"Kojima-sensei, there's a seat here."
Kasumigaoka Touji was, by nature, someone polite to a fault. Whenever he encountered acquaintances, he would always offer a nod or greeting depending on their closeness. Now that he had spotted Kojima Kana-sensei on the train, he hesitated for just a moment before standing up to offer his seat.
After all, she wasn't just anyone—she was a superior, and not just any superior, but his direct one at that. To pretend not to notice would have been impossible when they were practically within arm's reach. Besides, Kojima-sensei had always struck him as a good person, so giving up his seat was something he was genuinely willing to do.
"Kasumigaoka-kun?"
Hearing Touji's voice, Kojima Kana looked over in mild surprise before waving her hand to politely decline.
"No, no, it's fine. You sit."
She couldn't possibly take a student's seat. No matter how tired she might secretly be, the thought of letting someone younger give up comfort for her was unthinkable. That was just the kind of person she was.
Touji tried again, insisting, but Kojima Kana refused once more, shaking her head. In the end, he could only let out a small sigh and sit back down, slightly awkward.
"Kojima-sensei."
Sitting beside him, Kasumigaoka Utaha straightened her back as if she had been preparing for this moment, and greeted politely. Even though Kojima Kana had never directly taught her, Utaha still knew her identity. After all, Kojima Kana was well-known among both staff and students at Toyosaki Private Academy.
And Kojima Kana, of course, also knew Utaha—the girl was something of a celebrity in her own right. A teacher and a student, two figures recognized by nearly everyone in the school, now sitting only a short distance apart.
"Mm." Kana nodded faintly, but then her gaze shifted back to Touji. This time, she didn't look away. Instead, her sharp eyes lingered, as if trying to discern something from him.
Touji blinked in confusion. "Eh? …?"
The train rumbled on, "clatter, clatter," the wheels colliding with the rails. Outside, rain pattered softly against the windows, and blurred scenery flew by in streaks of gray and green. They had already passed Kotake-Mukaihara Station, with only three stops left until Ikebukuro.
Yet the atmosphere inside the carriage was strangely heavy.
Touji shifted uncomfortably under Kojima Kana's steady gaze. His thoughts whirled. Did I do something weird? Did I forget homework? Did I accidentally call her by the wrong name once? None of it made sense. Finally, unable to take it anymore, he asked with a wry smile:
"E-Kojima-sensei… why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something strange on my face?"
"…Kasumigaoka-kun."
Kana stepped closer, holding her transparent umbrella, expression unusually serious. She raised one hand and placed it firmly on Touji's shoulder, leaning down slightly. Her eyes narrowed, fierce and sharp, and her lips parted as if to deliver some harsh judgment. For an instant, she looked every bit like a predator sizing up her prey.
Touji froze. Wha—wait, am I about to be scolded to death on a train?!
But at that exact moment, the carriage jolted violently.
Because she wore high heels and hadn't been holding onto a strap or handrail, Kojima Kana lost her balance. She stumbled forward with a small gasp and fell straight toward Touji.
His eyes went wide as her figure loomed closer, and then—black.
The impact was soft. Too soft. For a few seconds, Touji's mind blanked out completely. W-wait, did a teacher just—did she just—?! He sat frozen, overwhelmed by the sensation pressing against him.
Across from them, Utaha's mouth twitched in disbelief as she witnessed her dignified sensei topple over onto her little brother. Is this… really an accident? Or is fate just playing a weird joke on us?
Kasumigaoka Utaha complained helplessly in her heart, a small flicker of jealousy burning within her chest. Still, she instinctively reached out to help Kojima Kana, her hand steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside.
"U-uh… I-I'm sorry! Sumimasen!"
Kojima Kana, normally composed and exuding authority, was momentarily frozen. After tumbling onto Kasumigaoka Touji, she needed four or five whole seconds to process what had just happened. When realization hit, her cheeks flared crimson. With Utaha's assistance, she scrambled upright in a fluster, trying to regain her dignity.
"Th-thank you!" she stammered, clutching her ample chest with one hand and holding her umbrella with the other. First, she bowed slightly to Utaha in gratitude, then turned her gaze—still awkward and unsteady—toward Kasumigaoka Touji. "Th-that… Kasumigaoka-kun, are you alright?"
"Hm… I'm fine," Touji answered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. It had been squashed under the unexpected weight, leaving it sore. He waved his other hand awkwardly, as if to erase the tension in the air.
Seeing him unharmed, Kojima Kana exhaled in visible relief. But with her embarrassment still bubbling, she lowered her gaze, tapping the train floor lightly with the tip of her umbrella. "T-this unlucky train…!" she muttered.
Who even is this lady?! Touji thought in disbelief. The once fearsome predator-like aura had vanished, replaced by something soft, warm, almost… cute. The stark contrast left him reeling.
Even Utaha blinked in surprise. Was this really the same teacher who had a reputation for terrifying her students into silence? This side of her felt worlds apart from the rumors.
"This train… does shake violently sometimes," Touji said gently, picking up her line of thought. Then, without hesitation, he stood and gestured to his seat. "Sensei, please sit. I'll stand."
Flustered and not fully thinking, Kojima Kana sat down before realizing what she had done. By the time she caught herself, it was already too late—standing up again would only make things more awkward. So, with a faint nod, she offered Touji a small, apologetic glance.
Touji: "…"
The contrast really was too much.
Sighing, he carried his umbrella and bag over, standing near Utaha. He gripped the handrail as the scenery blurred past outside. Suddenly, Utaha's shoe nudged his lightly.
'What now?' Touji gave her a questioning look.
Utaha crossed her arms and tilted her chin smugly, mouthing silently: You're something else, otouto!
'Eh? What do you mean?' Touji frowned slightly.
Her crimson eyes gleamed with mischief as she mouthed again: Happy? Excited? Such an "intimate accident" with Kojima-sensei… Her smirk widened knowingly.
'That was an accident!' Touji protested silently, his lips forming the words desperately. He quickly added, My nose got hit, it hurts! I'd still rather be gently held by Onee-san.
Utaha's expression twitched, then she mouthed back: How about changing that line to… "I'd rather be gently held by Kani Nayuta-sensei"?
'No way!' Touji retorted silently. She's never held me like that…! His cheeks burned.
Kojima Kana, sitting between them, noticed their silent exchange but chose to look away, pretending not to notice. Her own face was still faintly pink, so she closed her eyes, willing the train ride to end quickly.
By the time the announcement called out Ikebukuro Station, she opened her eyes again, composed herself, and got off the train with them.
Touji and Utaha walked side by side, umbrellas open, while Kojima Kana trailed just a step behind. Yet the sensation was unmistakable—it felt like a tigress was following them, her presence pressing against their backs.
Both siblings stiffened slightly under the invisible weight.
"…Cough." Touji forced a cough to break the silence, then glanced back politely. "Kojima-sensei, do you usually commute by train?"
Kana shook her head, strands of hair brushing against her cheek. "No, I usually drive myself. But my car's in for maintenance, so I've had no choice these past few days."
"I see… no wonder I never noticed you on the train before." Touji nodded in understanding.
With that simple conversation, the atmosphere eased slightly. Step by step, they arrived at Toyosaki Private Academy, rain tapping gently against their umbrellas.
Just before entering the gates, a thought struck Touji. He glanced at Kana curiously. "Speaking of which, sensei… what was it you wanted to say to me back on the train?"
…