A love that doesn’t make one lose their reason isn’t love at all.”

(Thomas Hardy)

1

“…Shuu-san, wake up…”

Morning.

A voice in my ear, calling me back from darkness into light.

“…Shuu-san, please wake up…”

I know the owner of that voice.

The woman I met on the matching app—Sakuran-san.

No.

“Hey, Sensei, wake up already.”

It’s attendance number 2 in the class I’m in charge of—Ayase Sakurai.

She faked her age to register on the app, wore a wig and styled herself like Kinumozaka-sensei under the name “Sakuran,” and approached me.

As a result, I ended up going on a date with “Sakuran” without knowing she was Ayase-san.

I only found out after the date.

Ayase-san stalked me, forced her way into my apartment, took “fait accompli” photos, and used them to blackmail me into letting her stay the night.

After a lot of chaos, I was pushed into allowing her to stay—just one night.

And she slept in my bed.

Of course, nothing happened.

That’s only natural for a teacher.

I was supposed to have slept on the sofa near the bed…

(It’s already morning…?)

Sunlight leaking through the gap in the curtains tells me so—and almost at the same moment, I feel soft warmth against my body.

Then a whisper in my ear.

“Hey, Sensei… If you don’t wake up, I’ll kiss you ♡ And if you still don’t wake up… something even more amazing ♡”

A shiver runs down my spine.

She just blew gently into my ear.

“U-UWAAAAAAAHH!?”

I bolt upright like I’d been shocked.

“W-What are you doing—wait… huh…?”

I look left and right.

I’m alone on the sofa.

I’m the only one in the room.

The bed is empty.

(It was a dream…?)

Time is still morning.

Sunlight streams through the curtains.

(Where did the dream start? Was everything yesterday a dream too?)

Maybe my date with Sakuran-san is still ahead of me—no, of course not.

I pick up the phone by my pillow. It’s Monday, not Sunday.

And there’s a LINE message from “Sakura”—that is, Ayase-san.

Tried waking you but you wouldn’t So I went home first! See you at school!

Followed by a cute panda mascot bowing with “yoroshiku!”

“Good grief…”

I let out a small sigh.

(And why did I even have that dream…?)

Still, her voice lingers faintly in my memory.

“…Shuu-san, wake up…”

“Hey, Sensei, wake up…”

Two voices overlap.

Where did reality end and dream begin?

Sleep deprivation blurred the line.

No conclusion. The memory stayed hazy.

2

I arrive at school and enter the faculty office.

Even post-Golden Week, it’s the usual staff room.

The only differences are souvenirs and chatter about where people went—meaning no one saw my date with Ayase-san.

She hasn’t spread word about the date or what happened after.

Rumors fly fast in a school.

If even a fragment existed, the moment I walked in, teachers would be whispering or the strict vice-principal would glare over her glasses and summon me.

Still, I wasn’t completely free of anxiety.

I know Ayase-san isn’t a bad kid, but she definitely has a dangerous unpredictability.

(I just hope nothing happens…)

Praying that, I sit down and make small talk as usual with Kato-sensei (who just arrived) and Kinumozaka-sensei.

Apparently Kato-sensei’s soccer club had a practice match yesterday and crushed the opponent.

Athletic clubs destroy weekends and holidays—it’s tough.

No time for romance.

(Though he’s head-over-heels for Kinumozaka-sensei…)

Remembering Ayase-san said she styled herself after Kinumozaka-sensei, I realize the disguise really was spot-on—

“Is something wrong?”

Kinumozaka-sensei suddenly speaks to me.

I must have zoned out.

“Uh, well…”

As I struggle for an excuse, the pre-bell saves me.

I leave the office with the others and head to my homeroom class 2-B.

Morning homeroom and first-period modern Japanese—my own class first thing in the morning.

Nothing happened in the faculty office, so probably nothing in the classroom either.

Still slightly tense, I open the door.

Monday buzz, a slightly excited atmosphere.

The moment I enter, silence falls.

Business as usual.

Attendance perfect.

Ayase-san is there too.

I glance at her.

In braids and glasses, the prim literary-girl version of Ayase-san—completely different from the one I dated and who barged into my place yesterday.

At the same time, the image flashes: Ayase-san lying on my bed, striking a seductive pose—

(No no no, what am I remembering…?)

I squeeze my eyes shut. Focus, focus.

I must not recall anything weird.

