Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher?-Chapter 1Volume .3 - An Unexpected Home Date
An Unexpected Home 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 came, I took it with me to the staff room.
“Excuse me. Tenjō-sensei, could I have a little of your time?”
“N-Nishiki-kun!?”
Tenjō-sensei was so surprised to see me that she nearly fell off her chair.
And then she immediately noticed that the bag I had put the sandal in was the same department store paper bag that had contained the strawberries from last night.
“We’ll use the student guidance room. Nishiki-kun, come with me.”
Tenjō-sensei pulled my arm and led me to the student guidance room next to the staff room with a stern face.
“What’s the meaning of this?”
After locking the door behind us with a click, Tenjō-sensei turned to glare at me.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you trying to threaten me?”
She asked angrily, in a hushed voice.
“Threaten? That’s an exaggeration. I just came to return something 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 home! 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 demeanor 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 me restless to know that my homeroom teacher lives just a wall away.
“That’s true for me, 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 me 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 meant 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 someone who would find me.”
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.
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“…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 come over tonight! Happy now? But I have to work late, so you’ll have to forgive me for that.”
Was it something that required such determination?
“It’s okay as long as you come. 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 mean to assume, 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 vehemently.
Well, it makes sense that she wouldn’t consider me, 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 same neighborhood.”
“What kind of consultation?”
“Tenjō-sensei, I’m actually struggling with how to interact with my neighbor. Please lend me your help.”
I try to reveal my concerns with a serious expression.
“Okay, I am merely giving advice to a student, after all. Right, it’s like an impromptu home 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 confirmed: my neighbor is Reiyu Tenjō.
***
