Chapter Text
Kenji Tomochika was in his second year of middle school when he bought a movie for himself.
“Maturity and Eros” was the title and Kenji had wanted it because he memorized the definition of the first word for a test he aced.
“Mature; Fully developed and knowledgeable” was what Kenji had written and by all accounts he knew that description fit him perfectly.
He took care of his lil sis, learned to sign and sort the bills, kept the house clean and safe each day. By all accounts this movie was made for Kenji.
So once Keiko was put to bed and his parents were out late again he sat down in front of the tv and watched the whole thing front to back.
Frankly speaking, it captivated him. It was a daring emotional and flirty film about a teacher tutoring her student only for it to be that he fell in love with her in the process.
Despite the odds the two of them were soulmates and it ended with them married and running away together. Replaying each part, knowing every plot beat, it was sewn into Kenji’s heart.
The ending was his favorite part. An embrace between the two leads Lawrence and Dina and how he swooped her away from the evils of the world. A fairy tale ending, right on Kenji’s screen.
So it didn’t take long for him to pick up every spin-off show and sequel or speed to home after school to catch shows that were similar of a similar genre. Not only was it something aside from homework and babysitting to fill his afternoons, it actually helped Kenji finally make some friends.
After just talking about the movie with classmates, he found a group of guys like him. Boys who’d share their magazines and DVDs, brag about the girlfriends they didn’t have, jeer and joke together. It made Kenji so happy to be in a group like that.
Being with an older incredible chick is every boy's dream, a blue moon only those lucky enough could find or have. Everything Kenji learned from those experiences only made that truth more apparent. Who cares if it’s weird, if it's what boys want it's what they gotta have.
So Kenji knew from then on he would get a girlfriend one day and it would be a mature older woman. And it wasn’t because girls his age were bad or anything, it’s just that in comparison they didn’t have what Kenji wanted. And Kenji was going to find it.
The only problem now is that Kenji’s in his second year of high school and the closest thing to his dreams is a poster at Hakugre he only looks at a couple times. So using whatever his brain could muster he figured out a real way to get a girlfriend. He just needed his ideas to work properly.
But that also came with obstacles- for one a plan included at least one other person to have as backup or just know about it and Kenji realised pretty quickly nobody could actually do that.
Iori kun was his first choice as the two of them sorta talk, but the guy is a goofball all things considered so most likely everything would end in bad pick up lines and poorly told puns.
Miyamoto kun is another choice but Kenji knows for a fact he only cares about running. He’s oblivious to all things romance related and it irks Kenji somewhat. Well not really, but Kenji feels something about it so Miyamoto’s a no go.
His sister Keiko is also not an option because siblings never tell of their romantic ventures ever, and nobody else in this class is close enough to Kenji for him to spill this sort of “idea”. The list is so small it dawns on Kenji he really doesn’t have anyone.
So he tells the new transfer kid.
Arisato Minato is a blue haired slouched teen who always seems bored out of his mind and constantly listening to whatever the hell plays in those earphones of his. Plus for a good looking guy like him he neither has the fashion sense or the interest to attract girls in flocks.
People started the spring gossiping either about his supposed relationship with Takeba san or how he was weird. Kenji went with the first probably fake piece of news in an attempt to at least make a new acquaintance.
Interestingly enough though, Arisato is a good listener. “I like them all!” he semi-loudly responds to Kenji’s question about his type in girls. A guy that doesn’t discriminate huh? That sounds pretty cool all things considered.
So Kenji finally spills his hopes and Arisato stares at him the whole time they talk. Chopsticks clenched over the bowl he stares blankly and pays close attention to every part of Kenji’s first chance to actually get a girlfriend.
And it’s not just girl troubles either- whenever Kenji laments his boring life or his ramblings about ramen, Arisato keeps listening and never seems to judge. Sure Kenji can never tell but he can feel it.
It's a quiet May day when Kenji finally decides to throw caution to the wind too.