(Alright…!)

I open my eyes, ride the momentum, and somehow—probably—finish homeroom and first period normally.

▼　▼　▼

“Phew… exhausted…”

Back in the faculty office, I collapse into my seat and let that slip out.

Maybe the tension from Ayase-san wore me out.

I think I taught normally, but I’m more tired than usual.

I rest my head on the desk for a bit.

Then, like any other break, I open my drawer and check my phone.

At our school, teachers aren’t supposed to carry phones during class unless there’s a reason.

That’s why I keep it in the drawer.

Many teachers check notifications during breaks.

One new LINE.

From—Ayase-san.

Morning Sensei ☆ Were you thinking about me? You kept looking ♡

Followed by a smirking dog stamp.

Seeing that, my cheek twitches.

True—I did glance at her several times because I was worried about her attitude.

I thought I acted normal, but she saw right through me.

Anyway—when did she send this?

I check the timestamp: right in the middle of class.

Of course students are strictly forbidden from using phones during lessons.

We monitor, but they have all sorts of tricks.

And yet she messaged me, the teacher—

(She deliberately waited until I was consciously not looking…)

Regardless, I have to scold her as a teacher.

Just as I decide that—

“What are you looking at?”

“UWAA!?”

Kinumozaka-sensei peeks from the side.

Startled, I almost drop the phone, catch it mid-air, and hide it behind my back.

“U-Um, a message from a friend…”

“…Really?”

She gives me a suspicious look, then suddenly grins.

“Could it be… from your girlfriend?”

“N-No, definitely not!”

“Ufufu, sorry. Just teasing. Here, tea.”

“Thank you.”

Seems she had no first-period class.

She often brings tea in such cases.

Kato-sensei isn’t around—Monday he has back-to-back PE practicals first and second period, so he’s probably still on the field.

Full of energy from the start of the week.

Kinumozaka-sensei walks away.

Alone again, I face the phone and send Ayase-san:

No LINE during class!

With an angry-teacher stamp.

I sip my tea—and instantly get a reply.

Sorry.

Followed by a girl pressing fingers to cheeks with a “teehee ♡” stamp—zero remorse.

Next message:

I’ll be good from now on. Good luck teaching, Sensei!

With a pumped-up “Let’s do this!” girl stamp.

(I don’t have second period though…)

I can only give wry smiles.

But somehow, this casual exchange feels like something high school sweethearts would do—

(But we’re teacher and student…)

It’s kind of practice for when I actually get a girlfriend, but what am I supposed to do?

Head in hands, the pre-bell rings.

Teachers with second-period classes (including Kinumozaka-sensei) leave.

Only a few of us with free periods remain.

A free block.

Of course that doesn’t mean nothing to do.

Printing tomorrow’s quiz, deciding mid-term content, preparing today’s staff-meeting report—tons of work.

Plus today: full-staff meeting after school, followed by a staff social (drinking party) running late into the night.

After-school is booked, and I have no other free periods today, so I need to prep tomorrow morning’s lesson now too.

Lunch during second period is also part of the plan.

Teachers’ lunch break isn’t really a break—we patrol the school or handle student consultations.

Plus I’m the librarian-teacher.

I earned that qualification in university.

At this school, one teacher usually doubles as librarian.

I handle the library (no club advising in exchange), but it’s still a lot.

I’m the only librarian-teacher here.

With help from library committee students, but approving new arrivals and donated books is all on me.

After finishing printing tests and reading meeting materials, my delivered bento arrives just as lunch break starts.

I swap places with returning teachers and head to the library.

▼　▼　▼

Lunch break has just begun.

In the silent library, I’m alone starting librarian duties.

Less than ten minutes later—

Clatter

The door opens.

(Pretty early visitor.)

Eating is banned in the library, so few students come right when lunch starts.

Curious, I glance over.

There stands the glasses-and-braids literary-girl—

(——)

I freeze.

Because it’s Ayase-san.

She walks straight to the counter where I am.

“Yoo-hoo, Sensei ☆”

Waving one hand cheerfully.

I ask with a scowl,

“What about lunch?”

“It’s fine ♪ I was planning to skip today anyway. You fed me plenty of good stuff yesterday ♡”

I sigh in exasperation.

“Don’t say things like that at school. And hearing that tone with the uniform-braids-glasses look feels super weird…”

Probably because of how she usually acts at school.

