Guuuuuuuuuys! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! T.T
Happy New Year to you all!
I just checked and it's been almost FIVE MONTHS since I updated this. I cannot.
I say it every time, but things have been hectic the past months. But good news! I finally left that hell job that I complain about every AN XD. In my head that would mean the updates would be a-flowin' but in reality, I guess I'm rusty as hell because I could not get anything done. Until noooow that is!
Quick belated thank you to everyone who left a comment last chapter, and if you're still with me despite the huge gap, then you have my wholehearted gratitude!
This was meant to be a very different chapter. But that's fine cause now at least I can assure you I know what is coming next XD.
I hope you enjoy it! Will leave you to it!
Those Who Can, Teach.
Wrinkled brown eyes magnified by thick, tortoiseshell glasses lifted up and narrowed.
He glanced around while trying to sharpen his ears at the awful sound that echoed eerily through the large, majestic towers that he sat among.
His face scrunched in displeasure.
His days were usually utter bliss. Nothing but the rewarding tranquility and peace that came from taking his duty as guardian of the great authors of history with utmost seriousness.
How could he not?
Did the triumphs and tragedies of the human heart and spirit not deserve such protection?
Did this fountain of knowledge not deserve his care?
Of course they did.
As such, he ran an impeccable fortress.
And yet now, just like yesterday lunchtime, and all the usually silent lunchtimes this week...
He heard tittering...
"Like hell Gatsby couldn't have had a chance with Daisy if he wasn't killed! Ye of little faith!" Scotty's loud whisper tried to yell at him.
Kai scoffed as he swallowed a swig of his bottle of green tea.
"Would he shit! It was a one sided obsession." he said matter of factly as he stabbed his color coded copy of the book with his finger. "Besides he wasn't in love with her, he was in love with the idea of her!"
Reuben bit in to the last half of his sandwich, glancing between them and listening to his friends debate about the romance of fictional characters.
Yep. Exam time sure did weird things to a person.
The high of the choir contest was sadly short lived for both of them.
Deadlines on their assignments had come quickly and were now gone, but the war on fun was far from over.
Instead of one concentrated question or topic that they could spend time researching and planning, articulating carefully, they were now required to try and cram everything and anything they had learned the past semester in to their heads to be accessed from memory and written down as best as they could in about an hour time frame.
Today's brain-stuffing session was for their Literature test.
Great Gatsby...still.
Their teacher had kindly given them a loooonnnngggg list of potential question topics to use to aid their studies.
They just did a stupid essay on this godforsaken book...and yet it wasn't enough suffering.
Reuben loathed exams. It didn't matter how much he studied, he found that under the pressure he could never get his thoughts down coherently.
But then, who did enjoy them?
On the bright side though, he had to say he was thrilled with these new study sessions Kai had so kindly agreed to let them in on.
...If he and Scotty just barging in and he not punching them in the head was the definition of 'agreement'...
Despite the hostile beginnings, it seemed that Kai had warmed to their lunchtime presence.
Again, if the definition of warming was that he didn't throw 'the look' at them at every given opportunity.
Perhaps because he and Scotty noticed a distinct lack of lunch and introduced sandwiches to the gathering. It was hard to be grumpy with a sandwich.
In general, he was quiet and kept his nose in his books.
Actually studying, which was the point.
He was quite the tutor though, should he or Scotty have any problems wrapping their heads round something.
Or, if by chance there was, like now, a chance for debate, he seemed to come to life.
He sure did like to be right.
So did Scotty, which made these little discussions so entertaining.
The teeny tiny downside for Scotty though, was he was way out of his depth since studying was hardly his forte. He was hardly a match for Kai, but bless him, he did try.
"It wasn't completely one sided though, was it?" Scotty argued, "She did have feelings for him-"
"What!? Hardly!"
It was Scotty's turn to scoff.
"Oh what? Because you are an expert on matters of the heart are you Hiwatari?" he asked with a perfect, Harris-esque smirk and ribbing arch of a brow.
A look that traumatised his adversary.
Reuben's chewing slowed as the rhythm of the banter was thrown.
The silence between the comeback grew too long...
With a confused frown, his eyes turned to Kai and his chewing ceased altogether.
Had...had Scotty rendered him speechless?!
Scotty too blinked and stared.
A sarcastic comment he expected a power glare or a 'shut the hell up' for had resulted in a very unexpected stunned fluster.
The other's mouth moved uncomfortably and face tinged embarrassed.
Did he know?!
Why did he know?!
Nah...he didn't know...
Say something!
"No! Of course not!" he finally bit out defensively, "I-I'm just saying she gives no indications that she's interested in him! He is obsessed with a memory from years ago with a person that has made her own life-"
"Wiiiithhh a total douchebag..."
"Well yeh, but that douchebag gives her status and a place in high society which matters more to her than anything else! And for the love of god, do not write 'he is a douchebag' on your test paper..." he snipped.
Scotty frowned and folded his arms.
"You insult me! I'm not that dumb! But I still stand by she would have come around and gone with Gatsby. I mean, he was nuts for her, had the money to keep her in luxury. Beats the hell out of some sleaze ball you don't get along with who cheats on ya all the time..."
