Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher?-Chapter 2Volume 1 .7 - The Neighbor Agreement

The Neighbor Agreement 7

“Kuhouin-san, late again. Why were you late again today?”

“My bed wouldn’t let me go.”

It was too brazen to call it an excuse.

Challenging Tenjō-sensei like that took guts. She’s not your average pretty girl.

If you snap at Sensei without cause, you risk being seen as envious of her beauty.

Normally, one would play it safe and not make such a risky move.

But Kuhouin showed no hesitation.

Was it confidence in herself, or is she just being reckless?”

Akira Kuhouin was also considered one of the most beautiful girls in our grade.

Even in her sporty phase last year, she was secretly popular, but it increased significantly after she became more feminine following her retirement.

“Set your alarm to wake up in time for homeroom.”

Tenjō-sensei stops Kuhouin, who was about to head to her seat and reminds her of the obvious.

In front of the blackboard—right in front of me—the two faced each other.

“I’m in a mutual love with my bed, so I want to stay with it forever.”

“Kuhouin-san, even if you love it, there are times you must part. If you keep being late, you might not be able to advance to the third year. You need to change your attitude.”

Tenjō-sensei advised her quietly, clearly worried about the possibility of Kuhouin repeating a year.

“I’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

Kuhouin showed no concern or agitation about her own issues, seemingly indifferent.

“That’s not how it works.”

“Do as you like. Even when I’m an adult, I won’t love school enough to wake up early every day, unlike Sensei.”

Kuhouin probably meant it as sarcasm.

But knowing Reiyu Tenjō’s morning situation, I couldn’t help but burst out a small chuckle.

“Nishiki, did something funny happen?”

Kuhouin narrowed her eyes and stared at me.

I was surprised she even remembered my name. Sensei also looked at me, her face seeming like she wanted to say something.

“Sorry, bad timing. My hay fever is acting up.”

I lied casually.

“That wasn’t a sneeze. Plus, you had a stupid look on your face.”

She giggles softly.

“Hey, Kuhouin. You’re late and now you’re dissing someone’s face first thing in the morning?”

Being picked on just for sitting in the front row is the last thing I need.

If you’re late, at least show some remorse and enter from the back of the classroom.

Why do you have to pass in front of me?

“I only commented on your expression. No comment on the face itself.”

“That makes it even more annoying!”

“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Handsome.”

“That’s too perfunctory.”

“Not at all.”

Our eyes met.

It was as if her eyes were drawing me in.

She suddenly fell silent, stopping our back-and-forth conversation.

Was she actually interested in me and just covering it up with teasing me?

“Wow, you’re blushing. Don’t take a girl’s words too seriously, or you’ll be seen as a delusional guy.”

“Mind your own business, you chronic latecomer.”

“I made it in time for the first period, though.”

‘So it’s not tardiness,’ Kuhouin casually retorted.

Standing next to Sensei at the front of the classroom, her brazenness was almost refreshing.

“In general, not being in the classroom before homeroom is considered tardiness. Look, everyone else made it on time, right?”

I reminded her of a rule we learned in elementary school, urging Kuhouin to look around the classroom.

“Everyone’s so early, that’s amazing…”

Kuhouin said in a listless voice, almost mocking the other classmates.

Watching our exchange, Tenjō-sensei next to me was somehow holding back laughter, her hand covering her mouth.

I could sense her trying to suppress her giggles, almost bending over with laughter.

I could understand if she was angry, but what was so funny?

“Tenjō-sensei?”

Confused by her reaction, I had to ask.

Kuhouin also frowned in puzzlement.

“Ah, sorry-sorry. Don’t worry about it.”

Tenjō-sensei returned to a serious expression and faced Kuhouin again.

“For now, take your seat as the first period is about to start. If your tardiness continues, I’ll have to lecture you in the staff room or call your parents.”

Sensei concluded with that warning and ended the morning homeroom.

Hmm, I still don’t understand why Sensei was holding back laughter.

I’ll ask her when I get home.

***

“I’m home!”

It was past nine at night again.

Working overtime from Monday, that’s dedication.

The intercom of my room rang, and when I opened the door, Tenjō-sensei was there in a good mood.

“Oh, welcome back.”

Her assertive greeting made me reflexively respond in kind.

“Hmm, it’s nice to come back to a lit room.”

“Sensei—no, Tenjō-san. You just said ‘I’m home’…”

“Is it weird? It’s almost like coming home. Ah, I’m tired.”

Tenjō-san took off her shoes and entered my room.

“Your room is next door, though.”

“Don’t worry about the details. Here, I brought you something.”

Just like this morning, Tenjō-san came to my room for dinner.

She pulled out some convenience store sweets from her work bag and handed them to me.

“Aren’t you going to change first? I don’t mind waiting.”

Instead of stopping by her room first, she came directly here still in her suit.

“I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

“You don’t need to worry about me or bring gifts.”

“It’s just convenience store sweets. Besides, the convenience store on the way home is an oasis for the working adult’s heart.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s an exclusive space for busy, tired workers to take a break on their way home. A place to reward themselves for a day’s hard work. In my case, I just end up wanting something sweet.”

I see, so shopping on the way home is a bit of a breather.

“And you chose cream puffs and pudding.”

“I have to check out the new products. You can pick whichever you like.”

“Won’t you gain weight if you eat sweets after dinner?”

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“I swam a lot today, so no problem! Besides, dessert goes to a different stomach!”

Tenjō-san took off her jacket and confidently flashed a peace sign at me.

It seems she feels no guilt about having sweets at night.

Being the advisor of the swim team, she probably uses her regular swimming as a justification.

Seeing her body, it’s understandable.

“Then please chill it. I’m going to wash my hands.”

After entrusting me with the sweets, Tenjō-san disappeared into the washroom.

It would be tactless to criticize Tenjō-san’s small pleasures.

After putting the sweets in the fridge, I turned on the stove to finish cooking.

Being a teacher is busy and tough, I thought to myself again.

In the morning, they go to school and stand at the podium teaching all day.

In the evening, they move their bodies to coach club activities.

Then back to the staff room for paperwork. By the time work ends, they must be exhausted.

Going out after work would require a lot of energy.

Their daily schedule is packed, and unexpected troubles can arise when dealing with teenagers.

Kuhouin’s habit of being late is a perfect example.

If it’s not corrected, it could significantly change a student’s life.

While some can easily say it’s the student’s responsibility, it’s difficult for a conscientious teacher like Reiyu Tenjō.

I found myself wondering if there was anything else I could do to ease Tenjō-san’s burdens.