Falling for her

"Sensei."
'...'
"Sensei!"
"Huh? Oh sorry-"
As he starts speaking, the bell cuts him off with its ringing.
"Well, that's about it for class, see you all tomorrow."

Students start dispersing and talking amongst themselves when one walks up to the teacher, a boy with red spiky hair.
"Hey, you've kind of had your head in fantasy land during class! I'm curious, what could have gotten our sensei so distracted?"
'Damn, I really should have been more focused...'
"Don't worry about it Okita, it was just a new teacher I met."
Suddenly Okita gets excited.
"Oooh~ What does that mean?!"
"Nothing, she's just funny is all."

Before Okita can continue, another student approaches, a boy with neat black hair, who then chimes in.
"Funny? I don't think that's enough to get your head in the clouds."
Okita looks at him, before looking at Kai.
"Hah, that's the class rep alright, smart even in matters of the heart.
Well, is he right?"
"...Matters of the heart... What are you assuming here? I just had an interaction with her during lunch is all!"
"Nothing, nothing. Anyway what kind of interaction was it? Was it good~?"
"Yeah, I'm curious about it too."
Kai sighs.
"Why would I tell you in the first place?"
"It appears our teacher is content with staying in fantasy land Okita.
Oh well."
"HEY! That's not it at all!
...Alright fine."

...

It's lunch and Kai has almost finished his meal when Minori suddenly appears.
"Excuse me? Hello."
"Oh, Ms Futaba, please sit."
"Thank you..."

As she sits, Kai notices the full tray of food she brought and asks her.
"Have you not eaten yet?"
"Ah! No, sorry. I was actually searching for you this whole time, it took me a while to find you, you can really blend into the background you know?"
'...Damn it all.'
"Oh, I don't mean any offense by that!"
"No worries, I get that a lot. But why were you searching for me?"
"Well, I'd like to apologize for this morning."
"Apologize? For what? After all, you ARE the teacher extraordinaire!"
'Was that good? Should I have done that?'
"Ugh... Please forget that."
"Right..."
"I just got nervous, and kept getting surprised by all the different students I had so...
Sorry I confused you for a student!"
With that she bows for a moment, slowly rising as she waits for an answer.
"Oh, that. It's no problem really."
'Now's my chance, I'll take it!'
"In fact, I thought it wa-"
Before he can finish, the bell rings.
'Damn.'
"Sorry, I've got to get to class."
"Sure, no problem."

With that he rises and starts walking towards his classroom.

...

"That's all that happened! A funny interaction was all that was."

Kai finishes his explanation, after which Okita turns to the other student and asks.
"Hmm, what do you think doc? Funny interaction? Or matters of the heart?"
"After hearing all that? I'm more certain than ever, he's got Ms Futaba in his mind."
Kai looks down as he thinks to himself.
'Ugh... They're not listening to me at all.'
"Wow! You're so certain."
"It's honestly obvious. Wait... Now that I think about it, did she just not eat her lunch?"
Kai looks up.
"Huh?"
"She apologized to you and was busy talking, right?"
"Good catch Sakurai! I guess she did something silly!"
Okita laughs a bit at this as Kai realizes it.
'Heh, that is funny...
Ah wait, I should get them to think about other stuff.'
"...Don't you have something more interesting to talk about or pay attention to than your teacher's so called 'matters of the heart'?"
Okita turns towards him with a big smile.
"Nah, this is way more fun! I mean, how often do we get to see this sort of thing happen anyway, you know?"
"I agree with Okita, I'm interested to see how this develops."
"...Develops?"
"Yes, we've had you for three years, so I want to see if you'll do more than just keep your head in the clouds."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Okita sighs.
"Sorry, he IS right. You don't really... DO stuff, you know? Even in class you are often just... Invisible."
"No I'm not!"
"Sir, there was one time we honestly thought you were late, only for us to realize you had been there the whole time."
"Yeah, yeah! You were like a background character in one of the manga I read!"
"I had a sore throat!
...I tried to be silent to heal better."
'Even students don't notice my presence... Maybe I really am doomed.'
"If I may give you a suggestion. If you want anything to happen, you should try being more proactive, take the initiative."
"Nice advice Sakurai!"
"Take the initiative..."

...

'Take the initiative huh? That's all well and good... I'VE BEEN TRYING!'

Hours have since passed, and it's near the end of the workday, with Kai having failed to get Minori's attention.

'...I'm hopeless.'
"Right, I'm done. I'll get going now, have a good night everyone!"
Other teachers answer her in kind, before the Kai hears a voice from next to him.
"Good work today Ms Futaba, have a good night!"
"Thank you Principal-
Wait, what are you doing here?"
A question that Kai was also thinking.
"Heh, sometimes I like to be here in this room with you all, it feels less lonely than in some boring office by myself. In any case, I won't keep you longer."
"R-Right... Bye now."

With that she steps out and closes the door behind her. Afterwards the principal turns to look at Kai who was now staring at him.
"You know, if you want her you should try standing out more..."
"Eh?"
"Heh, just a little advice, I used to be just like you."

Suddenly the words of his student pop into his mind.
'"It's honestly obvious."'
'No way... Is it actually?!'
"Sorry, that was just some teasing. Good work today Mr Toyohama."
"Yeah... Thank you, have a good night."

With that the principal also steps out, leaving Kai as one of the few people left inside the increasingly empty room.
He sighs, then continues his work.
'I may as well quickly finish for today and go too...'

...

Kai leaves the school, the golden glow of the afternoon having now turned into a starry night sky.
He walks slowly as he heads towards the nearby convenience store across the street from the school, entering to escape the cold air.
'Might as well buy some snacks. The perks of living nearby, I get to not worry about traffic.
...Not that there would be any at this time anyway.'

He grabs some snacks, and starts heading towards the encounter when he passes by the magazine section, with a particular one sparking his interest.
'Singles: Special 30s edition...
No! I don't need that.'
He starts walking again, taking a single step before stopping and turning around.
'Well, may as well check what stuff it has inside...
Tips for dating when you've reached 30...
...No, I don't really need this.
...'

He steps towards the counter and places down his items, those being some snacks, and one magazine.
'...I guess may as well, I'm almost that age too...
Can't hurt to check out their tips.'