Last night, I had this strange dream.

I was walking down a dark, narrow, and long alley on my way back home.

At the end of the alley, I found myself surrounded by dimly-lit, gigantic aquarium.

I continued to walk forward, with the aquarium's faint blue light as my guide.

Flickering shadows of the swimming fishes danced around, inviting me to come further.

I walked deeper, within the heart of the aquarium maze.

The fishes were gone. Jellyfishes took their place. They were floating gently, swept away by the water's current. Their translucent, soft bodies were glowing from the aquarium's faint blue light, giving off a mystical aura.

I heard a sound. A crystal clear sound. It flows throughout the chilly air like a wisp of breath.

A piano?

Speeding up my pace, I found a big piano at the middle of the larger area. Someone must be playing it.

"Sensei,"

I was stunned in silence. Such a beautiful sound...a wonderful, almost otherworldly performance.

Genos was sitting there, his figure basked in the blue light. His lips formed an enigmatic smile.

I've heard this song before. This melancholic, lonely, tearful piece. Somehow, it feels so nostalgic, but I can't remember anything.

I felt my consciousness drifting away, while Genos' song keeps playing, soothing my ears with those seductive tunes.

"Sleep tight...Saitama-sensei."

It was a rather chilly morning. I sneezed a little when I entered the faculty office, greeting the other lecturers. They turned on the TV, watching a morning news about a scandal.

"The 26-year old teacher was found guilty of sexually harassing his 15-year old female student," the anchorwoman spoke, causing multiple eyebrows raised within the office.

"What a repulsive man," one of the lecturers reacted with disgust, "taking advantage from an innocent teenager...how distasteful!"

"I agree, he's a disgrace to our society."

"Ewww...he must be an ephebophile. Gross."

"That's sooo creepy. Right, Saitama-san?" Fubuki asked, looking uncomfortable from hearing the news.

"Errr...yeah. what a creep," I replied to her, also feeling uncomfortable from an entirely different context.

Crap. What's this all about? Are you people trying to make me feel bad or something?

"What if there's more people like him within our vicinity? It gives me chills to think about it," Fubuki's fellow lecturer friend hissed, adjusting her glasses.

I gulped, a drop of cold sweat rolled down my neck.

"Saitama-sensei, are you feeling fine?"

My breath was almost stopped at the moment. The childish, shrill voice of Fubuki's older sister shook me back into reality.

"I'm fine, Tatsumaki-sensei," I replied, trying to act cool as usual.

"Huh, but you don't look too good. Your face is pale, too," she inspected my face, her voice doesn't express any concern at all. It was a mere curiosity, or rather, suspicion.

"Oh, yeah, I want to have some talk with you. Is it okay, Saitama-sensei?" Tatsumaki gazed intently at me, "follow me."

Heavily, I nodded my head. This can't be good. That woman is sharp, as sharp as her younger sister. She probably knew everything already. Oh, shit.

"Nee-chan, where are you going with Saitama-san?" Fubuki asked, worried about a strange glint appearing on her sister's eyes. Even Fubuki knew that Tatsumaki was up to something.

"It doesn't concern you at all, my dear sister," Tatsumaki waved her hand, shooing Fubuki, "I have a small business with Saitama-sensei here. It won't be long."

I stepped out of the office with Tatsumaki, leaving the anxious Fubuki and the other lecturers. She dragged me to the counseling office, and locked the door afterwards. This is gonna be serious.

"Saitama-sensei," Tatsumaki dropped the bomb, "for how long have you been working as a tutor outside of this institution?"

Goddammit. She knew it already.

"I...since last year's winter," I gulped, telling her the truth. It was no use to tell her lies anymore. Also, she would be enraged if I were lying.

"Is it Genos? That cocky, good-for-nothing brat?" she hit another bullseye, "is it?"

Again, I nodded my head. What is she going to do? Firing me? Expelling me like what her father did to Genos? If so, where am I supposed to work?

"You worked here because of Fubuki's recommendations, right? Even though you didn't met our qualifications to become a tutor here, but we still accepted you. At first, I was against it. But my father felt pity for your poverty, so he took you in. I don't care if you're Fubuki's friend or whatever, " Tatsumaki pointed her finger to me─her voice became a lot harsher, "however, your actions disgust me. You became that boy's personal tutor for 4 months? That, my friend, is a definition of insane."

"What's wrong with looking for extra earning?" I asked, feeling an uneasiness spurning violently.

Tatsumaki widened her eyes in disbelief, "you worked for that kind of extra earning?! How loathsome!"

