"Who was it that called in for you?"

"Gendo Rokubungi, my... a friend." Yui set her things down and wanted to get straight to work, but there was an unspoken question hanging in the air between them. She didn't have to answer it, but maybe she felt she owed it to him. "I've gone out with him a few times, Professor."

"Ah."

The question was answered, but there was still something there. "He's good to me," Yui said finally. "He treats me right, like an equal, not just a 'girl'. And he's smart, but you know I wouldn't go out with someone who was... soft."

Fuyutsuki watched her as she continued to talk, doing anything to keep herself busy and her gaze from meeting his. No matter how much she extolled Rokubungi's virtues, there was obviously something she didn't want to say. "This sounds like love."

Yui stopped, her entire body unmoving. "It's not," she said.

"If you say. We have a lot of work to get done, so let's get started." Fuyutsuki clapped his hands.

Gendo managed to get one opened as the phone chirped obnoxiously at him. Grabbing the handset, he placed it roughly near his mouth and ear. "Nn?"

"Gendo? It sounds like I woke you up. What are you doing, sleeping at this time of evening?"

"Nn."

"It's me, Yui. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be here late, so don't wait for me. Go out and have some fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Nn."

The dial tone buzzed in his ear after that. Damn awake and enthusiastic woman, always sounding so damn perky...

Gendo tossed the handset on the floor and went back to sleep.

It was less than an hour later that he awoke again. This time, he was unfortunately wide awake. His earlier nap meant he'd most likely be up until all hours of the morning. But what Yui had said came back to him...

Working late, have fun, don't wait... Well, if she insisted. He didn't want to anger her by doing anything contrary to what she said.

One conservative dark blue shirt and a pair of black trousers later, he was ready to hit the bar. 'Maybe you shouldn't tonight,' a little voice inside him nagged. 'Go see Yui.'

Nah. She had her work, and he respected that. To the bar!

Yui could barely keep her eyes open. All day and into the night she had worked unflaggingly, trying to make up for the day she had missed. Long after the others had gone, leaving her only with Professor Fuyutsuki, she had worked.

"Go home, Yui."

She jerked her head up, realizing she had fallen asleep, using a pile of papers as a pillow. Yui shook her head slowly. "I should really..."

"You should get some rest. You've done enough."

Looking up at him, her eyes threatening to close, she nodded. Gathering her things and bidding the professor farewell, she left.

The bar was disappointingly less energetic, though only because of the lack of one drunken enthusiastic singer. Gendo could forgive it for that. As last call rolled around, he found himself not regretful in the least.

Too much hard liquor, too much... Well, it just wasn't as much as it used to be. "Home" sweet home for a few hours sleep, and then in the morning... He still didn't quite believe Yui that school was worth it. Except for the fact that that he'd met her there.

Back in the pleasing darkness of his room, he changed for bed, but again, he had a visitor. This time, her pale shape that was visible above the covers had no other covering. Gendo slid into bed gently beside her.