Stealing Spree

“Sensei, good morning.”

As a response, I turned my head to greet Orimura-sensei while evidently ignoring her question. Moreover, I kept my hand on Eguchi-sensei, caressing her cheek with my thumb.

Was there a relevancy to doing it this way? Maybe. However, this decision was based on my own understanding of Orimura-sensei.

She’s already suspicious of us. Even if I tried to make an excuse, she wouldn’t believe it. So, why not try a different approach and openly face her moral high ground? Not to mention, it’s really a blunder on my part for forgetting that piece of information that Eguchi-sensei told me.

This was the best way to, at least, throw her off.

“Good morning??? Is that all you have to say?”

Yep. There was a need for that emphasis there. Orimura-sensei’s response was overtly coated with her incredulity. Although it was short of her pointing at me while looking royally pissed, her expression alone was more than enough to show how unacceptable it was.

At this point, Eguchi-sensei who also realized her blunder opened her eyes again and apologetically lowered her head. In any case, feeling the warmth of my palm, the hint of satisfaction remained visible on her lips.

A moment later, she joined me when facing Orimura-sensei and gently called out to her, “Sanae, it’s fine.”

“Onoda-kun and I have gotten this close. I’m sorry.” She continued while showing the same gesture of lowering her head.

Upon hearing that, Orimura-sensei was speechless. Or rather, she couldn’t believe that she was hearing that from Eguchi-sensei.

Her eyes became shaky and her chest heaved up and down, possibly trying to hold back snapping at us.

After a few seconds, she closed her eyes and released a long sigh. When she opened it again, her lips curved up into a helpless smile, “Ryouko... I know I can only be seen as a troublesome meddler in this instance. I did warn you. This won’t end well if this gets out. Besides, don’t you have a girlfriend, Onoda? Why... Why are you doing this to your teacher? Don’t you think this will be bad for her?”

Yeah. Her reaction was definitely understandable. With Eguchi-sensei partly confessing there even though we haven’t shown anything condemning yet, that confirmation was enough for Orimura-sensei. Not counting the fact that she knew about my relationship with Satsuki, Eguchi-sensei being my teacher was already bad enough.

Thinking about it, it’s probably for this reason that she accompanied her here. To prevent us from committing a taboo.

I checked on Eguchi-sensei and her current state. She probably didn’t want to keep lying to her friend. And obviously, she’s definitely feeling bad about this. However, her mind was already made up when she chose to be in this situation with me. She recognized how wrong this was. Yet she still chose not to back down and draw the line again.

“Sensei, I understand where you’re coming from and the possible consequences if this ever gets out. You’re looking out for Eguchi-sensei. That much is admirable. I won’t make any excuses on my part or convince you to accept this. I’ll only say this, we’re in a complex relationship far from what the society has grown accustomed to.”

I could have worded that better. But what’s the use of it if the meaning remains the same? Like I said, since the cat’s already out of the bag, any and all excuses will just crumble before the fact.

It’s up to Orimura-sensei’s judgement on how to deal with this. Will she continue meddling with us? Report us? Or keep quiet for the sake of Eguchi-sensei?

Whichever option she chooses, I am ready to face it and continue to stand next to Eguchi-sensei.

Likewise, Eguchi-sensei also resolved herself for this.

“I won’t ask you to understand us, Sanae. You can be mad at me for not listening to you but it’s already way past that point. I have no plan on backing down from the decision I made.”

After saying that, Eguchi-sensei helplessly shrugged before sitting upright to emit her resolve Orimura-sensei.

She then turned to face me, placed her hand on top of mine and helplessly smiled, “Onoda-kun, though I said that, I believe we’re both thinking the same thing. Let’s take a step back at this moment and not further aggravate the situation.”

“Mhm. I’ll sit at the back and subject myself to Orimura-sensei’s wrath.”

Eguchi-sensei shook her head helplessly at that feeble attempt at humor, “Onoda-kun... I commend you for trying to lighten the mood but... I know Sanae won’t resort to that. I’ll be driving so... I’ll leave her to you.”

Well, that’s how it is. Even until now, Orimura-sensei was stuck speechless. She probably didn’t know how to react to the words we said or what we’d shown her. Her head couldn’t process it all right away.

And so, following Eguchi-sensei's words, I moved to the back of the car and sat right next to the frozen woman.

After checking on us through the rearview mirror, Eguchi-sensei started the car and drove it away from our neighborhood.

The first few minutes were fairly spent in an icy silence as I waited for Orimura-sensei to snap out of her state.

And when she did, the woman acted as I expected.

“Brat, you really have no shame, do you?”

She grabbed my wrist and gripped it tightly. I could sense the boiling rage inside her and at the same time, her helplessness. She knew that if she acted on it, she wouldn’t resolve anything at all. Hence, this was all she could resort to doing.

“Indeed. I’m sorry, sensei. I’ve already shown you this side of me before, haven’t I?”

“Yeah. I remember... I shouldn’t have helped you back then. Tell me, why are you doing this?”

“I’m afraid you won’t like my answer.”

“I can’t wrap my head around it. Ryouko has always been afraid of men yet... you’ve managed to change her opinion this quick.”

“It’s not that I’ve changed Ryouko-san’s opinion, sensei. How should I explain it? I’m just different from the other guys.”

“You’re boasting.”

“Maybe. But that’s the easiest explanation to understand. Tell me, do you see me as a normal student as well? I know I’m being cocky here but sensei, even I cannot see myself as normal.”

Orimura-sensei couldn’t reply right away from that. And even Eguchi-sensei who could hear our conversation also looked stumped when I matched her gaze from the mirror.

Yep. I am a menace through and through.

“... You’re right. You stand out a lot from the other boys. You always have this mysterious shroud on you... I can criticize you all I want and you possibly won’t even take it to heart.”

“Not really. I’m reflecting on all of the criticisms thrown at me. I just cannot fix what I considered not broken. This is how I am, sensei. I won’t ask you to understand me. You can make things worse for me from here on out. That’s your choice. However, I’ll never leave Ryouko-san’s side unless she asks me to do so.”

“So, you’re saying everything rests on Ryouko’s hand? Instead of owning up to the responsibility, you’re going to hand it to her? Wow. You’re a selfish brat.”

This... I don’t know if I should rejoice or not. For the first time... someone sees me for what I am.

Yeah. I’m not a selfless guy but the opposite of it.

“Mhm. I’m glad Orimura-sensei understands me this well. And Ryouko-san, I apologize.”

“You don’t have to. You’re not selfish in my eyes.” Eguchi-sensei responded. Her voice carried a certain conviction. Even if those words came from me, she’s now like the other girls. They couldn’t see my selfishness or they’re purposely ignoring it. I don’t know if it’s because of being aware of our situation or it’s just their bias on me working. Either way, their opinions were truly different from those who weren’t part of our complex relationship.

And upon hearing that, Orimura-sensei once again sighed helplessly, “Ryouko, you’re blinded with love.”