04: Anniversary

A/N: I know this isn't the epilogue, but that one is still in the works and coming along very nicely. ^_^ In the meantime, this piece is based loosely- sort of- on Faster Than A Kiss (which I wish they'd animate!). Enjoy!

She was late again and soaked to the bone. Damn the sudden rain and damn the bus driver who hated her for no apparent reason. She was going to get detention for sure. Well, there wasn't much that she could do about it now. Sighing, Mai prepared herself for all the cruel jeers and jokes. She opened the door to her classroom and stepped in, handing the teacher her note.

Lin sighed. "Late again, Taniyama-san," he commented, his voice holding the usual I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-you expression, his face displaying the same disdain. He glanced only as a courtesy at the note and set it down on his desk. "If school is so boring for you, then by all means, don't bother."

The class howled with laughter and she knew what they were thinking: even Lin-sensei thought she was a hopeless flake. Flakey-Mai they called her, cruel and loud whispers behind her back when they knew she could hear them. Mai's face turned beet red as she slid wet and shivering into her seat. The only saving grace for her was she was next to the heater. She would dry sooner rather than later.

"She's all wet and smells," Mai heard. She frowned. She couldn't help that she was all wet, but she did not smell. Just because she couldn't afford Chanel at this point didn't mean that she had bad hygiene.

The instigator was well known to her, though. Masako Hara, she thought. She hated the girl—odd because they'd been friends once upon a time ago, now all that friendship had dried up to hatred. Mai couldn't deny that Masako was rich, beautiful, and popular. But popularity had its price. Mai resolutely ignored Masako as she continued to stage whisper about Mai. Masako might be rich, might be a famous model, but she had no real friends—she'd thrown away her friendship with Mai by choice the night her parents died and the money they had became frozen assets. Mai was sure that the relationship Masako and Naru had was based on popularity only. Why wasn't Lin-sensei telling her to be quiet? Mai wondered, agitation sparking through her as Masako continued to bad-mouth her. Mai's face burned with humiliation, but she ignored the insults... that was, until Masako insulted her parents.

Before she could register what she'd done, her history text book (it was a heavy one, too) had gone flying and smacked Masako in the back of her head. Served her right, she thought, a large grin threatening to split her face. She knew she was in trouble, but the dazed and hurt look on the little bitch's face made it worth it at that moment. The class went completely silent— until Masako's face scrunched with rage and she went to retaliate.

"Taniyama-san," Lin's smooth baritone cut through whatever Masako was planning to do for now. "Detention today, after school."

Mai groaned audibly. She had to work today, too. Well, she'd just have to cut her detention short. He could speak with the principal if he had a problem with it.

"Thank you, Lin-sensei," Masako breathed, rubbing her head, genuinely in pain.

Lin raised a cold brow in her direction and frowned at her. "Don't thank me, Hara-san," he said. "You instigated that. You, too, shall serve detention."

Masako's face turned an unbecoming shade of puce. "But…sensei…"

"I would advise you don't try that route, Hara-san," he said, his voice deceptively soft. "One of these days, you'll actually understand that there are consequences to your actions. I would say now's a good time to begin. You will serve detention for instigating Taniyama-san. Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir. But sensei, today is no good," she said. "I have a photo shoot today."

"Then you will be here Monday afternoon to serve it. If you're not, then your grandmother will be chatting with the principal. Believe me when I say I've grown tried of listening to you talk while I'm teaching. For that alone you'll be serving detention."

She flushed again. "Yes, Lin-sensei," she mumbled, glaring at Mai.

"Now," he said, tapping his fingers against his book. "May I continue?" With that, class went back to normal.

…

Lin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had just a few moments before he had to be back in his classroom for Mai's detention. He would read his mail while he made her do something trivial.

"Hard day, Lin-sensei?"

