Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher?-Chapter 3Volume 1 .7 - A Relationship Like Waves
A Relationship Like Waves 7
“It’s almost like summer, even though it’s only the end of April.”
The sun shone mercilessly, oblivious to the calendar.
I didn’t put my arms through the sleeves of my jacket, instead carrying it under my arm as I walked to the station.
I took the train and arrived at the nearest station to Kiyō High School.
“Nishiki. You’re late today.”
Even though I arrived one train later than usual, Akira was waiting at the station.
Lately, I have been going to school with Akira without planning it.
Her competitive hostility had completely vanished.
“Nishiki, you don’t seem energetic today. Are you okay?”
“Is that so?”
“Is it because of me? Does waking up early for the calls bother you?”
Akira looked at me probingly.
“Unusually considerate, aren’t you?”
“I guess I do feel a bit guilty for having you call me every morning.”
“Yeah, maybe. I guess I don’t need to call Akira anymore.”
Considering the incident with Sensei yesterday, this might be a good time to stop the morning calls.
“Eh, no way. Nishiki, you’re my lifeline.”
Her modest attitude from before vanished.
“…Akira, you need to develop the habit of waking up on your own.”
“But you helped me to become like this, so you have to take responsibility until the end.”
“You’re not going to make me wake you up until you graduate, are you?”
It wouldn’t be out of character for Akira to say such a thing.
“Is it okay for me to repeat a year?”
“That kind of threat, really?”
“Abandoning a classmate, Nishiki, you heartless person.”
A little kindness has turned out to be quite costly.
“Then ask someone else for help. Like Mayuzumi-san, for example.”
“Ririka is a bit too high-energy.”
“Mayuzumi-san is a good person. She might agree easily.”
Suddenly, Akira moved in front of me.
“Nishiki, do you like girls who are assertive like that?”
“Why are we talking about my preferences?”
“Just answer me.”
What should I say?
“Well… I guess I get curious at people who are earnestly working hard.”
Naturally, Reiyu Tenjō comes to mind.
“Hmm. Girls who are fully committed to something often feel like they don’t have the capacity or time for romance and might find a boyfriend more of a hindrance. You’d need quite a charm to stand a chance, Nishiki.”
Akira was quite blunt in her conclusion.
“Then, what’s your type of guy, Akira? You could probably get a boyfriend if you tried.”
“I’m tired of trying to fit in. I find monkeys who ogle at women chest and drool disgusting. Also, I hate it when guys act all high and mighty. In short, romance is just troublesome.”
“I can agree with that.”
“That’s why someone as laid-back as Nishiki is just right.”
“Just right for what?”
“Dependence.”
“You’re pretty blunt about being dependent.”
“Or a parasite.”
“Both means pretty much the same.”
“Even though I give you snacks every morning.”
She looked at me with a ‘Are you dissatisfied?’ expression.
“Actually, I feel a bit guilty for taking something every time.”
Today, I received another chocolate bar from her.
“Or would you prefer a Chupa Chups instead of chocolate?”
She was always sucking on a lollipop for her sugar fix in the morning.
Akira held up the Chupa Chups she was licking to my mouth.
“It’s clearly half-eaten.”
“Indirect kiss. You’re welcome.”
“That’s not welcome. What were you going to do if I had actually taken it?”
“Eh. I’d be surprised, but, well, if it’s Nishiki, it’s just about okay.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“Wow, you’re actually happy about it. That’s hilarious.”
“Maybe I really should stop the morning calls.”
“Nishiki, I like you, I rely on you, you’re a great guy, you’re the best.”
“Don’t just throw compliments out of nowhere. It sounds insincere.”
At least try to act convincingly. It’s too much like reading from a script.
“So, what do I need to do for you to keep calling? Want something sexy?”
Akira casually lifted her chest with both hands.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.
“What are you doing in public?”
I hurriedly cautioned her.
“Self-promotion. I’m a bit confident about my chest. It suddenly grew after I quit club activities.”
“Pick the right person for that kind of thing. You’re too careless.”
“I am picking properly.”
Akira looked at me with a cool smile.
“…Akira?”
Since I started helping her, I could tell she wasn’t a bad girl.
“Nishiki, you’re so naggy.”
“If you don’t want me to nag, learn to wake up on your own. That would end everything.”
I gave up on trying to reason with her.
“That’s impossible!”
Akira, for some reason, beamed a wide smile and made an ‘X’ with her hands.
I was a bit envious of Akira Kuhouin, who could so openly show her weaknesses.
***
Reiyu Tenjō seemed the same as always as she began the morning homeroom upon arriving at the classroom.
It appeared to be a hot day, and her forearms were exposed as she took off her jacket.
She spread smiles and took attendance with a lively voice, her face fixed towards the back of the classroom.
From the moment she entered the classroom to the end of the roll call, she didn’t let her gaze fall on me, who was right in front of her.
Aha, it seems she’s completely planning to ignore me today.
If that’s her intention, I have my own plans.
” (staring intensely——）”
I stared at Reiyu Tenjō persistently, almost like a form of harassment.
A super intense stare from close range.
Let’s see, Reiyu Tenjō, how long can you keep your cool face?
Show me if you can endure this pressure.
“Today is as hot as summer again. According to the weather forecast, it seems the Golden Week will be similarly warm, so it might be just right to go to the beach and play in the waves.”
As Tenjō-sensei asked, responses came from all around the classroom.
Our homeroom teacher continued her casual conversation, infuriatingly unaffected by my gaze.
The word ‘waves’ she mentioned, however, perfectly encapsulated our relationship.
The distance between Reiyu Tenjō and me is like waves, drawing near and then receding.
When I think we’ve gotten very close, suddenly she feels impossibly distant.
What was calm suddenly became intense. Constantly changing and never still.
Yet, I find the waves sparkling in the sunlight irresistibly beautiful, and I can’t help but keep watching them.
