"
Okaa-san! I'll be over at my friend's house!" Usegi called out to his mother while sitting down on the floor and putting his shoes on. He'd been home for an hour after leaving school for the day but the blonde wanted to take a shower before heading over to Sousuke's house. He may have been of age to talk to his mother about dating his teacher but Usegi was still worried that she would be upset with him for dating a man that's not only older than him but also the man he's dating is his teacher. The only person he trusted knowing that information was his brother Jacob who was at work unlike Usegi who was off today from work. He wishes he was more confident in talking to his mother about his relationship, that he found someone that he was so happy to be with but he was worried about his stepmother finding out, disapproving of it and doing something to ruin Sousuke's life which would devastate him. Life was a struggle for him, at least in his eyes. He wasn't ready to be an adult but there was nothing he could do about growing up.
His mother finally came out of the kitchen as he'd finished putting on his shoes. She was drying her hands with a rag as she'd been washing dishes. "
Oh? Another study session?" Danielle asked.
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Hai, another study session. Trying to make sure my grades stay up so I won't lose out on credits and not graduate," Usegi laughed as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. The study session wasn't a total lie but it just wouldn't be with his friends who he discovered were either busy or didn't feel like going out which he found strange but he didn't think too much on it. He couldn't force them to hang out if they weren't in the mood. But he wasn't lying about studying.
Danielle nodded. "
Alright. If you're staying over, make sure to come straight home tomorrow. Your friends seem to be helping you out more with your grades so I don't mind being lenient in letting you stay over their place. Try not to fill up on junk food though, dear," she told him. She did notice he'd been eating a lot less junk food but would occasionally still see him eating unhealthy snacks. As long as he was mixing up his diet with healthier foods, she wouldn't get on his case so much about what he ate.
Usegi, on the other hand, just laughed. "
I don't see that happening. Did you forget one of them is a vegetarian? Don't worry, I won't be pigging out. But thanks for letting me stay over their house. I'll be sure to tell them that when I get there," he replied as he stood up then adjusted the straps to the backpack he wore on his shoulders. He'd already planned to stay over Sousuke's place anyway but he didn't have to ask since his mom gave him the okay to stay over his friends house. That was a load off of his shoulders.
"
You have so many different friends, Usegi. It's hard to keep up with them all. However, I'm happy at least one of them eats healthier foods since it's rubbing off on you. Used to couldn't get you to eat a salad when you were younger," Danielle laughed.
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I know, I know, but I'm getting better at making somewhat healthy food choices. Not all of it's gross. Anyway, I'll see you guys tomorrow," Usegi as he waved goodbye to his mom before leaving to head to Sousuke's apartment. He was thankfully glad that this apartment complex had so many different sections for people to live in that were spread apart. It was basically a community of families and regular people that lived in the Red Fountain Apartments. Lucky for him, Sousuke lived across the street in the secondary community Red Fountain Apartments that were across from the current area he stayed in. Where Sousuke lived were more basic standard one-bedrooms and studio apartments but they were very nice. The man lived in the standard one bedroom apartment so there was a lot more space compared to the studio apartments.
He found himself frequenting over there a lot when he and his teacher began to date in secret. He managed to never get caught by his friends being close with the man since it would just be trouble for him given he is a teacher at the same school Usegi attends. The blonde was worried but with them spending so much time together as they have been, having his teacher's scent on him is usually explained away with him working on homework since there were many of his classmates very curious as to why they always smelled the man on him. It was honestly hard not to have someone's scent on you, as it tells others who you've specifically been hanging out with based on the scent they secrete. Given how Sousuke present himself when at school, not even the teachers thought much into the man dating anyone. He did learn that he had an older brother which he only met once. If it weren't for the difference in hairstyle and eye color, they could go for twins themselves, especially when his brother wasn't wearing his contacts.
It was clear being with the man and learning more things about him made Usegi so happy. He found someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They may be completely different but they became comfortable with each other over time. He's helped him to keep his grades balanced by encouraging him more and believing he could do something if he set his mind to it. That's what Usegi liked about him most of all. Sousuke didn't see him as a lost cause like how many others have. He'd left the Red Fountain Apartments community he stayed in and carefully crossed the street to the other side and began to walk further down to the entrance of the adjacent community where his lover stayed. There was no hiding the clear blush and smile he had on his face as he strolled down toward the gate opening, knowing the pass code to the gate in order to get in, punching in the code and proceeded to enter once the gate opened.
Sousuke's apartment was in the far back but that didn't bother Usegi at all since he'd gotten used to walking the long distance from his home to Sousuke's. It also made hiding their relationship a lot easier from people they didn't know about them. He knew Jacob wasn't going to tell anyone so he didn't have any worries there but there were just some people who did have big mouths and couldn't be trusted. Usegi reached his destination after about five minutes and began reaching into his pocket for the spare key made that allowed him to come and go as he pleased. He knew that man would be home already since neither of them needed to stay after school today for anything and he didn't have to work so he could relax and spend time with him in private. Unlocking the door, he gently knocked on it before going fully inside. "
Sou-kun, I'm here," he said.