Kai's brow twitched.
"But that...that's the entire poin- What are you...? Did we even read the same book!?"
Scotty let out a filthy little chuckle as he leaned back in his seat to take his own sip of water.
"Mighty bold of you to assume I read the book at all..."
The twitch intensified.
"But how did you get this far without reading the book...?"
They'd spent months on this frickin' thing!
And was he not concerned about his grades!?
Reuben was concerned at this point.
Scotty broke him again...
Scotty on the other hand tilted his head and looked at him with amused bewilderment.
He...he did not understand what a joke was, did he?
It was so easy to trigger him.
Looked like his mind had imploded in his skull.
"Relax, I read most of it...I think."
No, that didn't help the look on his face.
"Besides, with such a remarkable tutor like you, I don't need to!"
Kai's face slipped to annoyed.
"I am not spoon feeding you! Use your own brain cell!"
Scotty pouted again at the singular use of cell...
Rude.
"Heyy! I am! I used it to deduce she and Gatsby could be happy together."
Kai let out a loud groan.
"Oh my god no they would not! In any circumstance! She's shallow, selfish and just plain awful."
Scotty gasped.
He dishonored a fictional lady that he was rooting for.
"How dare you insult the good lady like that! Take it back."
Kai's brow shot up.
She wasn't real...even if she was he'd stand by what he said.
"Uh...No?"
Scotty smirked at him, pointing a playful finger of warning.
"I will fight you. If I had a glove, I'd slap you with it."
He got hit with a sense of dread.
What did he just say about him not getting jokes?
Ohhhh was he about to have his ass kicked?
Luckily for him, Kai's brows shot up and an amused snort came out his nose.
"What? Pistols at dawn?"
"Or an arm wrestle now..." Reuben chipped in out of nowhere, making them both snap their heads to him.
He liked Scotty but...he wanted to see him get humiliated.
Among friends that is.
"Heh...why would you suggest such a thing Reu?" Scotty hissed through a smile.
Kai would snap his arm like a twig.
But his pride would never let him outright say no.
Reuben shrugged and sipped his green tea.
"Let you put your money where your mouth is?"
Kai smirked.
Ooooh. Another chance to be right presented itself.
Did he even want this one? It didn't pose much of a challenge.
He glanced and looked him up and down.
...N'yeh. He did.
"I don't think so, Reuben. Wouldn't want to embarrass him that badly..." he sighed smugly.
Scotty frowned at him and puffed his chest.
"Ohhhh you're not that strong!"
"Am I not? Nothing to fear then, hm?" Kai goaded as he lazily put his hand out and elbow on the table in challenge.
"Here, will even do it left handed for ya."
Scotty stared at it.
Oh dear...this was bad. For two reasons.
Reason one, he was full of shit. He was that strong.
Reason two...he thought he'd managed to put his weird man crush behind him.
But now the muscular siren song called to him directly...
Gah! He was no coward!
...He was going to accept the left hand though. Only fair.
"Fine..."
He twisted in his seat, throwing his own arm on to the table and slotting his hand in to his.
Those were some rough finger tips...
Likely a combination of years of intense beyblade training and string instrument practice.
Haaah...
Reuben put down his half eaten sandwich, brushing his hands together to rid of crumbs as he sat up excited.
"Gladiators ready!?"
They both gave him a bored glance, which he read.
"Alright! Three...two...one. Go!"
Scotty pushed with everything he had, nose scrunching up and making the mistake of raising his eyes to his rival.
The only thing that had moved on Kai was his mouth, smirking harder.
"You can start whenevvvver you want, buddy..."
Scotty let out a slight growl.
Oh come on! At least pretend you're having slight trouble!
At seeing him get annoyed, Kai just chuckled quietly.
This was entertaining...
He finally decided to push back a little, making Scotty's face drop even more as he felt the grip tighten and the strength start to kick in.
Oooooohhhh...
He knew it was futile, but gave him everything he had. And his everything barely made a dent.
Kai let him try a little while longer, until he finally had enough of toying with him and got to the point.
Scotty let out a surprised, high pitched shriek as the sudden surge of force slammed his hand on to the table with a bang.
"Wooo!" Reuben clapped.
He enjoyed the sound that had made a little too much perhaps.
Kai just shook his head and smirked, going back to his notebook.
These two were so dumb...
Scotty on the other hand stared at his hand, feeling the slight sting.
Would it be cliché to never wash this hand again?
There was much victory in this defeat...
Reuben looked at his red and disappointed face.
"Aw no need to be embarrassed Scotty! You did your best! Held out better than I could!" his bestie comforted.
"Hn?!"
Shit. His face was burning.
And could anyone blame him?!
"He could kill me with those things and I'd thank him." Rei had said.
He wasn't killed...but still...
He was eternally grateful.
...And for the first time in his life wanted a cigarette?
Urgh.
Think of Daisy Buchanan. Think of Black Widow. Think of Queen Elizabeth...anyone with two X chromosomes...
"Hey!" a gruff voice interrupted, making their heads turn, "What did I tell you three about messing around in my library!?"
Scotty blinked.
