1
"It's obligatory, alright! Obligatory! You've always been helping me out
so much, so I simply thought that it just wouldn't do to not give you an
obligatory token in return…"
Kajiura Ritsuka's face was already bright red before she could finish
speaking as she handed Toujou Basara some chocolate; contrary to her
own words, however, she smiled and gave Basara a fondly look as he
received it.
It was noon on Valentine's Day; Hasegawa Chisato, the school nurse
of the Hijirigasaka Academy, had witnessed such a scene from the
infirmary. She took a sip of her cooled coffee and let out a sigh as she
remained seated within.
"…Really, now. Tachibana and Kajiura too? I'm really overdoing the
whole teacher role here." She muttered, the crooked shape of her lips
stemming from not just the bitter taste of the coffee. "I envy their
innocence somewhat."
Her thoughts then went back to events that had occurred not long ago;
Basara had invited Hasegawa over to his place to celebrate Valentine's
Day a week earlier with her so that he would celebrate on the real day
with Mio, Yuki and the rest of his family. The two rendezvoused on a
rather precise day, a day where Mio and the others were occupied with a
secret meeting.
There, she had given him her own handmade chocolate, shared a meal
with him and expressed her feelings to him as their bodies overlapped
with one another.
Moreover, she had also shared a trip to the hot springs with him in
January, where she had spent an unusually long time with Basara even as
the actual time ticked by and deepened her bond with him even further.
That said, she would be satisfied like any proper adult would when it
came to Valentine's Day—or so she thought.
"It's not that I'm unsatisfied, but…"
An unshakeable, suffocating feeling still stirred within her; a feeling
that even Hasegawa herself could not comprehend or sort out.
Reflexively, she turned toward her laptop meant for work.
She then opened a news page, her eyes narrowing behind her glasses as
she read its contents. A moment passed before she withdrew her
cellphone and began typing a message to a certain someone.
2
A few days passed; it was a holiday that day.
Hasegawa and Basara were walking in a shopping mall. The visitors
were manifold there despite Valentine's being over; apart from normal
couples, families and other middle-aged couples were also present,
contributing to the vast and diverse clientele of the mall.
"We've come quite far out today, haven't we?"
"Yes. This mall was under renovation for the past few months. I took
an interest in it," Hasegawa said, entwining her arm onto Basara's.
"S-Sensei! This is…"
"Inappropriate in public because we're teacher and student?"
Hasegawa let out a mischievous expression at Basara's shocked response.
"Don't worry; the students of Hijirigasaka Academy generally don't
come to this place."
"I guess you're right."
Hasegawa was right; in light of how such a shopping mall was quite
some distance away from the nearest station of Hijirigasaka Academy,
the students of the academy generally found it too troublesome to take a
trip here.
Hasegawa had learned of this place through the news she found on the
internet the other day.
"That said, we don't need to show any restraint in this case, don't we?
Even if we are teacher and student…"
"Well, you do have a point, but…" Responding inarticulately, Basara
took a fleeting glance at Hasegawa.
"What's wrong?" Although she somehow knew what he wanted to say
in the back of her mind, she asked thusly nonetheless, squinting at
Basara's state of being at a loss for words.
Basara was paying attention to the attire Hasegawa was current
wearing; it was distinct from most of her usual clothing that emphasized
her ample adult appeal, such as her usual white coat and tight skirt she
typically wore at school, and the elegant coat she wore during their trip
to the hot springs together.
She was giving off a very different vibe than what she usually exuded;
she was wearing a half-coat and a lightly flaring skirt, and she was
decorated by many accessories, each of lovely designs. Apart from the
coat and skirt, the rest of her attire seemed to be an ensemble.
It was a different look from usual, her clothing wrapping her original
adult appeal in a composed, girlish sweetness.
"You think this doesn't suit me?"
Basara quickly shook his head, visibly flustered. "I don't know much
about fashion at all, but…" He then took on a more bashful expression
as he replied. "I guess I could say that it's a good look for you, I
suppose."
"That's a relief. I'm glad I didn't pick something you wouldn't like."
Hasegawa said, loosening her expression.
"By the way, why did you choose to come here of all places? Is there
an event here today or something?" It was a holiday following the mall's
renovation, and something reminiscent of the likes of an event stage
seemed to be under way.
"No, I didn't choose to come here for that." Hasegawa abruptly
stopped in her tracks, her gaze scanning the vicinity of the unfamiliar
shopping mall.
She then turned to Basara with another playful look on her face.
"I suppose you could think of this as a test of sorts? One from your
teacher, so to speak."
"A test?"
"I thought I'd have you escort me for today."
"Eh…? I really haven't decided anything for today, you know?"
"And that's exactly why I'm giving you this test. I've always been the
one between us to decide where to go during our outings, after all."
