Just as he promised, Shuichi came on the third day. You glanced up and smiled at the approaching redhead.

“Hello Shuichi. How are you today?”

“I’m doing well. And yourself?”

“Never been better. So-”

“[Name], did you ever fill out that report,” one of your male coworkers questioned as he leaned into the room.

“Yes! I did. Um… I’ll put it your mailbox before I leave, okay?”

“Sure thing,” he said as he smiled and left.

“Great. Now I have to find that damn report.”

Shuichi chuckled. “Would you like some help?”

“Sure. You go through my desk while I search through my bag and briefcase. It’ll have the word survey written on top,” you said as you wheeled your chair over to your stuff.

Shuichi silently walked to the front of your desk and opened the top drawer. After a few moments, he found nothing and moved onto the other one. Meanwhile, you were rummaging through your bag but didn’t find anything. Growling at your misfortune, you snapped open your briefcase and started searching through there.

“Found it,” you declared as you whirled around to see Shuichi leaning against the desk with a small pile of paper in his hand.

You got up from the chair and walked over to him, curious as to what he had in his hands. “Shuichi?”

“Did you write this,” he inquired; his bright green eyes large and curious.

You glanced down at the printed paper and blushed as you realized it was your story he was reading. “Uh yes, I did.”

He smiled, turning his gaze back to the page. “I like it; you’re a very good writer, Miss [Last Name].”

You laughed nervously as you tossed your hand lazily in the air. “Oh you’re just saying that to be nice. Anyway, I’ll be taking that now.”

“No I wasn’t,” Shuichi proclaimed as he dodged your hand.

“It doesn’t matter Shuichi. Will you give me back my story?”

“I want to finish reading it.”

“Shuichi,” you whined. “But is so bad!”

“Why?”

“Because I’m twenty-six years old writing about demons, angels, and science fiction. I feel like such a kid,” you mumbled. “Now will you give me my story back?”

“Miss [Last Name], you shouldn’t feel ashamed about writing your stories. Many grown people enjoy reading about demons, angels, and science fiction. Someone has to supply them their wants.”

You gave him a pointed look as you extended your hand. However, the little devil didn’t budge as he kept the story hidden behind his back. Impatiently, you began tapping your foot against the tile floor as you regarded him with an unpleasant look.

“Shuichi Minamino, give me back my story now.”

“Don’t be that way, Miss [Last Name]. I assure you I won’t mock you.”

“Shuichi, I’m starting to get upset.”

He couldn’t help himself; a sly smile crept its way across his lips. “I just want to read it. You’ve intrigued me with the first paragraph.”

“I’m embarrassed, though. Can’t you just act like you never saw it?”

“Miss [Last Name], there is nothing to be embarrassed about. From what I’ve gathered, you write pretty well. Why don’t you want me to read it?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

“Because I don’t want you too.”

He chuckled and you felt like a little kid as you crossed your arms over your chest. “Fine. You win. You can take it home and read it. Hell, burn it for all I care.”

“Now Miss [Last Name], I would never do such a thing. And I’ll be sure to give you feedback.”

“Really,” you asked hopefully, instantly forgetting that you were upset with him moments ago.

His smile turned gentle as he nodded his head. “Yes.”

Despite yourself, you smiled brightly. “Thank you, Shuichi. No one’s ever read my stories before, so I don’t know how I’m doing.”

“I’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Thank you.”

For a few moments, you merely stared at the taller male as he returned your gaze with an equally intense look.

“Aa, Shuichi you’re still here.”

Both you and he turned to look at who just entered into your classroom.

“I’m trying to help a student of mine with this biology concept; only problem is she isn’t getting it. Maybe if you explain it to her in your own way, she’ll understand. Do you think you could help?”

He turned to look at you, as if asking for permission.

“Go ahead. I didn’t have anything planned for you today,” you said, ushering him out.

“Very well. I’ll be back later,” Shuichi said.

You laughed lightly. “Alright.”

He exited the classroom with the science teacher, leaving you all by yourself. You could not honestly believe Shuichi had taken your story captive like that. And he even got you to whine! But that wasn’t all. The two of you were flirting again. That smile he sent you; the one that resembled a smirk… he knew he was flirting with you.

You grumbled as you sat down at your desk, your head in your hands. This couldn’t transpire. He was a student and you were a teacher. A respectable one at that… and a beginner at this school. You could get into so much trouble if anyone got wind of the playful little stints you and Shuichi had. It didn’t even matter that you two weren’t romantically involved. But he was just so damn attractive and he had such a great personality; it was hard to resist.

