A/N:

Do check out this manga if you happen to just stumble upon my work. I may be putting some spoilers here, so be warned!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.

Insights, Advices and Eye-opening Talks [or Unexpected Lecture from a Student]

I swallowed hard and felt a film of sweat form in my forehead. I pressed the pause button of my handphone and ran a hand through my messy hair.

"Stop thinking about a lie, Shishio-sensei." Yuyuka leaned back on her seat and folded both of her arms over her chest. "You thought no one saw you, but I was watching Suzume. I kept an eye on her the whole night."

I bit the inside of my cheek, still unable to answer. Of course, I should expect such a probing opening sentence from Yosano's closest friend. I should have known that my action last night might have caught other people's attention. Should I be worried that I put Suzume Yosano in an unwanted spot?

I sat up straight from my seat and took my spectacles off, expression now serious.

"Did I did something that might be traced back to Yosano?" I asked softly.

Yuyuka frowned. She looked a little like a prim and proper school headmistress, suddenly faced with doling out punishment to a student, which feels ironic, considering I am her History professor.

"For the moment, no. But if you keep on acting reckless, you'll be subjecting my friend to a lot of grief."

Trying not to look guilty, I reached out for the coffee cup and used a finger to run around the rim contemplatively. I knew what she is talking about is true. If I don't stop obsessing about her friend, I could end up doing something I might regret in the future.

"I'm sorry." I could only mumble out in shame.

She gave a long sigh. "You're supposed to tell her that and not to my face. But you should know, you are banned from getting even two feet near her."

I fingered the cup's handle, watching the steam rising from the aromatic black coffee.

"I can't forget her." I admitted at last. "I tried to, but everytime I close my eyes, all I could see is her face, every single night. I can't get a decent amount of sleep since we broke up."

"Serves you right." She retorted severely. "You don't know how much she was hurt by your rejection. You made her fall for you and yet you ended up playing a coward and making her feel like a fool!" Her nostrils flared in anger, and the image of Yuyuka consoling Suzume flashed in my mind. My chest tightened.

"I never told anyone this, not even Suzume. But part of the reason why I decided to break up with her was that her Uncle found out about us." I lifted the cup and slowly took a sip. The coffee smelled really good, and yet it's bitterness entirely matched the mood I was in.

"Interesting." Yuyuka nodded, pursing her lips and eyeing me sternly. "Even if you don't tell me this, you need to stop being pitiful and start acting mature. You wanted Suzume Yosano to have a normal highschool life that won't be hindered by your presence. That's exactly what she is doing. So please refrain from interfering with her life again."

My ears perked up at her last sentence. I placed the coffee cup down with a clatter and studied Yuyuka's face.

"Did she tell you this?" I asked, my eyebrows knitted together in puzzlement.

"No! But I can tell, she was very much affected by you. She was distracted during the last couple of hours until the dance ended. Mamura was very concerned and thought she was coming down with a flu." Yuyuka squirmed a little uncomfortable under my penetrating gaze. Her cheeks look a little pink.

"Where is she now? Is she alright?"

She hesitated for a moment. And then she nodded. "I just came from her house. She was nursing a flu. Her temperature is still high when I left. And she looked sad and confused. Her eyes are all puffy and red. I don't need to be a genius to know she cried the whole night."

Why is she telling me all this? I thought the purpose of this conversation was for her to warn me to stay away from her friend once and for all. If that is the case, then why do I feel like she suddenly did something behind her friend's back?

A spark of home bloomed deep within my chest. Just a spark. But it was enough to do something about my mood. Suzume still cared about me. And though Yuyuka Nekota thinks I'm nothing but some trashy person who doesn't deserve her friend's affectons, she went out of her way to talk to me and tell me indirectly that I might be able to help improve her friend's condition somewhat.

I grabbed my phone and hesitated. If I go and see her now, she might not be happy to see me at all. I might make it worse for her. Or her Uncle might prevent me from seeing her. Or, I might do something again that I will regret later.

As I weigh my options, I can sense that Yuyuka is observing me while I decided consciously.

She gently placed a hand on top of my own.

"She still cares for you. And I know you genuinely care for her too. I wish that you gave yourselves time to grow accustomed to each other. If you want this relationship to achieve something, you guys need to talk and decide what you want in the future. Don't just let opportunity pass you by. You want to do something good. Try putting your best for her sake."

How profoundly mature she look giving me something to hold on to if I attempt to reach for the unreachable. Yuyuka Nekota is one person who doesn't really thinks favorably high of me. But when it comes to Suzume Yosano, she is willing to overlook my previous mistakes and give me another chance to prove my worth to her friend.

I reached behind my jeans pocket and retrieved some bank notes and slapped it onto the table. The waitress can keep the change for all I care. I only want to see Suzume!

With a last long look thrown at her, I stood up and hurriedly left the coffeeshop. My future hangs in a balance in the next few hours.

A/N: I am looping Ghost Stories by Coldplay. Anyone who can recommend other similar albums?

Let me know what you think.