"We didn't think we were, sir?"
Kai took over before he have the old man an aneurysm.
He was very particular about the library. He'd learned that after spending so much time there.
"Apologies Mr. Schulz. We didn't realise we were being so loud."
Scotty and Reuben shot him a look.
Since when was he Mr. Prim and Proper with teachers?!
The old man gave a stern nod, accepting the apology.
Perhaps the exam nerves were making them a little more rowdy.
He peered down at the table.
"Hmm. Great Gatsby. Can't say I cared for that one."
"Pfff, none of us can. One more week and can finally burn this thing..." Scotty chuckled as he waved his copy.
He soon wished he hadn't.
Old man Schulz and Kai looked offended.
"You can't burn a book." Kai scowled at him in a disgusted tone.
"That is a grave sin young man..." the older agreed in a similar tone to Kai.
Scotty looked between them.
Oh, for the love of...
"I was kidding!"
Schulz shook his head and turned to leave them.
He had some cataloguing to do...
At least one of them in that little trio had some decency. Perhaps his friends would take a leaf out of his book.
He liked that one. He was part of the furniture, really. He liked anyone that appreciated and respected the library.
He an eclectic taste of literature.
He respected the return date at all times.
He was silent.
Usually...but no one was perfect.
If he had his way, he would gladly pass the torch to this one. Some day.
He had potential to shine in one of the most wonderful occupations there was.
A Librarian...
Meanwhile, Scotty and Reu giggled behind their hands as quietly as they could for the scolding they got.
"Since when are you such a goody two-shoes?" Scotty poked.
Kai rolled his eyes.
"Am not..."
"Oh...sorry Mr. Schulz..." Scotty imitated in an airy voice as he bat his lashes.
Kai set his pen down. He did not sound like that...
"I'm not! But this is one of the few places I actually like at this stupid school! My little space of peace and quiet."
That they had now invaded, but whatever...
"This is my home and he is the landlord. Ya don't bite the hand that feeds ya. So do what he says 'cause I swear to God, if I get evicted..." he said in a very warning tone as his eyes bore in to him.
Scotty felt a shudder go down his spine.
Play time was over it seemed...
"Right...quiet study it is..."
On the bright side, maybe he could look for something to prove Kai wrong about the good lady Daisy...
Kai gave a nod.
That was more like it. They were a bad influence!
So what if they were somewhat amusing? Or provided some half decent conversation sometimes?
They had term tests starting in a matter of days and he wasn't ready!
By the time Friday evening came, his eyes burned in to the science book he'd been glaring at for over an hour, hand in his hair and gripping unintentionally.
Rei looked at the clock and sighed.
Okay...he'd given him enough. It was break time.
"Kai?"
"Five more minutes!"
Rei frowned, taking his headphones out and swinging his wrapped up ankle over to get himself up.
"No. Now."
He hobbled his way over, able to drag his banged up leg without crutches a little now since it was near enough healed up. Finally.
For what felt like the millionth time, he glanced at the printed out, filled in, color coded study schedule that was fully packed, with only small green colored boxes to indicate break times.
Ten minute ones...
His desk resembled Dan's in the teacher's room. Utter chaos.
In the whole time he'd been here, crashing in Kai's dorm room, he'd never seen it anything but immaculate.
He shook his head.
"Ka-"
"Rei! I appreciate it but please, I need to get this!"
Rei jumped a little, not expecting to get snapped at.
And by the time he'd recovered from jumping, Kai was already pinching the bridge of his nose in regret.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to snap at you. But I really need to just power through this weekend."
He spun his chair around to face him, draping his arms loosely round his waist.
"And I'm sorry we haven't been able to really spend any time together either. Next weekend we'll do something, okay?"
Poor Rei...with this busy period, it wasn't exactly the best time or a budding new relationship...
Not that he'd change it. Just wished he were more free to enjoy it.
Rei cocked a brow at him.
"Next weekend?"
"Mhmm."
"You mean somewhere in between helping Dan and Charlotte move?"
Kai stared for a moment before the penny dropped, making him groan and flop in his chair.
"Ooooooooohh shiiiiiiiiiit that's next weekend..."
He flopped his head back after a few moments of self pity, flumping it against Rei's stomach as he stood in front of him.
"Rei, I'm sorry..." he let out in a hopeless, almost pleading tone that sounded like he expected him to get pissed off about it.
Rei pulled a sympathetic face, hands going to pat his head. He felt for him.
Hell, he felt for himself too.
He wanted to do something with him just as much.
He knew Kai was spinning a lot of plates. They never seemed to stop. But he didn't resent him at all for it. He would sit patiently and be there as long as it took.
Besides, the winter break was coming up. Two weeks of no school would give them some time!
...He hoped.
But for now, he just wished sitting around wasn't the only thing he could do...
He eyed the crammed study schedule and sighed.
He admired the dedication and work ethic. It was just...as usual...
Was overkill...
It had only happened once in their brief time as a couple, but maybe he could try using his 'charms' to lure his stubborn butt to something more suitable.
If it worked, Kai would get a break and probably be more productive overall, he would feel amazing for having been charming enough in the first place and they would get some time together.
