Stealing Spree

Chapter 2413: Drawn Line

”Hey, shameless brat. Don’t tell anyone about this... Not even to your girls.”

After a minute of silence, Hayashi-sensei was the first to speak between us. The warmth of her breath seeped through my uniform and into my skin as she didn’t even raise her head.

Running my fingers on her lustrous hair, I replied, ”What do you mean, sensei?”

”Don’t play dumb... You know what I mean. I’m not... like them. You’re offering your arms for my comfort and I’m taking it. This is what we have right now.” Hayashi-sensei’s voice was muffled against my shirt as her grip on me tightened slightly.

I could feel her body tremble not because she was nervous or anything but simply a reaction to her own words.

Whatever was running in her head, it was certainly along the lines of... ’I’m not his girl but I like to be pampered by him’.

Well, that may not be too accurate but it’s close to that.

It’s kinda similar to Orimura-sensei, who, despite everything that happened between us, remained adamant about not admitting her growing feelings for me. The only difference is... Hayashi-sensei will probably not take another step from here and keep things as is, without letting it spill outside this room.

”If that’s what you wish, I can only obey. However, sensei. Shizu and--”

”I don’t care if they know. Aren’t you someone who hates to lie to someone he cares about? Just keep it to yourselves. If any of them feels that this is inappropriate, you better tell me. We’ll put an end to this.” Cutting me off, Hayashi-sensei tightened her grip on me as if she was already thinking that this might be the last time.

”Do you have to be that harsh on yourself, sensei?”

”No. But it’s necessary because it’s you, shameless brat. You’re more troublesome than your father. He kept on avoiding me yet here you are, approaching me without any sense of distance. And you’re not even my student,” Hayashi-sensei mumbled, clearly not liking this situation where she was letting her thoughts out.

”I see. I understand what kind of line you’re trying to draw, sensei. Don’t worry. If it is your wish, I will never step over that line to show my respect to you,” I whispered back, stroking her hair gently. ”I can’t promise not to be cheeky and shameless though. It’s my trademark.”

Although her face remained buried in my chest, I could sense the subtle shift in her expression. Hearing those words made her puff her cheeks. It should be a rare sight to see especially when it’s not matching her sharp mature beauty. It’s the kind of gap that many men would fall for.

”You don’t have to remind me. I expected as much from you, Onoda.” Hayashi-sensei’s voice was filled with exasperation and a hint of amusement.

She took a moment to collect herself before raising her head, her eyes meeting mine once again. ”Now, get off me. You’ve had your fun.”

”You’re mistaken, sensei. You’re the one who needs to get off me,” I retorted with a cheeky smile as she watched her cheeks turn crimson red.

With our current position on this sofa, putting her on my lap should be easy but that would certainly make this woman more flustered than she already is. I better hold off on that.

Besides, we’re about to run out of time.

”I won’t need to ask you that if you loosened your hold on me, shameless brat. You’re enjoying feeling your sensei’s warmth too much,” Despite trying to not sound playful, Hayashi-sensei failed to mask it with her tone.

In any case, she was right; I couldn’t help but savor the closeness we shared. Why won’t I when this is a privilege exclusively for me? Moreover, I still want to listen to her heart as it races against my chest. It’s like music to my ears.

”Well, I guess there’s no point denying that anymore, sensei. Let me enjoy this moment more.”

”You! If you keep teasing me like that, I won’t hesitate to give you a proper punishment!” Hayashi-sensei indignantly shouted with her cheeks still flushed from our banter.

I grinned, knowing her words were nothing but air, ”Hmm? Sure. Punish me. You skipped on punishing me last night. Will you also let me off if you catch me again but with another girl?”

”This shameless brat! I told you to restrain yourself from doing that kind of thing in school! And here you are, not even bothering to hide it!”

”Heh... Sensei, has no one told you that you’re beautiful when you’re mad?”

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t push away. Instead, she let out a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. ”Flattery won’t get you out of this. You keep using flowery words. One of these days it will bite you back.”

”It doesn’t matter, sensei. I’m always ready for my flattery to backfire. That won’t stop me from saying those words, especially when they’re truthful.”

At this, I lifted her head by her chin and kissed her cheek before she could protest, ”A small remembrance of this moment, sensei.”

Hayashi-sensei stared wide-eyed at me with her cheeks burning hotter than a stove.

”Y-you...!” She furiously stuttered, but she didn’t push me away. Instead, she just sat there, looking utterly flustered and adorable.

Her glasses had already fogged up from all the heat and her lips trembled as though she wanted to say something more but she couldn’t.

In the end, she couldn’t find the words to scold me anymore. She conveyed her feelings with actions such as drumming my chest or hitting my shoulder with her forehead. In a way, it was her method to say she didn’t like it but she didn’t hate it either.

And with this, the remaining time quickly passed. I only let go of her when the bell finally rang indicating the start of the fifth period and end of lunch break.

Before standing up, I kissed her other cheek, evening out the score. Hayashi-sensei’s eyes fluttered shut for a brief second before she shoved me away with surprising strength, her face beet-red.

”B-brat! How dare you!” She stuttered, trying to regain her usual composure. ”Get out of here before anyone sees you!”𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

”It doesn’t matter if someone sees me coming out of your office, sensei. It’s only the Principal, right? Besides, it’s not like you always have a visitor aside from me and Shizu.” I chuckled, standing up from the sofa and fixing my uniform.

Hayashi-sensei bit her lips as she couldn’t argue with my logic. She knew that I was right. She glared at me, trying to find a comeback but her brain went on a hiatus.

And so, I cupped her cheek again, caressing her lips with my thumb before hurriedly running to the door, escaping the room with a mischievous grin. The sound of her flustered voice calling me a shameless brat once more echoed behind me as I stepped out into the hallway.