Chapter 6 – Escape to a Place Without Him
The midday sun blazed down mercilessly, its glare sharper than ever.
The school corridors were quiet. Most students were either napping in their classrooms or study rooms, while others had already gone home. After all, this private high school wasn't cheap—only the wealthy or well-connected could afford to send their children here.
And in one office that should've been empty, Yamazaki Jihei sat comfortably at his desk, a gentle smile on his face as he looked at the sweet-faced girl in front of him, her head bowed low.
"There's only you and me here, so you can relax," he said in a warm tone. "I didn't call you in for anything serious—just wanted to talk about your academics. No need to be nervous."
"I understand, Yamazaki-sensei," Kazama Sakura replied softly.
She kept her head lowered, her expression a tangled mix of guilt and unease. Her hands were clasped tightly over her stomach, fingers nervously twisting together.
Yamazaki's smile grew even more tender—like a warm spring breeze, at least in the eyes of most students. No wonder he was one of the most popular teachers in school.
He rolled his chair a little closer, and a faint floral scent drifted to his nose—something youthful, vibrant, the fragrance of a girl in her bloom.
"You know your grades have dropped a lot since the start of the semester. Did something happen?" he asked gently. "Or… have you been distracted by things you shouldn't be thinking about?"
Sakura paled. Her lips trembled ever so slightly.
"…Maybe I just couldn't keep up with the lessons."
She knew full well that wasn't the truth. But she couldn't say what was really going on.
Yamazaki leaned back in his chair, completely at ease as he observed her struggling expression—an open book to him, revealing every flicker of emotion.
He took a sip of water before speaking again.
"Is it because of your home situation? Your parents have been arguing lately… maybe even talking about divorce? Has that been affecting you?"
"…How did you know that?"
Sakura looked up in shock.
It was true. Her parents fought day and night, throwing things, yelling, breaking furniture. It had turned their already strained household into a living nightmare.
And as the only child, she bore all their expectations. Her mother's constant venting left her mentally exhausted.
She hated being at home. The only place she could breathe—where she could feel even a little bit of relief—was here at school. And it was all because of that boy.
Yamazaki chuckled softly. "You forget—I have your parents' contact information. I know a little about what's going on. Honestly, I understand. Family problems can absolutely affect a student's performance. It's nothing unusual."
As he spoke, his gaze subtly drifted downward—appreciating, without shame, the natural curves of the girl before him.
Among her peers, she was exceptionally attractive. But more than that, what appealed to him most was her background—one without influence, without protection. She was… unguarded.
When their eyes met again, he was once more the picture of kindness and concern—trustworthy, caring, helpful.
"I do understand, but… based on your current grades, it's hard for me to justify keeping you on the list for the school's tuition grants."
"The… the grants?" Sakura's eyes widened. "But, Sensei—surely no one else in class qualifies more than I do?"
At Shōjitsu Private High School, tuition was steep. Every year, the school offered several generous financial aid grants to students from struggling families, helping them offset the costs.
That money meant everything to Sakura. Her parents were already cracking under pressure. Her mother had even talked about taking on two jobs just to cover the bills and her tuition.
Her mother's tireless efforts, her unwavering support—those things weighed heavily on Sakura's shoulders. And now… what would happen if she lost the grant?
How many jobs would her mother have to work to afford this school?
Yamazaki gave an exaggerated sigh.
"I'm afraid… things aren't so simple. Many students are applying for the aid this year. And the school has strict policies—academic performance is the main criterion. But don't get discouraged. I'm willing to help you catch up. If you're free on weekends, I could offer you some private tutoring sessions…"
Just then, Kazama Sakura sensed something was off.
She realized that at some point, Yamazaki Jihei had moved his chair unnaturally close to her.
Instinctively, she stepped back.
"Private tutoring? I don't think that's appropriate, Mr. Yamazaki. Besides... I don't think my family can afford extra fees."
Yamazaki Jihei noticed her subtle retreat.
But he wasn't worried about any dramatic reaction—he understood her situation all too well. And besides, he wasn't in a hurry.
Leisurely, he picked up his water glass, took a sip, and smiled.
"As your teacher, it's only natural for me to help you. I wouldn't dream of charging you. And I already told you—academic performance is just one part of the scholarship criteria. The more important factor… is your attitude, right?"
Attitude?
What exactly did he mean by that? It was a vague and slippery word.
But Sakura Kazama wasn't naive. Just because her grades had dropped didn't mean she was stupid.
She saw it in his eyes—that thin veil of kindness barely concealing something far darker.
His words were deliberately ambiguous, phrased in a way that might seem innocent on the surface… yet to a girl's intuition—especially one attuned to predatory behavior—his meaning was painfully clear.
A surge of indignation rose within her.
"Mr. Yamazaki, are you… implying something?"
"Implying? Of course not," he replied with a smile, exactly as he expected her to.
He was experienced with girls like her. And as a young male teacher in a prestigious private high school, he had every reason to feel confident—confident that he could handle any resistance she might offer.
"I only have the highest hopes for you. Don't misunderstand me. And… I suggest you don't go around telling others about our conversation. Accusing a teacher of misconduct is a serious offense, you know. I'm sure your father—and especially your mother, who has such high hopes for you—would hate to see you expelled over something like this."
"Expelled? Are you threatening me now?"
Sakura's face turned red with fury, her fists clenched tightly.
But Yamazaki Jihei calmly took another sip of water, barely even glancing her way.
"Well, if there's nothing else, you may leave. Think carefully about what I said—about the tutoring, and the scholarship. I'll be waiting for your answer."
"And of course, if you lose the scholarship, can't afford tuition, and need to transfer schools… I'll support that too. Though it's a shame. Your mother really seems to expect great things from you. Heh."
Kazama Sakura walked out of the office in a daze.
Even the glaring sunlight outside looked ashen and cold.
Her legs felt like they had no strength left—as though her will to resist, to even try, had drained from her completely.
She was certain that Yamazaki Jihei had been implying something vile. But what could she do?
He wasn't just any teacher. The fact that someone as young as him could teach at this elite school already said a lot. And the fact that he dared speak to her like that—so openly—meant this probably wasn't the first time.
She could pretend not to notice, could brush off the implication.
But the result?
She would lose her scholarship. Staying at this school would be impossible.
Should she just leave? Leave the threat behind?
But then… what about her parents' expectations? Their hopes?
And… what about that boy she looked forward to seeing every day?
A crushing sense of helplessness swallowed her whole. She felt like a puppet, her legs dragging her along with no sense of direction.
Her life—it felt like it was slowly rotting from the inside out.
And yet, she was powerless to change it.
Until she saw those eyes.
"...Yuzuki?"
The handsome boy stood at the edge of the hallway, leaning against the wall, watching her silently.
And just like that, strength flowed back into her.
But she couldn't approach him—not now. There were too many things she wanted to say, but they caught in her throat.
Yuzuki Gen stepped toward her, but in that moment, she instinctively wanted to run.
Smack.
He caught her wrist in one swift move, holding her in place.
With a gentle smile, he said, "I'm right here. Where do you think you'll be safe from me?"
Sakura looked up at him in shock, stunned into silence.
And then, without warning, tears fell from her eyes like broken pearls.