T/N: Huge thank you for Jakkrapong Intamin for supporting me, I really appreciate it, thank you.
Chapter 34
"…"
In different timelines, two people blushed at the same moment.
Ruan Mei never imagined she would ever order her student to…
When she connected it to the boundary Tomomu Kanzaki had crossed back then…
A certain possibility flashed through her mind, and a very bad premonition rose in her heart.
She glanced at the memory reception progress.
She had been immersed in the memories for what felt like a long time, yet in reality only a short while had passed.
She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and continued watching.
"That's enough. You don't need to knead anymore."
Hearing his teacher finally speak, Tomomu Kanzaki, who had endured the torture for half an hour, felt as if he had been granted amnesty.
He carefully set her foot down and waited for the signal that he could leave.
"Come here, Tomomu…"
"Teacher, do you have any other instructions?"
Tomomu Kanzaki didn't think much of it and moved closer to the bedside.
Without warning, Ruan Mei suddenly reached out, pulled him into her arms, and pressed his face against her chest.
It feels like a soft feather pillow...
Tomomu Kanzaki's mind instantly turned into mush.
"Um… Teacher, you… you're drunk…"
"I am perfectly sober."
"I… I can't breathe, Teacher! I think I'm ascending to heaven!"
As if hearing his plea, Ruan Mei loosened her grip slightly.
The moment Tomomu Kanzaki caught his breath, he felt a soft touch on his face.
His recently recovered senses went completely blank.
But this time, Tomomu Kanzaki snapped back to reality quickly.
Because he saw his teacher's eyes, misty with emotion, as her flushed cheek slowly drew closer. Her moist red lips parted slightly, her breath warm.
"Tomomu is such a good boy… Teacher will give you your reward right now…"
"No, Teacher, we can't kiss here…!"
Tomomu Kanzaki used every ounce of willpower to prop himself up, pressing his hands against Ruan Mei's shoulders to stop her from coming closer.
"Teacher said it's allowed, so it's allowed."
Ruan Mei pushed his arms aside without room for refusal and pressed him down again.
Without another word—
Black hair tangled lightly, lips left a lingering fragrance.
The bathrobe slipped off quietly.
By the time Tomomu Kanzaki regained the right to breathe freely, he had no idea how much time had passed.
The events of that night left an immeasurable impact on his still-immature heart.
Ruan Mei, however, showed no awareness of it at all. She simply rubbed his head.
"That's enough. The reward is over. Go and complete the task I assigned you."
"…Understood! Please rest early…"
Tomomu Kanzaki fled as if escaping.
His teacher paid it no mind. The corners of her lips curved slightly as she drifted into sleep.
"…"
Silence.
Continued silence.
Still silence.
Ruan Mei found it hard to believe that when drunk, she not only showed a completely different side of herself, but acted with such boldness.
Many of her doubts now had answers. Only two points remained unclear.
Why would she subconsciously do such things to her student when drunk?
How exactly had she gotten drunk?
In the past, even half a jar of plum blossom brew had never made her intoxicated. Yet this time…
A guess began to form, but it was not yet certain.
She could only continue searching for the truth within Tomomu Kanzaki's memories.
The next morning.
Everything seemed the same as usual.
Ruan Mei sat at the dining table and ate breakfast.
Hmm, there was one small difference, the pastries tasted noticeably better than before.
"What is this?"
"Plum-preserved soybean cake. A new recipe I developed. How does it taste, Teacher?"
"Very good."
After eating it, her mood improved as well.
Ruan Mei did not notice that the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.
"Teacher… do you remember what happened on your birthday night last night?"
"How could I forget? You did very well, Kanzaki. Teacher will give you a reward."
"…Mm."
"…" Ruan Mei closed her eyes helplessly.
Another year passed.
"Three-year plum blossom brew. Try it, Teacher, and see how it compares to the four- and five-year versions."
"It's not as thick. I prefer the mouthfeel of the three-year brew."
"Then from now on I'll only brew the three-year version."
"Hm. Come closer."
Tomomu Kanzaki didn't think much of it. He habitually reached for his teacher's smooth, delicate ankle.
Shock. Doubt. Thought. Frown.
In less than two seconds, Ruan Mei experienced a whirlwind of emotions. Finally she spoke:
"Tomomu Kanzaki, you have overstepped."
T/N: She's like me when drunk
(╥ ᴗ ╥)