"That's all for today class!"
A sigh of relief chorused throughout the classroom just as the final bell of the day sounded.
Before the entire classroom could hastily make their escape, he cleared his throat, knocking his knuckles against the blackboard behind him.
"Don't forget, pages 27 through 33 need to be completed by the start of class tomorrow! Just because you guys get a three day weekend after tomorrow doesn't mean there can be any slacking in this classroom." Yamamoto added his customary smile to his statement to try and convince his students he wasn't trying to over work them. Hell, he was a teacher too and looking through all those papers this weekend was not on his list of things to do.
A few students replied with 'hai Yamamoto-sensei' or 'how dare you sensei!' all in good jest, but mostly these statements were drowned out by the clamoring of students packing up.
Yamamoto watched as his students joked around with each other, playful shoving one another or gathering in groups to discuss plans for the night. All were excitable about the snowstorm that was supposed to hit this weekend. It would be the first snow of the season and it was supposed to be big. There was talk of school being closed the following Monday too. He could practically feel their excitement in the air.
Five minutes later the classroom was mostly emptied except for the stragglers that were hanging out in the back of the room. Yamamoto leaned casually against his oak desk, crossing his arms and sighed. Now he had to figure out what to do after school. He really needed to go shopping (seeing as how he only had beer and carrots left in his fridge) and Squalo, Dino and Ryohei had invited him out for drinks to 'encourage a snowstorm of extreme proportions' as Ryohei had put it. Really none of his friends turned teachers had changed since their high school days. The thought made Yamamoto laugh aloud, loud enough that he saw two heads snap up at the sound.
The brunette caught his eye before glancing away sheepishly. Yamamoto grinned at his student; Sawada Tsunayoshi was a sweet kid, although not much really stood out about him. He had mediocre grades, wasn't good at sports, and went unnoticed by the opposite sex. Despite his almost zero contact with the female population of Namimori High he had a massive crush on one of the most popular girls in his class: Sasagawa Kyoko. Yamamoto was honestly rooting for Tsuna's love life. Tsuna was a good kid and he had a loyal group of friends, Yamamoto thought that was by far the most important part. Besides the two would be a good couple in his own opinion.
One of his most loyal friends was the silver hair boy who was currently starring at him with a distasteful frown on his face. Gokudera Hayato was everything Tsuna was not; an extremely intelligent student (if not boisterous), very athletic, and had his own fan club (even though he wouldn't give them the time of day). The boy was had quite the temper but luckily Yamamoto had never personally witnessed the boy's anger within his classroom. He however did admit he found stories of Squalo and Gokudera clashing during class rather hilarious. Squalo may have met his match in the prickly boy.
Yamamoto smiled as Tsuna practically fell out of his seat when Sasagawa Kyoko waved good bye to him on the way out. Gokudera caught the smaller boy easily before shaking his head at his friend.
Deciding that he should head to the market Yamamoto finally set about packing up his own things. He shuffled curiously through his stacks of paper before shoving half of it into the messenger bag on his seat. There was a baseball game he was hoping he could catch after drinks with the guys. How many papers was he really going to grade tonight?
By the time Yamamoto had finished packing he heard a quiet voice from in front of him.
Amber eyes swung up to stare at the two boys he'd been analyzing earlier standing by the front of his desk.
"Ano, Yamamoto-sensei?"
Straitening up Yamamoto smiled widely at the duo. "What can I do for you two?"
Tsuna seemed to visibly relax when Yamamoto smiled. That was good to know. Yamamoto never doubted that Tsuna was a good kid, despite the crowd he sometimes he hung around. Gokudera on the other hand promptly ignored him.
"Well, I was wondering if you could just quickly go over the how use this formula again." One small hand pointed to a particular line of notes while Tsuna's other hand rubbed the back of his neck embarrassedly.
The oldest of the group glanced over to the apathetic member of the group. Gokudera was a smart kid, without a doubt he could explain this formula to his small friend. The boy was easily the smartest kid in Yamamoto's class.
Gokudera seemed to finally finish whatever was going on in his head because he turned to Tsuna and patiently began, "Tsuna, I told you I can explain it to you again if you're really having trouble."
Tsuna smiled at the other boy, large brown eyes apologetic. "Gokudera-kun, I appreciate it but I really don't want to make you explain it to me a fifth time and I'm just not getting it. Sorry!"
A simple sigh and shrug of Gokudera's shoulders was all the response he gave. The silence resumed and Yamamoto took that as his sign to continue. Although he had to admit it was a little off putting that his student didn't even involve him in the exchange. Gokudera completely ignored his presence and honestly not many students did. Without bragging Yamamoto knew he was popular within the school. To be so blantanly ignored was a new experience.
When Yamamoto smiled again he made sure to direct some of it at Gokudera who chose to look out the window instead. The older male laughed and slowly began to explain how x and y had to be on different planes in order for the formula to work properly.