Lin turned to see John Brown, the principal of Yasutaka High. He was the most un-assuming principal Lin had ever worked with. Short, he sported golden-boy looks, and compassionate eyes that disguised a keen and brilliant mind. Lin shook his head and reached into his mailbox. "Hara-san and Taniyama-san; Taniyama-san was late to class, again today. I swear she needs an alarm clock."

"I do believe she has one," John commented, taking his mail from Matsuzaki-san's outstretched hand. "Thank you Matsuzaki-san." He knew Mai had an alarm clock; she'd stayed in his house for a few weeks when she'd first transferred to his school.

"Then she should use it," Lin commented tossing the advertisements into the shredder. "And she needs to stop fighting with Hara-san."

John smiled, even though Lin didn't see it. "Those two were friends, once upon a time ago," John mused, flipping through his own daily mail and feeding irrelevant advertisements to the shredder like Lin had done. "That was before Taniyama-san transferred to our school." He peered at an ad from a bookstore that promised bulk books at a good price and tucked it back into the pile for later perusal.

"Really?" Lin asked, meeting the principal's eyes. "What happened?" He knew she'd suddenly transferred to Yasutaka High. He'd heard rumors that she'd been at Ryokuryo High prior to Yasutaka.

"I have no idea," John replied, still looking through his mail and sighing internally about the multitude of advertisements. "But Lin-sensei, regarding Taniyama-san, please understand that we all have our circumstances." He recalled the sad, broken girl that sat in his office the first day of school, alone and friendless and trying not to cry, explaining her situation to him and asking him to understand; the social worker had been a watchful, but unhelpful presence, giving Mai no support. In so far as he knew, that hadn't changed. John didn't know the events behind Taniyama-san and Hara-san no longer being friends, but his heart went out to the orphaned young lady.

"I shall bear that in mind, John-sensei. For now, I must return to my classroom."

"Yes, Lin-sensei. Enjoy the rest of your day as much as you're able to."

Lin wasn't surprised to see Mai waiting for him. He had to bite his tongue to not laugh at the sullen expression decorating it. Despite what everyone said about her, she was a good student; she simply needed to work on getting to class on time. Possibly she needed to wake up earlier. Silently, he opened the classroom and motioned her inside. "Take a seat and work on your homework assignments."

Her brow furrowed.

"Problem, Taniyama-san?" Lin asked mildly.

She shook her head, but said, "I've already finished them."

He blinked. Maybe she was a more efficient student than he thought. Then again, what did he really know about Taniyama Mai? Gossip and little else. "When did you have time to do that?" he asked.

"Lunch and study period," she said, staring out at the rain that hadn't let up a bit. "What else was I supposed to do? I have no friends here at this school—or really anywhere," she said, her tone dismally sad. "No friends means no one to talk to. So what was I supposed to do during lunch?"

"Eat?" he answered.

She shrugged listlessly, praying that they wouldn't have a chat about her situation. She couldn't handle that now. "Actually sensei, is it possible to finish this detention Monday? I have a place I need to be."

"And where would that be?" he inquired silkily.

"My job," she answered, trying to ignore the shiver that skated up her spine at his tone. His voice should be illegal, she thought.

Job? Now that struck him as odd. As far as he knew, Hara-san was the only one who had a job-if one could call what she did an occupation. "You have a job," he commented.

"Yes, I have a job."

Lin wondered about that because the Yasutaka High didn't allow their students to have jobs—unless there was a special circumstance. He now saw Taniyama Mai in a new light: a conundrum. He looked out the window, watching the rain sluice down in angry slashes. How was she going to get to her job? The train station wasn't near here, nor was the bus station. His eyes narrowed as he thought about something. Mai had been soaking wet when she'd arrived, why?

He sighed. "We'll finish your detention Monday after school." That gave him plenty of time to figure out Taniyama Mai. "Grab your stuff, Taniyama."

She turned from the window, startled. "Sensei?"

"Grab your stuff. I have no idea how you thought to get to your job, but you can't seriously be thinking of walking in that to a bus or train station."

