Akira managed a tired smile. “Finals are next week. These essays won’t grade themselves.”
They hadn't heard the door open.
“Ah, Saito-kun. You’re still here?” Akira’s voice came out rougher than intended. They cleared their throat. “The library closed ten minutes ago.”
Title: Sensei, Chotto Yasunde Ii Desu ka? Sensei- Chotto Yasunde Ii Desuka -RJ01292809-
When Akira woke up, disoriented and warm, twenty-three minutes had passed. Haruki was still there, quiet as a shadow, reading a book by the light of his phone. He looked up and their eyes met.
He picked up the fallen red pen and placed it carefully on top of the unfinished stack of essays. Then he stood, bowed his head once, and walked silently out of the library, leaving Akira alone with the lingering warmth of a grey cardigan and the memory of being seen.
Akira nodded slowly, the knot in their shoulders loosened to a dull ache. They pulled the cardigan tighter, not yet ready to return it. “Thank you, Saito-kun.” Akira managed a tired smile
“Just for a few minutes,” he insisted gently. “The essays will still be here. You won’t be able to grade them properly if you’re running on empty.”
Haruki tilted his head, observing the empty coffee cups, the faint shadows under Akira’s eyes, the way their hand trembled slightly as it reached for the next paper. The air in the library felt thick and lonely.
“I… I don’t have time, Saito-kun.” “Ah, Saito-kun
“Feeling better?” he asked.
And for the first time in weeks, Akira Sugimoto let their eyes close. The red pen rolled off the desk and onto the floor. The clock ticked. The wind brushed against the windowpanes. And Haruki Saito sat in the fading light, watching over his tired teacher, keeping the world at bay.