Hey Jacka- I Mean Sasaki

[Matsukinsei Twins]

Koujin tucked his books under his arm and his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the wall outside Irotsuya-sensei's classroom, one foot bracing him in the typical "boy pose". It was a bit early to be there -even Kuro hadn't arrived just yet- but if Koujin's target was really the snob he sensed he was, then Sasaki would be there early too.

The foxlike boy wasn't looking forward to apologizing, but Kiyoshi had told him to. And Koujin didn't want to sleep on the floor again.

He frowned to himself and cringed. Damn, that sounded way too much like a husband complaining about his wife. The thought made him shudder. Sure, he loved his twin to bits, but now that he really focused on the issue, why the hell were they still sleeping on the same futon? Shouldn't they have outgrown that by now?

Reluctantly, Koujin decided to ask some of the shikigami staff for another set of bedding. He was going to miss sleeping with Kiyoshi's back pressed against his, though.

Hurry up, Sasaki. I don't like where my mind is going.

[Sasaki Seiichi]

It was early, and Seiichi knew it, but he wanted to be to class and in his seat—with his back facing the majority of the room—before class started. He didn’t know how quickly news would spread, but the last thing he wanted was to realize that everyone in the class knew he’d been kissed by another boy.

Additionally, it never hurt to be to class early; Seiichi was definitely not opposed to making a good impression on Irotsuya-sensei with his punctuality.

Therefore, Seiichi was quite unpleasantly surprised to see his nemesis leaning up against the wall outside the classroom. He slipped a hand in his pocket, reassured by the accessibility of his wand. He was more than willing to hex Matsukinsei should the boy try anything, and began mentally running down the list of curses he knew. The body-bind curse seemed to be quite appropriate should Seiichi need a quick getaway.

[Matsukinsei Twins]

"Hey," Koujin said in a more subdued tone than his usual outgoing way. "Sorry 'bout the mess in the bath. I didn't realize you were straight. I won't hit on you again. And if something does happen," he added, "Kiyoshi will protect you." He leaned his head against the wall with a dry chuckle. "The guy hates violence, but he sure has no problem hitting me, apparently."

That was a bit mean, but it contributed to the sincere act. If Sasaki bought it, they'd just wait together in silence until Kuro-sensei showed up.

[Nouko Murui]

This was not good. One of the most flamboyant boys in school and the meanest boy in school were both standing outside the classroom, waiting for the teacher. Nouko scooped Chiyuu from the floor as an excuse not to look at them, and the cat purred comfortingly.

Maybe Matsukinsei-san would respect her silence, being a fellow clubber. Hopefully.

[Sasaki Seiichi]

Seiichi was so horrified that he failed to notice Murui and her cat approaching. His mouth dropped open in complete shock. “You didn’t realize I was straight?” he sputtered. “When have I ever given indications of being anything other than straight?” He surreptitiously pulled his wand out of his pocket. He didn’t think he was going to need it, but just in case…

“I don’t have any problem with people who are gay,” he clarified, “so long as they leave me out of it. If you honour your word, I don’t think we’ll have too many problems. However, ‘if something does happen,’” he repeated Koujin’s words, “I promise to hex you. Do we have an understanding?”

(OOC: God, it's hard for me to play a semi-homophobic character... >_>)

[Matsukinsei Twins]

"Some people put themselves in the closet pretty deep," Koujin stated simply. "And since I'm not around you much, I couldn't tell. But if you do hex me, you'll have bad karma to deal with, if not my brother as well."

"Ano sa, ano sa! What's this, then?" Kuro interrupted as he approached his classroom. "Arguing already without apologies?"

"I did apologize, Sensei," Koujin retorted. "He's just pissed 'cause he keeps to himself so much no one can tell if he even has a sex drive. I bet I was his first kiss, and it wasn't even as traumatizing as it coulda been 'cause I'm bisexual."

Kuro slapped Koujin. "Stop," he said sternly. "The two of you are scaring Murui-chan. Matsukinsei, apologize again. Sasaki, put the wand away, accept the apology with good grace and get over it. Then we can all be square and wait for class to start."

Koujin checked his jaw for damage; the Transfiguration master had gotten him right where Kiyoshi had hit. "I'm sorry, Sasaki," he mumbled.

[Sasaki Seiichi]

Crap. This was the second time in a short timespan that Irotsuya-sensei had caught him being less than mature. He warily eyed Matsukinsei, who appeared contrite.

"Gomen nasi," Seiichi said with a bow. He tucked his wand back into the pocket of his plaid trousers. "And I accept your apology as well, Matsukinsei." As he straightened, Seiichi looked to Irotsuya-sensei for approval.

