Stealing Spree

“Sensei, cheer up. That’s my honest thoughts after reading the first three. You’re creative, I get that. And everything you’ve written truly sounds fun. However, you once again forgot that not everyone has the necessary stamina for it.”

Naturally, I felt guilty for her sudden mood shift to being gloomy. I only stated the truth but… I guess I was being insensitive again.

With Eguchi-sensei’s head lowered, she dropped the papers on the table and stood up.

While I was still wondering what she’s going to do next, Eguchi-sensei robotically turned her back on me as she walked towards the location of her mini-fridge.

So, she’s going to drink, huh? Then I guess it’s fine.

Or so I thought.

When I saw what she picked up; a bottle of water, and how she immediately straightened her back while opening the bottle, I swiftly moved from where I was.

In less than five seconds, I traversed the distance between us, grabbed her wrist and prevented her from pouring the bottle’s contents on her head.

She thought of drenching herself in cold water!

This girl… Are my words too morale-damaging?

Anyway, this is the first time seeing her act this way…

If I recall correctly, although she was also downhearted upon hearing my previous criticisms on the previous PE activities she had us complete, Eguchi-sensei would still confidently cross her arms to her front and defend herself after digesting my words.

But this time, she made a drastic move.

What’s the use of drenching herself in cold water for? To wake herself up?

“Sensei, what are you doing? This isn’t like you.”

Because I hurriedly went to Eguchi-sensei’s side, I only noticed now that I was standing behind her, our bodies as close as it gets. One of my hands was holding her wrist in place, preventing the bottle in her hand from being raised above her head while the other one was on her navel, firmly holding onto her. It’s slightly hard from her abdominal muscles but more than that, I could clearly gauge that she had a great figure beneath her clothes.

After holding a lot of women, this was like an acquired skill for me. But wait… this wasn’t the time for this!

I know. This current situation we found ourselves in was kind of inappropriate considering she’s not one of my girls…

However, my actions were the result of my reflexes! It’s my reflexes that were honed for years.

Wrapping one of my arms around her navel was just in case she tumbled down. This way, I was already supporting her.

I have no other intentions, I swear!

Haa… who am I explaining to?

Anyway, my question was answered with silence. Furthermore, I suddenly noticed that Eguchi-sensei’s ears turned red as her body shook ever-so-slightly.

Wait. This kind of reaction…

I remembered. The other day, Orimura-sensei talked about Eguchi-sensei not being used to being in close contact with the opposite gender.

This… I breached her personal space and… the situation she’s not clearly used to.

“O-onoda-kun. C-can you let go of me?”

Judging from how she’s stuttering alongside the rattling of her teeth as if she’s experiencing extreme cold, this was definitely dangerous.

I only thought of preventing her from pouring the cold water on herself but here we were, I triggered something that this PE Teacher wasn’t used to yet or rather, something she hadn’t experienced yet.

Although I wanted to help her calm down, I knew that I was the reason she’s acting like this; both her gloomy expression and this sudden shakiness.

That’s why…

“I understand. But sensei has to promise me not to pour the contents of that water bottle on your head. I apologize for my harsh remarks and I am probably due for punishment so…”

Although I wanted to release her as soon as possible, I had to make sure that she already dropped what she planned to do with the water bottle.

Seeing their gorgeous teacher drenched in water and clothes sticking to her skin was something most boys dreamed of.

But… I’m not one of those boys… And it’d be troubling to let her do that when the cause of it was clearly my words.

Fortunately, Eguchi-sensei answered within my expectations.

“I-I won’t! I… I already lost the reason to anymore so p-please, Onoda-kun. I… your hands, they’re warm but the more you hold me, the more it’s making my insides ice-cold. I’m sorry.”

Her situation is that grave? No wonder, Orimura-sensei had that kind of reaction as if it’s a miracle for Eguchi-sensei to be in close contact with me. Besides, back then, our skins weren’t even touching. Her tapping my shoulder was over my thick winter uniform.

“Alright then…” Since she already said as much, I first removed my hand holding her wrist before I pulled my hand from her navel.

As I stepped away from her, I watched Eguchi-sensei’s subsequent reaction closely.

Like a puppet that lost its string, her knees gave up on her as she slumped down on the floor.

My reflex was about to kick in again to support her but this time, I restrained myself and just watched her slowly curled up on the floor, hugging herself.

This… it’s really this serious. And why did she lie down there? It’s her floor, true but that’s not a place to lay down on.

“Sensei?” I called out to her while I hurriedly looked for something to help her.

With Eguchi-sensei extremely sensitive to my touch, I couldn’t recklessly go to her again and make it worse.

Fortunately, I found her coat hanging on a rack.

I immediately get that before moving back to our PE Teacher shivering from the cold while lying down on the side in a fetal position.

“Sensei, I won’t touch you again but… forgive me for this.” After saying that, I used the coat to wrap her in it before picking her up from the floor.

Her body seemingly tensed up again but I quickly moved her to her sofa and laid her down on it before retreating.

“I know apologizing will not do anything but still, I caused this. I’m sorry, sensei.”

As I said that, my eyes remained locked on her. She’s still shivering but with her coat covering her, I noticed how she clutched it and used it as if it’s a blanket.

A few minutes later, the shaking of her body gradually subsided followed by her straightening up, occupying the whole sofa at last.

“… You don’t have to, Onoda-kun. I… I brought this upon myself.”

Eguchi-sensei finally answered as she slowly turned her head towards me, a wry smile hanging on her lips.