Chapter Text
“Y/N-sensei, is it true that you’re still not married by now?”
For the millionth time, you’ve sighed, releasing all of the pent-up irritation that these incessant questions have brought. The gathering was supposed to be a get-together with your old class, but instead, you found yourself in the hot seat.
It’s clear that your students from two years ago were just curious about what happened to you. But it really irritated you that they quickly shifted the conversation from their newfound jobs or their college lives, to your nonexistent love life.
“For the tenth time today, yes. I’m not married. I’m still single at 25. For God’s sake. Let’s just stop talking about me. Let’s just chat about how successful you guys have been.”
Laughter echoed in the restaurant, but no sound came out of your lips. You just felt like you wanted to head home. You never thought it, but this reunion had become draining. It felt like all your strength had seeped out of your body as you dodged all their invading questions.
Looking around for help from your crazy group of students, your eyes landed on your co-teacher, who was watching how flustered you were all along. You widened your eyes at him, signalling him to come and get you from there.
It seems like Sanemi took that hint, and with a smirk on his lips, he stood up from his seat and went towards you. Rolling up the sleeves of his white button-up shirt in the process.
You gulped when you saw the muscles on his arm, wishing that the man would never notice how you looked at him. Sanemi has always been fit, and there are times that you can’t take your eyes off him.
An arm suddenly snaked around your shoulder, pulling you closer. With a creased eyebrow, you turned to look up at Sanemi, who’s definitely taller than you. “Ey, ey! I can see how you’ve been pestering your Y/N-sensei. So I’ll be taking her away from you.”
Students often flinch at the sound of Sanemi’s voice since he has always been the sternest teacher of you all. Often times, you would feel like hitting his head because of his attitude, but now you’re very thankful for it.
Sanemi really did take you away from your old seat, despite the grunts that came from your curious students. For some reason, heat seems to build up in your cheeks as you realise that his arms are still wrapped around you. Sanemi’s body radiated more warmth than you could ever imagine, as he acted so cold around some people sometimes.
He finally let you go once you were at his table. A small chuckle escaped from his lips as his purple eyes watched you settle down. “Why are you laughing, Shinazugawa-san?” You asked, rolling your eyes in annoyance and fluster.
You looked aside before being drawn into his intimidating stare, and he didn’t even answer. “You know, if you’ll tease me too—”
“I’m just curious too, Y/N-chan. Why are you still single?”
The audacity to ask that! Incredulous by what he had just said, you stared at him with wide eyes and cocked an eyebrow. You never expected that a man as stern as him would be interested in gossip.
Even though you were trying to keep your cool, all you could think about was punching the smirk right off his face. Maybe it’s just the booze talking.
“Why on earth would you care?”
“Perhaps because I can change that?”
You seemed momentarily stunned. Did you catch every word he said? Is he actually so tipsy? After hearing what Sanemi had to say, your mouth nearly hit the floor in shock.
Is that a fucking confession?
There was a brief period of silence. You did nothing except stare at him in bewilderment, like a young child with no idea what was going on in the world.
Perhaps Sanemi couldn’t stand that; he pulled you outside, making sure that none of your former students or co-teachers were looking.
No protest came from your lips, even as Sanemi had already carried your bag on his left shoulder, holding you by your right hand. All that matters in your head right now is figuring out what he just said.
One…
Two…
Three…
“What in the actual fuck are you doing, Shinazugawa-san?”
These words suddenly came out of your mouth as you realised that you were being dragged away from the gathering by your co-teacher, who seemed to be too drunk.
Yes, you will admit that you enjoyed the sensation of his calloused hand against your small fingers, wondering how his palm became like this in the first place.
“Oh, mind your language, Y/N-chan!” Sanemi teased, making you pull away from his hold. For real, what’s on with him tonight? Curiousness and fluster mixed up within you, making you feel a boiling sensation in the pit of your stomach. You bit your lip and tried to steal your bag from him, but as he was taller and quicker than you, he just moved an inch, and all your efforts were wasted.
You groaned loudly, making some people look at the both of you. Realising that you both were in public, Sanemi raised an eyebrow at some bystanders and spoke with a cold tone.
“What’s the matter with you? Enjoying the show? Go fuck off.”
No one would ever think that this foul-mouthed man is a teacher with how he acts sometimes. You shot him a glance, mortified at what he had done, but it didn’t seem to phase him in the slightest.
He looked back at you and sent you that smirk once again, which annoyed the hell out of you. “Shinazugawa-san, you’re fucking drunk. Stop this.” You’re almost crying from too much frustration over his teasing.
And perhaps he had seen the tears that were welling in your eyes when Sanemi suddenly gulped and gave you back your bag. “Eh, I was just teasing. No need to cry, Y/N-chan.” He said it as if both of you were children playing at the playground.
“Whatever!” You said, snatching the bag away from his hand.
You no longer felt like continuing on with the reunion and instead wanted to return home. You then turned around and started walking in the opposite direction, completely befuddling Sanemi. He chased after you, mumbling your name.
His mint perfume came to your senses, bringing back some memories. Whenever both of you are at school, you can always tell he’s around because of his distinctive minty, masculine aroma. Sanemi loves to ask how you have been. Often times, he would help you carry books or even walk you to the bus station.
He isn’t like that with the other people; it’s as if he has a facade when it comes to them.
Or perhaps it’s the other way around. You’re the one who’s seeing his facade.
“Hey, I was just joking earlier.” He said it now, with a hushed tone, making you stop walking. As if he had lost his senses, Sanemi bumped into you, accidentally hitting his lip on the top of your head. A yelp came out of your lips as you turned to look at him and saw that there was blood on his lower lip.
“Shinazugawa-san! You should be careful!” You said that all of the annoyance faded as you took your handkerchief and wiped the blood from his lower lip.
It would be an understatement to say that you don’t feel anything. As you wiped the blood from his lip, you couldn’t help but witness how long his eyelashes were and how the little hair from his bangs moved with the littlest of his movements.
Gulping at the sight, you finally looked away and were about to step a bit further, but Sanemi caught your arm and pulled you close.
“But I’m definitely serious about one thing that I’ve told you tonight. I want you to be my girlfriend, Y/N-chan.”
What he had said surprised you. At first, you thought that he is drunk, but then eventually realised that there is no hint of alcohol in his breath. So, he’s definitely sober, and he’s clearly confessing to you.
You gulped and didn’t answer him for a while. You stared at him once again and saw how serious he is by the look of his face and the glitter of his eyes. His lips, his plumpy lips… You suddenly had the urge to feel them and check how they would taste.
But then, you stopped yourself and these crazy thoughts… for a while…
“Shinazugawa-san, uh… Let’s get your wound cleaned first. Then we’ll talk about this again…”
A smile crept up his lips—not that signature smirk that he always wears. You didn’t smile back, but you’re sure that you’re blushing like a schoolgirl.
“Where do we go then?” He asked while taking the opportunity to gently squeeze your hand. You took a deep breath and glanced at your hands, which were intertwined.
“Up to you…” You said it in a small tone, feeling a lump on your throat as Sanemi’s fingers caressed your hands slowly. When you returned his gaze, his earnest grin changed into a childlike smile, and a flush appeared on his cheek.
“I know the perfect place. Come with me.”
𝑻𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒅…
