Title: Aftershocks

Disclaimer: I wish the boys were mine, but they're not! I borrowed the characters from Takanaga-sensei

Warning: Language

Chapter 9

Monday rolled around damp and overcast. It matched Souichi's mood perfectly. He had managed to get some rest over the weekend but he wasn't looking forward to school today. He just hoped it would be an improvement over last week.

As soon as he arrived on campus he was surrounded. He couldn't believe these…these…words failed him. He'd tried everything he could think of to dissuade them. He'd been rude, disgusting, and violent (short of actually hitting them). He'd yelled and cussed; been as vulgar as possible. The only thing he hadn't done was tell them the truth; although until three days ago he hadn't even been sure what that was. He still didn't think he could bring himself to do it, but if there was no other way…he might just have to.

For the time being he put his head down, completely ignored them and waded through the crowd until he could get to the buildings. He shook them off and headed for his first class, once there he was safe; at least for a while. As he sat down and pulled out his notebook he couldn't help but think about Morinaga's return; he smiled slightly in anticipation, then he frowned. He had to end this situation; he didn't want his lover walking into the middle of this mess. There was no telling what the younger man might do and Souichi had enough to deal with. This mess had to be resolved before Morinaga came home.

Once class was over, Professor Fukushima called Souichi over to his desk. Souichi liked the older man. He considered him one of the most brilliant minds in the field and was grateful he had taken an interest in him. "Tatsumi-kun, just what's been going on lately? You seem to have a bevy of beauties following you around," he said, a bit dryly, to his student.

"Ugh! I wouldn't use such nice words for that bunch of harpies!" Souichi growled.

"I didn't think you were enjoying the attention," chuckled the professor. "Would you like some help?" the older man offered with a grin. "Most of the girls are from our department and I believe I can scare them off. However, the ones from other departments might take a bit more convincing. I could get some colleagues to help."

At first Souichi was disinclined to accept the older man's help, "Professor, what does it say about me if I have to have my sensei (and his friends!) scare a bunch of ditzy girls off? I wouldn't be able to hold my head up on campus ever again! I can't do that."

Fukushima sighed, "You're such a stubborn fool. They're keeping you from focusing on your work and assignments, and it's starting to show in your results. If you mess up now there won't be a second chance. I want to recommend you for a position as an Assistant Professor, but if you ruin your work and your health all for your vanity I won't be able to do a thing. Get it through your head, boy; there's more at stake here than your blasted pride!" The professor was pissed and he left Souichi blinking in surprise. He'd never seen the older man like this before.

"…I see. You want me to be…a teacher?" when the professor nodded he sighed and sat down with his head in his hands. It was what he'd always wanted and here it was, being handed to him on a silver platter. He thought for a moment and said, "I…I don't know what to say." He looked up at the older man, "Do you think you can do it? Get them off me? They won't listen, and you say I'm stubborn? I have nothing on these…females," he absolutely refused to call any of them ladies! The professor nodded again at the blonde.

"You really don't have to do everything by yourself you know," he patted Souichi on the shoulder. Then he chuckled, "I'm making no promises but I'll do my best. Do you have any more classes today?" when Souichi shook his head, he continued, "Then get to the lab and I'll see you toward the end of the week. I'll check your work then."

Later that day when Souichi left to get coffee, he was glad to see there weren't any extra girls loitering in the hall. 'Maybe the professor pulled it off? Well it's too soon to celebrate."

He scanned the room before he went to the coffee machines and although some of the girls were glancing his way, they left him alone. After returning to work, he sat down with a sigh of relief. It looked like something had cooled their interest! "Thank you Professor!"

Nagomi chose that moment to walk in and laughed, "What was that for? You sound so relieved."

"The harpies are backing off…at least for now. We'll see what happens when I try to go home," he wasn't quite smiling, but he looked happier than she'd seen him lately.

"Who were you referring to when I came in?" she grinned at his obvious relief.

"Fukushima! He said he'd try to get them to back off and it looks like he might have succeeded.

