Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher?-Chapter 2Volume .7 - Trapped

Trapped 7

“Alright, I’ve been wanting some new clothes anyway, so I’ll go shopping with you.”

Akira reluctantly agrees while casually saying what she wants.

“Decided! Now, where shall we go?”

Mayuzumi-san takes charge with an experienced demeanor. It feels nice to have someone who can organize like this.

However.

“Sorry. I already have some plans for after the midterm exams. Please invite me again some other time.”

“I see… Then it’ll just be Ririka and Akiaki going shopping.”

“Uh, if Nikishiki isn’t coming, maybe we should cancel it…”

“If you want to, I can invite the other girls and go as a group?”

Mayuzumi-san suggests while taking out her smartphone.

It seems like Mayuzumi-san could gather a crowd with just one word.

“Fine! Just the two of us. I prefer it that way!”

Akira quickly interjects to stop her.

I stand up to buy lunch, and for some reason, Akira gives me a resentful glare.

『You don’t need to prepare meals for me until the midterm exams are over.』

It’s an order from Tenjō-san, who insists that I focus on studying the week before the exams.

As a teacher, she can’t afford to take away a student’s study time.

She’s strict as an adult, so there’s no room for negotiation.

Thus, I was supposed to be dedicating myself to my studies.

『Are you listening, Yuu-kun? So, you see…』

“Hey, Kaguya. Is it fun for you to interrupt me? Let me get back to studying soon.”

The phone call has been ongoing for quite some time now, and it’s been like this for dozens of minutes.

『Panicking before the test won’t help you retain anything.』

“Struggling is important in life.”

Giving up can always be done later. Even if it’s plain and uncool, the results of persistent effort might take you to great heights.

Perseverance is power.

『Five minutes before the test is enough.』

“It’s hard to get a high score just with that.”

『It’s good enough to avoid failing.』

“That’s not enough for me.”

I’ve promised my father, who provides my living expenses, that I’ll work hard at my studies.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

I won’t be able to continue living as I do now if I break that promise.

In other words, it means I won’t be able to stay next door to Tenjō Reiyu.

That’s something I absolutely don’t want.

I will protect my current lifestyle no matter what.

『…Yuu-kun, you’re trying too hard by yourself』

“It’s just normal for me.”

『Can’t you be satisfied living within what you can do?』

“I can’t.”

『You’ll get tired if you stretch yourself too much.』

“Hard to take that seriously from someone still growing.”

『From the first time we met, I thought Yuu-kun seemed like an adult. You can do all the household chores, you study hard and get good grades. To your stepmother, you’re the reliable, ideal son』

“…You’ve been paying close attention, huh?”

『After all, we’ve always been together』

Kaguya said it with pride.

『That’s why I relied on you the same way. Maybe I relied on Yuu-kun too much』

“You were just an elementary school student until recently. It’s normal to rely someone older in the house.”

It’s only natural for me, as a brother, to take care of my younger sister.

『But Yuu-kun, you were still in junior high school back then.』

“What’s the point? The age difference hasn’t changed.”

『It hasn’t changed, but there are things I want to change』

“If that’s the case, I’d like Kaguya to become a reliable adult woman.”

『Is that your type, Yuu-kun?』

“No, not particularly.”

『——Fine, I’m going to sleep!』

The call was abruptly ended.

She’s as moody as ever.

Then, I received a message just as I was about to go back to my textbooks and notes.

【Reiyu: Concentrate on your studies properly.】

The walls of this apartment are thin, so I guess my voice had leaked into the next room.

“…”

I decide to give Tenjō-san a call.

“Sorry for being loud.”

『There’s no point in calling me. I even paused my meal for nothing.』

Despite being scolded, I couldn’t help feeling happy.

“If it’s a request from Tenjō-san, I’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill it.”

『It’s ethically wrong for a teacher like me to take up your time.』

“It must be tough worrying about students even when you’re home.”

『I may not look it, but I do feel a sense of responsibility.』

It seems she has guessed that my earlier call was with Kaguya.

“Kaguya has always been like that, so please don’t worry about it.”

『But…』

My life is being invaded by my stepsister.

『…why don’t you just come clean and explain the situation to Kaguya-chan? Can’t you ask her to keep quiet about it?』

“That’s difficult. Her wish is for me to return home. Besides, it’s normal for high school students to live with their parents, so this would just give her the perfect excuse to drag me back.”

Kaguya’s argument would be much more reasonable if that happened.

『I understand that, but… do you really need to be so guarded against your stepsister? It seems like you really don’t want to go back home, Yuunagi-kun.』

Tenjō-san approached the subject hesitantly.

“Well, who would want to give up the freedom of living alone?”

『Is that all?』

“Kaguya will take advantage of my weakness and blackmail me.”

Half-joking, half-serious.

I can hardly imagine Kaguya understanding my situation and keeping quiet, nor does she have any obligation to do so.

『Even though she’s your stepsister?』

“Especially because she’s my stepsister.”

『Is there another reason you don’t want to go back home?』

Tenjō-san seemed particularly concerned about this since Kaguya’s arrival.

“Well, it’s because there is someone called Tenjō-san next door.”

『Putting me aside, think of it as a problem as far as you are concerned….』

“I didn’t ask for counseling.”

『Yuunagi-kun, could it be that part of the complication also lies with you?』

“Are you saying it’s my fault!?”

My voice unintentionally becomes defensive.

“I’m sorry… Anyway, I don’t have anything to say anymore. I’ll get back to studying for the test.”

『Maybe I was being too nosy. I’m sorry too.』

A bitter feeling seemed to spread in my mouth after the call ended.