Work Text:
It was a slightly awkward walk. Ren had the bag thrown over his shoulder like he was Santa about to deliver a nice bag of dirty laundry with his maid helper. He thought she kind of liked it when he got her to do laundry for him, though. It was a break from standing all day after all. As they were walking, however, Ren started to slightly feel regret for his choice of words and attitude towards Kawakami.
Alright, that was a little too much sass back there. I should at least talk to Kawakami and get on some common ground with her. I am the dude that’s paying her to wash my clothes after all, but God this was so much easier when my love life was just a fucking secret.
“Hey, Becky.” Ren placed his free hand shyly in his pockets as he walked side-by-side with an irritable Kawakami. She pretends to ignore him, but Ren isn’t willing to give up. “Earth to Beckyyyyy!” Ren cupped his mouth and said in a playful tone. The two reach the entrance to the laundromat, and much to Kawakami’s displeasure, she reluctantly turns to Ren with a very unamused demeanor. She furrows her brows. “Clothes, please. Master.”
The way she said “Master”. That was Black Frost levels of chill that I felt down my spine, holy shit! She is not happy with me at all!
Ren hands over the bag and gives an awkward smile. Kawakami lugs the bag over to the open washer and bends over to begin reaching for and dumping his clothes into the machine. He leans by the doorframe with his hands now tucked neatly into his pockets. He ends up talking with a low, heavy voice. “Look, Kawakami, I know I was a bit of an ass up there-!” Kawakami interrupts him immediately and looks over to him with a stern look. “Language! And scoff a bit, Ren?” Ren briefly closes his eyes.
Sigh. Give in, Ren, you’re supposed to fix this, give in.
“Okay, sorry, and a lot. I’m just pretty fed up with having a magnifying glass over my life, right now.” Kawakami briefly stands up with her hands on her hips. “Given your record, I figured this is what you would expect, Amamiya-kun. I’ve seen your recent exam scores, and while I am impressed that you’re keeping up with your studies, I’m not overly enthused to find you getting yourself into trouble again.” Kawakami heavily stresses.
Yeah, I was aware of that the first time–! Ah, no. Gotta play it cool.
Ren has an irritated look, but he calms himself to relent from his growing frustration. Kawakami throws more clothes in as she talks. “Between being absurdly late for the second time this semester, and getting yourself involved with the student council president–scoff This is the exact opposite of what we agreed to when you transferred here.” As much as he wanted to defend himself, Ren began to show signs of defeat.
Kawakami looks over and stops once she sees Ren’s troubled demeanor. She walks over to him and leans on a closed washing machine close to him. “Look, I don’t want you to take this as me telling you that ‘You can’t live your life’, but you have to think about the consequences of the decisions you make and how they affect those around you.” Ren nods as he continues to listen to her intently. He stops leaning on the doorframe and stands up straight. Kawakami has a tired look about her. “For the record, I don’t care if you’re dating Niijima-san. I care that you, as the Student Vice President, are dating the Student Council President. It’s an unconfirmed pairing rumor that I’m hearing way too often around the school, and frankly, it’s starting to get tiring.”
What she really means is that she cares about both of us, too. Heh. I always knew she had a heart, but…well, whattaya know?
Ren smiles softly at her comment. Kawakami holds her fingers to her forehead as she briefly thinks. “I won’t pry any further into your private life, but assuming you’re going to continue your relationship with her, please do your best to keep things as professional as possible at school. If her reputation worsens, it’ll do significantly more harm to her standing as an honorary student.” She turns to Ren with a serious glare, bends over a bit with her hands on her hip, and holds a finger up. “Don’t. Screw. This. Up. Okay?”
Nice to see Kawakami being understanding for once. I should give her a big extra tip for the next time I request her, though I have suspicions about where my money is really going.
Ren has an appreciative smile and nods in agreement.
“Alright, Becky. I’ll bite. As long as you tell me about the money I keep giving you and where it’s really going, the next time I request you?” Kawakami has a surprised look on her face. She straightens up and holds her hands together before looking away in regret. “I uh…I think I can do that.” Ren claps his hands once with excitement. “Alright!” Kawakami gives Ren another stern look. “But only if you keep up your end of our deal. Don’t. Be. Late. Again. You’re running on thin ice with these free periods I’m giving you. Got it?”
Ren puts his hands up in a mocking surrender. “Sigh Understood. Fair play, Becky.” Kawakami puts a hand on her hip and gives him a warm smile. “You’ve heard me say this plenty of times before, but you know that I’ll always be in your corner no matter what. I’m your teacher first…” Ren completes her sentence. “...and my maid second. I got it.” Kawakami gets slightly closer to Ren as she immediately transitions into her signature pose with a kawaii smile. “And I’m happy to always rely on my Master!”
Ren’s wittier side awakens as he internally struggles not to crack a joke. His face begins to contort as a result.
Don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t, don’t…fuck it.
Ren smiles widely as a slight chuckle escapes.
“Pfft…I know you know you hate that pose. I can read it so hard…hmhmhm…on your face! Hehehahaaaa!”
Kawakami’s demeanor changes heavily. Within a flash, Ren is slightly keeled over, still laughing, as he holds his stomach from Kawakami’s playful punch. “Oof, hahaha!” Kawakami returns to work on Niijima’s and Ren’s clothes with a slightly bitter attitude. Ren recovers from his hysterics. “Are you done? whine I can’t wait to take a nap…” Ren puts his hands back in his pockets. He turns to Kawakami before he heads out the door.
“Alright, could you just fold Makoto’s stuff nicely? The rest can just go back in the bag.”
Kawakami groans in protest. “Ren, for God's sake, I can fold your clothes too!” Ren puts his hands up in a mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I get it! As soon as I’m done in the bathhouse, I’ll be back to help you carry everything up.”
Kawakami’s eyes are closed as she gives him a tired thumbs-up while he leaves.
I might call it quits if this washing machine jams again. On top of Niijima-sans...How in the world does he have so many clothes to wash?!
Ren walks forward as he heads near the bathhouse.
Y’know, I think I’m starting to enjoy Kawakami’s visits more and more.
END