AN: I offer my most profuse apologies for the belated update. My writing isn't going too well and I've taken liberty to take a vacation. I'm so sorry also to those who've thought that I went MIA (missing in action) this rarely happens, but it will happen again someday, but please bare this with me- I promise I'll do better in the future. In the meantime, please enjoy this next chapter.
To those who are still with me, thank you so much for all the encouragement and for inquiring of my progress. It helps me.
Special thanks to Tsubaki, my beta, as the usual also. This chapter is only half worst because she actually corrected some mistakes. Any left overs are my fault.
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Chapter 12: Let's Go Misunderstanding
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Her movements were frenzied in the dark.
Footsteps treading heavily, yet quickly over the pavement. Her arms flailed at her sides, a physical manifestation as she tried to search and grasp at something –anything—amidst the chaos in her mind. Her eyes were blind to the path before her and its obstacles by the overflowing tears that couldn't seem to stop. Betrayal, anguish...loneliness-
She winced when she caught her foot on a slab of rock, sending her face first to the ground. There she laid unmoved for a time, until sprinkles of morning rain began to fall down on her, sending her into a ball-like curl. She resisted further movement, fingers digging to the ground fiercely as her sobs echoed in the night, turning into a sort of maniacal giggle...
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
Miyari sat up on her futon, a trail of sweat evidently running from her temple to her chest. Her breathing still erratic as she looked down on her hands clutching unto the covers in fear.
"Damn it." she cursed lowly, laying back down and rolling to her side.
This wasn't the first time she'd awaken in this state. Her body was still shaking, as if she'd been running for a long distance. Her eyes fell upon an image of her relatives at the corner of her room, all of them caught in a frozen moment and nothing more. Just pictures.
The only living relative she had now was a little girl in a sailor suit with bright eyes and a smiling expression on her face.
For the second time that night she bolted from her bedding and onto her feet, taking only a moment to steady herself from a sudden dizzy spell. Wrapping a robe around her naked body, and suddenly realizing her weakness, Miyari leaned against the wall tiredly and began her walk in the hall at the dead of the night. Something didn't feel quite right.
"Rei?" She knocked lightly on the sliding door, "Sorry to bother you so late...but...Rei? Can I talk to you? Rei?"
Upon receiving no answer, Miyari decided to intrude...to nothing. The bed was folded neatly, her sister nowhere in sight. Suddenly she was wide awake.
"Rei!" and before she knew it, her feet began to carry her to every room in the house. Her voice louder each time she found each room empty. "REI!" she yelled.
Miyari stopped. There was one room she hadn't checked.
Quickly turning on her heel, she dashed up the stairs three steps at a time, ran down the hall and and to the guest bedroom. Throwing it wide open she opened her mouth to start scolding the person she knew just had to be in there… but paused when she beheld the mess within.
Miyari closed her gaping mouth. She had completely forgotten that her guest that had stayed a week ago in this very room had left many of his belongings, never coming back to retrieve any of them. But it seemed Rei hadn't forgotten, because many of the said belongings were scattered about in the room, clothes, glass case, writing tools- and the room hadn't been left unscathed either. The walls were in horrid state as if a knife had been slashed on the wall papers, the futons unkempt and pillows torn asunder, the insides spread all across the floor.
"Rei…" Miyari mumbled miserably, knowing in her heart her only companion was gone.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
"Good morning class!" Shuichi called as soon as he stepped into his oddly silent room. "Class?" Shuichi repeated, tilting his head in curiosity toward the teens before him. with heads practically dangling on the side of their desks. He grinned. He grinned at The sight of them all slouched over their desks, some heads half-dangling over the edges.
"Sensei," one of the boys called, "We're dead tired."
Another moaned,"The Festival lasted for almost forty eight hours...God...it's a miracle we're all alive."
"Except for a few casualties..." Shuichi interjected, looking down on his attendance board. Grinning, Shuichi placed that board behind his desk and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, "Alright everyone, since we're all tired, let's do the lazy bow!"
A few students looked at him; if they weren't too tired they would have surely smacked the teacher. "Sensei, lazy bows aren't allowed here in the academy." they corrected, while others simply groaned. Most of them ached from their performances, physically and mentally, and they felt that trying to save their cute little teacher's sorry 'ass from getting fired was a bit unnecessary...for now.
"Aw, c'mon!" Shuichi pouted, looking around, and he huffed all of a sudden, "Alright! Everyone, we're doing the lazy bow! Come on!" and as if to emphasize he tugged on one of his students arms and laid both of his hands flat on the desk, "Raise your heads! Come on, it's only for a second I promise!"
The students groaned, but nevertheless sat straight on their seats, laid their hands flat on the desk and waited for the teacher to say,
Satisfied, the genki teacher bowed and formally, loudly, greeted, "Gooooood Morning!"
Blankly the students lowered their heads until it almost touched the back of their hands and then said in unison, "Morning." and slumped back in their seats. Fulfilling their own habits of showing respect made a few students smile –and they hadn't been forced to get up. Only Shindou sensei could they get away with an informal 'Good morning' greeting. Goodness, the man had to be heaven sent.
Humming to himself, Shuichi turned back to the board, taking up a chalk and writing down in his messy kanji handwriting the day's notes, loudly saying as if he was talking to himself, "Feel free to take notes whenever you feel like it guys. Just as long as you're ready for our quiz in two days. 'Kay? Great."
Shuichi was extremely happy, more so than the usual, and all because they were back to sweet nothings now. He and one Mr. Yuki Eiri. And nothing in life could compare when Yuki and he were in amicable terms.
So lost in daydreaming of what seemed like a 'finally' happy ending, a piece of rolled up paper hit Shuichi zoomed past him to get his attention.
"Wha?" Shuichi blinked, glancing about for the source of the attack, looking over his shoulder and towards a student who pointed towards the doorway where his secret lover was standing, box in hand and a stack of folders on top, eyes intently on him.
"I said, Hiro sent this." Yuki repeated, "Where did you want me to put it?"
