Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 25, Problem Consultation


"……Please"

"Excuse me"

　After walking for a few minutes, we soon arrived at Makiri-sensei's room.
　At the suggestion of Makiri-sensei, whose cheeks are still dyed red, I take off my shoes at the entrance and enter the room.

　The room is as clean and tidy as ever.
　What stands out among them are...... after all, the cute stuffed animals placed around the beds.

　After putting the shopping stuff away in the refrigerator, Makiri-sensei put away the stuffed animals around the bed, this time silently, in the closet.

"……What?"

　Afterwards, Makiri-sensei asks with a pouty look and a cold look in her eyes.

"No, nothing"

　I decided to turn a blind eye to her earlier actions.
　Makiri-sensei breathed out heavily and then told me to sit down in front of the low table, saying, "Sit down there".
　I sat down as she said, and Makiri-sensei sat on the bed.

　Then, after grabbing a pillow, she got a ha look on her face.
　Then she turned her gaze down in a bad mood, and then placed the pillow she had grabbed in her lap.

　...... Perhaps Makiri-sensei usually sits on her bed and hugs her stuffed animals when she gets home.
　I guess that habit came out unintentionally here and now.

"... So, do you want to know about my feelings. What does that mean?"

　Makiri-sensei quietly asks me.
　The swaying eyes, the flushed cheeks.
　She must be nervous.
　…… It is not surprising, since she is trying to expose her own weaknesses to her students.

"It's exactly what it says"

　I just say a few words.
　Makiri-sensei raised her face, looked at me, then opened her eyes, opened her mouth and tried to say something...
Then looking away without saying anything.
She looked at me again and said.

"I am! I have great respect for you, Tomoki-kun. I rely on you so much that I can't believe you're younger than me, and even though you're my student, even though you're my student, I end up spoiled by you ...... That's my bad part."

　Makiri-sensei looked down and clenched her fist on the pillow as she said.

"I can understand why a nice girl like Hasaki-san would like you, and I think it's only natural that Ike-san relies on you. There is no man I rely on more than you, either. But... I am the teacher and you are the student. No matter how much you are like a teacher to me"

　I was happy ...... to hear that from Makiri-sensei.

"O-Of course, I'm happy with your feelings. That's true. But I think we definitely need a little more time to think about it."

　And at the same time, I felt unworthy to hear Makiri-sensei's follow-up words when she said she didn't need my help.

"I'm glad you trust me."

　When I said this, Makiri-sensei looked puzzled.

"No, that ...... I don't think you're getting my point across properly. ...... I do think that was a bit far-fetched, though."

"I understand. I know you trust me, but you have problems that you can't talk to me about because I'm only a student, right?"

　Even if you trust me, you can't tell me.
　If it's that much of a thought, I probably shouldn't stick my neck out.

"Yes, that's right. No matter you ... eh?"

"To Makiri-sensei, I may be nothing more than one of your trusted students. ...... but for me, Makiri-sensei is ...... an important teacher ........ So, maybe I'm not strong enough, but I want to help you. "

　I went straight to my feelings.
　Yeah, I'm just a kid.
　It is inherently impossible for Makiri-sensei to rely on me.

　Even so.
　... I wanted to help her, even if in a small way, I thought.

　When Makiri-sensei heard my words, she became agitated.
　Then, she opened her well-shaped lips――

"……Eh?"

　She tilted her head questioningly and muttered a few words.
　I wondered what was wrong and waited for her to continue.

"Tomoki-kun"

"Yes"

"... I'm sorry, but may I clarify the talk a little?"

"Eh? Of course, it's fine."

　Makiri-sensei looks somewhat doesn't understand.
　What is going on?
　As I wonder, Makiri-sensei asks me.

"Well. You want to know my feelings, right?"

"Yes"

"That's.... So it's not what I think of you, but what kind of problems I have, is that correct?"

"It's obvious, isn't it. ...What else could it be?"

"... No, you're right. I haven't misunderstood anything."

　Pui, Makiri-sensei turned away with a sullen look on her cheeks.
　...... What does it mean?

"So you. If I have a problem, you want to help me. ...That's what you're telling me, right?"

"That's right. ... Even if it's only a small help, I want to help Makiri-sensei."

　I tell her straight out, and after letting out a deep sigh, for some reason, Makiri-sensei stares at me with a sharp gaze.
　I wasn't scared at all because she was hugging her pillow, but why was I being glared at?

"I heard from Ike and Tatsumiya that Makiri-sensei has been acting strangely lately. ......Did something happen?"

　In response to my question, Makiri-sensei looked at me resentfully and then let out a small sigh this time.

"...I can't believe that not only Tomoki-kun, but the other students were aware of it. I am a really pathetic teacher."

　As if in self-mockery, Makiri-sensei mutters.
　I was about to open my mouth to say, "That is......" but I saw the look on her face and kept my mouth shut.
　She opens her mouth as she looks at me with resignation in her eyes, unable to continue with anything.

"That's right. I'm having trouble right now."

"... What kind of trouble is that?"

　In response to my question, Makiri-sensei turned her head down.
　Then she opened her mouth with a weak expression on her face and a clinging look at me.


"Next month I have to go on omiai introduced by my father. ―― Maybe it's going to keep happening until I find someone to marry. ... That's the problem I have now."


　With a tinge of resignation, Makiri-sensei told me this.