Stealing Spree

Chapter 2681: What is it you truly want?

A while later, even after I resumed relieving her stress by massaging her shoulders, Hayashi-sensei remained stiff as a board. It’s as if she were too conscious of my presence.

Well, it’s understandable. All I have to do is wait until she finally comes to terms with the new nature of our relationship. Without saying anything else, I switched back to simply holding her and letting her rest on me.

Perhaps reaching her limit, Hayashi-sensei breathed out, her head nudging me with conflicted emotions.

”You’re really going to be the death of me. Maybe I should ask your mother to discipline you.”

”You can call her now, sensei. You know. She’ll be very interested to hear about how I also got to you.” I put on a smirk, earning me an eyeroll and a light tap on my cheek.

“Oh, really? Does she not care how many in-laws she will have in the future?”

“Nope, she’s even delighted to hear about it,” I replied as she put her hand on top of mine, pressing it against her stomach.

”Haa... Forget it... You mother and son are impossible. You know what? I’m going to get a drink with her later. With Miwa, too.”

I only chuckled and didn’t say anything else. Whatever she was planning by doing that, I doubt it’d go her way. She might even be teased by my mother and Miwa-nee.

Anyway, rather than teasing her more with words, pampering her with our remaining time was better.

As I tightened my hold on her, I lowered my head on her shoulder. My nose pressed on the side of her neck which clearly tickled her. But with her attempt to appear composed, she only twitched a little as she squeezed my hand tighter.

With this opportunity, I inhaled her fragrance which smelled like a mix of lavender and ink, slightly fulfilling my desire for her.

”... Onoda-kun. S-stop. Someone might...” Although her words were a protest, her body betrayed her. She leaned further into my touch while her hand reached for my head, fingers tangling in my hair as if anchoring herself against the intimacy.

”I locked the door, sensei. Don’t worry. But if you’re uncomfortable, just say so.” I pressed my lips on the spot near her pulse point, feeling her heartbeat quicken slightly. She clutched my hair even tightly. Still, it’s not to the point that she could unroot my hair. It’s more like she’s holding onto me.

”Ugh. Tell me, brat. Why am I always getting swept away by you?” Hayashi-sensei muttered, her voice thick with reluctant surrender. She turned her head slightly, just close enough for us to see each other’s image reflected in our eyes.

Her stern mask had completely melted away, leaving behind a raw vulnerability that made my chest tighten.

”Why, huh? Let’s see. Maybe it’s because you liked the comfort I’ve been giving you?” I murmured as I put on a small smile. ”I know you haven’t truly moved on from your years-long infatuation with my father, and you see him in me. My appearance at least. Part of you may have been wishing he were like me.”

”T-that’s... I don’t...” Her voice trailed off there as she lowered her head as though realizing the truth in my words. Her fingers loosened in my hair, sliding down to rest against my cheek instead. The warmth of her palm felt like a quiet confession.

”Brat, let’s say you’re half-right... Maybe I do feel that unconsciously but that’s not the only reason why I’m letting you do this,” Hayashi-sensei raised her head again and smirked. Her fingers traced my jaw before her thumb eventually rested on my lips. ”You’re such a menace, Onoda-kun.”

”If you say it like that, I’ll take that as you starting to have feelings for me, sensei.”

”Idiot. Was yesterday still not enough of a sign?” She huffed and then pinched my lips before pressing our foreheads together. Her glasses slipped down her nose, revealing eyes stripped of authority, only conflicted yearning remained. ”You broke me open like a damn vault. Now I don’t know where to put these... feelings.”

”Well, if I say I’m aiming to do you right. Something my father will never do...” Matching her movements, I pushed my head slightly, making our noses touch as well. ”...would that make you feel better?”

Hayashi-sensei shuddered as she retreated slightly to fix her glasses back in place.

”This brat... You’re the one who said back then to stop comparing you to him. But you keep bringing him up. What is it you truly want?”

Ah. She’s not wrong though. I did say that before. Maybe I was the one who was too conscious about her past with my father. I have to be certain about what I truly want to do with her.

Yesterday happened and... I do not regret it one bit. But am I ready to also bring her in like the others? Will she be fine with it? There are just a lot of concerns on both of our sides.

”Let’s figure it out together, sensei. For now, just let me hold you.” My arms tightened around her waist as I gave her lips a small peck. Hayashi-sensei closed her eyes to savor it before resting her head back on my shoulder. The tension in her body eased completely now, replaced by a weary acceptance. Her fingers interlaced with mine over her stomach, anchoring us in this fragile intimacy.

Outside, footsteps echoed down the hallway, probably the principal returning from wherever he went. A reminder of the world waiting beyond this locked door.

”You know what, Onoda-kun? I can’t always let you get away with this... I have to keep my dignity as an educator. It’s not even that long ago that I sent you with Eguchi-sensei to investigate those having illicit relationships.” Hayashi-sensei shifted in my lap, her tone attempting sternness but undermined by the way her fingers gripped my forearm. ”Yet here I am. I have already crossed a certain line with you.”

I nuzzled her neck, inhaling her irresistible fragrance. ”Then there’s only one solution to that, sensei. Punish me. Make me... suffer properly for being this insolent.” My fingers slid higher beneath her blouse, stopping just before I reached the underside of her bra.

She gasped sharply, arching against me.

”But not now. Later. When you’re not drowning in paperwork.”

Hayashi-sensei’s laugh was breathless as she caught my wandering hand, pressing it flat against her pounding heart. ”And what punishment would even work on you? Detention? Suspension? As if that could absolve whatever this is...”

”You’ll have to write off suspension, sensei. I might have to sneak in to meet the others or you if that happens.” I chuckled softly, my thumb tracing circles over her silk-covered breast. Her heartbeat hammered against my palm, a frantic rhythm that betrayed her composed facade. ”Detention’s worse. Trapped alone with me? Dangerous. We might turn the place into our love nest.”

”You pervert... Haa... Alright enough. Your ten minutes are up.” Hayashi-sensei reluctantly pulled away, smoothing her blouse with trembling hands before pulling me out of her seat.

Her cheeks remained flushed as she retrieved her pen, avoiding my gaze as I stood up.

”Go assist Eguchi-sensei before she comes looking. And Onoda-kun?” She paused, adjusting her glasses with newfound sternness. ”Locking my office door again will result in actual suspension paperwork.”

”Why? It’s the only way we can have our private moment, sensei.” I grinned, leaning against her desk as she shooed me toward the door. But before following her words, I lifted her chin gently with my fingers. ”One more kiss?”

Hayashi-sensei huffed, but her eyes softened as she tilted her face upward. Our lips met softly but the kiss shared was deep with a lingering promise rather than a demand.

When we parted, she smoothed her tight skirt with trembling hands, her stern mask sliding back into place like armor. ”Go. Now.”

I walked to the door, then turned around, admiring her from this distance. Hayashi-sensei had already returned to her paperwork, pen scratching furiously, but her ears remained flushed crimson.

Isn’t she adorable? That stern facade crumbling into flustered vulnerability...

I unlocked the door quietly, stealing one last glance at Hayashi-sensei bent over her documents before stepping outside.