By the time the student had finished speaking, a faint discoloration of skin had crept to the teacher's cheeks, slowly turning a light shade of pink until he finally looked away, pointing to the back of the room, and saying quickly "Um, there will be alright Yuki-kun!" Shuichi turned back to the board and began to write some more of the notes, heavily blushing upon the reminder that Tohma hadn't relieved Yuki yet from his 'punishment' as Shuichi's aide.
"Sensei could you please move? We can't see what you're writing in front of you." One of the more diligent students asked politely.
Shuichi stepped aside, glancing at the board with a soft "Sorr-" he didn't finish, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets, "WHAT!" he cried, comprehending for the first time what he'd been writing: YukiYukiYuki
The students watched as the man leapt to rub away the writing with the speed of light.
"Ettoo..." Shuichi looked at his puzzled students and lover at the back of the room, then yelled,"TEXTBOOKS OUT!" he yelled.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
"Shindou sensei has been acting funny lately."
Eiri raised his head at hearing his lover's name. He had thought he could catch a moment of peace in the school track field, but there was no such luck. A group of students were approaching his way, rather irritatingly loud too.
"I've noticed so too. Sensei was dazing off I heard, and today in the hallway he ran into the wall."
Damn brat. Eiri thought.
"I think sensei may have a girlfriend."
Shit!
"Really?" an oddly too familiar voice joined. Eiri glanced over the group and immediately recognized the art major Hanako, "You think sensei has a girlfriend? But I thought he was just dumped at the beginning of the year."
"That's what everyone thought," her friend replied, "But anyone with half a brain could see that cute teacher was definitely struck by some kind of love bug this late of the year." A mischievous giggle broke from the circle of friends, only interrupted when they finally noticed the school's untouchable, Yuki Eiri sitting on one of the bleachers.
"Yuki-kun!" they all greeted, all rushing to him like a flood. The only person that had known how to approach the blonde was the calm and timid Hanako who was about to say a polite 'hello.'
That is until an obnoxious shriek came from someone, screaming while pointing at his lap, "No way! Yuki Eiri is that a BENTO?!"
Bento: B-E-N-T-O, Bento.
What many girls, including they, had offered Yuki Eiri; their own carefully and lovingly prepared Bento boxes in hopes of gaining his favor. Without fail, aware of the implications of accepting, Yuki Eiri had rejected every single one in advance. But today… today he had accepted. And whoever it was he'd accepted from… It. Was. Not. Them.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
By the end of the day, all talk of Shindou-sensei's "odd behavior" had been squashed out by a bigger issue: The as yet unknown identity of the girl from whom Yuki Eiri had accepted a gasp Bento.
"Eh..." Shuichi awed at a sheet of 'school news, reading in bold, "First place Bishounen of the year for four years in Genesis High finally accepts Bento...?" he finished, "from a mystery someone?" The teacher shifted his eyes to the said bishounen, "Why is it such a big deal Yuki? It's just a boxed lunch."
Says the guy who was whining all morning until I took the damn thing with me. "Read it again, baka." Eiri replied sarcastically, throwing a box of decorations from the festival on top of the man's supply cabinet.
Sparkling with his discovery, Shuichi skipped over and asked, "Ne ne, Yuki, it's because you're a bishounen and really really popular with the guys and girls right? That's why everyone wants you so much and wants to know everything about you!"
"Yep." the teen replied absently, leaning against the cabinet with indifference, watching the petite singer smiling at nothing in particular. This reminded him...
"Ah!" Shuichi cried happily, throwing skepticism in the air and his arms around his lover's neck, "I'm so lucky I get to have Yuki!" he stood on his tiptoes and managed to land a kiss on Eiri's chin.
God, if I didn't lov- like you so much I'd smack you. Eiri reprimanded silently, a smile hovering about his lips as he watched his lover snuggle him, Shuichi rubbing his cheek on his shirt with joy.
"Ne ne, Yuki, am I ever going to know everything about you?" Shuichi asked, looking up at him with his bright and wide eyes.
Allowing himself a moment of sappiness, the blonde inhaled the man's scent before attempting to answer.
"Are you guys stupid or are you just plain stupid?" came a wise chide.
The couple that had pulled apart in an instant calmed their rapidly beating hearts, relieve to see a trusted man coming in with helmet and gloves in hand. Hiro raised an eyebrow at the two, disbelieving how Shuichi and Eiri have the gall to keep with their little honey actions towards each other, in a public place no less.
The hands twined together between the two didn't escape Hiro's attention either.
BANG!
"If you guys weren't so cute I'd shoot you!" K cackled, entering the room and wrapping his arms around Hiro, dramatically crying, "Oh baby!" initiating a parody.
Hiro jokingly moaned to the touch right where Suguru entered the room, "Hey Hiro I have a new compo-" but stopped at the sight before him. Doing a quick U-turn, Suguru mumbled, "I can't do this." and was gone, leaving K and Hiro calling for him. K was first to leave the room, but Hiro fell a few steps behind, turning his glare back on a reprimanding once again,
"Shuichi, Yuki-san. You guys really should be careful. You're lucky it was me who came and not Tohma. Not to mention that Suguru and K are really accepting you guys despite their jobs on the line." shaking his head in hopelessness, he asked, "Hey Shu. You coming? I'll give you a ride today."
Shuichi opened up to speak, "No. You won't." the teacher stared at the teen. That did not come from Shuichi. "You won't." Eiri repeated, "I'm giving him a ride today."
Smiling, Shuichi let go of Eiri's hand, "Actually, I can't go home yet, so you both can go ahead of me." He continued, "You see, a student asked for me specifically this morning if she and I could quickly talk this afternoon."
"You and who?" The writer asked, his eyes turning into a hard stare.
"I can't tell you that." Shuichi replied, heading out the door. "Its teacher, student, and confidentiality." then with a quick turn flew right before Hiro's eyes to Yuki, kissing him eagerly. Eiri was quick to respond, but the kiss ended too quickly, both pulling apart to see Hiro with his back turned and politely looking at the door.
"Alright, I'll see you home tonight Yuki." Shuichi whispered and ran off.
