Rei had been prepared to launch into imagery of the sordid affair. Catullus, romantic and bawdy from line to line. It was real desire, she thought, flowing from that pen. And then Kitato arrived with all the swagger and self-assurance of a trouble-maker. Lips parted, she stared at him with incredulity as he made his way to the open seat. She’d pestered Kitato often about his attitude, but he was a good kid at heart. She’d never really been unhappy with the way he held his shoulders or the moodiness her female students seemed to find so inspiring. It was usually endearing, in an adolescent way, and she’d ruffled his hair and told him to smile once in a while.<br/><br/>“Nice of you to join us, Mr. Kitato.” She said, crossing one knee over the other. She sounded cross, the way she thought a teacher ought to, but some of her petulance dissipated when he seemed to push Yuri into better behavior. It annoyed her, because it was her classroom to command, not his, but said nothing further. “Catullus and his lover come together under the cover of night, and he showers her with the extent of his passion. These kisses which neither the inquisitive are able to count nor an evil tongue bewitch.” She smiled. “Desire which overcomes the threat of rumor. It’s a little mad. He calls himself mad. He is wild and breathless for her.”<br/><br/>She looked around the room, taking it as a modest success when she saw a few more eyes trained on her. She stood, weaving between the desks toward Yuri and Kitato. “Can one of you tell me what you think Catullus is aiming to convey with his hyperbole? Is it desperation for her, or the giddiness of a new love?” She inclined her head, a coil of dark hair falling against her cheek. Her shirt shifted closely with her with every small movement, the light floral scent of her soap seemed to infuse the thickly humid air. She clasped her hands loosely behind her back. “Kitato, maybe, since Yuri here was kind enough to read already?”<br/><br/>It irritated her that he wasn’t looking her in the eye, and she caught herself before she said anything more. It wouldn’t be fair to allow her personal connection to him to permeate their professional relationship. She shouldn’t scold or bully him. Still, she thought it was justified that she should expect some modicum of respect. She turned on her heel and went back to the front of the class. If nothing else, more of the students were paying attention now. She wasn’t sure if it was curiosity about Kit or genuine interest in the poetry. For the moment, Rei decided she wouldn’t think too hard on it. investment was investment.<br/><br/>She pushed her hair back from her face and folded her arms back across her chest, weight thrust over her left hip. A brief and paltry breeze fluttered the parted blinds, rattling the plastic strips like dissonant wind chimes. It was pleasant, but passed too soon. “Do you think his intensity is the catalyst for pursuing his love affair, or a product of its secrecy?”