Mai flushed. She had been thinking of walking—or rather dashing—to the train station that would take her to work. There was a small shower for employee use that she'd been planning on using anyways. But if Lin-sensei was going to give her a ride, she might not have to. She'd be dry, at least, and she'd already showered this morning. She stood slowly, as if fearing that he would next say: 'Just kidding.' But he said nothing, did nothing, save for standing and gathering the materials that would accompany him home.

"Come," he said, leading her out of the classroom. Locking the door behind him, he escorted her to his car that sat in the teacher's lot, which included being covered from the elements; it was a nice perk. "Where do you work?"

"The Dolphin Café."

Lin was surprised. The Dolphin Café was close to his apartment. Did that mean she lived close, too? Probably. He'd never considered where a student lived before.

"What do you do there?"

Mai chuckled but the humor was faint. "I think the better question is what don't I do."

"Fair point." Starting the car, he took off.

…

After dropping his student off, he let himself into his apartment, thinking that he preferred his flat in Cambridge, but this worked nicely—and here was here in Shibuya, not Cambridge. Locking the door, he tossed his keys into the bowl on the small table just inside and his home mail followed suit. Shrugging out of his raincoat he hung it, allowing the tile and rug beneath it to catch the water. His shoes followed. His flat here—apartment, he reminded himself; it was called 'apartment' here— had three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. It would be good for a small family just getting their start, he thought, if he ever decided to follow his mother's advice and settle down. Thus far, he hadn't found anyone worth his time.

He shook his head when Mai flashed in the forefront of his mind. Mysterious student or no, that wouldn't happen. Still, he thought, making a cup of tea, he was very curious about her. He dumped some cream and sugar into the Earl Gray and thought. Exactly why was she allowed to have a job? He took a sip of his tea, wondering abstractly how her tea tasted. The café had a special where a customer could choose their server and choose a tea selection along with a few desserts that were handmade by the associates. Maybe he'd visit and give it a try.

For now though, he'd comfort himself by finding out more about Taniyama Mai. Hacking was not his brightest idea, but… well, it was his only option. Matsuzaki-san guarded her computer during the day and Lin only had keys to his room. Interestingly enough, it didn't take him very long to get in. From there, it was only about navigating to Student Files. It took him less than a minute to navigate to her name.

Born July third, so she was… a cancer in the Western Hemisphere. He shrugged. That really wasn't important, though it was interesting because Capricorns and Cancers mixed well together. He kept scrolling until he hit what he was looking for. He studied the information and sat back, mulling it over. Her school fees had been waived. Yasutaka High only did that for one reason: the student was labeled as charity: meaning they didn't have the money to pay their fees. It also explained why she was allowed to have a job. The real question was what had caused her to be labeled as charity. It would be Sunday tomorrow. There was no school. Scrolling up again, he jotted down her address. It was time for reconnaissance. He would solve the mystery of Taniyama Mai.

…

Lin didn't think he'd hit pay dirt Sunday, but he did. Most people in Shibuya tended to stay in or shop, but if Mai's fees were waived, she probably wasn't going to shop unless for food. She left her apartment building and walked. He followed, curious, careful to stay back so he wasn't spotted—just another person walking in the same direction. He stopped and examined some merchandise from a street vendor when Mai stopped and purchased a small bouquet of flowers and incense from another vendor before continuing on. When she'd walked on, he paid for the watch he was holding and followed.

When she entered Aoyama Cemetery, he was surprised. Who was here that she was visiting? Taking a deep breath, he followed her in, keeping in another row. He should feel guilty about following her, but she was such an interesting conundrum that he didn't. About five minutes later, she came to a stop in front of two graves and knelt down, placing the flowers at the base of the headstones and lovingly wiping away the leaves and branches that had accumulated in her absence. She stuck a stick of incense at both grave stones and lit them.

She sat on the ground and drew her knees up to her chest. "Hi Mom, hi Dad," she said.

