Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher?-Chapter 1Volume 2 .5 - Interlude - Thoughts of the Future

Interlude 1

Thoughts of the Future

“The stepsister came at me with the pressure of an ex-girlfriend.”

The face reflected in the foggy bathroom mirror was furrowed with a frown between the eyebrows.

As I slowly submerged myself up to my shoulders in the bathtub, I found myself reflecting on what had just happened.

It was completely unexpected to suddenly run into Yuunagi-kun’s family member.

I wasn’t prepared at all, which led to a huge misunderstanding.

“Sigh, it’s embarrassing to lose my composure over a child…”

What am I doing as an adult?

As I stared blankly at the bathroom ceiling dotted with water droplets, my frustrations spilled out.

“Even so, those siblings are too close.”

…No, that’s not quite accurate.

At least from Kaguya-chan’s side, it seemed different.

“Their sense of distance is too close.”

The atmosphere when Kaguya-chan hugged him in the room didn’t look like that of siblings at all.

If she clings with such an openly affectionate aura, it’s natural I mistook her for someone he’s having an affair with.

“No, Yuunagi-kun and I aren’t dating yet!”

I’m not in a position to criticize others.

I laugh at myself for adding “yet” while internally pointing out my own contradictions.

I was so concerned about him that I added that sixth clause to the Neighbor Agreement.

Honestly, I hope he doesn’t get a girlfriend.

My possessiveness is throbbing uncontrollably.

I rely on him as if it’s the most natural thing.

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I want him to be by my side forever.

I was grateful and happy that he took care of me during Golden Week. I had shown my weak side too much to try acting cool and older now.

With him, I can show my true self with confidence and be at ease.

It’s surprising even to myself that the first person I could feel this way about is someone younger.

If his graduation comes without incident, this on-hold relationship will end.

Just imagining that future makes my heart race.

He changed me, someone who had lost faith in eternal love due to my parent’s relationship.

It’s a miracle that I met such a special person.

Even seeing his relationship with his stepsister, it’s clear he’s different from others.

“A stepsister who’s not so simple to deal with, huh?”

That was my candid impression.

It’s surprising that Kaguya-chan is still only in her third year of junior high school.

Any boy of his age would be utterly confused if suddenly presented with an overly cute stepsister.

Though too innocent to be called seductive, her charm that will shake men’s heart is sure to bloom even more from now on.

When a girl is skilled at acting spoiled, it’s no wonder that most men would fall for her.

Being with her makes one’s heart waver.

——She’s that kind of dangerous girl.

“The fact that he can control himself in such situations is part of his charm, though.”

I believe it.

After all, he was even more tense and had no composure when I went into his bath wearing a swimsuit.

“Yuunagi-kun must have a remarkable amount of reason not to be swayed by such a formidable younger stepsister.”

The problems of the world often worsen because the brakes of reason fail to function.

If our neighborly relationship were to be swept away by desire, who knows what would happen.

“——I wonder if that’s why he decided to live alone away from his stepsister.”

I’m curious.

I’m really curious, but I’m also afraid of stirring up a hornet’s nest by asking carelessly.

After their parents remarried, he said he didn’t get along well with his mother, but I still don’t know the details.

The impression I got from our conversation didn’t seem like a lie, but it also didn’t seem like the whole truth.

Today’s attitude of Yuunagi-kun towards Kaguya-chan wasn’t dismissive enough to suggest he wanted to cut ties, nor was it the unconditional love of a family.

Even adults struggle to get along as a family.

Especially when two teenagers become step-siblings.

It’s not something that can be simply put down to likes and dislikes.

Someone you like but must never fall for as a member of the opposite sex.

It’s not hard to imagine that it must have been quite tough for him from the start.

“…Making such a girl wait, I’m a bad adult too.”

I feel embarrassed as if I’m engaging in some kind of cruel tease.

As I grapple with this strange guilt, a call from my best friend comes in. I answer the phone while still in the bath.

“Hello?”

『Ah, Reiyu-chan, are you by any chance in the bath? Should I call back later?』

“It’s fine. I actually wanted to talk.”

『It’s a shame we couldn’t go play at the beach during Golden Week. How’s your cold?』

“I’m feeling better thanks to Yuunagi-kun taking care of me.”

『…Are you showing off? That sounds like bragging. Don’t brag!』

“That’s not it!”

I was just answering your question. I didn’t mean it that way.

『Ah, lucky you. I’m so jealous. I wish I had a wonderful man to take care of me so attentively and do housework.』

“It’s not like I’m dependent on him! We’re neighbors and we’re equals, okay!”

『Sure, sure, just make sure to invite me to your wedding. I’ll spill all the beans about how you two met.』

“Don’t say scary things. Today was tough enough with his stepsister coming over.”

『You’ve already encountered the little stepsister!? Did it turn into a serious battle? Tell me everything!』

“Calm down!”

『Sorry, I may have teased you too much while you were still recovering, huh?』

“Seriously now…”

『Anyway, how did your first contact with the family of the person you’re interested in go? Their opinion can be surprisingly influential, you know. They might say they don’t mind dating, but absolutely no marriage.』

My best friend was clearly enjoying this.

“I think his little sister was wary of me.”

『Oh? She’s not intimidated by Reiyu-chan? That stepsister has some guts.』

“I’d like to get along better with her, though.”

『You’re steadily filling in the moat for your future!』(TN: You’re steadily paving the way for your future!)

“It’s just part of being neighbors.”

『Hard to let your guard down because the scrutiny from someone of the same gender can be relentless, huh?』

A hint from my best friend brought forth the anxiety I had been suppressing.

“What if she hates me? She’s the type who can openly call herself a ‘Brocon’.”

『Uh-oh, that sounds troublesome. To her, Reiyu-chan, you might be seen as the thieving cat who’s come to steal away her beloved Onii-san.』

“Is that really how it is? What if that’s the case?”

The fact that I had already falsified my name and profession added to my unease.

『…』

“Why are you so quiet?”

『Well, it’s just that Reiyu-chan seems to be seriously considering a future with that boy next door.』

She pointed it out in a teasing yet congratulatory manner.

I was completely unaware of what I was saying…

“~~!”

『Hearing Reiyu-chan’s giddy love stories is super fun.』

After being thoroughly teased, the call ended.

I wanted to graduate quickly from the dilemma of my own true feelings and my role as a teacher.

How happy would I be if I could act without having to hide these feelings?

For that reason, I wanted to get along with his little sister as well.

I wanted to get along, but I was also concerned about being too close to Yuunagi-kun.

“Maybe I should ask by message. But it’s already late today…”

Procrastination isn’t good for mental health, but I couldn’t bring myself to make contact.

As I was pondering this with half my face submerged in the bath, a call came from Yuunagi-kun.

“Ah!”

I nearly dropped my smartphone into the water.

In catching it, I accidentally pressed the call button.

『Tenjō-san, thank you for earlier… Is something wrong? Your voice is echoing.』

“I-It’s nothing. What’s up?”

『I wanted to talk about Kaguya. Can I come over to your room now?』

“That’s sudden. I don’t mind, though.”

『Tenjō-san, if we keep postponing it, you might start worrying unnecessarily and become anxious. I’m concerned you might lose sleep over it.』

He seemed to see right through my circumstances.

I was touched by his thoughtfulness and consideration.

『I’ll be back at my apartment in about five minutes, so is it okay if I head over then?』

“No!”

『Huh?』

“Thirty—no, at least give me twenty minutes, please. Thank you!”

Without waiting for his reply, I ended the call and hurried out of the bathroom.

Really, why does it always take so long for a woman to get ready!