"See ya too honey!" Hiro called with a small displease frown. Saying to no one in particular, "Geez. I swear if I was dead he'd walk over my carcass just to get to you and still might be lucky enough to get ignored." Chuckling, he bid the placid teen a goodbye and walked off.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
"Shindou-sensei?" she inquired, clutching her bag tightly in nervousness.
"Hanako-san!" Shuichi called back, more in acknowledgement rather than surprise. He'd been expecting her. He gave a soft giggle when the girl blushed at him, "Hey come in, I've been waiting!" and without delay, the student responded to her teacher's request.
Actually, Hanako used to be Shuichi's student. She belonged to class four, had incredible artistic ability, loved by everyone and of course, had been the first to warm up to Shuichi at the beginning of the year. The teacher glanced at the fiddling girl. When Hanako had chosen to approach him instead of Hiro, who in the teacher's mind was infinitely smarter than him, about a 'problem' Shuichi took no time in agreeing to meet with her after school.
Shuichi couldn't take the silence and finally beamed at her, saying excitedly, "Oh yes, Hanako-san, you know the festival a few days ago? I wanted to especially thank you for your contribution. Everyone loved your paintings and it really helped attract the crowd, you've done so much in such a small time that I thought it was very kind of you...along with the others too."
Hanako reflected his smile, nodding eagerly and saying, "Thank you very much, teacher!"
Silence.
Then, "Ano!" Hanako interjected, "I...I should just come out and say it, sensei."
"Huh?" Shuichi asked.
Blushing furiously, she raised her bright amber eyes, her lower lip threatening to split, eyes cloudy and almost in tears, "I...I, sensei...I like--
Instantly Shuichi bowled over inside. Oh no! Hanako...I...seeing her flushed face he shook inside, I'm sorry Hanako I don't like you! I like Yuki! Only Yuki! Even though you're really nice, and look so fragile, I still only like Yuki-kun! I'm sorry!!!
--- I like a guy."
The teacher's shouted, "I can't I'm sorry!!!!!" I'm sorry to break your heart Hanako! I love Yuukii!!!! The teacher blinked, "Eh?"
Hanako blushed, "Huh? You-you can't help me?" she stood up suddenly, "I'm sorry for bothering you then, I, I know I shouldn't have come to you for help...it's just that-"
"No!" Shuichi said frantically, making a mental note to smash his head against a wall afterwards, "I was just kidding Hanako!" and in a beat, the student sat back down. Sighing a relief, Shuichi allowed a few moments of silence to reign over. He was confused, why was Hanako asking him? True, he always told his students to confide in him with anything but...come on! This was...he doesn't even know what to say!
"Teacher," Hanako began again, lowering her gaze on her lap, her fingers twined together, "you see, there's this really, really nice guy that I like, and...I've liked him for so long...I don't know how to go about it...and well, I," she raised her eyes, "It might be wrong. I mean...he may have a girlfriend already."
A feeling of uneasiness washed over Shuichi; who was he to lecture about what was right and wrong? He himself was going out with Yuki, which was a student of his in the first place... "Nonsense Hanako!" he cried, "If its love there's no right and wrong. It's not like you're sure in the first place that he already has a girlfriend! Otherwise the story may be different!"
"You really think so?"
Shuichi nodded vigorously. "Yep! So don't worry about it anymore!" he was happy to see her smile.
"O-okay. Teacher, I'm planning to...to ask him out tomorrow and" Her smile turned to worry, "I really don't know what he'd like, and for now I'm not sure either what I want...but if he says yes, and I-I'm sure he'd say yes if he didn't have anyone, I want to know what might sound like a date."
"Um...I guess it won't hurt," Shuichi pondered out loud, I'll just recall snippets of my date with Yuki! "Our first date...we went to a theme park. And we played lots of games...watched an X-" the teacher blushed Stupid, you can't tell her you went in an X rated movie! Quickly he recovered, "X-tra wonderful movie!"
Hanako just giggled.
Slowly Shuichi began to recall his first date with Yuki, his mouth working on auto while his mind wandered off.
Truthfully, he had rather felt drawn to the student. There were times, that when Yuki was doing his class work, he'd steal quick glances at where the alluring man sat peacefully, posture radiating an attracting pheromone to Shuichi. Then as fast as he'd looked over, Shuichi would continue on with his lesson.
Before Shuichi knew it, his fondness for the blonde grew. Unlike the other students who treated him nicely out of respect, he'd always felt that Yuki was...nice from his heart. Everyone had always been patient with his mistakes at class, but Yuki, he was infinitely tolerant with him. Yuki had always been first to come to him, and even though it was not said, he knew the student worried about him, and it was that sense of care that drew Shuichi, and made him want to be closer to Yuki more than the others were to him.
As time passed, watching over Yuki secretly...the urge to confess something to the young man overcame Shuichi. And before he knew it, his heart was overflowing with gratitude and he really really really came to want to tell Yuki how the man made him feel. But back then, he couldn't because he knew Yuki was popular with the girls and guys. What could an old person like him do to compete with all the others after Yuki?
Then everything started happening so fast. Yuki couldn't keep up with his school work because he overworked the student aide, and fearing the worst that Yuki may not be able to compete in the writing competitions and all because of his selfish needs, he rushed and went to where Yuki lived and began helping him with schoolwork, the passion for teaching burning brighter than ever when he was right next to the young man he infinitely adored.
When he shared his first kiss with Yuki his arms instantly flew around the man's pale neck, pulling Yuki down with, and on himself as gravity laid him to earth. Their mouths were fiery hot and he clutched unto the golden head, massaging the scalp and pulling the tresses up for a quick air. Upon re-submerging themselves in the kiss, Shuichi began to feel insecure at how childish his experience was compared to Yuki's. The student's tongue knew how to tease him, the student knew how much pressure to push and suck- oh and the hands! Shuichi was mindful of the hands, running over his chest upwards and towards the lapel of his white coat, pushing it off the teacher's shoulder and gripping his arm with a wonderful, possessing, hand.
