Inlove with my Gangster Teacher

Chapter 43: Under the Fireflies

The air had turned colder, and the darkness weighed heavily as Yankumi slowed her search, pulling out her phone to contact Odagiri. We'll have to regroup for now; it's too dark to continue safely, she messaged, suggesting they meet halfway, near the bridge that led to the bamboo park's open space.

Odagiri quickly agreed, though as he made his way to the bridge, he misstepped, his foot slipping on a loose rock. He stifled a groan as he stumbled, a sharp pain shooting up his left leg. Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself, determined to reach the meeting place despite the throbbing pain.

When Yankumi arrived at the bridge, her flashlight swept over him, and she froze at the sight of his injury. "Odagiri-kun! What happened?" she asked, concern etched across her face.

"It's nothing," he replied, downplaying the pain as he tried to shift his weight. But his wince gave him away.

Yankumi frowned, refusing to let him brush it off. "Here, sit down," she insisted, helping him over to a fallen bamboo log near the open grassy area. Gently, she eased him down, glancing at his swollen ankle.

"You're hurt worse than you're letting on, aren't you?" Yankumi muttered, her worry evident as she examined his foot. "You need to take a break, or it'll just get worse."

Odagiri sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Alright. But I can keep going once we rest a bit. We still haven't found Murayama-kun."

Yankumi glanced around the quiet, darkened space and took a deep breath. "Let's think this through first. We'll wait here a moment and regroup." Her gaze softened slightly as she patted his shoulder reassuringly, trying to keep her worry under control.

A few minutes later, Yankumi's phone buzzed in her hand, the sound breaking the tense silence. She quickly answered, relief flooding her as she heard the bus driver's voice.

"Yamaguchi-sensei! Good news—Murayama-kun's been found," he announced. "Some of his classmates spotted him near the main entrance. He's safe and back on the bus."

Yankumi let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "Sore wa yokatta desu ne," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for letting me know. We'll head back soon... though we'll be a little slower since Odagiri-kun's hurt his foot."

The driver replied, "Understood. I'll let the students know you're on your way. And since they already reported the incident, the park staff will be reaching you soon to help."

"Alright, thank you again. We'll wait here until they arrive," Yankumi said, glancing over at Odagiri, who nodded, visibly relieved by the news.

As she hung up, Yankumi looked back at Odagiri with a smile. "Well, looks like Murayama-kun's safe and sound, thanks to his friends."

Odagiri exhaled, relief mingling with exhaustion. "Good to hear. At least this trip will have a happy ending."

They both shared a quiet smile, the weight of worry finally lifting as they waited for the park staff to guide them back safely.

As they sat quietly, a soft breeze swept through, bringing a gentle coolness that made the moment feel unexpectedly cozy. The silence stretched between them, each waiting for the other to speak, but words felt unnecessary. Then, without warning, tiny glimmers began to light up the dark, like stars drifting down to earth.

"Fireflies..." Yankumi whispered, her eyes wide with surprise as more and more of them appeared, floating gracefully around them and illuminating the bamboo grove with their soft glow.

The fireflies drifted, their lights flickering on and off in a gentle, mesmerizing dance that transformed the space into something otherworldly. The gentle glow reflected in Yankumi's eyes, her face filled with awe as she watched the delicate creatures surround them.