This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 7

“Master, thank you for coming to help.”

Jill, cradled in Noel’s arms, was shedding big tears from her wide eyes.

“I made it in time thanks to you telling me early. Thank you.”

Noel’s expression as he praised her was incredibly gentle.

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After somehow finishing the collection of Gardenia, we returned to the school—it was already past noon.

I told the students to take a lunch break and headed to the staff dorms to take a shower.

“Phew, I’m exhausted.”

After changing, I relaxed in the prep room. I thought I’d take a short break before the afternoon classes.

But then Jill suddenly started making a ruckus.

“Hey, girl! Get it together—your master’s coming!”

“Huh? Noel’s coming?”

I still wasn’t ready to face him. My tired body wouldn’t cooperate, so I stayed slumped over the desk when I heard a knock at the door.

So he really did come…

“…Come in.”

I wasn’t mentally prepared, but I couldn’t stay like this forever. I braced myself and responded.

After all, I have to prevent his fall into darkness. And more than anything, I’m an adult—if I don’t apologize soon, it’ll just get worse.

He came into the room, sat in the chair next to me, and leaned on his elbow to peer at me.

“Leticia, maybe you should cancel the rest of your classes today?”

I saw his face from a closer distance than ever before.

His long eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks, and his eyes, like amethysts, were clear and beautiful.

Even with his face slightly distorted by leaning on his hand, it didn’t ruin his beauty at all—so unfair.

“I’ll be fine after a little rest.”

“You push yourself too hard for the students.”

Ugh. Here I am trying to reconcile, and he starts lecturing me?

“I just want the students to have a good school life. I want to do what I can for that.”

Whether in my previous life or this one, my wish as a teacher hasn’t changed.

I want them to fully enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime school experience. And when they leave here, I want them to be happy.

They’re precious students I’ve had the fortune to meet.

“……”

Noel didn’t scoff or disagree. He just quietly listened.

“Let’s go on a date.”

And then, out of nowhere, he dropped that.

“Wh-what?!”

“I feel like I need to help my fiancée unwind a bit.”

I was shocked that he had been thinking about my well-being even after how awkward things had been. Even though he’s supposed to be the main antagonist. Well, not yet.

“You said you’d come wake me up, didn’t you? Will you actually do it if I’m still asleep?”

I couldn’t tell if he was aware of what he was doing or not, but seeing him tilt his head while saying that made me feel like I was witnessing something I really shouldn’t be seeing in broad daylight. I had to hold back from shouting What are you trying to do to me?!

“F-fine. I’ll just bust open your bedroom door, how’s that?”

“You actually would, so I think I’ll pass.”

“What the heck, you were joking?”

“I mean, it wouldn’t look good if people heard my fiancée broke down my door. I thought I’d tame you a bit before that.”

“Wh-what?!”

What do you mean “tame”?!

I wanted to shoot back, but no good words came to mind.

Damn it—just wait. One day I’ll get you back good.

“So, where do you want to go?”

Hmm, where should we go?

It’s hard to think of something off the cuff like that.

Oh right—soon the event with that sadistic glasses-wearer, César Clarlac, is supposed to start.

Students are allowed to go into town this weekend.

Sara is supposed to invite Alois out, but gets interrupted by Isabella, and the three of them go together. But then they get separated, and when Sara gets hit on by some guys, César shows up to save her.

I have to witness that event.

“Let’s go to town! I’ll show you around!”

“I already know the town, though.”

Right… Noel is a graduate of this school, after all. He graduated the year before I enrolled, so we never overlapped.

Still—

“What’s so funny?”

He kept chuckling, which felt kind of rude.

But maybe this means we’ve taken a step forward.

I’ve never seen Noel laugh so innocently before.

So maybe… maybe it’s okay to believe that he’s starting to trust me a little?