When I Asked My Sensei Who Was in Her Thirties to Let Me Take Responsibility for My Actions, She Bro

“Come on, just hang out with me for a bit.”

“…I’m sorry. I’m just waiting for my boyfriend.”

“Oh, I know a good spot. It’s a hidden gem where you can see the illuminations from above. Really, I’m serious.”

“Um, sorry but I’m not interested.”

“Forget about your boyfriend. Also, I have quite a bit of money. If you go out with me for a little bit, I can give you a gift without being taxed.”

“I have my own money, so it’s fine!”

When I returned to the bench after buying some drinks, Sakuramiya-sensei was being hit on by a guy. It felt like déjà vu because I have witnessed this scene a lot now.

I had only been away for about five minutes.

I underestimated the situation. I hurried over to them and forcefully grabbed the arm of the guy who was hitting on her, pulling him towards me.

“Can you please not bother someone else’s girlfriend?”

“Tch…”

The guy clicked his tongue and tried to get my hand off him before putting his hands in his pockets and turning away.

“Not a boyfriend, but a brother eh?”

“Huh? Can you correct that, please?”

I stopped the guy from leaving.

“Correct what?”

“I’m not her brother but her boyfriend.”

“No, he’s your brother, isn’t he? Why are you getting so worked up?”

“Please correct it.”

“I don’t understand. Fine, he’s your boyfriend then.”

The guy tilted his head in annoyance and left, hiding his frustration.

Our date was ruined. I was getting frustrated too, but then I noticed Sakuramiya-sensei was smiling.

I looked at her curiously.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Well, I’m just happy.”

“Because you were getting hit on?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“You’re a weird teacher.”

“Oh, right now I’m not a teacher.”

With her index finger raised, she stabbed me with her nail.

While outside, it wasn’t appropriate to call her “sensei.” I was being careful, but the habit was hard to break. I needed to be more careful.

I took out a drink that I had left in my pocket and handed one to Sakuramiya-sensei.

“Oh, this one’s for you.”

“Thanks. It’s the yuzu one, right?”

It was a comforting drink made by combining yuzu and lemon. It was perfect for the cold season.

“Oh, Minato-kun, are you drinking cola?”

“Yes. I just felt like having something carbonated.”

“That’s amazing, considering how cold it is.”

“If I get cold, Yumi-san will warm me up, so it’s okay.”

“Okay, I’ll warm you up.”

Sakuramiya-sensei leaned against my shoulder.

After speaking casually, I was taken aback by her actions. While feeling shaken, I opened the can of cola.

With a refreshing sound of “pshh” the drink overflowed from the can.

“Ugh, oh no…”

“Are you okay?”

“I… just ran earlier, so…”

“You need to wipe it off quickly!”

I calmly observed the situation and deduced the cause of the soda spilling out… It was because I ran all the way to save her from the guy who was trying to hit on her.

Thanks to him, my lower body got wet.

Well, since I was wearing black pants, I didn’t think it would stand out.

Sakuramiya-sensei was more flustered than I was and wiped the wet part with a handkerchief.

“No, it’s okay. I can do it myself.”

“Don’t be shy. Leave it to me.”

“No, I mean… I really can do it myself.”

“Huh?… Oh, okay. Will you do it yourself then?”

It was quite dangerous since the wet part was in a sensitive area.

I received the handkerchief from Sakuramiya-sensei and wiped the wet area myself. And then, I realized something.

This was the one I gave her as a present before our date with Sakuramiya-sensei, the handkerchief I gave her as a present during our gift exchange. Was she really using it properly?

For some reason, I felt a warmth in my chest.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

The date was nearing its end now.

We had already gone around the park, and now we were under a tall tree. The atmosphere was one of “couples only.” It was sickeningly sweet, no matter which way you looked.

The plaza shone brilliantly, as if it were still daytime.

I wondered where I should give her the gift. I thought, maybe this was the right place and time…

After all, it was Christmas Eve.

I had prepared a gift for her, but I was a little worried about whether she would be pleased. But I couldn’t chicken out now.

Just as I was preparing myself to go through with it, Sakuramiya-sensei began rummaging through her bag.

“Actually, I brought you a present for you.”

“Huh? Oh, I brought one, too.”

We hadn’t promised to exchange gifts, but it seemed that Sakuramiya-sensei had also prepared something.

“Really? I’m so happy… Well, here’s mine,” she said, taking out a wrapped object from her bag and handing it over carefully.

“Thank you.”

“I hope you’ll like it.”

It wasn’t too heavy or light so It was difficult to guess what was inside while it was still wrapped.

When Sakuramiya-sensei prompted me to open it, I quickly tore off the wrapping. Inside was a light blue scarf with the letters “MINATO” on it.

“Wow… did you knit this yourself?”

“Yeah… it’s the first time I’ve ever made a scarf, so it might not be perfect.”

“It’s not imperfect at all. I’m really happy.”

“I’m glad. Minato-kun, you don’t look happy when I give you money… so I thought about it and decided to knit a scarf for you.”

She explained why she chose this gift.

It made me feel sentimental that Sakuramiya-sensei, who would give me presents at every opportunity, had given me a present that was heartfelt and didn’t rely on money.

What should I do… I’m incredibly happy right now.

I put the scarf I had already been wearing away in my bag and immediately put on Sakuramiya-sensei’s hand-knitted scarf.

“How is it?”

I asked for her thoughts right away.

“I-it’s nice, don’t you think? It’s a little… well, quite embarrassing, but…”

“I’ll treasure this forever.”

“That’s fine. It’s a disposable item…so just wear it a little bit.”

“No, I don’t want to. I don’t want to wear any other scarf besides this one.”

“You’re suddenly stubborn!… But if that’s what you want, I’ll make you another one next year.”

“Really? I’m already looking forward to next Christmas.”

Sakuramiya-sensei blushed and nodded her head. She just looked too cute right now.

—Now it’s my turn, isn’t it?

While I calmed down my body which was growing hot every passing second, I took out a small black box from my bag. It was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.