7 — Liar

It had begun the same way any other school morning did. Ame left earlier than Sera, leaving her with breakfast. Sera left for school, occasionally meeting up with June on the train like always before heading off to her fashion class. She aced the class, earning top marks on her latest fashion design assignment, and felt a swell of pride at the recognition. However, the accomplishment quickly faded as she prepared for her business class.

Today, anxiety gnawed at her. She had poured a lot of effort into the business assessment, but her mind kept drifting back to Ame. What was really going on with her?

After spending some time studying in the business building lounge, Sera decided to head to the classroom early, hoping she might catch Ame there before the class began.

Sera’s head lifted as Ame walked into the classroom earlier than usual. As always, Ame looked effortlessly stunning—her long, black hair swayed gently with each step and today her tailored dark blouse was accompanied by white pencil skirt. She never failed to catch Sera's eye, but this time, something was different. Ame didn’t glance in her direction, not even once. Her heels clacked against the floor with a cold, steady rhythm as she walked straight to her desk, her expression unreadable. Without saying a word, she sat down and immediately immersed herself in her prep work, her movements mechanical and detached.

Sera turned her gaze towards the windows, her frown deepening. It was clear now that something was wrong, and she wanted to ask Ame what was going on, but students were already trickling in, filling the room. Class would start soon, and she knew she’d have to wait. She robotically took out her textbooks, notebook, and laptop, setting them up on her desk while propping her head on one hand, sighing quietly as she stared at the screen, her thoughts racing.

As the last few seconds ticked down before the start of class, June slipped through the door just in time and slid into the seat beside Sera. She waved enthusiastically, flashing a big smile. Sera did her best to return it, but the smile she offered was a shadow of her usual cheerfulness, weighed down by the thoughts swirling in her mind.

Ame stood up with a detached expression and began addressing the class. Her voice, though commanding as always, lacked its usual warmth, as she announced that the business assessments would be handed back today. Eager whispers spread among the students, a mixture of nervous anticipation and excitement rippling through the room.

As the class got underway and students settled into their assigned work, Ame’s voice cut through the ambient chatter with a calm yet detached tone. "I’ll be releasing your grades for the recent business assessment shortly," she announced. "Please check your accounts for the results. In the meantime, continue working on the tasks I've assigned."

She sat back at her desk, her eyes glued to her computer screen as she resumed typing. The clicking of her keyboard filled the room, almost drowning out the excited murmurs that started to bubble up as students began receiving their grades.

Sera tapped nervously at her laptop, her eyes flicking over to Ame every now and then. Finally, the notification for her grade popped up on the screen. She clicked on it, and her eyes widened in surprise.

I... I did it!  she thought to herself, her lips curving into a smile. I actually ... did really well.

The high score on the assessment was better than she had hoped for, and a swell of pride filled her chest. "I can’t believe it... after Misaki’s tutoring… I was so worried I’d mess it up.." she whispered to herself, feeling a flicker of confidence and relief.

It seemed June got a good mark as well, prompting a cute thumbs up flashing between the two.

But as she glanced toward Ame, who remained engrossed in her work, her happiness dimmed just a little.

The woman hadn't even looked her way or acknowledged anyone’s achievements with so much as a nod.

Sera’s gaze fell back to her desk, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of her notebook. The good news couldn’t completely shake the nagging worry that gnawed at her, the sense that something was off with Ame.

The distance felt more pronounced than ever, and it left her feeling uneasy, as if her accomplishment had lost some of its meaning.

Before Sera realized it, class had come to an end, and students were already gathering their things and heading for the door. Yet, nothing felt different—everything remained the same.

As class ended, Sera lingered at the back, watching the students shuffle out until the room was empty. Even June waved goodbye, heading to her next class, leaving Sera alone with Ame, who remained glued to her computer. The lifeless way Ame stared at the screen, fingers typing mechanically, made it clear that she was burying herself in work, completely shutting out everything else. Sera’s gaze stayed fixed on her, hoping Ame might acknowledge her presence.

