Chapter 1- Teatime At Sakaki's

This is the story proper. Hope you enjoy it. Because the sad fact is that nobody reads M-rated Azumanga fics these days. I gotta thank Elred Bluegreen, Solarius Scorch, Hwikek and Miz-KTakase and Wikipedia. This probably going to more daring, thus controversial. It will also include crossover bits of other anime such as Lucky Star and Marimite but it will still be an Azumanga fic. For those who got passed the prologue but could not handle the content of this chapter, I would advise you to read at a more convenient time and with a clearer state of mind. And I apologize to Belgian soccer fans.

O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint, With saints dost bait thy hook: most dangerous Is that temptation that doth goad us on To sin in loving virtue.

- William Shakespeare.

Measure for Measure (Angelo at II, ii))


I

The school ended early. The hallways are busy with students packing to leave, are on cleaning duty, or engaging in extracurricular activities. Teachers walked briskly back to the faculty room to complete their day's task: grading and evaluating their students' performance, organizing their lesson planners and preparing for the next day's activities while they make small talk on anything to liven up the mood. For Kimura, he was done everything needed in just a few short minutes. He was rather surprised that he was able to accomplish a mundane and simple task in a few minutes. It is perhaps because he done that a while ago before he left his class. It is probably because of probably the weather. He had some bad memories of being stuck in school or some other place when the weather turned severe and coming home late. He looked outside the window noticing the clouds have gathered and darkened. He could hear the winds sweeping through the school.

"Hey, Kimura," a colleague asked, "You have that Titanic DVD you borrowed from me yesterday?"

"Oh yeah," He instinctively replied. He pulled out his drawer and extracted the requested item. He put it on the table. "My wife loves this movie," he remarked.

"Hmm, how was it?" His colleague asked as he took the DVD case from the table.

"It was good. We had a good time last night." Kimura replied as he rummaged through all his belongings.

"You wanna stay, Kimura? The soccer game's about to start." He referred to an anticipated soccer game between Japan and Belgium.

Kimura looked at the window. The weather is definitely not holding up. He turned back to the man, "No thanks, I have to go home now."

"Alright," the man replied. Then he frowned, "Just don't try to harass any female students along the way." Kimura's reputation as a peeping Tom among the girls is well known throughout the school. Parents complained of his continued presence in the school is threatening their daughters. Indeed, many a parent, student and taxpayer wonder why he still held employment despite his distasteful behavior. It seemed as if from some divine prank that he continued to hold his post. But his luck wouldn't last forever, especially now that the new principal Hajime replaced the aging and retired incumbent. This new man is a hardass compared to his predecessor, coming from a much more chaotic and unruly school that requires the iron hand he possessed. Hmm, he was transferred here to the more benign clime of Tokyo; probably the bosses thought this was a more peaceful station away from the rough-and-tumble school he used to keep order to. The thing is that this school might have been like it if it was not for the likes of Yukari Tanizaki and Kimura. Already he had minor skirmishes with that notorious English teacher. Yet, he too is strangely tolerant of him, albeit grudgingly for sure. Perhaps he is taking it easy with him now, since he had took his seat less than six months ago. It would probably fun to speculate about how the two would get along but it's pointless for now, thought his colleague.

"Yeah, sure," Kimura said. He finally finished arranging his desk. He got up from and picked his briefcase.

"See you tomorrow," he said to his colleague.

"Yep, see you too," His colleague replied. He stepped out of the desk and made a slow walk to the door. He took his trench coat from the coat rack and put it on. At one side of his room the other teachers are gathering around a television set up high in a corner. A flashy presentation announced the start of the game. It then focused on the sports reporters announcing that it is a good day for the start of the game. Then the scene faded to the soccer stadium where the camera zooms to the spectators cheering looking restless. Then the teams where announced and everyone cheered uproariously including the teachers. The loudest to shout is Yukari.

"Oh yeah! Go kick some Belgian ass!" She shouted as she wildly pumped her fist in the air. She shouted again, "Hey Kimura! Which team did you bet on?" However, he was gone already. Walking in the hallway Kimura was focused on getting home. Along the way he noticed two girls coming out of the classroom. He smiled and wanted to greet them.

"Good afternoon, girls," he called out putting on his best smile. The girls instantly recognized the voice with horror and turned slowly.

"Good afternoon, Kimura-sensei," they stammered back. Their faces are full of fear and their legs trembled at the sight of the man with round glasses that obscured his eyes and a wide-mouthed smile that made the bravest lose heart. The very man who made very clear the blunt reason for his vocation: the very words that rang in their ears with disturbing clarity, '…I LIKE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS THAT'S WHY!'

"What's keeping you here?" He asked. His smile lessened a bit but it still remained menacing to them. The winds howled louder outside. The hallways and corridors are sparsely lit, especially now in a dark afternoon. In any case, the school is now empty and additional lighting is not necessary.

"Uh…nothing, sir. We were just going home now," one of the girls answered. She felt her leggings shaking.

"Oh, you better go home right now because there's a storm coming. You don't want to be cooped up in school, do you?" He said all the while smiling, a smile that was a lecherous leer to the terrified girls.

"Shouldn't you go home too, Kimura-sensei?" The second girl finally asked.

Suddenly, reality dawned to him and he replied, "Oh you're, I gotta get home now!" he looked at his watch, "Bye-bye, girls! See you tomorrow!" He decided to end his little chat and get moving. He made a brisk walk for the stairs. Midway on his course, he turned around, "Would you two like to go home with me?" But the girls are nowhere to be seen. He clicked his heels and went on his way. With him out of the way the girls emerged from the bathroom they were hiding in.

"Thank goodness that perverted freak is gone," The first girl muttered, "Why the hell did they hire him the first place?"

"Beats me," the second girls sighed in relief, "but I swear that I'll get sick just to not have to see his face for a day." They both went away to finally go home without him harassing them or anyone.

The winds have swept through the school with increasing force. Kimura huddled in his trench coat for warmth. Leaves, pieces of plastic, paper and other light waste flew wildly through the air and dust stung his face. A man who made recycling his precept, he was incensed by the wanton display of rubbish fluttering in the air. It seemed to him that people do not care about keeping their surroundings sanitary; their waste properly sorted and disposed correctly. He regretfully had to forego his habit as a tempest loomed ahead menacingly. He got out of the gates and proceeded homeward.