"That's true…there are times where I do get the feeling that I'm not
taking the initiative well enough once in a while."
Am I being too unreasonable? Hasegawa thought as she glanced at Basara
with a rather troubled expression, though she didn't say it out loud.
"Let's think about it over lunch, then. Let's see…" Surveying her
surroundings once again, Hasegawa then pointed at a particular shop in
the distance.
"Why don't we start there?"
It was a completely ordinary fast food restaurant that possessed a
nation-wide chain.
3
"Something like this also tastes good once in a while, huh?"
Hasegawa was boldly helping herself to a hamburger with three meat
patties; licking away some of the sauce from her lips, she held a satisfied
expression on her face.
Basara was staring at Hasegawa, looking rather puzzled as he held a
standard teriyaki burger in his hand.
"What's wrong? Is there sauce somewhere on my face?"
"No. I'm just surprised. I never thought you be the type to enjoy
hamburgers."
"That's where you're mistaken. I'm quite casual when it comes to
eating alone. It's not like I dislike dull food such as this. Don't you
remember us meeting up at a yakiniku diner previously?"
"Now that you mention it, that's true…"
"I won't deny that it's quite rare for a member of the Ten Gods to
enjoy something like this though."
"Quite right." Basara said, relaxing slightly at Hasegawa's joking
remark.
"Well, have you decided where you want to take me yet? You have
until we finish eating to decide."
"Whoah, hold on a second—" Basara abruptly raised his voice in
surprise as he turned to Hasegawa, who was still enjoying her
hamburger; he himself had yet to finish his own meal, as he creased his
eyebrows in thought.
"You've given me quite the unreasonable task today…I don't have a
lot of experience when it comes to things like this."
"But you have enough experiences with me, don't you?"
Basara turned away, now even more troubled following Hasegawa's
counterattack; his gaze suddenly stopped.
Behind Hasegawa was a cinema complex right outside the fast food
restaurant they were eating in; the posters advertising the movies that
were on screen that day along with a conspicuously large "POP" sign had
caught his eye.
"How about a movie?"
"Ah. So that's what you've decided." Hasegawa turned around,
ascertaining the fact that Basara had decided as such due to the cinema
complex that was right behind her. "That's a good idea. I'll give you a
passing grade for that. If you would have suggested this with someone
you're going out with for the first time, though, keep in mind that two of
you may not necessarily share the same interest."
"Is that so?"
"However, this is you and me we're talking about. In a sense, we've
already been together for quite some time." She giggled, turning toward
the interior of the cinema complex.
"Do you have a particular movie that you want to watch?" Basara said,
examining the available movies through his cellphone. "There's some
hero movie based off an American comic. It's not a continuation or
sequel or whatnot, so it won't be difficult for us to watch. There's also
this sci-fi movie that looks particularly interesting. It's about Mars—"
"No, let's go for that." Hasegawa pointed toward a particular poster.
The title of the poster read "Lost Day Memorial", a Japanese film. It was
different from the action and sci-fi movie that Basara had pondered over,
with only a simple illustration of a man and a woman holding hands
decorating the poster. The tag line of "Remember everything of me"
gave off a vibe that it was going to be a somewhat tragic tale.
Regardless of whether or not the movie was popular at present, Basara
had never heard of the title.
"A romantic film?"
"All the more befitting of a date. Is it too cliché? I just thought that it
would be best if we didn't go for anything childish." Hasegawa smiled
sweetly—a devilish, smiling face that caused Basara's heart to reflexively
throb ever faster in his case.
4
"Sensei, are you really okay?"
"I'm alright. However, give me a few more moments…just a few more
moments…I'm sorry…"
Fifteen minutes passed since the two finished the film "Lost Day
Memorial" and went out into the lobby.
Hasegawa's eyes were red; she had removed her glasses and was wiping
her eyes with a handkerchief, but her tears had yet to cease despite the
handkerchief already being quite damp already.
And although it may not appear as such, she was in a better state than
what had previously transpired; Hasegawa had been sobbing throughout
the latter half of the movie.
Basara and Hasegawa now settled at a corner of the lobby so as to not
disturb the wave of customers coming and going.
A moment passed before Hasegawa finally put on her glasses again
before letting out a deep breath; it wasn't a sigh, but more of an effort to
let out the feeling of satisfaction that had welled up in her chest.
"It was a good story. Thinking about it now, I honestly shouldn't have
assumed that it might've been a childish film," She said, earnestly. "The
heroine must embark on a journey she must take to pursue her dreams.
And even knowing that the two may never see each other again once
they part, the male protagonist, that young man…he saw her off all the
same." Her tears flowed out again, "How painful it must've been for
them. And to think how much they longed for one another…it was
really fine acting. ….And then there was that last kiss. How it expressed
their hidden passions toward each other. What a performance."
