Chapter 34

The school paper just stated her name, her fathers and that she was accepted at said highschool. 

'' At last that's normal.''  she said before humming in surprise at a second paper that she peeled carefully. It wasn't really a surprise that her younger self did not saw this one. It was almost sticked on the back of the first paper.

Danuja looked at the new sheet before slamming it viciously on the table. The sound made her breath sharply and Dad grumble.  A couple of second passed before she breathe calmly and let herself fall back on the couch.

'' I'm in denial.'' she told herself before looking at the small note with with the four cipher number, turning it around ready for any other surprises.

'' What the-? What did he even try to do here?''  she said frowning in disbelief, lifting the note higher trying to read the content.  In small, too small letters, was written what looked like the name of wild animals. The names were written so small and they were so many that most of them overlapped making the note have no sense whatsoever.

'' Right. Cause this is not suspicious at all.''

Dad bark made her look at him, who was sniffing the same paper she slammed on the table. Danuja sighed before letting the useless note go, taking the paper back.

'' Guess what buddy?'' she said feeling a little hysterical  '' We are fucked.'' Danuja giggled before kissing his head

The dog, unaware but still able to feel Danuja strange emotions, just cocked his head to the side and kissed her right back.

---

'' A job?''  Mr. Touma asked frowning at her  '' What brings this on boyo? I though you were better with, well everything.''  he said scratching his head at her red eyes. It didn't look like Danuja sleep much.

'' Did you know children allowance stops coming when a child finishes Junior High? Or more likely at 15? Or in some cases when they enter highschool? ''  Danuja asked just a little bit hysterical. At her question Mr. Touma just frowned more, confused this time

'' Yes? It's Japan not America.''  he said before sighing at the realization

Wordlessly he begin inspecting her arms and height before he hummed pleasant.

'' You said that the First Ring doesn't pay.'' Danuja said before the man could say anything  '' Does that mean that other Rings do pay?'' her only answer was a smack in the head

'' Idiot.'' Mr. Touma said  '' Don't even thing of dumb things like those. You entered those type of rings one single time. And what you think you can just jump an entire Ring after a couple of fights?'' 

'' Do you even get what it's happening?'' Danuja asked her head pounding from not enough sleep and too much stress  '' Without allowance then I don't pay the bills, my dog doesn't eat, I don't eat. Period.''  she said before laughing bitterly  '' I have no type of contact with either of my so called parents. I never had.''

After her outburst the two stayed in silence in the empty gym before Mr. Touma said

'' How long till your school years it's over?'' he asked taking a seat on the lone bench

'' A couple of weeks.'' Danuja said frowning  '' The money already come this month. If I stretch enough I can pay the bills the next month.'' she said a little embarrassed.

It wasn't a lie that she was doomed without those monthly money but she had enough food for months, that was brough just with the fight pay.  Both herself and Dad could live two months without trouble. Three, if she shared the meat with Dad.

Danuja was great at savings.

'' Right.''  Mr. Touma murmured, clearly thinking  '' Take a part time job over the summer. There are construction sites that take boys like you for at last a day. The pay is good. Try at wares if not. The same thing applies to you. You are tall and have enough muscle unload some cargo at the docks. You could lie you are 18 but don't push your luck.''

My luck would be already pushed. I'm a girl for fuck sake    Danuja thought viciously, having much more difficulty then usual to keep her emotions in check  Sure I can lie about my age but what are the changes that they are poor eyesighted enough like yourself, old man

'' What about that fight? You said there should be one at the beginner of summer vacation.''  Danuja asked stroking her knuckles, biting her lips

Maybe I could us that  she thought 

'' Mh.''  Mr. Touma grunted, nodding his head before crossing his arms clearly thinking. The sight just made Danuja more frustrated, the emptiness at her side, place that her furred friend always was, made her even more angsty

'' We can still do the fight. You said it yourself, there is almost a month till summer break so you have enough time to prepare. I see what I can do so you don't actually encounter a karateka again. A boxer would be better.''  he said scratching his chin pensive

'' Why?'' Danuja asked baffled. Her plan and any ideas she made for a fight with a karateka that would bring her more money, were slowly destroyed by Mr. Touma words

'' Experience.''  he said rolling his eyes at her before narrowing them  '' Not everything it's about money kid. If you don't work hard and are resilient than don't except at many rewards.''

Everything it's about money  Danuja thought almost biting her tongue  Maybe not everything but at the end of the day all your needs spins around money

'' You can try for a fight that could get you in the Second Ring after at last five fights, that you win. No more, no less. Those are the rules and don't even thing about getting around them, those things don't work in that place.''  he warned her smacking her head again making her hiss

'' Who made those rules even?'' she asked before biting her cheek just to blink surprised when Mr. Touma laughed heartily patting her head softly.  Danuja narrowed her eyes when her insides warmed, shoving the feeling away

'' Fools did them kid.''  he said almost longing before he get up and made her go outside  '' Don't think I forget you got school today.'' he said smirking before closing the door in front of her