An Unexpected Ho Date 3
Strategy number three: returning Cinderella’s lost glass slipper.
Given her reaction during the history class, it’s almost certain that my neighbor is Reiyu Tenjō.
In a move to give the final push, I resorted to a more assertive approach.
In fact, I had brought to school the sandal that my neighbor had dropped last night.
When lunch break ca, I took it with to the staff room.
“Excuse . Tenjō-sensei, could I have a little of your ti?”
“N-Nishiki-kun!?”
Tenjō-sensei was so surprised to see that she nearly fell off her chair.
And then she imdiately noticed that the bag I had put the sandal in was the sa departnt store paper bag that had contained the strawberries from last night.
“We’ll use the student guidance room. Nishiki-kun, co with .”
Tenjō-sensei pulled my arm and led to the student guidance room next to the staff room with a stern face.
“What’s the aning of this?”
After locking the door behind us with a click, Tenjō-sensei turned to glare at .
“What do you an?”
“Are you trying to threaten ?”
She asked angrily, in a hushed voice.
“Threaten? That’s an exaggeration. I just ca to return sothing that was forgotten. And while I was at it, I thought I’d confirm if my neighbor was Sensei.”
I took a seat on one side of the long table placed in the center of the room.
“You could have just hung it on the doorknob at ho! Why bring it all the way to school?”
“I see, so my neighbor is Tenjō-sensei?”
When I asked for confirmation, Sensei gasped with an ‘Ah!?’ as if holding her breath.
I was right.
“You seem quiet, but you’re actually quite bold, huh? I’m surprised.”
“I know I’m bothering you. But it must be inconvenient to only have one sandal, right?”
“That’s not the point.”
Sensei, unable to hide her agitation, lacked the composed deanor she usually displayed in the classroom.
“Well, we’re actually facing a big problem here. Then Sensei, you ran away last night because you want to keep your identity a secret, right?”
“...Of course.”
As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Sensei crossed her arms.
“I understand that you want to keep things secret. But think about it calmly. It’s honestly tough to spend every day until graduation knowing that Sensei lives next door.”
Even with zero interaction, it makes restless to know that my horoom teacher lives just a wall away.
“That’s true for , too.”
“Now that we know, we should at least have a minimal discussion to protect each other’s privacy. It would be awkward for you too, wouldn’t it, if you had a boyfriend stay over and then run into the next day?”
I wouldn’t want to encounter such a situation either. It would make things awkward.
“I don’t have a boyfriend!”
Sensei’s ears turned red, seemingly embarrassed.
I had only ant to give an example, but the reaction was more than I expected.
“Ah, I see.”
While I was genuinely curious, I thought it would be rude to pry any further and let it slide.
However, I felt relieved to know that Sensei didn’t have a boyfriend.
“It’s not even a prince from Cinderella’s story…I never expected there would actually be soone who would find .”
Tenjō-sensei took a seat on the opposite side while seemingly resigned.
“So, Sensei, about the specifics…”
“Don’t be in a hurry.”
She gestures as if to say ‘stay,’ holding out her hand.
“——This is school, so let’s keep our private conversations outside of it.”
She firmly draws a line with a clear-cut attitude that work and private life are completely separate.
“Alright. When would be good for you? I’ll adjust to Sensei’s schedule.”
I want to sort out the situation as soon as possible, but Sensei is busy with work, and she probably has plenty of invitations for dates.
“Well… Let’s see, when would be good…”
Sensei’s responses are hesitant.
“…You’re not trying to run away again, are you?”
“Of course not.”
She blatantly averts her eyes as if I’ve hit the mark.
“It’s suspicious. Make up your mind.”
“Alright, fine! I’ll co over tonight! Happy now? But I have to work late, so you’ll have to forgive for that.”
Was it sothing that required such determination?
“It’s okay as long as you co. I live alone, so I can be flexible.”
“What, you’re a high school student living alone!?”
When I nod, Sensei’s expression grows even more stern.
“Um, I don’t an to assu, but do you have a problem with going to a boy’s place who lives alone?”
“We’re a teacher and a student! There’s no way I’d be conscious of that!”
She denies it vehently.
Well, it makes sense that she wouldn’t consider , her student, as a man.
“Let’s change our perspective here. Sensei is just going to counsel a student who happens to live in the sa neighborhood.”
“What kind of consultation?”
“Tenjō-sensei, I’m actually struggling with how to interact with my neighbor. Please lend your help.”
I try to reveal my concerns with a serious expression.
“Okay, I am rely giving advice to a student, after all. Right, it’s like an impromptu ho visit!”
Tenjō-sensei was emphasizing as if to convince herself.
“Fine. Let’s clear things up tonight.”
“Alright. Then, I’ll just return the sandal to you for now.”
I offer the paper bag respectfully.
“Well, thank you.”
Showing her conscientious nature, she properly expresses her gratitude at the end.
It’s confird: my neighbor is Reiyu Tenjō.
***
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