Chapter 186: Teacher and Student

“So, she’s your brother’s teacher?” Takeshima Shinobu exclaimed in surprise.

Kazumi nodded. “Strictly speaking, she used to be. For some reason, she left the school later.”

Takeshima Shinobu looked envious. “So it’s a teacher-student romance—how romantic!”

Kazumi’s expression turned annoyed. “I don’t think there’s anything romantic about it. I just heard it from my brother recently. He actually hid it from me for two years, which is really awful.”

Seeing her reaction, Takeshima Shinobu couldn’t help but chuckle. “It must be hard for you, Kazumi, to see your most important brother being taken away.”

Kazumi shot her a glare but ignored her after that.

Takeshima Shinobu smiled and picked up Amy, who was happily splashing water while wearing a life vest, and began to play with her.

After a while, Takeshima Shinobu suddenly said, “It’s a pity. After tomorrow, we’ll have to go back. I wish we could stay a few more days and play.”

“Be content,” Kazumi replied. “Let’s not forget there are still quite a few students under observation and treatment at the hospital. It’s already a blessing that we’re going home safely.”

“That’s true. We’re lucky the boat we were on didn’t have any issues. I never expected something like this to happen. It’s a relief that Little Amy is okay too.” Takeshima Shinobu kissed the little girl’s cheek.

While they were talking, the door suddenly opened, and a woman wearing a traditional kimono with her hair up walked in.

“Look, Kazumi, your brother’s girlfriend is here,” Takeshima Shinobu said as she spotted Naoko entering.

Though there were many girls in the hot spring, Naoko quickly noticed Kazumi and the others and walked over to them.

Kazumi’s emotions were complex as she watched the approaching Naoko.

Though Naoko was very beautiful, Kazumi, being a woman herself, had only seen her as an ordinary teacher back in high school. She never imagined that this woman would one day be her sister-in-law. The sudden shift in identity left her feeling unsettled.

In Kazumi’s mind, the only girl she could accept being with her brother was Rumi. Now, she was still debating whether she should tell the naive Rumi about this.

“Hello,” Naoko said, smiling at them by the poolside.

“Hello, Miss Hasegawa,” Takeshima Shinobu responded immediately.

Amy, still in Takeshima Shinobu’s arms, pouted and turned her head away, not wanting to look at Naoko.

“Kazumi, hello,” Naoko greeted her beloved’s sister.

“Hello.”

Seeing Kazumi’s cold expression, Naoko’s eyes dimmed a bit, but she quickly composed herself and smiled. “Have you been here long?”

Takeshima Shinobu replied, “We just arrived not too long ago.”

“Good. I’m not very comfortable being in the hot spring alone, so it’s better if someone can keep me company and chat,” Naoko said as she took off her kimono and slowly stepped into the hot spring.

Takeshima Shinobu felt her face flush as she looked at Naoko’s body. It was the first time she had seen such an alluring, mature female figure, and even she, as a woman herself, couldn’t help but feel her heart race.

After wiping her face with the wet kimono, Naoko asked, “Masashi mentioned that you’ll be going back to Tokyo the day after tomorrow, right?”

Takeshima Shinobu answered, “Yes, except for those students who need to stay in the hospital for continued observation, everyone else is going back. But there’s nothing we can do; we’ve already stayed here for several extra days searching for the missing students. Originally, according to our plans before we left, we should have returned a week ago. We were just talking about that and wishing we could stay a few more days.”

Naoko smiled and said, “It’s better to go back early. After something like this, your family must be very worried about you. Don’t worry, there will definitely be opportunities to come back and have fun again.”

“Miss Hasegawa, can I ask you something?” Takeshima Shinobu suddenly inquired.

“What is it?”

“Why do you like Kazumi’s brother?”

Naoko didn’t expect that question and felt a little embarrassed, not sure how to respond.

Seeing her flustered reaction, Takeshima Shinobu quickly said, “I’m sorry for asking such an impolite question out of the blue. Just pretend I didn’t ask.”

Naoko thought for a moment before speaking hesitantly. “It’s not really something I can’t say.”

Takeshima Shinobu’s eyes lit up immediately, and she stared at her expectantly.

Feeling a bit shy under her gaze, Naoko lowered her head and said quietly, “Actually, I was once Masashi’s English teacher during high school.”

“I already know that part. So what happened next?” Takeshima Shinobu urged eagerly.

