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"…Sensei."
Hoshino tried to keep her composure, but her eyes were wet with tears, her voice trembling.
"This isn't funny at all."
"I know. That's why I'm not joking."
Her fists clenched tight, her bangs casting a shadow over her face. Her voice dropped, heavy and bitter.
"I see… so you're going back on your word, then? How amusing. Truly what I'd expect from an adult."
Seeing Hoshino teetering dangerously close to a yandere-like mood, I quickly reached out and grabbed her shoulders.
"No, no, it's not like that! Calm down first, Hoshino. Just… hear me out, okay?"
"Fine."
She lifted her face, eyes cold and dangerous, her expression dark enough to chill the air. "Then talk."
Under the crushing pressure, I forced myself to speak. "I just think… things have gotten a little too close between us."
"What, you don't like it?"
"It's not that I don't like it. It's just… everything's changing too fast, and I can't keep up."
I looked earnestly into her eyes. "Hoshino, don't you believe me? My feelings for you... How could they possibly be false? But because they're real, I need to be honest. I think… our relationship should move a little slower."
Hoshino stayed silent for a while. Her expression softened, though her tone remained sharp.
"So… you're still upset about that misunderstanding before?"
"I… I admit, I haven't fully let it go. But that's not the main reason."
I hesitated, struggling to say what I really meant.
"Hoshino, you know deep down what I mean."
After all…
You deliberately pressed those soft curves, barely covered by your uniform, against Sensei's "pointer," didn't you? And when you noticed my reaction, you only rubbed harder! Unlike poor, innocent Shiroko, you did that on purpose! On purpose!
A delinquent like this needs distance. Otherwise, how could I possibly keep my composure?
If Valkyrie caught us, my brief teaching career would be over in an instant…
Even in Kivotos, where teacher–student relationships are… unconventional, that would be taking things way too far!
What's left of my conscience warned me sternly.
Though that same conscience was also… buzzing with anticipation.
After a moment of thought, Hoshino seemed to understand. She sighed, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"So that's what this is about. You're worried about that, huh?
"It's fine, really. I won't hold it against you. I'm an understanding woman, you know? As long as you don't break your promise, I'm satisfied.
"Besides, I'd already braced myself for this. I never expected too much anyway, so…"
Her voice faltered. Her eyes reddened.
Then she shoved me out of the classroom with surprising force.
"Sorry. I think I need a little time… to convince myself."
You ungrateful brat! What more are you thinking about now? Do you enjoy tormenting your poor Sensei this much?!
I stared at the closed door for a moment, then stepped aside and peeked in through the window.
Hoshino was already cleaning again, looking perfectly fine. When she noticed me watching, she stuck her tongue out playfully.
I hesitated, then slipped back through the half-open door, walking carefully up to her.
"So… are you okay?"
Hoshino had already reverted to her usual lazy self, yawning.
"What could possibly happen to Oji-san? You're so annoying, Sensei. Shoo, shoo. Or did you wanna help me clean? Better not. If someone sees, I'll just get scolded again."
I had no idea how she could change moods so fast.
Maybe that's just how girls are.
I wandered off across the campus again…
---
"Stay back!"
In the music room, a dirt-streaked Serika glared at me, blushing furiously and raising a hand as if to hit me.
"Ugh!"
In the science lab, a filthy Ayane bolted the moment she saw me. No matter how I chased, I couldn't catch her.
"Sorry, Sensei∼ I don't want you to see me like this~"
In the archives, grimy Nonomi was hiding somewhere among the shelves, her voice teasing like she was playing hide-and-seek.
"Sensei? Want to smell?"
In the gym, Shiroko, sweaty and covered in dust untied her bandana, revealing damp silver hair.
Overjoyed, I pulled her into a hug, breathing in her faint natural scent. Ah, Shiroko really does understand me best!
But I had forgotten one thing.
"Sensei. Can you tell me why you tattled on me to the others?"
Her voice came calmly from within my arms, without a hint of emotion, but it froze me in place.
I straightened up, adopting my most righteous tone.
"Because what you did was very bad, Shiroko."
I could never admit it was just because I wanted to see the chaos.
Shiroko puffed up her cheeks, looking sulky. "I know robbing a bank is bad. Everyone's told me that a million times. I just… wanted to hear you say it too, Sensei."
By the end, she was blushing slightly.
Strange… but adorable.
I couldn't help cupping her cheeks, gently squeezing as I looked into her ocean-blue eyes.
"That was my mistake, then. Shiroko, you really are too cute. So I'll say it now... Be good, okay? No more crimes or anything illegal."
Shiroko's ears twitched happily, her eyes narrowing with joy. "Okay! I got it!"
After spending a little more time with her, I felt my heart refilled with pure Shiroko energy.
"Oh, right, Sensei," she said, as if seeking permission. "I want to name my road bike. Is that okay?"
"Of course," I said, puzzled. "Why ask me?"
"Because… I want to name it 'Sensei-go.'"
I remembered her old bike, the late White Wolf I, and understood her feelings.
"Still… that name's kinda weird, isn't it?" I couldn't help but tease. "Doesn't sound cool at all."
"Is it not okay…"
Seeing her lips droop, I immediately panicked. "It's fine, it's fine! As long as it makes you happy, Shiroko."
Even so, something about it still felt… strange.
Could it be… Shiroko is also one of those secretly mischievous students?
But she's so sweet and gentle, surely she couldn't be like Hoshino, right?
…Except Hoshino did raise her, didn't she?!
Worry and excitement twisted together inside me once more.
"By the way, Sensei, your bike broke, didn't it?"
Shiroko looked up at me, eyes bright. "Let's go buy a new one together sometime. And then…"
"Yeah, it's time to get one. White Wolf II."
"…Mm!"
Shiroko smiled, radiant over such a small thing. That's just the kind of girl she was.
And from above, a pair of heterochromatic eyes watched us quietly.
A pink-haired girl released her grip from the window ledge, landing softly and silently on the ground.
"My, my… skipping work this long? I'm really gonna get chewed out for this."
Hoshino shook her head and walked away.
[1] https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fhave-you-had-a-time-when-you-just-wants-to-cry-hoshino-v0-xt9ywhk77lwa1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D4096%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dedd2d15c34e8fec02015b93fd2ecc35a44702f48