Ms Kanou is his choice- a smart, lovely, aged teacher he knows he can take a shot at. He’ll find her in the office and charm her just like in the film. She’ll blush and tuck her hair and their romance will start on a normal high school day. And if the plan goes wrong, Arisato is there just in case.
For all technicalities and possibilities, everything goes accordingly albeit differently. For one, Ms Kanou greets Kenji before he even has the chance to get a word out.
She finds him halfway in the hallway, just like a meet cute and when she tells Kenji she was looking for him he's nearly giddy.
“Tomochika san, I’m glad I found you. Would you mind talking with me for a minute?” she asks, her voice is like sugar honey.
Kenji immediately follows her to a spare classroom and it’s there she confesses to him. “You're a wonderful kid but I’ve been told your grades are sort of slipping. So would you like to come to my place for tutoring?”.
The words don’t feel real when they leave Ms Kanou’s mouth. Nor the way she leans on one of the desks as the sun bathes her figure or her eyes sparkling like gems.
Kenji’s already in love.
“Of course!” He nearly shouts and it’s as simple as sharing numbers and planning dates before Kenji’s out the door giddy with excitement.
He runs back to Arisato and thanks him for sticking around. He’s too pumped to actually stay any longer cause he’s gotta get moving now!
And as he runs, Arisato’s words are a part of the excitement and the joy of this becoming an actual reality.
(He didn’t notice the expressions hidden in the corners of Arisato’s face. Nor did he notice the changes before and after coming back. All that mattered were his words)
“Good luck”
X
It’s only been a few days but Kenji is so friggin happy.
Ms Kanou insists on him calling her Emiri and she calls him her sweetheart. Every other afternoon he’s over at her apartment sitting at her dining table and working on questions and the homework Kenji has.
“You're my guest so please, you can always make yourself at home here” Emiri explains when she starts bringing out her special snacks from outside Iwatodai. The two of them work for about half an hour each day and then when he leaves Emiri always tucks her hair and smiles at him.
Everything feels too good to be true, and yet it is. A fairy tale or a tv show is Kenji’s life right now and he can’t help how happy it makes him feel. When Keiko asks what's up with his face or when his parents acknowledge his improvement in school it's all because of her.
And it just gets even better.
It's been about a week of tutoring when Emiri sighs to herself and generally seems more down and out. “Emiri you alright?” Kenji asks and at first she looks away.
“Don't worry about it sweetheart, I’m fine.”
Well obviously she's not and Kenji knows because he’s read enough romance advice columns to at least acknowledge it.
“It’s alright Emiri, just tell me what’s on your mind” he insists and his words do work because she’s grinning again. “You really are a sweetheart, you know that Kenji?”
She puts her chin on the palms of her hands as she sighs. “Some guys have been asking me out a lot recently. One of them even asked if I wanted to get coffee with him- I had to decline each of them in the end.”
“Why?” Kenji asks. He thinks at first he may have stepped over a line but Emiri just stares off a bit instead. “My students come first of course. I need to make sure their grades are flawless or else they won’t get far.”
“As a teacher it’s my duty to help them”
Emiri pauses.
“Strangely enough, I think I’m doing a good job because of you sweetheart”
His face feels like it’s going to flush as Emiri continues on. “You're a great guy and I’m lucky to know you. Anyone should take example from you”
“Please keep this a secret sweetheart. You're the only one who knows” Emiri finishes.
“Y-yeah of course Emiri!” Kenji finally exclaims and his heart is on some sort of dizzy spell because it’s beating fast. “I promise as your man I’ll make sure to make you proud. Nothing will ever come in our way”.
“Swear it?” Emiri asks, pinky extended.
“I swear it,” Kenji promises.
They work for a couple more minutes until Kenji leaves and walks home. High on dreams come true it feels incredible that this is tangible in Kenji’s hands.
He didn’t need good luck it seems- it follows him naturally.