And after all that “secret relationship” talk—

Ayase-san slips behind me,

“No one’s here, so it’s fine, right? If someone were here we could just say we’re flirting ♡”

“——Hey!”

I yell because she suddenly wraps her arms around my neck from behind the chair.

She smells amazing, and her breasts are pressing against me.

“Sensei. Free after school today?”

Our cheeks almost touch as she asks.

“Stop…! If someone sees—”

“Are you free or not?”

I sigh again and answer,

“Staff meeting after school, then plans until late. Not free.”

“Eh, another date? Did you match with someone new?”

“Nothing like that.”

I can’t tell students about the social—it’s an internal rule.

“Muu… I was gonna give you more guidance…”

She pouts and finally lets go.

I breathe in relief.

“Good grief… Don’t assume teachers have free time. There’s work after classes too. Making time on weekdays isn’t easy.”

“Yeah yeah, that’s why you started the matching app—because you have no opportunities ♪ I know, I know. Sakuran knows very well ♪”

She plops into the chair beside me, smirking provocatively.

With her current look, that attitude is pure cognitive dissonance.

And dragging up messages from when I still thought she was Sakuran-san—she’s totally teasing me.

Master teaser, Ayase-san.

If I want to fight back—

“…Right. Like I wrote on LINE—stop messaging during class. It’s against school rules.”

“Ehhh, that? It’s your fault for staring at me…”

“Of course I’m keeping an eye on you…”

“Eh? So you are paying attention to me? Kyaa, stop it~ I’m embarrassed!”

She spins the chair and slaps my shoulder.

“…Paying attention meaning wondering what trouble you’ll cause.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’d never do anything to get Sensei in trouble ♡”

(Yeah, right.)

Just then she rolls her chair closer, face inches from my ear, breath tickling.

“Anyway—if weekdays are no good, how about the weekend? I’ll give you proper guidance ♡”

By “guidance” she means “how to be popular on matching apps.”

That would actually be really helpful…

The door opens again—several students enter.

We hurriedly separate.

“Oops, people. Think about it, Sensei!”

She stands, leaves the library.

Lunch break and afternoon classes pass without incident—and then it’s time for the after-school staff meeting, followed by the social.

3

“Then let’s have fun tonight, everyone who works under the same roof!”

Even though a few teachers were running late, it was already 19:00 when almost everyone had arrived. The principal raised his glass for the opening toast.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!” everyone echoed, and the staff party officially began.

Seats were pre-assigned; I was placed at the second-year homeroom teachers’ table. The other two second-year homeroom teachers were veteran men in their forties.

I was nervous and kept quiet, just nodding along to whatever the seniors said for the first half hour or so.

But once the alcohol started flowing, things loosened up.

“If you ever have any problems, feel free to ask us anything,” they told me.

(That’s nice, but…)

The staff meeting before the party had mainly been about whether any unexpected issues had cropped up in the new homeroom classes now that a month had passed since the start of the new term and Golden Week was over.

Thankfully nothing major had been reported—including my class.

The meeting ended quickly.

But between me and one particular student, there definitely was a problem.

(Maybe I should casually bring up Ayase-san to these two…)

Of course I couldn’t mention it in the official meeting, and even here I’d have to phrase it very carefully or it could be taken the wrong way.

After agonizing over how to word it, I finally said,

“Actually, there is one thing I’d like advice on… about the right distance to keep from students.”

“Distance?” Mr. Yoshida (Class 2-A) asked.

“Yes,” I nodded. “As a homeroom teacher I want to be more involved than before, but… how close is too close? Obviously we’re not friends…”

“What are you talking about, Kizaki-kun? I’m basically friends with my students!”

Hahaha! came a loud laugh. Kato-sensei, beer mug in hand, face already bright red, leaned in.

And honestly, that’s exactly how Kato-sensei is. I’ve seen him joking around with his soccer club kids like they’re buddies countless times.

“I’d like to be friends with them too, if possible,” the principal chimed in, repeating the phrase as he appeared with a glass of shōchū.

It seemed to be time for people to start moving tables.

“That’s a wonderful attitude, but if you get too close, romantic feelings can develop. You have to be careful about that. Especially—”

He glanced at Kinumozaka-sensei sitting nearby.

“Kinumozaka-sensei is beautiful and overflowing with feminine charm, so she probably gets confessions from students all the time.”

“Principal, that’s sexual harassment,” the vice-principal cut in, glasses flashing.