Shuichi had to put in an end when he realized that Yuki and he were teacher and student. Oh, but he couldn't stop himself from kissing the student one last time to assure him that the teacher really wanted the date to happen! Then...then it did happen and oh Shuichi had never felt so much excitement and anxiety at once! It almost felt as if he could be lifted off the ground from that happiness alone.
"Hey teacher?"
Shuichi jolted, blinking himself out of reminiscing, "Ah! So-sorry! Where was I?"
"Um...well, you said that afterwards...you and your date went on the Ferris wheel."
"O-Oh, yeah...well, that's pretty much how the date went!" Shuichi said, grinning sheepishly and feeling that he really shouldn't share the part where they kissed. The teacher looked away from the student, more than feeling guilty that he'd wondered off to the 'Land Faraway' while his student was depending on him. He hoped he wasn't aroused- Yuki you! Why are you always haunting my mind even when you're not around!!
"I'm sorry if this is so awkward...it's just that...everyone was talking of how you have a girlfriend...and," Hanako smiled, "I thought it was a good idea to ask someone who I could trust and have experience at the same time."
"What?!" Shuichi asked, "What...what do you mean?" his face by now has gone red. I don't think Yuki really counts as a girlfriend!
"Well...there was a woman here, about a month or two ago, and everyone saw you and her were really close, well..." her hold on her bag tightened, "I'm sorry."
Shuichi grinned, he didn't know want the girl to feel so embarrass talking to him, after all, that's why she came to him right? A light bulb flashed on teacher's head, "Oh! You mean Miyari!" he waved a hand and smiled, "Don't worry, she and I broke up already. It seems I just can't keep 'em long enough! Ahaha!" He stopped laughing when he sensed that Hanako herself was just staring at him oddly, as if she suspected his answer...
"I'm sorry." she mumbled.
Smiling at the crimson faced girl. He could understand now how he connected to Hanako. He'd been really scared to confess how he felt about Yuki. And in truth, he was almost- no, practically in tears when he professed how he'd really really really liked Yuki-kun.'
Without a thought Shuichi reached over Hanako's lap and took her hands gently to his, squeezing it tightly before holding his gaze with her teary ones, "Be strong Hanako. I know it's hard, but it'll be alright." he swallowed a gulp, certainly trying to recall what would have helped him back when he had a crush with Yuki, "You'll be great, and whoever this guy is, He'll be lucky to have won your heart. Just speak out what's on your mind, and everything will turn out fine."
In a blink of an eye Hanako had thrown her arms around the petite sensei and wailed openly saying, "Thank you teacher! Thank you very much!"
Shuichi smiled proudly. Waiting a short while before handing Hanako the Kleenex box. She recollected herself in a matter of time and collected her things, quite pleased that she'd gone for counseling to the right person, "Thank you very much teacher." and with a last smile, she disappeared out the door and down the hall.
Despite the thrilling new bond he'd created with Hanako...he couldn't help but sense a bad omen at the horizon. He hadn't said anything that could break her heart...did he?
However, a flash of golden hair in his mind waiting for him at home made him push the feeling away. He was happy now and doubt had no place in his heart.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
"I'm home." Shuichi mumbled, approaching the figure on the couch, lying down on his stomach. Sitting at the edge of the couch, he couldn't help but touch the golden hair, running the soft tresses between his fingers, "Yuki?" the younger man shifted, slightly pushing away from Shuichi as if he was an annoyance. Shuichi blushed, Yuki looked so comfortable and angelic, more so asleep than when he was awake.
Don't get me wrong, Shuichi murmured inside, you're gorgeous all the time. Leaning down, he kissed the teen's forehead and gently nuzzled the pale neck, leaving trails of kisses in his wake. It's hard to wonder why I think of you all the time. Coming up on his lover's right here, he nipped at it playfully before whispering,
"Yuki. Yuki wake up. I brought you your favorite."
The figure below shifted, turning around and facing him and cloudy yellow eyes opened, shimmering brightly from the sunset rays coming through the windows. Shuichi pouted when they closed, but before he could wake his love again, a hand raised from his side and toppled him over the sleeping man.
"So you did." the teen voiced calmly.
"Yuki!" Shuichi pouted, flustered at the same time. Gazing down at the perfect face, he tried again, "Wake up, we have cheesecake." And smilingly, he pressed a kiss on his lover's cheek.
"Brat..." Yuki drawled at him, obviously enjoying the attention, "Go get us some plates and I'll get up." He himself almost pouted when the teacher eagerly crawled off, discomfort gone however at the sight of the large creamy pink colored box on the coffee table.
When Shuichi came back, his man was already sitting up, almost looking in a huff while shoving away the golden locks hanging all over his face. Padding down towards him, and rather cutely to the teen's mind, he joined the boy on the couch and set down the small plate on the table.
Eiri watched with impatience as the man cut the cake in a perfect, small, square. Lifting an eyebrow, he stiffened at the sight of the man dropping the perfect piece unceremoniously on the plate.
"Oops." Shuichi apologized, sheepishly. Beaming, he took one of Eiri's 'special' forks for such desserts and offered a small piece to the waiting man. Instantly the piece vanished into the dark, moist cavern of his lover's mouth. Giggling, Shuichi gave the hungry man some more, saying, "You're going to turn into a fat glob of jelly if you keep eating so much." But nevertheless, relenting to Eiri's wants until half of the whole cake was gone.
When the cake was gone and the excitement of good dessert had faded, Eiri's weariness seemed to catch up wto him. Thoughtfully, Shuichi fetched a blanket from the bedroom and laid it over the tired student. But when Eiri mentioned he wanted to be left alone and Shuichi was free to do whatever he wanted, he smiled, lifted the blanket back up, and sneaked in to join the boy.
Because all he wanted was to be as close to his lover as he could.
"Don't get use used to this." the teen said, making space between him and the couch for Shu.
Shuichi snuggled closer and buried his head beneath the man's chin, mumbling a soft and happy, "I won't." before falling asleep.
Eiri shifted to his side, waited for a moment before wrapping his other arm on Shuichi and buried his finger inside the pink mess, nuzzling him before he too slept.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
"Ehhh?!!"
Shuichi almost toppled off of his seat at the scream.
