Passion In His Eyes
Summary: Ichigo Kurosaki was 20 years old, just an ordinary university student. Grimmjow Jeagerjaques was 28 years old, a young professor, teaching at Ichigo' class. Ichigo always came late on Grimmjow's class. Why?
Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo.
Warning: AU, OOC, GrimmjowXIchigo, Un-BETA-ed.
Chapter 1
Just an ordinary Monday. Oh, Monday. Again. Everybody hates Monday, right?. Why? Because we have to go to work again on Monday. Because we have to go to school again on Monday.
Because Ichigo Kurosaki has to go to the university again on Monday. Because Grimmjow Jeagerjaques has to teach again on Monday. Yeah, everybody hates Monday. Just admit it. Monday is a bad day. Would it become a good day if Ichigo Kurosaki met Grimmjow Jeagerjaques?
Probably not.
Everybody had sat down on their own chair, except one person: Ichigo Kurosaki. Again. Professor Grimmjow Jeagerjaques sighed. Ichigo Kurosaki always came late on his class. The reason? Grimmjow didn't know. He just thought that Ichigo Kurosaki was a student who always came late on his class. Grimmjow was turning around in front of the class, showing his back, and starting to write some words on the white board with his marker. Yes, it meant that class had started without Ichigo Kurosaki. Again.
Grimmjow heard loud footsteps, coming from the outside of the class. He tried his best to ignore it and kept teaching at the class. However, the sound of someone's footsteps was getting louder, ignoring it was impossible. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and opened it.
"Sorry, I'm late." Grimmjow could see the tiredness of Ichigo Kurosaki, and maybe he threw some pities to the kid. Ichigo Kurosaki succeeded coming on Professor Grimmjow Jeagerjaques's class on 08.43 AM. It meant he only came late for 43 minutes. Great improvement. Usually, he came late almost 2 hours. He often missed the whole class.
"Kurosaki, if you don't like my class, you don't have to force yourself to come." Grimmjow spoke with his usual 'don't-interrupt-my-class' tone. No one dared to make a noise. The student made no movement. Was he mad? Yes, he was. He didn't like anyone who made him lost his concentration. Especially, he didn't like Ichigo Kurosaki for always coming late to his class. Ichigo always grabbed his attention, dragging himself to care about useless things. In Grimmjow opinion, Ichigo knew how to distract Grimmjow's mind in not-a-bad-yet-not-a-good way. For example, like his flushed face from running in hurry. Something like his orange hair, it definitely could annoy Grimmjow to no end. Or, his dark circle under his eyes. Grimmjow used to pay attention to small things like that. And seriously, it really annoyed him that he realized; he always stared at Ichigo. Ichigo really stood out in the crowd. Grimmjow hated himself for being such an observant guy.
An observant? Or a pervert?
"But... I really meant my words! I'm sorry for being late..." Ichigo lowered his head, giving his apologetic sign, trying to make an excuse.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, sit down now. I don't want to waste my time scolding you. You are not a child anymore." Grimmjow turned his back again. He was starting to focus again on his teaching.
Ichigo rushed to an empty seat and sat down. He took his note and a pen. He started writing, pouring the lesson on the white paper, filling it with words by using his pen.
Grimmjow took a single glance at Ichigo. He could see the passion in Ichigo's eyes every time he taught the class. Ichigo also always got the best score. So, why did he always come late? Okay, Grimmjow did think that it wasn't his business, but it did annoy him because he always came in the middle of the lesson. Interrupting his class. If Ichigo liked his class, he should take an effort to come early or on time. That was his thought.
Grimmjow looked at his watch. 10.59 AM. Just one minutes left before the end of the class.
"Okay, class, that's it. Don't forget to submit your homework next week. See you all on Monday." Grimmjow took his bag and went out of the class. The weight on his shoulders was being lighter than before. Finally, he could go home and sleep. That was his plan.
When Grimmjow reached the gate of the university, someone patted his shoulder gently. He turned back, looking for the one who was brave enough to destroy his daydream. He was shocked, never expecting his annoying student to call him. Ichigo Kurosaki. Again.
"Excuse me, Sir. I want to explain why I was late... I didn't mean to make you mad or disturb your class. Actually, I really like your class but, I can't help myself that I always get up late on Monday. Only Monday. And your class is always on Monday by a chance... I'm so sorry..." Ichigo felt really guilty for making his professor mad. Grimmjow could see that in his eyes.
"Okay, I accept your apology. But, why Monday? You don't come late on other days; I had asked the other teachers. So, why Monday?" Grimmjow became curious. And as they said, curiosity killed the cat.
