Chapter 2167: I'm not planting potatoes with you!

Chapter 2167: I'm not planting potatoes with you!



"You brat! What was that for?!"

As expected, Orimura-sensei recoiled from the kiss, her face flushing with a mix of shock, frustration, and an almost unnoticeable delight.

Following that, she pushed me away as her eyes narrowed into a disappointed glare yet lacking in weight before stepping back to put a safe distance between us.

I didn't resist or attempt to chase after her. I'd promised myself not to be forceful with her, after all. Kissing her was only meant to snap her out of her derailing train of thought.

Now that she was back to reality, I raised my hands in surrender, bowing my head apologetically.

"A wake-up kiss, sensei," I calmly explained, a touch of smile on my lips which immediately took a bit of an effect on her. Orimura-sensei failed to maintain eye contact with me as she unconsciously touched her moist lips.

Without pointing that out, I continued, "You're free to scold or criticize me for it, sensei. However, considering how far your thoughts were running, I had to make a drastic move."

It was the truth. But I knew I kind of overstepped my bounds there.

I have no regrets though.

Hearing that, Orimura-sensei's expression hardened but a flicker of uncertainty flashed in her eyes.

"You could've just told me instead of... that."

"Yes, I could have. But sensei... would you have really listened? Or would you have brushed it off as just another one of my excuses?" I admitted with a slight nod.

Following this, I intentionally took a step forward, closing our distance for a bit.

It was a test if she would retreat further. However, Orimura-sensei's head focused more on my words than my actions. She remained on her spot, ignoring our closing distance.

Soon enough, an audible gulp echoed as though it was a sign of her admission followed by her silence. She then knitted her brows together, most likely weighing her response.

With her contemplative gaze easing up, Orimura-sensei's lips pressed into a thin line as she asked, "Onoda-kun... are you looking down on me?"

Is my tone condescending? I don't know but she probably heard it that way. This might be my insensitivity acting up again.

I also contemplated for a moment before sincerely replying, "Not at all, sensei. But if that's how it felt, I can only apologize. I didn't mean any disrespect. Especially to you."

Orimura-sensei rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue, visibly annoyed but unable to argue further. Or rather, that's all she could do to express her frustration despite believing my words.

In any case, it was like that during our previous meetings. Even though she kept on lashing out at me for troubling Ryouko-san, I never acted disrespectfully - even during our intimate moments.

But then again, if arguing with her or countering her points counted as disrespectful, then I was more than guilty of it.

"Forget it..." Orimura-sensei eventually said as she let out a helpless sigh, "

I let the silence hang between us for a moment before speaking again, dropping the topic as she wished.

"Shall we head back, then? Or would you prefer to stay a little longer and explore more?"

However, maybe because of my wording, Orimura-sensei got riled up again.

"There you go again with your shamelessness, brat," she muttered, folding her arms defensively as if trying to shield herself from my words.

"Sensei... just a moment," I whispered, my warm breath brushing against her skin. "Let me hold you like this for a bit."

"...You're unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, though her voice was softer now, the harsh edge gone. "Is it still not enough that I didn't push you away the second time?"

"You can push me this time, sensei. But let me express something..."

"What is it?"

"I missed you."

There was a pause. For a second, she said nothing, and I could feel her resisting the urge to

respond. However, her flustered face betrayed her attempt.

Then she finally spoke, her words laced with disbelief.

"Are you crazy?"

"Mhm. I am. I told you, right? Rather than correcting my path, I'll make you fall for me. I

admitted, a small smile forming on my lips.

Slowly, I pushed my head further, my lips creeping towards hers again.

But like earlier, Orimura-sensei dismissively scoffed but the tone of her voice failed to hide how it wavered between expressing her delight and scolding me for my continued audacity. "Forget that. I won't fall for a shameless brat like you..."

"You're not being honest again," I teased, holding her a little closer. "But that's fine. I'll wait.

In the meantime, I'll look forward to you being the advisor for our club. Let's work together

to plant potatoes."

"I'm not planting potatoes with you!"

With that, she snapped but there was no mistaking the hint of fluster in her voice.

I chuckled softly, leaning down once more to whisper. "We'll see, sensei. We'll see."

And by the end of it, for the second time today, I captured her lips. Orimura-sensei's eyes widened at first but eventually, they closed as she accepted this intimacy coming from me.

It lasted for more than a minute but other than that kiss, nothing else happened.

After that, Orimura-sensei finally broke free from my hold, this time with a more decisive

push.

Her face was flushed, and her eyes darted away from mine as she straightened herself. "Enough of this nonsense. We're going back."

"Of course, sensei," I replied with a grin, still feeling her warmth and the lingering taste of

her lips and tongue.

As we stepped outside, the moment of tension passed, though the atmosphere between us had undeniably shifted. I knew she'd try to put distance between us again while maintaining her facade of being the one to shoulder the task of 'correcting my path'. But deep down, even though we didn't fall into the same state as before, I'd still gotten through to her in a way she wouldn't soon forget.