Chapter Text
University was scary. The campus was much larger than the college campus was, the classrooms were larger than college classrooms were, and everything felt intimidatingly impersonal.
Those were the sentiments of the young Sai Nanami, who was on campus to receive his degree in programming. For him, the matter of programming was second nature, and he often seemed to know more than his professors.
However, it was the other courses that were nightmarish, especially since he couldn't work up the nerve to chase down his professors with any questions he had. It always seemed like they wanted to escape the classrooms the moment their time was up.
So he sat in the campus library, sighing, and trying to understand the coursework that seemed to go over his head. His heart raced from the anxiety. Luckily, Sai wasn't the sort to procrastinate, so he had plenty of time to try to figure things out. However, it was all going over his head, and the characters seemed to blend together.
It was then that he noticed a bulletin board nearby, and it distracted him. Attracted him. He rose and moved towards it, scanning the contents.
There were advertisements for clubs, gatherings, and school events. However, one thing truly caught his eye: "Student Tutoring. Please scan the below QR code for more details, or visit our website." Before University, he would have laughed off such a concept. However, here, he felt desperation for help so bad that it welled up in his throat. He scanned the paper with his phone, and returned to the table with his things to give it a look
The QR code brought up a website with information on the student tutoring program. It was apparently run by students, for students, and there were going rates for various course levels. The numbers seemed reasonable, especially compared against a professional. The website gave a number to call for more information, as well as a number for texting.
Sai opted to text.
Sai: Hello, my name is Sai Nanami, and I'm interested in your Student Tutoring Program.
The answer came after only a few minutes. Of course, Sai was bouncing a leg nervously for the duration of the wait.
University STP: Good afternoon, Sai. Pleased to meet you! Would you please enter the course numbers that you are interested in receiving tutoring for?
Sai entered every course number that he was currently paying for, as he didn't have any programming or English courses for the semester.
University STP: Sounds like you're having a hard time of it! We'll be happy to help. Give us a moment to match you with tutors on everything, and we'll give you their contact information. We will also send you the going rate on a per-session basis, though you'll receive a discount if you decide to use our services for the duration of the semester.
Sai: That sounds good. Thank you.
Sai's leg resumed its bouncing, and after about 10 minutes, his phone went off in his hands.
University STP: Sorry for the wait! We actually found a student who will be able to assist you with all of your courses. His name is Senku Ishigami, and here is his contact information. He's aware that you'll be in touch with him soon, so please continue your correspondence with him. Thank you for using our service!
Sai: Will do! Thank you!
Sai wasn't worried about the price he had to pay for the tutoring service. He was attending the university on a full sail scholarship, and he had money that was sent to him by his family. He added Senku Ishigami to his phone when a text tone went off.
Senku Ishigami: Hey. This is Senku Ishigami, but I just go by Senku. Is this Sai Nanami's number?
Sai: Yes, it is. I guess you're texting me about the tutoring program?
Senku Ishigami: Bingo. So, after hearing about the rates, do you know what courses and rates you want tutoring for?
Sai: Everything I listed with the people, for the duration of the semester.
Senku Ishigami: We'll have to meet four times a week, then, and go over one course a day. If that's not something you can manage, we can do multiple courses with breaks in the middle.
Sai: I have Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekend available.
Senku Ishigami: Perfect. Let's work out a schedule. Lucky for you, you're the first student to contact me, so my schedule's pretty free right now. By the way, you don't mind working in my dorm room or yours, would you?
Sai: Not at all. I don't have a roommate right now.
Senku Ishigami: Alright.
They spent the next few minutes going over what would be taught when, and matching up their schedules. Sai gave his address to Senku.
Senku Ishigami: Alright. See you then.
Sai: See ya
Sai put down his phone excitedly, and put away his books. There wasn't any point in wasting his time going over things, so he spent his time preparing his room for his guest, and trying to get some rest.
. . .