The streets are full of cars and the sidewalks are jammed with people who are trying to get to wherever they intend to be ahead of the storm. Kimura had to make his way through the throngs of people which seemed to grow a little larger every half-minute or so. Pushing through the crowd, he struggled to make headway so the storm would not trap him in place. Now the crowd had grown to a demagogue. His pace was impeded it. He was forced to navigate through the shoals of the crowd and quickly. The going was hectic and minutes stretched into hours as he frantically steered himself to clearer ground. He rushed further to an almost jogging pace. He made a misstep. He suddenly lost balance and fell forward, losing his footing. He struck the concrete hard and the his forehead was overwhelmed by hot, sharp pain which flooded into his head and dulled his senses. He sat up apathetically groaning, a dull throbbing sensation radiated from the back of his head. He seemed exposed, embarrassed by falling in a crowded place. As he reoriented himself, two people approached him.

"Mr. Kimura... Are you alright?" Yomi said awkardly as she and Yomi rushed towards him. Kimura is still in a daze as the two help him up. The throbbing didn't make help him any better during the atypical turn of events.

"I'm… fine…" He managed to groan. He staggered unsteadily as they helped him up. The crowd simply moved on with some people taking a few glances at them just to see what happened. Whatever it is, it's simply not their business and they have other matters to attend to, the most urgent is taking cover from the dark clouds above. Kimura was about to touch the bump on his forehead when Yomi stopped his wrist.

"Don't touch it," she said, "You'll only make it worst." He slowly backed his hand away from the bump. He turned to see the two girls facing him. Sakaki was holding his briefcase, which he dropped when he fell on the sidewalk. It was an awkward thing for him since the last thing any teacher would expect was being help by their students in a sidewalk. Not that anyone is against that, but it was totally unexpected, obviously something not seen everyday. Compounding that is the fact that his lecherous behavior is no secret in the school nor does he attempt to remedy it.

"That... must have been a bad fall, Mr. Kimura." Sakaki said queitly.

"Yeah… it is," he replied weakly. He proceeded to move his aching muscles a little to get his body back in gear. A fall can make one stiff in movement so a little legwork is helpful to get one moving; pain can wait until the arrival home.

"We have go now. A storm is coming and we have to go now." Yomi said. She then turned to him, "Hey, Mr. Kimura-. Would you like to have that wound treated." The thunder growled and and lightning streaked across the sky.

"Yes...", he replied.

"Okay," Yomi said, "Sakaki, let's him him up". They lifted him by the arms and steadied him..

Kimura croaked weakly, "Thanks for helping me."

"No problem," Yomi replied, "We're do you live?" He told them his address.

"That's too... far," Sakaki commented. Then she turned to him, "Would... you like to stay with us for a while?"

"Huh?" Kimura was perplexed by the offer, "Uh, I mean, you're serious?"

"We can't stay here," Yomi said, "We have to treat that wound of yours." She pointed to the bump on his head which is slightly bleeding. She's right. He's a long way from home and his wounds need immediate treatment plus shelter from the storm. The thunder growled again. A few seconds later he and the two girls slowly proceed to go home.


II

They were racing the last few ten meters to the house just as the rain got stronger. Kimura struggled to keep his wound from bleeding with a handkerchief placed on his forehead and keep his head dry in the rain. Yomi muttered, "Jeez, the rain's getting stronger." Then she called out to him from behind, "Kimura-sensei, hurry up!" At that command he coaxed his legs to move faster and tried to move on despite the hot pain throbbing on his head. It's pulsing is starting to disturb him. He jogged to catch up with the girls. A slight thunderclap came when they arrived at the house.

"We're here," Sakaki said as they arrived at the gate. She hastily took out a key from her pocket and proceeded to unlock it.

"Finally," Yomi said. "We're freezing out here." Kimura looked at the house. It was an ordinary two-story house common in the suburbs. Another soft thunderclap sounded just as they got in. They proceeded to the door. Sakaki took another key out of her pocket and unlocked it. She then turned the knob and push it open. The relative light from the outside cast its rays on the dark interior. She then flicked a switch illuminating the room. It's a genkan or entryway where people leave their footwear before they enter a house for sanitary and etiquette reasons. On the raised floor is a rack for slippers used for the inside of the house. Yomi said with a sigh of relief, "We're here. Thanks, Sakaki."

"You're welcome," she quietly replied. " She then turned to Kimura, "I'll help you sit down."

"Thank... you, Miss Sakaki," He replied slowly. The girls were being nice to him for this day. He could have declined their offer to help but he was not in any condition to do so. They slowly guided him by the arms to the raised floor of the genkan and helped him sit down gently so they do not stir the wound he was struggling to contain.

Yomi looked at the wound covered with the blood-red handkerchief, "God, sensei. This looks bad. We need to dress it now." She exclaimed.

"I'll get the first-aid kit," Sakaki said. She took off her shoes and took some slippers from the rack. She then left them as she stepped onto the raised floor. Yomi sat beside Kimura and held him upright as Sakaki unlocked the door and quickly got in. He heard the click of a switch and and the room leading to it was flooded with light. She then came back with a medkit. She opened it and prepared the bandages , disinfectants, and tools.

"How bad is it?" she asked Yomi.

"Pretty bad but not severe," Yomi replied reassuringly.

"Kindly put your hand away from the wound," she told Kimura. He reluctantly complied letting out a slight moan. She put away the bloody handkerchief and examined the wound. It was a raised discolored lump. It bled profusely and the teacher cringed a little. Sakaki took a cotton bud and poured disinfectant on it. She then applied it on the wound. He whelped from the cold wet cotton touching the hot exposed flesh. She gently rubbed it clean and then applied some light dressing.

"Ow, ow," he muttered slowly. Kimura couldn't shake this feeling of too good to be true. Two students are giving him shelter and tending to his wound. It must have been those days where you get something that was both totally unexpected and good. Yomi took of her shoes and replaced them with slippers from the rack.

"Mr. Kimura," Yomi said, "we're gonna have to take you to the sofa. Please stand up." He rose as the girls lifted him slowly by both arms.

