Hearing her name announced over the PA system was uncommon but not uncomfortable. However, being told to assign a proxy so she could leave her classroom was awkward. Everyone watched her leave and then whispered about their theories as to why as soon as she shut the door behind her. Walking alone down the empty hallway to the sound of her footsteps echoing added to the growing bundle of nerves in her chest.
Being summoned to the principal’s office was a troubling situation for any student. But Kagome Higurashi wasn’t a student. She was a teacher, which made this even more concerning.
When she reached the office, Kagome was surprised to find she wasn’t the only one in attendance. Touga Taisho, the school chairman was in attendance, as was his son, Sesshomaru Taisho.
Kagome twisted her hands nervously in front of her. She and Sesshomaru had been seeing each other outside of school for the better part of the year. They hadn’t discussed their relationship with anyone at work for fear of being seen as unprofessional. Kagome was afraid if anyone found out about them that one (or both) of them would be reassigned to separate institutions.
“Take a seat, Miss Higurashi,” Principal Bokuseno requested, gesturing to the last available chair in his office.
She did as instructed.
“I’m sure you know why you are all here,” the principal began.
The chairman nodded. Beside him, Sesshomaru’s expression was impassive. Kagome felt her stomach somersault. If she made it through this meeting without issue it would be a miracle.
“Miss Higurashi?”
“Hmmm?”
“Do you know why you are here?”
“No, sir.”
“There has been a rather troubling rumor going around the school. At first, I disregarded it. I didn’t think there was any weight to the stories. However, earlier this week a rather shocking development occurred. A handful of students approached Mr. Taisho before class to ask him if the rumor was true. Are you familiar with the rumor I’m referring to, Miss Higurashi?”
“No, sir.”
Principal Bokuseno folded his hands in front of him on his desk. “Do not play coy with me, Miss Higurashi. Are you or are you not dating Mr. Taisho?”
The blood drained from Kagome’s face.
“Watch your tone,” Sesshomaru hissed. He was gripping his chair so tightly that his knuckles were white.
“Don’t make me suspend you, Mr. Taisho.”
“Suspend me? On what ground?”
Principal Bokuseno ignored him and returned his attention to Kagome. “Miss Higurashi, I’m sure I don’t need to explain the severity of these allegations.”
She shook her head.
“These rumors need to be addressed, otherwise you and Mr. Taisho will be placed on administrative leave without pay. Am I making myself clear?”
“Just tell me what you need me to do and I’ll take care of it. I would never want to cause any damage to Mr. Taisho’s reputation,” Kagome stated.
Sesshomaru’s chair squeaked as he stood. “No,” he said, placing his hands on the edge of Bokuseno’s desk. “This rumor concerns me. I’ll take responsibility for it. Please allow me a few minutes during today’s assembly to address the matter with the students.”
“Very well,” Bokuseno said. “But you will both make a statement.”
“Fine,” Sesshomaru relented. “Come with me, Miss Higurashi. We have an assembly to prepare for.”
Kagome bowed her head to the principal and the chairman and quickly followed him out.
Sesshomaru was silent as he led the way to the auditorium. Kagome tried to speak to him but each time she opened her mouth, the words died on her tongue. She kept picturing Sesshomaru’s face in the newspaper. Having a suspension on his record was like a black mark. She couldn’t live with herself if she put his career in jeopardy. Perhaps their relationship had run its course. Maybe the best thing she could do was walk away.
The thought of leaving him hurt. She had grown used to sharing dinners with him and his adopted daughter, Rin. She had a drawer in his bedroom, referred to the left side of the bed as hers, and had started adding plants around his house to spruce it up. They had celebrated the holidays together. Rin even made them all matching scarves to wear as they opened presents. Giving all of that up was heartbreaking.
But Kagome would do it if it meant Sesshomaru’s job would be secure.
They climbed the steps to the stage. Each one felt like a punch to her gut as she readied herself for the hardest moment of her life.
“I don’t care what Bokuseno says. I’ll handle this. Understood?”
She nodded mutely, not trusting her voice. Kagome decided she would tell him after the assembly. It was almost the end of the day. She could break things off with him and go home to cry. It was more professional that way.
The students shuffled into the auditorium in rows. They each settled into their assigned spots, facing the stage. Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to smile. Her lips trembled as Sesshomaru stepped forward and turned on the microphone.
“It has come to my attention that there is a rumor circulating throughout the school regarding my relationship with Miss Higurashi.”
There was a murmur from the crowd. Kagome ducked her head, willing herself not to blush from embarrassment.
“If you are aware of this rumor, please raise your hand,” Sesshomaru instructed the students.
