Innocent | Sugawara Koushi (EDITING)

1.

Shit, I'm already late. How long can one person take to withdraw money from a bank? I wondered to myself while waiting behind a tall man in a police uniform, who was interacting with the bank teller in front of me.

I was supposed to pick up my little niece from kindergarten, and I had promised my sister that, for once, I would be on time. I was always late, but it wasn't my fault. It was always something else that got in the way, like an unexpected guest or a long line or...some guy taking forever at the bank.

"Ugh, if he wasn't a police officer, I would give him a piece of my mind," I mumbled under my breath.

Luckily, he finished his transaction a few moments later, but turned around and looked at me.

"I heard you. Try to keep it in your own thoughts next time," he gently, yet firmly advised. He then proceeded to send me a warm, reassuring smile before walking away.

Oh, god... My face is probably bright red right now, I thought to myself, feeling the blood rush to my face in embarrassment. After making it to the front of the line, I quickly wrapped up my bank errand and rushed to my car. While driving away, I noticed the police officer standing next to his car, looking at me.

Does he have to stare like that? I silently wondered. I'm in a rush and he is probably waiting to find an excuse to give me a ticket or something.

I drove carefully until I was out of his view before stepping on the gas pedal and hurrying toward my niece's school. With a screech of the tires, I slammed on the brakes once I arrived at the school and sprinted toward the doors. The school and everything near me was quiet, which could only mean one thing: The children weren't there.

"Shit! Of course I'm late!" I groaned in exasperation.

"Please, don't use curse words here."

I jumped when I heard a calm, serene voice coming from the playground to my left. There was a young man standing near my niece, pushing the swing she was sitting on, which she seemed to enjoy.

"Um... Sorry, my bad. On another note, she's not your child," I protectively replied, gesturing to my niece. "Ai, don't you remember that you shouldn't talk with strangers? It's dangerous." I said with a concerned voice and she just looked at me as if I was crazy before rushing into the school without saying a word.

"Hey, where are you going?!" I called after her, but I wasn't sure if she even heard me.

"She probably went to go get her backpack," responded the beautiful voice again.

I looked at the man whom the voice belonged to and noticed that he was now standing a few steps closer to me. He had tousled, silver hair accompanied by gentle, brown eyes and a little mole by his left eye. He appeared to be around my age and was undeniably cute. With his calming presence, I can see why Ai seemed to trust him. I would certainly trust him as well if I was a five year-old like Ai.

"Why were you playing with her?" I asked curiously. His smile was angelic and I tried hard not to stare.

"Don't worry, I'm Ai's teacher. I tried to convince her to wait inside the school, but she insisted on going out. She just loves spending time outside. Ugh, my back hurts after a whole day of running around after small children." He stretched his back a little and I caught a glimpse of muscles peeking from his rolled up sleeves. I tried not to peek at his stomach too, but I failed.

Wait, he has a six-pack? Who is this guy for God's sake?

Is my mouth open? Ugh, never mind.