Every male teacher present froze.

Because right after the words “feminine charm,” almost every guy’s eyes had drifted to Kinumozaka-sensei’s ample chest and hips.

Including mine, of course.

“Ah—my apologies. Got scolded. Times are strict these days.”

The principal laughed it off and tapped his bald head.

“Well, getting the distance wrong can lead to big trouble, so be careful. We live in a diverse society with all kinds of love, and there’s that saying—‘Love that never forgets discretion is not love at all’—but romance with students is absolutely forbidden. Hahaha.”

He walked off, leaving me feeling like he’d just put extra pressure on me personally.

Someone else seemed to feel the pressure in a different way.

“U-Um… Kinumozaka-sensei!”

“Yes, Kato-sensei?”

“D-Do you… ever get confessed to by students!?”

Kato-sensei, eyes bloodshot, asked desperately. It was a little scary.

Kinumozaka-sensei just blinked.

I was stunned too.

I hadn’t expected him to go there.

(Kato-sensei… are you okay? Too drunk?)

His overflowing feelings for Kinumozaka-sensei were impossible to miss.

Most of the staff had noticed; the area went dead silent.

Finally Kato-sensei realized, snapped out of it, and backpedaled frantically.

“N-No, I just… wondered how you handle it… for reference… not that I have any reason to… hahaha…”

Sweating bullets. Sobered up in an instant.

Kinumozaka-sensei smiled gently.

“Oh, that’s what you meant? Then I’ll answer.”

She stood, faced him seriously, and said,

“I’m happy to be told someone likes me, but I believe those feelings should be saved for the important person I’ll meet in the future. If your feelings haven’t changed after graduation, tell me again.”

The air froze solid.

In a way, that was harsher than a flat rejection—it basically said “I’m not even considering you.”

Kato-sensei looked like he’d taken a critical hit.

Even though the line was meant for a hypothetical student.

He was fully in the role of the rejected kid.

“…Something like that ♡”

She smiled sweetly, sat down, and the spell broke.

Kato-sensei laughed weakly.

“Haha… thank you. Very helpful.”

“You’re welcome.”

Kinumozaka-sensei kept smiling—clearly an expert at handling this.

Kato-sensei slumped face-down on the table.

“Kato-kun, here, more beer~ Drink as much as you want~” a senior female teacher teased.

Anyway, that exchange just made conquering Kinumozaka-sensei even harder for him. I worried he might lose his nerve completely.

All I could think was “ganbare”—but I couldn’t say it out loud.

After a while, with school tomorrow, the first round ended and we dispersed.

I kept getting poured drinks by the seniors, and ended up dragging a totally wasted Kato-sensei onto the train toward our local station.

4

At the station.

Kato-sensei had his arm around my shoulder like we were best buddies.

“Kizaki-kun, one more drink nearby? I’ve got stories—like how the principal’s wife was a former student, or how third-year Nan-sensei fell hard for a high-school-girl-themed sex worker and is totally hooked. So, my place or yours? Hic…”

“No, we have school tomorrow…”

I pretended I hadn’t heard those bombshells.

(Though I’m curious.)

Last night I barely slept because of Ayase-san; tonight because of Kato-sensei would kill me.

I was drunk and exhausted.

“I’m stopping at the convenience store for water and breakfast bread. Kato-sensei, you—”

Just as I tried to peel him off,

(Ah…)

I spotted someone who looked exactly like Ayase-san inside a café across the street.

No glasses, hair down and dyed (wig), cute going-out clothes—the full “Sakuran” look.

I stopped dead, which let me slip out of Kato-sensei’s arm.

“Ow!”

He crashed to the ground.

“What the hell, Kizaki-kun!?”

“Sorry…”

I helped him up while confirming inside the café.

(No mistake… it’s definitely Ayase-san…)

Half-drunk iced latte on the table, small tablet in hand—probably reading manga.

“So, Kizaki-kun, convenience store for more booze, then your place?”

“I don’t remember agreeing to that—oh right, I just remembered I need to stop at the bookstore too. See you!”

“Kizaki-kun!”

I bolted, pretending to head toward the station, then hid behind a pillar.

Peeking out, I saw Kato-sensei stand there dazed for a while, then trudge off toward the convenience store.

(I feel bad… but he probably won’t remember tomorrow…)

Now was my chance.

Careful not to be seen, I dashed into the café.