He and Hiro had been spending their lunch hour having a pleasant conversation at the teacher's lounge when suddenly a student had come by, talking to one of the female teachers, and the said teacher had suddenly shrieked in disbelief then ran off to the window, looking down on the school ground. Other teachers of the female sex followed close by, swarming as if an alien ship had landed on the school grounds.
"Oh my gawd!" one of the female teacher shouted, "He took it!!!"
"So it's really her!!"
"I couldn't believe it either! She's the mystery girl? Whoa!"
"Yeah! Way to go Hanako!"
At hearing Hanako's name Shuichi stood from his seat, he was one of the last men that resisted their curiosity as to what was going on. Until he heard 'Hanako' that is.
Hiro raised an eyebrow, "You're not seriously into the school gossip too are you Shuichi?" but Shuichi was listening more to the teacher that decided to fill him in on what was happening.
"Hanako had suddenly come up to Yuki-san and offered him a bento!" she wrung her hands above her head excitedly, "He'd just put it away in his bag too! I can't believe he'd actually take it, but a group of students had seen it and they told me."
A male teacher said, "Of all the people I can't believe it's Hanako he's been hiding all this time!"
At this Shuichi and Hiro rushed to the window, staring down at two small figures three stories down. Shuichi blinked, but without a doubt it was really Yuki and Hanako conversing, Hanako flustered and bowing several times to his Yuki.
Oh no! He thought, dread crashing down on him, She likes Yuki! My Yuki! I should have known! 'It might be wrong. I mean...he may have a girlfriend already.' That's what she said and I should have known she was talking about Yuki because that's all the talk have been about since everyone discovered the boxed lunch I made for him!! But instead...Instead I said...
'Just speak out what's on your mind, and everything will turn out fine.'
"Well there goes Yuki-san." The teacher mumbled, watching as the blonde student disappeared in the school entrance.
Shu? You alright?" Hiro finally asked after watching his friend. Knowing him, he knew that Shu was probably doing some self torture, "Hey Shu," he leaned to whisper, "You don't know for sure that she's asking him out-"
"DUMBASS!" Shuichi suddenly yelled, when all heads turned on him he paled, turning on his heels and calling to the surprise teachers, "Gotta go to the bathroom!" and ran off.
Gotta find Yuki! Gotta find Yuki! He chanted in his head, running down the hall in the speed of light. Shuichi went about scanning all the rooms, so desperate in trying to find his lover he even disrupted some of the classes, leaving behind an unkempt room struck by whirlwind Shu. After a few minutes, Shuichi came across the student and snatched him by the arm, dragging the confused blonde up the stairs, passing Hanako on the third floor who went as far as "Sensei can I talk-" before he had rushed by and was gone.
"Ah Dammit!" Yuki cussed after being thrown out to the school's rooftop. "Shuichi what the hell?"
"Yuki I saw you talking to Hanako!" Shuichi huffed.
"Really?" Yuki countered, rather annoyed as he set down his bag on the ground. Shuichi waited until the man faced him before pummeling his tiny self unto the teen, wrapping his arms around the young man's waist, "Shuichi, what the hell-"
"I'm sorry Yuki!" Shuichi said frantically, "I- yesterday I talked to Hanako after school and that's why I couldn't go home with you at the same time- but that's not the point, and you see Yuki, she came to me really embarrassed and all and she wanted to tell me she really liked a guy and she was almost crying and you see-"
"Shuichi," Yuki asked, trying to calm him, "What is this all about?"
"Yuki you have to say yes! I told her that if she confessed to the guy she liked it would all be fine!" Shuichi suddenly cried, looking up at him with his bright purple eyes, "But I didn't know it would be you!" Shuichi felt as if his heart was drowning; he was giving his lover to go out with somebody else. If it was another person he wouldn't give up Yuki! But this was different because Hanako came to him and trusted him and he himself said that everything would be fine! "Hanako really likes you Yuki." he began to sob, reaching up with both hands and pulling down Yuki's confused face. He didn't want to give him up so badly! He kissed Yuki softly on the lips, "Please don't leave me."
Shuichi blinked. He hadn't meant to say the last part. He pulled away and touched his lips, he tried to tell Yuki to go out with Hanako again but, "Please don't leave." then he looked up at Yuki; he couldn't give him up!
Yuki's glare softened and he sighed loudly, swiping a hand over his hair, "Glad you're sane again. Now would you tell me what's going on here?"
Shuichi blinked again, "Didn't Hanako ask you to go out with her?" he questioned, flinching when he was graced with a deep frown.
"Alright, what have you been taking? Are you high?"
"Hu-huh?" confused, Shuichi began pointing in all direction, his head tilting as he stuttered, "Bu-but, every-everyone saw you two talking and...She was offering you a bento...and...Everyone saw you guys...ow!" Shuichi cried at the pain of his lover's knuckles getting acquainted with his skull.
"Are you really out of your mind?" the blonde growled, pausing to calm himself before continuing on, "I was planning on eating at the track field today, but I left my lunch at your classroom stupid," Shuichi watched as his lover extracted a box of bento he'd given to the man earlier that morning, Yuki continued, "Hanako was looking for you and she saw me leave this behind so she ran after me. After she gave this back, she asked me if I knew where you were, and I told her that you might be at the teacher's lounge with Nakano-sensei."
"So...so you're not going out with her?"
Sighing once again, Yuki placed a hand on the teacher's head and gently patted him down, "Ba-ka."
Shuichi's face brightened, more than happy that it had all been a misunderstanding, "Ah Yuki!" and he would have leapt into the Yuki's arms and kissed the man as if there was no tomorrow when a sudden-
"Teacher?" interrupted them.
Shuichi and Yuki both recognized Hanako's voice, and their fear of getting caught heightened their sense. They could practically see the approaching girl through the closed door.
"Yuki quick! Hide!"
"What! Why me?" Yuki grumbled, but was already gathering his bag and lunch in his arms- heading behind one of the water dam.
After two steps Shuichi pushed him, just in time as the door opened, Hanako stepping out.