"Easy, easy," Sakaki cautioned as Kimura stood up and walked. He forgot about how severe the injury is when he was treated until he stood up. A pulsing headache savagely erupted and he whimpered slightly in pain. It was almost as if something was trying to break free from his head. They helped him replace his shoes with slippers and half-carried him inside.

They entered the living room. In it are some pictures on the wall and cabinets with some knickknacks. There are two sofas and two couches around a glass coffee table facing a television. It was perfect for receiving company, be it an afternoon tea party, a Xbox Live match with friends or a study session. On the floor is an expensive carpet of very elaborate design. He caught a glance of it and noticed that the design was a little Levantine. Sakaki's family must have been well-off to have something of good taste. He felt a little strange just seeing that. They helped him lay down on the sofa. They rested his head gently on the armrest. Sakaki said to him, "Please don't touch that wound, Mr. Kimura." She then turned to Sakaki, "I feel wet. Can I use your bathroom?"

"Sure, it's right ahead near the living room and there's a change of clothes in it," Sakaki replied as she went straight to the kitchen. He watched Yomi go to the bathroom get inside. He looked at her back from top to bottom. before she closed the door. He couldn't help himself when he watched beautiful girls walk. Sakaki came back with an ice bucket and a hand towel. She's going to apply an ice compress to the wound. She carefully peeled the dressing away, wrapped some ice with the cloth and applied it on the wound. It felt relieving to him. "Are you comfortable?" Sakaki asked quietly.

"Yes, pretty much," he replied. She smiled a bit. Looking at her was like heaven to him. His heart lightened a bit. Yomi came out from the bathroom. She had changed her school uniform for some clothes in the bathroom. It occurred to him that they must have been pretty close friends besides Tomo. He wondered if the other girls come here from time to time.

"Yomi, your done," Sakaki said. "Please hold his compress while I change."

"It's okay," Kimura said to them as he clutched his compress, "I've got it."

"Aww, don't such a knight," Yomi said matter-of-factly with a smile. "You're our guest today. I'll take care of that." She casually put his hand away from the compress and replaced it with hers. Kimura felt a some electricity rushed through him with when their hands met. Sakaki disappeared into the bathroom. He looked at her smile. Just like with Sakaki he felt at ease in her company. She was wearing light-green T-shirt and a pair of black shorts. He looked at her body. It was like back in that swimming pool but now it was close. Very close. Her body was not as slender as Sakaki's body but she's definitely not fat as Tomo often asserted. Her body is a bit wide at the waist but had nice curves. Rain pounded harder outside and the house felt cold but comfortable. The fan hummed when another lightning cracked. Sakaki later appeared from the bathroom. She wore a long-sleeved blue shirt and white pants. She looked absolutely stunning.

"Thank you," he groaned a bit, "for taking me in with you in your house."

"You're quite a mess back there and we can't just leave you there with an impending storm." Sakaki noted.

"Oh, I see," Kimura said, agreeing with the logic of that, letting out a small smile.

"You know..." Sakaki turned to Yomi, "He's not as bad as usual."

Yomi answered, "Yeah, he's less perverted when he's got a lump on his head-we should keep that in mind." Kimura's smile sank back into a frown. Clearly, they still held some reserve for him.

"So, eh," he said, "it really is nice for you two to do this for me, but I need to be at school early tomorrow, for a meeting. When do you think I can leave?"

"Not for a while." Yomi said matter-of-factly. "You're bleeding pretty badly, and you might have a concussion. If you're going anywhere tomorrow, it's the hospital, not school."

"The phone stopped working yesterday." Sakaki added. "Mom said she'd pick a new one up when she got back here tomorrow morning."

"You can explain everything to the school, get an ambulance, and call your parents... I mean wife." After some thought, Yomi put in, "You'd better not mention us, though. People could take that the wrong way." Well, if anyone could be taken the wrong way, it'd be Kimura, so he agreed. Still... as much as he tried to be mature in this situation, he had to struggle with himself to keep his eyes pointed away from the two high-schoolers...

"Oh, by the way." Yomi took a quick look at the compress, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while."

"What's that?" he asked.

"Well, I shouldn't be letting it bother me, but it kind of is. Do you think I look fat?"

Kimura somewhat locked up at the question. Suddenly, he was being given a pass to look over Mizuhara's body, if only briefly, and... yet...

"You look just fine." He said, ordering his eyes to stay pointed at the wall and not look at her. It just wasn't right for him to be thinking like this, especially about one of his students, especially since he was already married, especially since it wasn't a new urge, and he had to learn to control it, especially...

"What? You didn't even look, Mr. Kimura." She said. "I thought, of all people, the ever-so-observant Kimura would be able to tell me honestly."

"Um, well, you really aren't fat. You're not very slender but it doesn't mean you're packing weight. You have, eh... graceful curves." He tried to answer confidently but his words seem to betray his anxiety of answering to someone other than his wife. And under rather different circumstances as well.

"So, does that mean...?" She began, before the phone rang. "Oh, perfect timing." She said bluntly. "Probably Tomo. You can hold the compress for a few minutes while I deal with that moron."

Nodding gratefully, Kimura placed his hand over the compress while Yomi walked off. As she turned the corner, however, she gave him a look. A glance, for merely a second, that seemed almost... seductive.

"No, no, no, it wasn't meant that way." He muttered to himself, setting his feet down on the floor. "This is getting a bit out of hand by the second. I have to, I don't know, find a cab or something, maybe try and..."

A huge roll of thunder almost seemed to shake the house, and he was dissuaded from his exit, laying back down in the exact same position without saying a word. The thought of getting home through this storm was ruled out. It's indeed strong. And then he thought about how rude he might be if he leave immediately or asked permission to leave. After all, they nursed his wound and sheltered him. Yomi talked on the phone for a few brief seconds. "Who is this?" She seemed a bit frustrated.

"Chunky Pony's Pizza Delivery." It replied in an annoyingly cheery and familiar voice. "You're one stop shop for good food with all the cheesy fatty goodness dripping with oil."

"Just as I thought, Tomo!" She shrieked. "What do you want?"

"Oh nothing, Yomi," She kept up her voice, "Just checkin' you. It looks awfully cold there. How 'bout a snack made up of hot noodle soup with a big rib eye steak sandwich, lots of spaghetti-"

"Keep your mouth shut, Tomo. You're calling the wrong house."

