Stealing Spree

Chapter 2404: What should I do with you?

 n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As there was no time to cover both of us, I just gently slid Shizu to the side and draped her with my uniform that fortunately was hanging nearby. After that, I picked up my pants and hurriedly put it on, tucking myself in before awkwardly facing Hayashi-sensei who was still frozen stiff, processing what she stumbled upon.

"Sensei," I called in a low voice to prevent Shizu from waking.

Perhaps my voice became the cue for her to get out of her stupefaction, Hayashi-sensei's eyes gradually focused on me as I stepped forward, blocking her view of Shizu with my body.

"There's no explaining this so... can you pretend that you didn't see anything?" I began, trying to ease the tension with a forced smile, hoping she would laugh it off.

But knowing this woman, it was already too late. "Y-you shameless student. How long have you been doing it? I thought you should be done by now after half an hour but this... this is..." Hayashi-sensei stuttered, unable to find the right words to express her shock.

She quickly averted her gaze and stepped out of the room. I followed after her, closing the door to minimize the volume of our voices.

"Sorry, sensei... We just can't help it. And Shizu's treating it as a reward for her hard work."

I tried to read Hayashi-sensei's expression as she stepped out, her eyes avoiding mine. Was she disappointed? Angry? Or perhaps... intrigued?

"Y-you. You should've just gone home and continued there! It's improper to do that kind of thing in school! Do you understand?! I've already given you two a chance earlier but..." Hayashi-sensei sharply chastised. She couldn't even finish it because her face had already turned crimson. A little more and she might faint from overheating.

"Then sensei, the fault lies entirely on me. If you must punish us for making love here, please drop it all on me."

Upon saying that, I bowed at a 45-degree angle in front of her, expressing my sincerity. But what sincerity should I still express when I'm currently topless? She couldn't even look me in the eye because she was embarrassed.

While she could usually maintain her composure before, seeing us like that had obviously shaken Hayashi-sensei.

"You're unbelievable, Onoda-kun. What will your mother say if I tell her about this? Your father?" Perhaps she didn't know how to respond anymore, she turned to bringing up my parents, forgetting that those two had long known about my 'unique' habits and even encouraged them.

They would scold me, sure. But she's the only one who'd be embarrassed if she reported what she witnessed.

"Sensei, that's a bad idea, you know?" I reminded her.

Hayashi-sensei paused, looking up at me with a hint of confusion before realizing what she had just said. "Ah, yes, I... I didn't mean that. I just..."

She fumbled with her words, her cheeks growing even redder than before.

"I know it'll be hard to remove from your memory... so, feel free to scold me instead, sensei. Shizu will come to your office later. She just needs some... rest."

As there was really no turning back from this, the only solution for Hayashi-sensei was to either forget everything or move past it.

Of course, she'd probably be reminded every time but that's already beside the point. It'd be much better for her if she just let this go after bestowing her punishment on me.

The question is... will she be able to do it?

I looked at her trembling figure who still couldn't face me properly. If she's so embarrassed, she should've run away by now, and yet... she's still here talking to me.

After taking a few deep breaths, Hayashi-sensei forced herself to regain her composure. She straightened her back and faced me. With raised chin, crossed arms and narrowed eyes that would probably look so intimidating if not for her crimson face, she opened her mouth, "Onoda-kun. What should I do with you? I can't just let you go. I'm the Director of this school. If I turn a blind eye... it will reflect poorly on us."

As I decided to claim full responsibility, I maintained my posture of bowing to her before answering, "Sensei, I understand your position. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fitting. However, I hope you can consider the circumstances and Shizu's feelings. She's been under a lot of stress lately."

"I get that. What I'm asking is how I should deal with you. What punishment can I give you? Suspension?" Hayashi-sensei's voice wavered. She was trying to act tough, but the way she avoided looking directly at me suggested she also didn't want to do it.

"If you think that would be for the best, I accept," I replied calmly without looking up to meet her gaze.

I observed her through the limited vision and just watched how her legs moved as she thought about what to say next.

Her silence was deafening. Clearly, she had no idea how to proceed from here.

Do I want to be punished? Obviously not. But Hayashi-sensei had to be appeased somehow. Otherwise, this would turn awkward for her.

Just like she said, she had already given us a chance earlier by pretending not to notice and leaving right away. And yet we squandered it by succumbing to our moment of passion.

She couldn't be faulted here if she did decide to suspend me.

Hayashi-sensei let out a heavy sigh, her eyes darting around the hallway as if searching for an escape from this awkward conversation. "Fine," she finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. "I won't suspend you, Onoda-kun. But you have to promise me one thing."

I straightened up from my bow, looking at her with a mix of relief and curiosity. "And what would that be, sensei?"

"You have to promise me that you will keep this... behavior in check, especially during school hours. Exercise some restraint." She paused, biting her lower lip as she tried to find the words to say, "... C-can you promise me that?"

"I understand. We will keep this behavior in check but sensei... I don't think I can promise to... totally stop it."

"Can't you just say yes? Why do you have to add that last part? Ugh." With another sigh, Hayashi-sensei put a hand on her forehead as signs of headache began to form. "Never mind. Just make sure to keep it low-key from now on. And for today, I'm giving you detention. Don't let me catch you doing that again. Now, go get dressed properly and clean up that mess before

anyone else sees it!"

"Detention? Will you lock me up somewhere, sensei?"

"Onoda-kun, seriously!" Hayashi-sensei's voice spiked with exasperation, her hand moving from her forehead to her hip. "I meant you should stay behind. I have work for you. You know, as a punishment! When Shizu wakes up, tell her to go to my office."

Stay behind? Work as punishment? What is she thinking? If anything, isn't she just giving me more opportunity to be alone with her? This woman...

She's unconsciously putting herself close to the abyss. Is she also going to jump into it with her eyes closed? Or... maybe, she knows what's happening and she's allowing herself to get swept into it.

"I understand, sensei," I answered before straightening my back and facing her again. When our eyes met, I could see hers faltered for a bit before snapping it close as she stepped past me, walking away with a hum.

I turned around to watch her back gradually shrink until she disappeared into the staircase area before returning inside the Student Council Room.

Shizu was still sleeping soundly on the couch, looking like an angel who had just had her wings ripped off. I guess it's fortunate that she didn't wake up in the middle of that. Otherwise, knowing her personality, she might provoke Hayashi-sensei too even if she looked up to her as her mentor.