several older students were supervising. After training they would be smarter, stronger, and overall better. That's why Takagi was going through training, to be better for Sato.
"When I make it through my mom will see that I can take care of myself, that I don't need someone to take care of me. That I don't need Shiratori." Sato said indomitably.
"Do you think we'll be partners?" Takagi asked.
"I don't know. Yumi is doing it to so one of us might be her partner." She replied.
"I really hope I don't get partnered with one of the jerks from school" By jerks Takagi was referring to the boys who had locked him in one of the orchestra cello lockers. He had been left there for several hours until Sato had found him on the way to get her viola. He had collapsed out of the locker with tears in his eyes.
"I know what you mean," Sato sighed.
"Hey baby!" Said a voice from behind them, the pair turned around to see Shiratori in the flesh smirking and holding a football. There was a posse of boys behind him all with similar smirks. Takagi felt the color drain from his face.
"Hello," Sato said curtly. Shiratori turned to Takagi.
"Hey freak, feeling better? It isn't healthy to spend hours at a time in a small dark orchestra locker." He sneered.
To be continued……………………..