"Whose house?" She chimed irritatedly.

"Sakaki's house," she half-screamed.

"Whatcha doing there? Raiding her fridge?" She taunted stupidly. That was it for Yomi, she doesn't like it when Tomo highlights her weight problem.

"Just shut up already!" She snapped with veins popping from her from her forehead and fire coming out of her mouth. As the comical phone conversation continued Kimura turned to a slightly embarrassed Sakaki.

"You said the phone didn't work."

"Well, we could only receive. That's why my mom is replacing it." She quietly replied. She then asked him, "Are you hungry, Mr. Kimura?"

That question took him aback. "Uh... I really can't tell..." He replied weakly.

"That's alright, I'll prepare snacks. We've also got something to show too." She said. That naturally aroused his curiosity.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Just stay there. You have to stay in the sofa..."

"No, I can walk on my own feet," he tried to stand up. But Sakaki reached down to restrain him.

"Please, Mr. Kimura, do sit down," she said.

"But please, I just want to-" he asserted and sighed, "I just want to stand up a bit." After, that he quickly regretted it. He hung his head and moaned, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude..."

Sakaki replied to him, "That's... alright. I'm only making sure you're okay." She demurely clasped her hands together and hung her head a little.

Kimura felt a bit bad for that, "I shouldn't have raised my voice at you. I apologize for that."

Sakaki's heart lightened a little and accepted his apology, "It's okay. If you want to go to the table, just ask Yomi to help you up." She pointed to Yomi still arguing over the phone. Then she stalked off to the kitchen to prepare snacks.

"Nice talkin' to you. Bye," Tomo concluded with Yomi cheerily.

"Just shut up!" She nearly screamed slammed the phone back and growled, "Urrgggh! Just when you need something to shut her up these days!" Kimura looked at Yomi. She was quite agitated by her talk with Tomo. They're like cat and mouse, fighting a lot often.

"Uh... are you alright, Miss Mizuhara?" He asked cautiously, fearful of his voice or words might convey the wrong message. She looked at him and sighed with relief.

"I'm sorry if such a jerk on the phone," she said. "That idiot doesn't know when to shut up."

"That happens all the time," he happily said. They didn't so no more as Yomi sank into a couch, wanting to have a little rest. Still, Kimura is a bit mystified by her relationship with the wildcat. No matter how obnoxious she is, Yomi continues to stick to her. He read that they came from the same middle school. After a few seconds he asked her again, "Just for the record, do you... really hate her?"

Yomi looked at him and sighed "Well, It's kind of hard to explain. She's been the bane of my life." The rain continued to pour and thunder and lightning intermittently broke the silence. Then came the sounds of the kitchen. The tall raven-haired beauty is now busy making them their little meal. She was humming a tune from some anime which is quite catchy and calming. The thought of her cooking and singing at the same time was very beautiful and comforting. Like the voice of a siren. He stood up quickly made his way to the kitchen, all without any apparent effect from the injury.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Yomi asked, getting up too to stop him but he was well on his way. The literature teacher walked right into the kitchen. Inside it was very clean and well-kept. On the counter Sakaki is brewing tea and the table is set. Her hair is tied in a long ponytail and she wore an apron. It made her look even more beautiful.

Sakaki turned around and saw him, "Mr. Kimura," she said, "what are you doing here? Shouldn't you stay at the sofa? That head injury of yours is pretty bad."

It was another awkward situation for him. He stood up without even realizing about his head injury. He walked straight into the kitchen, most probably alarming the girls. He said to her, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. It's just your humming. It's... beautiful."

Sakaki blushed at that complement. "Really...?"

"Yes, I do think it's beautiful. It may have healed my headache." He chuckled

"Thank you." She replied politely, a smile on her face. There was a chime. The tea is finished. They washed their hands on the sink. Yomi directed and helped him to sit on the table while Sakaki took the automated teapot to the table and took off the apron.

"Are you a Christian, Mr. Kimura?" Yomi asked casually. That stunned him. What? Kimura was caught off-guard by that comment and a bit puzzled.

"Huh?" he said calmly. "How did you know?"

"I saw a crucifix on your neck," she pointed out. Kimura thought, Oh, they must have good eyes. No student of mine ever knew of this. He took it out of his neck and showed it to them.

"Yes, I'm a Christian. A Catholic to be specific. My wife too. In fact, we both came from Catholic families."

"I couldn't believe that... you're Catholic." Sakaki said, genuinely astounded. "It never occurred to me that you are one. And your behavior..." She couldn't continue, feeling she might offend him.

"Well, it's somewhat complicated. To tell you the truth, I'm not very observant. Their somethings I couldn't shake off."

"That's alright," Yomi added, "No ones perfect but you as a Catholic? That's something. And why are we talking when we should be eating."

"Ah, good point," Kimura happily agreed. "We should start now, I'm hungry."

"Mr. Kimura, would you like to say grace on the table?" Sakaki said. He agreed and they made a sign of the cross and prayed together. They concluded with an 'amen.' Sakaki then played music on the radio. It was a song called Taishō a. It gave a relaxing atmosphere to their meal.

"Itadakimasu!" He said encouragingly. They began to eat their food. On the table is a bowl of cold mitsumame, a kind of salad made with agar jelly, some fruits and confections, topped with sweet black syrup; a plate of honey-flavored Castella, a light sponge cake which is a specialty of Nagasaki, and of course, the tea. It seemed like brown or black with a reddish color. Sakaki served cup of it to each of them. They all talked about how their day was. All the usual things about school and a little bit about home. As Kimura took a sip of the tea to wash down a bite of Castella, he noticed it tasted different. It tasted fruity... spicy... and heady.

"Excuse me," he asked Sakaki, "This tea tasted different. What kind of blend is it?"

Sakaki was silent for a while before she answered awkwardly, "Well... it's not tea at all... It's boiled... wine drink."

Kimura nearly choked when he heard it. "What?"

"I know what you're thinking," Sakaki continued, "it's not that we're alcoholic. It's called mulled wine. In this case, it's a German recipe called Glühwein."

"Glühwein?" It was a foreign phrase to him.

