Chapter 3:
I Need You, Sensei
My friend group is small, but that’s really all we needed. Consisting of myself, Karou, and Yoshi, we were referred to as the Three Musketeers because we were always together—wherever one of us went, the rest followed. There was this one time when Yoshi referred to us as the Mighty Threesome, but I quickly made sure that that name was buried six feet in the ground. Our usual hangout spot in school was near the staircase closest to our classroom. There was a nice small area under it, which we converted into a comfortable area for us to hang out in. No one would bother us there. One day, when Karou was still off sick, Sensei came across us.
“What are you two doing here?”
“Oh. Hi, Takanashi-sensei. This is where we hang out.”
“Why don’t you just hang out in the classroom?”
“Too loud.”
“How about outside?”
“There aren’t many seats outside.”
“I see. Ah, Kurosawa. How is Nishida-san doing?”
“She’s feeling better now. She said she thinks she’ll be good enough to come in tomorrow.”
“That’s good to hear. Well, see you later.”
“Bye!”
Once she left, Yoshi ushered me closer. “She is hot, right? I mean, her face is nicely shaped, her glasses make her look cute, and she’s quite young.”
“Yeah. I heard she only graduated from medical school last year and managed to get a job here. It’s impressive.”
“Yeah, that’s impressive, but you know what else is impressive? Those curves! She has a nice pair of melons, which are accentuated by her tight clothing. They’re not as big as some girls here, but they’re definitely bigger and rounder than Yoshino-san’s. She’s also slim. And that ass—Ow! What was that for?”
I’m not too sure when or why it happened, but I had hit Yoshi on the head. “That’s enough, you pervert. You disgust me sometimes.”
To be honest, the way he described her wasn’t wrong. She was a very attractive woman in terms of appearance, but what first attracted me to her was her kindness.
Later that day, I stayed behind after school ended to do some revision. There was this nice spot in the school library where I would go to study. With the low number of people at this time, the library was enveloped in a serene hush, where the only sound that dared disrupt it was the gentle whisper of turning pages. It was easier to revise here rather than at home since there were times when Reika would bring some friends home and party. As I was studying, I got a text from my sister.
“I’m going out with some friends. I’ll be home late. I already prepared something to eat, so just heat it up when you’re hungry.”
I wasn’t surprised when I got the message. I was accustomed to her simply leaving a message and going out to party. At least she made dinner.
“Kurosawa?”
I turned around to see Sensei standing behind me.
“Sensei.”
“You’re still here?”
“Yes. I’m just doing some revision.”
“I see. What are you revising?”
“Oh. Um. Geography.”
“Ah, geography. I was never good at that when I was in high school.”
“It seems we have that in common. What are you doing here, Sensei?”
“In my free time, I like to come here and read a book.”
“Why don’t you go to the local library? I’m sure there’s a larger collection there.”
“Oh, I do go there sometimes, but something about being alone here in the school library after school is somewhat nice.”
It seems we both agree about that. I wanted to ask her more questions, like what she was currently reading, but I thought I would appear a bit pushy or desperate to continue the conversation. I’m not sure if it was the temperature or not, but for some reason, I felt a bit hot. Was it because I was alone in the library with Sensei? No. That couldn’t be the reason.
“You’re looking a bit red, Kurosawa. Is everything okay?”
“Ah, yes. Everything’s fine.”
“Let me see.”
I didn’t have time to react when she suddenly lifted my hair, her touch both tender and cautious. Her eyes widened. She must have noticed the scar on my forehead, which I received when I nearly drowned.
“Oh, I got that scar a year ago. I was accidentally hit by an out-of-control surfing board. I nearly drowned that day.”
“Oh, I-I see.”
“Yeah. I was saved by this person, but my vision was too blurry to see what they looked like.”
I felt Sensei staring at me intensely. I looked up to see a small tear forming in her eye.
“Sensei?”
She swiftly placed her hand on my forehead, practically blocking my ability to see her face.
“You don’t have a fever. That’s good.”
Why was Sensei tearing up? Was it something I said? I wasn’t quite sure at the time, but that was the first time I saw Sensei look vulnerable.
My phone began to ring. It was an unknown number. I answered it.
“Hello?”
“Hello? So-kun? It’s Inaba Eiko.”
“Oh, Inaba-chan? Is everything okay?
Inaba Eiko was my sister’s friend from high school. They went to the same university as well. She was also the only one who called me ‘So-kun’.
“Yes. But I think your sister had a bit too much to drink. She’s practically knocked out on the concrete next to me. Is it possible if you could come and pick her up?”
A mixture of concern washed over me. This wasn’t the first time Inaba-chan had to call me and let me know my sister was wasted. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but worry about her well-being, yet a hint of annoyance crept in as I imagined the stupid antics she might have gotten herself into. With a heavy sigh, I knew I had to cut my revision session short and go pick her up.
“Alright. I’m on my way now.”
I ended the call and began to pack away my things.
“Is everything okay?” Sensei asked
“My sister got really drunk again and has passed out on the sidewalk. So, I need to go pick her up.”
“I see. Well then, I’ll drive you there.”
“Huh? Thank you for offering, but there’s no need, Sensei.”
“Come on. It’s the least I can do for a student.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You’ll get there much quicker if I drive you there.”
“Okay then. I guess I’ll take you up on that offer.”
I followed Sensei outside to the parking lot. We quickly got in her car and drove off to my sister’s location. Before I knew it, we were already at our destination. Sensei had driven quite fast, and there were times when I thought I was going to die. Who knew Sensei had a reckless side? I got out of the car and found my sister leaning on a wall.
“So-kun. You got here quickly.”
“Yeah. I had some help. Let’s get her to the car.”
With Inaba-chan’s help, we brought my sister to Sensei’s car and placed her in the backseat.
“Thank you, Inaba-chan, for taking care of her.”
“Of course. She’s my bestie.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
“Yep. Drive safely.”
“If I was the one driving, I would.”
When we finally arrived home, Karou was waiting for us. Sensei helped me get my sister out of the car. When Karou saw my sister, all she could do was let out a big sigh.
“Again?”
“Yep.”
“This happens every time she goes out partying.”
“Well, I’ll head out now,” Sensei proclaimed. “I hope she sobers up soon.”
“Thank you, Sensei.”
“No problem. Also, I hope you’re feeling better, Nishida-san.”
“Yeah. I feel much better now.”
“Good. Well, see you.”
Sensei drove off.
“Who was that?”
“That was the school nurse. I was talking to her when I got the call that Onee-chan had passed out, so she offered to help me.”
“Oh, I see.”
I noticed how her expression had changed. It was like she had just realised something.
“Is everything okay?”
“It might just be me, but she looks like the woman who saved your life last year.”
“What?”
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