Stealing Spree

A few minutes after I finished my reporting, I simply focused on massaging Hayashi-sensei’s head. Eventually, she closed her eyes, looking more relaxed than earlier. The crease on her forehead disappeared and her natural beauty once again returned to its peak.

Looking at her from above, I couldn’t help but shake my head at how she just let herself be stuck in a standstill, longing for her first love for so long.

Many probably tried to woo her but to no avail. And now that she freed herself from it, there’s no doubt that if they found out about it, they’d once again pile up in front of her to take her hand in marriage.

They’ll be lucky if they can emulate even a portion of what made her like my father that much. Will it be impossible? Maybe. But in the end, it’s all up to her.

“How is it, sensei?” I soon raised that question as my way to wiggle my way out of this situation.

I finished my report and her headache was more or less relieved from the massage, no matter how amateurish my moves were. There’s no reason for me to remain here anymore.

“What? Do you like to be praised?”

Taking a different meaning from that question, Hayashi-sensei’s lips drew into a smirk as her eyes opened slightly to look at me. Almost instantly, a crease once again formed on her forehead. Either she didn’t like me staring at her from above like this or she just found my face unpleasant because I still reminded her of my father. Whatever the case, I tried to interpret it on my own terms.

That didn’t sit well with her and she’s probably just embarrassed to admit it.

Yeah. Right. As if it’s always that convenient to be correct in all of my assumptions.

“Nope. Just making sure whether it’s effective or not. I may have offered it but I’m not an expert.” I answered with a straight face, not minding her current expression.

“Not an expert, huh? And yet you boldly claim you want to help me. You’re gutsy and shameless. That’s something you beat your father in.”

And there she goes again. When will she stop bringing him up, I wonder? As much as I try not to push our conversation there, she’ll always have a way to insert him... But then again, this shows how much she really likes him.

“You mean he’s not shameless and gutsy?”

“He is. But he’s only like that around your mother. When it comes to other people... he’s your typical nerdy guy who has nothing to talk about but his studies.”

“I see. Nerdy guy... Why does he claim he’s an intellectual?”

“Intellectual? Hah! If you saw him never backing down from debating with other people regarding his views and opinions while backing it up with knowledge you won’t normally pick up in a school textbook, you’ll have the same opinion as me. He was such a nerd.”

Hayashi-sensei ended that with a chuckle as her eyes seemed to wander to days past, remembering a moment she just described.

“Maybe I should try becoming one as well.”

Saying that successfully pulled her mind back to the present. However, I was met with a sneer.

“You? As if you have time to absorb more knowledge with how busy you are chasing after girls.”

She’s not entirely wrong with that. I don’t have a lot of time. But she had no idea how I could still cram a lot even with my extremely limited time.

“Well, this might sound like I’m bragging but I’m studying a lot of things on the side.”

“Such as?”

“You know, lessons in business etiquette, keyboard, boxing, and maybe some tennis? I have reliable mentors on them.”

“Who? Your girls? Alright brat, that’s bragging. But here, let me remind you, you’re doing a lot of things at the same time. That is a recipe for poor efficiency.”

I understand what she’s trying to say. Most of the time, people will not really improve if they focus on a lot of things rather than on one. Not only that, it will be a waste of time because any lesson won’t stick in their heads.

“Maybe it is inefficient compared to someone only focusing on things. However, sensei... I only have a few years here. I have to choose my path before graduating. That’s why I decided to try different paths and study them to find out what will be best for me.”

“Don’t you know the phrase ‘do not bite more than you can chew’? Wait. Forget it. You’re like that already. You’ve bitten a lot of ripe fruits out there and you’re not stopping. You’re a hopeless brat.”

“Mhm. I won’t refute that. It is just as you say, sensei. Nonetheless, I’ll continue with it... I have the support of everyone. They’re willing to stay with me. I have to be the man that can support everyone too, no matter how difficult it will be.”

“I’m not going to discourage you on that but you’re aware that words will be just words until you’ve accomplished what you set for yourself, right? Don’t get burnt out.”

This time, Hayashi-sensei reached for my hands and squeezed them tight. There’s no meaning to it. It’s just an elder trying to comfort the younger generation.

Her lips also relaxed into a warm smile, something I seldom see from her.

As a response, I nodded and smiled back. Following that, when she let go of my hand, I bent my knees a little before enclosing my arms around her shoulders, embracing her from behind.

Hayashi-sensei didn’t expect that. The moment she realized what I did, she became stiff as she stared at my crossed arms in front of her.

“Thanks for the concern, sensei. I think I should say the same to you. Don’t get burnt out. You kept on claiming that you’re fine but the way I see it, you’re still struggling.”

“... Shut up, brat. What do you know?”

“Maybe not a lot but I’m quite keen on picking up people’s emotional state so even if you try to hide it, I’ll still be able to pick up when you’re conflicted about something. Anyway, I apologize for embracing you like this. I just thought you might need it.”

Well, it was really obvious to me but doing this was also my way to continue separating my image from that of my father in her head. I know it’ll be hard for her not to compare us but it’s necessary.

I might also just be getting ahead of myself here... if that’s the case, I’ll apologize to her again when the time comes. But for now... it’ll be like this.

Hayashi-sensei stayed silent for a long while. I tried to read her expression from the side but all I managed to pick up was that she was locked in contemplation.

A minute or two came to pass before she looked in my direction as she indignantly muttered, “... I’ll only forgive you this one time.”

“I understand. I’ll ask for permission next time.”

“There’s no next time!”

I didn’t reply to that anymore and simply put on a playful smile which made her avert her gaze in annoyance. However, that’s all she did, my arms remained locked around her, and gradually, Hayashi-sensei leaned her head against my chest as she also attempted to relax in this state.

If someone suddenly opened the door, seeing this sight would definitely be bad. But thankfully, no one would ever dare to enter this room without her permission.

Just like this, my stay in the room got extended for a few minutes.

When I was about to excuse myself, Hayashi-sensei gave me a reminder, “I appreciate your help but don’t tell anyone about what happened, you shameless brat.”