Inlove with my Gangster Teacher

Chapter 44: Realizations

"Eh? Seriously?!" Fujiyama exclaimed, her voice a bit louder than intended. She was stirring her coffee slowly while her eyes wide with disbelief. A few heads turned, but she was too caught up to notice.

The two of them are having a nice chat at a coffee shop called 5 Crossties Coffee. A week ago, Yankumi called her to meet and catch up. Because she wanted to tell her the things that happened after the school field trip.

Yankumi scratched her head, looking bashful yet relieved. "Yeah... I mean, it was time I gave him an answer, right? I've been avoiding it for so long."

Fujiyama's expression softened, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Finally! You thought about what you wanted and had the guts to be honest with him. Odagiri deserved an answer, but more than that, you deserved to know your own heart."

"I guess I surprised myself a bit, too." Yankumi chuckled awkwardly.

"That's what makes me proud. You're moving forward, Yamaguchi, and maybe even figuring out what love means to you." Fujiyama leaned forward, a warm smile on her face.

Yankumi blushed, hiding her face behind her coffee cup.

Fujiyama burst into laughter. "Oh, come on, don't get all shy now! I've been waiting years for this!" she teased, grinning. She leaned back in her chair, watching as her friend shielded her face behind her coffee cup, cheeks a bright shade of pink.

"Oh, stop it, Fujiyama-sensei!" Yankumi muttered, clearly flustered.

But Fujiyama only laughed harder, wiping a tear from her eye. "Oh, come on, Yamaguchi! I've never seen you like this. Who would've thought that the great, fearless Yamaguchi-sensei could be so shy about something as simple as romance?"

Yankumi peeked over her cup, still embarrassed. "It's not that simple," she mumbled. "Odagiri-kun's... he's sincere. I didn't want to hurt him, but I also didn't want to lie. It's... complicated."

"Complicated or not, you've taken a big step. And honestly? I'm just happy to see you letting someone know how you feel, even if it means having these awkward feelings." Fujiyama smiled knowingly.

Yankumi sighed, setting her cup down. "Yeah, well, you don't have to keep laughing at me, you know." She shot Fujiyama a mock glare, though a small smile crept onto her face.

Fujiyama grinned, reaching across the table to give her friend's hand a squeeze. "I can't help it! It's just nice to see you blush, even if it's about a high school crush."

"Oh, stop already!" Yankumi groaned, hiding her face again.

The two friends dissolved into laughter, the warmth of their friendship brightening the cozy café as they shared the moment.

As the laughter faded, Fujiyama's expression softened, her gaze turning thoughtful. She took a slow sip of her coffee before setting it down, her eyes meeting Yankumi's with a serious look.

"Yamaguchi-sensei... I've got to ask," Fujiyama began, her tone gentle but firm, "are you ready to give Sawada Shin your answer?"

The question lingered between them. Yankumi's cheerful demeanor slipped, and she looked down at her coffee cup, turning it slowly in her hands. Her lips pulled into a small, worried smile.

"I... I don't know," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not that I don't care about him. I just... I don't know what to say or how to convey how I feel." Her fingers fidgeted with the rim of the cup and her eyes distant as she searched for the right words.