Ayase-san was still reading her tablet, unaware.

I sat down right in front of her.

“…Hey, what are you doing out this late?”

She finally noticed and looked up.

“Ah—Sensei!”

“Shhh—keep your voice down.”

I put a finger to my lips.

“Kato-sensei is still nearby.”

“Eh, Kato… wait, your face is red! You turned down my invitation to drink with Kato-sensei!?”

“Not just him—the whole staff. There was a party after the staff meeting—damn, I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

Alcohol loosened my tongue.

Ayase-san grinned like a cat.

“…Heh~ So you teachers secretly party without telling students. Was Kinumozaka-sensei there?”

“Of course…”

“You ditched my invitation for a place with a look-alike? Guess I’ll have to post those ‘fait accompli’ photos to the class group chat.”

“Why does it always come to that… Also, keep the party secret from other students. Anyway—”

I got to the point.

“What are you doing here at this hour?”

She half-lidded her eyes, looking bored.

“Ugh, so teacher-like.”

“I am your teacher. This place is closing soon. Go home.”

“No way. I don’t want to go home—that’s why I’m here. You already know the reason.”

“Mom brought a guy again?”

“Bingo. Same as yesterday. Don’t worry, a friend is supposed to let me crash soon.”

“That friend is—”

“A female college student, relax. Or… did you want me to stay at your place again tonight?”

“N-…”

Her mischievous smile looked so mature and seductive I felt my heart skip.

Her phone pinged.

“Ah, message from Kaya-chi.”

“Kaya-chi?”

“The college girl I’ve known for two months ♡ I was waiting for her to finish drinking with other friends, but…”

She read the message, frowned, and let out a frog-like croak.

“What’s wrong?”

“Her boyfriend is coming over so she can’t have me tonight… What do I do… Oh!”

She looked at me and smiled brightly.

Bad feeling.

She put a finger to her lips, tilted her head cutely.

“Sensei, let me stay ♡”

Wink.

“…Huh?”

“I stayed yesterday, so it’s fine, right? It’s not like you lose anything.”

She slammed both hands on the table and leaned in.

“No? Because I’m a student? Then from now on you’re Shuu-san and I’m Sakuran. Problem solved!”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Ow—abusive teacher…”

I chopped her head lightly.

She says I don’t lose anything, but my nerves and sanity are being ground down.

“And stop calling me ‘Sensei’ out loud. People might overhear, and if someone who knows us saw…”

“Then…”

She leaned in until I could feel her breath by my ear.

“Go home first ♡ I’ll come to your place later ♡”

“My place…”

She showed me her phone—map open, pin dropped exactly on my apartment.

“I know the way.”

“That’s not the—”

“Then I’ll use GETER and find somewhere to crash. Can’t sleep on the street… it’s late… some old guy’s place or a player’s place is fine. Or a hotel, or net café. I know the risks…”

“GETER…?”

“Oh, Sensei knows it.”

“I’ve never used it! And if you have it, delete it right now.”

While researching matching-app strategies I’d seen the name—infamous for sugar-daddy and one-night-stand seekers.

I can’t let her actually use that.

“Kidding. I don’t have it. I might download it if you abandon me, though.”

“Fine, fine—I surrender!”

I had no choice.

“Yay ♡ So I can come over?”

Unbelievable.

And just like that, for the second night in a row, my student was crashing at my place.

5

Seriously, how did this happen again?

Back home, chugging water from the fridge, I wonder.

“Go home first, Sensei ♡ I’ll give you guidance too ☆”

What she said at the café.

Of course we couldn’t walk home together—someone might see us and it would be over.

Was talking to her a mistake? Even if I hadn’t, it probably would’ve ended the same way.

(I’m so sleepy…)

Sleep-deprived plus drunk—I could collapse any second.

I finish the water just as the intercom rings.

I open the door—

“Sensei, I’m home~!”

She throws her arms around me, bags in both hands. Gentle hug.

Electric shock through my whole body.

“W-What are you—!”

“What do you mean? When your girlfriend comes home you’re supposed to say ‘welcome back.’ And not hugging back is zero points.”

She pouts and lets go.

“You’re not my girlfriend.”

“Guys with no playfulness don’t get girls. You’ve been drinking—loosen up.”

“…Jeez.”

While she takes off her shoes, I lock the door.

“No one saw you coming here, right?”

