Does anyone need a helping hand?

[dress_up_guide]

It is Akashi Kenta's first day as the newly-hired guidance counselor. Though a bit nervous, he smiles and even hums a bit while he takes out his meager possessions from a box and places them neatly atop his table. There's a few pictures of him, his dog, and his family, and an even bigger one of his fiancee. His smile drops a bit as he touches her

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[dress_up_botany]

"Ah, Kenta-san!" Ichiou Shin finds his way to the office to greet the new staff member. "Congratulations on your appointment!"

[dress_up_guide]

He looks up and rises to his feet as someone enters his office. A teacher, perhaps? He hasn't been officially introduced to the faculty yet, but he supposed news of a new guidance counselor spreads fast.

"Good morning!" he says, extending his hand.

[dress_up_botany]

"I am Ichiou Shin, the botany instructor. I'm pleased to meet you," Shin says a bit stiffly. The warm smile contrasts with the slightly over-formal words. He takes the offered hand, bowing slightly as they shake.

[dress_up_guide]

"Ichiou-san," he repeats, smiling. Akashi supposes that this guy seems friendly enough, so he relaxes. Already the fear of his first day is fading.

"If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been teaching here?" Technically, he wanted to know the general temperament of the students, but doesn't ask it directly. Akashi has heard warnings from the principal, but he wants to hear the words directly from a person who has contact with the students - namely the teachers.

[dress_up_rabbit]

[You have to see the guidance counselor. How she hated going to the guidance counselors in this place! They were all old and stuffy and...and...old...and they always told her the same thing. That she shouldn't consider continuing her art as it was.

Well, she wasn't going to go down without a fight, that was for sure!

And so, there is a knock at the door.

[dress_up_guide]

"Come in," he calls out, mentally preparing himself for his first visitor.

[dress_up_rabbit]

Well, here she is!

"Ok!" She pointed with finesse. "I know you're going to go get my file once I tell you my name, but know this: I will never give up draw...ing..."

Her finger relaxed as she saw who was in front of her.

"Oh...you're not old!"

[dress_up_guide]

He smiles at this. "No, I'm not." Interesting.

"Why don't we sit down?" he tells her gently. "And no I won't get your file. Can you tell why you think I will?"

He prefers to form his own thoughts about this student rather than have an opinion of her based from her file. That is the reason he hasn't browsed through the students' records yet.

[dress_up_guide]

He looks up at the sound. Was that... a knock? Thankfully the door to his office can reveal if someone is on the other side of it. Akashi walks to the door and opens it.

"Good morning!" he says, bowing slightly. "How may I help you?" He eyes the two cups of coffee, but does not want to assume.

[dress_up_guide]

"Shirai-san," he repeats, taking the pre-offered hand. "How do you do? I'm Kenta Akashi. It's very nice to meet you." Akashi indicates the empty seat in front of his table. "Would you like to sit down?"