Stealing Spree

Minami Shouko's presence in the infirmary was unexpected. Especially when I had just seen her healthy yesterday. While she wasn't 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. She's not being worked hard by Shizu and she didn't 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 she's like that, sensei?"

"I imagine it's the same reason as before."

"Before?"

"Un. That girl is a regular in my infirmary. At least once or twice a month, she'll show up in this state. She'll be fine in an hour or two. If you're too worried about her, you can stay here and look after her. You don't 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 I'd respond.

"Well, I can come back and check on her again after my report. You know I can't miss that, sensei. You're 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 couldn't 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.

It's making me wonder what exactly the reason is for this. If it's 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. It's 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. She's 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. I'll probably react the same if it's you who's on the bed, sensei." I stood up and faced her, the tone of my voice filled with nothing but honesty.

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

Hayashi-sensei chuckled softly. "Geez. You're really something your father cannot be."

I also couldn't 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 I've already grown quite accustomed to. She was dressed in her usual nurse's outfit but at this point, she felt more like a girlfriend than the usual stern school director.

"Brat... I'm not letting you do this because I need it. It's 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. You're always free to scold me." I said with a cheeky grin. If not for her emphasis on 'no kiss', I'd probably peck her cheek lightly along with that answer.

Alas, she's 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. Ꞧâ₦ỒΒΕⱾ

It's like anything more than this and she might not be able to prevent herself from falling for me.

"Alright, tell me what's on your mind, brat. Do you have any questions for the workshop later?"

"Mhm... Won't it be cheating if I get some advice from you?"

"As if. I'm not going to be presiding over it. I won't 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 that's a valid reason, no?

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

Hayashi-sensei laughed and shook her head, "You know it's not that, Onoda. It's just that I need to handle other school matters. You, students, are so silly to create those mysteries."

"Well, it's part of the school experience." I shrugged before anchoring my chin on my shoulder, "Most students don't even know your face, sensei. Yet here I am, hugging you intimately."

"Don't let it get to your head, brat," Hayashi-sensei said, poking my cheek lightly. "Now, let's talk about the workshop. What do you have in mind?"

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

That's 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 we're going to throw at them.

Hayashi-sensei nodded, "I hate to admit but you're always thinking ahead, Onoda. It's one of the reasons why you're 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, I'm 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 won't 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 didn't 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 I'm her first love's 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 he'd gotten. She told me that she couldn't 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 wouldn't 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. I'll 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 whatever's 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.

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