Chapter Text
Uuuuugh. Natsuki hates parent-teacher week. Trying to get through to parents is such a pain after already dragging herself through an eight hour day.
"For the kids," she justifies through grit teeth. At least it was almost over. 4 o' clock on a Friday, and here she is, waiting for one of the last parents. At least the girls were willing to move lit club back a few hours.
Natsuki's eyes scroll down the list and land on the next name in line. Daisy! She hums happily.
Natsuki would never admit it to any student, but Daisy was her favorite. They're so proud and determined and funny. She'd also never admit that having a trans kid in her classroom makes her feel a lot safer herself, but it's true.
They have had some, *cough*, issues; Playground cults, chocolate pudding pyramid schemes, downloading minecraft onto all the class PC; but all that was some gutbusting shit. Besides that, they respected the rules well enough.
Natsuki hears the click of the door and the rush of powerful little steps. She looks up just in time to see the little fireball lift themself onto her desk.
"Ms. Ushio! Hi!!! Me and my mommy are here for the parent teacher week." Daisy wore the genuine smile that only a kid still in love with the world could.
Natsuki can't help but smile back. "Yeah! Have a seat at the end there, please. Me and your mommy will get started right away." She turns her eyes and proceeds, "It's so nice to meet you, Ms. Hatsuuuu..."
Time slows to a crawl as Natsuki processes the woman in front of her. Tall, athletic, graceful, with a beautiful smile and knowing emerald eyes. She recognizes her, and knows she recognizes her too. She's from the bookstore.
She knows her obsession with Manga. She knows they're mostly about girls kissing girls. She knows what she looks like when she wakes up at noon, lazily throws on a pair of shorts and a hoodie, and goes on a quick shopping trip alone. She knows she can't help but grab a candy bar from the snack rack before her purchase every week. She knows she blushes and stutters and stumbles all over herself in front of a pretty girl when trying to check out every Saturday. Natsuki is doomed.
Natsuki snaps back to attention and tries to regain her composure. "Ms. Hatsune! Such a pleasure to meet you." "Wow, creepy. Please act human," she thinks to herself.
Natsuki clears her throat. "So, what can I do for you today?"
Ms. Hatsune gives her a confused stare. "We're here for the parent-teacher conference?"
Natsuki reels and blushes. "Stupid, stupid," she chides herself. "Think before you speak." "O-of course! Sorry, it's been kind of a long week. Feel free to uh, have a seat."
Daisy stares intensely at their teacher. Natsuki recognizes that veiled mischief on their face. They're scheming something, and the thought unsettles her further.
Ms. Hatsune settles into the chair on the other side of Natsuki's desk. Her smile is back. The same scheming in Daisy dances on her lips. "It's no problem! You can call me Monika by the way. Ms. Hatsune is my mother."
“Function, you dumb lesbian. You have a job to do.” Natsuki takes a deep breath.
“Ms. Ushio,” Monika interjects. “I just want you to know I take my child’s education very seriously.” Monika’s smile no longer reaches her narrowed eyes,. “Please respect my time.”
Natsuki’s emotions almost spill out. “You stank, stupid, sexy bookpusher,” her inner demon shouts, “I’ve been trying to for five minutes! But I’m! Too! Gay!” Natsuki attempts a smile and manages a grimace. “Well, Ms. Monika, Daisy does wonderfully academically. They’re a natural when it comes to reading and writing.”
Monika looks pleased at that. “Mhm, that’s not surprising. I want them to share my love for literature.”
Natsuki’s interest pricks, but she shoves it away. She needs to stay focused. “They’re great at math, science, and history. You’ve clearly given them a head start.”
Monika beams as Natsuki strokes her motherly pride.
“Daisy is also very charismatic and popular. However,” Natsuki continues.
“However?” Monika visibly analyzes her. Whatever she’s going to say is going to be critically dissected. No pressure or anything.
“Sometimes it gets them in trouble, especially in situations that I can’t supervise.” Natsuki shuffles through her incident reports. “I’ve already called you before about most of these, but it bears repeating. They need to be responsible with the hearts and minds of others.” “Like mother, like child I guess. I’m about to have a gay heart attack.”
Monika nods. “It’s easy to teach academics. It’s much harder to teach character. I think we’ve come a long way though.”
Natsuki smiles. “Yeah! I don’t want to be a downer. Daisy is usually a wonderful kid. They just have to be a bit kinder to their peers.”
Monika thinks to herself for a few moments, and Natsuki takes the break to take a drink from her water bottle. Monika asks, “can I have your phone number?”
Natsuki chokes and sputters on her drink. “This woman is trying to kill me,” she thinks. “Uh, yeah, sure.” That’s something parents say to teachers. Natsuki isn’t jumping to gay conclusions. She’s being very professional and not at all weird.
Monika and Daisy look concerned. “Are you alright Ms. Ushio?”
“I’m fine! Never better. Just, remembered a funny joke. Haha,” she says as she wipes up her mess. “I’m the joke here.” Natsuki writes out her number on a sticky note and hands it to Monika, doing her best not to brush her hand. She can’t handle any more panic, and just wants this meeting to be over.
Monika looks sorry for a second, but stands and beckons Daisy to her. “It was nice to finally meet you Ms. Natsuki.” She extends her hand, and Natsuki shakes it. God, her hands are soft. "I can’t wait to see you soon." Natsuki hears the wink in her voice, and knows this isn't over.
“You too!” Natsuki waits until the door closes behind them, and her head hits her desk. She groans in frustration. She comes away from the meeting baffled and exhausted and fluttery in her chest. Wait. "See you soon?" "Ms. Natsuki?" Oh geez. She even remembered her first name. Natsuki's going to have a lot to share in the lit club.