Had A Bad Day
(F/n) didn't notice the stench of something burning until it was too late. Cursing under her breath, she frantically forced her toaster to pop out her breakfast and nearly gagged. Two black chunks of what might've once been bread assaulted her nose. No amount of butter or jam was going to fix that. She held her nose as she tossed them into the garbage before they accidentally set off the fire alarm.
Small favors.
She sighed as her stomach rumbled yet again. Those had been the last two slices of bread she had. Though even if she did have more, there wasn't time to toast more in that infernal machine. As if proving her point, her phone alarm went off. Time to go.
Shooting the toaster one last stink-eye, (F/n) stuffed a granola bar into her purse. Hopefully she'd have time to scarf that down before class started. It should hold her off until lunch… probably. Her stomach grumbled loudly in complaint, but she couldn't do much about it at the moment. She had a bus and a train to catch.
(F/n) grabbed the cardboard box she'd set beside the front door last night before roughly yanking the door open. The dull gray clouds only further dampened her mood as she locked the motel door. She twisted the handle a few times, ensuring the temperamental contraption was truly locked up tight before turning around. A man's face suddenly appeared in front of her and she let out a scream, jumping back against the door and holding out the key as a poor defense.
The man laughed heartily. "So tense, (L/n)-san! It's only me!"
That's part of the problem, (F/n) thought, warily lowering her keys but not pocketing them just yet. The man's name was Shoda Dai, and he was the manager of the motel (F/n) had come across in her desperate need for new lodgings. Age-wise, he seemed somewhere north of sixty with a weak chin covered by a thin graying beard that clashed horribly with the dark brown toupee on the top of his head. Every day he wore a different colored tracksuit, despite looking like he'd never run a day in his life. Today's color was turquoise, with an unknown stain on the bottom left corner of the jacket.
(F/n) shifted the box of crafts in her arms, carefully eyeing her purse as it rolled around inside. From the bottom of her heart, (F/n) hoped she was just paranoid, but something warned her not to trust Shoda-san.
"So!" The man stepped closer and peered into the box. (F/n) tried very hard not to actively shy away from the advance. "I see you're about to head to work. I don't mean to keep you, I just wanted to check in. Something I do for my potential long-haulers, you understand? Making sure they enjoy the accommodations. I mean, not many people would loan a room out to a foreigner for very long, but that just means I get all the business they miss out on!"
Shoda-san laughed, like he'd just said something hilarious. (F/n) laughed along, even though she felt like her stomach was about to drop out of her body.
Still, she did her best to smile and edged around the manager. "I'm doing well. I even… used the toaster you installed in the rooms. Very unique compared to the other places I've been! But I do have a bus to catch, so-"
"Ah! Say no more! Go catch your bus! But ah… I did have one thing to bring up. I've had trouble with long-haulers trying to change the locks on their doors. They liked to claim they were making them more secure, but it is my property. If you have any concerns, bring them to me first. Not that I imagine you will. These locks have my full confidence! Only you… and I have keys."
(F/n) did not miss the way Shoda-san's voice dipped in the last sentence. Or the way his smile turned just a hair too smug for her tastes.
"Right. Have a good day."
"You too, (L/n)-san. I'll see you soon."
(F/n) waited until she'd rounded the corner before breaking out into a sprint for the bus stop.
Lunch couldn't come soon enough. Her students might have had a blast laughing at "the dragon in (L/n)-sensei's belly", but she was the one with stomach cramps. As soon as lunch rolled around, she guided her class into the refectory, thanked the lunch monitor, and booked it to the café just a few streets away.
With every step she took, her mood lightened. She really loved the little shop and all the pastries and sandwiches they sold. They also had adorable cat decals and window drawings that never failed to brighten her mood. (F/n) pushed the door open with a smile and walked over to the open cooler that lined the left wall, heading straight for the sandwiches that lined the top two shelves. Her smile dimmed ever so slightly when she noticed a particular selection was empty.