Everybody won!
He gently pushed Kai away from him, taking the top of the chair to spin him back away from him.
His hands slid over the smooth fabric of his white shirt on his shoulders, pressing his thumbs in them.
Judging by the sound of the sigh Kai let out, that was the sweet spot.
"You don't need to apologise. We both offered. And besides, after everything they've done for us, the least we can do is lug some boxes for them."
"Hn..." Kai let out as he rolled his neck a little.
Rei smirked, letting the silence fall over them and made his way to his neck.
Oooh...yeh, he'd been slouching too long. Those were some tense muscles.
Once he'd given his neck a good rub down, enjoying the quiet mewing that accompanied it, he decided to amp his game up.
His hands travelled up higher in to the blue mop, fingertips going to his scalp.
Heh, closest he could get to giving his brain a massage.
He smirked harder as that seemed to be the bullseye, feeling him go from relaxing and enjoying to turning to a total lump of goo.
Had he been a dog, he was sure his leg would be going about now.
He kept on a little more, revelling in the self pride of being that good a little longer himself before he decided now was the time to strike.
He took his hands away, taking the few steps around to flop himself in to Kai's lap. His hands snaked back in to his hair for added reinforcement.
"Right. This is what's going to happen..." he said firmly, trying not to giggle at the dopey eyes looking back and awaiting command.
He hoped at least...
Just in case, he leaned in to place a few gentle kisses on him.
"You're going to finish up. Quickly. And we're going to go down to the dining hall before it closes. Then when we come back, you're going to take a nice hot shower or even a bath and unwind in whatever way you see fit."
Kai frowned a little.
Going down for dinner, sure. But slack off an entire evening?
"Bu-"
Rei put their lips together again.
"Then tomorrow, we're going to get up whenever you wake up naturally. We're going to walk down to the cafe with the Thai tea, have some breakfast, or brunch depending on the time. They actually have a really nice menu there. Walk back, and then you can get back to the books, okay?"
He tried not to snort when he saw the eye twitch.
Kai felt his own brain bug out at the outrageous suggestion.
All evening and all tomorrow morning?!
He was dating a mad man!
He glanced past Rei's head to the color coded paper.
That would set him back so bad...
The first rule of having a study schedule was you respected the study schedule!
He shook his head.
"Rei I-"
The hands in his hair pressed a little harder as once again lips pressed against his. Harder this time.
Okay fine! He'd respectfully decline in a minute...
As much as he really appreciated what Rei was doing, he just didn't have time for it.
Even if he really...really wanted to just keep doing this...
Why did humans kiss anyway?
When you thought about it, was a really bizarre thing to do.
Cats touched noses and stuff to share scents. Was more about territory and stuff like that than affection.
What possible evolutionary reason was their to push your mouths together?
Was it just because it felt nice? Or was there a more complex, scientific reason for it?
He stopped giving a fuck when a little noise came out Rei's throat, trickling through his ears and acting like a hacker that shut down the system.
All that was left was static.
Rei had to flip his own switch back to 'on' mode himself. He had a battle to win.
He reluctantly pulled away and put some distance between them.
"Look. How about this?" he bargained, a tiny bit out of breath, "Your test for my class is Monday, right? Way I see it, there's no reason we can't throw in a little study time while we're out? Do it my way and I promise I'll quiz you on vocab and grammar and all that stuff every now and then. Half boyfriend, half private tutor. Hm?"
Kai blinked.
Well shit, he couldn't argue with that now, could he?
"I suppose...it would be better working on it with you than flashcards..."
"Mhmmmm..." Rei nodded, willing him to continue.
"And I guess for optimum brain function, do gotta eat..."
"MmmHmmm!"
Victory was in his grasp...
"Ohh...but then I still get pushed back in math and ancient history..." he backtracked, looking at his schedule.
Nooooo!
Rei grabbed his face and brought it back to him.
"Does it matter if it you don't follow the schedule?! Why does it have to be so rigid?!"
Kai frowned, face being smooshed.
"Because that schedule was carefully thought out I'll have you know!"
Rei wanted to hit him.
"Tell ya what, you can tell me alllllllll about...I dunno...algebra and pyramids while we're out too!?"
Kai thought about it.
Interesting...that would technically be a different method of reviewing, wouldn't it? Explaining it to someone else? Would probably even help work out what he still needed work on...
Rei didn't like the thoughtful silence.
This was Kai. He was a brain box but also a total muppet.
He had one last arrow in his quiver...
He loaded it up, bringing his ponytail over his shoulder and started to play with the ends.
Ready...
"Hmmm...you know...it's supposed to be a mild day tomorrow..."
Aim...
"If we do go, I might even wear my hair down for a change..."
Kai's eyes widened.
THUD!
"Welllll...I suppose I can make a tiny bit of wiggle room in the schedule for a little break?"
A fang slipped out the smirk on Rei's face.
Heh! Bullseye!
Yehhhhh that's right! He was powerless against his charms!
If his only super power was being able to lure Kai in to bending to his whim, he was okay with it.
Only in times like this when it was needed, of course.
With great power came great responsibility after all...