Ame’s peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Sera standing there, waiting. When the last student finally left and the door clicked shut, she quickly averted her gaze and began packing her things. With her laptop stowed away, she hurriedly exited the classroom without a word. Though fully aware of Sera's presence, she couldn’t bring herself to face the girl. Ame’s heart ached with the urge to congratulate Sera for her excellent grade, but it was drowned out by a deeper instinct to stick to the vow she had made to herself. She didn’t want to deal with this—didn’t want to confront the truth she’d been avoiding.

As she brushed past Sera, the silence felt heavy, almost suffocating. Sera looked up from her phone, teeth clenched and a fist tightening at her side. She could feel something building inside, a frustration that boiled over as Ame’s cold dismissal became too much to bear.

"That's it." she muttered under her breath, frowning.

She wasn’t going to let this go on any longer. If Ame wouldn’t open up, then Sera would have to force the issue. Her plan formed quickly: she would wait by Ame’s office at the end of the school day. Ame always stopped there before heading home, and with the halls nearly deserted late in the day, there would be no interruptions—no excuses to avoid a real conversation.

Sera's resolve solidified. Whatever had caused this shift in Ame, it was time to confront it head-on. Even if Sera felt terrified, she needed answers.

Later that day, the sky was awash in the deep colors of the setting sun, casting vibrant oranges and purples through the windows of the dimly lit hallway. Ame walked down the corridor in a practiced, robotic manner, her head bowed and eyes fixed on the floor, as if each step required deliberate effort. But as she neared her office, the faint sound of foot-tapping reached her ears, the rhythm stopping abruptly when she came close.

Ame’s head snapped up, her hair swinging with the sudden movement. She halted in her tracks, eyes widening and her breath catching in her throat. There, leaning casually against her office door, was Sera. Though her arms were crossed and her expression was stern, her eyes betrayed a deeper concern that even the stony demeanor couldn’t mask. It was clear when she spoke, her tone sharp but her voice wavering slightly with the weight of her worry.

"Do you have a minute, Miss Misaki?" Sera asked, flipping her hair back with a quick motion. Her gaze remained fixed on Ame, challenging and yet pleading.

Ame’s heart raced, and she found herself unable to hold Sera's gaze, her eyes darting away as she nervously fidgeted with her hands. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what she was ready to confront. With a hesitant nod, she turned and unlocked the office door, slowly pushing it open and stepping inside. Sera followed her in, the silence between them thick with tension, as the door clicked shut behind them.

Inside the office, the warm hues of the sunset spilled into the room, painting the walls in streaks of gold and red. But the colors did nothing to soften the chill in the air. Ame didn’t sit down; she stood beside her desk, rigid and tense, as Sera took a step forward, her own unease masked by determination.

They faced each other, not far apart, with the fading light casting long shadows on the walls—silent witnesses to the confrontation about to unfold.

Sera gathered her courage, looking directly at Ame as she began to speak. "So, how are you, Miss Misaki?" Her voice was steady, but the concern behind it was unmistakable.

Ame leaned back against the desk, using it for support, her gaze glued to the floor. "I'm fine, just really busy, as I told you before," she replied, the words coming out flat and rehearsed. It was all a lie, a hollow excuse to keep the walls up around her.

Sera tilted her head, her frown deepening as she crossed her arms. She wasn’t buying it for a second. Her eyes searched Ame’s face, yearning for her to look up, to acknowledge her.

She took a breath, deciding to cut straight to the heart of the matter. "Okay. So what's going on then?" she pressed, her voice firm.

Ame’s breath hitched, and she shook her head, her eyes still locked on the floor. "Nothing. I’m just busy and tired, that's all." she said, but her voice wavered. Another lie. Her fingers began to tremble, and she turned her head away again this time to her door, unable to face Sera's probing gaze.

