Page 86 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

“What’s that about? I’m not sick and not injured.”

He clears his throat. “About... Whether you’ll be my mate.”

Is he serious?

He says, “Maybe you’d like to be the mate of someone who’s in a floatball team, or smarter than me, who is only good at that. Well, not even that good at that.”

“No, it’s not about that. With all respect, I don’t even care about floatball. I didn’t even know you used to play floatball on that team until hours earlier.”

“I guess.” He pops another popcorn into his mouth with a sad smile. “Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

“I’m just... scared.”

“Of me? Because I’m a monster?”

I shake my head. “Come on. It’s not about that. I like your arms.”

He puts up a smile. “They are pretty cool.”

“I don’t know whether I... want to be with someone right after...”

“Is that because I don’t look reliable?”

“I may not be ready.”

“What do you need to be ready? I’m not trying to make you agree, but I’m curious. Is that a human thing? Do I have to prepare something? I know some species have special rituals.”

He is funny. He can always crack me up regardless of what’s happening and how my mood is.

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe you want to make sure the guy you’ll be with won’t screw you over.”

“Yeah, that’ll be good.”

“And he can give popcorn to everyone and also pat you and stroke the cat. All at the same time.”

“Sounds like I’m going to need a guy with more than two hands for the job.”

“Right?” He flexes his arms with a wide grin.

He’s just... cute and makes me smile.

I watch him for another moment. Maybe I do enjoy spending time with him. Even when I first knew him, I felt the need to stay close to him after he went into the accident. None of the other teaching staff visited him as frequently.

He puts his arms back to his side and sits back on the couch. He pops another popcorn into his mouth. “Maybe...”

Ossa hops onto Telke’s lap and climbs onto his stomach, sitting himself there and meowing at me.

Telke asks, “What does this mean? Do you speak cat language?”

Sadly, I don’t. I have no idea what’s with Ossa.

He meows again, still watching me.

Telke says, “Do you think he wants popcorn?”

“No, he doesn’t eat those. I’ve taught him not to eat beings’ food. The seasoning isn’t good for him.”

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