Pretend Lovers 1
“Good work on the three days of midterm exams. Take it easy this weekend and don’t go too wild with the feeling of liberation——Do everything in moderation.”
Tenjō Sensei conducted the end-of-day horoom as usual.
Her composed deanor showed no sign of the near-kiss incident with .
She seed utterly devoted to her work as if her private life had no bearing on her professional conduct.
I couldn’t help but respect her mature behavior in the situation.
As for , I was still sowhat distracted.
Just yesterday, I found myself lost in thought and earned complaints from both Akira and Mayuzumi-san while teaching both of them classical literature at the family restaurant.
I owed them for their help and couldn’t talk back. So, I silently accepted their scolding and focused on improving their scores.
Of course, I also treated them to a late lunch.
Though it wasn’t just studying—we chatted quite a bit while making multiple trips to the drink bar.
We ended up having dinner at the sa family restaurant before heading ho.
Fortunately, they paid for the dinner themselves.
『We should just let Nishiki cover everything.』
『Nikki’s wallet would be flat as a pancake if we made him pay for lunch and dinner for the three of us.』
『You’re showing rcy even though you’re Ririka.』
As always, the grumpy Asahi was even harsher, and the kindness of Mayuzumi-san was deeply felt.
The financial situation of a high school boy not working part-ti is always tight.
“Well, that’s it for today. Class president, give the command.”
As horoom ended, Tenjō Sensei swiftly left the classroom.
In any case, als in my room will resu from this evening’s dinner.
It would be a good ti to talk things over.
I gazed absently at the passing scenery outside the window as I rode the train ho, my mind inevitably drifting back to the almost-kiss in the gym storage room.
What a sha. Maybe I had just let a golden opportunity slip through my fingers.
At that mont, if I had just gone with the flow and kissed her…
I had intended to kiss her until the very last mont.
When Tenjō-san hugged , I nearly lost control.
I hadn’t expected Sensei to make a move, and my reason was paralyzed.
Alone in a confined space at school with an older, beautiful teacher and no one else around——
The stage was set perfectly.
Yet, I held back at the very last mont.
The dazed look on Tenjō Sensei’s face just before she ca to her senses as if she had been left hanging, was incredibly erotic.
That image was etched deeply into my brain, and every ti I recalled it, I suffered ntal damage.
What would have happened if we had continued kissing…
I couldn’t help but think about it over and over.
“Should I have gone through with it?”
I resented my own immaturity.
The answer still eluded .
Love is a seesaw ga of reason and instinct.
The dominant force within constantly changes, causing an endless, thrilling fluctuation.
Can I, can’t I, is it okay, just go for it, no it’s not okay, okay let’s go, no wait, but still, just do it—such internal struggles never cease.
This must be the thrill of being in love.
“I knew it, but it’s tough…”
Without realizing it, my true feelings slipped out.
Romance is strictly forbidden as long as we remain in a teacher-student relationship.
The Neighbor Agreent is the very symbol of that.
It’s best to just patiently wait until graduation, drawing a clear line and sticking to a pure relationship.
Even though I understand this, it’s the sad nature of humans to still desire what I can’t have.
The more sothing is forbidden, the more we want to break the rules.
I’m at the rcy of an allure of the forbidden.
“The risk is just too great if things go wrong.”
I sigh heavily.
I don’t want to lose the relationship I have with Sensei now.
If sothing happened that ant I couldn’t be by her side, the damage would be even deeper.
Even if we t at school, I couldn’t go back to being just another student who admires the beautiful teacher.
To my own surprise, I found myself constantly thinking about Tenjō Reiyu.
While I was lost in these thoughts, I arrived at the nearest station to my apartnt.
I finished buying groceries at the supermarket in front of the station.
Tonight’s nu is chicken karaage, just as Tenjō-san wished.
With shopping bags in both hands, I headed back to my apartnt, only to find soone standing in front of my room.
“Ah, Yuu-kun. Welco back.”
It was Kaguya, dressed in a sailor-style school uniform reminiscent of my old school’s attire.
“Why are you here?”
“I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, so I ca early.”
“You’re too excited. You should at least contact before coming.”
“Uh? I did send a ssage.”
I scrolled through my ssage history— but couldn’t find it right away.
“Sorry, I must have missed it.”
“Oh? You’re unusually honest. Sothing happens?”
She’s sharp as ever in the weirdest ways.
“Just relieved that the tests are over. Want to co in?”
“Yeah!”
Honestly, Kaguya’s presence could help keep my mind clear of any distracting thoughts.
Once we’re in my room, I start putting away the groceries in the fridge.
“Did you buy all these ingredients? Can you finish them all by yourself?”
Kaguya wondered at the excessive amount of groceries for soone living alone.
“I bought them as a distraction.”
“You’ll get fat if you eat too much.”
“One of the perks of living alone is being able to eat whatever you want whenever you want.”
“You still keeping in shape despite saying that.”
Kaguya says while poking at my side.
“Don’t touch without permission.”
“It’s just a little skinship.”
She replied while sticking her tongue out.
“Hey-hey, I’ve been craving Yuu-kun’s cooking. What are you making tonight?”
“Karaage chicken.”
“Yay, my favorite! I’m going to eat a lot.”
“I thought you were worried about my weight gain. You’ll get fat too if you too much fried food.”
“Being faithful to my desires is one of my pride.”
Kaguya said cheerfully while making a peace sign. I couldn’t help but admire her unwavering attitude.
“He who does not work, neither shall he eat. Help out if you want to eat.”
“Of course!”
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