In Tokyo: They are heavily dependent on me

Chapter 54. At Least I'm Sincere and Daring to Face My Feelings

Wednesday, the day I had arranged to meet Aozora Asuka.

The last class of the afternoon had just begun, and the stadium was packed with students and teachers.

The literary competition's award ceremony was scheduled for the last period of the year. First-year, second-year, and third-year students gathered in the stadium, and the principal of Kasaki High School stood on the podium, announcing the winners.

Hoshino Kaoru, who won first prize, stood in the middle of a group of people. A gentle-looking middle-aged man handed him the microphone, giving him the right to speak.

"Hoshino-kun, you won first prize in the high school literature competition in the Kanto region, bringing honor to our school. Is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"

Sitting on the podium were the academic director, who was strict with students; Ms. Shoko, who was personally recognized as an outstanding teacher by the principal; and the student council president, who rarely appeared in public.

At this moment, all eyes, both on and off the stage, were focused on one person.

Feeling a little nervous, Xun took a deep breath and took the microphone from the principal.

"First of all, I want to thank Ms. Shoko. She is my favorite teacher. If it weren't for her guidance, I wouldn't have won first prize, nor would I be standing here as a representative of the school."

Members of the news department pressed the shutter button on the camera. These guys, who would do anything for traffic, would bring a camera to almost every important occasion.

Kaoru had a feeling that tomorrow the school forum would definitely have a headline like "Breaking News! Third-Year Student Confesses to Teacher in Front of Principal!"

"Hoshino-kun, can you tell me why you work so hard?"

The principal, unwilling to miss the opportunity to promote this outstanding student in front of the media, asked this question and then put the microphone back to Xun's mouth.

"My family is very poor. My mother passed away a long time ago, leaving only my sister and me. Even though I am the older brother, my sister has always taken on the responsibility of supporting the family at home. She is busy working at the ramen shop and doesn't get to rest until very late every day. I feel guilty towards her because she has always taken care of me. So I must work hard and do my best to be more hardworking than anyone else."

Halfway through her speech, Kaoru suddenly changed the subject.

"If there are any students or teachers living near Shinjuku Ward, I hope you can come to 'Hoshinoya Ramen' and try our Mapo Tofu Ramen. If it's inconvenient for you, please help us spread the word. As your older brother, this is all I can do for my sister. Thank you."

Kaoru wiped his eyes, silently urging himself to "cry it out," as he took a tissue from a female teacher who patted him on the shoulder to encourage him.

He pretended to wipe his nose and looked around again.

The guys in the news department were holding cameras in one hand, sniffing constantly, the teacher on the podium had tears in his eyes, and even the principal next to him was moved by his words and showed a gratified expression.

"Ah, is that so? The school will apply for a scholarship for you as soon as possible. Also... Hoshino-kun has brought honor to the school, and as the principal, I would like to express my gratitude to you. This is a bonus for you, please accept it."

The principal handed over the heavy envelope.

Hmm! A bonus!

Kaoru blinked, thinking to himself, "Hasn't Shoko-sensei already given it to him once?"

Could it be that the principal has forgotten such an important matter?

He thought about it and decided that even a larger bonus wouldn't be a problem, so he accepted it without hesitation.

Immediately, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, so loud it made my eardrums ache.

"You're really awful, Hoshino-kun."

On her way back to the classroom after leaving the stadium, Mizukami Orina stood at the entrance with her arms crossed, watching Kaoru, the last person to leave.

With no other teachers around, Xun breathed a sigh of relief.

"Although it's an act, it's all true. My family isn't well-off, and I think Mizukami knows that."

"No, I wasn't talking about that. Hoshino-kun, you really have guts to confess your feelings to the school's youngest and most beautiful teacher, Shoko, in front of the principal and the public. I..."

At this moment, several student council members walked over. Afraid that she would continue talking, Kaoru immediately covered her mouth and did not let go no matter how much she struggled.

"Hey! Students over there! Don't fight!"

Several student council members quickly noticed the two people pulling at each other.

"No...we didn't fight. We're a couple, we were just arguing."

Kaoru placed her right hand, which had been bitten and left with teeth marks, behind her back, trying to control her facial expression.

"Oh... then arguing is not allowed either!"

"We didn't argue, we've already made up."

"Oh, that's good."

After the group left, Xun bought a can of coffee from a nearby vending machine and pressed it against her right hand, which had been bitten and had teeth marks, to cool it down.

"Mizukami-kun, you went too far... no, you bit too hard!"

He glared resentfully at the indifferent young lady, the pain in his right hand finally subsiding under the stimulation of the cold temperature, making him feel a little better.

"Just as I guessed, Hoshino's body is indeed as filthy as his soul. Any woman who appears around you could become your target. Even if the other party is a teacher who is 8 years older than you, you have no intention of letting her go. You are truly hopeless and disgusting."

The young lady frowned, her eyes revealing disgust, as if she were looking at the 'G's' swarms living in the sewers.

"Don't say that. My feelings for Shoko-sensei... are just a student's feelings for their teacher."

"Lies, Hoshino-kun is like the cover of an R18 film. Only your appearance can attract attention. Once you look a little deeper, you can find that the beautiful image you create is fake. You are always deceiving the audience."

What a strange metaphor! And the feeling of realism...

Could it be... that the young lady is actually interested in this kind of film in private?

No, no, now is not the time to think about these kinds of questions.

Kaoru shifted her thoughts from the 'R18 video' to what the young lady had just told her.

"At least I'm sincere and dare to face my feelings. If I like you, I will definitely tell you in person, instead of pretending and saying things like 'I only like Mizukami-kun' on the surface, while secretly flirting with other girls."

He looked sincere, as if he were stating the right principles.

Shui Shang held his forehead and shook his head weakly, unable to refute.

"Hoshino-kun, I've found that arguing with you is always pointless. You can call promiscuity innocent and perfectly reasonable. You're completely hopeless."

The young lady, who was clearly at a disadvantage in the "debate," turned away, not intending to waste time arguing with him any further.

"See you tomorrow, Minakami-kun. I'll try my best to get you to accept this idea."

"Unless I become mentally unstable or suffer brain damage, this is impossible."

As they were about to leave, Mizukami turned around and said "absolutely" in a somewhat annoyed tone.

"The young lady's reaction is so cute," Kaoru thought to herself as she basked in the warm, gentle afternoon breeze, daydreaming about her future with the young lady as she walked toward the classroom.