Chapter 43
… and Found
Elyna was warming her legs in the river to stave off the cold when a beam of light caught her attention. Relief flooded her when a familiar voice called her name.
Yay! Not spending the night outside.
Even though she had camped with Aksel out on the beach a fair number of times, those woods were pretty scary after nightfall. But, most of all, she feared the spiders. Were they closing in right now? Would they crawl over her as she slept?
She called back; the light died. In a few seconds, she would probably face the dressing-down of the year. Sheepish, she hoped Sano would keep it short. Her nerves were frayed enough; facing his disappointment might very well break her.
Elyna climbed out of the river, taking a deliberate moment to marvel at the smooth rocks that greeted the soles of her feet. So soft… Water dripped down her legs, raising goosebumps on her skin from the icy air.
In the shadows, she could barely distinguish a tall form tumbling downhill. A doubt crept up; for a dreadful moment, Elyna wondered if it was really one of the teachers.
What if I mistook the voice for… Japan is a safe country, right?
The man barrelled down the slope so fast she feared he might topple over.
Cold air whipped her legs as she balanced on her discarded shoes, feet wet, eyes strained on the incoming rescuer.
By now, he was close enough for her to recognise the familiar build.
When she spotted how the glow of the fire set his dark hair ablaze, Elyna almost dissolved in relief.
Sano-sensei!
Her heart leapt… oh boy, he looked mad! Guilt gripped her throat, and she couldn’t help but cry an apology.
“Gomen na—”
A wall of muscles slammed into her, stealing her breath away. Steel bands clamped around her, crushing her to death against his chest. His torch crashed to the ground behind them, thoroughly ignored as Elyna squeaked.
“Baka, baka, baka,” came his rough voice in her ear. A few broken renditions of her name followed as he squeezed her shoulders. Stunned, she remained still until one of Sano’s hands crept up her spine.
Elyna’s arms finally found their way around his taut waist. Damp cotton greeted her palm, vibrating in tune with the hammering of his heart; she fisted her hand in his t-shirt and held fast.
He was warm against her cold skin. Almost scorching in the icy night. Plastered against him, Elyna eventually realised that he was shaking.
“Sano-sensei,” she murmured. “Gomen nasai.”
But he did not respond, one large hand digging into her hair while the other kept her trapped against his solid frame.
His hold tightened further, crushing her lungs in the process; Elyna relished the embrace, drowned in it.
She literally dissolved against him, as dizzy from the lack of air as from the unexpected contact.
He was so warm, so sturdy, safe. He felt like… home.
Suddenly, the full weight of the day crashed on her shoulders; the fight with her idiotic students, the spiders, the flight, and the fear.
All those pent-up emotions overflowed; she started shaking in his arms as tears spilt over.
With a pitiful sniffle, she called his name again; his hands stroked her spine slowly, a reassuring touch that almost broke her.
“I’ve got you, Elyna,” he buried his face in her hair, his voice hoarse. “I’ve got you.”
The kiss that landed upon the crown of her head only made Elyna cry harder. She felt so safe, so anchored that she never wanted to let go. He had become her sanctuary.
Eventually, she felt his warm fingers slide up until he grabbed her nape and pulled her chin up. His eyes shone like molten copper in the firelight, a myriad of undefined emotions warring in their midst.
“Tell me you are alright!”
There was such fear in his gaze, such turmoil that Elyna’s breath caught. She had never seen him so shaken, not even when she’d kissed the ground in athletics.
Harsh lines of worry marred his face, and his frown was so deep it could have rivalled that of the Vice Principal. Strands of his mid-long hair were plastered to his temple, and she felt the overwhelming urge to brush them away, as if it could also dissolve the pain.
“Elyna!” he commanded, more forceful. “Tell me you are alright!”
She blinked, confused by the openly displayed desperation. Of course, she was alright! More than alright, since he was there, now, embracing her like she was something precious.
“Did anything happen to you?” he questioned urgently, holding her at arm’s length to check her body.
Spiders and my own stupidity?
She could see his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. Sano wasn’t a man easily rattled. Yet, he was clearly struggling to keep his wits. To see his legendary composure shatter was starting to frighten her.
What happened?
“Elyna,” he rasped. “Did someone… did anyone…” His voice cracked as he took in her bare legs, dripping with water. Then understanding hit her. Elyna’s eyes widened. Did he think someone had…?
“I’m alright,” she rushed to reassure him. “Nothing happened. I’m just stupidly arachnophobic, and useless with a map, that’s all.”