"I... can't explain that one... It's something like… Ah, uh- I don't know how to say it…," Ichigo's scratching his head like an idiot, "You can call it… a secret...? Maybe?" Ichigo put his sight to the floor. He was getting upset and uneasy.
Grimmjow sighed. He was getting nowhere to the truth. "Well, if you don't want to explain, then don't. I need to go." Grimmjow turned back his body and began to walk away. Until Ichigo grabbed his hand.
"Wait! Okay, I'll explain... But, not here..." Ichigo said that as he grabbed Grimmjow's hand tighter. Grimmjow felt guilty. Almost pitied him.
Ichigo released his grip on Grimmjow's hand immediately as he realized that it was impolite. "I'm sorry!" Ichigo became panic.
"That's okay..." Grimmjow sensed the awkward moment between them. So, he said, "Hey, let's go to my apartment, we can talk about this, privately, in my apartment. If that's okay with you..." Grimmjow said that with his composed tone because Ichigo looked like he wanted to cry. He didn't want to make a kid cry.
"Really?" Ichigo looked straight to Grimmjow's eyes with his big eyes. He really looked like an innocent kid, Grimmjow thought.
"Yeah. It just takes 10 minutes to walk there. Are you okay with that?" Grimmjow played nice. Usually, he wouldn't be this nice to anyone, especially his students. What was wrong?
"It's okay. Thank you, Sir." Ichigo said, formally. In fact, Grimmjow didn't like formalities or anything which could make a tense or serious atmosphere.
"Hey, please drop the formalities outside the class. I'm just a mere human, not a nobleman, so you don't have to call me 'Sir'. You make me sound so old. And what kind of period do you think you are in? Medieval?" Grimmjow laughed, as he began to walk.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, Sir... Oh, no, I mean... Erm..." Ichigo couldn't find the right word to mention his professor. He began to catch up Grimmjow's footsteps.
"You can call me anything you like." Grimmjow didn't look back as he said that. As if he didn't care.
"Then, 'Sensei'?" Ichigo asked.
"Still sounds formal, but it's alright. It's better than 'Sir'." Grimmjow smiled a little. He didn't stop walking and Ichigo still following him.
They arrived at Hueco Mundo apartment. People often called it 'the rich' apartment. Only a rich guy would buy a Hueco Mundo apartment. And surely, Grimmjow was one of them.
"Wow, Sensei, are you sure that you live here?" Ichigo said with his wide-opened mouth. Unconsciously. Ooops.
Grimmjow glared at him. "What do you mean?" Grimmjow kept walking toward the lift. He stepped into the lift. Ichigo followed him.
They were in the lift. No sound until Ichigo opened his mouth, "I'm sorry, Sensei, that was not what I meant."
Grimmjow ignored him. Yeah, he understood that Ichigo was only 'surprised'. He pressed number 60.
It meant he lived at 60th floor. Great. The highest floor in this apartment. How could such a young professor like Grimmjow could earn so much money? The answer: he has a lot of it, to the point of wasting it.
Ichigo took a notice that this was a private lift. Which brought them to one destination. Penthouse.
Ding. The lift had reached the destination. Grimmjow got out from the lift, walking toward a big door. Grimmjow inserted the password by pressing the pin numbers to open the door. Then, he opened the door.
"Welcome to my apartment. Come in and sit anywhere you like." Grimmjow entered his apartment and threw his leather bag on the floor.
"Sorry to intrude." Ichigo said to himself.
Ichigo was astonished by how luxurious the apartment was. Everything in this penthouse looked so expensive. Ichigo was almost scared to touch anything in the living room. He only dared to sit on the comfy couch.
"What do you want to drink? I have beer, wine, vodka, tea, coffee,..."
Grimmjow hadn't finished talking, Ichigo interrupted him. "Just mineral water would be nice. I don't drink alcohol, Sensei."
"Okay." Grimmjow took a bottle of mineral water from his refrigerator. He threw it to Ichigo. Ichigo caught it.
"Nice catch." Grimmjow sat down on the couch with Ichigo, sitting across of him.
Grimmjow started asking. "So, would you tell me the reason? Could you?"
Ichigo choked on mineral water that he drank. "Pardon?"
"Tell me, why you always come late on my class." Grimmjow was sitting comfortably on his couch, waiting for an answer.
"Promise me, Sensei, don't tell anyone this secret..." Ichigo put the mineral water on the coffee table.
"Okay, I promise. Now, tell me."
