Love in the Times of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 12

The second trimester had begun a few weeks ago.
"And now the lazy days are over," were Korosensei's first words as he entered the classroom that morning. "Midterms are just around the corner."
"Are you serious?" Terasaka exclaimed, clearly annoyed. "Did you forget those massive textbooks you gave us over summer break? There was no lazing around at all."
"Terasaka-kun, I'm glad you took my readings so seriously. Wonderful," Korosensei praised, chuckling. "You've all changed so much for the better; I'm very proud of you."
Kit noticed her classmates' faces beaming - and Korosensei was right. They had brought out the best in themselves over just a few months. But that didn't stop him from pushing them even harder, which meant they all had to brace themselves for an even tougher second trimester.
Their first class was English, and although Kit knew she couldn't rest on her laurels, her thoughts were with Isogai, who was absent today. He wasn't sick but had to take care of his ill siblings, so he couldn't come to school or work. They all knew it was forbidden for students to have jobs, but they also knew Isogai needed the money. He came from a poor background and depended on every cent he could earn. The problem was that his boss was not fond of absences, so Kit had started filling in for Isogai now and then. The work wasn't hard for her, and the boss didn't mind as long as someone served the customers. Naturally, Isogai always gave her the portion of his wages she earned, but Kit often slipped it to one of his younger siblings.
"Hey, Kitchan." Kayano nudged her with an elbow. "Class is over."
"Oh, right."
She stood up, took a moment to remember what class was next, and knew when she saw everyone grabbing their gym clothes.

Despite the official start of autumn, the temperatures were mild. Even the hardier customers at the café still sat outside in short-sleeved shirts.
"Welcome! What can I get for you today?" she asked politely, taking the order of an older gentleman who had already switched to long sleeves. Sensible, Kit thought.
She relayed the customer's order to her colleague at the counter and then noticed a familiar face. This can't be happening, she thought, recognizing none other than Asano taking a seat by the window. There were so many cafés around that his appearance couldn't be a coincidence. Just a few weeks ago, the boys in Class E had competed in a sports match against the top-class students after the chairman's son had caught Isogai at his illegal job and threatened to expose him. Thankfully, their victory had saved their class representative from expulsion, but could Asano be proving himself a sore loser now? To his credit, he had always kept his word up until now.
As she stood at the counter, deep in thought, her customers waited to be served. She had to be a worthy substitute for Isogai, and sooner or later, she'd have to face Asano. So she walked straight to his table.
"Hi, what can I get you?" she asked in a neutral tone.
For a moment, he looked her directly in the eye, making her fear the worst. But then he simply said, "A coffee, please, black."
She nodded, turned quickly, and headed back to the counter. What a strange encounter. She had expected anything but this. He didn't seem to even register her presence, while she was already worrying whether she'd face expulsion. After all, they weren't friends, she reminded herself.
When the coffee was ready, Kit brought it to Asano's table.
"Can you take a minute's break?" he asked without looking up.
"No," she answered automatically, "if my boss sees, Iso... I mean, I'd be in trouble."
"That's fine; he's a friend of mine. I'll tell him it was urgent."
With a polite gesture, he offered her the seat across from him, and although Kit felt caught off guard, her curiosity got the better of her. She removed her apron and sat down, tilting her head skeptically, bracing for whatever he had to say.
"Would you go out with me?" he asked bluntly, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
He seemed to enjoy her utterly shocked reaction.
"Excuse me?"
"Would you go out with me?" he repeated kindly.
Kit narrowed her eyes, searching his face for any sign that he was joking or possibly had lost his mind - but found nothing of the sort. Casually, he sipped his coffee, waiting for her to gather herself.
"I actually meant to ask you after school earlier, but you seemed to be in a hurry. Now I see why. You know that outside jobs are forbidden, right?"
"Of course I know," she replied, pressing her lips together. "I was sitting in the audience when my classmates won Isogai's freedom with their victory."
"True. And I'll keep my word not to expose him."
The way he emphasized his words spoke volumes.
"Are you trying to blackmail me?" Kit hissed softly, noticing other customers glancing their way with raised eyebrows. "I think I really need to get back to work now."
With that, she stood up, tied her apron back on, and hoped Asano would leave soon. She wouldn't let herself be blackmailed, but she also didn't want to stir up trouble between her and his father.

As dusk began to fall, Kit turned the door sign to "closed," her thoughts still revolving around the encounter with Asano. At first, she'd only imagined the worst-case scenario if he did report her, but then it struck her that their conversation had actually started differently. Why on earth would he ask her out? It must be part of some elaborate scheme, she reasoned. Yet this behavior didn't quite fit her image of him. Plus, he must have anticipated her reaction, right?
"Isogai will be back tomorrow," she called to her boss before locking up for the night.
The day had been exhausting, and she was relieved to finally go home to her father. Luckily, it wasn't completely dark yet; she always felt a little uneasy being out alone at night.
"Wait," a voice called from behind her, and she stopped.
When she turned around, she thought the evening might match the intensity of the day.
"Asanokun, what are you still doing here?"
"You haven't answered my question from earlier," he said seriously.
She could have sworn he was nervous. He just hid it well behind his directness. Kit shook her head in disbelief.
"What makes you think I'd go out with you? Why do you even want to go out with me? I'm from Class E, and the last time we crossed paths in the hallway, you made it pretty clear in front of your friends that we're not friends. Remember?"
"I understand." He closed his eyes for a moment, nodded to himself, and raised a hand in farewell. "See you at school, Kitsan."
Then he turned and walked away.
"Maybe I'm already taken!" she called after him but regretted it the second the words left her mouth. It was foolish; she hadn't thought it through.
For a moment, Asano paused. "Hmm. That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself, isn't it?"
And he was right.