(F/n) looked around, checking to see if anyone had accidentally slipped her favorite sandwich behind another selection, but no such luck. They were out for the day. With slightly less enthusiasm, she pulled another sandwich off the shelf and headed for the cashier. Her eyes lingered on the pastry line, drooling a little bit at the smell of fresh bread and chocolate, but she forced her feet to keep moving. The storage space she'd rented was more expensive than she'd like, which meant pinching pennies for the time being. Or… pinching yen?
She managed to keep her smile up as she paid for her small lunch and looked around for a free table to sit at. Her luck appeared to be on the brink of a turn, as her and Kyoya's table was empty of other patrons. (F/n) took the chair facing the door and went to set her phone on the table, jumping when it buzzed in her hand. Kyoya's face appeared on screen next to the phrase 'New Text Message'. She grinned and opened it immediately. Kyoya normally sent her a text when he was on his way.
Her face dropped as she began to read.
Kyoya: I'm so sorry, (F/n). I'm not going to be able to meet up with you for lunch today. I had a scheduling error that didn't list today's lunch meeting. I was hoping I'd be able to wrap it up early, but it didn't work. Again, I'm sorry. I'll see you tonight when I pick up Tamaki, okay?
(F/n) flipped her phone face down and nudged it out of her way, slowly unwrapping her sandwich. Her foul mood had returned.
There were papers on (F/n)'s desk. Stacked in a neat little pile. Just off to the right, in a mug with a cute rabbit drawn on it, were pens filled with multi-colored ink. All (F/n) needed to do was reach out, grab the red one, and begin grading the science tests. She already had the answer key out, and her student's handwriting was improving by the day, which meant she could breeze through this task.
So why, (F/n) wondered, Am I unable to move?
"Ma'am?"
(F/n) looked up.
"I've finished sanitizing the area. The smell should clear up overnight, but I'd recommend you keep the little ones away from the damp spot until tomorrow."
(F/n) nodded and gave the janitor a small smile, thanking him for such a quick response. He gave her a polite bow and left the classroom. The five children who still remained in the classroom didn't even turn their heads, too busy playing with the blocks in the play area. (F/n)'s eyes wandered around her classroom until catching on the trashcan just by the door. The lid was propped ever so slightly, caught on the edge of the Arts & Crafts box she had so painstakingly put together. It looked so sad stuffed into the garbage like that. She'd used most of her monthly craft budget for it.
It was hard to not feel bitter about the situation, even though it wasn't anyone's fault that Haruka got sick. (F/n)'s heart went out to the poor thing… even though it was upsetting that she had ended up getting sick in the Arts and Crafts box.
(F/n) turned away, unable to look at the remains of her hard labor any longer. Rain pelted the windows, hitting the glass harder every second. Through the smear of water, (F/n) could see the trees swaying in the hard breeze. A man wearing a black jacket and white gloves suddenly walked through her door, one hand holding a wet umbrella wrapped in plastic while his other patted the head of the young boy who had run to his side. (F/n) watched the butler help his charge gather the rest of his things before the two left the classroom.
She glanced down at her bottom drawer, inside of which her purse waited for the end of (F/n)'s day. She had not brought an umbrella with her this morning.
Brilliant.
Fifteen minutes later, Tamaki and (F/n) were the only people left in the classroom. Tamaki had quickly parked himself on (F/n)'s lap, recounting his favorite story for her for the fifth time that week. (F/n) could have reminded him that she was the one who read the book out loud for the whole class, but it was soothing to hear the boy put his own embellishments on the characters and occasionally ask her questions about what happened after the story ended.
The door opened and the pair looked up in unison, spotting a very harried and upset looking Kyoya walking into the classroom.
"Papa!" Tamaki slid to the floor and hurled himself at Kyoya's knees. (F/n) momentarily let her happy smile drop as Tamaki's attention moved elsewhere, but quickly pulled it back in place when Kyoya looked her way. She could tell by the look on his face that he was still thinking about missing their lunch date. She hadn't responded to his text, but now she felt guilty for being petty about it. Kyoya didn't deserve being ignored like that.
(F/n) stood and walked over to the pair. Kyoya had pulled Tamaki up into his arms, but was watching (F/n) carefully. She softened her smile and touched his arm. He relaxed at the touch. They were okay.
