Chapter 23
"Well, the night is falling, hang in there."
The sun might be setting, but Elyna didn't feel the pressure lessen one bit. I can’t breathe when you’re near.
Something flickered in his expression; his hand slid down from her elbow, as if to check on the splint.
But it didn't stop there. Slowly, a touch that was anything but tentative trailed down her arm until it reached her wrist. Intimate and gentle, but firm.
The contact grounded her, soothing—a bridge that connected them.
Sano suddenly recoiled. The shutters came down, his expression smoothing into the professional mask she knew well. She watched his shoulders tense, his spine straighten, the warmth in his eyes dull to something impersonal.
“Senda-kun,” he called. “Would you mind getting cold drinks? Ramune, if they have it. Make sure Elyna-san gets one first, she is not accustomed to Japanese summers.”
Haruki appeared in a flash, as if he’d been there from the very beginning. “Of course, sensei. Right away.”
Sano’s gaze turned intense; it seemed to say take care of her and I’m trusting you and don’t let me down all at once. Haruki gave a small, serious nod in return, catching everything that remained unspoken between them.
Without meeting her eyes, Sano told her gently, “Stay with Senda-kun and the others.” His attention remained resolutely fixed upon the festival. “Don’t overdo it.”
Perfectly polite. Perfectly appropriate, like a wall being built over the line drawn between them. Brick by careful brick.
When he walked away from her, she felt like her support had given way.
Wobbling, Elyna watched him join the small cluster of teachers: Sōhma still wearing an infuriating smirk after the haiku prank, Fujimoto looking mirthful.
The sun was setting now, painting the festival in amber hues. Standing frozen at the edge, Elyna spotted a tiny light dancing underneath the tree that had shielded their group picture. A firefly. How she longed to watch that miracle unfold with the man who stood not ten feet from here.
But it could not be. Gaze returning to him, she couldn't help but smile. The setting sun was now caressing his hair, revealing those russet highlights she adored.
“Perhaps,” Sano was saying, his voice carrying back to her, “we should let the students enjoy their festival.”
Sōhma’s lips curved in a knowing smirk. “Indeed.”
“An excellent suggestion,” Sarah interjected as she turned to Fujimoto.
“I was hoping to try those games you mentioned.” Then she paused, and waved at them with a wide smile.
“First, I’ll go and retrieve your irate Vice Principal and smooth things out.
Now I trust you to look out for Shūji and keep him away. ”
A friendly order delivered with both steel and cheer.
The British woman winked at Elyna before sliding in the crowd, her flaming hair catching the setting sun like an obon[6] bonfire.
The teaching assistant watched her leave in pursuit of her beloved and their national troublemaker.
Sano followed suit, wishing them a good night without allowing her to catch his gaze.
His departure was so abrupt that it left her bereft.
What just happened?
Flustered, Elyna watched him retreat with a knot in her chest. Numb, she followed Haruki down the road until they found Satsuki and Shūji. Her battered heart beat oddly, still hurt by Sano's hasty retreat.
What have I done wrong?
She followed her students to the canal where they had to split to find good observation spots; the crowd was too dense to part. She and Haruki, being taller, made their way up the river until the night engulfed them totally.
Ignoring the dull ache inside her, Elyna finally spotted the famous fireflies of the Hotaru Festival.
"There", Haruki pointed out.
The glowing dots began their ancient dance above the river, flittering with purpose before dark claimed them forever. A perfect illustration of beauty in impermanence—mono no aware. Melancholic, Elyna watched them flitter about with wonder.
“It is beautiful,” she breathed.
Haruki only nodded his assent, his way of saying ‘I heard you’ and ‘Yes, it is.’ In the distance, she spotted some silhouettes pressed close together under the relative cover of the night, watching the mesmerising ballet of fireflies with their significant others.
What would it be like, she sighed wistfully, to have Sano wrapped around her as they watched this magical display? To feel the solid warmth of his chest against her back, his breath stirring her hair? His cheek resting against hers?
Her very soul ached with longing.
It would be easier if he’d come with a girlfriend. A clean cut, to crush all hope.
Who was she kidding? Seeing him alone only fed the impossible dreams that kept her awake at night, filling her heart with giddiness. He never would have stood so close if he had someone, right?
He’s just looking out for me because I’m injured.
As if on cue, a tiny firefly landed on her splinted wrist before fluttering away. Yet, all she could think about was how Sano’s eyes had looked like molten gold in the setting sun.
Elyna: Sent pictures
Elyna: there you have discipline-man, samurai-man and his GF, scary school nurse, Fujimoto and the little hime-princess beside me. And my homeroom teacher.
Aksel: looking good, sis. The kimono suits you!
Elyna: Yukata, not kimono
Aksel: Whatever. Who’s the guy behind you, no nickname?
Elyna: ??