"Hey Hanako! What's up! I'm just enjoying the fresh air! Mmm!" Shuichi stopped, observing the flustered girl and curious as to what she had to tell him, "Hey, what is it?" he asked.
"Teacher," Hanako said again, bowing slightly, she removed her eyes from the ground, "Um...I was wondering if you're free...to-tomorrow after school?" she held out her hand and bowed, screwing her eyes shut as she said, "I...I have two for the both of us...so, I- I was wondering if you'd come to the Local Red Leaf Festival with me!!"
Shuichi's eyes flickered. His face blank as he looked down at the outstretched hand that held a 'FALL LEAF FESTIVE' ticket. A full minute passed before the situation completely processed in the teacher's mind, scaring him senseless.
"Ha-Hanako...I'm...your teacher."
She shook her head forcefully from side to side, saying, "It doesn't matter! You said it yesterday that it doesn't matter as long as it's love, didn't you?"
A pang of guilt made itself known to Shuichi. "I-I did."
"Sensei, I'm sorry for tricking you yesterday! I...I just wanted to see what was your view in this kind of situation- and I! I was very happy when you said that it didn't matter! And then...then you said that you didn't have a girlfriend, and I was relieved back then too!"
Yes, he had told her that there was no wrong if it was love, and he did say that he had broken it off with a girlfriend...and on top of that, he'd encouraged her to confess to him...but, but he wouldn't have...if he knew he was the guy.
"But Hanako I didn't-" know it was me. "It's-" different...
Suddenly K's voice boomed, "Shuichi!!!!! Have you stolen my students?!" and as K appeared, ushering a late Hanako back to class, Shuichi looked up to see Yuki staring at him with a blank gaze. With K and Hanako gone, Eiri started for the door.
"Yuki wait! I-"
But the door had already shut.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
Eiri paced relentlessly around his apartment, beer in hand, a slice of cheesecake on the other and definitely a problem in mind. He tried not to panic since he'd gotten home, but as soon as he downed the first gulp of beer- his mind went haywire. He never ever thought he'd had to ever think of what to do if someone else liked his man, his Shuichi. So now, he was stuck.
No, he didn't have a problem! He'd kick anybody's ass that got near to touching his lover, but this was somehow different. Hanako Kayou is first off, a girl. And secondly...
Eiri paused. Never mind. He thought, shoving the whole cake in his mouth. "Ah-damn it!" the writer suddenly shouted, only realizing it a moment later. His breaths were ragged and shallow, his heart pounding a solid tattoo on his chest. Doesn't anyone have a sense of decency in this world anymore?! He tore inside, doesn't anyone care that having an affair with a teacher is wrong anymore? What the hell was the world's fuckin' problem?!
Of course, Eiri knew it was hardly fair to vent out like so. After all, he himself was conducting such an affair- but that was it, since he didn't care, everyone else should! Then he wouldn't have this damn problem staring at his face.
What to do, he secretly wondered, Shuichi was too nice to say no of course. Too naive also. But most of all, Hanako was a girl. Eiri wasn't. And Shuichi- despite the forbidden affair, could easily get rid of one more problem on the list if he decided he liked Hanako back too. What to do...
Suddenly the phone rang, and reluctantly pulling away from his sulking, he headed to the kitchen and picked up, "What."
"Hey bro!" Tatsuha. "I just called to ask how you're doing."
"You'd be calling more often if you really cared, but to accommodate this charade, I'm doing fine." Eiri sighed, his fingers were itching to rub at his temples already.
There was a slight pause, some rustling and then on the other side Tatsuha said, "Uh oh. Trouble with your man huh? What happened?"
"None of your damn business!" Eiri snapped before he could stop himself, his palm flying on his mouth as soon as he realized what he'd done. "Damn it Tatsuha. Just say what you called for!"
There was a slight hesitation before came a nervous stutter, "Okay. I just called to ask if I could stay there for a little while." Tatsuha hurriedly said, "It's not going to be for long, I just need a place to stay until I deliver some ointment and tea to dad's friend."
"Use the mail! It's cheaper, or go to the Seguchi's where you're more than welcome. So no matter what you are not staying in my apartment." when there was no reply, Eiri sharply added, "Do you get it Tatsuha?" He had a bad feeling about this, normally his little brother tried harder than this. Maybe he did sense that something really was wrong with Eiri?
"Fine. But I don't know how Tohma would react if he knew that you were having an affair with one of his teachers."
If Eiri had the power to reach through the phone line and wring his brother's neck until it snapped he would, but neither privileges were he gifted. "Tatsuha, did you just threaten me? I'll kill you if you tell."
"Sure. Dad just passed by, and I doubt your little foreign car is fast enough to get down here before I call Tohma and tell him. I can rest in peace knowing I made your life miserable."
"You..." Eiri paused, hearing footsteps outside his apartment, "asshole."
"Yeah okay whatever- so you'll let me stay?"
"Two days and then you have to go to Mika's." Eiri punctuated the statement with silence. Normally he'd have hung up by now, but he needed to clear up a few more things. "Not a word to anyone you ass, and Tatsuha?"
"Yes."
"I still am in an affair with my teacher."
"But wait! I thought there was something wron-" but by then Eiri had hung up, turning around to see Shuichi toeing down the hallways and towards him in silence. Their eyes met and after a few awkward moments, Shuichi raised a see through bag with a cream colored box inside and asked,
"Peace?"
Silently Eiri raked his eyes over the teacher's body, small chest that led down to perfect hips and shapely thighs- it puzzled Eiri how the man could attract girls even though he was built of girly parts. Eiri looked away when he saw the discomfort he placed the teacher under scrutiny. He nodded and then sat on his leather couch.
"You okay Yuki?" the teacher asked him, his face scrunching in worry. The teacher knelt on the floor staring at the teen's back on him.
After a little while, Eiri turned around and he stared momentarily at the sweet face before saying, "Yes." his voice a little broken. He coughed to remedy it.
His lover broke into a sweet smile, "G-good. Because..." Shuichi looked down, "I think you'll be very mad if I told you what I've decided...about Hanako."
