Sanemi finally speaks to Giyuu directly, his voice lower.
"When's your first class?"
He's asking for the day's schedule, but it sounds like a date confirmation. Giyuu checks his phone.
"9:30, yours?"
Sanemi responds gruffly.
"8:00. Damn, early day."
He gets up to put the dishes away, purposely brushing against Giyuu's shoulder.
The kids watch with big eyes, their spiciness forgotten. Genya rolls his eyes at the subtle flirting. The clock shows 7:30 AM. Sanemi's phone buzzes with work emails.
"I'll go prepare my class now."
He pauses, hesitating to leave. Giyuu stands up and gives him a quick peck on the cheek, something he rarely does in front of others. Sanemi blushes and looks around to see if the kids noticed. They did notice. Inosuke gasps and points.
"THEY KISSED! MR. TOMIOKA IS THE BOYFRIEND!"
Sanemi scowls at him but doesn't deny it. Nezuko claps her hands, and Genya facepalms again. Sanemi grumbles.
"Shut it again, or I'll make you run laps."
He gathers his things and walks to the door, waving briefly. In the hallways, a group of parents is seen complaining to the principal. They're saying it's inappropriate for teachers to date, especially male ones. Sanemi hears them as he walks to his classroom. The principal, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, is trying to explain that it's consensual and doesn't affect their work.
"But they're both men! It sets a bad example!"
Sanemi clenches his fists, wanting to confront them but knowing it would cause more trouble. He enters his classroom, irritated. The parents notice him and whisper. One shouts.
"What if they do something inappropriate at school?"
The first parent nods in agreement.
"Yes, what about the children's morals?"
Sanemi mutters under his breath.
"Morons. We're not perverts."
He starts setting up his equations, trying to block them out. He texts Giyuu about the situation. A student raise their hand.
Sanemi calls on the student, a female named Aoi.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, why should we care about who you date? It's none of our business!"
She's bold and earns some nods from other students. Sanemi is taken aback by her support, but pleased. He crosses his arms.
"Exactly. Focus on math, not on my love life."
The principal hears this exchange and tries to calm the parents again, but they're getting louder. Some of the students stand up for him, forming a united front. The parents start leaving, unhappy with the support.
"Mr. Tomioka is cool too!"
Aoi grins at Sanemi.
"See? We've got your backs."
Sanemi ruffles her hair, impressed with her attitude.
"Thanks. I appreciate it. Now let's get to today's lesson."
He decides to reward them with a less difficult test. It's now 9 AM and Giyuu walks through the gates, noticing the commotion has passed. Students wave to him. Giyuu sees the principal walking away from the parking lot, looking tired.
He approaches Sanemi's classroom window and sees the lesson in progress. Sanemi spots him and gives a small smile, but keeps his professional demeanor. Lunchtime rolls around. Giyuu joins Sanemi in the teacher's lounge, which is empty except for Obanai, who eyes them suspiciously. Mitsuri is the bubbly social studies teacher. She's a friend of Giyuu's, and she's known about their relationship for a while. She hugs him and exclaims.
"Giyuu-san! I heard about those parents! How rude!"
Obanai grunts, pretending to read a book. Mitsuri lets go and looks at Sanemi.
"Are you two alright? I bet they didn't dare to talk to you directly."
She sits next to them, her energy brightening the room. Obanai finally speaks.
"Mitsuri, they're tough. They don't need your pity."
Sanemi takes out his bento box.
"Yeah, we can handle it. Just annoying noise."
He glances at Obanai, who's glaring at Giyuu and Mitsuri's closeness. Mitsuri senses the tension and laughs.
"Obi-kun, why so grumpy? Love is beautiful!"
She nudges Giyuu playfully, making Sanemi frown a bit. Obanai's cheeks flush under his bandages.
"Stop saying nonsense."
He gets up and leaves hastily, probably to avoid more embarrassment. Mitsuri giggles.
"He's so easy to tease!"
Sanemi opens his box and takes out a rice ball, sharing it with Giyuu.
"He's jealous of our happiness. Idiot."
He eats quietly, while Mitsuri talks about her day. She mentions how the students are gossiping about the protest.
"Some kids are making a sign that says 'Support our teachers!'"
Sanemi's eyes twinkle with amusement at the image of kids protesting for them.
The bell rings for afternoon classes. Giyuu gives him a subtle nod, saying they'll talk more later. He heads to the gym while Sanemi stays behind to monitor study hall. Students fill the hallways again, and some come to Sanemi for help.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, when's the next test?"
They act more confident now, not intimidated by his usual glare. He checks his planner.
"Next week. Solve the problems on page 25 as practice."
The student thanks him and walks off, spreading the news to others. Sanemi feels a sense of pride at their progress. He writes down notes for his lesson tomorrow. The day ends, and he packs up. He waits for Giyuu at the parking lot, leaning against his motorcycle. Yes he got a motorcycle. But he use it not that often, because he thinks it's more easy with his car. Plus he drives Genya often and shopping is more easy that way. But now he uses it for his date with Giyuu. He sees Giyuu emerge from the gym building, carrying his gym bag. The setting sun casts a warm glow on them both. Sanemi revs the engine.
"Want to go to the park? It's quiet there."
He's thinking of going somewhere away from prying eyes, wanting to relax without interruptions. Giyuu nods, getting on behind him, wrapping his arms around Sanemi's waist. The park is a secluded one with cherry blossom trees and a pond. Sanemi parks near the pond and sits on a bench, stretching his legs. He takes out a small bag of dango.
"Hungry?"
He offers it to Giyuu, his usual gruff demeanor softening as he watches the ducks.
"The students got us some privacy today. Maybe we should thank them."
Giyuu takes a dango and sits closer, resting his head on Sanemi's shoulder. He doesn't say much, but he's grateful.
The park is empty except for a few birds. The wind rustles the trees. Sanemi mumbles, almost to himself.
"They're better than I thought. They'll graduate and be fine people."
He's thinking of his classes, but he's also thinking of how Giyuu's influence has improved the atmosphere. He hesitates before saying something more personal. Giyuu senses his hesitation and waits patiently, chewing slowly. Sanemi sighs and looks at him.
"I should've been nicer to you from the start. I was an ass."
His confession is rare, a rare glimpse into his remorse. He fidgets with the dango stick.
"I regret not seeing your kindness sooner."
The ducks swim closer, sensing the mood.
"It's okay, Sanemi."
Giyuu smiles faintly, his voice gentle. Sanemi exhales, relieved but still wanting to make up for lost time.
"Let's have dinner at my place tomorrow. Genya's out with friends."
"Good, I ask Shinobu if she could babysit Muichiro and Nezuko. Tanjiro got a date with Zenitsu, or how he would say. 'Just a normal meeting!'"
Sanemi smirks at the mention of Tanjiro's denial.
"Those two... typical. I'll cook yakitori."
He makes a mental note to prepare well. Muichiro and Nezuko are adorable but mischievous kids, and he doesn't want any accidents during the date.