Chapter Text
Takuto Maruki was never afraid to talk about sex. It was a cognitive constant and the people he counseled were almost all concerned with it. Whether they were having it, lacking it or afraid of it, everybody had some kind of hang-up about sex. He'd learned to regard it as a standard topic.
That didn't change when he started counseling students at Shujin. Some of them were victims of Kamoshida, afraid his abuse would stop them from ever enjoying physical pleasure. Others had more typical problems: a student with a crush who never noticed her, a girl facing pressure from a pushy boyfriend, a boy desperate to lose his virginity. Funnily enough, it was from one of those that he first heard about Akira Kurusu's unusual sex life. Yuuki Mishima came slinking in after lunch one day, ashamed of seeking therapy but even more ashamed of being the only guy in his class who was still a virgin (or so he claimed).
"Virginity is more of an idea than a physical condition," Takuto explained. "The requirements for losing your virginity vary from culture to culture and even person to person. So there's really no deadline for losing it, or even a set definition of what it is."
“Nobody else seems to have any trouble losing it,” Mishima muttered. “I think there's something wrong with me after everything that happened. It's like girls can see a big sign above my head that says ‘loser.’”
He sat in the guest seat, fidgeting with the wrapper from a snack cake he had finished five minutes ago. It crinkled as he rolled it up and unrolled it, crumbs falling unnoticed to his uniform pants.
Mishima was afraid that Kamoshida's physical abuse had emasculated him, Takuto understood, even if he didn't quite phrase it like that. He was also awash in a sea of hormones but neither confident nor attractive enough to do anything about it. It was a normal problem to have, but Mishima, like so many boys before him, was positive he was the last virgin in the whole school. Takuto tried another tactic.
"Although most of your classmates don't want to show it, they're having the same feelings and experiencing the same problems. Popular conception tells us that sex is everywhere, constantly available. In reality, it’s a negotiation between the needs and desires of the people involved. Even adults haven't mastered it. That's why dating apps and matchmaking services exist."
"Akira isn't having any trouble."
"Experiences of romance and sex differ for everyone, and even your close friends may be hiding stress from you. Though it may not seem like it, your friend has his own troubles, I guarantee it."
"His only trouble is finding time for all his dates! It's not enough that half the girls in school want him, he's scoring with hot older babes and even our teach— Uh, our teammate. Yeah, one of the volleyball girls is totally into him."
Maruki didn't call him on the word that had almost slipped out. Instead he soothed Mishima as best he could and sent the boy away with another piece of cake.
Akira Kurusu was already on his list. Akira was one of the students directly targeted by Kamoshida and he was close friends with two others. Was another teacher taking advantage of the lines Kamoshida blurred? Was there more trauma under the surface, driving the young man to seek attention from authority figures in unhealthy ways? Inappropriate sex-seeking behavior was often a defensive response to sexual abuse, and that could be what was happening. Or it could be all smoke and no flame. Akira might even be bragging, seeking to make up for his poor reputation with rumors of sexual prowess. There was really no way to know without talking to him and Maruki made a note to do so as soon as possible.
When Takuro finally managed to wrangle him into a session, Akira proved tough to engage. He wasn't rude or combative, just hard to reach. He was noncommittal, gently encouraging to a degree that was almost professional, and after their first session Takuto realized Akira had spent the whole time counseling him! It was an embarrassing failure for a mental health professional but it gave him an in. Instead of backtracking, Takuto leaned into it, discussing his cognitive research and asking for input. Once they made their deal, Akira relaxed a little and started stopping by of his own volition. His helpful feedback was a bonus.
They couldn’t focus on research forever, though. After four sessions that gained him absolutely no information on Akira's sexual trauma (or lack thereof), Takuto decided to lay his cards on the table.
"Kamoshida seems to have targeted you very quickly. He had a long history with the other students he abused, but he took exception to you on your first day. Why do you think that was?"
Akira smirked. "Haven't you heard? I'm a dangerous delinquent."
"There's nothing more to it? No particular reason Kamoshida sought you out, no significant incidents between you?"
Akira had been lounging in his chair, leaning sideways to sip his apple juice, but now he straightened up. His eyes were cold and his face expressionless. The change was almost frightening.
"What exactly are you looking for, doctor? We established weeks ago that Kamoshida hated me, but all he really did to me was spread rumors and threaten to expel me. Why bring it up again?"
"To be honest, some of your friends have mentioned your unusual love life. Often, when someone's agency is taken from them, they try to regain a sense of control by instigating sexual encounters."
Akira's face stayed blank for a long moment before the ice melted and he smiled. He leaned over to pick up his abandoned juice and relaxed in his chair again.
"Kamoshida wasn't interested in me like that. I wasn't a target, I was just one more thing between him and the spotlight."
"What about your other teachers? None of them have attempted a relationship that's out of the ordinary in any way?"
"Now doc," Akira chided, grinning devilishly, "a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."
"I understand wanting to protect someone close to you, but student-teacher relationships are founded on a tremendous power imbalance. An adult with your best interests at heart would never approach you in a romantic capacity, let alone a sexual one."
"Nobody is making me do anything I don't want to do.”
"You may truly believe that, but in this kind of situation you may not see how you’re being manipulated."
"Doctor Maruki, if I ever have concerns about my love life, I'll bring them to you. I promise." His voice was authoritative, confident, and for a split second Takuto could see why women might be pulled into his orbit. Then it was gone, buried underneath the careless schoolboy attitude once more.
The session ended inconclusively. Takuto gave Akira a parting snack and urged him to stop in again soon. He knew he'd pushed too much, but as Akira left, he couldn't help trying one more time.
"If you ever need help or have any problems, please talk to me. Sex is a normal part of the human experience and I'll never judge you for your actions."
Famous last words, Takuto realized later.