Restless

By AJ Torres

Marik Iwakuma or Kuma as everyone calls him went from a Japanese school class-A jock to S-Class loner. He shut himself down the beginning of Junior year and everyone let him be. No one bothered him afterwards. Strangely enough, no one knew what was going on. Not teachers, not his coach, teammates, or anyone.
But Mai Tanaka a girl in his grade bumped into him during a class project. She was friendly to him, but he choked up and was closed off the whole time. Concerned she made a goal to find out what had happened to poor Kuma. Will she find out and leave him alone? Will Kuma open and get back into the groove of things? Or will something to the point in which he gets worse?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796059083

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Copyright © 2019 by AJ Torres.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/18/2020

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Contents

Chapter 1 Shut Down

Chapter 2 Splane

Chapter 3 Ticket

Chapter 4 Date

Chapter 5 Harem

Chapter 6 Business

Chapter 7 Dinner

Chapter 8 Preparation

Chapter 9 Theorize

Chapter 10 Beaut-Alize

Chapter 11 Flashback

Chapter 12 Forward Then Back

Chapter 13 Dumbfounded

Chapter 14 Shrink

Chapter 15 Course Of Action

Chapter 16 Jacking Up

Chapter 17 Contract

Chapter 18 Gray Nights

Chapter 19 Meeting

Chapter 20 Final

Marik Iwakuma or Kuma as everyone calls him went from a Japanese school class-A jock to S-Class loner. He shut himself down the beginning of Junior year and everyone let him be. No one bothered him afterwards. Strangely enough, no one knew what was going on. Not teachers, not his coach, teammates, or anyone.

But Mai Tanaka a girl in his grade bumped into him during a class project. She was friendly to him, but he choked up and was closed off the whole time. Concerned she made a goal to find out what had happened to poor Kuma. Will she find out and leave him alone? Will Kuma open and get back into the groove of things? Or will something to the point in which he gets worse?

CHAPTER 1

Shut Down

I T WAS ANOTHER weekday at Yokohama Academy. The school was going to start. A boy in class 3-4 by the name Marik Iwakuma or Kuma for short ran in seconds before the bell rang.

Iwakuma nice of you to be on time today. Said Mr. Aono the homeroom and literature teacher.

Kuma stood at 5’7" 160 lbs. Built strong and tough but lean. Had light green eyes and black hair We wore his school uniform of black slacks and a white striped button down with it unbuttoned showing a plain black tee.

Sure teach. He replied sitting down.

Then a girl came in. Sorry I’m late. She said. She was one of the prettiest girls to rock to the girl’s uniform. A white dress shirt that held her D cup breasts, a red skirt, and to give it her won twist some white knee highs occasionally.

Miss Tanaka you know your late. It’s your first time too. I’m surprised. Smiled Mr. Aono.

Sorry. Little behind schedule this morning. Won’t happen again. She smiled.

Her name was Mai. Standing about 5’4" with dark blue eyes and medium black hair with blue tips the same color as her eyes. The guys starred at her all the time and she was ignoring the fact.

Mr. Aono got up. We are doing a group assignment. Groups are on the board. Move around as necessary. He ordered.

When the scrambling was done Kuma’s group including Mai, Hero, and Horoki. Hero and Horoki thought they were going to score while Kuma just kicked it back.

So, you guys mind if I lead? Asked Mai.

Go for it. Guys you care? Asked Kuma.

They nodded.

So, it says we have to do a poem. It says about love. Any ideas? Asked Mai.

Don’t know the subject. Replied Kuma. Love just isn’t in my strong suit.

Love? She asked.

Yeah. Touchy subject. Kuma looked away.

Well. Hmm in that case anything you can add? She asked again.

I guess trust, care, and making that person happy.

Not bad. Said Hero.

You alright? Concerned Horoki.

Don’t mind me. Kuma replied.

Hey, Kuma, it sounds like you write one yourself. Maybe you can really help us. Proposed Mai.

I guess I can try. He said sadly.

After almost a whole class everyone stopped grinding and blending ideas their teacher read everyone’s project. A few messes. Then some just missing the mark. Then he found one of his liking. Well class the best poem for today goes to Mai, Marik, Hero, and Horoki. Congrats. Said Mr. Aono.

Couldn’t have done it without Kuma. Said Hero.

Have you been holding out on us? Asked the teacher again.

Not a poet you don’t have to worry about that. He replied softly.

Very well then.

Mai just stared at him shocked.

I’ve heard about him before class this year but differently described. He’s not the outgoing jock I heard about. But there is no way there is a guy with the same name. I got to find out.

* * *

It was lunchtime as Mai was sitting next to three of her friends Aiko, Gen, and Haru. The three were gossiping as did every girl their age until they realized that their friend was quiet.

Hey, Mai, you alright? Said Aiko.

Yeah, you seem out of it. Agreed Gen.

I’m fine. Just out curiosity girls, who’s Marik Iwakuma? He’s in my class. What do you got on him? She asked deviously.

Oh, Kuma. Well he was great on the baseball team two years in a row. But after break he separated himself from everything. Quit the team, stopped talking to people, and his attitude is different. Said Haru.

Did he have a breakup? Mai asked again.

He’s only dated two girls and they were nothing special. They were quick. Something about his living situation or family or something like that. Sounds weird coming from them. You interested? Said Aiko.

Not interested at all. Just rather concerned. I just don’t his head is in the right place. She sighed sadly.

