This week (October 19-25, 2015) is Asexual Awareness Week. I wanted to contribute, and this is what I came up with. More information about asexuality can be found on tumblr blogs such as Asexual Advice, and the AVEN website.

This story uses the Japanese way of dividing up school years, so that the first year of high school is tenth grade. -Rin

Inui Sadaharu, in his first year of high school, realized that he was different from his peers. Every day he saw people in the hallways making out, and frequently overheard conversations about sex. He didn't see what the big deal was. Why should his classmates be having sex when there were so many better ways to spend their time?

He went to the library to research the topic, and learned that the average age at which one begins to feel sexual attraction is ten. Well, at sixteen, Sadaharu was past that. But...had he begun to feel sexual attraction? He wasn't sure. What exactly was sexual attraction, anyway? he found another book that looked as if it could offer an explanation.

This one gave a brief overview of different sexualities: not what he was looking for. But as he began to close the book, something caught his eye. Asexuality. What was that? He read the definition. The lack of sexual attraction to anyone. Well. Maybe that was what he was experiencing.

He decided to share his findings with Renji. They'd been keeping in touch since that first tennis match after the four years, two months, and fifteen days of their separation.

They met at Renji's house to discuss the matter. Armed with Renji's laptop and the books Sadaharu had checked out from the library, they retreated into Renji's bedroom.

"This is the part I told you about on the phone." Sadaharu pointed to the definition in the book as they sat down on the bed.

"I see." Renji nodded. "Have you tried the internet?" He opened the laptop and typed a few words into the search bar, knowing the answer was going to be no. After glancing over the results he looked up.

"Would you like tumblr, Wordpress, or something called AVEN? A significant portion of the results come from one of the three." Sadaharu thought for a moment.

"I'd rather look on tumblr, since I'm more familiar with the format." Renji clicked on a promising link and Sadaharu moved over to sit next to him at the head of the bed, so he could see better.

They scrolled through an advice blog, reading asks from readers and their answers. They followed links and looked over "frequently asked questions" pages. After an hour, Renji leaned his head back against the wall.

"Well, I've learned that I'm not asexual. Is this helping you?" Sadaharu thought for a moment for answering.

"Yes, but I'm still not certain of anything." He took the laptop from where it had been resting Renji's knees and switched to a different tab.

"This explanation of different types of attraction was helpful. It's difficult to distinguish them, isn't it? But I think I feel romantic attraction."

"Actually," Renji sat up. "That description didn't really make sense to me. I wasn't going to say anything, since we're here for you, but…." He hesitated, and Sadaharu nodded encouragingly. "Maybe I need to read different descriptions, but I don't think I've ever felt anything like that."

"What was that term from that ask earlier?" Sadaharu scrolled back to the top of the page. "Ah, here it is. Aromantic. Do you think maybe that's it?"

"I couldn't say. I'll read about it tonight. It's almost time for your mother to call and tell you to go home." Sadaharu's phone rang, proving Renji correct.

"Yes, I'll be careful…. I'm leaving now." He hung up. "I'll call you after school tomorrow, Professor."

"I'll be waiting, Doctor." Renji walked him to the door and waved goodbye as he headed to the bus stop.


After he'd eaten dinner, Renji returned to his room. He settled in with the laptop and read until the glowing screen was the only light left on in the house.