Chapter 8: After School Interlude

The rain had finally cleared by the time classes ended. The sky wore a soft orange hue, and the fading sun painted long shadows across the school courtyard. Most students were already on their way home, but Yasu lingered near the school gate, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely gripping the strap of his bag.

He wasn’t waiting for anyone. Or at least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

The sound of light footsteps on gravel made him glance to the side.

Hoshiko-sensei, wearing her lab coat over a casual blouse and skirt, was walking toward the front gate, balancing a large plastic container filled with biology tools.

“Need help with that?” Yasu asked, surprising even himself with the offer.

She stopped, raised an eyebrow, and looked down at the box. “Are you offering to carry a suspiciously heavy load for your sensei? How very shōnen-hero of you.”

He looked away, mildly annoyed. “Do you want help or not?”

Hoshiko smiled and handed him the container. “I’ll allow it. But only because my arms are sore from dealing with your classmates.”

The box was heavier than it looked. Yasu adjusted his grip and walked beside her.

“Where are we taking this?” he asked.

“Storage shed behind the gym,” she replied. “They don’t let science teachers have proper storage indoors anymore. Probably because one guy exploded a cabinet in ’98.”

“…What did he explode it with?”

“Curiosity,” she said dramatically.

Yasu gave her a sideways look. “You really shouldn’t be a teacher.”

“And yet here I am, shaping young minds.”

“You’re not shaping anything.”

“Oh? I’m shaping you, Yasu-kun. Slowly. Like a potter with very stubborn clay.”

He snorted softly. “I’m not that interesting.”

“You say that like it’s a fact,” she said, “but here you are. Volunteering to help me. Sticking around after class. You don’t even like people.”

“Doesn’t mean I like you.”

“Didn’t say you did.” She smirked. “But you’re curious. And that’s more dangerous than liking.”

They reached the shed. Hoshiko fished out a key from her pocket and unlocked the rusted door. Inside, it smelled like damp wood and old gym mats. The single overhead bulb flickered as it turned on.

“Just put it on the middle shelf,” she said.

Yasu placed the box down and turned to leave, but Hoshiko stayed inside, looking around.

“…Something wrong?” he asked.

“No,” she replied, “just... this place reminds me of high school.”

“You were like this back then too?”

She turned toward him, lips curved slightly. “I was worse.”

“That’s hard to believe.”

“Oh, I had a bit of a reputation. Not for anything scandalous, mind you. Just... I had a habit of saying the wrong things to the right people.”

“Sounds familiar.”

She leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “I think the trick is knowing when you’re making people uncomfortable and doing it anyway — just enough to make them think.”

Yasu met her gaze for a moment. “That’s manipulative.”

“That’s teaching.”

He shook his head, then stepped back toward the door. “You done reminiscing?”

“Just about.” She walked past him, pausing at the entrance. “You ever think about what you’ll be like after graduation?”

He shrugged. “Haven’t thought that far.”

“You should,” she said..

They stepped outside. The sky was shifting again, from orange to a deeper blue, stars just barely peeking through.

“You walking home?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“Want company?”

He hesitated. “You’re my teacher.”

“And?”

“And it’s weird.”

She smirked. “Weird is where all the best stories begin.”

Yasu stared at her for a second longer, then began walking. She followed, hands in her pockets.

They didn’t talk much on the way. Just the sound of shoes on pavement and the distant chirping of cicadas. Somewhere along the path, Hoshiko started humming — softly, some old pop song Yasu didn’t recognize.

It was strangely peaceful.

When they reached the convenience store near the station, she stopped. “I’m grabbing dinner. Want something?”

“I’m good.”

She gave him a mock salute. “Then this is where we part, brave helper.”

He nodded slightly. “See you tomorrow, Hoshiko-sensei.”

She grinned. “Try not to miss me too much.”

He turned and walked away, trying not to smile.