The hallways were filled with the chatter of students and young 'lovers'. Same day as any, same result as all, I want to go home. No. What I wanted to do today? I wanted to see Hiratsuka-sensei.
Under the radar of course, we agreed to spend this Friday together. I had told Yukinoshiat-san, my 'girlfriend' that I had to run errands and wouldn't be able to stay after school. She reluctantly agreed last night.
How would this end? Obviously this was not going to work in the state it is in now. I can't be in a "relationship" with Yukinoshita-san, and still be in my relations with Sensei. I can't help but feel..I sense a war just beyond the horizon, and it's end I can not see.
Someone, rushed me from the back and hugged tightly, shortly releasing me.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Hachiman!"
"M-Mm. Ohayo, Yukinoshita. Genki?- Wait- Did you just call me by my first name?"
"Eh- H-Hai." Her cheeks were colored in very well.
"Ohh.. Eto... I am fine, doing well this morning. Thank you."
"That's good to hear! I'm glad!"
"Mm. I should get to class, I'll see you at first break then, Yukinoshita-san?"
"Yeah, see you then."
We parted ways and went to our separate classrooms. Part of me really felt bad about being false. Don't get anything wrong, if Yukinoshita had been more open and direct about her feelings before all the drama with Sensei happened...then I guarantee, I'd have agreed to be her boyfriend in a heartbeat. I deep down, liked Yukinoshita-san in actuality.
However, the situation was different. And my own heart pounded heavily for Hiratsuka-sensei...
No, never did I have the slightest notion that I would start to like a more mature (in someways) woman. That's just how it is now. It it was unmistakable.
I took a seat at my desk just as the final bell rang for homeroom. Shizuka wasn't in room yet, so we all lounged around waiting for our teacher to enter the room.
Yesterday, Sensei insisted on walking with me for a while. She walked with me to the halfway point between school and my home. Our walk was mostly silent and nothing of too much significance really occurred, except the small minute details that make a big difference, like how there were a few times when I would catch a whole hearted smile and/or coloration in her face. Yesterday, the one significant phrase I remember her saying was,"Tomorrow, I'll try something significantly different, Hikigaya." Although not much happened, it was pleasant.
The door slid open and the room became silent. Hiratsuka-sensei finally entered the room. Normally the room wouldn't drop volume, but it soon became obvious to me as to the reason why.
Sensei's dress and appearance was slightly different today. She still wear her usual white shirt, maroon neck tie, black vest, and white labcoat, but instead of her usual neatly pressed slacks, she woar a knee length black skirt and black flat shoes. Her lab coat still extended beyond the bottom edge of her skirt, coming to a stop just slightly above her ankles. Her appearance today was eye catching to me. Yes, she did indeed 'try something significantly different' and she was beautiful.
"Before we begin," she began, I'd like to make a slight seating arrangement change."
She pointed to the guy sitting in the desk closest to hers in the fron row.
"Masaki-kun, please switch places with Hachim- I mean, Hikigaya-kun?"
"H-Hai Sensei!"
He quickly picked up his bags and moved to my seat in the back of the room. Likewise, I moved to the front row. I was now seated at the forward right corner of the room on the row second from the far right. Although I did not like this very much, in fact I despised it, a look at Sensei revealed the slightest smile revealing itself on her features.
"That'll be all, now beginning with today's lesson..."
The day went on as normal, from that point on. Soon, the bell for first break sounded.
On my way out the door after the crowd had already trickled out sensei shot me a quiet phrase.
"Remember to see me after class is over today, Hikigaya-kun."
A smile grew across her face.
I quietly acknowledged and continued out the door and down the hall. Time to meet Yukinoshita-san.
On the school roof by the railing, I finally found her. She noticed my presence when the door shut and turned around.
"Konnichiwa, Yukinoshita-san."
"Domo." was all she replied.
"Something wrong?" I asked, walking toward her.
"Not really. Just wondering."
"Hm."
We were both leaning on the railing over looking the town. It was peaceful. A slight breeze rolled in.
"Hikigaya-kun... After graduation, where do you think we'll be?"
"Who knows where, Japan is a big country. And the world is full of even bigger countries. It's quite possible that after graduation, we may never even have to see each other again."
