I'm a teacher in Tokyo!

Like the strange questions we had before?

Also, she glanced down at the simple bracelet hidden by her wrist cuff.

Should we take it out?

Meanwhile, upon hearing Yoshizaki's words, Kawakami Tomie turned to look at him, then glanced at Kayako, already guessing why she had been left behind.

I guess he'll either ask himself if he pressured her, or he'll advise Kayako about things like studying, just like he did before.

After all, if it were the first option, then Motoya should have been left behind as well, so it should be the second option.

—Kayako's grades should be about the same as mine.

And that old guy always liked to lecture others.

Various thoughts flashed through her mind, but she was too lazy to delve into them. After all, she hadn't forced Kayako. As for the second point, well, that was none of her business either!

"Then let's go clean up first."

"it is good!"

Moriya Rie dared not call Tomie "boss" in front of the teacher, but her answer was still very strong and powerful.

"Rie, you don't need to respond so loudly next time."

Stepping out of the office, Tomie Kawakami sighed and said helplessly.

Her strange attraction usually works much better on men than women, but this guy is an exception.

Her feelings for herself had transcended "love" and reached a state of complete submission.

But surprisingly, there was no ulterior motive involved; she genuinely just liked following behind him.

certainly--

It's also possible that this silly girl mistook liking for... intimacy?

Well, very likely.

After all, she was really stupid...

Looking at the girl next to her who started laughing foolishly because she called her name, for some reason, two words inexplicably came to mind for Tomie Kawakami;

Clear and foolish.

……

Kayako stood somewhat awkwardly by the door, her right hand hidden at her side, her head lowered, not daring to look at Yoshizaki Kawa.

After learning that her teacher and Saito Asuka-sensei had established a relationship, every time she saw him, she would think of the filthy and despicable things she had done before, and she felt very sorry for him.

At this moment, Yoshizaki suddenly asked:

Did Tomie pressure you to join this club?

To be honest, given my familiarity with Kayako's weak personality, coupled with Tomie Kawakami's unreliable appearance, I decided to give it a try.

This is a question that must be asked.

"No, I wanted to join the club myself!"

Compared to her previous lack of confidence, Kayako spoke these words without the slightest hesitation.

After all, joining this club would allow for more interaction with the teachers...

Sometimes Kayako felt particularly conflicted. Reason told her that she should stay away from her teacher and not affect his life.

However, she always harbored some inexplicable expectations, such as hoping that Yoshizaki-sensei and Saito Asuka would break up. This was clearly a morally wrong expectation, but she couldn't suppress it.

This inner struggle is also the reason for her distress.

Yoshizaki was taken aback by Kayako's decisive answer. After all, Kayako had always spoken haltingly and weakly in front of him, so this time her answer was so decisive.

Could it be that Tomie's abilities also work on her?

After glancing at Kayako, he felt there was nothing wrong with her.

Never mind that for now.

Judging from Kayako's behavior, she didn't seem to take the rumor seriously and remained calm.

Since that's the case, there's no need for me to explain too much about Saito Asuka, because the more I explain, the more unclear things become.

"Let time tell," Yoshizaki thought to himself, taking a moment to consider.

"It's good that there was no coercion. If you are bullied in the club in the future, you can come to me."

The warm words flowed like a warm current, seemingly touching her heart; these were the words she had always longed for.

Just like before in the torrential rain, he stood in the rain, reached out to me, and used his umbrella to shield me from the rain, his figure was so tall.

"Teacher, I..."

At that moment, she even wanted to shout out her innermost thoughts.

But when the words reached her lips, they felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, making it difficult to utter even a single word. This pressure made it hard for her to breathe, leaving her feeling breathless.

She was well aware of the consequences of speaking out, including ethical issues, the happiness that originally belonged to Yoshizaki-sensei, and even his help to her.

Everything will vanish after I say those words.

I and my teacher will become true strangers;

The combined pressure and moral torment made her lower her head and whisper, "I...I'm very grateful to the teacher."

"It's alright, it's my duty."

Yoshizaki Kawa didn't notice the latter's subtle change; he was currently weighing another idea.

He wanted Kayako to help him oversee Tomie's club activities, so that the shamanic club she ran would be under his control.

After all, who knows what kind of trouble the shamanic society might cause in this world where ghosts really exist? Although he required Tomie to tell him about all her activities, who knows if she might hide anything from him?

"Oh, right, I have something to ask Kayako."

what?

Can I help the teacher?

She seemed to have released most of her pressure at once, and the tension she had felt earlier disappeared;

"Teacher, what is it? I, I'm sure I can do it."

"I'm worried that the psychic club that Tomie founded might involve things that are not good for her studies, so I've made Tomie report to me on every activity."

"However, in some situations, there might be unexpected incidents where things aren't reported. Since Kayako has joined, could you do me a favor? From now on, could you secretly tell me about all the club's activities?"

This...this is just like the spy portrayed in the script?

Although I feel this is a bit dangerous, and if Tomie finds out, I might get beaten up or isolated... but as long as I can help the teacher, what does it matter?

Anyway, I've always been isolated.

"Then... I'll record every word I say in the club and send it to the teacher!"

Kayako clenched her fist and said seriously.

"...No need for that, just tell me what activities you usually do."

Hearing Kayako's words, Yoshizaki Kawa felt a little embarrassed. He wasn't working for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so there was no need for him to act like that.

Kayako didn't speak, but her eyes were firm; she was determined to let the teacher know how serious she was!

"Well... that's all. If Kayako-san has nothing else to say, you can go now."

"Then, teacher, I..."

Kayako did not turn and leave. Her little finger twitched slightly, and the bracelet on her right hand rubbed against her skin, as if encouraging her at that moment.

"I...I want to give my teacher a gift!!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 24 Bracelet (Sorry, wrong chapter posted)

Ok?

Yoshizaki Kawa was stunned when he saw Kayako turn around, but then suddenly turn back and say with a determined look that she wanted to give him a gift.

Before she could react, she saw Kayako blushing, looking somewhat regretful, and awkwardly raising her wrist to reveal the two bracelets woven from green grass and withered leaves.

She seemed to want to explain something, but her face flushed red and she couldn't speak for a long time. In the end, she ripped off the bracelet and shoved it into Yoshizaki Kawa's hand: "Thank you for the umbrella yesterday, teacher!"

After saying that, she rushed out as if fleeing, seemingly afraid of being caught by Yoshizaki Kawa and questioned.

After rushing out, I reached the office doorway;

She clutched her wildly beating chest, feeling a mix of regret and relief. After being humiliated to the extreme, she felt a sense of relief, as if she had finally let go of her burden.

Since I've already lost face to this extent, I suddenly started to give up.

However, she did not regret her actions in any way.

That is--

This was the first time, truly the first time, that I acted according to my own heart.