Love in the Times of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 26

"Did you have a nice evening?" Karasuma asked when he heard his daughter sneaking down the hallway into the living room. He was sitting in the kitchen, reading the book Irina had given him, but when he heard the key in the door, it had seemed sensible to set it aside.
"Mmm-hmm," came the stretched-out reply from the next room. "And you?"
"Yes, it was a pleasant evening." Karasuma stepped into the living room and looked down at Kit, who had flopped onto the sofa barefoot, her hair in disarray. "Irina was here."
"That's exactly what I had in mind," came the prompt response, causing Karasuma to pause.
"Did you? And I thought I told you not to meddle in my love life."
"I didn't. I just thought it might happen. Am I not allowed to be happy when my guesses turn out right? Besides, you should be pleased. Imagine, there are daughters who wouldn't share their dads with a hot professional assassin," she said a bit cheekily, and Karasuma had to remind himself to stay calm. Just a few hours earlier, he had promised Irina he'd stay calm when Kit came home, no matter what. And he knew she was right. He didn't want to lose her trust - she was his everything.
"I am happy," was all he voiced of the many thoughts running through his mind. Surprisingly, it was even true.
"Really?" Kit seemed surprised as well.
"Yes. I am happy - about as happy as one can be under these circumstances. I've come to realize how very fortunate I am to have this life."
"Oh, Dad," Kit sighed and took his hand. "You know what I think? I think the world won't end. Ever since we heard Korosensei's story, I just can't believe he'd take the entire planet down with him. Somehow, it just doesn't make me as happy as it should. You know what I mean?"
He did know, and he felt the same way. Normally, he kept his work and personal life separate, but since joining the Assassination Classroom, that boundary had vanished. There was no separation anymore. His daughter was his student, his target was his friend, and a woman he'd have seen as a target under other circumstances was now... Well, what exactly was Irina to him?
Karasuma pushed the question from his mind, as he had done for months. "We should get some sleep, don't you think?" he said to Kit, who seemed lost in thought. He knew that dreamy look on a girl's face; he just didn't like seeing it on his own daughter. "Kit?"
"Yes?" She snapped out of her reverie. "I think I'd better go to bed. I'm really tired."

On Monday morning, Irina stood in front of the school building earlier than usual, feeling as nervous as a schoolgirl. She knew where Karasuma parked his car, and she only had to wait until Kit got out and headed off to her friends.
"Good morning, Karasuma," she said softly as he approached. He turned to her, surprised but apparently pleased, judging by his expression.
"Irina, since when do you arrive so early for class?" he asked.
"Well, needing less time in the bathroom in the mornings has some advantages," she said with a shrug, not mentioning that it had taken her three tries to settle on an outfit that morning.
"You really don't need it." Karasuma looked at her. "I like you much better like this."
"Yes, I like myself better this way too." It was the truth, though it had been hard at first. Her appearance had been her calling card and her life insurance. Knowing there was a whole different person underneath was still a bit unsettling for her, but nothing compared to the feeling of truly being seen by someone. Yes, she was sure about that, and she would make an effort to see him too - if he let her.
"You know," she began boldly, "I'd like to greet you this morning the same way we said goodbye the night before last."
Karasuma's mouth twitched. He was a serious man, often hard to read, but she could guess what he was feeling in this moment. After a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, he stepped closer, placed his hands around her face, and gave her a gentle kiss.
"Yes, that's exactly what I had in mind," Irina whispered as she reluctantly pulled away. They walked the last bit of the hill together, keeping a respectful distance.
"You women always seem to know exactly what you want," Karasuma mused, remembering hearing that line from his daughter the day before.
"Oh, yes," Irina began, but then stopped mid-sentence. "We know exactly what we want."
In her mind, surprise, amusement, and concern competed, as she noticed Kit among the chatting students moving slowly indoors - pressed close to Karma. Close enough that it was clear, even from a distance, what they were doing. And we have to hide, Irina thought, wrinkling her nose briefly before turning her attention back to Karasuma, who had suddenly stopped walking.
Irina sighed.
"What are they doing?" Karasuma asked, though it was quite obvious.
"They're kissing," Irina replied matter-of-factly. "Just like we did," she added quietly.
"Yes, but that's completely different." His hands clenched into tight fists.
"No, it's not," Irina insisted. "It's exactly the same, except that they're allowed to do it openly, while we teachers have to set an example."
"She's still a child."
"We've already had this conversation. We discussed this possibility the night before last, and I remind you that you agreed to accept it," Irina tried again.
She would have liked to put a hand on his arm right now, but that was obviously impossible. Several students were watching them with curiosity to see what would happen next.
"Karasuma?"
"Yes, I know, but I didn't realize they'd act in public like... like they were in a..." He broke off, took a deep breath, and started over. "Like in an adult movie. What am I supposed to do now, Irina?"
She looked at him seriously. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You're going to walk through that door and go to the staff room. I'll make you a coffee and snag some chocolate from the octopus's secret stash."
"I..." he began, but Irina was already walking ahead and didn't hear him anymore. She glanced one more time toward the side wall of the school building, where Kit had now let go of Karma but still held his hands. Their eyes met briefly, and Kit smiled at Irina. She smiled back, and they understood each other. Suddenly, Irina felt something she had never known before - a sense of belonging. It almost felt as if she was becoming part of a family.