The next day, Sai took some breakfast in the school's food court, and returned to his dorm room to find a leek-haired student who was around half a foot shorter than him… if you didn't count the hair. He was standing outside of Sai's door, wearing a dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes. Striking red eyes met his after he put away his phone. Sai felt his heart skipping a beat as he drew closer to his door.
"I take it you're Sai Nanami?"
"... Yes. And you're Senku?"
"The one and only. Let's get started."
Sai fumbled with his keys as Senku watched, and they entered.
"Looks like you cleaned up. I'm flattered that you'd clean up for me, but I don't really care about how much of a slob you might be. Anyway, before we get started, let's get your payment."
"Payment?"
"For the tutoring."
"Oh, sure. Is card okay?"
"That works."
Sai pulled out his card, and Senku pulled out a card reader.
"Nice. Thanks for the advance payment, by the way. I would say "I'm gonna eat well this semester," but I won't lie and act like I'm not just going to eat ramen."
Sai giggled at the comment, and Senku chuckled.
"I'm glad you found that funny, but I wasn't kidding. I've got better things to spend my money on."
"Like what?"
"Don't worry about it. We're here for you, aren't we?"
"... Right."
"Then let's get to work."
Sai sat down at his desk, and Senku pulled up a chair.
He smelled… so nice. That was Sai's main thought as his fellow student's face was inches from his. And he was so… handsome. Those red eyes were captivating, and his unsure smirk made him want to kiss his lips.
"You alright in there?"
"Oh! Yeah. Sorry… This course is giving me a really hard time."
"How hard? Let's get to the first page in this book of yours to where you're feeling lost."
"That'll be the easiest thing to do with this course so far." Sai opened the book, flipped through the table of contents, and skipped past the housekeeping. He looked to Senku.
"Ouch. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me. Is it like this in all of your classes?"
"... Yeah."
"I guess they're not related to your major?"
"That's an understatement."
"What's your major, then?"
"Programming. It's a passion of mine."
"Oho… That's good to hear. I'm here for a degree in aerospace engineering."
"Wow! That's crazy! So why did you join the student training program?"
Well, it's my first semester here, but the STP caught wind of the grades on my transcript, and my history of tutoring when I was younger, and they scouted me."
"That's impressive! Maybe you should become a teacher."
"That sounds like a complete nightmare. My dad's a college professor, so I know it pays like crap unless you're tenured. If anything, tutoring is much more lucrative. But I would rather die than rehash the same crap until I went gray at the roots. This is strictly while I'm a student."
"I see…"
"Anyway, that's enough chit chat. Let's get started."
The tutoring session went on better than Sai could have anticipated. Senku seemed used to dumbing things down. After two hours, an alarm went off on Senku's watch, and he stretched.
"Well, that's it for this session. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks to your tutelage!"
"By the way, you mentioned that you're majoring in programming?"
"Yeah!"
"Well, the STP could use a programming major. For programming tutors, I'm all they've got right now."
"You can program too!?"
"Part of my major. Anyway, it's pretty good money, all things considered. Though you might not really care."
"Why's that?"
"Because your last name is Nanami, and you'd have to be all sorts of oblivious not to recognize that name."
"... Oh."
"I don't actually care or anything, but I just know you must be pretty well off already."
"Well, you're right about that, but…"
"But?"
"Would I be able to see you more?"
"Probably. If you decided to join, you'd probably shadow me for a few sessions so you know how to do it. Not to mention, me and the other members go out to dinner on Friday nights."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll join!"
"Alright," Senku chuckled, smiling. "Anyway, no rest for the wicked. Here's the card of one of the people who runs the whole thing. Her name's Luna Wright." He pulled out a card, and handed it to Sai.
"I'll call, then."
"See you Saturday for your next lesson."
"S-See ya."
Senku rose from the desk and smiled down at him. Sai could feel his heart pounding as their eyes met. He did a small wave as he left, closing the door behind him.
Sai flopped down on his desk, sighing loudly. He was definitely crushing hard.