The next day, I called my former homeroom teacher, Ms. Kakogawa—more affectionately known as Kako-chan. I’d managed to get her number from Akari the night before.
After a few rings, she picked up.
"Hello? This is Kakogawa speaking."
"Sensei? It’s me, Megumi Hayashi."
"Megu? Oh, did you change your number?"
"Yeah. A lot’s happened."
"I see. It’s been a long time, hasn't it? Is something wrong?"
"I’m actually back in my hometown today. I just realized I really wanted to see your face again, Kako-chan."
"Oh?"
"Can I stop by the school? It’s been a year since I was last there."
Kako-chan readily agreed to my request. She didn't have any classes for about an hour before noon, so we arranged to meet then.
I hopped onto the local train, a journey I hadn't made in quite some time, and headed toward the school.
When I arrived, I saw students in their gym clothes running toward the schoolyard, likely heading to physical education class. A few of them caught my eye; there were some faces I recognized. They were probably third-years now, the grade right below us.
I slipped on a pair of guest slippers and made my way to the staff room. Being back at my old school after graduating filled me with a bittersweet nostalgia that made my chest tighten.
"Excuse me," I said, stepping inside.
"Coming! Oh, Megu. You’re here."
"Yeah. Long time no see, Kako-chan."
Thinking back on it now... Kako-chan had been our homeroom teacher during our senior year. She was forty-two this year, with a smile so beautiful that my friends and I used to gossip about how popular she must have been when she was younger.
"Well, shall we head to the reception room? I’ve got some snacks for us."
"Wait, are you sure? I’d hate to impose."
"It’s fine, really. I’m supposed to be on a diet anyway."
"In that case... I’ll take you up on that."
We sat across from each other on the heavy sofas in the reception room. Kako-chan set out the tea and snacks she’d brought.
"It really has been a while, hasn't it? Even though it’s only been about six months since you all graduated."
"You’re right. Just walking through the halls made me so nostalgic I almost started crying."
"Now, now. You can't do that. We don't want a repeat of the graduation ceremony, where you cried so hard your makeup started running."
"Hey, I told you to forget about that..." I muttered, pouting slightly.
Kako-chan laughed, looking like she was truly enjoying herself.
"But seriously, what’s going on? I’ve been quite worried about you. You suddenly stopped answering my calls, after all."
"Ah..."
I faltered, unsure how to answer her questioning. How much was I supposed to tell her?
There were only four people in the world who knew the truth—that I’d been a victim of domestic violence by my ex-lover, that I’d dropped out of university, and that I was currently living with Yamamoto.
My parents. Akari. And Yamamoto himself. That was it.
I didn't want to talk about it with anyone I didn't trust implicitly. But then I looked at Kako-chan. During my rebellious high school years, she had been there for me when things were at their worst. She was like a surrogate parent to me.
She was someone I could trust.
"The truth is... I was living with my boyfriend."
"Oh?"
"But we broke up. He was... he was abusive. Domestic violence."
I thought I was over it. I thought that, thanks to Yamamoto, I was finally moving past that trauma. But as I spoke the words aloud, I couldn't bring myself to look up. I didn't want Kako-chan to see the look on my face.
"I even dropped out of university. It was... it was a nightmare back then. But someone saved me. And thanks to him, I’m finally able to stand here and see you again, Sensei."
"I’m so glad to hear that," she said, her expression softening with kindness. "This person who helped you... is it someone I know?"
"I... I wonder."
"You're being vague. But since you aren't denying it, were they a student here?"
"Yeah. We met again by chance. He’s stubborn and does nothing but argue. I used to hate his guts back in high school. But now... I have nothing but gratitude for him."
I couldn't quite bring myself to admit that my feelings went even deeper than that.
"Megu?" Kako-chan asked, her face a mask of uncertainty. "I’m sorry if I’m wrong. This might be a shot in the dark, but..."
"Kako-chan?"
"Could that person... possibly be Yamamoto-kun?"
I was stunned.
My first shock was that she even remembered him. In high school, Yamamoto was never the type to stand out. Sure, he’d been in her class, but it was still a surprise.
My second shock was that she had connected the two of us. Kako-chan surely knew how much I’d hated him back then. Our relationship had been worse than cats and dogs. For her to even consider him as the person who saved me was unexpected.
And the third shock... was the realization that Kako-chan must have actually thought quite highly of him. Though, looking back, it made sense. He always had good grades and was diligent in class.
As for what the other teachers thought of him... well, for the sake of Yamamoto's dignity, I’ll leave it at that.
"Yeah," I admitted, my surprise plain on my face. "How did you know?"
I expected her to be happy for me. Instead, a look of deep, melancholy contemplation crossed her face.
"I see. So it was him... I’m glad, Megu. I’m glad it was Yamamoto-kun who saved you."
"Kako-chan?"
"I’m sorry. Hearing that name after all this time... it just brought back memories."
"Memories of what?"
"We really treated Yamamoto-kun terribly," she whispered, her voice tinged with sadness.