[Matsukinsei Twins]

Kuro nodded and smiled, merry again. "Good! Now I hope you have your assignments complete and ready to go," he said, motioning everyone in. Koujin went in first, glad to be away from Sasaki; Nouko was next, after Chiyuu jumped out of her arms to wait at the door.

"Did he apologize?" someone muttered from behind Seiichi. Kiyoshi had come on the scene in time to see Kuro's mood change, but not everything else.

[Sasaki Seiichi]

The assignment! Seiichi had completely forgotten. He resisted the urge to perform a facepalm. This week was not going well, but he had to admit to himself that forgetting the assignment couldn't be blamed on anyone but himself. He still had no idea what to transfigure a damn stone into. Something capable of independent movement? Shimatta.

His self-chastisement was interrupted by a voice behind him. "Oh! Konnichiwa, Matsukinsei-kun. "He did apologize, yes." He started to enter the classroom, but stopped and turned to face Kiyoshi. "Did you put him up to it? If so, arigato. If not..." His voice trailed off. "If you didn't put him up to it, I've underestimated him and he's more honourable than I thought."

[Matsukinsei Twins]

Kiyoshi was tempted to lie and say Koujin had thought of the apology himself, but his brother would probably do something stupid -"dishonorable", even- and get them both in trouble. "He said he'd apologize if it made me feel better," he answered. "And he has, so I do feel a little better. I guess that means you're welcome."

He shifted uncomfortably, wondering what else to say to the prickly boy.

[Sasaki Seiichi]

For once, Seiichi decided to do the sensible thing and let the subject drop. He lowered his voice to a whisper to make sure that Irotsuya-sensei wouldn’t hear him. “Did you finish the homework? I completely forgot.” He wondered if he would be able to summon a stone through an open window and transfigure it into something simple, like a snail, without Sensei noticing.

[Matsukinsei Twins]

"Yes," Kiyoshi whispered back as they went to take their seats. "It's not very good, but I managed to make a toy glider. Niisan made a wind-up mouse." He made a face. "I wish I could be as good as McKeon-kun, but I suppose what I try to do in Charms makes up for it."

[Sasaki Seiichi]

Seiichi was impressed, despite himself. "A wind-up mouse? That seems difficult. Did he get the internal motor to work properly?

"And, I must agree with you. I'm better at Charms than at Transfiguration, though I'm not so keen on that gaijin professor. Why it's so difficult for them to find Japanese teachers I don't understand. I actually like Defense Against the Dark Arts best, but that's because I like learning hexes and such."

As he made his way across the room, Seiichi glanced over to Irotsuya-sensei who didn't appear to be watching. "I'll be back," he whispered to Kiyoshi and tiptoed across the room towards the windows. One happened to be partially open, and Seiichi gratefully shoved his wand through the empty space. "Accio stone!" he demanded in a hoarse whisper. He shoved his other hand through the window to catch the summoned object, hoping all the while that his sensei hadn't noticed.

[Matsukinsei Twins]

"Yes, the motor works," Kiyoshi assured the other boy, and wrinkled his nose as soon as Sasaki-san had turned to get his stone.

Sasaki-san was turning out to be more of a boor than he previously thought. But then, he reasoned, it could be his own incomprehension of what was "wrong" with foreigners getting in the way. Growing up in a family like his left no room for bias or bigotry. That, and he had to remember that Sasaki-san was just bitter for one reason or another. It made him wonder if Sasaki-san would be so keen on speaking with him if he found out the current generation of Matsukinsei was a fourth Okinawan and about an eighth Utari.

And the next time Sasaki-san referred to foreigners as "gaijin", he would simply call them "gaikokujin", personally.

Kiyoshi seated himself and pulled out his glider, setting it on the desk.


Across the way, Nouko set her own homework on her desk: A little toy snake.


Kuro finished greeting the students who had come in, and addressed the class. "Konnichiwa, class!"

[Kuro Irotsuya]

Smiling brightly, Kuro began pacing as he talked. "A week ago we talked about what it takes to make something move, and you all did very well in the discussion part," he mentioned. "Then I charged all of you with putting knowledge to Transfiguration: As you know, I wish to see things that can move on their own. Some of you have more than exceeded my expectations," he went on, motioning to Shaoul's sparrow, "and I am very proud indeed of your efforts.

"I will approach each of you to examine your homework, and if I do not get to you in a timely manner, you are free to fine-tune your results before I come around. Takahashi-kun, I will start with you."