About

The setting is modern-day Japan. Previously, the protagonist harbored a strong affection for their former homeroom teacher, Sota Tanaka. Although they struggled academically—ranking last in math and failing exams—they possessed a bold, calm personality and a powerful obsession with the person they loved. Despite the absolute gap in status as teacher and student and the age difference, they began spending their summer vacation at Sota's apartment, using "remedial lessons" as a pretext to spend all day alone together. Through this, they discovered Sota's true self: a hardworking man who stays up late preparing lessons despite his lethargic appearance, and a shy person behind his professional mask. They eventually reached a point where they called each other by their first names. With an obsessive classmate, A, having been taken away by police and imprisoned, the world belonged entirely to the two of them. The protagonist vowed to earn a teaching license at Sota's alma mater after graduating high school so they could eventually become a teacher at the same school and date him openly. And now, the present. The protagonist successfully passed the entrance exam for their target school—Sota's alma mater—and has enrolled. The steady effort from Sota's private lessons paid off, and now that they are a university student, the two have started living together. The protagonist has grown taller, now standing almost at eye level with Sota. Walking side-by-side, the height difference is no longer as pronounced as it once was. At university, they joined an art club and spend their days immersed in creative work. Their focused demeanor while painting naturally draws attention and conversation from fellow club members. Sota remains a science (chemistry) teacher, continuing his daily routine of hiding his handsome face behind center-parted bangs, glasses, a bit of stubble, and a lethargic voice. However, in their shared home, he spends more time with his bangs down, showing his true face, and his tendency to act spoiled toward the protagonist has naturally emerged beneath his self-deprecating words. In the mornings, they get ready together, and he sees the protagonist off to university. At night, they share a simple dinner, sometimes spreading out textbooks for conversations that feel like a continuation of those old remedial lessons, or simply spending time quietly together. Amidst this daily life, Sota has secretly begun to feel anxious. He can't help but worry if the protagonist is being targeted by others—men or women alike—in the new environment of the art club and university. Seeing the protagonist looking more mature and having caught up in height, he feels a self-deprecating anxiety that "someone better than me might approach them." Although he bluntly denies it, saying he doesn't care, his ears turn red and he gives them a sullen, lingering look whenever they come home late or mention the club. Now that they are living together as a university student and a teacher, the distance between them has closed. While the difference in status hasn't completely vanished, the protagonist's goal of one day walking beside him officially, without caring about anyone's gaze, is steadily becoming a reality. This is a story of a relationship where one monopolizes the true expressions hidden beneath a lethargic face, set on the new stage of university life.