Sensei- Chotto Yasunde Ii Desuka -rj01292809- -

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.”

Haruki didn’t comment. He simply moved his chair, positioning himself between Akira and the library door. A silent guardian. He took off his own cardigan – a soft, grey thing that smelled of laundry soap and old paper – and gently draped it over Akira’s shoulders. Sensei- Chotto Yasunde Ii Desuka -RJ01292809-

The words hung in the air. Is it okay to rest a little? Akira nodded slowly, the knot in their shoulders

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. He simply moved his chair, positioning himself between

Akira managed a tired smile. “Finals are next week. These essays won’t grade themselves.”