"Teach Me"
By Yui Miyamoto

The Rare Escape

It is another school year. I had a relaxing summer. My mind drifted, but I got enough sleep through the whole vacation.

The only highlight of my vacation was a postcard. [From] who? No one. I sent one to somebody.

In our school, teachers rotate to different in their respective departments. For example, Mr. Furukawa is the head of the science department; he can only teach in science. I hope I don't be in you-know-who's classroom. It would be hell...again.

My uniform hung on my door. I stared at it. The sun was shining brightly and birds were chirping outside. The CD player went off and played, "Otomodachi" ("Friend").

After taking a hot shower, I dried off and put on my blue uniform. I stare at myself in the mirror. Was I really ugly as I thought I was? Hai, I guess so.

As you can see, my self-confidence dwindled. Naze? I'm not mentioning any names, but little by little, they had taken my self-esteem.

Kai waited for me outside of my house. She stood there with her head held high. I have to admit that she was the prettiest Junior in our class. The short, black hair, her blue eyes, and her smile made boys go down on their [knees.] Demo, I've always wondered how she never got a boyfriend. It's her bossiness, I tell you!

"Hey!"

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Kai!" She took my shoulder and walked on with me.

"I have an idea."

"The last time you had one of your `ideas', I was in a lot of embarrassment, Kai."

"This is different. I've got to know what type of guy Mr. Fufukawa is! And you're [going] to help me."

"Naze watashi wa desu ka?! (Why me?!) He hates my guts."

"Yeah, right. You're his pet at school. He absolutely likes you."

"Uh-huh. Like cats like dogs."

"Whatever. Just do it for me, onegai (please)?" She was asking me? This was the first time that she was actually determined to get a guy...ahem, him.

"Forget him, Kai. He's our sensei!"

"Demo, I really like him!"

My big mouth blabbered, "So, obviously you haven't [heard] the news."

"What news?!"

I covered my mouth.

"Tell me."

"I might as well get information about Mr. Furukawa." Hey, even though she's like this, I didn't want to hurt her.

"Don't change the subject. Tell me!"

"If I do, I won't help you."

"Aw, Akire! Fine. Then, you go and ask him stuff after school."

"O-okay."

What in the world have I gotten myself into? Ai didn't tell her about the trip?! Both of them for the same teacher! Oh, honestly! What will girls' think of these days?!

By lunch, I was banging my head on the wall. "Baka. Baka. Baka! (Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!)"

You can kind of guess who's Physics class I went to. It's rigged I tell you! "Why me? Why me?"

I know! I'll just transfer to another class! This might save me a year of pure anxiety. I wouldn't really be able to see Mr. Furukawa!

"Ms. Rumaha!" I saw her in the corner of my eye and ran to her.

"What can I do for you today?"

"I want to change science classes."

"I'm sorry, but all classes are to their maximum capacity." Then, she smiled and walked away.

I fell back and hit my head on the tile floor. "Yappa-ya pa pa..."

"Akire? Akire?" Mikiru's face appeared before me. "Are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah." He caught my hand and pulled me up. "Are you sure you don't want to see the nurse?"

"Iie, um, that's fine. Arigato...again." He looked at me sincerely and left.

I walked to Mr. Furukawa's I might as well get this interview done and over with, right?

Why is Mikiru so nice to me? He's so sweet. There's not one time that he hasn't helped me through. Always so loyal...

I knock on his door. "Yes?"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

I close the door behind me and walked up to my new desk in the front.

"What brings you here today?"

"Mr. Furukawa. You know that I like to speak frankly, correct?"

"You sure do."

"Well, do not think this is me, but some girl asked me to ask you questions."

"She did?"

"Don't look at me like that!" I blushed.

"Because we absolutely don't get along?"

"That's right."

"Go ahead and ask."

"What do you like to do?"

"Just like you, I like Anime. Music is something I also love. I do lots of sports."

"Okay." I peered at the paper closely. "There's NO WAY I'm going to ask that!"

"Nani?"

"The girl wrote if you had a girlfriend. Geez. Girls, I tell you! Sometimes I don't like being a girl!"

"Being a girl is great, Akire. God gave that to you. You have lots of talents and gifts. As for the girlfriend issue, I don't have one."

"Then how about that girl in the museum?" my mouth slipped.

"She's my friend's girlfriend."

"Oh. Is there anything about you like your family and friends that you want to say about?"

"I grew up in Osaka. You know my girlfriend dumped me; so I moved here. My parents still live in Osaka. And I visit there once a month."

