That’s Why I Need You, Sensei [END]

After everything we had to endure these past few days, I started to think about the future of my relationship with Sensei. We had already experienced firsthand the repercussions of a rumour, and our secret was also used against us. Because of this, I almost lost my spot in the university, and I was also exploited, and Sensei’s career was almost ruined. We had to do so much in order to protect ourselves, and while we succeeded, there was still the fear that it could happen again.

That is why I called Sensei and asked her to meet me in her office after school.

“Is everything okay, Sozen?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to talk to you about something, specifically our future.”

“Oh, I see. I actually wanted to talk to you about that as well. Have a seat.”

We sat down beside one another on the sofa. I decided to speak first since I was the one who initiated the conversation.

“So, I’ve been thinking about the future—our future. When I first met you, I thought you were amazing. You were the youngest teacher in the high school, having only graduated a few months prior. Based on my first impression of you, I thought you were a strong, formidable woman whose beauty outshone even the most beautiful teenage girls in the school. And I still believe that to be true. When you told me you liked me, I was confused, but I knew that being with you was fun. I wanted to stay with you forever. I simply cannot imagine a life without you. But after everything we’ve been through, it’s safe to say that so long as we are a couple, if they find out that the rumour was actually true, our careers will be in danger.”

“Yes, I agree. I love you, Sozen. You’re the only man who has treated me as an equal. You have shown time and time again how devoted you are to me, and my heart flutters every time you do something to show your love for me. I thought that even though we were a teacher and a student, our relationship would prevail. But after what happened, I’m not too sure we can keep this up much longer.”

“So we’re in agreement, huh?”

“Yes. I think so.”

“So this is it, then?”

“I believe so.”

“We’re breaking up. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be just student and teacher.”

“Yeah.”

In the midst of our conversation, there was a moment of silence, a pause that allowed our hearts to catch up with our words.

The chapter of our love story has reached an unexpected turning point. With heavy hearts, we found ourselves in a bittersweet moment. We both knew this decision was necessary, but the weight was heavy on us.

The setting sun cast a warm glow, a poignant reminder of the beautiful moments we shared together. Our eyes met, the love for one another still shining bright in them. A tear glistened in Sensei’s eyes. I wiped her face with my hand, gently caressing her face for the last time. I tried holding mine back, but they began flowing because I knew that this was something both of us found hard to do. We had left an indelible mark on one another, and we were forever etched into each other’s hearts.

“If you do ever find someone else worth loving, I promise I will support you and the lucky girl.”

“I doubt anyone else will beat you, Sensei.”

She chuckled—this would be the last time I would hear her laugh.

“If you also find someone, please do not hold back because of me. But that being said, I promise that I will do my best to graduate from university and get a good job. I promise that I will become a man worthy of being with you. And if you’re still not with anyone, I’ll find you.”

“I‘ll hold you to that.”

We embraced each other for the last time—a hug that spoke a million words. Our final day was marked by a final kiss.

As time went on, we would occasionally see one another and smile at one another. If we saw each other in the halls, we would check up on one another. 

For the rest of my university life, even if I found myself interested in someone, I wouldn’t think about dating them. Part of me still loved Sensei. However, as the years went by, we barely saw each other, and the number of conversations we had diminished. Despite this, I would still think of her.

Two years have passed since I graduated from university. I was at the train station, waiting for an old friend to arrive. The train finally arrived, and as the doors opened, Karou walked out. She was wearing a long and flowy flower-printed dress with finer details like a ribbon and bell sleeves. You could tell that her fashion had been affected by her time in Korea.

“Karou!”

She saw me and immediately ran to me, dragging her luggage behind her.

“Sozen!”

She leaped into my arms and hugged me tightly. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, so we were glad to be in each other’s presence again.

“It’s so good to see you!”

“You too. Here, let me take your luggage.”

“Ah, thank you.”

