starlit skies | kazubajifuyu

first we feel, second we fall: four

"Good morning, sensei!" You happily greeted the young lad as he stepped out of his room, wearing a plain white shirt and a pajama. He's drying his hair with a small towel around his neck.

"That smells nice, y/n." He walked closer and patted your head, making you blush. Then he walked past you and opened the cupboard to grab a mug.

"Coffee? I can make one for you. Please take a seat at the dining table, sensei." You quickly wiped your hands on your apron and moved towards him, tiptoeing your toes to reach the cupboard.

"Wait, I can—" Chifuyu didn't finish his sentence when you suddenly fell out of balance and landed on his chest. You let out a faint squeal as you thought that you would fall to the floor.

"y/n, are you okay?" He worriedly asked, holding your shoulders. When you heard his voice, you panicked and realized you were too close to him. Your cheeks began to burn, so you took a step back to distance yourself.

"I'm sorry, sensei! I didn't mean to—uhm..."

"It's fine, y/n. It's just an accident." There was a brief silence between the two of you before Chifuyu spoke again. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Thank you for catching me, sensei."

Chifuyu nodded, and you both stared at each other for a while, like two high schoolers having a moment in a shoujo manga. Once you realized that you were staring too much, you tried to play it cool.

"I—I will make you a coffee. Please take a seat."

"Okay. Thank you, y/n," Chifuyu said as he walked past you. When you saw him unfazed by what had happened, your shoulders dropped. I didn't make his heart race. He doesn't see me as a woman, huh?

That was close. Chifuyu covered half of his face with a towel around his neck to cover his blush.

❀

Months passed, and you found yourself signing into a film-photography club. Since you were a kid, you have had an eye for beautiful places or things. You always found beauty in ordinary things but lost interest after your mother died. Now that you were given a chance to think about yourself first and be your age without any worries, you wanted to try to expand the things that you're interested in.

"Sensei, I signed into the film/photography club," you said as you placed the tea on Chifuyu's study table. Chifuyu stopped typing on his laptop and looked at you with excitement in his eyes.

"What? Really?!"

Though you tell Chifuyu your worries, there are still times that it's difficult for you to open up because your mind constantly warns you that someone will be angry, but in reality... It isn't the situation now. "Yes, but I promise I won't abandon my duty as your wife!"

"No, no, no! Don't mind me, y/n. Do what you love, and maybe you'll be able to decide what you want to study in college. That's a great step for you!"

Your eyes widened. Right, I am no longer cuffed in a small room, I am no longer caged in that small house. Sensei bought my freedom, and he helped me get out of that filthy life. You thought as smiles slowly formed on your lips. "I'll try my hardest, sensei."

"Good! I am glad to hear that." Chifuyu stood up and patted your head. "I will root for you, whatever path you take."

Your heart races and your body moves on its own. You let go of the serving tray, causing it to fall on the floor. You then hugged Chifuyu, burying your head in his chest. "Thank you, sensei. I am truly grateful for all the help. Thank you so much." Your voice cracked, trying to stop your tears from flowing.