On a weekend evening, K was returning to his apartment after shopping for dinner ingredients, having just finished his part-time job.
He stretched with a big yawn and muttered to himself, "Well, it's great I managed to buy everything for dinner at a discount… finding a new departmental store was totally worth it."
As he walked toward his apartment and turned onto his street, he spotted his homeroom teacher, Eve, lying on her back in the street. K quickly hid, intending to let her pass unnoticed, but realized she was struggling and unable to stand.
"Hm… it looks like she fell and hurt her leg. Should I…?" While debating with himself, memories of a recent, unjustified punishment from Eve resurfaced, making him hesitate. Two scenarios flashed in his mind:
1. Be a good student and help her—but that might mean escorting her all the way home and possibly helping her further.
2. Avoid her and take another route—it would be guilt-inducing, but he'd be free from any troublesome situation.
Ultimately, seeing that she genuinely needed help—and remembering she was his teacher—he stepped forward. But just as he did, a stranger approached Eve.
"Hey, Miss, are you alright?" the man asked.
"I'm… fine… well, sort of. I slipped and twisted my ankle, and now it's hurting," Eve replied.
"If you don't mind, I can help—" the man started, leaning down to assist her, but was interrupted by K.
"Miss Eve? What are you doing on the ground?" K called out, concern in his voice and unaware that the stranger could be dangerous.
"K? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see him.
"I was just shopping for dinner," K said, lifting up his bags with a sheepish smile.
"That's good. Actually, I slipped and twisted my ankle. Can you help me get back to my apartment?" she asked hopefully.
Under his breath, K grumbled, "I don't really want to…" Luckily, the others didn't hear him. Then, louder, "Sure," he agreed politely.
"Ah, it looks like he knows you. Maybe I should go," the stranger said, backing away.
"Thanks for your concern," Eve called after him as he left.
Eve looked back at K, a bit embarrassed, and scolded, "Isn't it weird to stare at your teacher like that?"
"I was just thinking about how best to help you…" K pondered for a moment and stepped closer. "Miss Eve—um, Teacher—could you hold these for me?" He handed her his shopping bags.
"What are you—huh…?" she began, but stopped as he bent down, trying to carry her in his arms.
"Umm… ahhh…" Eve gasped, surprised by his sudden gesture. K set her down and took a deep breath, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Too heavy, I guess…" he muttered to himself.
"Excuse me!" she shouted, indignant. "Maybe I should've accepted help from that other guy instead of you!"
"So, what's next?" she asked, sighing in exasperation.
"Do you have any money?" K asked.
"Hm? Money for what?" Eve replied, puzzled.
"We could try calling a taxi…" K suggested, before seeing her mostly empty wallet—just a couple notes inside.
"Well, so much for that idea…" K sighed.
"Look, you don't have to think so hard. Just give me your shoulder; that's enough," Eve said, cutting him off before he could propose anything stranger.
K offered his arm and lent her his shoulder, and together they started to walk slowly.
"Miss Eve?" K ventured.
"Hmm?"
"You smell kind of… drunk…" he blurted out, earning an immediate chokehold from Eve as he tapped out, gasping.
She sighed. "Geez, don't you know telling a lady she smells is the biggest mistake a man can make?"
"Well, I'm just bein—" He stopped, catching Eve's scary smile. "Did you say something?" she asked coldly.
"N-no… I was just… saying… Well, you know," K stammered, trying to cover his slip.
"Don't say anything. Honestly, it's really hard to deal with you, you know," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Well, I never asked you to, and I never will…" K replied, pausing. "But I don't really know your intentions. Why bother with me if you're—"
She interrupted him with a flick to his forehead. "Because,being a good teacher to you and being a good senpai to someone, I should always fulfill my kohai's requests," she said with a mischievous smile.
"Eh? I don't get it…the Senpai - Kohai Part" K admitted, confused.
"You don't have to understand," Eve chuckled.
As K and Eve finally reached her apartment, K hesitated and then decided to make a run for it, his feet almost taking him away from the scene. However, before leaving, he inadvertently opened the door to reveal the mess inside her apartment—a cluttered, disorganized space filled with scattered papers, half-eaten food, and various belongings strewn all around.
Eve, noticing his surprise, smiled weakly and said, "Thanks for sticking around, K. I know it's a bit of a mess in here."
K sighed, shuffling his feet. Just as he began to turn away again, Eve suddenly slipped on the smooth floor, likely from her socks. She fell back to the floor with a small gasp.
K quickly took a deep breath, approaching her. "Are you okay? Let me help you," he offered, concern in his eyes.
"Thanks again, but you don't have too" she says
He Supporting her carefully, he helped Eve slowly up to the living room couch. He then began cleaning the mess around, tidying up some scattered items while chatting quietly to keep her company.
When he noticed her leg again, he gently examined the twisted ankle. "We should treat this before it gets worse," he said, fetching a first aid kit from the bathroom. K carefully wrapped the ankle with a compression bandage and applied some ice from the freezer, which he found as best as he could manage.
Eve smiled faintly, grateful for his unexpected kindness. "Thanks, K. I guess sometimes even teachers need help from their students."
After a while, feeling the pain ease a bit and the mess mostly cleared, K gathered his shopping bags. "I think I should head home now. You rest and take it easy."
Eve nodded, a little embarrassed but thankful. "You're a good kid, K. I really appreciate it."