Lin nearly lost his balance when he heard that. Taniyama being labeled as a charity case suddenly made sense. It made even more sense why she was allowed to have a job.

Mai smiled painfully, the grief at losing her parents still fresh. "I want to tell you that it was an uneventful week, but that would be a lie. It was quiet up until Saturday, and then… then Masako and I got into it." She shook her head. "I'm really not proud of hitting her in the head with my book, but she deserved it. No, really she did. I… really wish we were friends again, you know? I don't even know why we stopped being friends, really. I think she thought that I had a crush on her boyfriend. As if," she scoffed. "That prissy, uptight boy?" she asked. "No way. She can have him."

Lin stifled a chuckle at her description of Naru, Masako's boyfriend. He was stuck up, Lin mused, and very pretentious. Yes, Mai's description was apt.

"Lin-sensei gave me a ride to work Saturday. It was really nice of him." She chuckled. "If I'm not careful, I'll develop a crush on my own teacher! That would be awkward for him, I think."

Not really, he thought absently, a small grin decorating his face. He wouldn't be…adverse to it. To him there'd always been something captivating about her. It really was too bad that she was his student.

Then she shrugged. "Actually… don't tell anyone, but… I…sort of…already… have a crush on him. But that's a pipe dream. Has to be because he's a teacher. You guys don't need to tell me that. What I don't know is why he gave me a ride to work. Maybe he gave me a ride because he felt bad about giving me detention when I was late. It's the stupid bus driver's fault! I don't know why he hates me and won't let me on unless he has to, but thanks to him, I had to run in the rain!" she said her voice indignant. "I was totally soaked! Everyone was laughing at me!" Her indignation cooled abruptly. "But they always do that."

Well, hearing about the bus driver that wouldn't let her on explained why she was always late, Lin mused. But he wondered why the man was like that. Another thing to investigate.

Her voice took on a thick quality and her breathing hitched. "I… miss you guys a lot, every day. Everyone says it gets better with time, but they never say how much time it takes. I really wish that the last thing we'd done hadn't been arguing. Maybe you guys would still be alive." Foolish, she knew, running her hands through her hair in frustration, wiping away her tears, and sniffling, but that didn't change the regret that sat like an albatross around her neck—one she couldn't get rid of; she woke up to it, dined with it, and slept with it—her constant companion. She wiped away her tears again. "I'll be back next Sunday, okay? Hopefully I'll have had a much better week," she told the silent stones. Pressing her fingers to her lips, she pressed them to the silent stones in front of her.

So engrossed in her one-sided conversation, Lin didn't have time to duck when she turned around and came face-to-face with him. Her eyes went wide. "Lin-sensei," she breathed, flushing scarlet. She had to assume he heard every word. Including about the crush. Oh gods, she thought, biting down on her lip and tasting the metallic tang of her own blood.

"Taniyama-san," he greeted stiffly.

"Lin-sensei, were you following me?" she asked quietly.

He contemplated lying to her and knew it would be a mistake to do so. "Yes," he said simply.

"Why?" she asked.

"Curiosity."

"I see," she said. Well, she thought, the cat was out of the bag— so to speak. She might not have been ready to discuss her odd circumstances, but it seemed she'd have no choice. "Lin-sensei, would you like a cup of tea?"

He was surprised and humbled. He'd hacked the school files, obtained her address, followed her to satisfy his own curiosity, and instead of raging at him, she offered him tea. Then he smiled, a wicked quirk of his lips that caused a shudder to run down her spine and surprise to bloom in her stomach: this was a side of him she didn't know existed.

"Are you making it, or buying it?" he asked.

She turned red again. That tone again with that voice that should be illegal! "M-make. I'll make you a cup of tea. Back at my apartment," she stuttered.

"Then I accept."