"Do you like teaching?"

"I love it! It just happens that I was a teacher's aide and liked teaching the class in that one subject."

I got up. "Arigato, Sensei. I just hope she'll be happy with this."

"I'm sure she will."

"You know, Sensei?"

"Nani?"

"You're not as mean as I though you were. It just shows that you don't hate me completely."

"Akire, I-"

Knock. Knock. "Gomenasai, Sensei, but is Akire there?"

"Hai." Mikiru came in and waited for me.

"What was that, Mr. Furukawa?" I inquired.

"Nothing. You can go now." But he looked at Mikiru's hand the whole time while answering me.

Stupid Mikiru got my hand and I had blushed. "This is not what it looks like Mr. Furukawa!"

Mikiru brought me out to the hall. "What are you doing in there?"

"Let go of my hand or I'll make you sorry."

"Gomen. (slang for `sorry')" He let go.

"That's okay." We laughed at the incident.

"Kai's looking for you."

He led me to her in the field. I told her everything. Ai and the others just listened.

"You weren't there at the class trip, Kai," Ai lamented sadly, "If only you saw the girl at the museum. I won't believe that she's not his girlfriend!" She ran and Renmi tried to catch up with her.

"What's she talking about, Akire?" Kai gave me a look of concern.

"Mr. Furukawa kissed her on the cheek."

"And what type of guy kisses a friend's girlfriend, anyway?!" She's mad and looks away from me.

"Kai." I put my arms around her to hug her. "Don't take it so hard. Mr. Furukawa wouldn't lie to me."

"How do you know that?"

"Believe me, I just know."

Love Songs

Of all the people in the world! I never knew Ai would have a crush on a guy! Much less, our own teacher! If I was tomboyish material, she was our [levelheaded] woman.

And Kai! If you think that Ai was disappointed, Kai was losing it! We tried everything for them! Personally, I think they're overreacting to this. It's not the end of the world you know!

Spring is here! I just want to thank God for this moment of peace. Ai and Kai have temporarily forgotten their sorrow for the school talent show!

It was some latest trend that people really want to get into this. Auditions took forever!

Ai did her piano. She is very good at it. This particular piece was her own creation. Kai was doing a dance. I kind of expected it. She loves to show off. Compared to her, I'm shy and quiet. She also did well.

I was waiting nervously for my turn. I loved to do this kind of thing, but I get so weak in the knees. Sometimes I can be such a coward.

My [heart beat] fast. The end of [the act] before me was ending. "Next. Ms. Akire Mirano."

I went up on stage and waited for the [instrumental] to be slicked on the sound system. It went on and I sang.

The results came in a month later. Our group was trying to get through the crowd in front of us to search for our names on the board.

"Ai, you got in," I shouted.

"So did you, Kai," Ai shouted back.

I was getting worried. Probably I wasn't good-

"Akire's going to knockout everyone with her great singing!" Renmi beamed at me.

"Don't brag you guys!" I complained in vain.

The snobbish Meraki was screaming at us. "As for you, don't bore us with your stupid songs!"

"The only one who really can't sing is you, stupid!" I was getting really ticked off with her. What's her problem?!

"Don't tease her, Meraki," a voice behind us ordered. "You know very well that she'll do her best. Which is about all the time!"

"Why do you always defend her, Mikiru?!" Meraki gave me an icy stare and then at him. "What's so special about her?!"

"Well, let's see. Akire's smart, funny, and beautiful. You kind of lose out to her, don't you?"

I was speechless. Smart? Funny? Beautiful? Did he really say that? The second prettiest girl in our class was Meraki.

Being really ignorant about guys, I didn't understand the situation until...

"Why do you waste your time with her? Beautiful? Please. I make her look like a dog when she's next to me."

"What was that?!" Mikiru ran and grabbed my arms to not run over to her.

"Well, you're protecting me from her, Mikiru. Arigato!"

"No way! I'm protecting her from you! I'd never forgive myself if she got [you!]"

"Mikiru..."

"Listen well, Mirano. If I sing better in the talent show, I get Mikiru. I you do, then he's yours."

"Mikiru's not some toy that we can wager, Meraki!"

"Don't worry, Akire," Mikiru whispered, "she can't win. I trust in you completely."

"Demo Mikiru, I'm not fighting for you to be my boyfriend. I'll fight for you because you're my friend."

"I've always understood that, you [tomboy."] From him, this was okay. If anyone else said that, I would've killed them already.

