Cushion

I brought up everything and began answering the questions; writing, drawing and so forth; as quickly as I could. I can say I'm a smart person but I am also not naive enough to think I am the best.

That would be foolish, no?

The memories from before were, sigh.

Either way, I focused on the problems in front of me answering each of them before the madam announced that we should put away everything and wait for the results.

During that time we will have a twenty minutes break.

Taking that time, I drank some water to hydrate myself before subconsciously handing the girl beside me a small bottle.

I wondered if I am under a spell or something, such a strange thing. I usually hate to share my things but with that girl, I could not help it.

"Student five hundred and forty-seven you are so nice. From now on I will be your loyal dog." the girl said with a smile. I blinked feeling shocked for the first time I can remember. Admitting something like that after only offering some water... Wow.

"Break is over resume questions!" unable to reply to such a statement I simply focused on finishing the questions.

Within ten minutes time, I did not finish all of them but that was OK I suppose I should be in a decent class and not the bottom.

"Time is up, submit the questions immediately, failure to do so will result in a score of zero." I did not hesitate to send the questions. "Students can eat while waiting for the results. Please pay heed to your wrist communicator the results will be sent to you with your permanent homeroom teacher and class location for the duration of the first year. Dismissed."

Standing I took my time walking towards the exit, then aimlessly walked before stopping in a deserted area. There I pulled out a small table and chair, then placed the food in an orderly manner before taking a seat and ate.

This does not take long the food was also quite little; two three-foot-long freshwater fish diced in ten pieces, six birds and a small assortment of leafy dishes to assist with proper digestion and balance. Finished I looked up seeing the girl from before standing not too far away silently.

Looking away stood and packed up my things, cleaned my hands and mouth then walked away.

The area is not bad for an island, standing outside and walking around the garden I found that this island seemed to be able to sustain itself even though it is quite small.

Pulling up the island map I saw that the island is mostly sandy, the garden is not bad though mostly filled with low shrubs and flowers than trees which is not bad to me.

For instance, the most abundant plant is sedum, followed by the beautiful bearded iris I had not too long planted in my garden. Acacia binervata is a tree that grows quite fast and produces attractive flowers, they are also used to help with deep wound healing and combined with a few other leaves to help the hair shine and keep moisture.

Acacia parramattensis, another tree with flatten leaf stalks and bright yellow flowers growing close together, similar to a boutique. These are the favourites of the old madam Kai and are potted in massive pots scattered around the garden.

I had wondered why at that time finding the leaves and flower buds a key ingredient for breakthroughs but now with so many trees nearby... I can make so many concoctions with ease. Reaching the path a few hundred meters from the beach I stared at the rolling, crashing waves and pouted. In the water there is my home, that place is where I truly belonged, yet me as an air breather can never be allowed to be as free as I once were.

Bowing my head I sighed, feeling the emptiness that seems to be lacking.

Someday though I will be a true shark-kin again. There is no way I can give up.

"Student...five hundred and forty-seven?" A meek voice sounded suddenly. "What do you want from me?" From beginning this girl approached me, it is a weird thing. In my own courtyard, it is normal for I am master but at present, with this small airbreather who I have only just met it is quite strange. There is no malice from her or any need to eat her, it felt as though it is natural for her to be by my side. Knowing that I felt quite startled because as a Shark-kin something like this is not something that is natural unless it is that one species. However, it had only been for mutual benefits. "I just felt that you are an interesting person to follow and that if I follow you I will never suffer."

I raised a brow turning to look at the girl, watering eyes watched me steadily showing no fear but caution. What a puzzle this little airbreather is.

"What benefits can you bring me if allow you to follow?"

"Benefits?" I could not help but to chuckle softly at the expression displayed on that little face.

Silenced stretched, with a wave of my hand I silently gave her the command to follow. This is good, someone willing to follow me should prove their worth. Perhaps she can be used to help strengthen my thigh in the future or be a decent 'cushion'.

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Notes:

*Acacia binervata; common name: two veined hickory. Personally, I like it, it grows between 5-15m maturing faster than most trees, and for this mostly sandy island, it's great. Basically for me to add what are actually real adjusting a bit to a fantasy.

*Acacia parramattensis; common name: Parramatta wattle. Actually, when I saw it I thought of a boutique of flowers in the picture. The leaves reminded me of a palm yet not exactly like. Eh, to each their own~

*Cushion: instead of saying cannon fodder, I think right here cushion sounds better.