“Let’s go inside,” you said once you pulled away from the kiss.

Shuichi nodded his head and the two of you made it up to your apartment. You sighed as you ran a hand through your hair. What were you going to do about a job? You furrowed your brows as you turned around to stare at Shuichi. He arched an eyebrow, his beautiful green eyes questioning you.

“Shuichi, did Hideto mention calling the cops?”

You could feel your heart racing within your chest at the thought of being arrested and prosecuted.

“He’s not going to involve the police,” he stated calmly.

“Why?”

Shuichi sat down on the couch as he deliberated his words. “He… doesn’t want to mar Meiou’s reputation. If he called the police, then the press would get involved no matter how hard he tried to keep them out.”

“Shuichi,” you scolded as you sat down next to him, your eyes narrowed in suspicion.

He turned to look at you and smiled warmly. “You don’t need to worry, [Name]. Hideto and I spoke with one another; everything was very clear when I left. The police won’t be called, Jiro’s punishment will be put into action tomorrow, and lastly… Hideto wishes that you never return to Meiou grounds.”

You took in a sharp intake of breath. Never return? As in never, never? You locked gazes with Shuichi. If this was all of the punishment for such a heinous crime, you would gladly accept it with open arms.

You smiled as you leaned over and placed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep you,” you whispered as you pulled away.

Shuichi smirked as his arms entrapped your body. “I’m glad to hear that.”

His lips captured yours as he pushed your body against the arm of the couch. His body dominated you as his tongue slipped into your mouth. The point he was trying to get across was crystal clear; he needed and wanted you.

You kissed back with the same vigor, allowing a throaty moan to escape your lips as his hand wandered down the side of your body. Your tongues danced with one another and Shuichi ground his hips into yours; a ripple tore through his body at the sensation of your body deliciously pressed up against his own.

You nearly drowned in your desire. His body, his warmth, his love drove your senses to over load. You felt his fingers caress your body as they slipped beneath your blouse. His fingers were ice cold compared to your blazing body; the sensation only heightened your desire.

“Shuichi,” you whispered out as you pulled him closer to yourself, grinding your hips into him.

His lips attacked your neck as he shifted his weight. You sighed in bliss as he nipped and kissed his way to your jaw before placing a demanding kiss on your lips. You moved yourself slightly for better access to Shuichi and suddenly heard a loud gasp.

“[First name, Middle name, Last name]!”

Your eyes shot open as you shoved Shuichi off you. Looking at the entrance of your apartment, you saw your mother standing there absolutely livid with anger. You couldn’t contain the blush of deep embarrassment as it completely consumed your face, ears, and neck.

“Mom! What are you doing here,” you questioned as you fixed your shirt, not even sparing Shuichi a glance.

“I came to discuss certain business with you,” she hissed out before her eyes darted over to Shuichi.

He was calm and collected as he sat beside your flustered form. The only thing that gave him away was his slightly abnormal breathing and if one were to glance down at his lap, well, he was a little more uncomfortable than he let on.

“I can see that it’s good I came when I did.”

“Mother,” you scolded her as you flushed even deeper.

“I suppose this boy is the cause of everything?”

You mouth hung open in sheer shock. She was attacking him? How dare she!

“No, Mom. Actually, I’m the cause of everything. And how rude of you! To say things you know nothing about.”

“[First name, Middle Name] I know more than you think,” she declared harshly as she further walked into your apartment. “And I can rest assure you that this is merely a fling.”

Shuichi’s eyes narrowed as he regarded your mother with a cold glare.

“Mrs. [Last Name],” he began in a soft, stern tone of voice. “I don’t suppose you know me very well… or rather at all. I know how this appears; a boy with raging hormones lusting after his young, vivacious teacher. I know how difficult it is when someone comes barging into your world and turning it upside down. However, [Name] and I found one another and took comfort in each other. There is more between us than a fling or a crush.”

Your mother clenched her jaw in anger. “I will not be spoken to like that by a stupid teenager.”

You got up from your couch. “Mom, that’s enough. I’m not ready to talk to you and it’s clear you’re not ready to talk to me.”

“I do not agree.”

Shuichi rose out of his spot and took a step towards your mother. “Perhaps you would like a word with me.”

“Shuichi!”

He briefly stared at you before locking gazes with your mother. She seemed to be in complete shock as her mind failed to come up with a response.

“We can go across the street to the café and have a moment with one another. Would you be alright with that?”

Slowly, her composure returned as she glared at the redhead. “Actually, yes, I would.”

Your mouth dropped open. What the hell was going through Shuichi’s mind? He nodded his head as he began walking towards the doorway. You made an attempt to follow before his intimidating green eyes turned to you.

“[Name]… I know she’s your mother, but she and I need to have this discussion without you.”

You fumbled for words as you stared at him in disbelief. He was committing suicide if he thought this was the practical option. Even your mother seemed dumbfounded as she stared at the redhead.

“Are you sure,” you finally found your voice.

