Peer Pressure

“Hey Akebi-sensei. Let’s go out for drinks tonight.” Haruki asked. He leaned across his desk to get closer to Ayama. “We haven’t gone out for a bit. It’ll be fun.” Ayama shook his head.

“I need to be on a train early in the morning. I can’t go out drinking.”

“Sure you can. All I’m suggesting is a beer or two, not all night.”

“Did I hear ‘drinking party’?” Miki asked. She leaned forward as well, lifting from her seat as she spoke over Rinka’s desk. Rinka’s eyes narrowed at the sight of her chest hanging over her hands as she clenched them.

“You heard nothing about a drinking party. Sit down” Rinka said as she bit her lip in annoyance.

“Your ears are correct! Drinking party, Ogawa-sensei. Convince this boring and responsible guy to have a little bit of fun.” Haruki encouraged her.

“Come on Akebi-sensei! Wouldn’t you want to go drinking with two pretty girls?” Miki said.

“Two?” Rinka’s voice was a little more high-pitched as she snapped her head to glare at Miki. “I agreed to no such thing!”

“Aww that’s not completely true, Murakami-chan.” Miki pouted. “You said last week if I went a whole day without asking you something you would go out drinking with me.” Rinka flinched as she remembered the promise.

“That doesn’t count. You uh, asked if I wanted a snack that day, remember?” Ayama looked at Rinka with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t think that’s fair. She was just being polite, Murakami-sensei. I remember you yelling at her when you said it. The spirit of the contest was to not ask questions on how to do something.” Ayama said as he crossed his arms.

“Yeah Murakami-sensei! Sounds like you have to drink with us tonight. You’re outvoted three to one on the ruling.” Haruki pestered.

Rinka huffed and opened her mouth to argue further but instead closed it with a groan.

( - ⌓ - )

Six hours later the school day had ended and somehow both Rinka and Ayama ended up at an izakaya with the other two. They sat in a partitioned room around a table with a turned off grill in the center. Each person had a beer in front of them as well as a small cup of snacks. Haruki’s first beer was almost already gone, Rinka and Ayama’s were half gone, and Miki was slowly nursing hers.

“Ogawa-sensei. You don’t like beer very much do you?” Haruki questioned her.

“No, I do! I’m just a lightweight.” Miki flashed a toothy grin.

“At least someone around here is.” Rinka mumbled while she brought the beer to her lips.

Ayama was deep in concentration while he read the menu.

“Chicken? No. Pork? Eh. Not tonight. Oh!” He found a really fatty cut of beef on the menu. A perfect pairing for a light beer. “Asano-sensei. Since it was your idea to come out, you're buying me this.” He held the menu towards Haruki and pointed at the fatty beef.

“Alright alright Akebi-sensei. Though it’s not like I had to drag your arm once two girls were involved.” Haruki pulled out his phone to order the food, as well as a few other items and a fresh round of drinks for everyone except Miki.

“Wait, Ogawa-sensei, are you even old enough to drink?” Ayama leaned across the table, a serious demeanor crossing his face.

“Of course I am!” Miki yelled back, her face reddening. “I’m not that young!” She pouted at Ayama.

“You sure act like it sometimes.” Rinka slammed back her drink and finished the glass.

“I was commenting on her fashion sense, really. I think she does a good job.” Ayama responded, defending her as he finished his drink too.

“She does cry a lot though. Maybe that’s why she seems young.” Haruki said.

“I’m right here you guys! Ugh.” Miki’s pout soon evaporated when the door slid open. The server walked in with full arms, three more beers and a pile of meat. She leaned over the table and pulled out a lighter after placing the food. With a couple of clicks the gas turned on, a high heat beginning to warm the grill plate. Immediately Ayama stuck some of the fattier stuff onto the grill, letting it cook slowly as the metal surface warmed up. His eyes stared at the meat, unmoving even as the people around him continued to talk.

“No room left for a few vegetables?” Rinka criticized while looking down her nose at him.

“Nope. I worked hard this week. Beer and meat is what I want to eat.” Ayama replied, happily flipping the meat with a focused intensity.

“Right? Meat is so good!” Miki said with a smile while looking at Ayama with bright innocent eyes. However, the moment he opened his mouth to respond, she took her opportunity. Her chopsticks reached out in a blur grabbing the fattiest piece of beef at the exact moment it finished.

“Wha-” Ayama’s mouth opened in surprise and he stared at her with horror.

“Ha! Good one Ogawa-sensei. His weakness is cute girls, keep attacking.” Haruki said.

“That’s not true! I just thought she was on my side!” Ayama stumbled out. Then he turned back to Miki after stuffing the next best piece in his mouth. His chopsticks pointed at her. “After all the help I gave you this week. Don’t expect it next week.” His face soured.

“Oh Akebi-sensei, don’t be so mean.” Her lips immediately pursed into a pout. Miki batted her eyes and leaned forward squeezing her arms together. “It was really tasty and I couldn’t resist.”

“Whatever. Just hand out the meat and put on some mushrooms.” Rinka took a piece to chew herself then plopped the bowl of mushrooms in front of Ayama. He grumbled and put them on as she asked.

( - ⌓ - )

Two hours later the meal had finally finished. Everyone had started to go their own way home, and Ayama was in a taxi with Miki. She was sitting on her side with eyes almost fully closed.

“Ogawa-sensei, you really are a light weight aren’t you?” Ayama asked. In response, Miki grumbled as she leaned further into his body.

“It was - hic - a lot of fun tonight Akebi-chan.” Ayama sighed but also looked away from her and blushed a little. She hadn’t ever called him that before. “I want to be - hic -a good teacher just like you.”

“Don’t worry.” Ayama tried to wave it off. “You’ll realize I’m a normal teacher, just like you. Just keep trying and it will come to you. Promise.” The ride was quiet beyond the sounds of the motor as lights from outside shot into the car. When they finally arrived at Miki’s home, Ayama leaned across her to open the door. “Get some sleep tonight.”

Miki looked towards her apartment, then back at Ayama. “Stay you…. Don’t become Murakami-chan, "she said. Then she dragged her way out of the taxi and left him.

“Don’t become Murakami.” Ayama repeated to himself. He leaned back against the taxi as the door closed shut. “Not sure if I have much choice.” He whispered to no one.