"Wonderful! I look forward to it." he beamed as he took his hands out of his hair and pat his shoulders before heaving himself off him, "Now hurry up, I'm starving!"
Kai threw himself back at his desk, trying to fight his own smirk as stressed out overload from the science book turned to welcome excitement.
Come Monday morning, however, he couldn't say the same.
Thank God Dan was always late to home room. Gave him precious extra minutes to cram.
Damn you Rei! He had a good mind to go Samson and Delilah on his ass and chop his hair off in his sleep!
Roughly turning the page in his notebook, he retracted his mental statement.
No, he wouldn't do that. And he wasn't mad at Rei either.
In fact, they'd had a great time together. It had been nice escaping the school for a few hours. Made him feel somewhat fresher and reset when they got back.
But man, right this second he wished they'd held off so he could work.
His nerves weren't about whether or not he'd pass.
He would pass.
But he had a standard to maintain.
He lifted his eyes momentarily to see Reuben and Scotty doing the same as him and felt his eyes narrow.
Ohhhh these two as well.
How much precious time had they snatched by distracting him in his safe place?!
For their sake, he hoped the right questions were on the paper.
If they weren't, there was a spot on the list for each of them!
The door slid open.
"Goooooood morning gentlemen!"
Damnit! Time up...
Rei stood awkwardly among some other silent teachers, lifting himself up on to his tiptoes and lowered himself down again, repeating and looking around the huge sports gym that was lined with rows and rows of desks instead of anything sporty.
Jeez...it made him nervous himself just looking at it. Had a definite senses of impending doom.
He glanced at the large clock. Annnny minute now...
As he was part of the teaching staff, he was needed to act as an invigilator.
He had to google what that was. But once he had, he felt very important.
He had the sharpest ears and sight out of anyone here. If anyone even thought about cheating, it wouldn't get past him...
Right on time, the large clunk of the gym doors echoed, opening up.
Rei bit down a smile as he watched the stream of teachers and students stream through in a perfect line.
The ants go marching one by one hoorraaahhh, hooraahhh...
"First years! You will find your seats on the left side. Second years! Yours to the right! Please find your student number and take your places in silence!" Mr Griffin, the grumpy old science teacher Kai almost decked barked loudly.
Rei scanned the line, waiting for his favorite ant to come through the doors.
When he did, they exchanged a little glance.
Rei gave him a supportive smile.
Kai gave him a small one back as he looked him up and down.
He looked powerful, stood up with the other teachers.
...He dug it.
He took his attention back to the tables, walking in line until his number appeared on the corner of one and sat himself down.
Rei felt himself drift off in his head. It was hard not to when so far people were just walking and sitting down for what felt like an age.
But no! He had a job to do!
He had wondered why they had to be there so early when the tests weren't even starting for like a half hour.
He knew now. Stuff took foreeever...
Students were finally sat.
Boxes of exam papers were brought in.
Took forever it felt like to get them out and handed to the different teachers assigned to hand them out to the right students.
Sadly, Rei wasn't assigned to Kai's one.
There was more barking from Mr. Griffin, asking to check everyone had the right question paper and everything they needed to complete it followed by a lengthy lecture about not cheating and no talking.
Rei rolled his eyes. He could smell the nerves in the room. Just let them get it over with already...
Griffin took his old eyes to the clock, watching the hands ticking the seconds until it precisely hit 9 o'clock.
"Gentlemen, you have one hour. You may begin."
Rei almost jumped at the weirdly intense sound of so many papers flipping over at once.
Scotty sighed.
Stupid Gatsby...
Now the time was here, he wished he'd properly read the book...
Oh well. At least this was the last time he'd ever have to deal with it.
He scanned the question options, hoping to god there was one he could shit something out for.
Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom. How are they alike? How are they different? Given the extremely negative light in which Tom is portrayed throughout the novel, why might Daisy choose to remain with him instead of leaving him for Gatsby?
Scotty did a double take and leaned closer to read it again, finding his mouth drop open wishing he could shout.
OOHHH!
OOOOOOHHH!
He knew this! HE FRICKIN KNEW THIS ONE!
He and Kai had argued about it at the library, and then spent the rest of the time looking up stuff to prove Kai wrong while Kai kept throwing back reasons he was right.
Thank you Daisy Buchanan, you beautiful shallow woman!
He grinned, feeling his ass wriggle in his seat.
For once, there was a chance of getting above average!
Meanwhile, Kai read through the list of questions trying to decide which one he could write the most about.
Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom. How are they alike? How are they different?...
His eyes narrowed, locking on it while a smirk arrogantly curled on his face.
"Hn..."
Lucky Scotty...if he remembered their discussion.
And also because for the time being he would remain off the list.
Having selected his victim, he snatched up his pen with his elbow on the desk, thumb pressing down to produce the most satisfying, smug click before it lowered to his paper.
He would not be gentle...
By the time Wednesday came around, the exam hell had hit about the half way mark.
Just today, tomorrow and a little of Friday to go...
Rei sat in the teacher's room, free of invigilator duties for the morning and sipping on a cup of hot green tea with a peaceful, proud smile on his face.
