Stealing Spree

Chapter 2388: Blurred Line

Minami Shoukoʼs presence in the infirmary was unexpected. Especially when I had just seen her healthy yesterday. While she wasnʼt one of my girls, I promised to look after her while she continued her search for a genuine connection. And somehow, seeing her in such a vulnerable state stirred something protective in me.

”What happened to her?” I turned to Hayashi-sensei who was staring at me as if I was acting differently than normal.

Hayashi-sensei crossed her arms as her lips stretched into a small smile but only for a

moment. She nudged her glasses and answered professionally as the school nurse, ”Fatigue and lack of sleep resulted in overexerting herself today. You can see the results for yourself- high fever, exhaustion, and dehydration.”

Wait. Sheʼs not being worked hard by Shizu and she didnʼt even look tired yesterday when I met up with them after club hours.

Did something happen to her last night?

”I see. Did you find out why sheʼs like that, sensei?”

”I imagine itʼs the same reason as before.”

”Before?”

”Un. That girl is a regular in my infirmary. At least once or twice a month, sheʼll show up in this state. Sheʼll be fine in an hour or two. If youʼre too worried about her, you can stay here and look after her. You donʼt have much to report anyway, right?”

Hayashi-sensei paused and gave me a knowing look, her tone laced with subtle amusement. She knew me well enough by now to predict how Iʼd respond.

”Well, I can come back and check on her again after my report. You know I canʼt miss that, sensei. Youʼre just as important to me.” I turned around with a smirk, causing her to blush.

”You slick-tongued brat.” She clicked her tongue but she couldnʼt deny how pleased she was to hear that.

”By the way, is she stable now?”

”Yes. She just needs rest and fluids.”

”Mhm. That sounds reassuring.” I nodded and looked at the girl once. She looked so fragile this way, a far cry from the spirited girl who had challenged me not too long ago. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and her lips were slightly parted, dry from dehydration.

Itʼs making me wonder what exactly the reason is for this. If itʼs happening every month, then it must be related to her house.

I crouched beside the bed, lowering my voice so as not to disturb her. ”Senpai, if you can hear me, you can talk to me about your troubles. Am I not someone connected to you now? If I can help you then I will. Itʼs a lot better than seeing you bedridden like this.”

Since she was not totally asleep yet, she stirred slightly, her lips moving as if to respond, but no sound came out.

Yep. Sheʼs too tired to respond. And maybe it was the medicine Hayashi-sensei administered. ”Onoda,” Hayashi-sensei said, her tone more insistent now. ”Are you like this to everyone?” ”Yes. I think so. Iʼll probably react the same if itʼs you whoʼs on the bed, sensei.” I stood up and faced her, the tone of my voice filled with nothing but honesty.

Thatʼs my considerate trait that was more amplified to those I deemed important and special to me.

Hayashi-sensei chuckled softly. ”Geez. Youʼre really something your father cannot be.”

I also couldnʼt help but chuckle at her remark. After that, I followed her up to her office. Just like the past few days, aside from my usual activity report, the mood between us became more intimate. Or rather, I once again used the excuse of helping her relieve her stress.

It started with a gentle massage to an intimate embrace while sitting on the sofa. Hayashi-sensei leaned into me, her head on my shoulder, as I gradually tightened my arms around her.

The room was filled with the faint scent of her perfume. A scent Iʼve already grown quite accustomed to. She was dressed in her usual nurseʼs outfit but at this point, she felt more like a girlfriend than the usual stern school director.

”Brat... Iʼm not letting you do this because I need it. Itʼs because you enjoy it too much,” Hayashi-sensei mumbled into my shoulder, though her body language told a different story. ”Sure, sensei. This is the result of my not being able to hold back. Youʼre always free to scold me.” I said with a cheeky grin. If not for her emphasis on ʼno kissʼ, Iʼd probably peck her cheek lightly along with that answer.

Alas, sheʼs holding firm on that.

With her hand on top of mine as though telling me not to have a funny idea apart from holding her by her navel, Hayashi-sensei firmly drew a line between our relationship and our professional roles.

Itʼs like anything more than this and she might not be able to prevent herself from falling for

me.

”Alright, tell me whatʼs on your mind, brat. Do you have any questions for the workshop later?”

”Mhm... Wonʼt it be cheating if I get some advice from you?”𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

”As if. Iʼm not going to be presiding over it. I wonʼt even be there to watch.”

”Why not? Is it because one of the seven mysteries in our school will be solved if the students see you being addressed as director?” I playfully teased. But thatʼs a valid reason, no?

In our school, her identity as the school nurse whoʼs rarely seen in the infirmary has already been cemented as one of the seven mysteries.

Hayashi-sensei laughed and shook her head, ”You know itʼs not that, Onoda. Itʼs just that I need to handle other school matters. You, students, are so silly to create those mysteries.”

”Well, itʼs part of the school experience.” I shrugged before anchoring my chin on my shoulder, ”Most students donʼt even know your face, sensei. Yet here I am, hugging you intimately.”

”Donʼt let it get to your head, brat,” Hayashi-sensei said, poking my cheek lightly. ”Now, letʼs talk about the workshop. What do you have in mind?”

I leaned back, my mind racing with ideas. ”Well, since itʼs going to be about filtering what we can and cannot do at the cultural festival, I bet it will be all about creativity. Itʼs not a competition but with a prize on the line, everyone will be too competitive for it so... Iʼm already expecting some absurd ideas from everyone.”

Thatʼs how it is. Hopefully, whoever is going to facilitate it among the teachers will be understanding and open-minded enough to handle all the creative chaos weʼre going to

throw at them.

Hayashi-sensei nodded, ”I hate to admit but youʼre always thinking ahead, Onoda. Itʼs one of the reasons why youʼre so good at navigating through these complex situations.”

”Am I being praised? What about a kiss as my reward?”

”Dream on, brat.” Hayashi-sensei chuckled, slapping my hand lightly,

I flipped my hand over, capturing hers and before she could pull it away, I already filled the gaps between her fingers. ”Sensei, Iʼm just saying that we could make it a little more

interesting.”

Her eyes narrowed and she tightened her grip on my hand as though trying to make me feel pain from it. Unfortunately, her strength was insufficient, ”It wonʼt be interesting, brat.”

Although her tone sounded like she was already giving up, I could tell she was simply preventing herself from giving in. She didnʼt want to cross the line, even if it was already blurred enough that we were dancing around it.

It might have to do with the fact that Iʼm her first loveʼs son as well as the measures she took regarding forbidden relationships.

A few minutes later, our moment once again came to an end. We also talked about Ichihara Jun and the penalty heʼd gotten. She told me that she couldnʼt get it any more harsher for him

or the board might bombard her with questions. Even if it was her school, the influence of that family was still strong.

I wouldnʼt really blame her for that. And the punishment that pompous idiot had gotten should be enough to humble him. At least, for now.

”Alright, sensei. See you tomorrow. Iʼll come again even if I have nothing to report.”

”... Brat. How did you even turn this around? This daily reporting is supposed to keep you in check, not whateverʼs happening nowadays.” Hayashi-sensei sighed and put a hand on her head as she muttered under her breath.

However, despite her words, her face was flushed red, and her eyes remained focused on me. She enjoyed every moment of our banter just as much as I did.