Naoko’s biggest concern was how people would react if they found out she had been Lei Yin’s teacher. Now that Takeshima Shinobu didn’t seem to care, she felt a slight sense of relief.

With Shinobu’s eager eyes on her, Naoko began to recount how she and Lei Yin had met and fallen in love. At first, she was nervous and shy, but as she reminisced about the moments they shared, she became immersed in those unforgettable memories. By the end, she had forgotten everything around her, speaking softly as if in a dream, sharing the joys and sorrows of their time together.

Kazumi was hearing all of this for the first time. She had never imagined that so much had happened between her brother and Naoko. When she learned that Naoko had a congenital heart condition, she could no longer stay angry at her.

When she heard Naoko speak of the deep longing she felt during the year and a half her brother was missing, Kazumi couldn’t help but walk over gently and wipe away the tears streaming down Naoko’s face.

Time passed, and when Naoko came out of her memories, she saw Takeshima Shinobu standing in front of her, eyes red and wet with tears. Turning her head, she saw Kazumi smiling warmly at her, and for a moment, she was completely bewildered.

In the men’s bath area on the other side of the hot spring, Lei Yin was soaking with Takeda.

Takeda suddenly said, “Masashi, your girlfriend looks like she’s a few years older than you. She really has a mature charm.”

“She was my English teacher during high school.”

“What?” Takeda’s jaw almost dropped.

Lei Yin said calmly, “Is that a problem for you? For me, it’s not an issue. So what if she’s a few years older or was my teacher? All I know is, she’s my woman.”

Takeda stared at him for a moment, and after a while, he slowly came to his senses. “I’ve never seen anyone speak so confidently about their teacher like this after being with her.”

“Flattery.”

“Hey, that doesn’t sound like a compliment. Anyway, to be honest, if I could have such a beautiful and sexy teacher as my girlfriend, I’d be willing to lose ten years of my life. I really don’t know how you get so lucky, always running into such great situations.”

“What about Yoshikawa? Didn’t he say he’d be back today to pack up his things?”

“Maybe he’ll come back soon. It’s said that you shouldn’t talk about people during the day or ghosts at night, and just as we mentioned him, here he comes.”

Lei Yin turned around and indeed saw Yoshikawa, wrapped in a large bath towel and holding a small bath basin, walking over at a leisurely pace.

Soaking himself in the hot spring, Yoshikawa let out a sigh. “These past few days have been exhausting.”

Takeda took one of the cans of cold beer from the small bath basin and opened it, then asked, “Did you see Haruko? How is she doing now?”

Yoshikawa handed Lei Yin another can, opened his own, and took a sip. “Don’t mention it. I’ve been standing guard outside her hospital room for free these past few days. Her mom won’t let me inside at all. All I know is that Haruko’s doing much better and will be flying back to the hospital in Tokyo for continued recovery the day after tomorrow.”

Takeda whistled in surprise. “She’s flying back on a private jet? Seems like her family isn’t just rich, but really rich. I suggest you give up on her. Even if you win her over, you might not be able to support her.”

“Let me win her over first. By the way, Masashi, I’ve heard from the students that you were a big reason Haruko is safe now. Thank you.”

Takeda couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “The way you say it, it sounds like Haruko is already your wife. Here you are, someone who couldn’t even get into her hospital room, talking like this—it’s hilarious.”

Yoshikawa, already in a bad mood, felt embarrassed and angry at his friend’s exaggerated laughter. Without warning, he lunged at Takeda and shoved his head into the hot spring water.

“Bastard, what are you—” Takeda’s protest was cut short as Yoshikawa pressed his head down further into the water.

Choking on a few mouthfuls of water, Takeda fought back, and soon, the two young men were engaged in a splash-filled struggle, drawing the attention of more and more onlookers.

As they continued their playful fight, Lei Yin quietly took the last two cans of beer from the bath basin and walked away, pretending not to know them.

※※※

Arriving at the room where Naoko was staying, Lei Yin knocked a few times, but there was no response. After a moment, hurried footsteps sounded from inside, and Naoko, wrapped in a bathrobe and a headscarf, rushed to the door and opened it.

“Just finished bathing?” Lei Yin smiled as he took in Naoko, who still had steam rising from her skin.

“Mm.” Naoko’s face flushed as if she remembered something.

After shutting the door behind her, Lei Yin swept her up in his arms and sat down on the edge of the bed, with Naoko curling up like a cat, lying comfortably in his embrace.