Since there were only a handful of students in his class, and it was only an introductory language class-
Well, not 'only'. Just they weren't at a point where they wrote long ass essays or anything, he had finished grading his tests by the time Monday evening came around.
Since he wasn't technically a qualified teacher, and these were official exam papers, they had to be checked over by someone else.
Who, he didn't know. But he knew damn well he'd graded correctly, so now he was in the smug knowledge that every single one of them paaaassssseeedddd!
Even though that was due to their own individual hard work and effort, he couldn't help but feel a huge sense of achievement himself.
He couldn't have done a terrible job teaching them if they all did that well.
Plus, after his conversation with Kai that weekend, his confidence had just grown even more...
Sipping his beloved Thai tea, and Kai a giant pitcher of coffee, Rei kept good on his promise to drill him for his upcoming Chinese test.
And actually...it was kinda fun.
"Okay, ready for the next round?"
Kai got his pen and paper ready.
"Yup. Hit me."
"Library."
Kai's head went down, scribbling before he looked up wanting another.
"Pharmacy."
Down the head went, popping back up seconds later.
"Supermarket."
Ooooh...he took a bit longer this time, eyes looking up and clearly needing a moment but bobbed
down and up again none the less.
A few more rounds later, Rei held his hand out, getting the slip of paper placed in it for him to check.
Writing wasn't a huge issue for his students, likely since the word in Japanese also had some of the same kanji in parts too.
But still, as he expected, perfect.
"Very good. Now read them for me." he smirked as he turned the paper and set it flat for him to see, pointing at them.
"Túshū guǎn , yàodiàn , chāojí shìchǎng ..."
Rei pushed down his smile.
His accent was sooo cute when he spoke Chinese...
He leaned back in his seat, picking up his tea.
"My job here is done. You're gonna ace it."
Kai seemed pleased with the verbal pat on the head from him.
"If I do, I owe it all to you Rei-sensei." he praised, lifting his coffee cup in toast.
Rei scoffed.
"That's Mr. Kon I think you'll find. And please, you weren't at half the classes, I swear. You're just too smart for your own good."
...He wished he hadn't said that...
Kai's face poured with guilt.
He was definitely flexible enough to shove his foot in his mouth!
"I-I didn't mean anything by that! It's not like it could be helped a lot of the time. I just meant that it's amazing you caught up with everything."
Kai blew on his coffee.
"Yeh. And I caught up because you're a good teacher." he said in his blunt tone.
Rei felt hot in the face from the praise.
"Pfff, hardly..." he chuckled, "No idea what I'm doing really. I know what I'm meant to teach you all for your test and that's about it."
"Whiiichh you taught. Well."
Rei snorted again, face getting pinker.
"Oh...shut up..."
Kai rolled his eyes as he sipped his coffee.
"No, you shut up. You're patient, you're incredibly approachable, you care about all your students and go out of your way to make sure no one falls behind, you keep your class material challenging but doable and you go beyond the textbook. I mean, you should have seen the guy you took over from. It was jussssst 'read the textbook. Listen to the recording. Now do it along with the recording. Again. Now memorise the conversation'." he listed off in a dull voice, "It was tedious as shit and yes, we learned the vocabulary, we learned the phrases, that's all it was. Learning phrases. You on the other hand only use the book as a base and actually teach beyond that. You teach us actual language. So although you've never done it before, you're already far superior to him by a loooong shot. Now that's amazing. Seems you're a natural. You may have found your calling..."
Rei curled in to himself to stop the flutters in his stomach.
He wished he wasn't so sappy. He had to shut him up and excuse himself to the bathroom to make his eyes stop watering.
It wasn't his fault though. Kai had caught him completely off guard!
Kai complimented him, sure. But not like...that!
...And it meant the world to him that he had.
The door slid open.
"Mr. Kon?"
Rei's head shot up to see the principle looking right at him.
He jumped out of his seat, making himself stand up straight.
"Yes, sir?!"
"Might we have a word in my office?" he asked but...really was ordering.
Rei fumbled for his crutches.
"Oh. O-of course!"
With a curt nod, the principle lead the way, leaving Rei to hobble behind.
His heart stopped fluttering pleasantly and turned sour.
Those tests were properly graded! He knew that in his soul!
So why else would he need to talk to him?
Was it to tell him his time was up?!
He wasn't ready to leave yet...
Stepping in to the wooden and grand office, the principle gestured for him to take a seat.
His heart slammed in his throat as he waited for the older man to settle himself in to his own seat, staring at him across his large desk.
"Mr. Kon-"
"Rei, please..."
...Oh shit...was that inappropriate?
He actually got something of a small smile though.
"Very well. Rei. How are you liking it here so far?"
Rei felt himself straighten up in his seat.
"Oh...very much sir."
Was he being proper enough?
"I uh...I'm learning a lot! Everyone has been so friendly and helpful..."
The principle nodded.
"Glad to hear. And how are you enjoying your teaching role?"
Ohhhh God...
He rubbed his arm.
"I like it very much...I'll be honest it's not something I ever saw myself doing originally. It took a little while to find my feet. But I feel like I'm slowly finding my way..."
Which was great. Apart from this was probably the end of the line...
