Disclaimer: I do not own KHR, it is owned by Amano Akira

Chapter Nine: Boxing

I lean back in my chair, red pen in hand as I began to circle the answers on my students' knowledge assessment. Before I know it, I'm humming and flicking my wrist to a rhythm as I stack paper after paper in a neat pile.

I would have never fathomed teaching could be- well, fun.

I was fully prepared to reprimand students for chatting, or to talk to teens after class for being disruptive. I had spent time morphing my 'don't mess with me glare, cause I promise impending doom' to 'don't mess with me cause i'm your teacher'. But no one had interrupted my lessons, sure there was a snoozer here or there but it was rare. If students had questions they would come up to me after the lesson and ask, with heads bowed and polite thank yous leaving their lips. I started learning the behavior was cultural as Japan held the teaching profession in high esteem.

It was different from the environment I had grown up with. Where I had come from, students weren't nearly as respectful, me included.

I (Cassidy) had been the type of student to still give my two cents after the bell rang, had been the type to start packing my bags before the lesson ended.

I (Midori) sat attentively during lectures, I had always been brimming with questions during class.

I paused as I thought about it for a little longer.

Or had it been the other way around? Or maybe it was a mix of both? I had a nagging feeling I had gotten myself wrong again, and it was more like...

I (Cassidy) had been the type of student to still give my two cents after the bell rang, and had been brimming with questions during lectures and raising my hand like crazy to get them answered.

I (Midori) sat attentively during lectures, but had been the first person to finish packing my bags so I could leave school as soon as possible.

The more I thought about my high school days I realized I couldn't remember what was what, when was when, and who was who. If I started to ponder, a headache would form. The ache would start slow and be at the back of my head, before it would elevate to the front of my skull, at the base of my forehead. The pain would be excruciating to the point where I wanted to pop an aspirin and call it a day.

So I stopped trying to think about it, because honestly it wasn't worth the pain. Especially when I was working, because (although very cute) it got tiring when student after student came in to ask if I was okay during the breaks. It was also slightly mortifying how the school staff would try to mother me like a child, as I was the youngest teacher. I did not need or ever want to have Nezu-sensei coddle me again, as I knew the gesture would be used to to call in a favor to substitute for him again.

Nope, never, not in a million years, will I be in a situation where I'm in a room with Hibari, Kyoya. No siree, no canon character involvement for me.

Ever. Again.

-x-v-x-v-x-v-x-v-x-

The bell sounds, and the student bide me farewell as I hear the steady stampede of footsteps starting in the hall. I stare with dread as two students shuffle their way towards me as I pack my handouts into my bag. The two boys bow before glancing at each other quickly, unfortunately as a teacher I haven't gotten enough practice in deciphering secretive pubescent boy glances. Never thought I would have to, but it seems like I'll be getting a lot of practice from now on.

Takahashi, Akito is an exuberant, black-haired student with wide eyes. He's smiling with little dimples dotting his face, and scratches his cheek. I would've let my guard down as his appearance screamed innocence, except I've been living with Sayaka for the past few weeks, who is a mastermind of getting me to do things when she uses her baby-face to her advantage. My guard is up instantly as I look at his cherubic appearance, it does not help when he's standing next to his tall tan classmate.

Sasagawa, Ryohei's hair is bleached white and has his trademark white bandage adorning his face. He has a rough and tumble look, with spiky hair and a large scar marring his face above his eye. I'm surprised at how much of a punk he looks like, as in the manga he was portrayed as a teen who was just very enthusiastic about boxing. He's the canon character I know the least about and also the one I'm trying my best to avoid, but I'm starting to realize how impossible that'll be as his homeroom teacher for the next three years. I try not to sigh, as I wonder how I'm always jinxing myself in some way.

As i'm not too sure why the cherubic and small Takahashi is standing in front of me with Sasagawa. The only similarity I can think of is these two are always sleeping during a portion of my class.

The black-haired boy speaks first, "Harada-sensei! How do you feel about boxing?"

I can't stop the rapid blinking as I furrow my eyebrows. Was that what the glance was about? Boxing...?

I'm trying to be polite as I say with a smile, "It's a cool sport I guess?"

I watch as the teens grow in excitement, I can spot an upward twitch of their lips as they glance at each other again.

Takahashi nudges his foot at his companion, "C'mon Ryohei, say something!"

He's looking down and all I can see, is his white hair as he's stammering.

"Pl-please-" I can't make out the indistinguishable words he mumbles after that. I can hear the black-haired boy smack himself hard in the forehead with exasperation.

I channel my inner-Midori as I gently say, "Sasagawa-san you have to speak up."

I'm stepping back automatically as he looks up abruptly, before I hear a deafening yell, "PLEASE JOIN THE BOXING CLUB TO THE EXTREMEEEEEEEEEEE!"

I don't know if my mouth is hanging open, by the panicked look the smaller boy is sending me it probably is. His hand is grabbing a hold of Sasagawa's wrist as Takahashi is sending me a full blast of puppy-dog eyes, "What he means is, can you be our adviser for the boxing club, sensei?"