Fifteen minutes later Tsuna smiled brightly, announcing "I think I finally understand it!" The small boy seemed to glow from happiness. He turned to Gokudera and smiled thankfully up at him. "Thank you for understanding Gokudera-kun! I kinda see what you were saying earlier."
Yamamoto slumped back against his chair and examined the interaction. Tsuna was obviously glad that Gokudera had waited for him. But Gokudera seemed a little more closed off. By the time Tsuna had turn back to give his thanks to his teacher the brunette missed the proud smile his friend directed at the floor.
Laughing loudly Yamamoto made sure he kept Tsuna's attention on him so he didn't embarrass the silver haired boy with questions.
"So, is there anything else you need Tsuna-kun? Or Gokudera-kun?"
"No thanks Yamamoto-sensei! I think I can get the rest. And I promised my mother that I would be home to help with dinner so I gotta leave anyways. Thank you again!"
A smile tugged at Yamamoto's lips. Tsuna, just as he thought, really was a great kid.
Yamamoto stooped down to pick up his baseball duffle bag and his messenger bag as the two started to walk away. He caught most of their conversation as they left.
"Still want to come over for dinner tonight Gokudera-kun? Mom is really happy that you said you would come to the house. She's making all your favorites!"
What normal kids. Was his youth really spent like that? Casually hanging out at a friend's house, doing homework together and just relaxing. His childhood hadn't been that long ago. Only seven or eight years ago right?
Yeah he was still young. 24 was young and he still had the energy level of a 14 year old anyways. He rubbed his hand through black hair, an old habit he'd picked up from his father, and began to walk out of his classroom. He figured that Dino would be caught up with Hibari for the next few hours and thus he had a while before Squalo and Ryohei called asking when he would show up for drinks.
Grocery time it is. Yamamoto thought happily
"Voi! Since when do you fucking need glasses Yamamoto?" Squalo yelled from less than two feet away from the dark haired teacher.
The blonde to Yamamoto's right set his beer class down with a soft clink. "Makes you feel more teacher like, doesn't it?" Dino motioned to similar pair in his shirt pocket.
Removing the reading glasses, Yamamoto twisted them slowly in his hands before laughing loudly.
"What Squalo? You don't think they make me look like an intellectual?"
"They make you look like an idiot."
Yamamoto laughed again before slipping the black frames back onto his face.
"You never mentioned Dino's frames before. And I actually use mine for reading test papers and such."
The long haired male rolled his eyes agitatedly before footsteps alerted him to an approaching figure. Narrowed eyes swung over to his next target of anger.
Conversation clearly forgot, Squalo bolted upright, nearly knocking the small table over in his haste, growling at the figure approaching their rather lively table. "And where have you been, you piece of trash? It's been two fucking hours!"
The figure bowed deeply at the three already sitting down. Jerking up he practically yelled his response to his senior's inquiry.
"The wife called to celebrate our kid's second round in boxing results. She's extremely good! Papa's proud of his little Yuki-chan!"
Dino smiled happily at younger man, quickly scooting plates over to make room. "Congrats Ryohei! She's gonna be just like you."
The smile Ryohei gave practically split his face in two and Yamamoto unintentionally relaxed the smile on his own lips.
Without any grace the white haired man slid into the booth and ordered everyone a beer 'on him and his little Yuki-chan'. None of the teachers complained and instead listened to Rhoyei's recount of his daughter's fight.
"Then in an extreme moment of beauty, she landed a straight punch to her opponent's chin. After that it was over!" Ryohei's voice certainly carried throughout the small restaurant and Yamamoto was secretly thankful that the story was over. The pale haired man deserved this bit of sunshine, he had always been supportive to his students and his friends.
Story finished Ryohei leaned back against the table and practically inhaled the beef before him. Yamamoto laughed loudly, apparently after telling that story the man was starving.
Around a mouthful of food Ryohei spoke, "So what were you guys talking about? I apologize to the extreme about being late. Tardiness is not a sign of manliness."
Dino set down his glass of beer and glanced at Squalo, humor lacing his eyes "Squalo here was just commenting on how he disliked Takeshi's and my eyewear."
The aforementioned male jerked his head at the comment, "Tch. Wear whatever you damn well please. I ain't your mother." He punctuated his sentence by downing his third beer.
Yamamoto and Dino both winced, they knew Squalo sober was a lot to take, but a hammered Squalo? Hopefully everyone around them could quickly get out of the blast zone. The male had a slight temper problem and Yamamoto actually liked this little restaurant. He was tired of being kicked out of restaurants because of his excitable company. Speaking of which…
Yamamoto glanced at his companions over the brim of his sake cup (thank god Dino had suggested an actual Japanese grill tonight because he really wasn't excited about the beer currently littered about the table). Both Squalo and Dino were teachers from Italy who had for one reason or another had ended up in little Namimori. Squalo was a history teacher and tended to overreact to the smallest things. Or stupidity. Yeah that tended to set the long hair male off. It was a wonder that the three others at the table weren't dead by now.