He chuckled as he nodded his head. “And don’t wait up; you’ll be sorely disappointed.”

You frowned as he exited the apartment. Your mother followed, despite the clear confusion that was consuming her thoughts. The door was closed behind her and the two were gone.

For a few minutes, you simply stood, waiting for one of them to come back. Neither of them did. Finally, you scratched your head as you let out a long sigh.

“Well… damn.”

How were you supposed to feel? Your (hopefully) boyfriend just walked out of your apartment with your absolutely furious mother who hated him more than she could imagine. Yet, the confusion she was exhibiting oddly calmed you. She was so confused that all her anger seemed to disappear the moment he challenged her.

You shook your head. He challenged your mother; the one person who always got her way. You really didn’t know how this was going to turn out. Shuichi radiated confidence and didn’t appear to be intimidated at all by your mother.

Only bad things could come of this.

[---]

It wasn’t until a little after six when you heard your front door opening. You quickly glanced over and saw your mother entering the premises with no Shuichi trailing behind. She seemed exhausted and a little out of it, but she didn’t appear angry anymore.

“Mom,” you called out unsurely.

She spared you a glance as she shut the door. You began to feel anxious. The two of them had been gone for hours and you couldn’t help but think of all the horrible accusations your mother could have possibly shouted at Shuichi. She just didn’t understand it. She didn’t get any of it.

You watched as she made her way to the couch and plopped down, allowing a loud sigh to roll off her lips.

“[Name], come here dear,” she said indifferently as she rested her head against the back of the couch with her eyes closed.

Tentatively, you made your way over to where she sat and situated yourself beside her. You stared at her as you felt your stomach drop. She was oddly calm. Did she manage to drive Shuichi away? Was she actually right when she called it a fling?

“Yes Mom?”

She opened her eyes and cast them on you. “I don’t know how you did it,” she stated before leaning up so she could sit properly. “But that boy is here to stay.”

You couldn’t help it. You squealed in delight as you pounced on your mother. She wasn’t nearly as excited as you were, but she did return the embrace.

“What happened,” you inquired as you pulled away, a million dollar smile upon your face.

“He just wouldn’t let up. He gave fact after fact after fact. A million reasons of why he wasn’t going anywhere, a million analogies of his love for you, a million answers for all my questions. He was so sure of himself,” your mother trailed off, a faraway look in her eyes as she recollected the memory. “Not even your father was that sure of himself when we got married. But Shuichi… he’s going to fight for you even if it kills him.”

You blushed hard upon hearing that. It was odd hearing it coming from her when you hadn’t even heard Shuichi say it yet. A part of you wondered if this was going too fast, but your kept reminding yourself that your parents had lived in the fast lane and look at them now.

Your mother turned her eyes onto you. “[Name]… just don’t screw this up.”

“Mom!”

She laughed as she dodged at your sad attempt to punch her. “What? I know I hate the age difference, but when he’s thirty and you’re thirty-eight it won’t bother me that much. It’s just that he’s a student and you lost your job over this. But after talking with him, I see now how it happened and why it happened.”

“That’s not fair! Even I don’t know how or why it happened.”

She stared at you with a warm smile on her face. “That’s one of the reasons why you love him. He’s got it all figured out and you’re just along for the ride.”

“Now that doesn’t sound right at all.”

“He’ll be good for you,” she said as she pat your leg before she rose out of her seat. “He’ll take care of you. You need that. Now, I’m going to head home and speak with your father.”

You stared at her with your mouth opened. What just happened? Your mother absolutely hated him when she first met him and now she’s saying he’s good for you? What the heck?

“Mom, wait. What? I thought you hated him.”

“Dear, it’s impossible to hate someone so well behaved and so in love with my daughter. Our long chat really changed my perspective of him.”

You just couldn’t believe your luck. You were sure she was going to hold resentment towards him until the day she died. Yet here she was, accepting him with arms wide open. It just didn’t make any sense. What on earth did Shuichi say to her?

“I’ll talk to you later, sweetheart,” she said as she placed a kiss on your cheek.

“Goodbye.”

“Uh… bye?”

She walked out of the apartment, leaving you to your thoughts. Honestly, you had no idea what just happened. Did Shuichi really just accomplish the impossible? He had your mother’s acceptance. What more did he need?

“Oh shit, my Dad’s…”

But wait… if he had won over your mother, then he was definitely going to win over your father. Mom would do all the hard work. What the heck? Wasn’t this supposed to be difficult? Weren’t you supposed to be shunned from everyone you knew, with your pictures splayed all over the newspapers and news stations? Why was this coming to you so easily?

However, you were out of a job. You needed to pay the rent, pay your bills, have food money; where were you going to get this money?

You sighed as you headed towards your room. “I’ll worry about it tomorrow. I’ve had a rough day as it is.”

You made it to your room and plopped down on your bed. Though you weren’t show how or why everything was working out quite perfectly, you were glad it was. And so you fell asleep with a smile on your face that night.