The principle nodded again.
"Good. I guess what I'm really wanting to ask you is, have you any plans after your time at St. Tristan's comes to a close?"
Rei sank.
Here we go...
"Uh...no sir..."
There was nothing for him back in China. Not that he'd go back.
But what would he do after this...? Get another job waiting tables?
He wasn't really old enough to do much else.
"So is teaching something that interests you? Something you feel you could pursue in the future?"
Rei tilted his head and smiled.
Hey! Maybe he could do that! Tutor Chinese!
"Oh absolutely! It's definitely rewarding!"
The principle seemed to finally have what he was after.
"Marvellous. In that case, I believe I have a proposition for you..."
Dan lifted his head as the teacher's room door slid open, grinning uncontrollably as he saw Rei fly in with light bursting out of him.
He put down his papers and pushed himself up, sauntering over.
"Wellll...hello my young teacher in training..."
Rei almost felt like he could pee himself.
"You knew?!"
Dan winked at him.
"Of course. The perks of being in the both the Dickenson and Principle inner circle...I definitely threw in a glowing reference on your behalf. Not that it was needed, but you know..."
Rei smiled and felt his eyes water again.
He still couldn't believe it! They were going to fund and put him through a TCFL certification course (which stood for 'Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language'. Fannncyyyyy!) and let him stay on here for on the job experience!
He'd said something about needing to pull some major strings, since he didn't have any kind of academic background really. But it seemed the generous sponsorship and 'give the secret mountain village kid a chance' angle paid off!
"Thank you, Mr. Harris."
He suddenly frowned.
"Wait...Did you say Mr. Dickenson?"
Dan belted a laugh.
"I did! It was both his and the Principle's brain child!"
Not to mention a rather handsome donation had been made 'anonymously' to the Modern Languages department...but he would keep that to himself.
The frown lifted and the smile came back.
Aw, Mr. D...
Over their years of knowing him, he'd lead them to some pretty insane adventures. Dangerous really.
But, he always had and judging with how he was with Kai and now him, genuinely looked out for them.
Dan clapped him on the shoulder.
"Congratulations, Rei. You deserve it. You're going to make one hell of a teacher. I know we're busy with the moving and all, but once that's done we'll celebrate properly, all right? My treat."
After he went back to his desk, Rei made himself another green tea to try and absorb the shock.
It didn't cut it.
For the first time in his life, he wanted a whiskey?
Later that evening, Kai opened his dorm room door feeling exhausted.
One more day down...a day and a bit to go.
Quick dinner with Rei and back at the books.
"Oh. Hey! You're up here early..."
As he stepped in, Rei was sat curled on his bed. His face was wet.
His bag dropped to the floor, launching himself at him.
"What's wrong!?"
Rei smiled and shook his head.
"Nothing is wrong."
Kai just stared.
But...tears?
"Theeeen why are you crying?"
Rei couldn't contain himself, swinging himself on to his knees and bursting, verbal avalanche regailing every detail of the meeting with the principle.
He watched Kai's face hang, hanging on every word and getting brighter and brighter as he went on.
He suddenly grabbed his arms.
"Rei! REI! That's insane!"
Rei didn't think he could get any more hyped.
But how often did Kai get this hyped!?
JOY!
"I know!"
"I told you you found your calling didn't I?! That you were good! Now look! You're so good they want to bend rules to keep you!"
Rei scoffed and blushed.
"Oh please. It's more to do with Mr. Dickenson's connections and probably looks good on the school or something."
He got shaken roughly, and was faced with Kai's serious face.
"Hey! Knock it off! Who cares if Mr. Dickenson came up with it. The point is he believes in you and the fact that the principle agreed means that he does too. This is an opportunity, not a hand out, and you earned it!" he scolded.
Why did he keep shooting down everything he said about it?!
Rei stared at him blankly a moment before finally his lip wobbled and his eyes loaded up.
Kai paled and felt his stomach plummet.
Oh shhhhhhhhhhhhhh-it!
"No! No no! I-I'm not mad!"
Rei sniffled and laughed.
"I know you're not..."
Kai's eye twitched.
"Then why you crying?!"
Rei hiccuped.
"Because that means a lot to me. Because I never expected this and I still can't believe it. Because I'm gonna make something of myself and I have a direction in life!"
He flopped in to Kai, who wrapped his arms round him and kept his stunned face.
This...this was unknown territory...
He pat his back.
"...It's okay? Uh..."
Not enough? No? Okay...
"W-well I mean you were always going to make something of yourself."
"What? Like a waiter or a dish washer?"
"Sure? If that was what you wanted?"
"It isn't!"
Kai panicked and rubbed his back harder.
"Oh! B-but that's fine 'cause now you've got this, right?!"
Please stop crying!
"I know! I'm g-onna be a teacher!"
Kai stopped rubbing and pat his back instead.
"Which is awesome! So again, why are you crying?!"
Rei rolled his streaming eyes, pulling himself up to face him.
"Because I'm happy, idiot!" he spelled out for him.
Kai's face softened, taking his soggy face to plant a kiss on him.
"Which is all that matters. Congratulations Rei-sensei..."
