My Roommate Is My Sensei [Tobirama x Reader]

Part 12

"I expect an explanation from you, Tobirama! And you as well, [y/n]!"

So as things would have it, we—that is, Tobirama and I—are summoned to the principal's office half an hour later.

And this is probably the biggest surprise of all—turns out Hashirama is the principal, and Tobirama is the vice principal.

Here we are, in the principal's office, Hashirama absolutely fuming behind his desk while a bandaged Madara sits next to him. Tobirama and I—well, we stand where troublemakers stand: in front of them.

"I started it."

"It's not her fault."

We speak simultaneously.

We exchange short, surprised looks, then focus back on Hashirama and Madara.

"Madara-sensei was being a pervert," I cut straight to the chase.

Hashirama's jaw drops. "Is it true, Madara?!" He gives Madara an incredulous look.

Madara doesn't object. "Can't blame me," he shrugs, "she was a pretty creature."

I just want to kick that other eye of his into oblivion.

Hashirama claps a hand over his forehead. "Dang it."

"I told you so, Hashirama," Tobirama speaks up. His arms are crossed (in fact, I think they always are), his face a mixture of indignance and contempt.

Hashirama holds out a hand. "Okay, quit it. I know what you're getting at." He sighs, then focuses on his brother. "Speaking of which, I haven't heard you tell your side of the story. What the fuck happened?"

In a few sentences, Tobirama recounts what happened after he bumped into me at the teacher's room.

"Why in the world did you have to do that?" I swear I can see the gears in Hashirama's brain desperately trying to grind out an explanation for Tobirama's actions.

"She's my student, and my roommate, Hashirama. I have due reason to do so."

At this, both Hashirama and Madara stare at him with an indescribable expression.

"What?" Tobirama's voice is edged with exasperation.

"We'll talk about that later. All three of you have review panels to write! And I expect you to hand them in by tomorrow!"

***

It's only a ten-minute wait before Tobirama is finally released.

"I didn't know senseis had review panels to write. Not to mention vice principals." I poke fun at him.

He casts a sideways glance at me. "That's something only my brother can think of."

I laugh. "But anyhow, thanks for helping at the right time."

"He's been on my nerves for long enough." He looks like he's about to throw up just at the mention of Madara-sensei. "Forget about him. How are your wounds?"

"It's been slow, but steady. I'm recovering."

He eyes me from head to toe. "I don't really trust you on that. You've been taking on too much."

I laugh it off. "This is just one of my bad days. It'll pass eventually."

A moment of silence.

"I didn't think you'd get beaten up that bad last weekend."

"Oh, that? Well, he was the toughest one after all. Makes sense that he'd give me a hard time."

"Did it hurt?"

I zone out for a second. "Huh?"

"Did it hurt?" He repeats. No sign of impatience, just a touch of gentleness.

I lower my eyes to the ground, suck in a deep breath, then release it all in a sigh as I realize there's no use—and no need—to put up a brave front.

"It did." I answer quietly. "I got all bloodied up." My fingers twiddle with the straps of my bag. 

He stays silent for a moment.

"How about we have sushi tonight for a change?"

"Huh?" I look back up at him, ready to object, but he beats me to it.

"You can pay me back later if you want."

I smile. "That's a must. But anyway, let's go!"

***

He sees her off to her room before returning to his.

First things first—a sip of peppermint tea mixed with lemonade.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

Crossing his arms, he reclines back in his chair to gaze out the window.

Konoha by night is always a splendid sight. Colored lights against the backdrop of the dark night sky, combined with the steady flow of traffic—simply mesmerizing and relaxing.

His mind wanders back to the conversation he had with Hashirama after his older brother had shooed Madara and [y/n] out.

"Were you serious when you said what you said?"

"Of course I was, I mean everything I say."

"I mean about [y/n]."

"What about that?"

"You said she was your roommate and student, so you had due reason to beat Madara up."

"So? Is there anything wrong with that?"

Hashirama cracks a small smile. "No, nothing. It's just...I didn't think there are things that even you wouldn't realize about yourself."

"Realize what?" He's losing patience.

"Tobirama, if you ever pay attention to yourself, you'll find that you've never been nice to girls."

"They were annoying, Hashirama."

"I know, I know. But just think about it: you've never stood up for a girl, much less cared for her, the way you do for [y/n]. You don't even treat our female colleagues that nicely."

"She's my roommate, Hashirama. We meet on a daily basis, of course that's normal."

"Jeez, Tobirama. There's something else you've missed: you've only been with her for six months. We've met you face-to-face every day for years, and no-one's even got a fraction of that kind of treatment from you."

With surprise, he realizes his brother is right.

But then...what about that?

"So what about that?" He voices his thoughts dumbly.

Hashirama's pinning him with the look of someone who just witnessed the Sun rise from the West.

"I think it's best for you to figure it out on your own. But if you ask me, I'd say you're into her." A quick glance, and he puts out an imminent protest that's about to spill from Tobirama's lips. "I'm not jumping to conclusions just yet, but do take your time to think about it."

His thoughts drift back to the pile of assignments his students freshly handed in today. Slowly, he reaches out for the one on the top.

The characters on the full name blank read [l/n] [y/n].

A small smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he opens the workbook to her clean handwriting.

Into her, huh...

Another sip of tea.

Just this once, I'll take your word for it, Hashirama. I'll take time to think this through.