CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO;
i know someone

"I'll leave the papers here, please write your name and your signature if you want to join the field trip." you announced, fingers standing on top of the paper you had settled on the teacher's table in front.

"You may also take a copy of the parental consent here," Kaneshiro points at the stack of papers next to your hand.

A few of your classmates rushed over, before they could instigate chaos, "One at a time," Kaneshiro quickly controlled the situation and guided them into a line.

With him momentarily occupied, you allowed your attention to drift across the classroom, your gaze naturally gravitating toward a familiar figure.

'Is he really not going to come?' you bit your lip, a quiet sigh slipping through your nose.

"Something wrong?" Kaneshiro noticed your expression.

He looked down at you, fixing his glasses that fell on the tip of his nose.

You blinked, "Nope," you say, "Are you joining the field trip too?"

"Yeah, I guess so, I can't let you deal with these guys alone," he laughed.

Though you were in a college prep class, some of your classmates still had the energy (and occasional immaturity) of middle schoolers.

"Come on, you're making me feel like you're obligated to go because of me," you joked, nudging the side of his torso with your elbow.

His head tilts, "Obligated? No. Because of you? Yes." he lightheartedly chuckles. Was he teasing you? You couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

For a second, you didn't know how to respond, "Haha, what do you mean?" you breathe out an easy laugh.

But Kaneshiro didn't answer. His lips remain curved into a small smile, as if he was waiting for you to figure it out yourself.

"Hey, Kaneshiro, would it be okay if I sign and take a copy of the parental consent, even though I'm not sure my parents would agree?" right on time, someone asked.

Kaneshiro turned toward them smoothly, his demeanor shifting, "Yeah, that's fine. Just make sure you return it signed by your parents or guardian before the field trip."

You exhaled quietly, stealing another glance in Rin’s direction. He hadn’t moved an inch.

'Rin really isn't going to come, is he?'

The thought lingered as you busied yourself with handing out forms, but it didn't stop you from sneaking another look his way. Just when you were about to turn back, his gaze flickered, just for a second. Your heart stumbled. Did he catch you staring?

Before you could dwell on it, Miwako leaned over the teacher's table, drawing your attention. "You’re staring," she murmured in a teasing tone, barely audible.

Your face heated up immediately. "I was not," you whispered back, too quickly.

Miwako smirked knowingly but didn’t push it. Instead, she leaned against the desk. "You could just ask him, you know."

You scoffed, keeping your voice low. "And get ignored? No, thanks."

But Miwako wasn't going to let go of her part time job as cupid. "You never know. Maybe he’s waiting for someone to convince him."

You rolled your eyes at the idea, "As if." but a small part of you couldn't ignore it. Would Rin even care if you asked once more?

Miwako took the parental consent form from your side of the table, and left with a smirk on her lips.

You sighed heavily, looking down at the leftover papers. A lot of people from your class chose to not come this year.

"Can I get a form?" a shadow loomed over you.

Your breath hitched.

Rin stood in front of you, his expression flat as he stared down at the stack of papers.

You blinked once. Twice. "...Huh?"

He sighed, "The consent form," he repeated, lifting an eyebrow.

Dumbfounded, you hand Rin a copy, still processing the moment. He took it without a word, his fingers brushing against yours briefly before taking the pen from Kaneshiro, writing his name down on the registration paper.

He turned away and walked back to his seat, suddenly, Miwako cleared her throat really loudly.

You shot her a glare, but your heart was racing too fast to be properly annoyed.

Rin was coming.

My Baby Boy
"Yes, I have a consent
form with me. Will you
be able to sign it tonight?"

Ma
"Of course, dear. But I'm
surprised, I thought you
didn't like going on field
trips?"

Rin paused in his tracks
momentarily, shoving a
hand into his pockets.
My Baby Boy

Ma
"Really? I thought your
school prohibited mandatory
trips. Do you want me to talk
to the principal? Or your adviser?"

My Baby Boy
"There's no need. I am
fine with it, it's only for
three days."

A few seconds of silence
came from the other end
of the call, before Mrs. Itoshi
laughed lightly.
Ma
"Alright."

The conversation between Rin and his mother lasted only a few more minutes before he finally hung up, exhaling as he stared at the dim glow of his phone screen, contemplating his decisions.

Before he could sink too deep into his thoughts, a high-pitched wail shattered the quiet.

"Mamaaaa!"