He followed her back to her apartment, this time, however, they looked like they were possibly heading out on a date. Or in for some alone time. Maybe another time, he mused, following her up the stairs and to the apartment labeled as 3-C. She undid the locks and let him into a functional studio apartment. He stood inside the door looking around. Bathroom off the kitchen, futons stacked neatly in the corner, a low table sitting adjacent to be futons that likely doubled as both a place for work and food. On the tiny kitchen's counter, he spied some brochures advertising apartments and wondered at this he looked at the walls and saw them devoid of everything. Where were her pictures? Surely she had some. The single window was covered with a functional, but boring blind to block the worst of the sunlight and heat.

It was utilitarian, but missing anything personal, he decided, frowning. This place did not reflect the vibrant young woman in front of him, waiting for him expectantly. He watched her pull the table to the center of the living space and motion for him to sit at it. Toeing off his shoes, he did so, taking a seat so he could watch her. Grabbing a copper kettle, she put some water into it and set over a single burner and while the water heated, she pulled some tea leaves from a cupboard and added some to the bottom of a teapot. When the water whistled, she turned off the burner and added the boiling liquid and covered the pot with a worn tea cozy and allowed it to steep. Then she brought two cups, the teapot, and a plate of sweets over to the table and took a seat beside him. Picking up the pot, she poured the tea and sat back, waiting until he took a sip.

"Delicious," he declared. "Your tea is absolutely delicious."

Mai smiled. "Thank you, sensei. Well," she said clasping her hands in front of her, "where should I start?"

"Start?" Lin thought for a moment. "When did they die?" he asked.

"A year ago. I transferred to Yasutaka High because of it. I was attending Ryoukuryo High School, but they don't allow students to have jobs or waive fees no matter what their circumstances are. So I had to transfer."

That explained one set of circumstances, he thought.

"How were your grades at Ryoukuryo High?" Lin asked.

Mai smiled. "I was second in my class and first for girls."

"You are brilliant. I thought so."

"Thanks." Reaching forward, she took a cookie and contemplated it for a moment before setting it down. "Mom and Dad…" she trailed off and took a sip of tea before setting that down too, but not before Lin saw her hand shake. Gently, he reached out and covered her hand with his own and gave it a small squeeze. Here, he didn't have to be 'sensei.' He could just be Lin. She stiffened at the small embrace but didn't remove her hand from under his. "Mom and Dad own, well, owned a corporation that specializes in products for the household. According to their will, I will become the owner and head honcho of the company when I turn twenty, which is in three years. Until then, the board runs it. All the money in their accounts is frozen until I reach majority, which explains why I have a job and can't afford to pay my fees, and until I turn twenty, I can't touch the money, period. There's no beneficiary. No aunts, uncles, or cousins whatsoever, so everything's frozen."

Popping the cookie into her mouth, she chewed, thinking about how to best phrase what she needed to tell him. There really was no way to sugar coat it. "They were on their way to a function with the rest of their staff when a drunk driver rammed into them. The worst of it was that we'd had a big argument before hand. They wanted me to attend, and I didn't want to go. I wanted to have a night to myself rather than be at a stuffy party with no one my age around. We argued. They left—angry and disappointed in me. Just as I'd sat down to dinner, an officer was knocking on the door with the news that mom and dad were at the hospital in critical condition. We raced over there, but… it was too late. They'd died while I was on my way to see them." She shook her head, a silent tear sliding down her cheek and landing on the table without a sound. "That's the last I ever saw of my parents: disappointment and anger. My last memory." The tears were falling freely despite her attempts to hold them off. "Lovely, isn't it?"

Lin squeezed her hand tightly. "Surely you don't believe that they died angry and disappointed in you, do you?"

"I don't know," she rasped, grateful for the human contact.

Lin stayed silent and continued to hold her hand while she cried. There was nothing he could do or say. Presently, she dried her tears with a napkin.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"For what?" he asked, bewildered.

"A crying fest."

Lin shook his head in dismissal. "It's all right to cry, Mai."