Sera’s frustration mounted, her hands clenching at her sides as her voice rose slightly. "So what was that the other day?" she demanded, taking a step forward.

Ame stiffened, her breaths coming quicker as her hand gripped her wrist. "What was what?" she asked, forcing the words out as if she didn’t understand.

Sera’s mouth parted slightly, disbelief washing over her features. She stared at Ame, who was now avoiding her gaze altogether. "Misaki... you know... the other day... when you kissed my cheek on the couch..." Her voice softened, almost trembling, as she reached the end of the sentence.

Ame’s entire body tensed, and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. Her breaths became shaky, and her hands tightened into fists by her sides. She had no answer, and the truth was pressing down on her like a weight she couldn’t bear to lift.

“That…” her voice trailed out. She couldn’t continue, it took so much.

Ame's heart raced in her chest, and a tumultuous storm brewed inside her. She felt the words lodged in her throat, knowing they would hurt Sera, knowing she had to say them if she wanted to end this before it got out of hand.

She took a deep breath, fighting to maintain composure, though she felt herself breaking apart inside. "You know… I’ve been thinking…" she began, her voice strained as if each word was dragging a blade across her heart.

Sera’s eyes widened, a sudden dread clawing at her. That tone… it sounded fatal for them. Her body started to tremble as she hung onto every word Ame said.

Ame clenched her fists tighter, forcing herself to continue, even as her voice wavered, her body trembled slightly. She knew if she met Sera’s gaze now, she would cry. Hard.

"This… whatever this is… it’s inappropriate. I'm your teacher, Sera. There are rules—boundaries. It’s just… not right." She swallowed hard, each sentence like a fresh stab to her chest.

"And… even if there were no rules, the fact that we're both girls… it complicates things. People wouldn’t understand, and…"

“No…” Sera whispered shakily, her voice breaking as she shook her head with increasing urgency. One hand clutched at her heart while the other raked through her hair in a desperate attempt to steady herself. Her thoughts were a chaotic swirl, struggling to make sense of Ame’s words. This had never mattered before—why did it matter now?

She hesitated, her gaze slipping to the side. "It would be better if we just… ceased these feelings at once." She spat, every sentence a lie, something she didn’t herself believe.

Sera shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes as she felt her world crumbling around her. "Misaki…No…" she whispered again, her voice cracking as each of Ame’s sentences shattered a piece of her heart. Her entire body trembled, and she could feel the weight of rejection bearing down on her.

It taking everything not to burst into tears right then and there, Ame now gave everything she had left mustered inside her trying to fulfill her vow to make things right, no matter how much it hurt both of them.

Ame forced herself to look back at Sera, her face resolute, though her insides were twisting in agony. "And maybe… maybe you should consider moving out," she added, her voice growing harsher, albeit trembling, as if she had to push Sera away for her own good. "It would be better for both of us if—"

But before she could finish, Sera's desperation surged forward.

She launched herself toward Ame, seizing her shoulders and pressing her lips against hers in a sudden, forceful kiss, knocking things over. Tears streamed down Sera’s cheeks as she kissed her, holding onto the moment with a heartbreaking urgency. It was as if everything she had felt and hoped for had been poured into that kiss, her last desperate attempt to convey what words could not.

Ame let out a gasp that quickly dissolved into a muffled breath. Her eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening as the world seemed to stop around them. She could feel Sera’s tears against her skin, and the raw, unfiltered emotion in the kiss pierced through every barrier she had tried to build. Sera’s lips trembled against hers, and the quiet sobs that escaped the girl tore at Ame’s heart, her own turmoil erupting inside her like a dam breaking.

Ame surged forward as she kissed Sera back, her emotions overwhelming her resolve. Her lips met Sera's in a tumultuous embrace, her eyes fluttering shut as if, for just a moment, she could let go of everything and lose herself in the sensation. Her hands trembled as they found their way to Sera’s back, pulling her closer, the warmth and passion shared between them filling the cold emptiness that had taken hold. It was a desperate, longing kiss—one that spoke of everything she had kept buried and tried to ignore.