"I have to admit I was amazed by how it turned out too. I'm glad you
enjoyed it," Basara wiped away another wave of Hasegawa's tears with
his own handkerchief. "I must say I didn't expect you to be the type to
get emotional over something like this, though."
"You said something like that earlier with the hamburger, too. What
type of woman do you think I am, then?" She said, pouting a little.
"I'm a girl too, you know." Her expression suddenly changed to that
of a light smile as Hasegawa took Basara by the arm. "Well, sorry to
keep you waiting. Let's continue our date, then."
"Y-Yeah."
And Basara went about the shopping mall, his arm tugged by
Hasegawa as they walked together.
"Ah!" Hasegawa exclaimed, suddenly running up to another outlet.
"What do you think of this?"
It was an optical shop. She took a sample from one of the available
pair of glasses on display at the storefront; it was distinct from her usual
under-rimmed glasses, one that placed particular emphasis on the frame.
"It gives off quite the distinct impression—"
"Let's go here next." Hasegawa did not let Basara finish his reply as
she returned the sample and briskly walked toward another shop.
She had chosen an apparel shop this time.
"What about this…I guess maybe it's a bit too much?" Hasegawa now
held an attire in her hand that was similar to the one she was wearing at
the moment, one that possessed even greater emphasis on its adorable
design. The large amount of frills decorating the attire gave off would
prompt one to think that it was rather childish.
"What do you think?"
"It's cute, but—"
"Ah! Let's go to that shop too!" Hasegawa then headed toward a shoe
store next as Basara hurriedly chased after her.
"Wearing sneakers doesn't seem so bad at all. How about this? These
boots too…"
"Please wait." Basara finally stopped Hasegawa before she could head
off to another store again without giving him time to respond.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling tired already?" Hasegawa turned to
Basara with a wry smile, pausing upon noticing his expression.
"Did something happen?" He asked, taking her hand.
"What do you mean, 'did something happen'?"
"You appear quite fresh today, Hasegawa-sensei. I think it's a good
look for you. And I've got to see so many unexpected sides of you today
as well. It's just…I can tell that you're forcing yourself to lighten up."
Basara's expression was now serious.
"Toujou…" Hasegawa's eyes were now downcast. "But of course.
That's just the kind of person you are. That's why Tachibana and the
others—"
"Tachibana?"
"No, that has nothing to do with today. I get it now…" Hasegawa
appeared to be wavering a little, as she finally raised her head and stared
at Basara intently.
And then she finally spoke.
"It's just last month. I got to spend such a long time with you. We
were able to build a very deep bond between one another. You don't
know how happy I am to have managed to share that with you…"
"And throughout Valentine's, I've been watching your surroundings
as your teacher…no. After all, I live in a flow of time that's different
from yours…one that's not decided only by age."
"I'm a member of the Ten Gods. I'm no normal human being. I'm
incapable of passing time the same way you and the other students do in
this world. Well, your circumstances are a bit special in this case, but it
doesn't change the fact that you and I are different." Her expression
appeared to be somewhat resigned.
"That's why…one way or another, somehow, I just wanted to live in
the same time you're living in right now. I wanted an experience like
that. Not as teacher and student, but through a date where we'd explore
a shopping mall we're visiting for the first time…odd, isn't it?"
And it now defied some semblance of loneliness as well.
"And then there's…" Hasegawa continued, "The fact that there might
come a time where I would have to part with you."
"But that's—"
"Thinking of something like that just scares me, pains me. That's why
I was so taken by that film earlier…"
"Hasegawa-sensei."
Hasegawa abruptly widened her eyes in surprise.
Basara had forcibly brought her into a tight embrace.
"I'm not letting you go."
"You dummy…we're still outside today, you know? Even if there
aren't any students from the academy here…" She said, her cheeks
reddened as the atmosphere around them suddenly changed; the crowd
of customers suddenly disappeared, leaving behind only an empty
shopping mall.
She had made a barrier that replicated the venue while cutting them
from the rest of the world.
She then leaned in closer, pressing herself deeper within Basara's
embrace; her body grazed and rubbed on his own as she piled herself
upon him, altering the shape of her abundant breasts wrapped
underneath her pretty clothing.
"Nnn…" Hasegawa's voice reflexively spilled out, "Toujou…I want
you to remember everything of me." She then said the exact words from
the film that they watched earlier—the line said by the heroine, about to
leave that place in that particular scene, toward the protagonist, the
young man, as he suffered under a fickle moment of heartbreak.
The two then huddled their bodies close together, their palms and
fingers alike intertwining with the others'.
