Linky's Fics

Helping Out

The ceiling fan continued to blow as Minato hunched over his desk in a sweat. A mountain of paperwork was on one side, a phone on hold at the other. The IT department had to be given a message from a co-worker, but just his luck he’d been put on hold. Something must have happened over there for him having to wait like this. Just what, he couldn’t say.

At least this gave him time to go over the papers as he waited. While the sound of cicadas blared outside the window as he sorted through everything. And this was just today’s workload for his normal teaching job…

Who knew what was ahead of him at the Academy later today. And that’s before if any chemies were going to be spotted.

Minato ruffled his hair as he tried to plan out what to do next. Eventually leaning back into his chair with a sigh. He was exhausted.

“Senpai.”

He blinked at Spanner as he walked in, surprised to see him here at this hour.

“Spanner, what brings you to this part of the school?”

“Kyoka-san told me the current situation you’ve found yourself in. I wanted to help somehow.”

It was a touching gesture for sure. Minato appreciated it… But this was completely out of his realm. Its not like alchemy was involved with any of this. Spanner had helped him out before, but it was in the academy hidden underneath the school. He’d never helped out with his more normal work.

Spanner could help out with anything related to alchemy. His prowess in the field allowed him to be of assistance. This however… Minato had to do this alone.

“I appreciate it, but this is something I have to do on my own. This isn’t like at the Academy.”

Minato expected Spanner to make a remark about how he can be of use. He was persistent like that, especially when it came to helping out Minato. But this time Spanner must have realized he was completely out of his element.

“Hold on.” Spanner responded with, as he left the classroom.

Some time passed on by. Slow but steady progress was made with the paperwork. The almost elevator-like and muffled music of the phone continued to play through the speaker. Mixing in with the sounds of the cicadas that continued to buzz outside.

On top of that, he was getting hungry. The growls of his stomach began to add themselves to the mixture of sounds in the office. He wanted to finish a couple more things before taking a moment to eat…

But just then, Spanner had then come back and walked in with two things. In his hands he had water, and onigiri. Presumably from one of the convenience stores nearby.

Minato could feel some warmth on his cheeks as he smiled. It was a sweet gesture. The work he had laid out ahead of him would become so much more bearable. This too in a way, was a form of alchemy Spanner had just performed. Having transmuted a rough situation, into something that was easier. Adding a sweet memory for him to remember on top of it.

And Spanner was pleased he was able to help alleviate the situation somehow, in his own way.

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