It took some true will power for the blonde not to wring this man's neck. "You're going with her." he mumbled, his jaws tightening and ready to snap. He flopped on his back and glared at the ceiling as if it had done him wrong. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard, Shuichi, his own lover, had just told him that he would go out with someone that certainly wasn't him! He had a right damn it! A right to glare at him at the very least!!!
He was just about to when soft pliant lips touched his cheeks, resting on him for a moment before lifting off, along with his heart.
"I better go." Shuichi mumbled, standing up and heading for the door. Shuichi had barely rounded the corner when he heard his name. Turning, he watched his rapidly approaching lover with wary eyes… which widened when the teen tripped on the couch corner and landed on him. His back on the ground, Shuichi looked up, "Yuki! Be careful!" he softly rebuked, brushing away some of his student's heavenly golden hair. Shuichi was more than aware that Yuki was trying not to crush him with his weight by supporting himself up on his elbows.
Eiri paid no mind to the older man's scolding, "Go out with me." he whispered, letting his head fall gently next to his baka's ears, "Tomorrow night, come here instead and have dinner with me."
"Yuki-" Shuichi tried.
"I'll cook." Yuki insisted, his fingers twining on Shuichi's scalp gripping with sudden desperation. "I don't want you involved with her." the student knew he had said it so softly that the teacher was giving serious thought if he'd heard him right. After some time his lover must have determined that he had really said something like that and gently pushed him off until both of them were sitting on the floor next to each other.
Shuichi cupped Eiri's cheeks, "Yukii," he whined, "I don't need to choose between you and Hanako. I'm always yours!" Eiri pulled away when the man tried to kiss him; he figured that this time Shuichi just couldn't make his problems go away with a kiss. This time… it hurt too much.
"Fine. Don't go out with her. Otherwise break up with me." he said bitterly, turning his head the other way. He could just picture the look of disbelief on the teacher' face, staring at him as if he'd grown something extra on the back on his head.
"Yukii," Shuichi tried coaxing, his thumbs running up and down on his lover's face, "I can't just turn my back away from Hanako after the great lengths of things she's done just to say what she's said to me."
Leaning in question Eiri demanded, "Why not?" and when the other didn't answer he started to pull away, only to have an arm come around and draw him into clinging arms. Kisses rained his cheeks and forehead. When his Shuichi finished he leaned forward and bumped their foreheads, staring at his lover, eyes glittering from the lights in the kitchen.
"I'm always so lucky that you too have feelings for me." his baka whispered like imparting a treasured secret, "Ever since yesterday I've been thinking what would have happened if you had rejected me that night. It took me a long time to tell you how much I liked you, how much I adored you from far away...and you in turn gave me a chance and that's how we came to be." Yuki relaxed when Shu pressed another kiss on his lover's temple, "I know what it feels like to really want something from far away, a date, a kiss- warmth. And Hanako just asked me for this small favor. It doesn't mean that I feel towards her what I feel for you, I just understand her position."
Of course secretly, Eiri understood also. He too had adored Shuichi since he laid eyes on him, a cliché that nevertheless happened without him realizing it at first. He had always wanted to kiss his teacher, want him so much he could die from his heartache. He couldn't tell Shuichi any of those things but he still understood what his lover was trying to tell him- but still!
He had worked so hard to get that date with his teacher, and by some miracle he had shared bed with the man that same night! Didn't it also make sense to hold on to Shuichi with everything he has?
"This is different." the student stubbornly countered, his eyes meeting the teacher's majestic ones, "It won't be like that from Hanako's point of view. After tomorrow, she'll want more. She won't allow you to play her like this. She'll expect more from you and I can't have that." he paused, muffling himself on the man's shoulder, "I won't allow it."
The silence that followed was almost too much. Unsure if he had heard him, Eiri raised his head from the shoulder it laid on to take a look at his beau. What he saw at first was nothing significant in particular, until the other man shifted closer to him and revealed for all to see the flood of emotions rushing in his large eyes, almost like shock, anxiety, worry...and relief.
"You're jealous aren't you?" Yuki heard after some time. Then a dreamy, "Oh Yuki..." followed.
"Don't be stupider than the usual." he snapped at the teacher, nonetheless becoming pliant to soft hands kneading a comforting path along his back.
Now on a kneeling position and taller than the blonde, On his knees, Shuichi looked down at his young man and grinned, embracing him tightly as he said, "I'm with you Yuki. If Yuki doesn't want me to do something that makes him uncomfortable, then I won't. I only want Yuki and it makes me happy to have Yuki...and I never never ever want to do anything that might make him hate me. Never."
And dipping his head down, Shuichi swept Yuki's doubts away his lips.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
Eiri opened his eyes the next morning with a hidden smile inside.
Sitting up and reclining against his bed, he searched around for his teacher- easily found under the small lump beneath the sheets next to him with an arm thrown around his waist.
God...he was so...pretty. He's almost like that toy I've always wanted when I was young, promising to take great care of...Involuntarily his fingers reached for the naked man's chin, tilting it slightly up and bending himself down to place a soft wet kiss on the bottom lip, afterwards flinging the bed sheets off of his naked self and to the cold air.
Thirty minutes later Eiri picked up his coat and keys, left a note of 'went ahead' for his slumbering lover and headed out the door. In another half an hour, the student found himself standing outside the tea club gates and waiting for a fellow student. Another minute passed and Kayou Hanako greeted him warmly, but his response was utterly different.
"Shuichi can't go out with you."
She blinked at him for a moment as if she hadn't a clue what he was talking about. Until she realized what exactly he meant, "Shindou...sensei?" she asked, clearly unfamiliar with using his first name. When Eiri nodded she flinched. "I don't know what you're talking about Yuki-kun." she said, reverting to her quiet smiles.
"I heard you yesterday. I was on the rooftop- not exactly a private place. But that's hardly the point. As I said, you can't go out with him." he turned to leave when she called out,
"You called him Shuichi. Why? Why can't I have an outing with him?" her smile entirely gone, eyes narrowing, "You're hardly the boss of me, foreign man."
Eiri frowned, "Aren't you a bit surprise that a student knows?"
