S.S #1

I WAITED NEAR KEYAKI MALL for Ayanokōji to arrive.

A consultation requested by a student.

Honestly, I could hardly imagine such a thing years ago.

I suppose I pushed my students away because I was treating them coldly.

In such a state, no one would open their hearts and come to me for a consultation.

But recently, students gradually started opening up and talking to me.

They spoke about their career paths, job hunting, and friendships.

Having touched both the past and present as well as the light and darkness of the

unanimous vote special exam, I was able to change.

And this was undoubtedly thanks to Ayanokōji.

I had become capable of facing myself and the students.

"However, well..."

Meeting one-on-one with a male student on a day off was certainly unexpected.

If it weren't for Ayanokōji requesting this consultation, to whom I owed a debt of gratitude, I

wouldn't have allowed it.

I had no intention of mixing personal matters with work... but yes, this time was special.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

Soon, the awaited person arrived.

Was I kept waiting?I checked the time just in case.

"You haven't really kept me waiting. There's still some time before our appointment; no need

to worry."

More importantly, this one-on-one situation was still unsettling.

"I never thought I'd be meeting a student at Keyaki Mall."

"Has this never happened before?"

"Of course not."

Meeting with the opposite sex on a holiday—this was the first time since my student days.

My memory of it has already faded, and it certainly didn't become a good memory either,

however...

No, that's a completely different story.

What Ayanokōji was talking about now was between a teacher and a student.

In other words, my past, cold self never had such an opportunity before.

"Ah, I see. Sensei, in the past, you deliberately kept a distance from students—"

He rudely intruded into my thoughts without mercy.

"Ayanokōji. You speak too lightly."

"I apologize."

"An apology is not enough, isn't it?"

"...Was there really a need to meet at Keyaki Mall?"

If we moved from here, other students would inevitably see us.

Honestly, it wasn't a favorable situation.

"I understand your sentiment, but I judged that meeting here was the best option."

"I'd like to know the reason for that decision."

Ayanokōji was my student, and certainly nothing more.

Considering the Maezono incident as well, this situation is an emergency.

As the class aimed to reach greater heights, Ayanokōji's presence was indispensable.

As a teacher, I must make an effort to provide emotional support...