Rei smirked playfully.
Oooooh, he liked the sound of that.
Bow to your sensei...
"That's Mr. Kon I think you'll find..."
"Hn..." Kai smirked back. This was better.
"My apologies. A-and hey! I know we're busy this weekend and stuff. But I promise next-next weekend we'll do whatever you want to celebrate! Do something really nice!"
Rei laughed.
"Dan beat you to the punch there..."
His face instantly saddened.
"...He knew before I did...?"
Rei snorted at him.
"He knew before I did!"
"Pff. Figures..."
Rei dried his eyes and slapped him on the shoulders.
"M'kay. I'm all cried out. I'll go wash my face, we'll eat, you can study so that you too will continue to make something of yourself."
Kai's face fell.
"Yeh..."
Not like he had a choice. In any sense...
Right?
Since the survey in home room last week, thoughts of that regard lurked in his mind. It was just too busy to really have time to deal with it.
That was to worry about later though...
The following morning, Rei hobbled with swagger in to the teachers room ready and raring to go.
"Goooood morning Mr. Harris!"
Dan smirked behind his coffee cup and gave a nod.
"Goood morning Mr. Kon..."
He giggled as Rei seemed to fizz.
"You've got a busy day today right?" Rei asked as he sat himself down, "Kai was practising all evening for it."
Dan nodded.
"Yup! Music Exam Day cometh! And I hope for his sake he practised more than one evening. I am quite the strict examiner..."
Rei chuckled.
But then, as...out there as Dan was, when it came to music...
Yeh, he could see that he would be.
"You know who we're talking about, right?"
"Heh, I do. Was joking. If anything I bet your ears are bleeding from hearing the same thing agaiiin and agaaainn."
Rei shook his head. He enjoyed listening to him play anyway and when he would practice he suggested he go chill in his own room.
The door opened, office guy shuffling through thumbing through his stack of papers.
"Apologies for the slight delay!" he announced to...everyone, it seemed, "Finally have the provisional elective class list for next year! Let's see we haavvveee Mr. Rowan...Mr. Anderson..." he spoke mostly to himself as he floated round to the appropriate desks to hand them out.
"Mr. Harris..."
"Here!" the smile beamed as he raised his hand.
Ha! Been a while since the shoe was on the other foot.
Sadly, it got ignored.
"And Mr. Kon..."
Rei looked up.
"Hn?"
He looked at the paper placed on his desk and after the nice office an he forgot the name of.
Dan leaned back in his chair.
"You've much to learn, young Grasshopper! See, we gave out a survey to all the students last week. They checked the elective classes they're either continuing or thinking of changing to next year."
Rei blinked.
"But...it's December?"
The new school year didn't start til April he thought?
Dan chuckled.
"Yeh. Hence provisional. It isn't set in stone. Just to get an idea of class sizes and stuff. But trust me, this sort of thing is gold. Really helps with planning and stuff knowing who is gonna be and how many people are gonna be in your class."
Rei just nodded.
That made sense...
Jeez, he really did have a lot to learn.
Was he supposed to be planning for next year now?!
Dan had a peruse over his own list.
Music 1 – N/A.
Yep. Figure that out later when the fresh meat came.
Music 2...Mhmm. Yep, no changes.
Music 3 ...Ooooh, few switches there. Nice lookin' class though.
Oooooh, maybe he wouldn't have to be with the new first graders this time. A welcome break. They usually sucked.
Extra Curricular – Choir.
His eyes travelled down the neat line of check marks under 'yes' until one stood out like a sore thumb.
'Unsure'.
Whaaaaaaat!? Blasphemy! Who could possibly be unsure?! They just won a city wide tournament! Not to mention it was just the best club to be i-...
Oh...
Hiwatari, Kai
He felt himself sink.
Really? Why didn't he mention anything to him?
He guessed he did always say after the tournament he'd be out...that should have been a big hint.
But that was before it seemed to click in to place for him! He thought he was actually enjoying it...had some people in there...
He sighed through his nose.
Well... He'd been good enough to humour him this long. If it wasn't for him then it wasn't for him.
Still. A shame.
Would miss having him. The whole choir would.
Meanwhile, Rei checked his own list out.
Ooooooh this felt so...teacher-y!
Mandarin Chinese – Level 1.
He choked on his own spit.
"Only one student for level one?!"
Dan looked up.
"Oh, no no! Don't forget there'll be new first graders. But they aren't physically here yet."
Rei calmed.
"Oh...right..."
Made sense. Phew.
Mandarin Chinese - Level 2
He saw the list of familiar names and neat column check marks beside the 'yes' box.
Aw, his loyal subjects!
But one check stuck out like a sore thumb in the middle, deviating from the neat line.
'Unsure'? Who the hell was...?
As his eyes followed the line back to the name of the student, he felt himself deflate completely.
Hiwatari, Kai
...What?
But...why?
End of Chapter!
I hope you enjoyed it. I know it was a little jumpy but...needed to get stuff in XD.
I promise it won't be 5 months until the next one! As always will do my best, and if you happen read any of my other stories, I'm making my way round!
Take care and see you next time!
Roy x