"Well?!" Meraki stood there impatiently.

"Hai."

"Okay!" She went over to us and whispered to Mikiru, "Mikiru, she really isn't worth your cause."

"You got your challenge. Now leave!"

She left with Mikiru also shouting from behind, "There's no one better that I'd rather protect. She's worth it!" Mikiru gently let go of my arms. [Everyone] stared at us. I dragged him outside; so we would walk home together.

"Mikiru, thanks again for helping me."

"No problem."

"But why do you help me?"

"Because you're special."

I stopped with embarrassment written all over my face. "You really are sweet, you know that? Did you really mean it when you said I was smart, funny and beautiful?"

"You know very well that I always mean what I say, Akire." We walked on.

I took his hand and we stopped again. "Mikiru, thanks for everything. Any girl would love to be with you, but-"

"You don't have to say it. Wakarimasu."

"Why are you so good to me?"

"Now you know why, but can I ask you a question?"

"Hai?"

"How come you don't like guys?"

"It's not that I hate them." I let go of his hand. "It's just that my friends talk about guys so much that I'm practically sick of the subject. You know how they are."

"Oh."

"Bye!"

I had to practice really hard. Good-hearted Mikiru was counting on it. He believed in me so much. I wasn't going to let him down.

For two weeks straight, I practiced once a day. Mikiru and my friend were the only ones who knew that I loved to sing.

The day had come. We were having an assembly at the end of the day. I was very excited and nervous.

The auditorium was being filled by students, teachers, parents, and other guests. Principle Moriya announced, "These gifted young students have put on this talent show. We hope that you enjoy it. Our first act is Ai Mori. She will enchant us with her own piece called, "The Rain of Love."

No wonder she never told us the title!

Many acts went. It was now Kai's turn. "Let's hear it for Kai Orisan who will dance for us." Everyone clapped.

Why'd they put me last?! I'm not even that good!

"Getting stage fright?" Meraki appeared out of nowhere. "Mikiru is as good as mine."

"[I'm] not fighting to be with him, Meraki. I'm just doing it because he believes I could do it."

"Get out of my way." She pushed her way on stage.

I wasn't singing the song for him. It was for someone else. I just hope they don't figure it out.

"Our last singer is Junior Akire Mirano."

I got up on the center of the stage and sang, "Love Song":

Imagine that we are on a seashore
You and I are away from the world.
I don't mind fighting with you because
You understand.
I look into your eyes-I wonder if
You even care about me.
I don't care...how you are...as long as
You're right here.
I haven't said a word to you
Or anyone! Of this.
Don't you see that I need...
To make sure it's love?
When you brush the tears away from my visage.
Different from the harshness.
We're apart that I don't know if I'm there
Why can't you just decide?!
Only friends.
That's how you want it.
Cross your heart for me, for now.
Only friends.
That's how you want it.
Even if I know Aishiteru (I truly love you)!

Everyone clapped loudly. The curtain closed in front of me. My friends ran to hug me back stage.

"You were great!"

"Mikiru, thanks for believing in me."

"Doitashimashite. I always have and always will believe," he answered back.

Meraki comes and stomps in front of me. "Mikiru's yours. But only for now!"

When I went to my locker to fix my stuff, [people] were stopping to congratulate me. "You did so well!" "I didn't know you could sing!" "I wish I had your talent!"

I was walking out of the building when someone called my name. "Akire!"

"Yeah?" I turned around to Mr. Furukawa's direction.

"You've got a beautiful voice!"

"Arigato gozaimasu, Sensei!"

"Did you know that song is my favorite now?"

"Iie. It's my favorite song!"

"Well. Sayonara! [(Good-bye!)"] He ran to his car and drove off.

Chotto matte. (Wait a minute.) No one has ever heard [that] song here... Who cares?! I was happy that I did my best; I was beaming walking home.

Tegami (The Letter)

I guess you're pretty bored with my story now. Here I go on bout little things. So, I'll just go forward to May of Senior year.

All I did this year was take entrance exams (Ha! As if it were THAT EASY!) and worked very hard. I passed with a scholarship to go to a college here in Tokyo.

I'm happy and everything, but I'm going to miss everyone and everything. Finals were over last week and now I'm going to cry.

Everyone [knows] that I'm the tough, but emotional one. I was going to miss the times I would trip on the stair or have little accidents because I was so clumsy.

My friends. I was going to miss my fiends especially Mikiru. Mikiru was trustworthy and ever faithful to me.

