He bangs his forehead against the shower wall in frustration, feeling utterly conflicted about his feelings for Giyuu.
"Stupid Giyuu and his stupid blue eyes... Why does he have to be so perfect at everything? And why do I care so much about what he thinks of me?"
Sanemi finishes his shower and wraps a towel around his waist, staring at his reflection in the mirror with a mix of confusion and self-loathing.
"I need to get a grip. Tomorrow, I'll act normal. Just like I always do."
The next day after school Sanemi arrive the teachers lounge Mitsuri run around squeaking.
Sanemi is watching Mitsuri with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"What's got her so excited this time?"
He tries to ignore the flutter in his chest when he notices Giyuu sitting quietly at his desk, drinking tea.
"Sanemi! You won't believe what I heard!"
She bounces over to him, practically vibrating with energy, while Giyuu glances up briefly before returning to his papers.
Sanemi is rolling his eyes.
"Spill it already, Kanroji. But keep it down, I have a headache."
He moves to his desk, strategically positioning himself so he can steal glances at Giyuu without being obvious.
"There's going to be a faculty mixer this weekend! And guess who's hosting it?"
She leans closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, though it's still loud enough for Giyuu to hear.
Sanemi is perking up slightly at the mention of a mixer.
"So what? I'm not interested in socializing with everyone."
He tries to sound disinterested, but his eyes dart to Giyuu again, wondering if he'll attend.
"But it's at Tomioka's place! And he's agreed to let us drink!"
Sanemi nearly chokes on his coffee, realizing this means he'll have to spend more time with Giyuu outside of school. Giyuu is finally speaking up, his voice calm and measured.
"I didn't agree to anything. Mitsuri is exaggerating."
He looks directly at Sanemi, causing the math teacher's heart to skip a beat.
"Oh come on, Tomioka-! You said we could use your house! That's basically the same thing!"
Sanemi tries to maintain his composure under Giyuu's gaze, but he can feel his face heating up again.
"I got three kids at home. There is no way I can do that."
Sanemi is raising an eyebrow, genuinely surprised
"Three kids? Since when?"
He hadn't known Giyuu had children, and the thought makes him feel even more confused about his feelings.
"Since last year. I adopted them."
Mitsuri gasps dramatically while Sanemi processes this new information, trying to reconcile the image of stoic Giyuu as a father.
"That's so sweet! They must be adorable!"Sanemi is muttering under his breath.
"Great. Now he's a responsible adult with kids. Just my luck."
He crosses his arms, trying to mask his curiosity about Giyuu's family life.
"They are always so difficult. I am happy that I have not more." Sanemi snorts at Giyuu's sentence.
"Difficult? Sounds like they take after you."
He immediately regrets his comment, realizing it might come off as flirtatious.
Giyuu raises an eyebrow at Sanemi, a hint of amusement flickering in his usually deadpan expression. Mitsuri starts to giggle
"Oh my, Sanemi, that's almost a compliment!"
Sanemi shoots Mitsuri a warning look, silently begging her to stop talking about him and Giyuu together.
Giyuu stands up from his desk, gathering his things.
"I should get going. The kids need to be picked up soon."
He pauses for a moment, looking at Sanemi with an unreadable expression before heading toward the door. Sanemi is panicking internally.
"Wait, Giyuu! About the mixer..."
Giyuu stops and turns slightly.
"What about it?"
His tone is neutral, but there's something in his eyes that makes Sanemi's stomach twist.
Sanemi is struggling to find the right words.
"Are you... actually going to be there?"
He tries to sound casual, but his voice betrays a hint of desperation.
Giyuu tilts his head slightly, studying Sanemi.
"I suppose I'll have to be, since it's at my house."
He hesitates, then adds quietly.
"I would appreciate it if you came. The kids might enjoy meeting some of their teachers."
"Wait...they are on this school? How sweet!"
Giyuu nods slightly, a rare softness appearing on his face
"Yes, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Muichiro."
Sanemi's mind races as he tries to process that the three students he's been teaching are actually Giyuu's adopted children.
Sanemi stunned into silence, then blurts out.
" Wait, Muichiro? That brat who's always daydreaming in my class?"
He suddenly remembers the resemblance between Muichiro and Giyuu, feeling foolish for not noticing earlier.
Giyuu let a small smirk appears on his lips
"Yes, that one. He gets it from me."
Mitsuri bursts into laughter at Sanemi's expression, while Giyuu maintains his composure, clearly enjoying Sanemi's shock.Sanemi is grumbling.
"No wonder he's always giving me attitude... He's got your attitude."
He crosses his arms again, trying to hide his growing interest in Giyuu's personal life. Giyuu chuckles softly.
"He respects you more than you think."
Mitsuri squeals at the rare sound of Giyuu's laugh. Sanemi got flustered by the laugh and the compliment.
"Whatever. Just make sure they behave at the mixer."
He tries to sound stern, but his heart is racing at the thought of seeing Giyuu with his kids.
"I can't promise that. They're children, after all."
He gives Sanemi a knowing look before finally leaving the room, leaving Sanemi to deal with his conflicting emotions. Mitsuri is giggling mischievously as she watches Giyuu leave.
"Oh Sanemi, you're so cute when you're flustered!"
She pokes his cheek teasingly, while Sanemi glares at her.
"Shut up, Kanroji. I'm not cute.
He tries to maintain his tough exterior, but his thoughts are already racing with questions about Giyuu and his family. Mitsuri's sing-song voice got louder.
"Yes you are! You're totally crushing on him!"
She dances away from Sanemi's attempted swipe at her, laughing all the while.
"I am not crushing on anyone! Especially not that emotionless idiot!"
He slams his fist on the desk, but the redness of his ears betrays him.
"Come on you are gay and that is really sweet of you!"
Sanemi starts gritting his teeth.
"That doesn't mean anything! And stop calling me gay!"
He glances at the door again, where Giyuu disappeared, then quickly looks away when he realizes what he's doing.
"But you are! And I think it's adorable how you deny it."
She leans against the wall, clearly enjoying Sanemi's internal struggle.