"Yeah..you're right... Not seeing each other..or crossing paths... Hikigaya-kun, would you make the effort to cross paths with us?"
"Hm? Well..it's entirely possible."
"But would you?"
"I don't know. Why are you so touchy right now? Where'd this Yukinoshita-san come from?"
"I would."
"Huh?"
"I'd make the effort to see each other. Especially you, Hikigaya-kun."
I looked toward her and saw a faint smile. I guess she is really sensing the nearing of graduation.
"Although I was always quiet, and anti-social," she began,"I really enjoyed our club meetings together, even if we were mainly just sitting around without sharing a single word. I loved every moment of them."
"Hm. I see. Well, if you put it that way, I guess I could say the same. I mean all I had to do mostly, is sit there and do nothing."
"Yeah, you're right."
She moved closer to me, closing the already small distance between us. Our shoulders brushed against each other.
Yukinoshita-san leaned up against me and naturally I put an arm around her shoulders. My heart rate did increase slightly.
It doesn't matter who it is, when a girl brushes up against you like this, your heart rate should and will increase.
The bell for class rang.
"Ah, the bell for class," she started, sounding disappointed,"We'd best start heading back."
"Yeah...I guess we should."
"Uh, Hikigaya-kun, I must inform you that I have some matters to attend to during lunch, I probably won't be able to see you, unfortunately. I assume you also have something to attend to?"
"Hmm, not really, but after school yes. Since you are busy, I'll just hang around the classroom then."
"I see...then, please enjoy yourself."
"I will try."
Turning around, towards the door, I gasped ever so slightly. Leaning against the wall next to the door, one foot propped against the wall and head tilted downward, lab coat tails swaying lightly in the breeze, was Hiratsuka-sensei.
"Hiratsuka-sensei?" Yukinoshita asked.
"Hm," she began,"young love..."
Just how long had she been there?!
"You should be careful Hikigaya-kun, you may never know who you might affect when displaying affection towards others. Although it's not very likely. I'll see you in class," she said, heading down the stairs.
"You? Making someone else jealous?" Yukinoshita couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Yeah, sure, laugh all you want.
"Hikigaya-kun," sensei pointed,"please step into the hall and reflect on your actions."
"What do you mean?! What did I-"
"Do not argue with your teacher! Step out into the hall and reflect!"
I stood up and fumed out of the classroom. I can't believe I was getting disciplinary action, and for what?! The class just got into session, five minutes ago!
"Please work on the assignment at hand while I am out. And stay focused!" Sensei wrapped up her instruction giving, and headed for the door.
She threw open the door then closed it firmly behind her.
"What are you up to," I spoke in a quieter voice, inaudible from the other side of the class's, sound isolating walls,"I haven't done anything, and you know it."
"Of course you did something, just think back."
"Really, are you jealous or something?"
"Of course not! Your little display with Yukinoshita-san is breaking school code. You are to focus on your studies and keep all relations professional and friendly."
"Uh huh. When has anyone, you especially, enforced that rule? No teacher enforces it or cares. The principal doesn't even care, neither does the student council. No one enforces that. You are jealous."
"No I am not..."
I smirked,"You're not your normal self right now..."
A slight groan was heard from the back of her throat,"Mmm.. So what if I am?!"
"Ha! See you admit it!"
She did look really pretty today I had to note.
"Shut up and live with it," she pouted, cheeks coloring up,"I can't help it you know..."
"Then let me educate you."
I grabbed her tie, pulled her in, and locked our lips together, pulling out shortly.
Hiratsuka gasped, and frantically looked up and down the hall,"You know we can't do that during school hours right?"
"Teachers are all in class, and students are stuck in there rooms as well, we're fine."
"What if we were seen?"
"You worry too much."
"I have reason to."
"Mmhm. You kissed me in front of Yukinoshita-san.. Your lucky, she may have forgotten about it and is silent."
"We'll talk about this more after school... Let's get back in class."
She kissed me again lightly on the cheek and opened the door, leading us back into the room.
Umm, sensei...next time enter the room after your cheeks completely lose their redness, there is still a light subtle trace still there.