Maya turned the key to the ignition to her car as Junichi took a seat in the passenger seat beside her. Upon first turn, the car did not start immediately start as the engine struggles to turn over.

As Takahashi-sensei fought to get this car to start, Junichi just took a quick look around at his surroundings. Her car wasn't unbelievably outdated. It wasn't up to date by any means, but it wasn't from another decade. Her car was clean, throughout, there were traces of a fully set in mess remaining in the corners of the floor mats, in between the seats, and traces of soil and debris around the pedal areas.

She must be really hard working.

Finally the engine turned over.

"Ah! Finally..." Maya sighed as she fasted her seat belt.

"Takahashi-sensei, how often do you drive around in this car?" Junichi asked.

Maya shifted into gear. "Quite often, everywhere," she replied. "To and from school, and all around to run the errands for the school, and my home life, and, and to provide extra help where help is due."

"Where help is due?" Junichi asked.

"Oh, when I first started teaching I used to offer additional help to students who needed it even if it meant having to visit them. Also if I had a student who was confined to his/her room, I would give them notes on a lesson that I taught that same day."

Junichi only then noticed the scuffs on her shoes.

"...and I take it that it caused you some hardship sensei," Junichi inquired further.

"Well, between the hinderance, and the sleep loss, and the issues with this car giving me hardship...and the dry cleaning that comes with dealing with this thing," she laughed. "Eventually I just had to cut back on my services...but I would do it all for my students to succeed."

She brought the car to a stop at a red light.

"But couldn't you be selfish at times sensei?" Junichi poked further.

"Hm?"

"You have to think for yourself sometimes. You can't always be selfless."

"Well...I've never had the thought Tachibana-kun. I figured I'm probably going to remain like this until the end so-"

"That can't be true, Takahashi-sensei."

The light turned green, however Maya did not accelerate.

"Earlier..in the classroom.."

Her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Junichi was really nervous and struggling. Finally he out and said it.

"That was desire wasn't it? It had to be desire? That k-kiss, was not one sided sensei.." he managed.

There was stillness.

A car horn sounded from behind them suddenly!

Maya jumped and rolled the car forward to clear the intersection, then pulled over to the curb to allow him to pass. A single cab thundered pass before stillness returned. Maya put the car into park and shut of the engine.

"Am-Am I right, Takahashi-sensei?" he gulped, "am I?"

She folded her hands in her lap, and sat still for a moment.

"Tachibana-kun..." she spoke softly. "I cannot deny that the whole thing earlier was enticing...captivating even..but..let's be realistic-"

"Takahashi-sensei. I-I find you to be attractive. I find you to be caring. And all I know is right now, the care and concern you show, the dedication, it all appeals to me. Your loneliness as well... I am absolutely not sure what is coming over me, but this feeling..I-I want to fill that void in your life. Or atleast try."

Junichi had taken hold of Maya's hands which rested in her lap. He felt her thumb wrap over the top of his fingers. Her hands were pleasantly soft.

"Tachibana-kun," she progressed, "we have to be realistic. I am a teacher, your teacher, and you are a student of mine. You may not be a minor any longer by only a few weeks or a month, but this is still forbidden. We could get in serious trouble for this. I could get in serious trouble for this-"

"The we won't let anyone know of this!" Junichi blurted out. "We'll keep this as our little secret."

"Tachibana-kun...I-"

She looked at Junichi who had this vulnerable face of determination. She wouldn't admit it but she herself felt a little light in her heart for Tachibana-kun which she pondered went further than a mere appreciation. She began to feel it weeks ago, months ago, especially when casually chatting with Junichi. Sure he was mostly childlike and slow to catch on. Sure he got on her nerves sometimes, especially when dozing off in her class during her lectures. But he was also mature when it counted, and she found he would even be more mature than herself sometimes.

He had hit it right on the nail when discussing her desires coming out and even implying that she liked him mutually. She would never admit it though. She especially would never admit she liked this current scenario.

"We're both curious how it is to date someone..." Junichi continued. "We both have been alone. The both of us. Wouldn't you want to see what it's like?"

She held his hands mutually and sighed.

"Fine, Tachibana-kun.. I concede. You win. You're right...But some conditions okay?" she whispered. she really couldn't believe she was saying this. So many alarms, whistles, bells, and alerts, were sounding off in her head right this moment, but she pushed through.

"No one, can find out about this. Okay? Absolutely no one. In the classroom and the school during school hours, our relation remains strictly teacher and student. I will not give you any passes and you will receive the grades and numbers you earn yourself. Got it?"

Junichi leaned in. "Deal."

She gripped his hands tighter and smiled. Never before had she felt this warm and her cheeks were glowing red.

"You sure we couldn't work something out on the assignments?" Junichi teased.

"Baka," she flicked him on the forehead.

They both leaned in and planted another kiss. The second of the night.

"Try not to drink too much at the Sousetsai tomorrow night sensei..." he added.

She sighed.