The next day came faster than either of them expected.
When the last bell rang and the students poured out of the classroom, Jae stayed behind, leaning casually against the wall as if he had all the time in the world.
Mrs. Lira dismissed the final stragglers, her movements neat and practiced, though Jae could see the stiffness in her shoulders. She was trying to hide it, but the tension was there.
When the door closed, she turned to him, lips pressed thin. "Jae… this is not a good idea," she said quietly, her voice low, almost pleading. "I told myself I shouldn't let this happen, but…"
He cut in smoothly, his tone calm. "You said that yesterday too but we both know you don't mean it"
Her eyes flickered, the faintest hesitation breaking through her composure. For a moment she looked as though she might dismiss him, send him away with a firm hand and a teacher's authority.
But instead, she sighed, shaking her head slightly, and gathered her papers into a tidy stack.
