Chapter 33: A Troublemaker

"MS. FRIZYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

A young girl screamed in a dirty dress on a big playground. Ms. Ezzy at such a speed came to the rescue sliding onto the playground with her Karada active.

"What is it, Merindel?"

"Ms. Frizzy, Naoto is being a meany! And he even stole my lunch money again."

The 8-year-old girl was distraught, while Ms. Ezzy was annoyed.

'What am I going to do with that boy?'

***

A boy was sprinting continuously looking behind him behind houses and shops in the downtown area.

'Shit, I hope Ms. Frizzy doesn't catch me.'

He pushed past a couple of adults.

"Watch out kid!"

'I just need to get to the fort and I'll be safe. That brat has enough money already anyway.'

"Naoto, is that you?"

Naoto turned while he ran to see a friend.

"Hey, Neuman! If Ms. Frizzy comes by, tell her I'm not around here if you could."

"You got it haha."

He continued to run away behind some building until he was past the South West Shopping Center.

'Not far I just need to-'

*Biff*

Naoto fell back as he ran into someone.

"Ow!"

The boy looked up at the taller man. He had a scary look to him, being slightly uneasy with a dead face.

"Who are you?" "Who are you?"

They both asked at the same time.

Aku looked down at the boy.

'Is he scared of me?'

*Swoosh*

Ms. Ezzy slid in while holding a ruler.

'Oh great.'

The boy pouted as he stood up in defeat.

'What's going on?'

Aku watched in confusion.

*Smack*

Ms. Ezzy smacked him gently on top of the head with the ruler.

"You will return Merindel, her money. I don't understand you sometimes, you know better. When you need or want something it can be provided for you. There is no reason to steal here."

Ms. Ezzy will then see Aku.

"Oh my sorry Aku, how are you and your sister settling in?"

"Well…"

*Buzz*

As Aku was about to answer, Ms. Ezzy's watch started to vibrate.

"Oh dear…I'm sorry Aku I wouldn't normally ask this of you but would you mind doing me a favor and having this boy return the money he stole? His name is Naoto and the girl he stole it from is Merindel. She is just down the road, it's a super short walk!"

'This is an odd request…but why not.'

"Yeah, sure."

Ms. Ezzy smiled as she ran away at such a bewildering speed.

'Is she just constantly that fast?'

Aku's hair fell as the wind that blew from Ms.Ezzy running dissipated.

Naoto saw Aku's facial expression.

'Now's my chance!'

Naoto turned and started to run until his face met the dirt.

"Woah!"

"Not so fast, kid."

Aku looked down at Naoto as he rolled over. Aku lowered his hand out to pick him.

"Why'd you steal some little girl's money?"

"What's it matter to you?"

Naoto smacked Aku's hand away.

"It doesn't, I'm just helping Ms. Enzyme with a favor since I'm walking you to make sure, this money gets back to where it belongs. I might as well get to know ya."

"Whatever."

Aku smiled as Naoto stood up, swiping dirt off himself. Naoto saw his smile.

'How's he look so nice and mean simultaneously?'

Naoto started to walk away in a huff.

"Where are you going?"

Aku asked, walking after him.

"The girl's a snob who leeches off the people who work hard, like her parents, she'll be fine without a few dollars."

Naoto stopped looking down.

"However since Ms. Ezzy caught me and there's no way out of this…maybe it's best I return the money."