“It’s dark outside, probably fine. No one’ll recognize me anyway. Intruding~ ☆”

She grabs her school bag and plastic bag from the hallway and heads to the living room, then suddenly turns.

“Oh right—I bought late-night snacks. Yours too. Consider it boarding fee!”

Sitting at the low table, she pulls two fancy Häagen-Dazs cookie & cream cups from her bag.

“These are super good. Eat before they melt ♪”

She opens hers, takes a spoonful.

“Mmm~ delicious ♪”

Eyes narrowed in bliss, hand on cheek—she looks genuinely happy.

I only had a tiny scoop of ice cream for dessert at the izakaya, so seeing her like that is dangerously persuasive.

Might help sober me up too.

I sit across from her and start eating.

“Good?”

“Yeah, really good.”

Not flattery—honestly delicious.

The cold sweetness spreads through my drunk body.

“Yay ☆ I made Sensei say my favorite thing is delicious ♪”

She beams.

That smile suddenly reminds me of my ex—the only girlfriend I ever had.

(Sharing favorite things, discovering new ones together, tastes becoming the same… that really is what couples do…)

Even though it was only for a short time, that’s how it felt.

(Wait—what am I doing…?)

Her current look slightly overlaps with my ex’s, but superimposing them is insane.

I shake my head hard to dispel the image.

Ayase-san tilts her head.

“Huh? Sensei, what’s wrong? Brain freeze?”

“Uh, yeah… something like that. I’m fine now.”

Of course I can’t say the real reason, so I change the subject.

“Anyway, you mentioned guidance—what exactly are you planning to teach me? Matching-app stuff, right?”

“Yes yes, first we need to fix your TWINS profile. It’s honestly full of flaws. I’ll teach you how to make it way more attractive to girls.”

“Eh.”

“How to attract girls”—sounds like clickbait, but I lean forward involuntarily.

“Which parts are bad?”

“Like I said… pretty much everything?”

Total denial.

“Let’s start with photos—I want to go over them carefully, but first… I wanna take a bath. This outfit feels stiff at home, and I wanna relax.”

She finishes her ice cream and stands.

“You brought a change of clothes?”

“Of course ♪ I was planning to stay somewhere tonight anyway. But if you liked yesterday’s outfit I can wear your shirt again… where is it?”

“No need, it’s already washed and dried.”

“Ehhh…”

Unbelievable look.

She glares with half-lidded eyes.

“What’s that reaction?”

“Because that means you didn’t once think ‘hehe, she wore this… smells like girl… gonna keep it for tonight’ like a pervy manga protagonist. Or did you use it this morning!?”

“I did not! What kind of teacher do you think I am!? And what kind of manga do you read…?”

“Muu, I told you in messages when I was Sakuran—I read everything. Shonen, shojo, whatever. Tons of free ones online, some pretty spicy…”

She did write that.

Unlike when I was a kid, these days whole classic series are free on apps, and anime is on streaming.

So students often know way more old manga/anime than I do.

I sigh.

“Just go take your bath.”

“Okay ♡”

She patters out.

Soon the shower starts.

Shaaaaa…

Maybe because of the alcohol, it sounds louder than yesterday.

(Oh no…)

I stand to throw away the empty cups—my legs wobble.

Vision spins.

Drunk + sleep deprivation combo—I’m at my limit.

I was going to drink more water to stay awake—

“I really might pass out…”

I collapse onto the bed.

(This smell…)

Soft young-woman scent—probably Ayase-san’s—wraps around me.

She only slept here last night, yet the futon still smells this good?

Same reason the shower sounds louder—alcohol heightening all my senses.

The smell is making me feel weird.

But more than that—

“Sensei~ you okay~? Still awake~? Wanna bathe together~?”

Her voice echoes from the bathroom.

I don’t even have the energy to answer.

Can’t move or speak.

(Gonna black out…)

Ten more seconds, then I’ll get up.

That’s what I thought, but I couldn’t—

6

“…Sensei… hey, Sensei… I borrowed another shirt, okay? How long are you gonna sleep? Wake up. If you don’t I’ll kiss you~ Here goes, mwah ♡ …Still not waking? Then as promised—kidding ♡”

What is this?

Such a sweet smell.

“…Jeez. No blanket either, you’ll catch a cold… shaking you doesn’t work. Fine, taking a sleeping photo. Can I take off your glasses?”

Tickles my ear.

Click.