Lei Yin smiled as he watched her, who couldn’t bring herself to look at him, and tightened his hold around her slender waist, pulling her upper body against his. He rested his face against her neck and slowly inhaled her faint fragrance.

Feeling his warm breath on her skin, Naoko felt a wave of softness and weakness spread through her body.

After a while, Lei Yin leaned in and kissed her delicate earlobe, then asked, “Do you want to go for a walk?”

“Okay.” Naoko looked up at him with a face as pink as a peach blossom.

Even though it wasn’t the first time, changing clothes in front of him still made Naoko feel embarrassed, a tingling sensation spreading through her.

Lei Yin sat quietly on the edge of the bed, admiring her graceful movements as she slowly removed her bathrobe, revealing her perfect curves. She then turned her back to him, putting on her undergarments and slipping into a white, sleeveless mini dress from the wardrobe. The subtle, captivating beauty she exuded during this process made Lei Yin momentarily lose focus.

As Naoko buttoned up the last fastener, Lei Yin approached her, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and said, “It’s a pity there are too many kids around here; otherwise, I wouldn’t let you get away so easily.”

“Lei…” Naoko turned to face him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his chest.

Lei Yin kissed her hairline and said, “Let’s go. If we stay like this any longer, I won’t be able to hold back.”

“Mm.” Naoko lifted her head and suddenly stood on tiptoe, pressing a kiss to his lips.

Lei Yin smiled, then took her hand and led her out of the room.

When they arrived at the hotel lobby, they saw Takeshima Shinobu, Kazumi, Amy, Takeda, and Yoshikawa coming back from their shopping trip.

As soon as Amy saw Lei Yin, she pulled her hand away from Takeshima Shinobu and ran toward him.

When she reached him, Lei Yin bent down and lifted her up. “Did you have fun shopping, little one?”

The little girl nodded and hugged his neck tightly.

“Masashi, where are you going?” Takeda asked as he walked over.

“I wanted to take a walk,” Lei Yin replied.

“Have you talked to your girlfriend about that thing yet?” Takeda asked.

“Not yet.”

“What thing are you talking about?” Takeshima Shinobu, who was holding a large bag of souvenirs, asked curiously.

“The thing I just mentioned, inviting you all to my house to hang out.”

“Oh, that thing. Unfortunately, I can’t go. My parents saw the news too. Although I told them I’m fine, they still want me to go home as soon as possible.” Takeshima Shinobu said, looking a little disappointed.

Lei Yin looked at his sister. “Kazumi, are you coming?”

Kazumi thought for a moment before saying, “I’m not going. Rumi is staying in Tokyo for summer school, and I want to go back and help her with her studies.”

“Alright. I’ll be back in a while. If anything comes up, call me. Also, tell Mom not to worry about me.”

“I will.”

Watching Lei Yin walk out of the hotel holding Ms. Naoko’s hand, Kazumi felt conflicted.

The main reason she insisted on going back was to be with Rumi. Although she had somewhat accepted that Ms. Naoko would be her sister-in-law, she couldn’t imagine how that innocent girl would react upon finding out. It was certain that it would be a significant blow, so she decided not to let Rumi know about it until after she had passed her entrance exams for Teikyo.

On the beach, where the sea breeze was gentle, Naoko watched with some reluctance as Amy occupied her important position.

At that moment, the little girl, nestled in Lei Yin’s arms, looked up at her like a protective kitten, her eyes full of guarded determination.

Lei Yin didn’t notice the tension between the two women. He simply said to Naoko, “When we were in the hot spring, Takeda invited me to visit his house. I thought it would be nice to take Amy there for a bit, since it’s rare for her to come to Japan, and it’d be a shame for her trip to end like this. Would you like to come too?”

Naoko hesitated, unsure of what to say.

Seeing her reaction, Lei Yin asked, “Are you worried about what Takeda’s family might think?”

“Lei, I…”

Lei Yin gently cupped her left cheek. “You’re really silly. The only one who would care about that is you. No one else would think anything of it. Besides, one day, you’re going to meet my mom. Would you let something so trivial stop you from seeing her?”

Hearing his words, Naoko lowered her head, lost in thought.

After a moment, she looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection. “Lei, I’m sorry for being so stubborn. I know what I need to do now.”

Lei Yin smiled, took her delicate hand, and kissed it.

Naoko blushed as she watched him, then melted against his shoulder.