"You got recruited by the CEO of Kassel Music? A multi-billion dollar company?"
"Do you think your dad had something to do with this? With his money, and connections-"
"No. You're talented, Max. I think that's why you were noticed."
"Are you being honest?"
"Well, I'm not sure, actually. I don't know that lady and whether she prioritizes hard work, talent, or money."
"I do have to do a final audition to see if I'll get in… I'm nervous."
"Wanna get ice cream then?"
"Yeah."
I know that kid like the back of my knee. There's a lot more I could know about him, but I'll at least be aware if something's bothering him, what makes him comfortable and whatnot.
The conference room is pretty… minimalistic. Maybe I'm used to colorful designs and words of encouragement on the walls since I'm a teacher. This is the opposite. Dreary.
"What you should all know regarding the contracts is…"
She doesn't need a nametag, because everyone recognizes her as Clarissa Kassel. Or perhaps just Clarissa, since nobody knows if Kassel is her last name or not.
However, there's more mysterious things than that around here. People think she's been the CEO for over a decade here, yet she doesn't look older than twenty five. Whatever skincare routine she must have for anti-aging must cost six figures.
My thoughts are interrupted by everyone standing up and Max smiling towards me. He must be excited, which isn't often.
"Ice cream?"
"They might put you on a stricter diet regimen than the other kids if I keep indulging in your requests."
A few months have passed since Genesis7's debut, and I can't help being proud. Some of the kids in my class have definitely tried recalling their songs and trying to do dance challenges.
Each day it gets warmer, and I can anticipate the disappointment I'll feel when spring ends. Though I do want flu season to be over, since some parents don't teach their children to sanitize and wipe their noses…
"Hahaha, you look someone'sgrandpa-"
"That's because I don't have the full costume yet, just the wig, which I also have to style."
"You're bold for wearing that out in public. Why do you even buy your halloween costumes half a year in advance?
"Well, who wouldn't want to witness Satoru Gojo in casual clothes eating ice cream? This wig isn't that bad…"
We laugh for a bit, and I see Max approach someone. Clarissa? I didn't know she was here as well. She looks like she just got war flashbacks, though-
"Maxine?"
Oh. I suppose it'd make sense for them to know his deadname. Doesn't mean she should say it, though. The discomfort in Max's eyes is obvious.
I brush it off, but the next week, Max shows me a letter he got from the manager. Is this meant to be some form of toxic motivation?
My presence storms into Clarissa's office. Well, after her assistant, Bea, tells me when she has an available slot.
"What the hell is this?"
She stares me down, and seems annoyed that I'm even here. Hello?
"I'm his mom, not you-"
"You literally look like the same age as him… and for the record, I'm his dad."
"You're the liar here, not me!"
What?! I've known this kid for more than half of his life, and she's acting like I'm the fraud?! She's clearly exploiting his weaknesses!
And just like that, she has no proof. Max tells me that she's tried to bribe him, and I can't help being pissed. What is her deal? Has she done this with the other kids?
A few days pass, and I get an email? She wants to talk, huh?
I suppose I'll indulge this time.
We're at the restaurant, having just ordered. The smirk that crosses my lips is obvious.
"I'm allergic to seafood."
"Why wouldn't you tell me this before?!"
Because I wanted you to feel bad, obviously.
"It's not that bad, only a bit of a rash will occur."
I bring up the awkward silence, and she cuts me off when I bring up Max. Must be a sensitive subject for her, but I'm not the one that possibly tried to blackmail him.
"If you're nervous about losing my blessing…"
"For what?"
"To date Max, of course!"
"What? I-"
Clearly a misunderstanding has occurred. It's quiet again, until she speaks up, and I almost spit my food out.
"I prefer you, so don't gobble your food like that."
I think my brain just short-circuited.
Huh.
To solidify her statement, she takes a napkin to my mouth and wipes the sauce off of my face. Ah. So it's me she likes…
"If you preferred older men, you could've just said so! I'm all for women making the first move these days."
She looks confused, and so do I. Is she embarrassed for confessing her feelings this early? What were her intentions for this dinner, then?
"I prefer to chew."
I stare at her, and she does the same. Until it clicks in my mind, what she said before.
I prefer you. I prefer to chew. You. To chew. Hmm, I suddenly feel very stupid. I teach kids how to properly annunciate vowel sounds and I was mistaken in this very moment.
"I see…"
"I mean- you were right though… I asked you out, because I want to get to know you better. You're intriguing."
I am? Most people think I'm pretty. That and rich. Not much personality there, in their eyes.
"Are you sure you're not a goldigger?"
That was a bad response, I can tell just by her expression.
"That joke was in poor taste. I'm sorry, you're quite brave, and I'm a little curious about you, too."
A slight smile cracks on her lips- or maybe a smirk? I didn't think it'd be so hard to tell.
We talk some more, and she seems shocked that I'm a teacher.
"I was only a teaching assistant when I met Max, though. After university, I adopted him myself."
Her gaze suddenly seems conflicted. Hard, much unlike her usual character- or whatever that appears to be.
"Clarissa..?"
"Do you really not know me?"
Well, I know the surface level things. Whatever you can find on the internet. Something generic.
"I wanna know more about you."
"Actually."
"Why not?"
Like a true gentleman, I pay the bill. I doubt it matters much since we're both rich, but I feel proud. I haven't dated anyone since Max was in high school…
My hand almost brushes against hers in the parking lot when I see her stare at an arguing couple. She raises her hand, and the tension fades.
Weird.
"Does your arm fall asleep easily?"
"You're the weird one, not me."
Is she a mind reader or something? More like creepy-
"Goodnight to you, too."
She's driven away, and I turn around to see the couple now hugging and kissing against their car.
Get a room, geez… wait- is that why Clarissa was looking at them?
Did she want us to make out against her car?! After one date?!