"What?" The man breathed at Toru, scratching his stubble. "Moriuchi-kun was absent today is he alright?" "Do teachers normally visit their students' houses?" The obnoxious man spat rudely at Toru who was doing his best keeping control of his raging nerves. No wonder Taka was constantly in a bad mood.

"They certainly don't sir, but, his exams are coming soon so I came to deliver his material since nobody was free to do it. May I see him?" The taller man stared hatefully at Toru then cursed in defeat. "COME'RE YOU DAMN BRAT" he bellowed retreating into the house. Minutes later when the rattle inside died down, Taka showed up, his right eye bruised, his skin painfully purple. Toru's jaw dropped as he rushed at his student.

"Are you alright?!" He asked in fright unconsciously placing his warm palm on Taka's cheek "what happened?!" "Please...let go.." Taka whispered in a small voice as his face flushed red. Toru pulled his hand at once redeeming his awareness. The teacher coughed slightly and asked for entrance, which Taka denied. So he pulled the boy's wrist and guided him upstairs to his own apartment.

Inside the house Taka was seated with a blanket around his shoulders, a tiny pillow squeezed between his arms as Toru treated his injury. "Thank you sensei" "you can thank me by telling me what happened" Toru said setting the kit aside. "You even lost weight in the last couple of weeks, I never see you eat, you're so pale and rarely talk. Are you you're fine?"

"I-"

"it's alright, you can trust me"

"Dad gave me this" Taka said pointing at his bruise."

"What father would do this to his son?!"

"He was drunk"

"stop defending him"

"I'm not! It has been like this ever since mom left us" Taka whispered, on the verge of tears.

"When was that?" The blonde man cautiously asked afraid of opening any more wounds in the boy

"at the end of last year. There was this big fight between her and Dad. I didn't really understand...but they divorced and she left. Dad beats me a lot ever since"

"Taka..."

"and the reason why he sent me to school is to benefit from me after I graduate." He paused, "that's why I don't...concentrate in class. I want revenge."

Toru lost his words, they escaped far beyond his reach as the teenager's words sinked in. "Moriuchi-kun.."

"Taka"

"huh?"

"Please call me Taka, I hate being called by his name"

"Taka, please reconsider it. This isn't revenge, you are only ruining your own life. In the contrary, you have to work harder. Be successful and crush your sorry father. Only then you would be able to gain your revenge"

"sensei..."

"HOWEVER I do not support this. Yes, you have to work hard, but not for the sake of revenge. Work hard for your own sake, for your bright future. You're still young, you're tough. You can face life head on, you can draw the path you please." Toru spelled, mustering his warmest smile as his hand crawled to Taka's shoulder.

The student's lips curled up, his head nodded as his eyes sparkled at his teacher. "Sensei, when I said you weren't like my father....I meant that you were kind; the exact opposite of him. Thank you sensei"

That day, Toru explained everything that Taka missed on. Work went on and on until Taka fell asleep. The blonde man carried the petite figure onto the couch and tugged him into a silky smooth blanket to keep him warm. As he smiled at the sleeping figure, he wondered to himself, Why did he have a soft spot for that boy?

The next day, Taka woke up puzzled. He gazed around the unfamiliar room and strange blankets. Oh right... he thought getting up "Good morning!" Toru beamed at him carrying some plates holding their breakfast.

"C'mon c'mon eat up. You need to grow"

"you sound like an old man sensei"

"hey! I'm only 24!"

Taka chuckled. Hearing it for the first time, Toru was awestruck. His chuckle was so pure and adorable, one that someone his age should wear every day.

A while later, Toru caught Taka frowning at his watch. "What is it Taka?"

"I'm just waiting for Dad to go to work. I need my uniform and...don't really wanna meet him"

"I'll wait with you too"

"a teacher shouldn't be late"

"what are you trying to say hm?" Toru smirked as he washed the dishes.

At school that day, every single teacher was stunned with Taka's sudden switch. He was still a man of a few words, except that he worked the hardest of all. He finally showed his intelligence at difficult equations, understanding literature and outstanding flexibility at athletic abilities despite his small size. Toru smiled proudly at Taka who stuck his tongue out with concentration

Cute...

He then averted his gaze afraid of the other students catching on.

That day, Toru and Taka walked home together, they spoke about various topics and petted the kitten, which turned out to be fond of Taka, together before biding each other goodbye.

To be continued....