Chapter 4 - Inei Mizuki

It was already ten o'clock in the evening, and despite her best efforts, sleep eluded Akira. Her mind remained restless, preoccupied with thoughts of whether anyone was thinking of her. Determined to set aside these unnecessary worries, she closed her eyes and succumbed to the fatigue, finally drifting off.

Her peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the startling sound of a message notification. The screen flashed with a text from an unknown number, sparking her curiosity. She hesitated for a moment before opening the message.

The contents were unexpected and surprising. It was Mr. Ayumu Ito, requesting her to save his number. He mentioned that tomorrow, being Saturday, he wished to pick her up in the afternoon to discuss something important. The message concluded with a simple good night.

Akira’s heart raced as she read and re-read the message, trying to comprehend its implications. The reason for Mr. Ito’s visit and the nature of the discussion were shrouded in mystery, heightening her curiosity and tension. Unable to shake her excitement and nervousness, she saved his number and contemplated the upcoming encounter. The outlook of the afternoon meeting kept her awake, her mind swirling with thoughts of what might unfold.

Her mind raced as she stared at Mr. Ito's message, feeling momentarily paralyzed. After a few minutes of deliberation, she composed a brief reply and sent it off, hoping it was appropriate. 

As she awaited his response with mounting anxiety, the typing indicator soon appeared, signaling that Mr. Ito was crafting a reply. When the message arrived, it confirmed their plans for the following afternoon and wished her sweet dreams. 

A blend of excitement and nervousness enveloped her, with the upcoming meeting cloaked in mystery. With her heart fluttering, she wished him a good night before settling into sleep. The uncertainty of what awaited the next day lingered in her dreams, a subtle undercurrent to her rest.

The following morning, she woke up early, around seven o'clock, to the sound of a car horn piercing the quiet. The familiar beep disrupted the calm, signaling the start of the day she had been anticipating.

The relentless beeping reverberated through the neighborhood, marking Mr. Ito's arrival. She gathered her belongings, ensuring nothing essential was forgotten. As she approached the door, she steeled herself for the unusual situation of meeting her English teacher outside the classroom.

Descending the stairs and exiting her house, she quickly found herself in Mr. Ito's car. Despite the self-consciousness she felt, she chose not to probe further into the nature of their meeting. The drive was brief, and soon they arrived at a charming coffee shop. They stepped out of the car and made their way inside, the cozy ambiance of the café offering a gentle contrast to the whirlwind of emotions she was experiencing.

As Akira entered the coffee shop, she was immediately struck by its novelty, a bright smile spreading across her face. Mr. Ito guided her to a table and placed their order. She picks a coffee and a slice of vanilla cake with a subtle hint of milk flavor. Their discussion lingered in her mind as she waited.

When Mr. Ito returned with the drinks and dessert, Akira felt a surge of curiosity wash over her. They settled into their seats, and the conversation began. Mr. Ito's mention of Inei Mizuki sent a jolt of surprise through her.

Mr. Ito shared that he had long been aware of the relationship between Yuki and Inei. Despite Inei’s reputation as a womanizer and his unfaithfulness. But, Yuki finally discovered Inei’s affairs, which led to their breakup about a month ago.

Akira was shocked, leaving her momentarily speechless. The gravity of the situation was overwhelming as she pondered the events that had unfolded. The realization that Yuki's deep affection for Inei had led her to permit the kiss they had witnessed added a profound layer to the story. As Akira processed this revelation, the weight of Yuki's enduring love and Inei's betrayal settled heavily on her mind, leaving her reeling with the complexity of the emotions involved.

After an hour, Akira mustered the courage to inquire about Inei's occupation. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked about his job. Mr. Ito explained that Inei Mizuki was also a teacher who had recently transferred to Ibaraki Senior High School, where he would begin teaching the following week. The truth about Inei would be working at the same school as Akira's best friend caught her by surprise, highlighting the unexpected connection between her world and Inei's.

Akira was taken aback by the revelations, her thoughts drifting as Mr. Ito continued to discuss Inei. Unaware of her distracted state, Mr. Ito eventually addressed her with concern, mentioning her uncharacteristic behavior. His gentle voice barely registered with her as she tried to process the information.

Mr. Ito then made a request that caught Akira off guard. He asked her to exercise caution and avoid dwelling on the incident she had witnessed between Yuki and Inei. He also advised her to be wary of developing feelings for Inei. His words left a lingering confusion and uncertainty.

Akira was confused as she tried to unravel the complexities of the situation. She struggled to understand the significance of Mr. Ito's advice and questioned why he was sharing this information with her. Her thoughts swirled with confusion as she sought clarity on the connections between Yuki, Inei, and Mr. Ito's involvement in their lives.

Mr. Ito’s voice carried an edge of warning as he shared his recent conversation with Inei Mizuki, who had expressed interest in a student from Class B. Mr. Ito’s concern was evident as he cautioned Akira about Mizuki’s reputation as a womanizer, advising her to remain cautious.

Akira, reassured by her resolve, confidently assured Mr. Ito that she would not fall for Inei Mizuki. She maintained her composure and expressed a polite request to return home.

On their journey back, Akira's exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into a light sleep. Mr. Ito gently woke her as they neared her house, reminding her to reach out if needed and to be careful. With a final exchange of goodbyes, Akira entered her home, her mind occupied by a steadfast resolution. She vowed to herself that she would never allow her feelings to develop for Inei Mizuki, firmly establishing her boundaries.