"I think I know of a way you two can date openly."
Kurosaki put down the shears and turned to face slave #3, a.k.a. Rena. "What did you say?"
Rena tucked a strand of hair back under her work hat. "I said, I know of a way you and Teru can have a real relationship instead of tip-toeing around each other when you're at school or in public."
Kiyoshi put a hand on her shoulder, "Um, Rena..."
"What? Do you want to watch these two be awkward and lonely until graduation?" She asked as she brushed his hand off. "And it's only gotten worse since they got back from that resort weekend," she muttered, speaking of the trip they'd taken a few months ago.
God, he wished he had a cigarette. He and Teru didn't get to spend as much time together as they used to since they got back. She had cram school six days a week after school and the Ministry had him doing all sorts of odd jobs that had him out at odd hours. There were a lot of times he'd come home late and find her diligently studying at his coffee table. He'd eat something (usually a plate she'd prepared for him) and they'd talk and cuddle for a while before she went back to her and Riko's apartment.
Rena looked so earnest. He sat on his toolbox and took off his work gloves to pick up his can of coffee. "So? What's your idea?"
"You should do an o'mai," she said simply, speaking of a formal marriage interview, orchestrated by a professional matchmaker.
Kiyoshi rushed forward to whack Kurosaki on the back when he choked on his drink. "I told her you wouldn't want to do a marriage interview," he apologized. "I mean, you guys are already going out. And to talk of marriage already..."
Kurosaki put a hand up to stop him and wiped his mouth with the other. "How would that change anything?" He asked, curious.
"You remember Morizono," she said, speaking of her ex-fiancé. "He was 9 years my senior and I was 16 when we had the marriage interview. Nobody thought anything of it because it done officially through a second party." She waved a hand at Kurosaki. "You're only 8 years older than her and she's 17 now. It should be fine."
Kurosaki was quiet for so long that Rena picked up a shovel and tested its weight. "Of course, if you're only playing with her and don't have honorable intentions..." She gave the shovel a test swing before Kiyoshi grabbed it away from her.
"Sorry, Kurosaki," he apologized with a glare towards his girlfriend. "We know it's not our business, but it would be a way for you to have a socially acceptable reason to be together as a couple."
Both he and Rena held their breath as Kurosaki silently stood up and put his gloves back on. He picked up the shears once more and turned back to the bushes. Kiyoshi started to pull her towards the school building for their next class when Kurosaki spoke.
"Rena?" He said without turning around.
"What?" She snapped, irritated with both him and Kiyoshi.
"Text me the name of the matchmaker."
Rena sniffed, but the way she squeezed Kiyoshi's hand nearly had him yelping. "Fine," she said airily and turned to go.
"Hey guys." They turned back to Kurosaki, who still hadn't turned around. "Uh, let me talk to Teru about this before you mention it, okay?"
Rena started to argue, but Kiyoshi, who'd noticed the way the shears were trembling in his hands, put a hand over her mouth. "No problem."
They were on their way back to the classroom when Rena punched him in the arm. "Why did you say that? Why shouldn't we mention this to Teru? Apparently even he thinks it's good idea!"
He took her hand in his, for affection, but also to keep her from hitting him again. "It may be a fix for right now, but you realize, don't you, that if they do this he's basically asking her to marry him?"
"Ah. Right." She cleared her throat. "You're right. That should probably come from him." She sighed a little, then blushed as Kiyoshi brought their joined hands up so he could kiss the back of her hand.
He grinned at her. "Good job, Rena. It was a great idea."
She blushed again at his praise, but her 'of course it was', made him laugh.