But then, just as quickly, reality crashed back in like a tidal wave, and Ame's eyes snapped open.

She was at war with herself, the weight of her inner conflict forcing her to remember who she was—who they both were. With an agonizing wrench, she abruptly tore herself away from Sera, breaking the kiss, breathing heavily. Her breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps. Her hands dropped to the edge of the desk behind her, gripping it so tightly her knuckles whitened, as if it was the only thing anchoring her from falling apart entirely.

She stared up at Sera, the anguish in her gaze unmistakable, her own tears threatening to spill over now. The battle between her heart and her sense of duty was etched into every strained feature on her face, and the sight of Sera's tear-streaked cheeks only deepened the ache that twisted inside her.

Sera's tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed, falling onto Ame as she leaned forward over her, her hands gripping the edge of the desk for support after being pushed back.

Ame’s voice, when it came, was thick with emotion, almost a whisper. Amidst it all she still tried to play being her teacher, but the mask was shattered. "Sera...what are you doing?! Were at school?! This isn’t right…" she choked out, her body trembling as she tried to stand her ground. Ame wiped at Sera’s tears roughly, trying to force herself back into control, but the vulnerability lingered, biting back her own sob.

Sera was a wreck, her body trembling as she cried over Ame, barely able to see through the blur of her tears. She leaned down, desperate to hold Ame's gaze even as her sobs wracked her chest.

"It’s not fair," she choked out, her voice cracking with anguish.

"I-It’s not my fault… I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this. It’s been like this since I first saw you—you’ve been all I could ever think about. And then on Friday, you just had to kiss me!" Her voice broke entirely, raw and desperate. "Now, today, you say you want nothing to do with me... I’m just such a mess, and so confused." Her tears fell freely, splashing onto Ame as she hovered above her.

Sera's breath hitched as she tried to gather herself. "I don’t want to believe anything you're saying. I’ve seen the real you—a vulnerable, alone, broken woman! You don’t have to pretend anymore! I want the real you! Just for once… be completely real with me..." Her voice softened into a hoarse whisper, her eyes searching Ame’s for any sign of sincerity.

Ame’s trembling hand hesitantly reached up, her fingers brushing against Sera’s tear-streaked cheeks. The sight of Sera’s pain finally shattered the walls Ame had built around herself, her mask crumbling into nothing. Tears welled up in Ame's own eyes as she whispered, "S-Sera..." It was the first time she had used her first name, and the sound of it held a world of emotions, barely restrained.

"I guess I should've never come into your life..." Sera’s voice was a broken whisper as Ame cupped Sera's face gently, her thumb wiping away the tears that kept falling.

Ame’s breath hitched again as she now sobbed, and now they grew even more frantic, shaking her head rapidly. "No…that’s not true!" she whispered solemnly.

Sera shook her head and pulled away from Ame’s touch as if it burned. "I’m a terrible person. I’m sorry I ever roped you into all this..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

With that, Sera turned and bolted, grabbing the keys and nearly ripping the door off its hinges as she burst into the hallway. She sprinted down the darkened corridor, her footsteps echoing as she vanished into the shadows.

"SERA!!" Ame screamed, reaching out after her, her own voice breaking as the tears she had tried so hard to hold back finally spilled over.

She collapsed onto the desk, her hands gripping the edge with knuckles white from the strain.

She hated herself.

She’d despised the choices she’d made.

Ame slammed her fists down, the impact reverberating through the room.

Turning away from the door, she sank to her knees beside the desk.

Her body folded over, her forehead resting against the cold wood as she buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her tears soaked into the desk, and with every broken breath, it felt like a piece of herself was breaking apart.

She had never felt so lost and so completely, utterly alone.