She froze. The last people to call her 'Mai' had been her parents. She'd never ever thought that the teacher she had a secret crush on would ever call her by her name.

"Should I not call you that?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I don't mind," she told him. It had been such a long time that anyone had called her by her given name.

Nodding, he took another sip of tea and took a cookie. "Principal Brown knows of your circumstances."

Mai nodded. "Of course. And so does Takigawa-sensei and Matsuzaki-sensei."

"How?" he asked. How did the school's music teacher and principal's secretary know about her circumstances? Now that he thought about it, it made sense. He'd always witnessed Takigawa-san act like an older brother around her.

"I stayed with them for a few weeks a piece until I could find my own place," she said, nonchalantly. She frowned at him. "What now, Lin-sensei? You know my secret—what now?"

"Now?" he asked. He thought for a moment. "Now you tell me why you and Hara-san no longer get along."

"I don't know," Mai said, her voice reflecting her hurt and confusion. "We were best friends. Then one day, boom, no more friends. I lost my parents and my best friend in the space of a week."

There was something there, Lin knew. Another facet of the puzzle. And he knew just hew to get to the bottom of it. He thought back to the brochures he'd spied on her counter. "Why are you looking for a new apartment?"

Mai grimaced. "I have to. I won't be able to afford the rent on this one pretty soon."

Why was that, he wondered. "If you're not adverse to it, I have an extra room in my apartment. We could work something out- maybe you pay me a nominal fee and help out around the apartment?"

Mai opened her mouth to refuse. She knew she should. It was totally irresponsible of her to even think of accepting because her life certainly wasn't a Shoujo manga. But she just couldn't bring herself to say anything. But she'd already stayed with two teachers and a principal when her parents had first died. Why was this any different? She only nodded, grateful for his willingness to help her. "Thank you," she whispered.

He nodded. "We'll work the details out after school tomorrow—after your detention." Mai groaned and Lin shrugged in response. "You did throw that book at Hara-san," he pointed out.

"She deserved it," Mai groused.

Lin shrugged. "That's not for you to decide. You should have ignored her, you know that."

Mai did know that. Impulsively, she grabbed his hand. "Lin-sensei, thank you."

Lin quirked a brow at her. "What for?"

"For not being judgmental."

He smiled just a bit. "You're welcome."

…

"Do I really have to do this, Lin-sensei?" Masako asked pouting.

"You do," he said disinterestedly. He sighed at the paper he was grading. If Kuroda would stop telling her ghost stories and pay attention to her classes, her grades would be better. As it was, she was likely going to have to take summer classes to make up for her dismal performance. "Take a seat, Hara-san."

"Can't I just write you an essay of sorts?"

Lin finally looked up. "And what good would that do, Hara-san? Say you did. Would it stop you from your vicious gossip and belittling of other people?" She flushed scarlet and Lin nodded. "And therein lies my answer. Take a seat and work on your homework."

The door opened and Mai stopped and stared—not at Lin, but at Masako who flushed a dull red and resolutely turned away from her one-time friend.

"Come in and take a seat, Taniyama-san. You still have detention from Saturday's antics."

Under Lin's watchful glare, she walked in stiffly and sat down, mistrust bright in her brown eyes.

"Work on any assignments you haven't completed, Taniyama-san."

Tearing her eyes away from her former friend she looked at him. "Yes, Lin-sensei." Dropping her bag, she took her books out and began to work on the last homework assignment she hadn't gotten to complete during Study Hall.

"Hara-san, I'm sure you have assignments to work on, too. Get started."

"Yes, sensei," she muttered, dragging her books out and shooting Mai a bellicose glare that drove a venomous barb in the other girl's heart; Mai closed her eyes and tried to ignore the pain; she focused on her work and tried not to glance at the teacher she was supposed to start living with soon.

