Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher? - Volume 3 Chapter 1.7

Interlude 1

Adult Circumstances 1

“So you see, there was a drinking party at work on Friday, but Yuunagi-kun stayed up and waited for me to come home. Isn’t that incredibly sweet? He’s such a good kid.”

On a weekend night, I was chatting on the phone with my best friend in my room as usual.

『Reiyu-chan, first of all, did you really drink so much at the work party that you were completely wasted?』

“Eh, I only had the toast beer, and after that, I stuck to oolong tea the whole time.”

『And then, because of the alcohol, you rolled into his room and acted all lovey-dovey and needy?』

My best friend’s voice was unusually chilly.

“I was just a bit tipsy, it was just a coincidence.”

『Reiyu-chan, you’re not that weak to alcohol that you’d end up getting a lap pillow from a guy just from being slightly tipsy. When you’re with me, you can open a bottle of wine and drink it.』

“That’s because I don’t feel nervous around you.”

『So, you mean to say you can’t be affectionate with him without the help of alcohol?』

“!?”

She hit the nail on the head.

『…Reiyu-chan』

“What?”

『I’m tired of hearing you brag about him.』

My longtime friend confessed in a grave tone.

“I’m not bragging, am I?”

『How can you say that! You’re 100% bragging! Are you unaware!? It’s like a terrorist act of spilling happiness everywhere. It’s too malicious!』

She was unusually excited and confrontational, which irritated me a bit.

“It’s because you keep asking about my personal life!”

Why should I be criticized just for talking about everyday events?

『Honestly, you’re acting like a middle schooler who’s had a boyfriend for the first time. Oh, is he your first?』

“If you’re going to provoke me, I’ll hang up.”

『Ah, sorry! I just haven’t had any exciting encounters recently, and I’m just taking it out on you.』

“That’s even more malicious.”

What a complainer.

『Well, I understand why you’d want to show off about snagging the excellent catch next door.』

“Don’t talk about him like he’s an object.”

I can’t relate to that kind of sentiment.

『I never expected Reiyu-chan, who’s in love, to become so smitten… It’s shocking. You’re like a different person from your student days. Serious love changes people, huh?』

“I’m just praising his good points.”

『It sounds nothing but like you’re bragging about your boyfriend!』

“We’re not even dating yet!”

『Eh〜 At this point, that’s just sounds like a lame excuse. Have you guys had s*x yet?』

My friend sounded utterly exasperated.

“There’s no way we could do that!”

『After all that flirting, why worry about it now? As long as you don’t get caught, it’s fine. Go for it!』

“He’s a student, and I’m a teacher!”

『Sounds like a common scenario in AV that would get people excited.』 (Adult Video)

“Why would you, a woman, know so much about AV!?”

『Nowadays, women watch AV too.』

“I don’t watch it!”

Today, she’s unusually keen on steering the conversation toward dirty jokes. Looks like someone’s feeling starved.

『It’s all because of such a sinful woman that the poor boy next door is to be pitied.』

She sighs dramatically on her own accord.

“Why should he be pitied?”

I get ticked off and my tone becomes sharp without thinking.

『Because you’re seducing him without realizing it, and yet you’re not letting him do anything naughty. It sounds like you’re enjoying making him endure. What kind of play is that? So lewd.』

“What!?”

I’m left speechless.

I’m genuinely shocked.

『You didn’t realize?』

“I’m just living normally…”

『Listen, Reiyu-chan, you’re attractive just by being yourself. Just by moving, you’re seductive. Your very existence is erotic. Bravo, you’re a femme fatale who raises heart rates just by being close!』

“Don’t cheer me on like that!”

『It’s the truth. You become completely defenseless around someone you trust, and I, as your long-time friend, know that best. Well, that’s one of your charming points.』

“What an unpleasant guarantee.”

『Even your female friends think so, so imagine what it’s like with a real boyfriend. You’re probably unaware that your body language has become more touchy-feely and your behavior more careless.』

Despite not having witnessed the scene, my friend’s assumptions were highly accurate.

『You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?』

She asks as if seeing right through me.

“…a little.”

Reflecting on my actions, I could vaguely recall several relevant instances.

『You’re greatly underestimating it. That’s the problem with girls who are giddy from their first love.』

“We’re the same age!”

『But when it comes to love experience, we’re worlds apart!』

I can tell she’s grinning triumphantly on the other end of the phone.

“It can’t be helped. It’s unconscious.”

『Normally, I’d love to tease you endlessly, but since the other party is still a high school student…』

“I haven’t done anything that would break the law!”

『I trust your ethics as a teacher, Reiyu-chan. That’s why I feel sorry for him and a bit worried.』

“Worried?”

Her way of taking Yuunagi-kun’s side is somehow irritating.

『Reiyu-chan, your nice body is a deadly weapon, you know. It’s impossible for him to not make a move when such a beauty innocently frolics around him. He’s enduring the current state of agony with all his might』

My best friend declared with conviction.

“Enduring with all his might…”

『Reiyu-chan, you underestimate men’s sexual desire too much.』

“No, I get it. He’s even admitted as much himself.”

Still, Yuunagi-kun has never done anything I would dislike, and we haven’t reached a situation that would ruin our current relationship.

I do feel a sense of unwarranted guilt, and yet I can’t just casually respond to it.

Everything is unknown to me, and I’m scared because I can’t imagine what would happen to myself. But even that might just be a convenient interpretation for me.

『You’re not seriously enjoying toying with the innocence of young people, are you?』

My friend asked suspiciously, deliberately speaking in a mean tone.

“Don’t say such terrible things! It’s pure love, pure love!”

I retorted vehemently.