Present || 02

= 4 years passed =

'I took up bad habits, one being smoking' Riku simply wanted to be left alone in the end. He just forgot the point of living, even now, after all those years. The new foster family, the money that he still got from the old man.

"Hey Riku, could you bring the teachers files to the staff room?" 'Why was I the errand boy today? Could no one else do it?' Dropping his cigarette to the floor and stepping on it Riku sighed picking up his bag and slinging it over his left shoulder.

He walked up to the teachers desk grabbing a stack of papers and walked out ignoring the eyes that followed him. Their stares were all the same because of his background, everyone knew where Riku Spears came from. The neglected and poor district to the South of where he was now.

'You all stare when you could have done this job in my stead.' Picking up the pace, He stopped and knocked on the staff office door and waited slightly impatient.

'This was my afternoon dammit', finally the door opened and Mr Lee greeted him.

"Thank you for bringing those here, you are so helpful" he praised. 'Helpful huh? There was about twenty others that could have been asked. Another thing to add to the list that I wasn't, first bravery, now helpful.' Yes he had learned a lot as a kid but Riku never used those gains or knowledge for others.

So Riku was never one to 'help' with anything, rather keep his head down and use what he learned for himself. 'Anyone can call it Greed, selflessness, lack of compassion, there are many terms to describe my train of thought right now.' But he simply saw it as survival, a lesson to be learned and taught.

'Arck' holding his head Riku searched his left pocket and found his medication next to his lighter.

Those who have ability and those who do not. At least that's the way he was taught to see it.

'We help those who are poor cause they cannot provide.

We help those that are sick before they die.

We help the old because they cannot.'

Popping open the lid he threw back two pills in one gulp as Mr Lee finished up his report on the computer.

'Help is a word anyone could choose to use or acknowledge it and move on. Sort of like seeing a woman being dragged away to a dark alleyway on way home from work. Would you really want to help and take on her problems as well as your own? You might as well fall under as another victim or maybe become a hero? In the end she could just blame it all on you and take everything for herself, hah, tragic'

To his mind, it's just not worth it. Help is a term that isn't a trust binded take. 'To help' could be many forms based on one's mindset. So there are infinite takes, it's only ruled out by society as the norm. Even when it's simply going above expectations.

"I was wondering Riku, are you going to file yourself for the class President role?" 'Now why would I do that?' Riku closing his medication pop top container felt disgusted at the idea of roles, especially roles of leadership.

"With all your respect Sir, I only enrolled last month. I doubt my peers would take well to an outsider declearing his spot within the class like that" 'I rather stay low anyway then have more bothersome tasks and stay later at campass then I need too.' The old man had been more forceful with Riku in the past months after adopting him as well. To get a cigarette was like committing murder and covering it up once Riku had finished it.

"You are top of your class regardless, all activities you excel in. You took top five in your year grade just last week with that third exam. I believe you are more qualified then those who actually started at the start of the year" as much as Riku wanted to say to him to drop it. The man had a point, unlike everyone else who started or transferred relatively at the start of the year. Riku pushed his way to the top with only a month of school education behind him and the teachings of the old man for social life but also-

'It's not a surprise regardless. Especially because 'that Woman' taught me everything I know within education and more.'

Clenching his hands into fists he forced a smile, "I'm still not quite sure on your resolve Sir. I don't want to be putting expectations on my peers like that" 'hah, how modest of me.' When really he would of said, 'expectations, experience and goals are really what drives a person to strive and survive.'

'I didn't want to fight this guy, Mr Lee was a good person as far as society standards went. A kind teacher that put his students needs over his own.' However he didn't want to stand out, Riku hadn't even thought about himself once in a responsible light.

He hated conflict still even though he was now seventeen, yeah he was smart, Had independence, probably before anyone else who attended their first kindergarten. Had more basic and advanced skills then a doctor in training at thirteen. Paired with unchallenged technology skills that would put any hacker or technician to shame at fifteen after self education and determination. Only to improve a bit further yearly, a new hobby or goal was passed and exceeded every time.

'I could have easily reached the top in this School. But besides my better judgement, I didn't, just so I could avoid situations like this one.'

"I just don't see it as fair Mr Lee" He finally finished as Mr Lee's brow's knitted in a thinking structure on his face. Before he turned in his chair, the chair probably been used over it's limit. Screeched in protest, while he opened a filing cabinet and pulled out a single piece of paper.

Laying it out in front of him, Riku knew what it was. Seeing it though had his detest for the paper even more as Mr Lee sighed.

"At least take it and read it over? You are more qualified then you think regardless of your time spent here." Showing no ill-manner Riku took the piece of paper and excused himself from the office. However before he could open the door Mr Lee called out one last time. "Maybe quit smoking though".

Upon closing the door behind him, a voice next to him had his thoughts disturbed about the recent comment of 'quit smoking'.

"You better not think about taking the role. I don't know what Mr Lee sees in you, you barely talk to anyone. You're probably thinking you're better than everyone else." 'She obiously must have stopped by after I explained why I didn't want the role.' Riku looked at the woman in front, he knew this person, not on a personal level but she was part of the Kendo club.

She had awards and titles that he could have taken from her, if he wanted or chosen that academic pathway that is. 'Saya Fu, She would be more suited for class President with her fan base.' Riku smirked as he turned to walk away from her.

"Did you hear me?" She spoke with the same confidence as 'that Woman', unafraid and unaware.

Ignoring her he simply kept walking away. 'Once again wasted afternoon.' He didn't need to deal with little kids.

Yes, technically he was around the same age, but the way he saw it. She didn't have enough life skills to hold a candle to his flame. The flame being that of knowledge and understanding well beyond Saya's capabilities.

"Hey I was talking to you! Hey!" She shouted down the hall as Riku turned the corner and made his exit.