"Hm... I am working every Saturday and Sunday. From 08.00 PM until 04.00 AM. Night shift. I can do nothing to change my working hours..."
"What? You are working? Why?" Grimmjow was giving questions to Ichigo.
"I need money..."
"For what?"
"Paying my school's fee, paying the apartment's rent, for foods..."
"Why? Don't your parents pay your school's fee?"
"I live alone. My dad works so hard to support his and my sisters. That's why, I decided to live alone and make a living by my own effort."
"Why do you choose the night shift?"
"They pay me good and I can only work every weekend. So, that's the reason why I always come late on Monday. Lack of sleep..." Ichigo said, honestly, without covering anything.
"What do you do?"
"I work as a waiter at a club..."
"Have you ever tried to look for another job?"
"I have, but the salary isn't good enough for me... Please, don't tell anyone, if the campus finds out, they will drop me out."
"I won't tell anyone. I am a man of my words." Grimmjow patted his own chest to convince Ichigo.
"Thank you, Sensei." Ichigo smiled brightly from the bottom of his heart. He felt better than before. It was good to share your problems to the others.
"Well, please, just try to wake up earlier, and try your best not to come late again." No solution. Grimmjow was scratching his head. If he were Ichigo, he would be confused too. How could you not come late on 08.00 AM class if you worked until 04.00 AM? 4 hours of sleeping wouldn't be enough for normal person. Grimmjow pitied him. He wanted to help but he couldn't do anything. Grimmjow was only a teacher for Ichigo. They didn't have special relationship. Grimmjow should treat his students fair and equal.
"I'll try my best, Sensei."
Ichigo stood up. "Well, I think I have to go now. Thank you, Sensei, for hearing my explanation."
"Hey, you just sat down for a short moment and then you want to go home now? It's kinda funny."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Sensei! I just don't want to disturb you anymore." Ichigo shook his head.
"If you don't mind, have a lunch with me." Grimmjow stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
"Really? Is that okay?"
"If it wasn't okay, I wouldn't bother to ask. Wait here. I am going to cook."
Grimmjow began to cook. He had wonderful hands. He had many talents. He could cook and play musical instruments. He was good at teaching too. But, he did best at... S-E-X. He was totally a beast in bed. He liked to tease his partner. And he loved a virgin, innocent, straight guy. Badly.
"Here we go. Eat, you are way too skinny." Grimmjow served spaghetti and meatballs in two plates. One for Ichigo. One for himself.
They ate quietly at dining room. Ichigo felt grateful for coming to his sensei's home. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday.
"Are you hungry? You can add, if you want. I have more spaghetti at the kitchen."
"Wreally? Twhat wouldw bwe nwice!" Ichigo said with his mouth full of food.
Grimmjow laughed. He went to the kitchen, took a plate of spaghetti, and walked back to the dining room, put the spaghetti on the table. He had finished eating and he took a seat beside Ichigo. Grimmjow was watching Ichigo.
"You should eat more. You are too slim!" Grimmjow grabbed Ichigo's waist to prove his words and seriously, he touched Ichigo not in 'sensual' way.
Ichigo ignored him. He was too busy eating the delicious food. When he had finished eating, Ichigo said, "Thank you for the food. It's delicious."
"You're welcome, kid."
Ichigo stood up, walked toward the front door.
Before Ichigo could go to the front door, Grimmjow stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.
"Kurosaki, where do you work? I'll pay a visit to your club."
"Sensei... You don't have to come to my workplace..."
"I'm just curious. Tell me, where you work at."
"Erm... Sensei, I forgot to tell you... I work at... Striptease club..." Ichigo blushed.
"That's okay, you just work as a waiter, right? You don't have to feel embarrassed." Actually, that was a shocking fact for Grimmjow. But, he didn't want to make Ichigo uneasy.
"The truth is I work at... gaystripteaseclub..." Ichigo blushed more than before. He was embarrassed.
"What? Are you gay?" Grimmjow wanted to laugh. A kid like Ichigo worked at gay striptease club? That was unbelievable... He really became curious.
"No!" Ichigo said immediately. Grimmjow laughed.
Ichigo rushed to open the door, getting outside as soon as possible. Before he closed the door, he said, "Thanks, Sensei. I'll try my best not to come late next week!"
Grimmjow was facing the closed door. He grinned. He could not suppress his interest.
Absolutely,
A virgin.
Innocent.
Straight.
Ichigo, be careful. You caught Grimmjow's interest.
To be continued.
Sorry for bad grammar, misspelling, error, etc.