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Miko opened her inbox to find an email from the museum director. An elementary school class will visit the museum next week. She would have to deal with a bunch of little brats and their old-fashioned and boring teacher.
It was not uncommon for school classes to visit the museum. She’d lived through this situation dozens of times. Children, teenagers and even university students; they all visited the museum in search of knowledge or an easy way to earn good grades.
She had work to do. Seeing the teacher's name in the email gave her a good idea. Miko sent an email to her ex co-worker, with clear instructions about what he should do during the school field trip’s day. She called her friend, Kiminami Anna, and asked her to make candy for the children.
The day of the school trip has arrived. Miko had everything prepared to cheer the children and annoy the teacher. She needed to have some fun. Nothing better than embarrassing an adult in front of a bunch of kids.
And then, the surprise. Miko didn’t expect the teacher to be so hot. That called for a change of plans. The museum couldn’t make this beautiful woman embarrass herself in front of the kids. Miko had to work the odds in her favor, or she wouldn’t have a chance with the teacher.
The school trip went perfectly well. The children were well behaved and listened to all Miko’s lectures. She showed them swords, scrolls and tea sets. Miko had to admit, the little ones were cute.
At the end of the tour, Miko took them to a courtyard. She picked up a basket full of sweets. The children gathered around her. “I have a little gift for you”. Miko smiled. “Who of you likes zunda mochi? People traditionally say the warlord Date Masamune invented this sweet. And they say it was his favorite. Now, all of you can taste it”.
The children screamed with joy and lined up to receive the zunda mochi. And to her surprise, the teacher also joined them. She looked to be a grumpy teacher, but she was actually quite cute. Perhaps Miko should tease her a little.
“And that’s for you, Raiden-sensei”.
Miko offered the teacher one zunda mochi. Raiden took the candy and, immediately, began to eat. The teacher was the only one eating the zunda mochi. Miko smiled and covered her lips with her hand.
The children spread out in the courtyard, some of them eating the candy, others playing with their friends. Miko and Raiden sat next to each other.
“You have good children, Raiden-sensei”.
“And they liked you, Yae-san”.
“Of course they did”. Miko smiled and saw that Raiden’s cheek was smeared with leftover candy. She took a handkerchief from her bag and wiped the other woman’s face. “Everyone likes me. You like me too, right, sensei?”
“You gave me zunda mochi”. Raiden smiled, trying to hide her blushing face.
“Hm. To conquer you, all I would need is candy. My, my, you're such a cute sensei”.
“Well, it only works because you are cute”. Raiden’s smile made Miko’s world stop. For a moment, the museum curator lost the ability to speak. Miko knew her face must be red as a tomato. “Call me Ei”.
“In… In that case, call me Miko”.
The museum curator tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, leaning towards the teacher.
And a scandalous laugh took everyone by surprise. A man wearing only a mawashi appeared in the courtyard. He raised one leg up, held it for a second at the highest point and let the leg down. The children screamed and ran to their teacher.
Miko bit her lower lip. Itto could have chosen another time to show up. Or he didn't need to show up. She and Ei were talking! They were busy. Really, really busy!
“What is…” Ei blinked confused.
“I’m the greatest rikishi of all time!” He stopped for a moment and looked at the palm of his hand, as if he was reading something written there. “I’m Raiden Tameenon!”
“Oh. This is one of the attractions of the museum”.
“Yes”. Miko tried to smile. She shouldn’t have sent him that email.
“Who will be brave enough to challenge the great Arata…” He stopped to cough. “The great Raiden Tameenon?!”
“It's okay, children”. Miko said, explaining everything to them. “He is here to play with you. Indeed, many people believed that Raiden was the greatest sumo wrestler of all time, despite having never been promoted to yokozuna. Maybe one of you will be able to defeat him”. Miko gave a mischievous smile. “How about your sensei trying to face him? Which one will be the best Raiden?”
The children screamed, wanting to see the fight between the two. Ei blinked and approached Miko.
“I will fight Raiden Tameenon. The Raiden Tameenon”.
Miko didn’t expect this. Ei seemed more excited about the fight than the kids.
---
The museum curator couldn’t believe she forgot to ask for Ei’s number. Now how will she be able to meet that cute teacher again? With no school trips planned for the next few days, Miko had little hope of seeing Ei again. She couldn’t just show up at the school Ei worked at. That would be weird.
She turned on the tv to watch the news. They were announcing an interview with the popular politician, Raiden Makoto. Miko blinked. Raiden Makoto and Ei were practically identical. They should be cousins or sisters.