But he did not respond, scanning her face thoroughly, as if he could read the truth in her eyes. At their feet, the fire crackled, casting dancing shadows upon his refined features.
“I’m alright,” she repeated, her hand finding his forearm to curl around the muscle in a reassuring touch. “I promise Sano-sensei. And I’m really, really sorry for worrying you.”
She felt, more than saw, tension leave his shoulders. He sagged, tall frame curling around her; she turned into a pillar supporting his weight. Then his sweaty forehead dipped, slowly, until it rested against hers. The gesture shattered whatever remained of the professional distance.
Elyna’s eyes fluttered closed; her whole body hummed with his, hearts beating in harmony in the quiet night. His panting caused their chests to brush with each exhale, closing the space between them until she could feel his breath on her lips.
“I can’t lose you, Elyna,” he whispered.
In the midst of her emotional storm, a truth snapped with clarity.
He cares! He cares for me like I care for him!
The world suddenly seemed to tilt on its axis.
Elyna was barely conscious, still basking in the revelation when his mouth descended upon hers with the strength of a bursting dam.
She surged forward to meet him, her body responding to some primal need.
She felt his fingers tangle in her hair possessively, almost desperately.
Elyna’s chest swelled, so full that her heart came close to bursting.
Elyna’s lips feasted upon him, taking her fill.
She was a flower gorging on sunlight, begging for more.
His strong arms held her aloft, trapping her in heaven.
He felt warm and wild against her, bliss in its purest form.
That fated line was finally gone, dissolved by the whirlwind of her dismaying adventures.
Their lips danced, intertwined like old friends, playing the song of love. Elyna’s tongue flicked to taste him; he gasped, then coaxed her further in.
Overwhelmed by the sensation, she felt her knees buckle; he held fast, as if letting go was as absurd as trying to prevent the sun from rising.
His tongue was hot and possessive in her mouth, claiming every piece of her.
Helpless, Elyna felt her body overheat as she cupped his strong jaw. Her other hand carded through his hair.
She hummed in delight. To kiss him felt like coming home and shattering all at once. Every inch of her pressed against him, their bodies entwined in a perfect, consuming embrace.
Until he recoiled with a gasp.
Elyna tumbled back, bereft. His eyes filled with regret.
“Gomen… gomen[16],” he panted, brushing a hand to his lips, as if he couldn’t believe he’d just kissed her. For a dreadful moment, Elyna wondered if she’d assaulted him. Her heart skipped a beat, pierced through at the sight of his distress.
Sano straightened, then closed his eyes for a second. When they reopened, all warmth had deserted their golden hues.
“I apologise for my unprofessional behaviour; I don’t know what came over me.”
That blasted line in the sand turned into a canyon as he reinvested his sensei persona.
Elyna shivered in the night, cold and angry; she wanted to fling herself at him, pound upon the wall he’d erected anew.
To scream her loss, and kiss him senseless.
Her mind was a jumble of hurt and confusion, too many emotions warring in her brain.
Then, he bowed to her, like a man who had wronged a stranger. “I hope you can forgive me,” he added, his voice too flat. “I have no excuse. Of course, I will not pressure you into silence. Speak to anyone you wish.”
Elyna gaped. You stupid gentleman. If she talked… his career was over. A needless sacrifice, but one made with honour that only made her love him more. To think he would put everything he’d worked for on the line to ensure her emotional safety. She could destroy him…
Foolish, foolish man; she only wanted those arms to engulf her again, and those lips to claim her. To denounce him would be to make him take a plunge.
Not in a million years.
She held his gaze for a while, steeling herself against the distance. Then he turned around; the door to heaven slammed shut in her face, leaving her in a dark, hopeless place. Bursting at the seams, Elyna tried to reach for his hand; he recoiled.
“Why?” she stuttered, feeling like the world was falling apart. He did not respond, shoulders rigid underneath his jacket. Elyna’s heart fractured into a million pieces.
“Please.” Her voice cracked, tears welling up. He shook his head, then pressed a hand over his eyes.
“Onegaishimasu[17],” she begged.
“Forgive me, Elyna-san,” he interrupted. “Don’t ask this of me. I can’t.”
Thunder falling at her feet would have been more merciful. Frozen, Elyna blinked, and blinked again. But he was still there, standing like a statue, jaw locked in turmoil. Or was it anger at her audacity? “Gather your things,” he ordered. “The others are waiting.”
The warmth of his voice was gone.
Elyna shattered.
Aksel: Elyna? Still not finished with the orientation stuff?
Aksel: Oi, sis?