Lemon Tea

What is he doing here?

The bell rings signaling the end of class.

"Ok, that's all for today. Oh and don't forget about your worksheets due Friday!"

You sigh in relief as the students gather their things and head for their homes or clubs. Was it really only Wednesday? You gathered your own things and head to the teachers room.

After settling at your desk, you begin to type up an agenda along with some notes for an upcoming meeting between the humanities teachers. You finish and head to the printer, rubbing your shoulders as you wait for the copies to print. You gather the copies and start for your desk when you see Takeda walk into the room.

While you teach English and Takeda teaches contemporary Japanese lit, he has been your teaching advisor, a mentor really. You felt lucky to have such a kind and patient teaching advisor. Takeda was also the volleyball advisor and "coach", in name only really, which had been taking up more time than before and was why he had asked you for a favor and work on the agendas.

"Oh Takeda hi! I finished those-"

You stopped as you realized he was having a conversation with another man who had followed in after him.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt. Wait. .." you said pausing. "Don't you work at the convenience store?!"

You tried to hide your surprise at seeing the guy you'd all but forgotten after your hectic week. And now he was standing in the middle of your workplace. He looked the exact same, minus the earrings and apron. He raised an eyebrow.

"I don't just work there, my family owns it," he said with a calm confidence.

"Oh! Well.. the tea was really good!" You said enthusiastically, giving a thumbs up.

"We don't make the tea you know, just sell it," he said repressing a laugh. You were taken back by his blunt reply to your attempted compliment

"I- I know that, I just meant-"

"L/n, this is Keishin Ukai, he's the new volleyball coach!"

"Temporary coach." Ukai said giving Takeda a stern look.

"Right, temporary coach," Takeda said, obviously dejected.

"Ohh I think I have some third year students on the team. Nice to meet you, Coach Ukai," you said warmly.

"Ha, Ukai's fine. Don't be so formal, I'm hardly a coach." 

You looked quizzically at him, wanting him to elaborate, but were interrupted by Takeda again.

"Did you need something from me, L/n?"

"Oh right! I finished those agendas for you, should I just set them on your desk?"

"That would be great, thank you for doing that!"

"It's no problem, really. Well, I don't want to keep you. I'll see you later Takeda, Coach Ukai," you said slightly smirking before returning to your desk.

Takeda grabbed something from his desk then left for the gym with Ukai.

"So.. you've met?" Takeda asked curiously.

"Very briefly." Ukai bluntly responded.

"L/n is a great teacher, her students respond very well to her teaching style. She's quite popular."

"Hmm..." Ukai says under his breath. "I can see why."