Kissing My Student, It's Over if We're Caught-Chapter 2Volume .4 - Kurei - Personal Flaw: Preaching Habit

“I have something bad to share, and probably something good that’ll make you happy. It’d be easier for me if we could start with the bad part…”

“Okay.”

Kirihara seemed tense but ready to face whatever it was. I had no choice but to brace myself as well.

For the second time today, I shared the same information with Kirihara that I had with Kurei-sensei, albeit in a different order. I postponed mentioning the proposal and started with our past relationship, explaining why I felt indebted to Yuzu.

I told her about Yuzu suddenly showing up, having lost her job and home.

I struggled with the decision, but eventually, I let her stay with me—that’s when Kirihara froze.

“…”

“Are you okay?”

“…Yeah. Keep going.”

I continued, explaining that Yuzu and I had been sleeping in the same room for a week, but that was it.

I mentioned the selfies she sent and her somewhat flirty behavior, but I assured her I hadn’t responded to any of it.

“I’ve always felt bad about it, thinking I was betraying you. Still, I wanted to repay Yuzu without hurting or upsetting you… Looking back, I realize how selfish it sounds… Kurei-sensei gave me an earful, and that woke me up. This is something we should decide together.”

“So, Kurei-sensei… That’s why you decided to stop keeping it a secret and talked to me.”

“…I’m truly sorry. It might be too late to be honest, but if it bothers you, you can see my phone. You can check all the messages between Yuzu and me.”

“There’s no need for that. I trust you, Gin. Thank you for telling me.”

Her calm voice took me by surprise.

“That look on your face… You thought I’d cry or scream, didn’t you? But, it’s okay.”

Kirihara smiled confidently at me.

“So, Yuzuka? I could tell from the start how important she was to you… I’ve kind of understood all along that you’re the kind of guy who takes such debts of gratitude seriously. I also get why you kept my existence a secret from her, especially right after the issue with Kurei-sensei got exposed. Yes… I’m okay with it. I understand.”

“…Really?”

This level of understanding was beyond my expectations.

It was so different from when Kurei-sensei scolded me or when Kirihara tried to monopolize me in the student council room.

…Was it because I explained everything so carefully?

“Phew. Listening while tense has made me a bit tired. Is there more to the bad news, or is that it?”

“Yeah, there’s more. I want to discuss what to do about Yuzu staying with us…”

“Okay. Can I use the bathroom first, though?”

“Of course.”

“Sorry for interrupting. I’ll be right back.”

After Kirihara left the room, I took a moment to breathe. I imagine she was tense too, but so was I. Finally, I felt a little relieved.

Just a bit more talking, then we can rest—.

But Kirihara didn’t return for a while. I began to worry if she was feeling unwell.

“…Could it be?”

A bad feeling prompted me to check on her by the bathroom.

Standing at the door, I heard Kirihara’s murmurs.

“…It’s okay. It has to be okay… He told me himself, and he apologized… Gin is mine. It won’t change just because of this—”

The sound of her sniffing hit me like a punch to the gut.

…Right. The smile Kirihara showed after listening to my story was the perfect student’s facade, not the face she shows when she’s comfortable with me.

“…Kirihara.”

“! Gin? …Did you hear that?”

“Yeah…”

“I’m, I’m sorry! It’s not like that! I was just surprised, that’s all! It’s not a big deal—”

“Can you come out for a minute? …Or is it too much?”

“…”

Kirihara quietly opened the door and stepped out.

Tears stained her cheeks, and her eyes were pooled with tears.

“Initially, I was just shocked. I stepped out to calm down, but then, thinking of how important Yuzuka is to you, that she must be a wonderful person… Suddenly, I lost confidence… What if you prefer her over me? Then, my thoughts went crumbled down…”

So it was as I thought. She had only chosen her words to reassure me earlier.

This is the real Kirihara. The one she doesn’t show to anyone else, the side that’s needy and vulnerable.

“It’s my fault. I’m sorry. I can see why you’d be worried… Really, I’m sorry.”

Hugging her, Kirihara wrapped her arms around my back too.

Suppressing her voice, she began to sob.

“As I said before, helping Yuzu was purely out of gratitude… Nothing more. My heart belongs to you, Kirihara.”

Even as I stroked her head, her tears didn’t stop.

“I realized it in the student council room too, when another student got too close… This is the painful part of our love… Kirihara can’t openly claim me as her partner, no matter how lonely she gets… And I can’t say that she’s the one I love… Just because she’s a bit younger… If only we could tell everyone right now we’re together…”

Kirihara clung to my clothing, nodding repeatedly.

“I wish I was born a bit earlier…”

“Then we wouldn’t have met at the right moment for me to take up my new job. We might never have met at all.”

“…I don’t want that. Absolutely not.”

After more head-patting, she gradually calmed down.

“…I’m okay now. I feel relieved… Sorry.”

“Please, don’t apologize anymore. If I had been more careful, I wouldn’t have made you cry.”

As I gently let go, her eyes and nose were red.

Supporting Kirihara, we returned to the main room. Even in that short walk, she leaned closely against me, arms intertwined.

“Can we continue our talk?”

“Yes…”

“I feel awful for making you cry, but the truth is, I do owe Yuzu a lot. Her situation is real, and if you’re okay with it, I’d like to let her stay a bit longer. However… This next part might actually make you happy—if we keep Yuzu at home, I’m thinking of moving out for a while.”

“Going back to living in a hotel? Didn’t you say earlier that option was off the table because your savings have dwindled…?”

“Yeah. That’s why I’m thinking, instead of a hotel, how about we live together?”

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

Kirihara froze, even her blinking stopped.

“I’d be happy if I could stay here during the weekdays until Yuzu finds a job.”

“Really!? You’ll come!? ”

“Yeah. But if having Yuzu stay as well is a problem—”

“How could that be a problem!? Yay! I can be with Gin even on weekdays! I won’t be lonely anymore!!”

Kirihara’s mood skyrocketed in an instant.

After jumping around in joy, she hugged me and gave me a kiss.

I was so taken aback by her sudden change that I couldn’t react properly.

Kirihara then released me from the kiss and flashed a beaming smile.

“When can you start coming?”

“…Tomorrow, I guess. I’ll come over right after work. I’ll go home now to get ready and explain things to Yuzu—after that, we’ll spend the weekdays together.”

“Yeah♪ I’ll be waiting!”

Although I’m worried about the increased risk of being found out—seeing Kirihara’s smile made it all worthwhile.

For now, let’s consider this a good outcome.

tln : MC decided to start a war.