Dino on the other hand was Squalo's opposite in just about every aspect. A golden boy almost literally and figuratively Dino had dirty blond hair, an easy going and charming personality and spoke four languages fluently. He was at Namimori High as an English teacher and he was easily the most popular teacher there. When Yamamoto had arrived fresh out of college a year ago, Dino had automatically taken him in and had introduced him to the craziest teachers at his school.
As for the final member of the group Sasagawa Ryohei was a spirited and devoted PE and Health teacher, who was the adviser to the boxing club he had once been president of when he had attended Namimori High. Ryohei had been Yamamoto's sempai back then and he honestly could only recall Ryohei's constant enthusiasm and snow white hair. Ryohei said he remembered him as the extreme freshman baseball player, saying he planned on recruiting him for the boxing club, he just got caught up in other things.
All in all Yamamoto couldn't have asked for a better group of teacher for his colleagues, crazy antics and all. The thought made him laugh again which quickly earned him a low growl from the oldest member of the group.
"Voi, what the hell is your problem?" Squalo speared another kabob of meat with vehemence.
A large, but sincere smile slipped easily onto his face. "It's nothing Squalo."
The distrustful look Squalo shot him missed no one.
"So, when are we going to start fucking inviting girls to this thing? I think I'm turning gay from spending all this damn time with you trash."
Yamamoto laughed at Squalo (who pointedly ignored the brat). Dino did his best to look thoughtful and partially managed to pull off the look.
"Whenever you find women suitable to your-" Dino waved absently at the silver haired male, "taste feel free to invite them Squalo." Yamamoto noted absently how Squalo looked like a cat bristling with his shoulders to his ears.
"Otherwise you know Kyouya and I see each other every weekend so I don't feel a need to pursue women. Kyouya would probably 'bite me to death' me if I cheated on him anyways. Ryohei is married and I don't think Ayame-chan would appreciate other women. As for Yamamoto-" Dino's eyes swung over to his friend and he smiled. "Well, I'm sure if he wanted anyone in particular he'd make a move, probably somewhere more convenient than the restaurants we eat at."
Squalo was practically dead at the end of Dino's speech. All that explanation to say no women? What a fucking long winded airhead. He made sure to voice his particular thoughts.
Dino crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward, as if telling a deep secret to Squalo, although his voice remained light, "Besides, our atmosphere isn't very 'female friendly'."
Squalo grit his teeth and yelled at Dino about how he was a longwinded idiot and next time he thought he should open his mouth he should think twice about it. Thankfully Ryohei's quick reflexes had him holding back his senior with all his might. Determined to have the last word he spat at Dino, "How the fuck do you even claim that kid? There is nothing appealing about that brat besides his killer aura."
Squalo jerked out of Ryohei's grasp before downing Yamamoto's unfinished beer. Not that he minded, he was pleasantly warm but anymore alcohol and he was bound to regret it later.
Unfazed by Squalo's harsh tone (most of the staff at Namimori were used to this) Dino looked thoughtful. A few seconds of thinking and Dino had his answer.
"Kyouya is interesting. He knows what he wants and doesn't play around. He's rough around the edges but there is something there that tells me he enjoys when I stay the night rather than disappear like I used to. I like to think college is a good influence on him. Not to mention he's smart and I know that we have earned each other's respect."
Ryohei nodded his head sagely and looked to Squalo. "Hibari-san is a good kid. An extremely intense kid, but good."
Yamamoto decided Squalo had enough of his lecture, "Why the interest Sqaulo? Did somebody finally catch your eye?"
Baseball skills sure came in handy when dealing with Squalo. Yamamoto easily ducked below the beer bottled throw at his skull. Again he laughed at the silver haired man. "Shut the hell up brat! Come and talk to me when you find a girl!"
With a placating smile towards the oncoming waitress, Yamamoto knew that Squalo may have had a point.
Breathing in the cold air Yamamoto felt a little better. His buzz was still there, although he was beginning to think clearly and that made him remember all the papers to do back at his house. And the baseball game he'd probably missed. Shit, he really had stayed too long. Maybe they should do these drinking games on the weekends. At least after several promises of quieting down the waitress didn't have them thrown out tonight.
He took several more deep breathes and relaxed his shoulders, releasing tension he didn't know he had. It was a small blessing at moments like this he had his father's delivery car for the night (and it was also nice that Ryohei had hauled a protesting Squalo over his back and took him home).
Turning quickly Yamamoto was surprised when an offended noise sounded right beside him. Thankfully he still retained some of his baseball reflexes saving him from crashing into a much smaller body. He glanced downwards to see who he'd almost crushed. Surprisingly enough he recognized the pale eyes that held a hard tint to them.
A little too close beside him stood an annoyed yet surprised looking Gokudera Hayato.
A/N: Yeah another AU. But really there weren't enough Teacher!Yamamoto stories out there. Warnings: AU, not a love story (quite yet), Squalo's mouth and I don't own anything. Except the laptop I used to upload this with...