Nearly every one of them raised a hand.
Kagome’s stomach dropped. That was it. Her career was over. She’d was going to be fired. She would have to move back into the shrine with Mama and Souta.
“I see. Is anyone brave enough to voice this rumor out loud?”
Kohaku Kuwashima stood. “You and Miss Higurashi are dating.”
Sesshomaru’s eyes narrowed. Kagome suspected that his reaction had more to do with the fact that his daughter had a crush on Kohaku than his courage to address their current situation. “And where did you hear this rumor?”
“From Rin Taisho.”
Kagome bit down so hard on the inside of her cheek that she drew blood. She wasn’t sure who to be more scared for: Rin or Kohaku. She doubted either of them would escape a lecture from Sesshomaru.
“Has anyone else heard my daughter circulate this rumor?” he inquired.
Dozens of hands shot up into the air.
A quiet, “Sorry, Papa,” was heard from somewhere in the center of the room. Despite her apology, Rin did not stand up. She knew she was safer concealing herself amongst her peers than speaking directly to her father. But she couldn’t hide forever. Once the school day came to a close, there would be nowhere to hide. Rin would have to face Sesshomaru.
“Very well. It seems you have all heard the same story. It is my responsibility as your teacher to set the record straight.”
Kagome held her breath.
“The rumor is true. Miss Higurashi and I are dating.”
She gasped, turning toward him with her eyes wide and mouth agape. Sesshomaru glanced over at her and smirked. Kagome was stunned by his admission. She looked over her shoulder at where the other teachers were waiting in the wings. Her best friend, Sango, was smiling. Their mentor, Kaede, had tears in her eyes. Even Totosai, the eccentric chemistry teacher, seemed thrilled.
Kagome wondered if she was dreaming. Had she fallen asleep at her desk while grading papers again?
“Quiet,” Sesshomaru ordered.
Kagome gazed out at the auditorium, surprised to find some of the students standing. Many were clapping, while others had their hands cupped around their mouths to shout their support for the union.
“Quiet,” Sesshomaru repeated more firmly this time.
The students fell silent. Those who were standing took a seat on the floor.
“Miss Higurashi and I are more than dating.”
What? Kagome’s attention snapped back to him. Where was he going with this?
“I am in love with her.” Sesshomaru turned away from the students as they erupted into cheers. He lowered his microphone so that she had to read his lips to understand what he said. I am in love with you, Kagome.
She didn’t understand what was happening. Her vision blurred as emotions welled up in her chest. Kagome felt her heart beating as though it would burst out of her chest. She felt a bit dizzy. It was his voice that kept her grounded long enough to hear him continue.
“I have been waiting to ask you an important question.”
The students were full-on screaming. Everyone in the auditorium was standing. Kagome had never seen the student population in such chaos. She looked to her co-workers for direction only to find them approaching her and Sesshomaru on the stage.
Kaede snatched the microphone out of his hand. “Silence,” she snapped.
Every single student obeyed.
“You have the floor, Mr. Taisho. I suggest you not delay,” she said, returning the microphone to Sesshomaru.
He nodded and took a step toward her. “Kagome,” Sesshomaru said her name as he knelt and dipped his hand into his suit pocket, “I wanted to ask if you would consider becoming Mrs. Taisho?” When he withdrew his hand, there was a ring seated in the center of his palm.
The entire student body descended into madness. All sense of decorum was lost as they ran up to the stage, eager to hear her answer.
“Yes. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
After that, Kagome couldn’t hear anything. Her name, Sesshomaru’s name, and terms like ‘SessKag’ (which she would find out later was their celebrity couple name) were screamed at them. The cries overlapped until she could no longer hear a single discernable syllable.
Her peers hugged her, offering words of congratulations and support. The chairman apologized for scaring her in the principal’s office and even Sesshomaru’s mother (who Kagome always suspected hated her) welcomed her to the family.
By the time they got done speaking to everyone on stage, the final bell was ringing.
Sesshomaru offered her his hand. “Shall we go home?”
Kagome entwined their fingers with a smile. “I can’t believe you did this in front of the whole school.”
“I wanted it to be meaningful. I know how much you care about your students. I thought you would appreciate having them as part of the moment.”
Kagome felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I did. It was perfect.”
“Rin helped me plan it out. She was the one who suggested bringing my father into it.”
“I thought I was going to be fired!”
Sesshomaru chuckled. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It certainly was! How long have you been planning this?”
“Since the day I met you."
Kagome beamed. "What else have you been planning?"
"Let me take you home and I'll show you."