"He treats you like an object, Yui. Something to be possessed and controlled."

Yui looked blankly at the papers in front of her. "I... don't agree with that, Professor. I know he's said things that sound old-fashioned..."

"Old fashioned? He sounded like a caveman." Fuyutsuki sighed. "I wish you'd rethink this relationship."

"No! He just says things like that because... he loves me. Until you get to know him, he might seem... rough, but he's really sweet."

"Someone his age knows how to be sweet to a young lady to get what he wants," warned the professor. "How much older is he than you?"

Yui's cheeks flushed. "That doesn't matter."

"I would seriously think about how this is going to affect your work. How distracted..."

"I'm sorry, Professor, but this is something I'm definitely not changing my mind about." Yui gathered her things, suddenly feeling like she was caught between two completely opposite poles. "Good night. I'm leaving."

When Yui left the lab, Fuyutsuki could see Rokubungi waiting outside for her. As the door closed, the last thing he saw was the two of them sharing a kiss.

With a trace of a frown on his face, Fuyutsuki turned away from the door.

"Your turn."

"For what?"

"Telling me what's wrong."

"Nothing."

"I thought that was my line. And I know you don't want to be like me. I would be awfully disappointed."

Yui flashed Gendo a weak smile, more for his benefit than anything she felt. "It was just... something Professor Fuyutsuki said. I would really prefer not to talk about it tonight."

With a frustrated sigh, Gendo nodded. She would get her space unless it seemed to be worse than... A sniffle. It was worse.

Stopping their walk, he turned Yui to face him and put his finger on her chin. "Don't be that guy."

She stared at him, boggle-eyed for a moment, then the absurdity of the words coming out of Gendo's mouth struck her. She suddenly began giggling. "That's what it is. You know how to make me feel better, no matter what the problem is," she said quietly.

She stroked his cheek and added, "Even if you think I'm a prize, I don't..."

"Damn it, what did he say to you? Whatever it was, I'll..."

"You'll do no such thing. He was just trying to look out for me..." Yui shook her head. "I see that look in your eyes, but there will be no more fighting."

Gendo raised an eyebrow.

"Unless they start it first."

"Only because you say so. You're sure he didn't..."

"No, he didn't. Let's just go; I'm tired after this evening." She linked her arm with his, still thinking about the fiery look in his eyes when he had thought she had been hurt.

"I don't trust him; I don't like him. He upset you," Gendo said in a frighteningly detached voice.

"Then let's get your mind off of it," Yui suggested. "A movie?"

"Yui..." His mood was as far from being "in the mood" as possible, and here Yui was trying to...

She whispered in his ear, "Gen-chan..."

"I'd really prefer that you found some other place to work," he said, trying very hard not to let the anger he felt toward Fuyutsuki show.