If I had to find a word to describe the atmosphere before us, it would be... awkward.
"...I never expected you to be a teacher at our school, Uncle."
"I never expected you to be a student at our school, either."
Sitting across from each other at the dining table, Duanmu Huai and Ko Ru—no, Rui—stared wide-eyed at each other, both overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of absurdity and comedy.
After all, neither of them had known the other's identity before, but now...
"So why did you come here?"
"Because my mother remarried, we moved here, and my sister happened to be transferring schools as well. I came along for convenience."
Rui silently set down the cola in her hand and sighed.
"I really never thought you would be a teacher, Uncle..."
"Surprised?"
"Very surprised. I always thought you might be some kind of yakuza member... You really give off that kind of vibe."
As she spoke, Rui glanced to the side.
"Speaking of which, I only realized after moving that this place is really far away."
"That's why I came all the way here to find someone. I couldn't exactly let one of my own students see me, could I?"
Duanmu Huai was speechless. He had specifically come to a different district because he didn't want to get involved with someone from his own school, only to find that this particular "grass" had run right up to his doorstep.
"..."
"..."
After their brief exchange, the two fell silent again. In the end, Duanmu Huai was the first to helplessly break the awkward atmosphere.
"So, how are things at home now?"
"My mother has been very happy since getting remarried. As for my sister..."
At this, Rui furrowed her brows slightly.
"I suspect that someone at her previous school