If you were expecting something like a carnage, then unfortunately your fantasy cannot be fulfilled.

This is because a love triangle like situation between me, Sakuramiya-sensei and Hanamura-sensei cannot exist. There is only Hanamura-sensei who has a one sided crush on Sakuramiya-sensei.

So, even though it became a development that should have been usually avoided… we somehow messed up and now we have to deal with it faster.

“What do you mean, Segawa? Don’t tell me you’re dating Sakuramiya-sensei?”

──Oh, that’s right.

Well, that case is not likely possible. So, sorry about that.

I turned my gaze to the ceiling while sweating profusely.

Meanwhile Sakuramiya-sensei took some distance while I was thinking about how it would affect my school life from now on.

When I brushed the hair that was hanging around my ear, an amiable smile appeared on my face.

“Of course not. We are both students and teachers, right? Hanamura-sensei, you are joking too much.”

“No, but… the conversation you were having, and you both were hugging each other…”

“It’s impossible. You must have erroneously heard something wrong.”

“But…”

Sakuramiya-sensei flatly denied the accusation, but it seems like Hanamura-sensei cannot doubt the things he heard and saw from his own ears and eyes.

This conversation is probably being heard by Kiyoka-san and it might baffle her, but that’s not what matters right now.

I ran into a fellow teacher. It would be rather strange to be honest about it but a student-teacher romance is a big problem.

… Is it too early to give up?

When my thoughts were spinning at full speed, I forced myself to make excuses.

“Actually, we were talking about the skit of a play that will be performed in the cultural festival.”

“Eh?”

“Sakuramiya-sensei is the main heroine and I will act as the ‌male lead. So we were practicing that right now.”

“… Yes, that’s right, though it’s embarrassing to say out loud.”

Sakuramiya-sensei followed my lie and helped me deceive him.

Our class is planning to organize a Takoyaki stall, but let’s put that aside. Lying is important sometimes to escape tense situations.

“I see, so that’s how it is… but earlier you were calling each other with your first names.”

“Isn’t that more realistic that way?”

“…Hmm, I see. I’m sorry for doubting you.”

“I’m glad we were able to clear up the misunderstanding.”

“I’m sorry, Sakuramiya-sensei, for making unnecessary assumptions.”

“No, well, it was our mistake to create suspicion in the first place.”

While smiling amicably, we bowed our heads.

Somehow, we managed to get through it. Lies are so expedient, as they often say.

“Well, then, I’m going home now.”

“Ah, yeah, see you soon, Min–Segawa-kun.”

She was totally out of her mind, Sakuramiya-sensei…!

I turned on my heels while glaring lightly at Sakuramiya-sensei, who yet again nearly called me by first name. It would be problematic to stay here any longer.

When I left, Sakuramiya-sensei also turned around and…

“I’m going to leave now, too.”

“Ah, um… Sakuramiya-sensei, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“I’m going to sleep after reaching home.”

“Is that so? Well then good night.”

“Good night.”

Soon after, Sakuramiya-sensei and Hanamura-sensei also left the place and went their separate ways. Hanamura-sensei is really pitiful.

_____________________________________

I’m sorry if it seems like deceiving, but me and Sakuramiya-sensei met again after she left Hanamura-sensei.

But the only thing left to do was to return home. I got into Sakuramiya-sensei’s car, which was parked in the parking lot of the shopping mall, and headed to my house.

“I am surprised to hear that Kiyoka-san stopped tailing us halfway. That means it went useless that we pretend to act as lovers in the last couple of hours.”

“That’s right, Dad came back, so he asked her to come sooner.”

Kiyoka-san, who had been listening to our conversation and following us all the time, seems to have returned home halfway while tailing us. The reason was that Sakuramiya-sensei’s father came back home and I don’t know any other details.

In terms of time, it was probably about 30 minutes after we finished watching the movie. The battery of Kiyoka-san’s phone ran out, so Sensei didn’t know about it until just a little while ago..

Sakuramiya-sensei didn’t notice when the call was cut off.

“… Haah, anyway, I don’t want to do anything like this in the future again.”

“Un, I will keep that in mind, but I can’t promise anything.”

Sensei! I’ll be in trouble if you can’t promise.

“Ah, that’s right. I bought a present for you, here it is.”

When the traffic light turns red, she handed me the present which we decided to buy before separating previously.

When I received the gift from Sakuramiya-sensei, I couldn’t help but blink my eyes repeatedly

“Wait, this is…”

“I didn’t know what to buy, so I thought this would be a good choice.”

What Sakuramiya-sensei gave me was a gift card worth 10,000 Yen.

“Is it really okay to take this?”

“Of course. It’s my way of thanking you for your cooperation.”

She really has a talent for paying tribute, doesn’t she?

On the one hand, I was happy, but on the other hand, I was a little worried.

Well, since you said you are giving this to me, I would gladly accept it.

“Then, here’s mine.”

“Oh, a handkerchief. It’s pretty cute.”

When she received my gift, Sakuramiya-sensei let out a happy voice.

I’m not sure if she’s just being considerate, but I don’t feel bad about being pleased.

“Thank you… So how much was it?”

“No, it’s fine. I got something more than that.”

The handkerchief I bought was worth about 2,000 yen.

In return I already got five times worth back.

“But…”

“It’s really okay. Look, the light is green.”

“Ah, really.”

The car starts moving while gradually increasing its speed.

It was a date that had lots of trouble, but looking back, I feel like it was pretty fun.

But I will never say that out loud.

I wonder if Sakuramiya-sensei enjoyed herself as well.

I wonder if he enjoyed himself at least a little.

I was thinking all this while vaguely gazing at the scenery out of the window.