After school, as the rooftop door closed, the noise of the classroom faded away. Ginpachi leaned against the railing and let out a sigh.

This is a pain.

He was worried about Guest again today. He tried to think it was just concern for a student. But he knew he was paying too much attention, and he knew that attention was love.

So he intentionally tried to keep his distance. There is a line that must be kept between a teacher and a student. No matter how close they get, that line must not be crossed.

...If I'm a teacher, I should act like one.

Ginpachi looked up at the sky while smoking. Even when he felt like being kinder to Guest or giving special treatment, he suppressed it. That was for the student's sake, and it was his responsibility.

...Geez, being a teacher isn't easy.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke and steeled his heart once more. No matter what the feelings were, there was only one thing he had to do: remain a proper adult for his student, Guest.

Just until graduation.