Kissing My Student, It's Over if We're Caught-Chapter 5Volume 1 .4 - Painful thing: Love

But, Kirihara only forgave me that one time.

“It was like an accident earlier… It’s troubling when you suddenly show up.”

After being invited inside due to the presence of others, she said this with a resigned attitude.

We sat in front of the TV where we always played games, and talked.

“I understand you still have feelings. But, you should stop. We’ve been found out.”

Kirihara’s words were reasonable.

My realization was my own issue, and I had ignored the risks of being discovered.

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If Kirihara wasn’t willing to reciprocate, it would end as unrequited feelings. And, if Kurei-san noticed my actions, everything might be exposed this time.

The “unhappiness” Kurei-san mentioned would be waiting.

“We can end things cleanly now… Is that not okay?”

“It’s not okay.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like it.”

“What’s that? You sound like a child.”

“I don’t want to leave Kirihara alone.”

Kirihara, displeased, averted her eyes. “…That’s really unfair,” her lips moved slightly.

“Did something happen with mom?”

“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

“If it’s better not to ask, I’ll stop.”

“Anyway, I’ve made up my mind. That’s why I came here.”

“It wouldn’t be a lie to say I’m not happy, but it’s impossible. Shouldn’t we at least wait until I graduate? Until then, we’re just a student and a teacher…”

“So, you’re planning to wait until my feelings fade?”

Kirihara froze again.

“There’s a year and a half until graduation. Can you live without relying on anyone, without seeking comfort from anyone, knowing how much you yearn for love, how you cannot stand being alone to the point your house becomes this messy?”

Kirihara grimaced uncomfortably. The laundry was left undone, there were no signs of the kitchen being used. The garbage bags were filled with convenience store bento boxes. The room was dusty.

…It was a bit more organized the first time I came.

The extent of the damage was easy to read.

“Maybe, you’ll find someone better than me. But, that would trouble me. I agree we should progress further after graduation. But, if we can’t return to the relationship we had before being found out, I’ll be restless.”

Kirihara groaned.

“What the… After all the times I’ve tried to tempt you without any enthusiasm from you, why are you suddenly so proactive… It’s unfair, really unfair.”

I was hit repeatedly, but it didn’t hurt much.

“…But still, it’s impossible. Kurei-sensei is serious, and if we get caught again, we might not get off so easily. It’s dangerous.”

Curling up like a small animal, Kirihara forced out her words.

“I don’t want Gin to become unhappy because of me.”

…The made-up story to get through was indeed for my sake.

Just knowing that made today’s visit worthwhile.

“That’s true. Kirihara has a point. If our positions were reversed, I’d say the same. However, I have a plan. As Kirihara mentioned, the problem is Kurei-san. As long as she knows our secret, we shouldn’t return to our previous relationship. …Conversely, if there’s no problem with Kurei-san, it would be fine.”

The obstacle itself is quite simple.

“If we can ensure Kurei-san will absolutely keep our secret, we can go back to how things were.”

“I understand the logic, but… is that even possible?”

“I don’t plan on doing anything violent. But, I want to look into it a bit… Actually, I’ve been curious about something regarding Kurei-san.”

“What?”

“Her behavior when we ran into her at the hot springs.”

The moment she definitively recognized us, she inadvertently muttered my name.

After we froze in shock, she covered her mouth as if realizing her mistake.

—Kurei-sensei, this is… I was about to make excuses when she became significantly agitated.

“At that time, I thought she was surprised about us. But, after thinking it over, it’s different. She was troubled because I called out Kurei-san’s name.”

“What’s that? What do you mean?”

“Wasn’t she also in disguise? She panicked because I recognized her.”

She’d be beautiful if not for the garish attire, I had always felt. But, the flashy outfit seemed unlike her taste.

It was a look that those familiar with the usual Kurei-san wouldn’t recognize as her.

“Until I saw her face up close, I didn’t realize. Until then, I couldn’t imagine that person dressed like that was Kurei-san. …I sense the same scent from her. After deciding to talk after the holiday, her rushing off somewhere was concerning. …And her saying she’d relax at home during the Obon holiday was also a lie.”

“…If you find it suspicious, everything looks suspicious, doesn’t it? It seems too convenient.”

“I know. But, I want to look into it. She might have something she can’t talk about with anyone.”

Eye for an eye. Use poison to counteract poison.

“You said you wouldn’t be violent, but this sounds pretty forceful.”

“Even if there’s a secret, I won’t misuse it. I’ll only use it to protect.”

“…How will you investigate?”

“I’ll follow her after work.”

Teachers start their day early. Kurei-san is no exception. If there’s anything private, it would be at night.

“…How long will you do this?”

Kirihara looked at me worriedly.

“I can’t do it forever. Getting caught investigating is also dangerous. Let’s set a deadline?”

“That’s right. How about until graduation?”

“That’s too long. Two months… no, one month.”

Kirihara continued.

“It’s a waste of time to spend on a secret that may not exist. If there’s nothing after a month, let’s properly end it.”

—Considering the balance with work, indeed, there’s a limit.

It might be a reasonable period.

“Understood.”

The time-limited detective game began.