Rin’s head snapped up, his sharp gaze immediately searching for the source of the cry. His breath hitched slightly when he spotted a small child clinging to a thick tree branch several feet above the ground, their tiny arms wrapped desperately around the rough bark.

His eyes widened.

"What the hell...?" he muttered, "Kid, what the hell are you doing up there?!" he was quick to approach the tree.

"The… the cat…" the child’s voice trembled, their breath coming in hiccups as fresh tears spilled down chubby cheeks. But their panic fully erupted as they took in just how high up they were. "I need my mama!" the wailing grew louder. "I'm going to fall!"

Rin let out a sharp groan, already dropping his bag onto the grass. "Stay there and hold on tight!" he yelled, his voice firm but not unkind.

Without wasting another second, he grabbed onto the lowest branch and hoisted himself up. His years of rigorous training were useful, and it took only a few swift, practiced movements for him to reach the crying child.

"Alright, I got you," he murmured, carefully prying the small hands from the tree bark. The kid clung to him, sobbing into his shoulder as he made his way back down.

Once his feet touched the ground, Rin immediately set the child on the grass, steadying them with a hand on their tiny shoulder. His expression remained cold, but there was a sharp edge of concern in his voice.

"Don't do anything that stupid again," he scolded, his tone firm. "That was dangerous, you could’ve gotten seriously hurt."

The child sniffled, his swollen eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe.

Clearly intimidated, he nodded vigorously, his small chest still rising and falling with uneven breaths.

His face was a mess, red cheeks, snot dripping from his nose.

But despite Rin's warning, he hesitated before glancing up at him with pleading eyes.

"The kitty… please…" he whimpered, pointing up at the tree, where a small, frightened kitten clung to the branch above.

Rin followed the child's trembling finger and exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair.

'Of course.'

"Stay here," he muttered before turning back to the tree.

With ease, he climbed up again, his muscles barely straining as he reached for the trembling ball of fur.

The kitten let out a tiny, pitiful meow, its claws gripping the bark for dear life. Rin carefully wrapped a hand around its small body, keeping his movements slow so it wouldn’t panic.

A moment later, he was back on the ground, crouching to hand the kitten to the child.

"Here."

The kid cradled the small creature in his arms, his earlier terror melting into pure relief. "Kitty!" he sniffled, hugging the tiny animal close.

Rin dusted off his hands, ready to grab his bag and leave, when the rapid sound of footsteps reached his ears.

"Kai!" a woman in her thirties rushed toward them, her face flushed with worry.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, her breaths uneven as if she had been running for a while.

"Don't ever run away like that!" she scolded, kneeling to check the child over. "I've been searching everywhere for you!"

Kai hiccupped, still holding the kitten tightly. "Sorry, Mama…"

Rin, watching the scene unfold, clicked his tongue and grabbed his bag.

'Not my problem anymore'

But before he could walk away, the woman turned to him, her expression shifting from panic to gratitude.

"Did you…?" Her gaze flickered between Rin and the tree before realization dawned. "Did you help him?"

Rin adjusted the strap of his bag, his face impassive. "He was about to fall," he said simply.

The woman pressed her lips together, clearly overwhelmed. "Thank you," she said, bowing slightly. "I don’t know what would’ve happened if you weren’t here."

He merely shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Keep a better eye on him," he said bluntly before turning away.

Kai, now calmer, clutched the kitten tightly and looked up at Rin with wide, awestruck eyes. "Big brother… you're so cool…"

Rin paused mid-step, his shoulders tensing for half a second.

"No problem, kid." he awkwardly replied.

"Can we keep it, Mom?" Kai looked at his mom eagerly, only to be met by his mother's sad and disapproving expression.

"No, I'm sorry honey, we can't afford raising a pet. And our apartment doesn't allow it."

Kai was about to burst into tears, he then turns to look at Rin, who flinched in place. This was starting to feel troublesome.

"Big brother...can you keep this kitty? I don't want to leave it all alone."

Rin was about to turn him down, he wasn't really inclined with having pets.

"Kai, don't ask strangers for favors. That's not nice, we can leave the kitten at a vet, or an adoption center." his mother persuades.

Kai doesn't answer and pulls the kitten closer to his embrace.

Rin's brows furrowed and he closed his eyes momentarily, "Actually, I know someone who likes cats. I can ask them."

itoshi rin

6:09 PM

hey

are you free later?