Prologue

"Love means partnership, not ownership, appreciation, not possession." (Unknown)

"Excuse me? You want me to do what?"

Sadayo Kawakami studied the floor as she habitually did, her gaze naturally coming to rest on her right side whenever she spoke of something uncomfortable. She wore her customary yellow shirt and blue denim skirt. Her companion, a young man with glasses and a calm demeanor, appeared a tad less awkward; he remained respectfully silent out of courtesy. After all, the adults were talking about an adult matter.

"You heard me, Senpai," Sadayo said, her voice softer than usual. "I meant exactly what I said."

"Do you fully comprehend the implications of what you're asking me to do for you, Sadayo-chan? With you?"

Sadayo nodded.

I sighed and stared at the young man. "Honestly, did you put her up to this, Amamiya-kun? Wasn't it enough for her to dress up as a maid for you?"

The young man rose to his feet at the sound of his name. He bowed. I noted that he was wearing denim slacks to complement his black T-shirt. "Respectfully, Toriumi-sensei, I may have...mentioned the possibility. Only mentioned it. I didn't force it upon her, honest. And she doesn't really do the maid thing anymore. Not really." He then sat back down and lapsed back into silence.

"He's telling the truth, Senpai." Sadayo added.

"Heavens…" was all I could say. I buried my face in my hands. "Sadayo-chan, you're grown to be my best friend in the many months that I've known you. Normally, I'd grant any of your requests that are within my power to grant without batting an eyelash, it's just that this is incredibly…incredibly..."

"Unusual," my kouhai finished. "I know. And I'm very sorry, Senpai. It's just that you're the only one I can trust with this. Besides Amamiya-kun, no one else knows me as well as you do. That makes you the best and only choice. And there are...other reasons, besides..."

The torrent of emotions that followed Sadayo's statement was nearly unbearable. I wanted to hug her. I wanted to strangle her. What I wasn't sure I wanted to do was grant her request. It was a miracle I was even listening to this. And yet...

"I need time to process this," I said, reaching for the nearest beer can. I flipped it open and took a long sip. "Seriously."

"I understand, Senpai," Sadayo calmly said. "Really. Take whatever time you need."

I punctuated the silence with several sips of beer. "A few questions before anything else. What led to this? Walk me through the process again."

"Well, you do know that Amamiya-kun's eighteenth birthday is coming up in a few weeks, right?" Sadayo piped up.

"Right. And?"

"And...he and I have been talking. Since he's been so attentive to my needs since we started our relationship." She glanced at Amamiya-kun and smiled. He returned the affectionate gestures. "He's been very kind to me, Senpai. Very kind. I thought it would be a good idea to return the favor somehow."

"Go on."

"During some random conversation we had, we started talking about fantasies. And I asked him what his were."

"Uh-huh."

"And since he'll be an adult soon, we thought it would be a good idea if we...you know…"

I waved the beer can in front of her. "...Realized at least one of them."

"Yes."

"You two have earnestly talked about this, haven't you?"

"Yes, Senpai, we have. Many times." Amamiya-kun only nodded.

"And how do you honestly feel about this, Sadayo-chan?"

"I'm still processing it myself, actually. However, I'm sure it'll be okay if it's with people I love and trust."

I fell silent for a long time. That was a lot to unpack.

"Senpai," Sadayo said, gingerly breaking the silence. "Isako...are you all right?"

My ears perked up this. Sadayo usually refrained from using my first name in the company of others unless something was up.

"Honestly, Sadayo?" I met her on level ground and intentionally left the honorific out. "I don't know whether to feel flattered or insulted." I set the beer can down, reached for a slice of cake, and took a spoonful. "It's a lot to take in, you know?"

Sadayo nodded. "I understand, Senpai. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, I will drop the matter and never mention it again."

I wasn't worried that she broached the topic to me. What bothered me was that part of me didn't want her to drop it.

"Your time with him has changed you, Sadayo-chan," I said, keeping my voice even. "And I mean this with no judgment and all respect."

My kouhai smiled at this. "It has, hasn't it?"

I shut my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "I just want to know one thing: if ever I consent to this, and assuming it's done properly and respectfully, will it help you and your relationship in any fruitful, lasting way?"

"I'd like to think so, Senpai. I wouldn't have asked otherwise."

I heaved a deep sigh. "All right. I will at least think about the possibility of having a threesome with both of you."

To Be Continued

Author's Notes

Hello, folks. Gestalten here with another story percolating in my mind for a while. Unlike "The Best Part," this will be a mini-series like "The Butterfly Hermit," only on a lighter note. However, due to 's policy on adult themes, I intend to post a more tasteful version of this story. I'm currently looking at submitting another version of the same story with more extended, unabashed scenes in the future. I'll let you folks know when. For now, kindly enjoy this foray into the minds of two of my favorite fictional teachers.