Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher? - Volume 1 Chapter 5.5

First, Try Opening Up Your Heart 5

 

The talk of moving was merely a precaution.

Although being apart might be safer, it isn’t necessary.

 

After a pause, Tenjō-san murmurs softly.

 

“Hey, does that mean you’re promising not to have a girlfriend until you graduate?”

 

Tenjō-san doesn’t try to look at me.

Instead, I take her hand that’s on the bed.

Her slender hand trembles slightly but doesn’t pull away.

 

“I’ll wait until graduation to prove my eternal love for you.”

 

She lifts her face.

 

“You’re wasting your precious youth…”

 

Tenjō-san looks like she’s about to cry.

 

“What I want the most is my youth with Sensei.”

“Won’t you regret it?”

“Having time for yourself is the best part of being a student. So I, Yuunagi Nishiki, will spend my time on what I love the most.”

 

She whispers softly, “Idiot.”

 

“Sensei, so you’ll strictly adhere to it as well, right?”

“That’s because the Neighbor Agreement is a rule shared by both of us.”

“I don’t know. Sensei is beautiful and popular, so I’m worried. You must be getting a lot of attention from all kinds of guys.”

 

I put on an overly exaggerated act. I can’t help but acknowledge my own poor acting skills.

 

“That should be my line!”

 

Tenjō-san retorts, getting worked up.

 

“Do you have anything to worry about?”

 

She grips the hand she was holding tightly, almost painfully.

 

“There’s a lot to worry about! I thought you were like me, lacking close friends around, but before I knew it, you became friendly with the cold beauty of the class, even having morning calls with her. Aren’t you too quick with girls? It makes me wonder if you’re a playboy. And to top it off, despite being sick, you ask her to pass a message for you. What are you doing!?”

 

She unleashes all her pent-up frustrations at once.

 

“I see. So you came here half worried and half jealous.”

“No! It’s more like 80% worry and 20% jealousy!”

 

Her correction is oddly specific.

Wait, am I more important to her than I thought?

 

“Even if it’s just 20%, coming all the way to the bathroom in a swimsuit means I’m quite liked, doesn’t it?”

 

I bite down on my back teeth, desperately trying to suppress the urge to grin.

 

“Don’t get cocky! I did it because it was necessary!”

“But that swimsuit was too er*tic. I wanted to touch your chest, and your butt was almost completely exposed.”

 

I frankly spill out a boy’s hidden desires.

 

“Isn’t that too blunt!?”

 

Tenjō-san, who had been leaning against the bed, sat up and covered her chest with one arm.

 

“Being lovers and cuddling naked would have been much easier to handle for me. That’s how nervous I was.”

“That much!?”

 

Tenjō-san realizes her own carelessness, looking as if she’s about to burst into flames from embarrassment.

 

“As much as I want to cherish you, there are times I feel the impulse to pounce on you.”

 

This person is too unaware of a man’s heart and nature.

Still, I don’t let go of her hand.

 

“Maybe it’s like teasing a carnivore by dangling meat in front of them.”

“Let me tell you, even a prince on a white horse has s*xual desires.”

 

Real love isn’t just about ideals and beautiful things.

But, that itself is probably the essence of what makes the deep relationship between people so special.

 

“I don’t think you’re a prince on a white horse!”

“I don’t mean to be that conceited. It’s not my style anyway.”

 

I can’t help but give a wry smile at her obvious attempt to hide her embarrassment.

Reiyu Tenjō, despite her elegant appearance, is truly a maiden at heart.

 

“That’s not what I meant!”

 

The woman I’m interested in is attractive even when she’s angry.

It’s not just her beauty that captivated me, nor is it her outstanding figure that makes me want to embrace her.

Always, I wanted to see more of her expressions.

 

“I teased you too much. To make Tenjō-san feel safe, I’ll do my best to resist any lewd thoughts.”

“Eh, but it must be hard for boys to do that…”

 

She asks cautiously with her face turning red.

 

“Then I’ll resist as much as I can.”

“I don’t see the difference.”

“I can resist enough to share a bed without problems.”

“Is that, reassuring?”

 

Her skeptical gaze stings.

 

“If you don’t stimulate me unnecessarily, probably.”

“Be more decisive like a man!”

“Sorry, I can’t meet your expectations.”

“Aren’t you giving up too quickly!?”

“A man’s s*xual desire is an uncontrollable monster.”

“…well, I can understand that, considering your reaction to the swimsuit. It must be tough to suppress physiological urges, so I’ll compromise as much as I can.”

 

She expresses a bashful yet not entirely displeased look.

 

What, she can make such a face?

That’s too er*tically cute.

It’s dangerous, just looking at her gets me excited.

Why is it that just at times like this, my health isn’t at its best?

 

“Tenjō-san, you’re seriously a goddess. I won’t forget your words!”

“Hey, don’t get too excited, you’re sick! You have no self-control!”

 

She scolds me but doesn’t let go of my hand.

 

“Sorry, you’re just too understanding and amazing.”

“Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s too late for regrets now.”

“I know. A woman doesn’t go back on her word.”

 

She sighs as she reluctantly accepts, her conflicted look is also adorable.

 

“If you’re hesitating, why not relax the conditions a little more?”

“Like what?”

 

I propose the most peaceful solution.

 

“Within the bounds of the law, why don’t we secretly have a wholesome relationship?”

 

I gaze at her beautiful face.

The once unattainable presence, too dazzling to even look up to, is now here beside me.

 

The joy of this reality naturally brings a smile to my face.

She seems to feel the same. And then, unable to hold back any longer, she confesses.

 

“No! If we do that, I won’t be able to control myself!”

“What? Does that mean…”

“Just go to sleep already!”

 

Tenjō-san finally shakes off my hand, but she doesn’t leave my side.

 

“You always try to escape when you’re troubled.”

 

I can’t help but laugh. It’s just like the first time she shared her food with me.

Challenged by my words, she stiffens in frustration.

 

“Anyway, I’ll cancel the moving! Everything else is on hold! And no complaints allowed!”

“That’s the best medicine for me. Now I can sleep peacefully.”

 

Relieved, I lie back down in bed.

 

“I’ll watch over you until you fall asleep.”

“That’s going to make me restless, you know.”

“Just close your eyes, and you’ll eventually fall asleep. Don’t worry about me.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Impossible or not, just bear with it.”

“Alright, let’s see who can endure more. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. Sweet dreams.”

 

I try to sound tough, but I’m reaching my limits in so many ways.

With the comforting feeling of having the person I like close by, I quickly fell asleep.

 

The following clause is added to the Neighbor Agreement between Yuunagi Nishiki and Reiyu Tenjō:

【Clause 6: Neither party shall have a romantic partner until graduation.】