Then something is draped over me.

“There. But now you look like a baby. Sensei so cute~ Want milkies? ♡”

That voice again—

“…Can’t give guidance like this… guess I’ll sleep too~ …Yeah, Sensei fell asleep on the bed, so… it’s fine, right…?”

Soft, warm comfort touches my body.

“Then… together… good night, Sensei ♡”

Next I hear steady thump-thump of a heartbeat.

Sweet scent fills my nose.

(This is Ayase-san’s—)

I think that, but can’t move to confirm.

(It’s a dream… probably…)

Wrapped in sweet scent and pleasant warmth, consciousness fades again—

▼　▼　▼

I jolt awake and shoot upright in bed.

“…Morning…?”

Curtains already open. Warm sunlight pours in.

I piece together last night:

Staff party → ran into Ayase-san on the way home → she stayed over again.

I remember eating the ice cream she bought.

After that—nothing. Memory blank.

(And this smell…?)

Girl smell—Ayase-san’s—but also something else.

Sweet, savory, delicious—fried egg?

Meat and rice too…

I look toward the kitchen—

“Ah, Sensei. Morning. You’re finally up.”

Her voice startles me.

I put on the glasses that were beside me and look.

(Sakuran— no, my student… right)

Not in uniform—cute casual clothes.

No glasses, hair down.

But I know it’s Ayase Sakurai.

“Ayase-san, what are you doing…?”

I get out of bed and walk over.

Finally fully awake.

“Making breakfast, obviously. Actually, it’s ready.”

“Why…?”

There shouldn’t be any real ingredients in this apartment.

I notice a convenience-store bag on the counter—she must have bought everything.

“Hehe… a super domestic Japanese breakfast to steal Sensei’s heart ♡ Then you’ll let me stay anytime ♡”

“No way.”

Chop!

“Ehhh why~ Reverse rape again~ Wait…”

She clutches her head with teary eyes, then—

“After what you did to me last night, you’re gonna pretend it never happened? I had no idea drunk Sensei was such a beast… it was intense… but maybe you don’t remember?”

Cheeks flushed, fidgeting, looking up at me with slightly teary eyes.

But—

“That’s a total lie.”

“It’s not!”

“Proof?”

“Uh… I have photos of your sleeping face…”

“That’s not proof. Then how about—”

I step closer—

Wall!

“Eek!”

“Now we do it again? …Wait—”

“Shall we do it again now?” I was just joking, but it ended up looking more like a wall-bang.

And–

On the other side of my arm was Ayase-san, her whole face bright red.

She was visibly shaken, wearing an expression I’d never seen on her before.

That’s when it hit me.

She’s still just a high school girl. Sixteen. A kid.

I quickly let go.

“Whoa, sorry. I was only kidding.”

“N-no, I was joking too… um… sorry.”

“Besides, even if you ‘got’ my heart, it wouldn’t count. The whole point was you helping me win someone else’s heart, remember?”

“That’s true, but… different things are different, right?”

“Wouldn’t that be a paradox?”

“Para-what now?”

“Okay, look. Imagine I actually get a girlfriend and she comes over. Then I couldn’t let you crash here like your friend did yesterday…”

“Eww, bringing girls home already? Sensei’s such a perv!”

“Who’re you calling a perv?!”

I almost added, “Who’s the one sleeping over right now?!”

“Anyway, it’s fine! We could all hang out together.”

“Huh?”

“Not like that! Not anything dirty!”

“I KNOW!”

For a split second my brain pictured it anyway and I turned crimson yelling back.

I don’t even have harem fantasies. I’m the type who likes proper rom-coms where one girl gets picked.

“Either way, a girlfriend would think it’s super weird. If it caused drama, it could be a disaster.”

It might cost me more than just my job.

“Also, do you really need to worry about that before you even have a girlfriend?”

“Urk… you’re the one who brought it up!”

“It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine! I’m great with older women, I’m confident. Actually, once you get a girlfriend I’ll just crash at her place instead~ ♡ So! This Saturday—are you free? If you are, go on a date with me ♡”

“…Huh?”

Date. The word came out of nowhere and I just froze.

“School’s out on Saturday, and yeah I’m free, but… what are you talking about?”

“We’ll discuss it over breakfast. Food’s getting cold♪”

▼ ▼ ▼

“Is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s good.”

It really was. Home-cooked breakfast like this—I hadn’t had it in forever. Felt nostalgic.