Yomi then explained, "Glühwein is popular in German-speaking countries and the region of Alsace in France. It is the traditional beverage offered and drunk on Weihnachtsmärkten or Christmas market in English. It is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus and sugar. Fruit wines such as blueberry wine and cherry wine are rarely used instead of grape wine in Germany. Glühwein is drunk pure or 'mit Schuss', which means there is rum or liqueur added. The French name is vin chaud (hot wine)." She was apparently well-read.

"It tasted... " Kimura smiled warmly, "delicious. You're family must have been good cooks." Sakaki giggled and explained that her father is an engineer who travels around the world. He constructed buildings in from Dubai to Oslo, Norway. Her mother is a very good florist and cook. She manages a flower shop at downtown.

"And there's something else I have that thing I wanted to show," She said to him.

"Trying to surprise me, huh," he chuckled, "let's what is it." At that Sakaki produced a parcel wrapped in manila paper. It was labeled SAKAKI. She then ripped it apart and placed on the table, wrapping on the bottom. It was a thick leather-bound book, old with age and pages yellow and stiff. It had a musty smell. "That's the surprise?" He asked timidly, slightly nonplussed by its appearance.

"Unnerving, isn't it?" Sakaki said, "My dad bought this book over at E-bay. It's an odd book which he's rather curious about."

"You should have asked permission before you opened this package," Kimura said, "I mean you opened it without securing his consent."

"That's alright. He never said anything about me opening it. He just told me to give it to someone who can study this thing. I'm sure you know someone like a college professor who is into this."

"Uh... no," he said. It never occurred to him that they would asked him about that. Then he asked, "Can I read it?"

"Sure." She handed him the book, "I do have to say that this book is kinda weird though." He simply nodded and took it of her hands. He opened it and was stunned at first sight. The book is written in old Japanese but have many European engravings that seemed to have come from the 14th to 16th century. It is written in a prose of poetry. The pictures are grotesque caricatures featuring very unsettling scenes. The writings are focused on something dark and arcane. He felt his spine chill and his hands cold with sweat. The phone rang. Yomi stood up and told Sakaki that she'll get it. She walked to the living room and took it. As she did, Kimura's eyes were glued to the book, practically having a magnetic hold on him.

She then called out to Kimura, "Your wife is on the phone."

"M-my wife?" He stuttered. Her call broke his concentration and he could not believe what he just heard.

"Yes," Yomi replied. "She said that she got that number from one of our friends, who it leads to my house." She raged, "I swear to God that it's Tomo." Of course, Tomo the trickster playing yet another prank on Yomi, but involving his wife? It's not good. The storm worsened with claps of thunder getting louder.

"Kimura," she said, "want me to take the phone to you? It's cordless."

"No, I'll take it." He said, policing his voice to sound a little more mature and less helpless. He planted his feet on the floor and stood up.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hey. I heard about your little fall on the sidewalk. Are you OK? Still hurt?"

Kimura looked away from the phone for a second to breathe. "No, it's not so bad. Just a little bit dizzy, that's all."

"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! So, you're at Mizuhara's house right now?"

"Yes, that's right...," he replied despite the fact it isn't her house at all, "listen, I don't think I can go home until the storm subsides. I might be staying here for a while and I'm sorry if I'll not be home for dinner."

"That's alright. I'll save some food for you and we can eat together." She replied cheerily. That cheered him up. She was like an angel to him.

"That's wonderful, honey. I'm looking forward to it."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye." He hung up and went back to the table, assured that his wife is no longer worried about his well-being. In the course of their meal, Sakaki reached out to him.

"You know... Kimura-sensei... There's something we wanted to ask you... Yomi and I." She said awkwardly. The two girls blushed a bit and frowned.

"Uh... you don't look happy." He noted after he finished a cup of the mulled wine. They lifted their heads a bit.

"Well, Kimura-sensei, it's a miracle that you got married despite your lewdness," Yomi said. "Us, on the other hand, seemed to fend off boys at any rate. They feel intimidated by us."

"Uh... I never thought of that." He replied.

"But you were quite honest when you said about the high school girls thing. You just said it the wrong way, we believe you didn't really mean it."

"Oh... you seem right," Kimura muttered in amazement. That thought hit him.

Sakaki then quietly asked. "And is there anything between you and your wife?"

"Heavens no," he corrected, "me and my wife are very happy. The thing is that she's so nice and sweet... God, it's so hard for me to approach her since our honeymoon." He put a hand on his head in frustration.

"We understand. She is too virtuous for you even if you're married. You feel guilty if you plan to sleep with her." It gave Kimura another jolt of thought.

"That's... right. I'm too afraid to approach her." There was silence

"I think we could help each other. There's an urge that we have, and we cannot hold it. We don't know whom to turn to..." Sakaki finally asserted. Kimura could not answer, he simply could not believe what he just heard. After realizing what she just said she relented, "I'm sorry. I was too hasty. I didn't mean to..."

Kimura looked at Sakaki. The tall girl who already looked like a woman seemed ashamed of what she just said. "I understand. The two of you wanted to do... something." Despite his tendencies, he still had a little decency to know where his limits are in words and deeds, yet that is a thin red line that could break at any moment. Clearly, despite his Catholic upbringing, he lacked a strong will to rein in his passions. He felt a fire inside him that is ready break out. He asked Sakaki, "Just for the record, why did you turn to me?"

"I don't think you're the pervert that everyone thinks you are. Deep inside, you're a lonely person who really wanted to reach out to someone. But you couldn't because something inside is chaining you. Even in the company of someone as loving as your wife. We feel the same as well."

Yomi entered the conversation, "I felt that way too because of Tomo. She cracks a joke at my expense and everyone in middle school starts laughing their heads off." Kimura finally realized why Yomi gets angry with Tomo every time she makes a joke. Still, it never dawned to him that they would feel like this. But then he supposed that people felt lonely despite being in good company. No one turn to is a big problem that lies with loneliness. There is empathy for them that he did not usually feel. A desire to hold them close to his arms to give comfort. He played dating sims when he was in his teens because he could not find a girl who would like him. It helped fill a void in him but only for a short while. It never was full.

Then to his shock, Sakak took his wrist and placed his hand on her chest. "S-Sakaki? What are you doing?"

Sakaki looked into his eyes as if to see into his soul and for him to look into hers. "Our feelings are not hollow. My heart beats for you. I know it's wrong but how could I look the other look the other way for so long?"