"Papa!" Tamaki grabbed Kyoya's tie and tugged gently, gaining his father's attention once more.
"What is it, Tama-chan? I'm listening."
"We should go get ice cream."
Kyoya raised an eyebrow, smiling over at (F/n). Amusement filled his voice as he asked, "And why do you think we need ice cream today? Haven't you noticed it's raining outside?"
Tamaki blinked and turned towards the window, as if he hadn't noticed the thunderstorm at all. He pushed his bottom lip out in a little pout before turning back to his father. "Okay… how about some hot chocolate?"
"Hmm… hot chocolate isn't a bad idea. May I ask why you're insisting on sweet things today?"
"It's for (L/n)-san. Because she's sad."
Tamaki lightly kicked his feet back and forth as he looked back and forth between the two adults. (F/n) swallowed. She thought she'd hidden her disappointment well enough from the kids, but evidently not. The thought of letting the kids down and putting a damper on their moods somehow made (F/n) feel even worse.
Kyoya set Tamaki down and told him to grab his bag. As soon as the boy started moving towards the hooks and cubbies, Kyoya straightened up and pulled (F/n) in by the elbows. She took one look at his guilty eyes and dropped her face into his shoulder. She couldn't bear to see it.
"It wasn't you. It was just a bad day," she promised him, fingers curling into his jacket. Kyoya slowly moved his right hand to her back and rubbed his warm palm up and down her spine. It felt nice. She had missed him today.
Kyoya pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "I'm still sorry for missing our lunch together. I know I've been unusually busy recently and I want to make it up to you."
"You don't have to. I said today was just-"
"A bad day. Then how about we plan for a good day in the future? Hm? Does that sound nice?"
(F/n) smiled and pulled back from the hug to look Kyoya in the face. "That sounds wonderful."
"(L/n)-san!" Tamaki ran up to the two adults, his purple eyes alight with joy. "I just got a really good idea! Come home with us today!"
"Ahh…" Kyoya chuckled and knelt down, nudging Tamaki's cheeks with a knuckle. "That would be a fine idea, Tama-chan, but Kao-chan's coming over to play. Remember?"
"Oh. Then, will there be enough time to see Haruhi again when we drop (F/n) off at her home?"
"Maybe. (F/n), is that alri…"
Kyoya looked up at her and his eyes widened in shock. (F/n) felt the tear roll down her cheek and turned away before Tamaki could see. She frantically wiped off her face and tried to breathe calmly. Behind her back, she heard Kyoya tasking Tamaki with fetching (F/n)'s bag, purse and umbrella. Again, as soon as she heard Tamaki toddling off Kyoya was up and in front of (F/n), eyes darting all over her face.
"(F/n)? What's wrong?"
(F/n) felt the shame bubbling up in her chest. Her lips trembled, but she needed to say it quickly before Tamaki came back, so even though her voice shook she managed to explain. "I don't live there any more. They kept upping my rent and I couldn't afford it. I'm at a motel until I can find a place, but no one wants to rent to foreigners."
Her voice cracked on the last word and she covered her mouth to stifle any sob that tried to slip out. Behind her, Tamaki's voice called out. "Papa! I can't find (L/n)-san's umbrella!"
Kyoya stared at his son, then at (F/n). She cleared her throat and responded, "I didn't bring one today, Tama-chan. It's okay."
(F/n) could see the gears turning in Kyoya's head. He gently took her hand. She knew what he was going to say before he opened his mouth.
"How can I help you?"
(F/n) shook her head. "No. I can't just mooch off of you. I won't."
"You most definitely will not be "mooching" off of me. Not if I offer my help freely. In fact…" Kyoya looked back at Tamaki, who had managed to drag (F/n) school bag and purse over to their feet before turning around and picking up his own backpack. Kyoya dropped his voice to a whisper and said, "I have an idea, but I'd like to run it by Tamaki first before we make plans."
"Plans? What idea?"
Kyoya hesitated for a few moments before cautiously meeting (F/n)'s eyes.
"I… would you be open to living with us?"