On behalf of the company she worked for, Karou had gone to Korea for work. Today, she finally returned home. She told me about her time there and how she successfully struck a deal with a company that they had their eyes on for a while. She also reveals she met someone there, and they started talking to one another. I was glad that she had finally found someone she was interested in.

After dropping off her bags at her apartment—after university, we both decided to move back to our hometown—we decided to take a stroll along the riverbank, reminiscing about the days of our youth. We visited Reika at our old home—she had bought the house back after she graduated from university.

“Karou!”

“Reika-chan! Look how big you’ve grown. How many months?”

“Six months.”

“Oh my. You’re almost there. I can’t wait to meet the little one.”

“Where’s the husband?”

“He’s at work, but he’ll be back later. You two are having dinner here, right?”

“Yeah. We’re just going around town for now.”

“Ah, okay. Well, don’t be late, or else all the food will be finished… by me.”

Reika and I continued to walk around town, retracing the steps we took as children. We went past the high school we used to go to.

“We had a lot of good memories there, didn’t we?”

“Yeah, we did.”

We heard a car horn behind us, its sound getting closer and closer. We turned around and saw Yoshi in a red sports car.

“Yoshi?”

“Yo, Sozen! Oh, Karou, you’re back! Welcome back.”

“Hi, Yoshi.”

“Where are you off to?”

“I need to head down to the studio. We’re doing reshoots.”

“Will you be able to make it to dinner tonight?”

“I should be able to, but if I run a little late, just start without me.”

“Alright. Good luck with filming!”

“See you later!”

Yoshi drove off, spreading dust particles behind him.

Later that evening, everyone was gathered around the table, which was full of all kinds of delicious food. After giving thanks for the food, we dug in, taking a bite from each plate. It had been a while since we were all together, so it was nice to see everyone enjoying themselves.

The doorbell rang. Kondo-san and her girlfriend entered, carrying a large tray of home-baked muffins.

While we ate, we caught up with one another. The night was filled with nostalgia. Activities such as karaoke and board games entertained us through the night. Everyone, minus Reika and her husband, drank multiple bottles of alcohol, making the night even more crazy. Eventually, the ones who drank were either too tipsy to move around anymore or they were completely blacked out on the sofa.

The next day, I was so hungover that I couldn’t focus on the paperwork in front of me.

“You seem tired, Sensei.”

“Ah, yeah. I think I drank too much last night.”

I was handed a vegetable and fruit smoothie. “Here, drink this.”

“Thanks.”

Taking a sip of the refreshing drink, I felt the revitalising blend wash away the remnants of the hangover. Needless to say, it didn’t taste good.

“Did they miss me?”

“Yeah, they did.”

“You told them why I couldn’t join, right?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“As teachers, we have duties that we need to fulfil.”

Sensei took a chair and sat next to me.

“I can’t tell if you’re lecturing me or not.”

“I’m lecturing you.”

“Okay.”

“Let me help you with the papers so we can go home.”

“Thank you. You’re a life saver.”

The woman I loved began helping with my leftover paperwork. As the sunset caught her hand in a gentle flint, the delicate sparkle of an engagement ring caught my attention.

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Oh, he’s wonderful.”

“Is he?”

“Yeah, he is.”

Sensei leaned in and kissed me on the lips.

“Are you happy, Sensei?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Yes, I am. Are you?”

“I’ve never been more happy in my life.”

“I wonder why that is.”

“Maybe it’s because I have you by my side.”

“Maybe. Oh, you forgot to staple those papers.”

“Oh, shoot. My bad.”

“See. What would you do without me?”

“I really can’t live without you.”

“It’s the same for me.” She placed her hand on mine. “I’ll stay by your side forever.”

“And I’ll never let you go.”

I looked into the eyes of the woman I loved. She was the one who completely changed my life. If it wasn’t for the time she saved me, I wouldn’t be here enjoying a great life. She was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and I wanted to give her the life she deserved.

That’s why, with all my heart, I said to her,

“I need you, Sensei.”