Yomi added, "Mine as well."

Now Kimura was sweating bullets. He felt that a sword has cut him through, he was torn about whether to follow his feelings despite being potentially immoral or to restrain himself despite the girls' request for his company. I know it's wrong but I couldn't just say no to them. They might feel hurt. And... No... I won't just leave them like this... I hope she understands. He said to them. "Alright, I'll stay with you a little longer."

"Really?" Yomi asked bewildered.

"Yes. I've decided to stay with you for a while. Let's just keep this among ourselves."

The girls were astounded. They stood up and bowed respectfully, "Thank you very much, Kimura-sensei. We never knew you would do this for us." They said together. They stood up and began cleaning the kitchen now that their meal was finished.

Kimura stood up too but before he could leave, Yomi said to him, "You could use the bathroom if you want to freshen up and there's a change of clothes that you may want to use."

"Ah, thank you." He responded happily. The entire conversation took some weight of his shoulders. He went to bathroom to freshen up. As he went inside, he took off his clothes and turn on the faucet to give himself a bath, careful not to touch his wound or move his head too much. He felt he made a bad decision there when he decided to stay. Yet, he felt he could take it. He could not sway what he done. He looked into the window where the storm still raged. Weird, he thought, time does have a way of slowing down. It should have abated by now. He looked at the clock in the bathroom. It was 5:45 PM. He decided to relax and ready himself to what may come ahead.


III

He finally came out of the bathroom dressed in a bathrobe. The girls were waiting for him on at the door. "Ready, Kimura-sensei?" Sakaki asked.

"I'm ready," He answered confidently. The two girls then playfully took his hands and ran through the stairs. The feel of their hands made Kimura blush. The girls giggled in delight as they rushed upstairs and into the bedroom. They opened the door and now, he realized that they have lead him to the sanctum sanctorum, Sakaki's quarters. The bed was large and atmosphere of the room had an air of sensuality. The literary teacher never knew that something like this would ever come to him, but it did. They stopped for a while, hesitant of their first carnal experience. He could see it in their eyes, full of innocence and eagerness. Sakaki was the first to act, nervously fumbling her the fringes of her shirt. He felt the fires of his passion intensify but he held it in check, not wanting to begin just yet. She slowly took it off, casting it aside then slid off her pants. Kimura's eyes popped open widely as she saw her in white bra and panties. She was beautiful beyond words. Her big breasts made her look imposing and ladylike. His mouth was wide open than usual, his passion blazed inside him but he reined it in for now.

"Am I okay?" she quietly asked him, self conscious of a man gazing at her body.

"Yes, you're alright." He answered, his breathing a little faster. Then came Yomi's turn. She slid of her shorts and kicked it away. Then she took off her shirt. Now she was in light blue bra and panties. Kimura felt he was going to have nosebleed and faint but miraculously he didn't. The combination of virtue and initiative was just irresistible. They both blushed and smiled a bit, but they didn't stop there. Both Sakaki and Yomi unhooked their bras and slid them off in front of him. The sight was mindbogglingly hypnotic. Sakaki's breast looked more prominent than ever and they both had large dark nipples. Yomi's breasts, the third largest he knew after Sakaki's and Kagura's, had cute pink ones and her hips were voluptuous. Their bodies had miles of creamy whiteness all over and he stared at them for what seemed like an eternity. They both sat down on the bed.

Yomi finally said, "Kimura-sensei... it's your turn." He suddenly realized that he's up. Quickly, he fumbled the ties of his bathrobe. He parted it away. To his extreme shock, he realized he wore nothing underneath the whole time! What's more, his manhood was exposed for them to see, hard! He thought to himself, Damn it! What did you get yourself into this time? While he mentally scolded himself, the girls stared in awe of the now-erected private. It wasn't quite big but not too large and his body was of average build, not very attractive but certainly not skinny.

"You're... circumcised, Kimura-sensei," Yomi noted in awe, examining his organ. He did not answer. He doesn't know what to say. Sensing his reluctance, the girls pulled him in. Kimura was now laying in bed with them at either side. She added smiling, "Don't be shy, Kimura-sensei, this is your special time." He didn't move for a while. Impatient, they crept to his groin and began fondling and licking it. He was mortified these turn of events.

"My God! What are you doing?" He almost screamed at the sight of them... doing that! They continued to do it. He wanted to them stop. "Stop it already, cease and desist." They stopped and looked at him. But they went on. He had to admit that it was definitely turning him on, but he could not stand the sight of them doing this. He raised voice, "I want you two young ladies to stop it this instant." They stopped when he said that. He asserted himself more firmly this time. They all sat up on the bed.

"Kimura-sensei," Sakaki asked hesitantly, "what did we do wrong?"

"What you both did is degrading and unfitting for young ladies!" He could not bear to see them doing something as shameful as that. The two felt rather ashamed of themselves. He looked at them and felt a little bad about himself. He reached to both girls and embraced firmly. "I know I should not raise my voice but I can't stand seeing you do those things. You are even better then that, I knew you are." The girls, touched by his words, embraced him tighter. He trembled as he felt their bodies. It was there first experience after all. He knew that what they are all doing is wrong but strangely, it felt like heaven. A teacher making love with his students as one of most confusing paradoxes of the world. It can condemned as the most obscene act of the world but also be enshrined as the most forbidden-therefore the most tantalizing- of all pleasures. Yes! The thought hit him quite hard. He is a teacher! He is supposed to guide them through things in life especially long after they leave the classroom. He decided he will put the things he learned from the dating sims to good use and teach these girls. He will not let his lust do as it pleases but he will channel it for his purpose. Shame was the last thing in his mind, however, and it did not bother him.

He sat Yomi up against his crotch, compressing his hardened flesh. He felt her butt behind the thin smooth fabric of her panties. The teacher fondled her breast and ran a hand on her thighs. Yomi shuddered a bit and smiled. That was a good sign. He massaged her breast slowly while his other hand stroked her thighs, she breathed heavily with pleasure. He began kissing and nibbling her neck , Yomi blushed and that got him hooked. The smoothness of her thighs and suppleness of her breast were unimaginable. They lay down side-by-side on the bed, Kimura still behind her fondling her breasts and thighs. He scented Yomi's hair. It had a delicate exotic fragrance. Elated by the scent, he made a risky move: he slowly caressed his way from the thighs to her panties. Then his hand crept along its garter. He then swept his hand down on the fabric, startling her. "Kimura-sensei," she let a slight gasped, "what are you doing?"

