Chapter 3 The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us

“…Did I mishear that? I could’ve sworn she said something about ‘staying over’…”

“Ahaha! What’s with that reaction? That’s hilarious.”

“Hilarious, you say… If you keep joking around like that, people might stop taking you seriously someday.”

“But I was being serious… So, what do you say? I feel like staying up all night after work.”

She gives me a challenging look, as if testing me.

Her large, captivating eyes fix on me, refusing to let go.

With a look like that, any man might find his resolve wavering.

But—

“No, I’m not letting you stay over. Work and private life are separate.”

I reply calmly, maintaining as much composure as I can.

Seeing my response, Kanade pouts and mutters.

“You’re so stingy, Ariga-cchi!”

“Think about it. Bringing a college girl home with me… What would people think?”

“The room would smell nice. That’d be great.”

“Hah, when you put it that way, it does sound nice… Wait, no! Idiot!”

“Ooh! Nice comeback~. You’re quick on the uptake!”

We’ve been exchanging this kind of banter for four years now, so it’s second nature.

Our natural flow of conversation is even popular with the students.

Not that we’re trying to entertain them or anything.

Still, if it helps brighten the atmosphere in the classroom, that’s a win.

Even though there’s no reason to do it now.

This is just how it goes when I’m talking to Kanade.

I chuckle and then put on a slightly more serious expression.

Slowly, I start to scold her.

“Seriously, if I brought you home, my wife would lose it… So, let’s avoid that. No matter how close we are, I don’t want to create any misunderstandings.”

“Wife… Oh, I see… You mean…”

“What? Is something wrong?”

“No, no! Nothing at all!!”

She waves her hands frantically, insisting it’s nothing.

Her reaction makes me tilt my head in confusion.

Was there something that bothered her?

“Ahaha… Wow, I totally slipped up. My bad~.”

“You definitely did that on purpose. Well… talking with you cheers me up, so I’ll let it slide.”

“Really?! Then let’s keep talking! I’ll grab some snacks from the convenience store~.”

“That sounds tempting, but—”

I take out my phone to check the time.

It’s already well past 11 pm.

“For now, let’s head home while we talk. Snacks can wait for another time. It’s getting late, and hanging around here feels a bit off.”

“You sound like you’re lecturing me… I’m not a student anymore.”

“Sorry, force of habit. But seriously, we can’t stay here all night. It’d look bad if someone saw us hanging out this late.”

“Really? Isn’t it just a responsible part-timer and her boss chatting?”

“No, no. Let’s look at this objectively…”

—A classroom at night.

—Two people, a man and a woman, standing close together.

At this hour… It doesn’t look good, no matter how you spin it.

Noticing my unease, Kanade’s face turns slightly red.

“So yeah, we don’t want the other part-timers thinking we’ve got some kind of ‘suspicious relationship.’ Let’s call it a night.”

“What?! But a cute college girl is asking to stay over—”

“Stop acting like a spoiled brat! And don’t call yourself cute. Anyway, since it’s late, I’ll walk you home…”

“Ariga-cchi, is this what they call the ‘wolf escort’? You know, the kind with ulterior motives?”

“It’s not! Stop saying things that could be misinterpreted. You’re always like this, stirring things up…”

“Sorry, sorry. Talking to you just makes me want to tease you~.”

“Seriously, though. Be more cautious around guys. I worry you’ll get tricked by some sleazy dude.”

“Fufu. Don’t worry! I’ve got my guard up.”

“Then maybe you should start by changing that outfit—”

“No way! I love these clothes, and I’m not changing!”

“You’ve always been so stubborn…”

She flashes me a carefree smile, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Feel free to compliment me, you know~.”

“Stubborn as always.”

“That’s not a compliment, is it?”

“It depends on how you take it.”

“Ugh, what’s that supposed to mean~?”

She pouts, puffing out her cheeks.

Well, if she likes her style, I guess it’s fine… But her outfits are always so loose.

Maybe it’s just how dancers are, but still.

With her figure, it’s hard to know where to look.

Normally, a girl hanging out with a guy she’s not dating would show at least a little caution. But Kanade doesn’t have any of that.

Her complete lack of wariness just makes me worry more…

That’s why I need to keep things strictly professional—or maybe just like old friends.

Misunderstandings are the scariest thing.

Just like with my ex-wife: thinking “Everything’s fine; we’re doing great,” is when you’re most vulnerable.

“Alright, let’s go. Staying late doesn’t mean you’ll get paid extra.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know~.”

“For the record, I get overtime pay.”

“That’s not fair!”

She protests playfully as we both pack up our things.

So… nothing has changed between Kanade and me.

Back then, we were teacher and student. Now, we’re employer and part-timer. That’s it.

Giving her a ride home now and then is purely coincidental, nothing more, nothing less.

That’s something we agreed on long ago.

So, I can’t let myself develop any strange misunderstandings or expectations.

The distance between Kanade and me has always been like this…

Reminding myself of that once again, I leave the classroom with Kanade by my side.