As they piled their bodies and hands together, Hasegawa placed her
thigh in between Basara's legs; under such a state where they could not
grow any closer than they already could, Hasegawa took Basara's lips for
herself in a passionate kiss.
"Mm… Mm, chuu ♥ Mmm…"
As their lips forcibly pressed upon one another, Hasegawa greedily
attempted to force her tongue within Basara's mouth, to which he
responded accordingly; their tongues noisily and passionately desired the
other as they intertwined.
"Chuu, nnn, fuu…. Nnnn… ♥"
Their saliva flowed and mixed together amidst their intense kissing;
their lips had yet to come apart as Hasegawa guided Basara's hand down
her abdomen to her waist.
"Touch me," she said in between breaths as they continued kissing.
Basara complied with her request, savoring the sensation of her body
through her clothes with his palm; he ascertained the signature sensation
of her womanly body beneath the fabric of her winter clothing, drinking
in the ample sensation of her warmth and softness unimpeded by the
clothing that separated them.
"Aah, nnn….Haaah ♥Toujou…"
Parting from the kiss, Hasegawa let out a subjugated moan; Basara's
hand was rubbing against her abdomen while the other clutched her
waist, reaching underneath her skirt to grab hold of her butt.
"Fuuah, aah…. ♥ There… Feel me… Feel me more, nnn, haah"…
Basara's lips once again plastered themselves onto Hasegawa's; melting
into the craving that came with the kiss, Hasegawa exposed her ample
chest and tempted Basara's hand toward her breasts.
Basara's hand slipped within the partially opened space from the
clothes that were different from what she usually wore; his hand gently
clung to her skin wet with sweat.
"Nn… Aaah…" As his hand moved in further, Hasegawa's lips, piled
on with kisses, let out even more sharp breaths in arousal.
Basara eventually arrived at the valley between her pair of breasts.
Taking off her clothes completely, her suppressed breasts created a
deeper valley than usual; Basara's fingers then entered the space between
them.
"Aah, ah ♥"
Hasegawa held on tightly to Basara's hand as she grew unable to
continue kissing him; guiding his hand toward her chest with her own,
her hand then clung tightly onto his sturdy body after it had completed
its previous role.
"Toujou, more, deeper… Ah, aaah ♥"
"I understand."
Basara's hand advanced deeper within her bra, savoring the swelling,
plump sensation underneath, touching her suppressed nipples with his
fingers.
"Ah, aaaah, nn! Nnn…♥"
Basara stole Hasegawa's lips for himself once more as she elevated her
voice in pleasure with them.
Their fingers, bodies, and tongues entangled with one another's
densely; their body heat and breaths mixing together gave them the
feeling as if everything they had was melding together.
"You're so cute, sensei. Both your clothes, and the way you are
today…"
"Nnn…. You don't think I'm weird today…♥ That makes me so
happy…"
Basara and Hasegawa experienced every nook and cranny of one
another.
"Sensei…no, Afureia…I'm right here with you." Basara finally
addressed Hasegawa Chisato by her true name. "I won't let go of you,
ever. We're already walking within the same time."
"Toujou…" Hasegawa's eyes narrowed euphorically at that statement.
And the two kissed once more—a long, deep kiss.
"Nnn…" It was Hasegawa who then broke the kiss first. "I'm sorry."
Hasegawa finally released her body that was closely huddled into
Basara's, reflexively releasing his hand simultaneously.
"Sensei?"
"I can't even help myself just over something like this," Hasegawa
said, smiling wryly.
Basara blankly stared at her for a moment before eliciting the same
response. "You're right. I feel the same way."
"That said, Toujou…from here on out, let's carry on as we always
have, alright? This time not with a me who envies others who get to live
in the same time as you do…but a me who walks beside Toujou Basara."
"Yeah. You're quite cute today, sensei, but I'd settle for your usual
self, too."
"Just so you know, it's quite embarrassing to be called cute like
that…" Hasegawa said, averting her gaze. She then put on her clothes
and glanced around the vicinity. In a moment the hustle and bustle of
the mall had returned; the barrier had been dispelled.
"Well then, as usual…let's head over to my room now." She said,
linking her arm with Basara's.
"Yes, Hasegawa-sensei. Let's get going." Basara then walked toward
the exit of the shopping mall with Hasegawa.
"Hey, Toujou," Hasegawa said after a moment. Basara turned to see
her looking at him impishly.
"Call it one more time. Call me by my name."
Basara became slightly surprised for a moment, but regained his
composure shortly after.
"Let's go, Afureia."
Basara and Hasegawa continued to spend time alone together; even if
the two were not walking in the same time, they moved forward together
nonetheless, their hands never letting go of each other.
And such a feeling is so strongly etched within the hearts of both
Basara and Hasegawa.