Interlude 4
Without You 2
『Yes, first love is a painful thing.』
I feel like crying at my best friend’s affirmation.
It’s too late to experience first love, yet too early to et him.
I’m an adult now.
His kindness makes happy, but the situation where I can’t honestly accept it is painful.
As long as we are a teacher and a student, the emotions nad love that sprout between us are a forbidden fruit that must never co to fruition.
Yet, there’s a part of that wants to reach out for it.
『Reiyu-chan, having seen your parents’ troubles, it’s understandable that you’re scared to fall in love. It’s not your fault, as no one can choose the family they’re born into. Don’t get that wrong.』
“Yeah.”
『But, it’s unfair to end things by just imposing your situation on him.』
“I understand.”
『First of all, the guy next door understands the age and position differences between you two and still supports you, an inexperienced older woman. As your best friend, I can’t forgive you if you’re being unfair to such a kind-hearted person. After that, you are free to do whatever you want!』
My best friend scolds more earnestly than anyone else.
“Yes.”
I engrave her words deeply into myself.
Before hanging up, my best friend offered one last piece of advice.
『Even though many loves fade, if it’s true love, any trouble or obstacle is just a stepping stone that strengthens the bond between two people.』
I have no confidence I can move towards the future I desire.
But I didn’t want things to end awkwardly as they are.
I don’t want to lose this important relationship we have now.
That’s the true feeling of Reiyu Tenjō.
“Alright!”
To keep a small promise I had made, I found myself in the kitchen, even though it was late at night.
***
Then, on Monday morning.
When I arrived at the classroom, the seat in front of was empty.
Yuunagi Nishiki, who usually looked up to , was unusually late.
Glancing towards the window, Akira Kuhouin was seated on ti as usual.
“Sensei, can I start the class?”
While I stood silently at the podium, the class representative called out to , snapping back to reality.
“Yes, please.”
Even after finishing the morning horoom, Yuunagi-kun still hadn’t shown up.
I couldn’t help but worry if yesterday’s incident was the reason.
What should I do?
Should I take a chance and send him a ssage later?
We usually keep to private communication, so we don’t talk about school-related things.
This morning, I couldn’t bring myself to let him know whether I’d have breakfast or not, so I ca to school without stopping by his room.
I regretted not making up my mind to see him.
Being proactive is almost synonymous with taking action.
I loathed my own weakness for not being able to act as if My resolution from last night vanished sowhere.
And I realized how amazing the courage he had shown yesterday was.
While I was pondering this, Kuhouin-san approached .
“Tenjō-sensei, may I?”
It was the first ti Kuhouin-san had initiated a conversation with , and it caught off guard.
“Sensei?”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
I forced a smile, but the words of my best friend from last night suddenly resurfaced in my mind.
『——before you know it, he might start dating soone else.』
Those words stirred my heart.
“Nishiki is sick with a cold and won’t be coming today. He asked to tell you.”
Kuhouin-san’s expression remained unchanged as she bluntly relayed the ssage.
“A cold!? Is his fever high?”
I was astonished by the unexpected news.
Maybe getting wet in the rain was bad for him.
“I don’t know the details. But Sensei, aren’t you overreacting?”
“Ah—ahaha. Um, I guess so. I just didn’t expect to hear it from Kuhouin-san and was surprised. Sorry.”
I tried to laugh it off, but Kuhouin-san’s gaze felt sowhat cold.
“…I just happened to be in contact with Nishiki.”
“Huh, you two seem close. I had no idea.”
I think to myself how insincere my acting must seem.
I had long known that he was making morning calls to wake up Kuhouin-san.
In a way, both Kuhouin-san and I are in similar positions, being helped by him.
Ah, this isn’t good.
I find myself feeling jealous of my student again.
I’m probably a little upset that he relied on soone other than .
“Hey, are you two dating?”
Before I knew it, such a question had slipped out of my mouth.
“Not really. Nishiki is just a bit ddleso. This ti, he just happened to ask to pass on a ssage. Um, that’s all.”
Kuhouin-san quickly ended the conversation and returned to her seat.
I opened the attendance book and marked Yuunagi Nishiki as absent.
Even without writing it down, the absence of a student who’s always in front of is really obvious and forces to be aware of his absence.
The familiar scene changes so much, and it makes feel uncomfortable.
“It’s fine. There’s no problem if it’s just between students.”
I murmur in a voice no one can hear.
Even though I’m also a part of the second-year Class C, I’m different from everyone else.
Teacher and student. Adult and child. These obvious distinctions make feel a little lonely.
Leaving the classroom and walking down the hallway, I can’t help but think about him.
“If he’s caught a cold, he should have told directly.”
I beco increasingly irritated, putting my own behavior aside.
It’s a selfish thought. After sending him ho like that yesterday, it’s impossible to expect a ssage.
I wouldn’t be able to do it if our roles were reversed.
The fact that he asked Kuhouin-san to relay a ssage clearly shows he feels awkward about it.
“I wonder if he’s managing his food and dicine…”
In tis like this, living alone is tough.
Without soone to take care of you, you have to move yourself even when you’re feeling awful. Otherwise, nothing gets done.
“—That’s what the Neighbor Agreent is for, isn’t it?”
I decided to do what needs to be done.
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