"And what'll you do? Tell someone?" she laughed mockingly, "Aw. Did this keep you up awake all night long Yuki-kun?"
"Hardly. I just don't want him involve with you" he replied, images of her object of desire writhing passionately beneath him coming in mind. With a smug smile he concluded, "Better tell him you have other plans today before he breaks your heart. Because he will, you know, he already has a lover after all. He won't have any use for bitches like you."
"You expect me to do that? You're joking." she spat, staring angrily at him. But somehow that look on his face...No it can't be...
Hanako's hands tightened their hold on her bag, the gentle outer appearance of her from a minute ago completely gone, "I'll do whatever I want!" she shrieked after him, "Do you hear me? I don't care if you have teacher complex! Eiri!!" but all she could hear was the faint 'tip tap' of his shoes as he continued on his way towards the main school building, vanishing into the early morning mist.
A group of girls who heard the angry voice stepped outside the teahouse, looking around only to see Hanako. One of them stepped towards Hanako asking, "Are you alright?"
Slowly Hanako turned towards them, her eyes for a moment glazed over in anger. A moment passed by and realizing who it was, she straightened herself and replied, "I'm fine." and walked off, leaving the others frowning in her wake.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
He'd never felt so strange before.
The strange kind of feeling as if the world was about to end, and Shuichi didn't favor it at all. All day he'd been filled with a strange tension His Yuki's eyes were on him always, making him more determined to reject Hanako's offer, but when he caught sight of her in the halls, catching her soft smiles to him, he'd forgotten what his lover he had discussed the night before. Yes, he would do anything Yuki asked him and the writer's strong objection to his pity date with Hanako was nothing strange because- after all, they are lovers- but this one...it's not that he didn't want to do it. He just wanted to do it right.
It would have been more awkward if he was still class four's teacher.
It was already four in the afternoon, and as if on cue, all the students in class 3-7 raised their heads, ears perking at the sound of their freedom echoing down the hall. As the bell died down, Shuichi stopped writing on the board, clapped his hands together and said, "Sounds like school's over, all right class, please stand."
The class stood in uniform, said their formal good bye, packed their things and shuffled out of the room, quite exhausted for the day.
For a moment the teacher kept his smile bright, answered some questions his students lingered about to ask, and watched them exit the room before finally collapsing on his desk with a huff, his head tilted back against his chair and eyes cast outside towards the soft orange glow of sunset.
"Teacher?"
Shuichi shot up from his seat. Finding himself staring up at Hanako who was placing bags in the trashcans. His eyes then fell on the clock above her. Six o'clock. He hadn't known two hours had passed already.
"Hanako." he mumbled back.
His student smiled, "If we want to make it on time, we should leave now teacher." Shuichi's eyes fell back out the open windows, staring mindlessly at the starburst color painted over the sky, listening all the while to her, "Teacher...I would be most happy if you came, I-"
"Hanako." The teacher interrupted.
She looked at his face, directly into his eyes and frowned.
"I'm sorry. I...as your teacher, and you as my student- I can't." he quickly continued, "But that's not what's bothering me! I could care less...but I do not like you the way you like me..."
Chokingly, Hanako asked, "You already have someone?" Shuichi nodded, "A lover?" nod, "Yuki-kun?"
Biting his bottom lip, Shuichi picked up his handbag and brushed past her, whispering a soft, "Sorry." and disappearing behind the door.
Meanwhile, a bitter smile appeared on Hanako's lips. And in the end her eyes stung and tears began to fall.
O-o-o-o-o-o-O
Eiri fell backwards as his pink bundle of joy tackled him to the ground, crying with relief and quiet happiness. He'd really thought Shuichi had acted upon his saintly side and gone on a date with Hanako...but instead here was the man.
"Dinner's ready." he told Shuichi. In turn the man mumbled something incoherent against his neck, words muffled by tears. "I got the movie Hiro said you've been wanting to see..." he added, grunting as he sat up, his pink haired lover straddling him around the waist.
"Okay..." Shuichi said, hesitating before changing his mind, "Actually…Um...Yuki?"
"Hm?"
"Can we...can we do something else?" he asked, his eyes staring back at the golden ones. Shuichi smiled and pressed a kiss on the teen's forehead, knowing his lover wouldn't object to the request he was about to ask. "We...we could just stay out the balcony instead of staying inside...ne?"
Wiping away the last of his lover's tears, Yuki nodded, "Sure..." and kissed him.
It had meant to be short and fast- but instead it was long and sensuous, and what was suppose to be just comfort turned into a blossoming passion.
Eiri never wanted his lover to ever regret being with him instead, and Shuichi's just as passionate kiss told him he wasn't.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-O
Her movements were frenzied in the dark. Footsteps treading heavily, yet quickly on the pavement. Her hands flailed about on her sides as if searching and trying to grasp something and anything in the midst of chaos in her mind; her eyes were blind to the path before her and its obstacles by the overflowing tears that couldn't seem to stop. She'd never felt so betrayed and lonely.
She winced at slab of rock her foot caught in, sending her face first to the ground. There she laid unmoved for a time, until sprinkles of morning rain began to down on her, sending her into a ball-like curl. She resisted anymore movement, fingers digging to the ground fiercely as her sobs echoed in the night.
Hanako could hear footsteps not far off and she could have cared less what the person thought of her laying there, but it stopped right in front of her- and when she looked up, she found herself staring at a young woman's figure holding an umbrella in one hand and the other stretching out towards her.
"Need a little help?"
O-o-o-o-o- To be Continued o-o-o-o-o-o-O
AN: Sorry sorry! I just wanted to clear up the fact that at the beginning of this chapter it really WAS Rei playing the role and at the end it was Hanako and I made it like that on purpose. Sorry!
Next Chapter: In the next chapter, there's a transfer student who's already familiar with all of us, two girls who are more than a little bitter about their love being stolen by a certain writer, and on top of it all- a secret about a certain affair in school finally being revealed?! Trouble's about to stop in town and Shuichi with Yuki is caught right in the middle!!
Don't miss the next chapter: Vandalized
A review or words of encouragement would be nice of you to leave. Thank you.
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