"Hmm, makes sense. No one wants to get on his bad side so if he's involved, you'll be safe."

"What do you mean bad side? He doesn't have one," he shook his head at the look on her face; then he remembered the older man's anger at his attitude. "Well…I don't think he has one," he added frowning.

"Senpai, you're brilliant and one of his favorites, so you've probably never seen it. On the other hand those who aren't so gifted occasionally see his tougher side. It's not something you forget very easily."

"Ok…if you say so," he didn't want to believe it, but so far she'd been right about personality stuff so he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. "Well, I don't care as long as he gets them to leave me alone!" Sawanoi just shook her head and grinned. She was glad he looked better.

The second week of hell slowly came to an end; and Friday, Souichi was approaching the war zone as he'd renamed the main quad. Thanks to the Professor and a couple of his colleagues, most of the idiots had finally given up but there was still one female who insisted on targeting him. She had a knack of popping up and causing trouble in the most public places imaginable. His internal radar was so tuned in to her that he knew whenever she was around, even if he couldn't immediately see her. A cold chill went down his spine and sure enough, as he scanned the area he saw her under one of the trees off to the right. She was a pretty brunette, almost as tall as he and very curvy. Ten years ago she would've been his type. However now, her charms were completely lost on him. He decided to veer off to the left to avoid her and casually strolled toward the Administrative Building. If he could get there, it was a breeze to get to the Ag. Sciences building next door, then he was home free. He was safe inside; she only targeted him when he was out in the open. For a second he thought he'd make it, but then she cut him off.

"Tatsumi-san, didn't you hear me calling you?" she asked rather breathlessly.

"Of course, that's why I was ignoring you," he answered coldly. Today he was determined to make her give up!

"You're so funny, senpai!" she giggled as she pushed herself into his personal space. She had so much perfume on he thought he'd gag. He backed up but she pressed forward anyway. When she reached out to touch him, he jerked away. He really had had enough!

"Don't touch me! When are you going to get it through your thick skull that I'm not interested?" he bit out. He was still trying to keep his voice down; he didn't want to attract too much attention.

She pulled back a little, irritated, "What's your problem? I just want to get to know you better, is there something wrong with that?" she was getting angry and her voice started rising. She wasn't usually turned down and she didn't like it. Her conquest wasn't going as planned, and if he was determined to keep rejecting her she wanted to embarrass him as publicly as possible.

"Let's see…I'm being pursued all over campus by a pushy female who may or may not be intelligent, but who has absolutely no common sense! I've told you over and over again I'm not interested; no means NO!" His voice started to rise too; he was tired of her games.

"Why not? I'm hardly disgusting and you're not involved with anyone! We could have a lot of fun together!" When she moved in again what was left of his control snapped.

"Define disgusting; I'm sorry but your dubious charms don't interest me! And who says I'm not involved? I'm plenty involved!" he yelled at her. "Even if I wasn't involved with anyone I wouldn't want you!" he was livid.

"What do you mean dubious!?" she shrieked. "And don't lie! There hasn't even been a whisper of you having a girlfriend or lover." All activity on the quad ceased as everyone watched the spectacle unfolding before them.

"I'm not lying! It's not my fault that everyone on this campus is blind, deaf, and dumb! It's not like the signs haven't been there. I don't have a girlfriend; he's a man! A MAN!" he roared.

There was absolute silence after this announcement. No one had seen that one coming, least of all the dark-haired man standing a little way behind the infuriated couple.

Her mouth dropped open; she looked like a frog about to catch flies. "You're gay!?"

"Not on your life! No way in hell! But that doesn't change anything! He's the only one for me!"

"There's been no talk of that either!" she hissed.

"No shit there hasn't! It's not something you shout from the rooftops!" he bellowed.

"Then why are you shouting now!?" she screamed.

"Because you won't leave me alone!" he howled.

"I don't believe you!" she scoffed. "Just who is this 'secret' lover of yours?"

Souichi opened his mouth to tell the twit it was none of her business, when a voice behind him quietly answered:

"It's me."