Good luck. The coach and his teammates couldn’t do it. Said Gen.

Seems like I have my hands full.

We’ll cheer you on girl. Giggled Haru.

Thanks. Where does he go during lunch anyways? She blushed.

I heard he packs his own and sits on the roof alone. Gazes at the view and is the first one in his next class. Tomorrow have him yours. Hehe. Laughed Gen.

No Gen not like that! Argued Mai.

Sure. Giggled Gen.

Be real now girl, if you can pick anything up from him that’d be a first from anyone since last year. Said Aiko taking a sip.

I’ll try now. Mai said while taking off.

Aiko sighed. That’s Mai for you. She is one determined girl. And no boy our age can handle her. Right girls?

Right. Agreed Gen and Haru.

* * *

Mai opens the roof door to see Kuma starring at the view. He turns around and is shocked. No one has ever disturbed his lunch before.

Ummm, hello? He said surprised.

Hey Kuma, what’s up. You look dazed. She smiled.

Usually don’t get visitors. He blushed.

How often are you up here?

Daily. Unless those occasions where I skip and attempt to sleep.

Alone? She said sternly.

Yeah why? His eyes went big.

Doesn’t it get lonely? She placed her hand on his shoulder.

It does. Look, I’m not looking for another mistake. What do you want? He got annoyed.

I want to…

Hurry this up

I want to be your friend. She said calmly.

No thanks. It’s better this way. I’m sorry. Said Kuma as he picked up his bag and walked out the door.

Kuma… She watched him walk back to the staircase. Come back to me.

* * *

It was after school and the four girls met by a big tree at the courtyard. The tree was their meet up spot after school.

So, how’d it go? Asked Haru.

Terrible. He said he wasn’t looking for another mistake. Frowned Mai.

Oh my God that’s awful. Gasped Gen.

I can’t give up though. That guy needs help. I’m not sure how but he needs it. How does a social jock turn into a loner who shuts the door on people? Something stinks here.

We know we can’t stop you. But, if you need help let us know. Said Aiko.

Actually, you know anyone from the baseball team?

Haru scans the area. Hmmm how about Yuuto Matsui right there?

Mai approaches him. Hi. Yuuto right? She smiled.

Yes I am. How are you today? He smirked.

Good thanks. Question for you. What do you have on Marik Iwakuma? She said bluntly.

Kuma? Well he was the Varsity 2nd Baseman since he was a first year and this year, he said he couldn’t do it. Never said why. After he distanced himself from everyone. Weird as that sounds bit that’s how it happened. He said. Anything else?

Address please Honey.

44 Ivory Street. Apartment Eight.

Thank ya much. Oh, and talk to my friends over there one of them I think likes you. She walked away.

He started drooling. Yes ma’am. I will.

* * *

Meanwhile on Kuma’s side of life classes are over and he must rush home. He had to get home fast, change clothes, do an assignment or two if he could and rush to work.

Well everything went okay, I guess. Although Mai is something else. The guys love her. She’s a solid nine. Although let’s be real. High school is a popularity contest. It’s something I can’t do anymore. Sorry if you’re interested Mai. You are so beautiful inside and out, but you deserve better. Not a guy in an emotional wreck. But if she likes me in any way no doubt in my mind, I could do a lot worse. She’s way too good for me. Who cares at this point? Time to head to work and hope it’s light.

Mai just got to the address when Kuma ran out of the house. He was wearing worn and beat up clothes as he raced out the door. This caught Mai off guard. She wasn’t prepared for his next move.

Why is he in a hurry? And why is he wearing that outfit? Interesting. Thought Mai to herself.

Then Mai gets a phone call as she gives chase.

< Hello? > She answered.

< Hey girl. > Said Aiko. < So, find anything good? >

< He left his apartment when I got there. He’s running in beat up clothes. What’s that all about? >

< No idea. Good luck catching him. He was the third fastest on the team. And he played with the upperclassmen since his first year. You have a trained base stealer on your hands. > Giggled Aiko.

< You’re telling me this now? > Replied Aiko annoyed.

< Sorry. Didn’t know he was going to be running to wherever. I won’t slow you down. Run Mai. Run. >

She hung up and continued giving chase. She had to look at all turns to keep track of him. Otherwise he was out of site.

She was sweating and out of breath when she got to a construction site. She stayed hidden and with her keen hearing was able to listen to the conversation.

Let’s go Marik you’re late again. Said a Foreman.

I got out of class and got here as fast as I could sir. Replied Kuma.

Listen kid no excuses. Grab a hard hat and move that stone. Be done before dark or it comes out of your check. Which give it about four hours. Keep up the pace. What’s with you kids anyhow? Can’t teach you youngsters nothing. Cried the Foreman.

I’m doing my best.

Kid I dropped out of school. And look at me. I run this place. And I’m happy. So grow some will ya? And quit bitching. He smirked.

Yes sir.

Mai had heard everything. She was in shock and truly felt awful. Her phone rang again.

< Mai? It’s Haru. You there? > She asked over the phone.

< Ya. I’m here. > She said sadly.

< You okay over there? >

< I’m fine. Just. Just give me some time. I’ll catch keep with you all tomorrow. I got my hands full. Maybe we can meet sometime in the morning before classes. > She said hoping to avoid the problem in front of her face.

< Sure Mai. Can’t wait. We’re itching for this one.