Chapter Text
How are you liking teaching so far?”
He needs to tell you but, he just-
Can't.
He wants, no needs, for you to see him as normal, as one of you because then, maybe he’ll have a chance.
He nods at your response, but stops as you arrive at the front door to the school.
He gives some excuse about grading as he wishes you off.
Once you're gone, he heads to his classroom, feeling his human form start to disperse and he takes his true form. When he settles into his classroom his head finds his hands as he leans on his desk.
What is he going to do?
He might have to call a sick day, his coughing had started to interrupt his teaching. He sighs. He still has six days. He can do this, he can confess. He can-
He struggles to breathe as two bitter petals fall on his desk. White and delicate, their purity stained with the brutalness of blood.
Shivers run down his spine.
He hasn't been injured for a long time, especially not like this.
How do you even ask someone out?
He’s seen it happen,
He's not oblivious to love.
He’s just inexperienced.
He knows who isn't tho.
And god he wishes she was.
“Foxface, I can feel you watching me.” His voice drips with disdain as he calls out to her.
She sighs, transforming back into her human form and sitting on his desk.
“Yeah, well you're acting weird.” She notes.
“How do I ask them?” He asks.
“What- Why the hell should I know?”
“Because, you know love, or atleast better than I do.”
“Oooh- love?” She tease
“Shut up before I call number seven for fox soup.” His voice cold.
“Okay fine!” She grumbles, her smirk dropping immediately.
“Do it nicely you know, with flowers and a thought out confession.”
“..I always think things out.”
“Then why are you asking me?”
Number five sends her a glare.
“I already told you. I have no exper-”
Tsuchigomori takes a few steps back before collapsing to the ground, petals and violet coughs spewing from his mouth onto the cold hard ground.
Yako, jumping up, his face fixed in horror as the blood stained petals fell.
“No.. It’s.. It’s this bad..?” She asks, clear concern in her voice.
-Tsuchigomori doesn't respond as he collects himself.
“Look.. Please, just help me?”
—---------------
“Here for you.” He nervously hands you a warm mug, an earth but sweet scent filling the room.
You smile as you greet Tsugumori and take the drink.
“I know you also had a lot of grading work and it's not great teaching a class tired.
“Thanks, although I hope you don't have much experience with that!” You respond.
He smiles and shakes his head, “More times than I’d like to admit.”
His aura was fine, he kept that same neutral face but inside?
He was freaking out.
He couldn't believe it, he was doing it, actually talking to you! And he gave you coffee.
He opens his mouth to say something, anything, but he can’t. He just stares at your perfection, your hair, your eyes, your smile, everything.
It left him breathless.
“Are you alright..?”
He's quickly snapped out of his thoughts when you speak to him.
“I'm fine. It’s almost time for my class to start, till next time.” he says with a curt nod and a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
He sits down at his desk as he prepares his tests.
The feeling of coughs threatening to release as he settles down.
He jerks forward, his body wrecking with coughs.
Three petals?
Fuck.
As soon as the bell rings he runs out of his room, heading straight for number 2.
The soft sound of humming fills his ears as he watches her brush her hair.
“You look… horrible.” Concern clear in her voice as the brush is put down.
“What else can I do?” Panic evident in his voice and clear on Yakos face.
“You didn't tell them, did you?” She groans.
“It's getting worse because you're getting more attached. Don’t talk to her unless you're about to confess! Now, let's work on a confession because you probably won't go one period without talking to them.”
—------------
Flowers, and a note.
That's what you find on your desk when you get to school.
“Come see me after your last class”
-Tsuchigomori.
‘Is this enough?’ He thinks to himself as he paces around his room. ‘Did you get the note?
Will you even show u-’
His thoughts all cease when he sees you.
“Oh- Hello.”
He has to put all his focus into this and not just staring at you.
“So, I’ll cut right to the chase I-”
The sound of a phone ringing interrupts the two of you, you grab your phone apologizing before taking it outside.
For him, it wouldn’t make a difference, being supernatural means better hearing. He doesn't mean to eavesdrop, but when he hears a male voice on the other side of the line, he can’t do anything but listen.
“You promised.. Todays our special day! Come on, I’m outside your school. Come out so we can go celebrate!” The voice on the phone says.
He quickly steps away from the door as he hears you coming back and plays with a trinket on his desk.
“Listen, Tsuchigomori I am so sorry but I have to get home, it's an emergency, but we’ll continue this tomorrow right?
“Right. I hope everythings okay.” He says, his face neutral but the tightness of his brows gives away his worry.
“It will be, I just have to go carry out tradition. Thank you for the flowers!” You say as you hurry outside his class.
He closes the door and slumps down against it, not bothering to fight the petals that plague him.
He looks down, his eyes widening as four petals drop more red than white.
He justs has to make it to tomorrow morning
___________
When you walk into the school you go straight for Tsuchigomori’s classroom.
“Good morning Tsuchigomori! I’m so sorry about the other day what was it you wanted to tell m-”
But as you look around, his room is empty.