Stealing Spree

Chapter 2332: Assistance

Five minutes later, Hayashi-sensei cleared her throat, signaling the end of our quiet reprieve. She started wriggling out of my embrace.

”Alright, enough of this. You finished your report and you still have classes to take.” She

turned her head to look at my face momentarily before quickly averting it to wipe her fogged- up glasses.

I reluctantly let go and watched her rise to her feet, moving back behind her table, leaving me alone on that sofa where I could still feel the warmth of her body tickling my skin. ”Thanks for indulging me, Sensei. Shall I do it every day from now on? You know, for your comfort.”

She rolled her eyes and pretended to be annoyed, but I saw the small smirk playing on her lips. ”If you really want to help, make sure you do well in that workshop and have your class lead everyone to come up with ideas that wonʼt cause a scandal, Onoda-kun. Thatʼs the best way to repay my ʼindulgence.”

Look at her, if she kept acting like this, my desire for her might just really form one of these days.

Yeah. I was still not at the point where I wanted to make her mine. My head was still only focused on cheering her up after giving up chasing after my father.

It was working, however, I couldnʼt help but feel a little guilty because it looked like I was just diverting those unrequited feelings of hers to me.

I should really make up my mind soon because, at this moment, it only looked like I was taking advantage of her momentary vulnerability.

What a scum, right?

”What are you still looking at me? Stop pushing your luck, shameless brat. Now go. Remember, no shenanigans during the festival prep. Both in your class and your club” Hayashi-sensei continued as she waved her hand in a shooing motion. ”Donʼt make me regret this little... break we had.”

I grinned as I gave her a playful salute. ”Yes, maʼam. See you tomorrow.”

As I left her office, I heard her clicking her tongue again but in a chirpy way. I held myself from glancing back, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Walking down the hallway, I couldnʼt help but reflect on how much Hayashi-sensei had changed in front of me. She was still the same strict teacher but had developed a softer side, especially when it came to me. No matter my view of it, I couldnʼt help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Somehow, it was urging me to continue uncovering her, little by little.

Going down the first floor, my feet took me to the faculty office where I found Shio at her desk, surrounded by stacks of papers, looking as busy as ever. She glanced up from her work, her eyes lighting up when she saw me.

She held it in though considering there were other teachers around. Instead, we both acted in our public role as the teacher and her Student Assistant.

Before going to see Orimura-sensei or Ryouko-san, I decided to spend time with this woman, even if weʼd only be faced with mounds of paperwork.

”Onoda-kun, are you here to assist me with this mountain of papers?” Shio greeted with a polite smile that barely masked the warmth in her gaze.

”Well, didnʼt you call for me, Kinoshita-sensei? As your Student Assistant, I canʼt let you get buried under all this. Whoʼd scold me if youʼre stuck here?” I replied with a smirk, pulling up a chair beside her desk.

That initial exchange immediately gathered attention from the other teachers but not in a malicious way.

One of them teased, ”Looks like youʼve got quite the eager assistant, Kinoshita-sensei. Maybe you should share your secret for keeping him so motivated.”

Then, our science teacher, Mrs. Suzuki, chimed in, ”Well, thatʼs Onoda-kun weʼre talking about. That boy has always shown diligence in class. I shouldʼve taken him as my assistant too.”

She looked at me and I inadvertently bowed politely to her, acting as humbly as I could.

”Un. Suzuki-sensei is right. Heʼs always this diligent. Too bad, I got to him first.” Shio playfully replied but her expression had this hint of pride. Sheʼs also feeling good that Iʼm getting praised by the other teachers.

I guess thatʼs how it is when our relationship has transcended the typical student-teacher boundary. Iʼm already her husband in her eyes. All we were waiting for was for us to sign a marriage certificate and a wedding.

As the attention of the other teachers left us, she cleared a spot for me on her desk and handed over a stack of papers. ”Youʼre as shameless as ever, Ruru. But I suppose I canʼt complain, Iʼm holding back asking you for this yet here you are.”

”Come on, Shio. Donʼt hold back. Ask me whenever you need help. Whatʼs the point of me being your Student Assistant if youʼre not going to use it to your advantage?” I teasingly scolded her in a voice low enough for only her to hear.

Her cheeks flushed a soft shade of pink, which she tried to hide by quickly turning back to her work. ”You know I canʼt just rely on you all the time.”

”You say that but you know how I am. If you keep being this reserved, Ryouko-san, Orimura- sensei or even Hayashi-sensei could take up most of my time during breaks. And I know you wouldnʼt like that,” I leaned closer, my voice a soft tease to her ear.

”Unlike them, I can have you in our apartment, all to myself,” She whispered back, trying to come up with a retort. She failed though, because she knew I was right.

Even if sheʼs truly the only one to have a privilege like that at the moment, I doubt it would remain unchanged considering the development of my relationship with the other three. Grabbing a stack of documents, I started sorting them into neat piles. This way, we slipped out of the awkward silence and returned to the official student-teacher dynamic. ”So, whatʼs on the agenda today? These are a lot. This isnʼt just about your class, is it?” I asked while skimming through the documents. After reading just the first few lines, I could tell that the workload wasnʼt limited to her homeroom responsibilities.

”You guessed it,” Shio replied, her tone shifting into her professional teacher mode. ”Iʼm covering for another teacher whoʼs out on leave. And then thereʼs the workshop and festival preparation papers coming in fast. On top of that, thereʼs the upcoming midterm exam

schedule to finalize.”

”Ugh. Thatʼs too much,” I remarked, shaking my head. ”You need me now more than ever, donʼt you think so? Let me come help you out with these.”

”Donʼt let it get to your head, Ruru. Youʼre here because you offered. I couldʼve managed just fine. Your Shio isnʼt going to be defeated by papers,” She puffed up her chest as she tried to

act tough.

Unfortunately for her, that small, exhausted spark in her eyes was more than enough for my head to spring into action.

”Of course, you could have. But now you donʼt have to.” I flashed her a confident grin, settling in to lighten her workload. Sneakily, I grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Just like this, we worked together in a comfortable rhythm. She handed me papers to organize while she focused on reviewing lesson plans and preparing materials. Occasionally, Iʼd make a comment to lighten the mood, and sheʼd either roll her eyes or chuckle quietly.

With how fast time flies, Iʼd probably not have enough time to visit the other two... but I could still check afterward. Besides, our swimming class would be handled by Ryouko-san so itʼs

fine.