That’s How Everything Went Wrong

It’s been a week since Karou found out about my relationship with Sensei. Like anyone who found out about your friend and your teacher’s secret relationship, she did not react well to the revelation. I didn’t blame her for shouting and criticising us, nor did I chase after her when she stormed out of the apartment with tears in her eyes. She avoided me whenever I tried to talk to her. Eventually, it became too much for me, and one lonely night, I cried into my pillow due to how much I missed my childhood best friend.

I wasn’t the only one who felt guilty. Sensei took Karou’s words to her harshly, and she believed it was her fault that Karou was heartbroken; she believed her selfishness was the cause of all the pain we were going through.

However, Sensei and I still continued to comfort each other during this hard time, sharing the guilt between us.

But things got even worse.

A rumour had started to spread through campus. Whoever started the rumour claimed that Sensei and I were in a romantic relationship. How they knew dumbfounded us and made us worry about what would happen to us. How did they find out? We were so careful.

The sky was corrupted by a grey mask. As predicted, people were gossiping about the rumour. We were engulfed by the constant questions that were thrown at us. I was even questioned by my friends, who now saw me in a different light. Wherever I went, eyes would follow me. There was nowhere to hide from the rumour.

The only people who did not criticise me were my sister and Matsumoto-senpai. He was sceptical whether the rumours were true or not, but nevertheless, he accepted that I was possibly in a relationship with Sensei, and he was happy that I had someone who cared and loved me. Apparently, he had seen us together, and there was this overpowering glow irradiating from us. But he warned me that things were going to get worse from here on out, especially since we were a teacher and a student in a romantic relationship, and I would have to work with Sensei to overcome this obstacle.

Meanwhile Reika would try to protect from the student body, denying on my behalf that Sensei and I weren’t dating. She did scold me for being careless, and she also informed me that Karou had gone radio silent.

The principal eventually summoned us to his office and interrogated us. Despite our claims that we weren’t in a romantic relationship, he still insisted action had to be taken. He stated that there would be an ongoing investigation, and we were prohibited from interacting with one another.

Later that night, Sensei and I were on a call, talking about what to do about our current situation.

“We were so careful. I don’t know how they found out.”

“I thought so too.”

“So, what do you want to do about it?”

“For now, let’s just follow the principal’s orders.”

“So does that mean I can’t come see you?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Ugh! How did we get ourselves into this situation? It’s frustrating! I mean, who even started that rumour?”

“The only people that knew about our relationship were Haruno-sensei, my grandmother, and Karou.”

“No. Karou would never do something like this.”

“I’m not saying that she did, but we can’t rule her out. She was pretty angry at us when she found out we were dating.”

“Karou isn’t spiteful like that. It definitely wasn’t her. I trust her to keep something like our relationship a secret, even if she doesn’t agree with it.”

“Then who could it have been?”

I suddenly got a call from an unknown number.

“Riho, I’ll call you back.”

“Oh, okay.”

I ended the call and answered the incoming one.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Kuro-kun.”

I realised who it was. “How’d you get my number?”

“Does it matter? What you should be more worried about is what happens next.”

“What do you want?”

“Meet me at the large park near our school. I’ll be waiting.”

There was a large park across from our school. During the day, people would take leisurely strolls, absorbing the natural surroundings. But in the darkness of the night, the only sources of light were the dim street lamps and the moon’s sublime glow. There was the ominous sound of crickets and birds throughout the area.

As I followed the gravel path, the street lamps cast a friendly glow on me. I noticed a girl sitting on the bench like a phantom in the night. I loathed the fact that I had to confront this sinister presence.

“Matsuura-san.”

“Yo, Kuro-kun. Have a seat.”

“I think I’ll stand.”

“Very well.”

“Why did you call me here in the middle of the night?”

“Am I not allowed to meet with an old friend?”

“We aren’t friends.”

“Ouch. Is that the right way to talk to your ex-girlfriend? Speaking of which, how is that new girlfriend of yours? You’re dating Takanashi-sensei, right?”

At that point, I realised who was behind the rumour. “It was you, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“How did you know?”

“Do you think I started the rumour? Why would I do that?”

“Maybe to get revenge on me for the past.”

“I don’t hold grudges.”

“What do you want?”

“I want my boyfriend back.”

“What?”

She stood up from the bench and met me face-to-face.

“You heard me. I want to get back together.”

“That’s not happening.”

“Yeah, I thought you would say that. I mean, you’re not single right now.” She began roaming around me like a predator getting ready to bounce on its prey. “I never took you to be attracted to older women. What’s so special about that woman anyway?”

“Leave Riho out of this.”

“Awh, you even refer to each other by your first names. That’s so cute! We never got to that stage.”

My impatience was at an all-time high. I could not bear to be around this woman any longer.

“Okay. I’ll cut to the chase. I want you to be my boyfriend. I’m fine if you keep that old hag as a side piece, but from now on, you will consider me your main girl.”

“Why would I ever do that?”

“Because if you don’t, those rumours will never go away. They’ll get worse, actually, especially when I show everyone this.”

My heart dropped when she presented a photo of Sensei and me together hanging outside of school. She then swiped to reveal another photo of us entering Sensei’s apartment. Even though we were wearing disguises, our identities as were clear as day.

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“Yeah. So, if you don’t comply, I will release this to the public, and both of your lives will be ruined.”

“You won’t get away with this.”

She pulled me by the collar, forcing my face closer to hers.

“I already have, darling.”

My disgust for this girl got worse as she gave me a light smooch on the cheek.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Get home safe.”

Matsuura-san walked away, leaving me in the wicked darkness.

She was behind everything the entire time. She knew everything, and I couldn’t do anything to combat it. She had already lit the match by spreading the rumour, but if she released those photos, she would start the fire, and from then on, our lives would be changed forever. I hated how useless I was. The horrid flashbacks of middle school returned to me, making me feel nauseous and on the verge of puking. I wanted to fight back, but if I did, Sensei would be in danger. I would never forgive myself if she was hurt in any way. For now, I would have to be Matsuura-san’s boyfriend, or, for better terms, her pet.

I returned home feeling defeated.

How would I tell Sensei? Would I be able to go through the same experience I went through during middle school? Am I going to be Matsuura-san’s dog forever?

How did everything go so wrong?