"What? I...I didn't do anything to Genos! I mean, I'm just tutoring him twice or thrice a week for three hours each...and that's it! I swear!"

"It seems that you don't know anything about that kid," the woman lowered her tone, gave me a serious warning,

"There's been an unpleasant rumor surrounding him. He's been paying prostitutes. That brat's been sleeping around with countless of people, even more than your non-existent girlfriend."

Tatsumaki pointed her finger once again, called out her last ultimatum.

"If you wish to stay working in this institution, please stop visiting that scandalous young man. This is for your own reputation─and our reputation, Saitama-sensei."

She unlocked the door, and walked out quite swiftly. I dragged my feet, unable comprehend everything.

What the hell was she saying? Paying prostitutes? Sleeping around? With that kind of rich-ass money, it won't be a problem for him, right?

Wait, that's just a rumor, right? What if it wasn't true? What if it's just a fabrication created to ruin Genos' reputation?

But...what if it really was true...? Should I stop to visit him anymore?

I sighed.

I still don't know anything about Genos, it seems.

Three days later, I came back to Genos' residence. I wanted to clarify the truth, but I wasn't able to bring myself to do it.

"Ah, welcome, Saitama-sensei!" Genos greeted politely.

I was too flabbergasted. I couldn't believe he's that kind of person. I know, he's unpredictable, a bit of antisocial, and weird. But I still believe in him, no matter what other people said about him.

"You're going to attend highschool next week, eh?" I sneered, "you gotta remove those piercings on your ears first. Otherwise, you're gonna get yourself in trouble again, just like what you did in junior high."

"Understood, Sensei," he replied obediently, "I'll remove these tomorrow."

I smiled. He really can change, from a troublemaker to this overly-polite, obedient kid. All credits goes for me, as his teacher, right? Haha, I'm so proud of myself.

"By the way, Sensei," Genos showed me a pair of black uniform, "I got this the other day. I want...to try wearing this."

I saw Genos' ears went red. His face was blushing, hard. I chuckled, unable to resist myself from teasing him more.

"Sure, go for it!" I cheered him up, "Oh my God, I can't wait to see you graduate from a punk to a model student! Heheheheh..."

"Sensei, please stop making fun of me..." he pouted. Oh, shit. He's so cute.

Few minutes later, Genos came out of his room─wearing said uniform. His sleeves were a little too loose, but it fits him perfectly. He fidgeted sheepishly, waiting for my reaction.

"H─how do I look?" he asked. His face was burning red, yet again.

I can't believe that Tatsumaki's words were true. I couldn't even believe my own eyes, looking at this kid.

He changed. He fucking changed. He's not that audacious punk who loves to beat people's shit out anymore. He's a new person right now.

I walked out to Genos, approaching him.

"Sensei?"

People can change. That was the thing they couldn't understand from Genos. Even so, maybe they won't believe this actually happened.

Out of an overwhelming affection, I ruffled Genos' blond hair. I never felt so accomplished and proud of becoming a teacher before.

"Congratulations for your graduation," I smiled, "I wish for a better future in your highschool years."

Genos blinked hard, keeping his tears from falling. He smiled back at me.

"Thanks to you, Sensei. I wouldn't came all this way if it wasn't for you."

I guess, this is what being a human feels like─we can change ourselves, for better or for worse.

"Sensei."

"Hmmm?"

"I know...this is rather sudden...but..."

Genos bit his lip, gulped hard. He tugged on my sleeves, his head hung low.

"What is it? Just tell me."

"Please...would you...reconsider? My request," he stuttered, "I can't hold this feelings any longer."

I waited, patiently. I knew what he was going to say, and I knew the danger it would cause me...but I brushed it all away. I ignored Tatsumaki's echoing words inside my head.

"Would you...go out with me?" Genos anxiously fidgeted, "I just...wanted to know your answer. It's okay, if you don't want to, but...please answer me, at the very least."

You idiot. The answer is clear, isn't it? And also, why does it have to be YOU who confessed this stupid shit first...aaah, I feel so lame.

"Yeah, sure. Why not?"

Genos' face lit up with embarrassment. He leaned his head on my chest.

"Thank you."

I chose to embrace it all. Your overflowing feelings, that is.

That night, I had another dream.

I was floating underwater, but I was able to breathe.

I swam among the group of fishes surrounding me, with their shiny scales glittering.

The water was dimly lit by the floating, blue light emitted from the jellyfishes.

I heard the piano sound again, resonating through my ears.

The sound, as clear and brilliant as a diamond.

That's right, I remember now.

It's Gymnopédie.