Miko picked up her phone and searched Makoto’s name. She could find something about Ei that way. Maybe she could find Ei’s profile. And Miko stopped, throwing the phone to the other corner of the couch.
What was she doing? She wasn’t that desperate. That was wrong. Women were the ones who were desperate for her. That was the right thing. Yes. Ei was the desperate one. The teacher should be crying for not knowing Miko’s number. All the museum curator needed to do was wait. Ei would go to the museum.
---
And Miko waited. She waited for six days, until Ei returned to visit the museum. She knew the teacher was desperate for her.
“What a pleasant surprise to see you here”.
“Well, I needed to go back here if I wanted to face Raiden Tameenon again. I want to show him I'm the best Raiden".
“What?!” Miko must have heard wrong. It was not possible. That woman came there to fight Arataki Itto. What was on her mind? Air?! Did Ei forget that Miko is beautiful? “Itto… Itto is not here. Today he is training in the sumo stable”.
“Who?” Miko rolled her eyes.
“Raiden Tameenon”.
“Oh. I thought he was an actor, but he is, in fact, a sumo wrestler”. Ei closed her eyes and nodded. “That's why I lost. Hm… I still wish I had a rematch”.
Miko should be mad, but somehow the museum curator couldn't get mad at Ei.
“You will lose again”.
“I’ll not lose”.
“Yes, you will”. Miko laughed.
“Miko…” Ei pouted. “I’m not that weak”.
She approached the teacher and put her hand on Ei’s shoulder.
“I believe you”. Miko whispered in Ei’s ear. “Lucky that I like strong women”.
“Ah…” The taller woman blushed. “Miko, I have something for you. I asked my students to write a ten line essay about the museum, and one of them wrote about you”.
Ei took a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to Miko.
“My, my, a smart kid. Wait, you gave him a zero!”
“He didn’t follow my instructions. It’s an essay about the museum, not about you”.
Miko looked for the boy’s name. Shouta.
“And? It just proves he's smarter than you. He even wrote he wants me to be your girlfriend. He deserves a ten for it! You need to change his grade”.
Ei took the paper back.
“Okay, okay, Miko. I will think about changing his grade”.
“Hm. Good girl”. There was a flash of excitement in the teacher’s eyes. Miko knew a cute girl like Ei would like this kind of compliment. “So, the children know that you are a lesbian”.
“I don't keep it a secret from them, but I don't talk about it either. It's up to them to find out”. Ei looked away. “The school asked me not to talk about it. They said this might bother some parents”.
Miko had to control herself to not roll her eyes. She knew it wasn’t Ei’s fault. Miko also listened to the same advice from the museum director, but didn't follow it. Miko did not care if she made the tourists uncomfortable. The museum curator didn’t follow the director’s order, but she understood Ei’s caution. After all, everyone needed a job.
“Miko, are… you working now? If you are interested, we could go out. Maybe a coffee shop”.
“Hm. I accept the offer, but I'm still working. What do you think about taking a tour?”
“Yes. I want to see the swords again”. Ei smiled.
“Then, let's see the swords”.
Miko offered her arm, and they walked arm in arm.
Ei talked about swords and what made them special. Some swords were famous because they shine like the moon, having the sharpest of edges. While others were blunt and dull, but were considered treasures because they belonged to a famous samurai.
Miko let Ei talk about her passion. The teacher was really cute. Miko understood her. She felt the same way when she started talking about ancient and epic tales.
It was like a date between them. At that moment, Miko was truly happy.
“So, you and Raiden Makoto?”
“Oh, did you know my sister!” As she thought, the two were sisters.
“And who doesn't know her? She is everywhere”.
“Yes, she is. Makoto is my twin sister. Do… do you like her?”
“Your sister is one of the few politicians I like”.
“That’s good. I couldn't be with you, if you didn't like her”.
“My, do you need your sister's approval to date a woman?” Miko laughed. “How cute. Don’t worry, you can tell her I’m beautiful, wise, and I have experience in bed”.
“Mi-miko!” The museum curator laughed, enjoying Ei’s cute reaction. “I don’t need her permission. I just… can't get along with someone who doesn’t like her”.
“I see. You are the overprotective sister”.
Ei turned in order to look at the museum curator face to face.
“I can protect you too, Miko”.
Miko hugged Ei, leaning her head on the teacher’s shoulder.
“Yes, please, protect me, Ei. I will like that”.
“I will, Miko”.