“Guidance!”

She pointed her chopsticks at me like a spear.

“Not ‘yeah it’s good,’ say it’s delicious! Come on, say ‘delicious’! That stuff matters.”

…She had a point.

“…It’s delicious. No question.”

“Yesss, perfect!”

She grinned, super pleased.

“If you were gonna be that lukewarm I should’ve dumped a ton of salt in it. Zero points if that was your reaction to your girlfriend. Zero points even for a student.”

“…And what’s the score for a student who barges into her teacher’s house?”

“Hmmm… waking up early to cook breakfast? Full 100 points out of 100.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Grrr, maybe I really should’ve salted the heck out of it.”

What even is my life right now.

The morning news was on while we ate. Weather ended, entertainment segment started.

First story: the weekend release of a new romantic movie starring the famous actress Kagami Yuri.

(Still gorgeous as ever…)

Kagami Yuri’s almost forty, but after losing her first husband young, she’s been linked with tons of celebrities and CEOs. And yeah—she’s stunning.

The selling point of this movie? Her steamy love scenes.

The second the bedroom clip started playing, the TV instantly shut off.

Ayase-san was pointing the remote, glaring at me with half-lidded eyes.

“Sensei’s such a perv.”

Second time today.

“The face you just made while watching? Minus ten thousand points.”

She’d totally caught me staring at the screen.

If my girlfriend saw that face—yeah, minus ten thousand, no argument.

I accept the L.

“Perfect timing anyway. Let’s talk about what I said earlier.”

“Earlier?”

“Saturday! Our date!”

She slammed both hands on the table and leaned forward.

Right, she did mention something like that before food.

“I told you last night I’d coach you, remember? We’re doing it Saturday.”

“How does coaching turn into a date…?”

“I seem to recall you muttering about profile pics and data or something…”

Oh yeah, then I passed out waiting for her to finish showering.

“Exactly! Your current photos look like you took them randomly at home. Super lame. We’re retaking them outside. If we don’t fix that, you’ll barely get any real likes.”

“I already retook them a bunch and picked the best ones…”

“Sensei, you’ve never actually looked at other guys’ photos, have you? Some dudes hire professional photographers.”

Hakamada never mentioned that. People go that far?

“So! I’ll take awesome shots from a girl’s perspective. Your like rate will explode, guaranteed! How’s that for perfect coaching?”

“…Okay, that does sound helpful. But midterms are next week—are you gonna be okay?”

“……That’s—”

She looked away.

“What was that reaction?”

“It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine! They’re only midterms. You know my grades from first year, right?”

I did. Perfectly average.

“So I’ll be totally fine. And if you give me the test answers as thanks, it’ll be perfect☆”

“No way in hell!”

“Relax, I know, I know. I’m actually studying. I’ll get decent scores.”

“You better…”

“For real! Plus one day off won’t kill me. So it’s decided! Gotta prep a bunch of stuff~!”

Somehow I got steamrolled into a Saturday plan.

After that I took a shower—hadn’t since getting home last night.

When I came back to the living room:

“Done~!”

Ayase-san had finished washing the dishes.

She grabbed her school bag nearby.

“Let’s go, Sensei ☆”

“Go? We’re not buddies or a couple—we’re teacher and student. We can’t walk to school together.”

Also, right now she wasn’t in school mode—no glasses, hair still its brighter color from cooking.

“Ahaha ☆ Of course I know that. I’ll leave first—I gotta change anyway. See ya later, Sensei ♡”

“Don’t message me during class.”

“You always say that! I get it already. Bleeeh!”

She pulled down her lower eyelid, stuck out her tongue, then bounced out the door.

A little while later I left too.

An hour or so after that—morning homeroom.

There she was in her proper school look: glasses, low twintails, sitting at her desk.

The second I walked in, our eyes met. She flashed the tiniest smile—then went right back to normal Ayase-san.

No LINE messages during class either.

Just one after school about Saturday plans.

▼　▼　▼

Saturday finally arrived.

The morning of our “coaching session.”

Ding-dong… ding-dong…

The doorbell woke me up.

“Who the heck at this hour…”

A little past nine. I’d planned to wake up around ten since we were meeting in the afternoon.

(Did I order something on Amazon…?)

Too early for delivery.

I shuffled to the door.

“…Huh?”

Standing there was Ayase-san.

“I’m heeeere ♡”