Inlove with my Gangster Teacher

Chapter 47: Silly Notion

It was the weekend and the sound of loud thuds and sharp grunts echoed in the training room as Yankumi yelled, "One more! Come on, Kudo, you're not done yet!"

Kudo, drenched in sweat and sporting fresh bruises, groaned as he tried to keep up. "Ojou... I still want to live! Please!" he pleaded, barely managing to stay on his feet.

Minoru and Tetsu stood at the sidelines, watching the spectacle with wide eyes.

"Aniki," Minoru whispered, "what's up with Ojou today? She's like a storm! Did something happen?"

Tetsu scratched the back of his head, looking slightly uneasy. "Well... I saw her with Shin last night," he admitted.

"Sawada Shin?! What happened? What were they doing?" Minoru's jaw dropped.

Tetsu hesitated before answering, "She was all dressed up. Like, really dressed up. Not the usual Ojou style. And... Shin kissed her hand."

"EHHH?!" Minoru yelped, drawing a glare from Yankumi.

"Damare!" she barked before refocusing on Kudo, who looked like he might pass out any second.

"But why's she so mad then?" Minoru whispered to Tetsu, baffled.

"Maybe she's just... processing? Or embarrassed?" Tetsu shrugged.

In truth, Yankumi wasn't angry at anyone but herself. Her heart had been in chaos since the night before, and she couldn't shake the memory of Shin's intense gaze or the warmth of his kiss on her hand. It made her feel so out of control—so unguarded—that she didn't know how to handle it.

She shouted again, "Kudo, stand up straight! One more round!"

Kudo whimpered, "Why am I suffering for whatever Ojou's going through?!"

Minoru leaned closer to Tetsu and whispered, "I don't think she's angry... I think she's embarrassed."

"Yeah, but try telling her that. You'd end up in the same condition as Kudo." Tetsu nodded sagely.

As Yankumi sparred with Kudo, her mind wasn't entirely in the training room. Her movements were sharp, but her thoughts were scattered.

Why me? she kept thinking. Shin's confession from last night replayed in her head like a broken record.

"There are so many beautiful women out there," she thought, dodging Kudo's slow punch. "He's handsome, smart, and an amazing guy. He could have anyone... so why would he choose someone like me? What does he see in me? Why..."

She threw a strike that sent Kudo stumbling back. A loud thud pulled her out of her spiraling thoughts. She blinked and realized Kudo was flat on the mat, gasping.

"I—I can't go on anymore, Ojou," Kudo groaned, raising a trembling hand in surrender.

Yankumi crossed her arms and mocked, "Weakling. Can't even last a few rounds? What are you, a kid?"

"Ojou's not sparring, she's venting!" Kudo whimpered.

Ignoring his protests, Yankumi turned to Minoru. "You're next. Come here."

Minoru froze, his eyes wide like a deer in headlights. "M-Me?!"

"Yes, you. Move it!" Yankumi commanded.

Minoru gulped and reluctantly stepped forward, his knees already feeling weak.

Tetsu, watching from the side, patted Minoru on the back and said solemnly, "I'll pray for you, brother."