God must really hate you if He was giving you a man just out of your reach. Shuichi would never like you, anyways. Sure he flirted with you, but the moment you turned it into physical flirtation or sexual flirtation, he’d back away as warning signs flew up. He was probably just flirting with you because he was a teenager hanging around a relatively attractive older female. He most likely didn’t think it would go anywhere; he probably didn’t want it to go anywhere.

What about you? Did you want it to go anywhere? The answer was no; secretly it was yes. What was more erotic than a student being attracted to his teacher? Not only that, but from what you’ve gathered, Shuichi is an amazing person. All the faculty and students love him; he’s very respectable; he’s polite and caring; he was downright gorgeous. You were afraid that if you got to know him more, you’d see more and more of the qualities that you wanted in the man you wished to marry. That would not help out. It was bad enough you had a strong sexual attraction to the teenager.

“Ugh, there’s that word again,” you mumbled to yourself as you lowered your head to your desk.

Teenager. That dreadful, hateful word. If only he was twenty, then something could transpire. But he wasn’t. The boy was still in high school! He was a high school student. But he’s graduating this year and then he’ll have his own job. He’ll be paying for his own bills way before I started. That wasn’t helping. You were only giving yourself reasons why you should indulge; you needed reasons to stay away.

“I need to go home,” you whispered; you suddenly weren’t feeling too well.

You got up from your chair and dropped the report off in the teacher mailbox. Once that was done, you went back to your classroom and began gathering your things while simultaneously making your desk neat. As you finished putting the last folder in your briefcase, Shuichi came back to the room. You gave him a weak smile.

“Hey Shuichi. I’m going to head on home; I’m not feeling too well all of a sudden.”

“No,” he questioned with a hint of worry. “Do you need any assistance?”

You chuckled. “No I’ll be fine. I’m just going to head on home and rest for a bit.”

“Why don’t I walk you to your car? I’ll carry your things too.”

“No, Shuichi, that’s alright,” but he was already taking your briefcase off the desk and picking up your bag from the floor.

He smiled that gentleman smile of his. “It’s fine, Miss [Last Name]. I don’t mind.”

Seeing as there wasn’t any reason to protest, you allowed the boy to do as he pleased. God, I let him do whatever the hell he pleases. Where is the discipline?

“So did you help that girl out?”

“Hmm? Oh yes. It wasn’t as difficult as she thought it was.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re a really good teacher,” you teased as you nudged him in the ribs.

He chuckled while the two of you walked down the school corridor. “Perhaps.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Shuichi. I’ve heard a lot about you from the faculty.”

“You have?”

“Of course! We teachers talk amongst ourselves and I hear you’re a very diligent worker and an intelligent man.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah,” you drawled out. “Why? Where are you going with this,” you questioned as you two descended the stairs.

“Nowhere.”

“Shuichi. You want to ask me something, don’t you?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s bologna. What do you want to ask me?”

“It’s nothing. I don’t know where you got this idea.”

You stared at him as you exited the school building and walked over towards the teacher’s parking lot. “Fine, it’s your loss.”

He chuckled as he readjusted the strap of your bag on his shoulder. “Do you want me to carry that?”

“No, I’m alright. How are you feeling?”

“Still tired. I think I might be getting a headache.”

“Did you have lunch?”

“Yes,” you laughed out.

“Are you dehydrated?”

“No.”

“Did you get enough sleep last night?”

“Shuichi,” you laughed out. “What are you? My mother?”

He chuckled as he shook his head. “I’m merely concerned about you; that’s all.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. I’ve been living on my own for a few years now; I think I would know how to take care of myself when I’m sick.”

He hummed his agreement as the two of you approached your car. He had the keys to it because he was holding your bag and you noticed that he realized that as he dug his hand into the front part of the leather bag and pulled out a set of keys. He unlocked the passenger door before placing the bag and briefcase in the passenger seat and then walked around to the driver side of the car.
“Can I have my keys?”

He smiled a charming smile at you as he blatantly ignored you and placed the key in the keyhole and opened the door for you.

“Now you may have your keys back,” he said as he placed them in your awaiting hand while he held the door open for you.

You blushed lightly as you muttered your thanks and got into your car.

“I hope you feel better tomorrow, Miss [Last Name].”

“Thank you Shuichi. Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

With that, he closed your door and stepped back, allowing you room to pull out of your parking spot. He was such a gentleman. His mother must be a God sent to have taught him to behave the way he did.

As you drove out of the parking lot, the last thing you saw was Shuichi standing there, watching you leave. A small smile fluttered across your face as an ounce of hope managed to cram its way into your heart. And unfortunately for you, hope had an odd way of multiplying no matter how many times one tried squashing it.