Chapter 4: After School Chemistry

The final bell rang like a sigh of relief through the halls of Fukuhara High.

Students poured out of classrooms like water from a cracked dam—laughing, stretching, checking their phones, calling out to friends as the school day came to its slow, blessed end.

But not everyone left.

In the quiet hum of the science lab, Yasu remained at his seat. His classmates were long gone, their chairs pushed in with the kind of sloppy urgency that only came from escape. The golden light of the setting sun spilled in through the windows, casting warm patterns on the linoleum floor.

Hoshiko-sensei stood at her desk, flipping lazily through a stack of graded reports. Her white lab coat hung open, her blouse a little too snug, and her skirt just a touch too short to be standard issue. But no one complained. No one dared.

She caught him watching.

He quickly looked away, pretending to be very interested in a poster about the periodic table. His heartbeat thumped like a drum in his chest.

“Yasu-kun,” her voice called, smooth and teasing, “are you hiding from the world again, or are you just hoping I’ll let you skip cleaning duty?”

He turned toward her slowly, trying not to look like he was caught doing something wrong. “I wasn’t assigned cleaning duty.”

“Hmm…” she walked around her desk toward him, arms folded under her chest.  “And yet you’re still here. How mysterious.”

He looked at her, hesitant. “I like the quiet.”

Hoshiko tilted her head. “Or maybe you like something else in this room?”

Yasu blinked.

Was that a joke?

She smirked at his confusion and leaned slightly over his desk, close enough that he could smell her perfume — a light floral scent . 

“You know,” she whispered, “you’re kind of fun to tease.”

His ears turned red instantly.

She straightened and laughed softly. “Relax. I don’t bite. Not unless provoked.”

Yasu had no idea what to say to that.

Hoshiko walked to the storage shelves and began stacking stray beakers into a tray. “Since you’re here doing absolutely nothing, why not help me tidy up a little? Consider it extra science credit. Or emotional support.”

Yasu stood up without a word and walked over.

“Aw, such a good student,” she said, flashing a grin. “If only you paid this much attention during actual lessons.”

“I do,” he muttered.

She glanced at him sideways. “Oh? So you were listening when I said hydrogen is the lightest element?”

“I remember everything you say,” Yasu replied, before realizing how that sounded.

There was a pause.

Hoshiko turned to face him fully, one brow arched.

“Well now…” she said, voice low. “That’s either very flattering… or very dangerous.”

He looked away again. The tray of glassware was suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world.

They worked in silence for a moment, side by side, stacking glass tubes and wiping down counters. Their arms brushed a few times — casually, accidentally, but every time it happened, something electric passed between them.

“So…” she said at one point, not looking at him, “what do you think the others are saying about us?”

Yasu froze. “…Are they?”

“Of course they are,” she said, chuckling. “You’re the mysterious, brooding boy who never talks. And I’m the suspiciously charming new sensei who gives you just a little too much attention. What do you think they’re whispering?”

He didn’t respond.

She turned and leaned on the counter beside him. “You worried?”

“…Should I be?”

“Not unless you want something to happen.”

That hung in the air for a long second.

Then she smiled, softening the tension. “Kidding, kidding,” she said, with a wave of her hand. “Mostly.”

Yasu exhaled slowly. His chest felt tight.

“You’re too serious, Yasu-kun,” she said, poking his shoulder gently. “One of these days, I’m going to make you laugh in front of the whole class. That’s my mission now.”

“Please don’t.”

“No promises.”

She grabbed the last of the cleaning rags and tossed it into a nearby basket. The room was finally clean. Still. Quiet.

“Thanks for helping,” she said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You didn’t have to.”

“I didn’t mind,” he said.

Hoshiko looked at him for a long moment. “You really are interesting, you know.”

He didn’t answer, but his gaze lingered on her — just a second too long. She caught it, of course.

And this time, she didn’t look away either.

“See you tomorrow, Yasu-kun,” she said finally, heading toward the door. “Try not to dream about me too much tonight.”

And with that, she was gone, heels clicking softly against the tile floor.

Yasu stood in the middle of the empty lab, heart pounding.

He wasn’t sure what kind of dream she meant.

But part of him… hoped she’d be in it.