"Giving you advanced lessons," he smiled. He felt the pubic hair and her intimate parts. He touched her center, bravely slipping inside and her mouth fell open wordlessly. He stroked the pubic hair, then rubbed her small pink bud with his thumb while his fingers played inside her, earning Yomi's sensous 'mmmmmmm', marveling at the heat infusing them and went in deeper. Her hands helped along the way, massaging her parts along with his. But Kimura wasn't satisfied, however. He stopped. They changed position. He tried to slip her panties off but his hands trembled nervously, she took them and guided them to her cover. The panties are gone within 2.3 seconds. But before he plunged in, Yomi took a small foil packet under her pillow. They were prepared for this? He thought, bemused, but decided not argue with the logic behind it. The rain had mellowed down to a bit outside, giving the room a comfortable atmosphere.

Quickly, he mounted up while she lay underneath astride, his hands on her shoulders. With her legs spread apart, he slowly made his way into literally virgin territory. Even with only the tip in, her warmth had flooded his manhood. It felt amazing. He could see her face momentarily scrunched in pain as he thrust quickly and firmly past a slight hindrance. Her locus is very tight! He never felt like this before except from his honeymoon with his wife Naomi. His wife!, he thought. Thoughts of infidelity assailed his mind. He was betraying his wife, a mortal sin! He could not go on with his carnal adventure, the thoughts of his guilt in cheating on his wife stopped him cold. Yomi noticed he had stopped. She raised herself a little and threw her arms around him, pulling her in. Kimura found himself taken in and their bodies are now touching each other. He get feel her breasts against his and their mouths were brought together. Now back to reality, he felt her tongue exploring the contours of his mouth, they wrapped each other with their arms and began writhing in ecstasy. He thrust his loins hard against her thighs with rhythm, her legs wrapped around her hips, their mouths clashed erotically. For Kimura, their lovemaking was like the observance of a ritual, one that is sacred, timeless, and primal. All those guilt feelings evaporated and he found virility he thought he never had. Moans escaped from her lips with each kiss and thrust, her arms gripped him tightly. The real world seemed to melt away in the heat of passion and slowly phased into a realm of intimacy and seclusion. A paradise that felt like a dream, one which he hoped never ended for him. Their moans gave the room music. Leaning away from her, he laid his face between her breast and began licking her nipple. She let out slight gasp and embraced his head warmly. He then raised the pace, pulsing hard and gently licking the rest of her breasts. Her moans turned to screams as he pulsed harder and faster. He felt her locus tighten around his member. He writhed harder and licked her furiously, causing Yomi to whelped in pleasure and held each other tightly, refusing to let go. Then it came. Waves of ecstasy flooded him and Yomi with overwhelming force, an indescribable sensation of euphoria that rivaled a hermit's mystical revelation of heaven.

He remembered those dating sims he played before, the good times he had but real life is definitely better! He never climaxed anywhere so greatly in his life. Having reached the summit of their lust, it gradually ebbed into a relaxing mellow. They now lay down side-by-side, their breathing heaved and their bodies spent from lovemaking. He looked at her, her breathing made her seem seductive. He let out a slight closed-mouth smile, happy that he and Yomi made out. He gently touched her face. She replied with a smile and softly clasped his hand. They parted and she retired to bed. He turned to Sakaki. She had lay beside them all along. Her face blushed with embarrassment, he looked down and saw why: she stuck her fingers in her panties. She had tendered her flower the whole time. Ashamed, she quickly took them out and tried turned herself away from him but Kimura sat beside her. He asked her, "What's wrong?" A distant thunder rang outside.

She replied with hesitation, "I-I couldn't resist myself... You and Yomi were so hard for each other... it turned me on... I cannot refrain myself... from doing... it." She hung her head, her eyes glazed a bit. Kimura, feeling a bit sad, touched her cheek.

"It's alright for you to do that." He comforted her, "It's quite normal for your age. And there isn't anyone who would say honestly that they did not do that." She lifted her head a bit and wipe here eyes with her arm.

"I know that... It just feels wrong to do that... in front of you."

"No matter," he replied gently. He then asked her, "Are you ready?" He was wondering what she would answer him. He felt a bit tense for a few seconds.

Sakaki smiled softly and replied, "Yes." That lightened his heart. They both got tissues from the bedside table. Sakaki wipe her hands with it while Kimura removed the rubber sheath from his organ and wipe it clean. She handed him another foil packet. He obliging got it and got ready. She took off her panties and sat down. He looked at her now naked body from head to toe. He noticed her pubic area, which was neatly trimmed. Such a sight was quite kinky to him. Her usually sleepy eyes grew wide with wonder, "Are you drinking me with your eyes?" The words sound very erotic. There was only one answer for that.

Slowly, he embraced and kissed her. Slightly startled, she nevertheless joined in. His hands were moving almost on their own, heedless to any commands from his mind- if there was any at the moment- as they stroked her hair. Their tongues explored the caverns of each other's mouths. They moaned sensuously, his chest pressed against her supple yet firm bust. He slipped a hand underneath and groped one of her breasts. She gasped as he gently stroked it. She then gripped him harder, lay back and pulled him in. He pinned her hands down on the bed and went in hard inside, causing her to squirm a bit. This is it! Random fantasies with his female students had crossed his mind time and again but they never got far beyond a few seconds. This was no fantasy at all! Yomi and now Sakaki are handing their virginity, their very essences to him, so they can cross the threshold of experience. He slowly bucked his hips against that sacrosanct place of hers, an altar for their amorous appetites, a void that he sank into. She was totally receptive of each lunge he made into her lithe body, her eyes closed as she gasped and moaned. He massaged her breasts, his hands feeling her busty glory and her nipples. That was a truly erotic sight. Then everything changed all of a sudden. Without warning, she flung forward, hugged him and rolled over. Pressing an arm and leg as leverage to get him on his back, she is on top and he at the bottom neither breaking their entwinement. That took him by surprise. She smiled at him as she leaned back. "My turn now, sensei." Changing places and taking charge, not bad at all, he smiled at that thought.

