Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher?-Chapter 4Volume 3 . - To Continue or Not?

To Continue or Not? 4

“Specifically?”

“The moment I first saw her running, my heart was captured. Her running was powerful yet so beautiful. Like a moving work of art. Since then, I often watched her after-school practices, and if there was a competition on a holiday, I’d go to the venue. Anyway, seeing her cross the finish line in first place was just too cool!”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke with great enthusiasm.

“I can kind of imagine that.”

“The slight smile on her face, even when she’s sweating and giving her all without showing fatigue, is super cool!”

“That’s serious.”

She’s checking quite detailed points. This is serious business.

“For Ririka, Akiaki is like a protagonist, so cool. Look!”

Mayuzumi-san pulls out her smartphone and shows me photos from a competition.

“Right, she was quite boyish in our first year.”

The minimal uniform that doesn’t hinder running, a patch with her name for the competition on her chest.

Sun-tanned skin, short uncolored hair. A lean body specialized for running had a beautiful sharpness to it.

Ah, indeed, Kuhouin Akira was like this until last year.

And although she was never particularly friendly, she talked normally with her classmates.

If something fun happened, she’d laugh, and she didn’t emit a prickly air that pushed people away like he does now.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“In that sense, as someone who also supports Akiaki, I felt a secret kinship with you, Nikki. If Nikki didn’t like Akiaki, you wouldn’t be able to call her every morning without fail, right?”

Ah, so there’s a way to see it as “oshi” activities. Indeed, repeating the same thing every day seems simple, but it’s quite difficult.

“Sorry, but I’m just a substitute for an alarm clock.”

“I wish I could trade places with you for that honorable position! I want to exchange!”

“I’d gladly give it up.”

“I’ve been turned down many times already.”

“Akira is the same as ever.”

I let out a wry smile.

“But thanks to Nikki, Akiaki has become closer with everyone in the class.”

“Could it be that Mayuzumi-san’s real goal was to break Akira out of her isolation?”

Mayuzumi-san nods.

“Ririka wants Akira-chan to regain her brilliance.”

Instead of calling her by her nickname as she usually does, she calls Akira by his given name.

“Brilliance?”

“Like a re-debut in class. She’s been distant from the other kids in the class since the second year started. I thought if they got to know the real Akiaki, they would come to like her.”

“Akira isn’t the type who enjoys chatting or hanging out in groups, right?”

I can understand the mentality of wanting to spread the word about things you like.

However, I’m not sure if that’s what Kuhouin Akira actually wants.

“But look, she came to the dinner party today. The old Akiaki would have definitely gone home early.”

“Maybe it was just a coincidence.”

“Even so, it’s okay. Kuhouin Akira is a wonderful girl who hasn’t fallen from grace, and Ririka is genuinely happy about that. That’s why Ririka thinks of Nikki as a savior.”

” ‘Fallen from grace’ and ‘savior’ are not expressions you usually hear among classmates.”

Otaku do like their exaggerated expressions.

“The fact that she quit the track team due to an injury was a big setback for Akiaki.”

“Was she aiming to go pro?”

Kiyō High School isn’t particularly known for being strong in sports.

“Not exactly, but being forced to give up something you love can cause a lot of emotional damage. It’s frustrating to end without even being able to challenge yourself, regardless of whether you win or lose after giving it your all. It’s hard to come to terms with it.”

Mayuzumi-san spoke as if it were her own experience.

“Well, I totally get that.”

Even I felt like it was the end of the world when I was rejected by Tenjō-san after a beach drive date.

No matter how much I rationalized it in my head, my emotions were raging like a storm. But because I acted without despairing, drifting, or giving up, we’re still connected today.

“Ever since she retired, Akiaki seemed bored and irritated.”

“Indeed, she’s become a bit more amiable towards others now.”

The extent of her change was surprising.

“After quitting the club, I wanted her to cheer up, so I invited her out many times. But I guess I was too persistent and she got annoyed. As we moved into the second year after the spring break, her tardiness increased, and Ririka was really worried. If she had ended up repeating the year or dropping out, Ririka might have despaired.”

Long breaks tend to disrupt one’s daily rhythm.

It’s hard to get back to normal once it’s been disrupted. In Akira’s case, the emotional damage she was carrying made it even more difficult.

It’s no wonder she didn’t want to go to school and would snap at the teacher if she was forced to go and then got scolded.

We’re still teenagers.

There were many things we couldn’t simply resolve on our own.

“I see. So that’s why Mayuzumi-san was treated coldly by Akira.”

When Akira and I were talking, Mayuzumi-san would come in and it seemed like she was being a nuisance.

“That’s right!”

“You didn’t get discouraged?”

“You have to support your oshi when you can! That’s Ririka’s motto. I don’t want my talented and beautiful oshi to stumble over something trivial. Even if I’m called a busybody, I’ll support her. Ririka just wants Akiaki to be happy.”

That was Mayuzumi Ririka’s wish for Kuhouin Akira.

“That’s some noble friendship.”

“No, it’s just one-sided love. As a fan, I don’t expect anything in return.”

She pours out her big feelings, does what she can, and yet she doesn’t lose her cool.

Mayuzumi-san is aware and dedicated to support.

“That’s why I’m really grateful to Nikki for helping Akiaki stop being late. Thank you.”

“I’m honored to be praised by such a model fan.”

I decided to go along with Mayuzumi-san’s vibe for once.

“Nikki, raise your hand.”

As I did as I was told, Mayuzumi-san gave me a high-five.

“But I won’t give up the title of top fan spot.”

She’s steadfast.

“Because it’s Nikki, I’ll forgive you even if you become Akiaki’s real boyfriend.”

“Mayuzumi-san. Isn’t the revelation of your oshi’s romance a huge blow to a fan?”

“If the person themselves is happy, then it’s okay!”

Mayuzumi-san’s face was full of smiles.

***