Lin sighed and returned to his grading judging that the time wasn't right. A few more minutes, then. Silence reigned in the room with the occasional skritch-scratch of pencils on paper. He glanced up and saw that Mai was totally engrossed in her work; Hara-san, however kept shooting Mai furtive glances, like she was afraid of something—something he was sure, that had to do with Mai. Now was a good a time as any. Gathering his papers, he stood.

"I'll be right back," he told them. "Continue your work and if I hear fighting when I return, you'll both be serving detention until the winter break. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sensei," they chorused.

He left the room and turned in the necessary papers he needed to and returned, hovering just outside, waiting to see if his plan paid off.

For a few moments after Lin left, the only sound was a pencil moving on paper. Suddenly, Mai put her writing instrument down and shut her book. She needed to know why they were no longer friends. She turned to Masako.

"Why do you hate me?" she asked bluntly. "We used to be friends."

"Because you like my boyfriend," Masako answered, not looking at her.

"Bullshit," Mai snipped. "You know damn well that I can't stand your prissy, up-tight, boy-toy."

Masako shrugged, trying to stay focused on her homework and failing miserably.

"I lost my parents to a drunk driver and my best friend for unknown reasons in the space of a week," Mai mused. "I've never felt more alone. Why are we not friends anymore, Masako-chan?"

Masako slammed her book shut and shoved it off her desk in a fit of fury, hardly noticing when landed. She turned to Mai. "Because I want you to hate me!" she cried.

"Hate you?" Mai echoed, bewildered. "Why?"

Masako laughed, a harsh, discordant sound that wasn't the least bit amusing. "Because…"

"Because…?" Mai prompted.

Now or never. Her grandmother always said that Mai of all people had a right to know why they were no longer friends. "Because that drunk driver that hit your parents with her car was my mother." Masako wiped away the tears that had suddenly dribbled from her eyes. "That's why. My mother took away your family—your life. You should hate me," she finished, glaring at her desk.

Closing her eyes against the pain, Mai inhaled sharply. "I wondered," she said simply. "I always knew your mom had a problem with drinking. It's why your father left her and your grandmother took you in. But… why should I hate you for what your mother did? You're not her. You didn't drive that car under the influence. The only one who was at fault was your mother. I've…missed you. Can we be friends again? I promise that your boyfriend doesn't interest me." No, her interests lie with a tall, gorgeous teacher who'd followed her to the cemetery, given her a ride to work, and given her a new place to live.

Masako burst into tears and nodded. Outside the classroom and a few feet down the hall, Lin leaned against the wall, a faint smile crossing his lips. Oh, yeah, he was good.

"Did they work out their differences, Lin-sensei?"

Lin jumped and whirled to face the angelic-looking face of John Brown. "Principal Brown!" he exclaimed in a low voice. "I thought you'd left for the day."

John shook his head. "I'm about to," he said.

Lin nodded. "Then have a good evening, Brown-sensei."

The principal nodded. "By-the-by, Lin-sensei, I heard… that Taniyama-san was going to be living with you?"

Lin paled. "Where did you hear that from?" No one should know about that. He hadn't said a word to anyone and he'd cautioned Mai to do the same thinking of how it would look.

"A little bird told me."

Bullshit, he thought, echoing Masako's earlier comment. He regarded the blond-haired man frankly. "Are you going to fire me, Brown-sensei?" It might be easier if he did, Lin mused. Then it wouldn't matter if Mai would live with him because he would no longer be her teacher, and he could get another teaching job anywhere.

"Good heavens, no!" John said, shocked. "May I share a secret with you?"

The taller man raised an eyebrow.

"She stayed with me for a few weeks, too."

That was a surprise.

"Be kind to her, Lin-sensei."

Lin nodded. He looked at his watch and deemed that enough time had passed—he needed to return to his classroom. Schooling his features to impassivity, he walked down the hall back to the classroom he'd abandoned and opened the door. He raised a brow at the apparent tears being hurriedly wiped away, but didn't comment. Instead, he sat down at his desk and began to think of a way for Mai to repay the use of his space.

~to be continued…