Chapter 2199: Ground Rules
Chapter 2199: Ground Rules
As I closed the door behind me, the cool air of the hallway hit my face, contrasting with the warmth that lingered in the Director's Office. My thoughts swirled as I walked away, replaying the last few minutes I had with Hayashi-sensei. Her resting her head on my shoulder, that small, unspoken gesture of trust, meant more than anything she could've said aloud.
No matter how much she denied it, I somehow ended up being her place of comfort. I didn't pry about the cause of her stress anymore since like she said, it wasn't something someone like me could help with.
Nonetheless, Hayashi-sensei was still quite a wonder. Despite all the power and authority she wielded, there was this side of her- vulnerable and uncertain that she rarely allowed anyone to see. Maybe it was because she was so hung up on my father that she truly never opened herself up to anyone else.
Yet, even though she couldn't totally separate me from my father, I could tell that she was gradually gravitating toward me. The cracks in her walls were already too obvious not to notice it.
I wonder if she even realizes how much she's letting her guard down around me. Probably not. In any case, I'll just have to continue what I'm doing, right?
Being the Director meant she had to be firm and authoritative. And yet, in those quiet moments when it was just the two of us, it was like she wanted to shed that weight, even if just for a little while.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I thought about how she kept calling me a shameless brat yet she always succumbed to my chiding. Of course, I was teasing her not just because I wanted to push her buttons or test her boundaries, it was my own way to repay her for taking care of Shizu and me as well as turning a blind eye to my relationships.
Teasing as repayment, huh? But well, it all results in her getting relieved of stress anyway so it's a positive thing.
Anyway, I continued down the stairs and set aside my thoughts about Hayashi-sensei, focusing more on what was ahead of me.
Another meeting with Orimura-sensei.
I wonder if she prepared something today. Although we might've not spent that much time together yesterday, I successfully conveyed my thoughts to her when we visited the clubhouse.
Besides, the bet between us was still on. I would be aiming to make her honest and devoted to me while she's going to continue correcting my way.
Currently, she's failing at that considering our previous interactions. As for whether it would change today, I'd find out soon enough.
-
As I stood before Orimura-sensei's door, I gently knocked, announcing my arrival. I then turned the knob and pushed it open.
To my surprise, Orimura-sensei was already standing behind her table, her expression a mix of anticipation and conflict as she stared at me. She's still wearing her tracksuit today. However, as a bonafide pervert, I couldn't help but stare at her figure that I already held twice before.
I did my best to maintain the calm on my face as I waited for her to invite me in. "Come in," she said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a hint of nervousness.
Yep. She's just the same as me. Unlike yesterday, we're not pressed in time today and we're back in the room where our second time happened.
I walked in as she asked, the familiar fragrance of her filling the air.
My eyes then turned to the couch; the scene of our previous encounters. It felt like it was beckoning me, reminding me of our intimate moments a few days ago.
I turned to face her and our gazes intersected. Orimura-sensei narrowed her eyes but she maintained contact. Following that, she started walking, matching my steps as we reached the couch at the same time.
I sat down and she took the seat next to me.
An uncomfortable silence then soon followed as none of us talked. However, the familiar tension that was also present yesterday started to fill the room. Before I knew it, I already had my hand stretching to her back to hook around her waist.
As my fingers pressed on her softness, Orimura-sensei squirmed a little as her only resistance. I heard her clicking her tongue but in the end, the distance between us disappeared. "Sensei, have you thought about our bet?" I started, my voice calm but laced with a subtle challenge.
Rather than wait for her to open up the conversation, I decided to be the one to initiate today. Orimura-sensei hesitated for a moment as her eyes flickered with uncertainty. She then turned her head to face me, "I have, shameless brat. You may have pulled me into that clubhouse of yours but I still believe that my terms are the right ones. I need to correct you for Ryouko's sake."
And there she goes with her usual tirade. She still won't give up despite the obvious signs that she's already drawn to me.
Understanding her stubbornness, my lips curved up into a smirk as my grip on her waist tightened, "I see. I don't see anything wrong with it. I said I'll accept whatever you decide to do. But sensei, nothing's changed on me. I'm still devoted to Ryouko-san and all the girls around me. Do you have something prepared that can change my mind today?"
As I sat there with my smirk still in place, Orimura-sensei's eyes flashed with a mix of determination and uncertainty.
She was a woman who was too loyal to her mission even if that mission was becoming increasingly blurred by her own desires.
"I... I have something planned, yes," Orimura-sensei stammered as she pinched my hand on her waist, "But first, we need to set some ground rules."
Hearing that, I raised an eyebrow, amused by her attempt to regain control of the situation. "Ground rules? Alright, sensei. Let me hear them. I'll follow your rules to an extent. This is your request, after all."
I knew that bringing up that this was her request was taking an effect on her. It was reminding her that if not for that, I wouldn't be this obedient to listen to her, I could make her honest if I
stopped putting a cap on my actions.
Orimura-sensei took a deep breath to steel herself. Following that, she looked at me, her gaze firm and intense.
"First, no kissing unless I initiate it. Second, you have to listen to everything I say without argument. And third..." Her voice trailed for a moment as her cheeks flushed slightly, "Third, you have to promise not to... not to make me lose control like last time."
This...
Looks like she really put some thought into this, huh?
The first rule was probably because of yesterday when I suddenly kissed her.
The second rule was just her way to not always be stumped with my words.
And lastly, the third rule... Well, she knew just as well as I did that it was one we wouldn't be
able to uphold. If things heated up between us again, there'd be no stopping.
I mean, if things get heated up between us again, I doubt we'd be able to stop at all.
Anyway, let's lighten the atmosphere for now.
With a chuckle, I leaned closer to her, my lips brushing against her flawless skin.
"You mean like this, sensei?"
My voice was barely a whisper as my breath made her body instinctively shiver from the
sensation.
Wait. I said lighten not heat up the atmosphere.
She shuddered at the sensation, her body instinctively leaning closer to mine before she caught herself to a stop, "Y-yes, like that! Shameless brat, don't just do that out of nowhere!" Playing along, I pulled back, still smirking, as I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Alright, sensei. I'll play by your rules. But remember, I'm only doing this because I want to see how you plan on correcting my ways."
"I know. But nothing will change if I let you keep swaying me with your shamelessness." Orimura-sensei, her resolve faltering for a moment before she straightened.
"I see. Understandable. So, what now? Are we done here?"
"For now..." She replied, though her gaze lingered on me, as though she were trying to decide whether to keep her distance or close it.