I will myself not to tug on my ringlet because that would both be humiliating as a teacher to do that in front of my student and also because I'm scared I'll just end up ripping hair out in distress. Just because I knew I couldn't avoid Ryohei, DID NOT under any circumstances mean I was going to start engaging with him. No siree I am a woman of self-preservation. But I also can't just ignore the hopeful doe-eyed look Takahashi was giving me and the way Sasagawa's face had reddened as he looked down at the ground.

My brain is trying to be rational as I apologetically reply, "I'm sorry, I don't think I can."

But my heart- freaking my heart is hurting as I watch the smiles drop and they're exchanging sad glances at each other this time.

I have to repeat to myself, 'don't get involved, don't get involved, don't get involved'.

-x-v-x-v-x-v-x-v-x-

C'mon really? It's like they're out to torture me.

Five teenagers stand with their hands clasped in front of them, as they bow low at Mizami-sensei who sits across from me in the staff room.

The middle aged man is shaking his head, frown adorning his features as he says, "Unfortunately, if you have not found an advisor I cannot put this through."

There's a loud baritone chorus ringing throughout the room and now all the teacher's are glancing over, "Please sensei, give us more time!"

He sighs as he leans forward to stare at the teens, "I gave you a week to find a teacher, club registration is over now. Maybe you can try again next year."

"The representative of the team had a downcast look, his hands were crunching the application in his hands and I could see his eyes glistening slightly. Oh no, he was going to cry wasn't he.

Crap, crap, crap don't look that way. Stupid Midori-and her stupid heart-wrenching feelings, my chest was feeling heavy and I could feel myself tearing a little.

I glanced up through my eyelashes, did they leave yet?

Suddenly I'm staring into the clearest gray eyes I've ever seen, they're wide with desperation, begging. My heart clenches because shit, shit, shit-

Oh no - stop! Sit down- stupid body stop moving on your own.

It's too late, everyone is staring at me as the chair drags noisily across the floor. All the teens are looking at me, and my maternal instincts are going into overdrive as I state quietly, "I'll be their advisor."

Instantaneously the heavy weight is lifted as the expressions of the students perk up, smiles are making its way onto their faces and I feel the same happening to me.

I'm only smiling slightly though, got it? Just a tad.

The boys are bowing low, and I hear a deafening yell for the second time that day, "THANK YOU TO THE EXTREMEEEEEEEEEEE!"

I was going to regret this wasn't I?

-x-v-x-v-x-v-x-v-x-

Sitting in my bedroom and lounging in soft pjs after dinner, is my type of downtime. I roll around before stopping to face my laptop, as I stare at a cheerful blonde.

I cock my head to the side, chin resting on my palm before I shoot him a questioning glance, "Don't you have to work Alessandro?"

He has a gentle smile as always, as he stares right back. "I'm on my lunch break! It's okay."

He combs through his hair with his fingers - a habit I've noticed that I appreciate, because damn how could a man be so good looking? He's sitting in a chair at work, in the break room is what he told me, but it's a plush red piece of furniture with an elegant mahogany frame.

I stare at him with slight envy as I say, "You've been on your lunch break for over an hour, your company taking any applications? Sign me up!"

He's laughing, music to the sound of my ears as he replies, "I don't think you'd like this sort of job. No preteens to torture."

Instantly I sit up at the jibe, "Hey!"

We're both laughing before I stare hard at the screen, because what I wouldn't give to have this in person.

"I miss you," I'm emulating Sayaka as I let the words leaving my mouth. Widening my eyes for an extra cuteness factor and softening my cheeks with a slight pout.

It has the desired effect as I watch a soft pink dust his cheeks, "I miss you too."

He's smiling gently, and I can see a slight crinkle in his eye.

But the tender moment is interrupted as I hear rapid Italian in the background. Suddenly I see blurs on the screen and I hear Alessandro yelp in the background.. I'm met by a black screen and my laptop alerts me of the disconnection.

I'm still sitting and staring, because I honestly can not believe how this is the third time this has happened. When the clumsy blonde somehow breaks his phone during our video chats.

I shrug my shoulders getting used to the strange occurrence, before I wrap myself tightly with the blanket and sleep. I would need as much sleep as I could get.

After all, tomorrow was my first day as the boxing club adviser.

AN: So I disappeared for awhile (but i'm back! hopefully, not temporarily), because I lost all my stories and plots on my laptop after dropping it a few times (R.I.P.) like two-three years ago. So to be honest I don't know where this story is going anymore, but I do want to complete it. So the next chapter will probably be next month after I figure out the sort-of-plot. But I'll be working on other stories (shameless plug for my other KHR fic My Sister is Marrying a Mafioso! and Magi SI Blessed Child of Mine)

IMPORTANT/SIGNIFICANT/IWARNEDYOUOKAY? This is not a serious fic in the sense that canon will change much(if at all, I wrote this for fluffs), so PLEASE do not expect a butterfly effect. I am flat out saying there won't be any huge changes, and if you're okay with that then stay tuned for the rest of the story!