Page 77 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Do you have to be a child in order to love to play?” she countered.
“Nope!” Akira quietly admitted, “Playing with kids is pretty much my only job.”
“You’re a teacher?”
“Not really. I’m more like everyone’s big brother.”
He didn’t usually worry about his lack of a degree or a career. A job would take him from Suuzu’s side, and he didn’t want that more than he wanted anything else. But Akira lived at a school. He wasn’t a scholar like Sis, but nothing was stopping him from learning a trade. Maybe Michael would have some ideas about a more official role.
“I wouldn’t mind being a teacher, I guess.”
Fumiko squeezed his hand and spoke with conviction. “You can teach them how to be brave.”
Akira was running a little behind when he skipped up the front steps to the Amory. He slowed to cross the lobby, and he veered toward the information desk. Tabi-oji was already waiting.
“You came,” he said, sounding surprised.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Akira countered.
“I am not accustomed to being remembered.”
“I don’t exactly remember you. From before, I mean. But you feel familiar. It’s hard to explain, especially when you won’t explain.”
“Ply me with sandwiches, and we can talk some more.”
So Akira went to the counter and ordered the “Best Ever” Starmark, a fancy grilled cheese sandwich, so he could sent snapshots to Ever and his favorite people.
Out in the courtyard, Tabi-oji invited Akira’s questions.
“How did you know my dad?”
“Naoki and I met at work.”
Akira tried not to be frustrated. It would have been so much simpler for Tabi-oji to simply tell him everything. Akira would have sat through the whole story, no matter how long. Instead, Tabi-oji volunteered nothing. And though he willingly answered Akira’s questions, he was brief about it. It made Akira feel as if he wasn’t asking the right questions. Yet.
“Are you a scientist, too?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“Do I need to guess?”
Tabi-oji was pleating his paper napkin. “I do not think you could. Naoki and I met under unusual circumstances.”
“Did you work somewhere in Keishi?”
“No.”
“Where is the place you met?”
“An island.”
“One of Japan’s islands?”
“No.”
“Where, then?”
Tabi-oji softly said, “I could not say. It is uncharted.”
