Stealing Spree

“Don’t just stand there, Onoda-kun. You’re confused. I get that.” Eguchi-sensei started as she tapped the chair that was vacated by Kawakami-senpai.

Following her words, I took a seat and replied, “Sensei, am I getting special treatment from you?”

I picked out the most significant question that popped up in my mind upon noticing the various details.

“Special treatment? Maybe?” Eguchi-sensei readily answered as she handed me the board she was holding. It’s just like what most basketball coaches hold during every game. It’s a simple whiteboard but there’s a court layout printed on it. It’s normally used to simulate their plays but at the moment, nothing was scribbled on it. “Among the students I handled ever since I started teaching, you’re not the only one I treated special, but you’re no doubt the first boy I got fond of. So, I guess that’s a yes. What brought up this question, Onoda-kun?”

“Well, I can’t remember the time I advised on one of the club’s practices games. But they all seemed convinced that I did something.”

“Oh. That… Truthfully, it's indirect advice from you. From one of our conversations, you told me to closely watch the relationship between various students and not just one’s ability or talent. Because, according to your words, it’s how I can be aware of their strengths, weaknesses and apprehensions. I started applying that to the members of this club. And, as you already heard, the result was spectacular. And that’s the reason why I can’t just take credit for it. I mentioned your name and the rest is history.”

Eguchi-sensei looked like she was reminiscing about one of our talks. When did I say that? I could remember having that conversation with her, however, I wasn’t certain whether it was before or after I became her Student Assistant. Either way, that piece of advice was something I pulled out from my experience, just replace ‘students’ with ‘targets’ and the people around them. To think that she put it to use that way, I could only say…

“I’m impressed, sensei. Totally… I didn’t think my random words would yield that kind of result.”

“You’re an amazing student, Onoda-kun. That’s the truth. And you’re simply different. Apart from the slight naivety that you sometimes show, you’re too mature for your own age. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not talking to someone a few years younger than me.”

“Uh. I get that a lot. But that doesn’t mean I’m a know-it-all, sensei. Most of the time, I’m just spouting whatever’s on my mind. But whenever I’m alone, I tend to overthink a lot about everything.”

“Hmm? Even so, there’s no denying how much your words helped me. Onoda-kun, can I continue relying on you?”

“I’m your Student Assistant. Isn’t that my job?”

“That’s correct. But I… No, no. Forget it. Let’s get on with this then, please tell me what you think.” Eguchi-sensei quickly shook her head before focusing on what she handed to me.

She was about to say something else, right? What could that be?

Should I push her to complete it or… just play along and be done with this?

Uh. My curiosity is winning over me. After clearing some of the questions that popped out earlier, I can’t just stop now after hearing her sincere words and how she suddenly dropped whatever that was.

I put down the whiteboard and turned to face her. Surprised by that move from me, I noticed how Eguchi-sensei’s eyes shook a little before stabilizing seconds later.

“What is it? Put your eyes on that board.” She urged. Her body slowly inching away from me.

“This might be impudent of me, sensei but can you finish what you’re trying to say earlier?”

“Huh? It’s nothing. Forget it.”

“No. It doesn’t seem like it’s nothing. Otherwise, you won’t retreat like that.”

As soon as I pointed that out, Eguchi-sensei looked down and noticed how her chair was now at a considerable distance from me. It only looked like we were still close to each other because of how I slightly bent my back and slid my butt to the edge of my seat.

“The game will soon start, sensei. Can I at least ask you to sate this curiosity in me?” I added.

Little by little, Eguchi-sensei lifted her head and faced me squarely.

I noticed how her hand gradually rose with the aim to pat my head again but settled back down moments later. Following that, Eguchi-sensei straightened her back, putting back her confident and slightly commanding presence. After taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth.

“Haah, Okay. Your eyes are sparkling with that curiosity. You probably won’t stop without me satisfying it. I just want to say one thing, Onoda-kun. A reminder.”

“Go ahead, sensei.”

“Don’t let this get to your head. Whatever I’m going to say is just momentary thoughts that I ought to purge, understand?”

“I don’t quite get it but alright. I understand.”

“Great. Then listen well…” As her voice trailed, Eguchi-sensei’s expression softened. It’s like she’s looking at something precious or someone important to her. Right. That’s how I interpreted it…

Is she going to confess? No. That can’t be… Although my relationship with Shio developed quickly, it couldn’t be replicated again. My current relationship with Eguchi-sensei was definitely a teacher and a student. Or to further dig into that, A troubled teacher and a helpful student. Nothing more, nothing less.

Although I could definitely say that I was fond of her, even enjoying the, oftentimes, relaxing moment with her, it’s far from what I was feeling for Shio or any other girls.

However, there’s the keyword… That’s my own perception. Not Eguchi-sensei’s. But with my observation of her, she’s clearly fond of me, proud even. It’s far from what I was thinking.

Or so I thought…

As seconds passed, I waited for what she was going to reveal.

Eguchi-sensei fondly stared at me, a gentle smile stretching from her lips. She once again lifted her hands and this time, their destination was my cheeks, cupping them in her palms.

Eguchi-sensei wasn’t shaking. In fact, she perfectly held my face and lifted my head to look straight at her, the distance between us dwindling by the second.

Fortunately, she soon stopped after reaching a certain distance, the distance where our eyes could only capture each other’s faces.

“Onoda-kun, I was thinking of inappropriate thoughts. I found myself wanting to rely on you more and more, like a partner I’m needing in my life. I was having this dream that you might be the one who’s going to complete me. I don’t think it’s love or anything but it’s more like finding my better half. It might sound the same but I believe it’s not.”

“You opened my eyes to my faults. You helped me fix some of those faults and you’re still helping me to completely become a functional adult in this society without being uncomfortable with those I found unnatural.”

“It’s inappropriate that’s why I told you to forget about it. I still enjoyed having you as my Student Assistant…. You already have Satsuki-chan and you probably won’t pick an old lady like me. Most importantly, it’s wrong for a teacher like me to think like this about my student… That’s why, please abide by my reminder.”

Ending her words at that, Eguchi-sensei released my cheeks and straightened her back again.

She then pulled her seat back next to me and quickly put her focus back on the advice she was trying to get from me. It’s like everything she just said and showed was a bubble that appeared and disappeared in a moment.