Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Remedial Classroom

I messed uuuup~!

Asano Yuichi Modern Japanese Language Quiz: 0 points

O-of course, I didn’t get a 0 with my actual ability. Even I wouldn’t do something that gag-manga-like.

It’s just… I ended up falling asleep.

Thinking ‘This year, I’ll do it!’ I made a resolution and stayed up late diligently preparing for the test, but in a complete reversal of my intentions, I ended up falling asleep during the actual test.

…Well, at least… It was only a quiz.

The shock was significant, but for now, I’ll buy juice from the vending machine and try to lift my spirits…

“Asano-kun.”

Someone called out to me from behind as I left the classroom, and my shoulders jumped.

Turning around, I saw Morihara-sensei holding a file to her chest. Even the simple act of adjusting her glasses looked like an intellectual gesture, and I couldn’t help but stare. No, this is not the time to be staring. She’s definitely going to be angry…!

As I stood frozen, unable to move my feet from the hallway floor, sensei quickly closed the distance. With an expressionless face, she spoke to me in her usual tone.

“About the quiz. Can you stay after school today?”

“…Y-yes.”

“Then, come to the remedial classroom after school.”

Sensei left those words and turned the corner of the hallway with light steps.

…It can’t be helped that I have remedial lessons, but more than that, sensei’s cool demeanor that makes it impossible to tell if she’s angry or not is… Yeah, it’s really scary.

***

“Excuse me…”

After school, I followed sensei straight to the remedial classroom. Even if it’s remedial lessons with everyone’s admiration, Morihara-sensei, remedial lessons are still remedial lessons. I want to get them over with quickly. Well, it’s my fault though…

Of course, sensei had no way of knowing my feelings and began preparing for the remedial lesson indifferently.

“Sit there.”

“Yes.”

There was only one way to finish quickly. Just do it seriously. I had prepared for the test, so if I could just concentrate, I should be able to finish quickly…!

Just as I thought that…

“Then let’s start right away.”

“!”

I thought she would sit in front of me, but for some reason, she sat next to me.

And… she’s way too close!!

No, it’s not just close, our shoulders are completely touching!!

“Is something the matter?”

“N-nothing…”

I couldn’t say anything when she spoke to me from such close range… Thinking that, I looked to the side, and as expected, sensei’s profile was right there.

I realized once again… Morihara-sensei is really beautiful… Her eyelashes are so long, and her nose is so slender…

“Asano-kun?”

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

“Focus. Now, I’ll go over the quiz questions again…”

Sensei, with her usual coolness, enveloped the remedial classroom in a sweet fragrance and helped me review the lesson and redo the quiz.

***

“…Yes. You pass.”

“Alright!”

I unconsciously pumped my fist.

But then I noticed sensei staring at me and quickly retracted it.

I couldn’t read any emotion from her jet-black eyes. Well, I never had that ability anyway. All I could understand was that she was incredibly beautiful.

Bathed in the reddish hue of the setting sun streaming through the window, sensei seemed to ponder for a moment before quietly opening her mouth.

“I thought you were sleeping because you didn’t understand…”

“Ah, no, that… I’m sorry.”

Even though I had studied until late at night, it was true that I had fallen asleep, so there was no way to make excuses.

As I hung my head, sensei closed the distance again, this time pressing her thigh against mine.

I could feel her face so close that I couldn’t bring myself to look at her.

“Asano-kun.”

I felt her breath against my ear, and my body stiffened. Now I was wondering, why was sensei…

“Were my classes boring?”

“Eh?”

“Well… You always seem so serious, so for you to fall asleep…”

“N-no, not at all. That…”

“?”

“Um… It’s not that your classes are hard to understand! Um… your classes are…”

“…Could it be… you were up late studying? Your quiz score was better than I expected.”

“Eh?! …No, that…”

Suddenly hit with the truth, I couldn’t help but look at sensei.

Our faces were so close that we could almost feel each other’s breath. I was surprised, but our eyes met and wouldn’t let go.

Contrary to her cool image, her black eyes were gentle, yet they made my heart pound.

As I remained frozen, her slightly crimson lips moved.

“I see… You’re a hard worker. But overdoing it is not good. With this kind of thing, it’s more efficient to steadily build up your knowledge within your limits, rather than making a temporary effort.”

“Y-yes, I understand.”

“Well then, you can go home now. Good work. Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

“Yes… Goodbye…”

“Yes, see you tomorrow. Be careful on your way home.”

***

Slowly, I closed the door of the remedial classroom.

“You’re a hard worker.”

…I felt like I had been praised by someone for the first time in a long time.

Those warm words echoed in my head over and over again, while I was on my way home and even after I lay down in my room.

***

“Her face… was so close… I was so nervous.”

“…I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

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