His hand on her slender hips, he held her in place while she pressed her hands on his arms. Sakaki began bouncing on top of him, her breasts bounced and her breath was heavy, struggling to pick up her teacher's previous pace. It was the most beautiful thing in the world he ever saw. She sighed with each thrust she made and her mouth made a little 'o' as his hands kept her where she should be. Placing a hand on her back, he lowered her a bit and played with her breasts, kissing and sucking one while his free hand rubbed the other. Her thrusts became frenzied. Her head fell on his shoulders and her nails dug into his arms. He then turned the tables on their lovemaking, embracing her, then flipping himself back into his dominant position once again. His hands on her shoulders, it's his turn to call the shots. He thrust at medium pace, stimulating her nerves into sending steady waves of bliss all over her body. Groaning lustily, she finally spoke. "Faster! Faster!" She pleaded. "Harder! Make me yours, Kimura-kun! Make yours!" Her words, with the change of honorifics, were the best he ever heard. He then unleashed himself on Sakaki, slamming himself inward harder and faster. Bliss enveloped the couple in a mystic air, where sex is not only a physical ecstasy but also spiritual, where it could allow them to transcend borders of reality into an otherworldly paradise. He seemed to let loose half his repressed sexual tension in Yomi and now he is releasing the stronger half in the raven-haired beauty. His virility soared to new heights as they writhed together in felicity, kissing each other passionately to match the actions of their loins. Then epiphany! They cried loudly as they exploded themselves into a heavenly light, submitting themselves to a revelation they are not allowed to see...

... Now finished, they released themselves from each other's hold and lay away in bed to soothe their wracked bodies. Breathing heavily, he lied down between her and Yomi, who uncannily slept through it all. Moonlight flooded the room, indicating that the storm had already passed. He looked at the sleeping meganneko to his left. She snoozed gently, unmindful of his exploits with Sakaki. He felt happy that they turned to him... and in a genuine way. Their affair, as much as it was driven by simple lust, was also by passion and love. He then looked over to Sakaki, her eyes are sleepy again, he also an unusual tint her eyes, it seemed to glow... green-yellow. He shook his head, realizing it could just be a trick of light. The two girls seem so beautiful and innocent in the light's soft caress. It almost like he just deflowered them... Deflowering them? He thought. No! He was letting them bloom, he helped them blossom, morals be damned! He then felt a dark rage clench his chest. There is a facet of his personality that most people overlook. Contrary to the popular view of him as a mere pervert, he is still a capable educator. In this case, he can discipline his students, especially the boys(it seems that correcting the girls isn't necessary at all). This was manifested when he would confiscate some rather explicit material from them. Pornographic magazines, hentai manga and doujins, even a scandalous sketch of him with one of his female students. Anger seethed through his eyes, his hands clenched on the sheets. While admittedly, he was no better than them, he hated with total disgust about how female characters are subjected to such indignities as rape and gangbanging. God, he hated it all. Some of those unlucky offenders said that about he would change from a creepy old man to a somewhat slightly-strict fellow whose face the second they look again would send a glare that would chill down their bones and his subtle yet serious tone of voice meant business when handing out disciplinary measures. A baffling paradox indeed to those who know him well, even so when some of the boys admired his 'sincerity' in liking teenage girls. Sakaki and a waking Yomi noticed the anger in his eyes. She asked him softly, "Kimura-sensei, what's the matter?"

Back to himself again, he looked at them. His eyes have softened again. A surge of emotion shot into his body. He quickly pulled Sakaki and then Yomi into his arms, wrapping them tightly.

"Oh," Sakaki stammered.

"Hey," Yomi muttered. Kimura felt his eyes water a bit. He clung desperately to them with his trembling hands, wanting to protect from the dangers that lurked in the streets. From ruffians and waifs who seek to take advantage of them. He was glad he didn't refused their request. The blushing girls hugged him in return, feeling the distress surfacing from within, wanting to return the favor and make him feel wanted. He could feel their hearts beating from his chest. They are right when they said their warmth for him isn't hollow. He let out a tear.

"Thank you, Kimura-sensei," Sakaki said, a gentle planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Me too," Yomi said, feeling a bit sad.

"You're welcome," he slowly answered, feeling shaky from within, knowing that what he did -they did- is wrong... yet it felt like the right thing to do. He let out a tear for their trust in him. He couldn't feel any more grateful. He wanted the moment to last forever. To be eternal. He looked at the window and he knew it stopped raining. Then he looked at the clock at the nightstand and his mouth gawked widely- it's 7:20 PM! "Oh my God." He hastily got up and apologized to the girls, "I'm sorry, I've got to go home now."

"Wait, Kimura..." Sakaki joined in as they went down together, hastily putting on clothes.

Outside, Kimura quickly bade the girls farewell and kissed both of them in the cheek as he went out on his way into the cold damp street. Walking briskly, he was trying to get his mind in order so his beloved would not notice anything strange that would inevitably lead to the dangerous revelation of his affair with his students. Along the way to his home, he slowed his pace and ruminate on the events of that occasion. He knew it was wrong... he couldn't help but feel not only guilty of infidelity but of corrupting two minors. Yet... he could not refuse them either. He enjoyed their company back there. He could not... deny it. He smiled as he walked down the street, contemplating about the good things there. He wouldn't mind if Kaorin was invited to join them the next time but she would start crying even before that started... He quickly shook his head before that fantasy went too far. He looked at the cross he wore around his neck. There was the guilt again, knowing about what he just did. Then images of the awful caricatures of that old book Sakaki presented to him assailed his head, their imagery of terror frightening him to the very core. He decided to run the rest of his way before his nerves are frayed. There's one last thing he thought about as he dashed down the cold wet sidewalk, 'Let's just keep this among ourselves'.


Phew! This is the longest chapter I've ever wrote. Hopefully the others wouldn't this long.
Author's note: The song Taishō a is the ending theme of the second season of the Higurashi series, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai. While, the song sounds so soothing and jazzy, wait till you read the lyrics translated into English. I also made Kimura Catholic for plot reasons, especially the irony. This is probably you might call total OOC mindf#$. This isn't the whole story however. You haven't seen anything yet.