For the next few minutes, I closed my eyes and let the world shrink to the warmth of Hayashi-sensei’s embrace and the steady cadence of her breathing. The burden I was ignoring lightened up, even if it was only slightly.
“See? Not so hard, is it? You’re not invincible, shameless brat. No matter how much you try to be for them.” Her fingers slowed their gentle weaving through my hair as her voice continued to partly scold and partly comfort me.
I let out a small, breathy laugh, which somehow tickled her enough to grab a clump of my hair and pull my face from her chest.
“If you’re already fine, isn’t it time to get going?” She glared down at me and I responded with a cheeky smile.
“Not yet, sensei. I can’t miss this opportunity to be comforted and pampered by you.”
Her hand paused and I could almost hear the grinding of her gears. “Cheeky brat. Don’t push your luck.”
Nevertheless, there was no real bite to her words and the way her fingers resumed their gentle motion gave me the courage to be a little more audacious.
I dived back down to her chest, my arms wrapping around her waist.
Hayashi-sensei let out a soft gasp, caught off guard by my sudden boldness. However, like I predicted, she just let me be. Her grasp on my hair loosened and she began threading through my hair again with a mix of exasperation and reluctant affection.
“This shameless student…” She helplessly muttered, yet her voice tinged with a warmth that betrayed her attempt at sternness. “
I tightened my embrace, burrowing my face further before looking up and grinning shamelessly at her, “You’re not kicking me out yet, sensei. That’s gotta mean something.”
She clicked her tongue and lightly squeezed my shoulder, “Don’t get cocky. I’m only indulging you because you looked like a lost puppy for once. Don’t expect this to become a habit.”
“Sure. Sure.”
Despite her words, the way her fingers continued their soothing rhythm told a different story.
And for a moment, we stayed like that. Naturally, I didn’t push it to the point where it would be more perverse. This kind of intimacy was enough… I mean, she helped me lighten the load I was unknowingly carrying. It’d be rude if I returned that kindness by being so shameless. She might not want to deal with me again.
The quiet of the Director’s Office gradually wrapped around us like a cocoon, making it more comfortable. Hayashi-sensei’s heartbeat raced in a maintained rhythm, not too fast, not too slow but quick enough to indicate she liked this moment.
Eventually, I put down my shamelessness and sincerely addressed her, “Sensei, you’re pretty good at this comforting thing. Ever thought about doing it full-time instead of playing the mysterious nurse?”
“Shut up, brat. Who am I going to comfort full-time? You?” She snapped at me but her amusement couldn’t be hidden, “And I’m not playing as the mysterious nurse. I already told you about that. Besides, I’ve got enough on my plate without adding ‘personal therapist’ to the list. I only have time to spare for you. Or Shizu-chan. Remember that.”
Right. As the director of the school, she must’ve been working on other things when I wasn’t looking. She even had to ensure that the other affiliated schools fall in line. And yet, it’s now become a habit for her to wait for me in this office every day.
At first, it was only because of what I did to that silent guy but eventually, it turned to our regular meeting where I was usually the one comforting her now that she’s trying to move on from her years-long affection for my father.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. You carry too much sometimes. It’s okay to lean on someone else for a change.” Hayashi-sensei softly whispered, taking me out of my trance.
I tilted my head up just enough to catch her gaze. Her glasses had slipped slightly down her nose, and her eyes held a rare gentleness that made my chest tighten in a way I hadn’t expected. “Thanks, sensei. Really. I needed this more than I thought.”
Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile and for a brief moment, the usual walls she kept up seemed to lower. “Don’t mention it. Just don’t go spreading rumors that I’ve gone soft, alright? I’ve got a reputation to maintain. Also… stop being too shameless.”
“Sorry, that last one might be hard to accomplish but I assure you, no one will know what happens in this room. Well, except my girls, if they asked me.” I teased as I finally pulled back to sit up properly.
My hands lingered on her waist for a moment before I let go, earning a raised eyebrow from her.
She adjusted her glasses and then pinched my cheek as much as she could before eventually cupping them gently, “You have his face and yet… you’re so different. Stop making me go soft on you, shameless brat.”
“Hmm? That’s not my intention, sensei. Didn’t I tell my intention right from the start?”
“You do. But I still hate it…” The volume of her voice was low enough that I probably wouldn’t have caught it if our faces weren’t just inches away from each other.
I met her gaze and my lips curved up slightly before putting a hand on hers, pulling it off my cheek and then gently squeezing it. “What is it that you hate, sensei?”
She became silent for a while but it’s not because she’s not thinking of how to answer. She already knew. She just couldn’t voice it out.
Eventually, she leaned back and retracted her hands, leaving me empty-handed.
“Forget it, brat. Just go. You’ve got places to be, and I’m done being your personal pillow. Finish up whatever you need to do and get to the Gymnasium before you fall out of Eguchi-sensei’s favor.”
I stood up and nodded, stretching slightly as the weight in my chest truly lightened up. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure to be on time… mostly.”
Hayashi-sensei rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Get out of here, shameless brat. And… take care of yourself, okay? I don’t want to see you moping around again anytime soon.”
I gave her a mock salute, my grin returning in full force. “Promise, sensei. I’ll keep my head empty for a bit, just like you said. I’ll rely on you again for comfort if I need it.”
“Don’t, you shameless brat! That was a one-time thing. Next time, you have to pay.”
“Pay what?”
“Think about it yourself.”
With that, she waved her hand again and turned around, as though she didn’t want to see me off.
However, as I turned to leave, her voice stopped me at the door. “Onoda-kun.”
I glanced back, catching the way her expression had softened again, just for a moment. “Yeah?”
She hesitated, then shook her head with a small chuckle. “Nothing. Just… don’t overthink it. Whatever’s on your mind, you’ll figure it out. You always do.”
I nodded, feeling a warmth settle in my chest. “Thanks, sensei. I’ll see you tomorrow for my next report. Oh. I’ll make it up to you. Double the massage time tomorrow.”
“I told you I don’t need it!”
I pretended not to hear her and stepped out of the Director’s Office.
After that, I returned to the empty clubroom, where I changed into my PE uniform in front of my girls. Uh. It’s not a show. Or maybe it was? I don’t know. They’re that interested in watching me strip, after all.
In the end, some of them demanded to be pampered – they got turned on from seeing my naked body. Unfortunately, we got interrupted by the bell. And with that, we hurriedly continued on our way to the Gymnasium.
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