AN IMPERMISSIBLE EXCHANGE - akaashi keiji x reader

chapter 1 - untimely goodbyes

*the sound of the school bell bellows through the halls*

That noise would signify the end of the school day, but it would also mark the ending of the final class of this term. Next time the students would walk through the doors, into the halls of Fukuoka High, they would arrive as upperclassmen. From an outside lens, Fukuoka High is a well respected school which has produced several commendable members of society. But in all honesty, it's just like any other normal school. There's slackers, high achievers, troubled youth and coasters.

Second year student, l/n y/n sat in her math class gazing out the second floor window watching as the once deserted campus grounds flood with students. It was difficult to make out individual faces amongst the swarms of people, onlooking from such a distance. what she could make out was the excited expressions which lay upon her upperclassmen. They were finally free of the cage they had been cooped up in for the past three years, while y/n alongside her fellow students could only act as onlookers as they soar off into the next exciting stage of their lives. To most there was a suffocating sense of envy, others caring little for the prospects of their seniors.

The sound of shuffling feet, the sharp sounds of chairs departing from tables filled the room, followed by the sound of a booming voice which caused a stop to all the noise. Despite the commanding tone he usually held, paired with the less than 'friendly' expression which typically adorned his face, the students looked up to see the stoic man hold a somewhat gentle expression.

"I hope you all have a wonderful break and use this time to rest and rejuvenate. But before you depart I have some words I would like to say if you don't mind..."

A long pause followed by a resounding silence fell across the room. A series of dumbfounded, bored, doting and neutral expressions dispersed themselves across the room.

"It has been a pleasure teaching you all this term. You've made great improvements this year and I have not a doubt in my mind that you will all continue to do so next term.."

A low sigh fell across Mr Iwaizumi's lips as he began to execute the next sentence, which he had previously formulated in his head. This passing moment didn't go unnoticed by the students in the room.

"GET ON WITH IT MR IWA, I WANT TO GO HOME!"

a clearly irritated Yamamoto jested in a more light-hearted way than his tone suggested. The sudden prod from his student seemed to have stirred Mr Iwaizumi out of his self induced trance he was fixed into. A concerned look momentarily flashed across y/n's face, clearly having taken notice of the falter her favourite teacher was stuck in. Clearing his throat and shaking his head to regain his train of thought, he stopped briefly before uttering the next sentence to his class.

"I apologise, I wouldn't want to keep you from whatever extremely important business you have at home Yamamoto."

Earning a scattered laugh around the classroom, Yamamoto's face could not help but fill with an embarrassed flush. Oh how he would miss the carefree laughs and expressions that would fill the room as well as the friendly banter he would upkeep with his students. 'I really wish it didn't have to be this way' Iwaizumi thought to himself, wallowing in the sense of self pity which had consumed him this entire week knowing that he would have to say his final goodbyes to his favourite class.

One face among the class did not glimmer with the same carefree laughter which came over her classmates. Hers adorned with one more of concern, dare say a cold calculating look as if she was trying to solve an unsolvable riddle. As her eyes glanced over the figure of her sensei at the front of the room, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. The entire week he seemed to be acting differently. Strangely even. Something wasn't right, but the whole week she couldn't put her finger on it. On several occasions she had made the effort to ask if he was doing ok, to which he nonchalantly brushed off with any fad excuse in the book. Knowing Mr Iwaizumi well, y/n was not fully convinced. But out of respect for him, which she had in buckets, she had no choice but to take his word and trust that he would be back to his usual self in due course. However it was undeniable that his 'few words' he chose to share at the end of class, and subsequently the end of term, held a sombre undertone. And it seemed that y/n was the only one to catch onto this. Iwaizumi's eyes quickly flicked in y/n's direction, a torn expression on his face. He knew she wasn't stupid, and it was obvious to him she'd figured out the sadness laced in his words. If leaving the rest of the class behind would be tough, saying goodbye to y/n would be a whole other world of heartache. Pulling himself together once again, he proceeded to speak up for the final time.