Kai. She was the one I was [always] fighting with. She taught me to stand up for myself.

Ai. Ai taught me to love what I have and appreciate others.

Renmi. What can I say. She taught me to think before I act. Lord knows THAT was a hard lesson.

Eri. Everyone in our group knew I couldn't dress well even if I tried. I developed some fashion sense thanks to her.

Mikiru. He taught me what true love, care, and friendship meant to a person. I was more understanding because of him.

Each teacher and the principle taught me different things about life. Everyone in this school was so special to my heart. I hated to leave. So one last time, I walked around the huge school. It wasn't mine anymore.

My feet brought me to Mr. Furukawa's door. It was open. I knocked on it. "Can I come in, Sensei?"

"Hai."

I looked around aimlessly at the familiar room.

"You're going to have graduation tonight." Was he saying this to me or himself? He was as lost as I was. Naze?

"Yes."

"But I'm proud of you. You've grown up to be a fine young lady."

"Thanks to your awful training," I teased.

We laughed, but there was a melancholic feeling within his room.

"Can I see my final?"

"Sure."

I saw it. A hundred percent. I screamed in happiness and put my hands over his. "Arigato gozaimasu!"

"You've earned it."

"Thanks, Sensei." I let go of his hand to get a letter out of my pocket. "Here."

"What's this?"

"Don't open it until I leave the room."

"Okay."

"Sayonara, Mr. Furukawa." I ran out of the room to my locker.

(Mr. Furukawa speaking)

I wonder what this is? How sweet of her to write me a [good-bye] note. I heard she wrote one to every teacher and the principle.

It read:

Dear Mr. Furukawa,

You're probably wondering why I would write you a letter. Actually, I saved you for last. The rest of this letter is serious; so don't laugh or make fun of it. You know I'm honest about things.

"Boy, do I know!" I answered but read on.

I wanted to tell you that you have taught me to reach for things that I thought I could not get. My self-esteem [went up] thanks [to] you.

Two. I want to get this straight. I know we were never on good terms, but you taught me to be patient. Remember that time you asked me not to hate you? Mr. Furukawa, I NEVER thought badly of you. I just ACT like it. In fact, I'm in love with you.

"What?"

You're probably wondering why would this tomboy fall for you. I have one answer: You fit all the descriptions of the kind of guy I've always wanted to have-older, caring, strict, etc. You're also wondering if I'm ready to know what love is. I know what I feel...I know I should not tell you this because it is [improper,] but I could not help it.

I have felt this since I was a sophomore in your classroom. I have asked [myself] the same question over and over. After denying it, I finally submitted to the yes.

Sorry to bother you with my troubles. Sayonara, Sensei. I know you `hate' me, but that's okay. I know this can never be and wakarimasu.

Love always,
Akire Mirano

P.S. I wrote this long enough so you wouldn't catch and talk to me.

P.P.S. You're my first love.

I looked up from the letter. Was this true?

(Akire)

Ai was in the [girl’s] locker room changing like I was. I bet he's reading the letter right now.

"Can you do me a favor, Kawaii-chan?"

"Depends. I've really got to go."

"PLEASE?"

I couldn't fight her puppy eyes. "Okay."

"Get me a pic of Mr. Furukawa."

"Nani?! Iie!"

"Naze?"

"I've got to go."

"ONEGAI."

"Fine."

I ran out of the girls' locker room towards his room. Somebody was coming down the stairs. "Akire?"

"Sensei?" I averted quickly. "Ai asked me to get a picture of you; so smile." Click.

"Bye!"

"Wait!"

"I'm not going to discuss the letter." I walked down the stairs. "Don't put more hurt in my heart by trying to say why I can't be with you. I know. You're a teacher. I'm a student."

"Demo-"

"Sayonara, Sensei. Take care. I know you'll be happy in whatever you do. I'll always love you." I ran.

"I love you too, Akire."

I turned around with shock written all over my face. "Are you serious?"

He nodded. "I do. It started with the summer school. That's why I always picked on you to be your best. The postcard you gave really hit me."

"What are you saying, Mr. Furukawa?" He came down to be in front of me. I put my arms around him.

"Marry me," he whispered.

"What?!"

"Will you marry me, Akire?"

"Yes."

He put a diamond ring on my finger. "I was going to ask you earlier..."

"You've made me so happy, Sensei."

"Call me Kyosuke."

"I've got to go back to Ai and give back her camera!"

"Will you leave [with] me today after graduation?"

"Hai."

I ran to give Ai back her camera.

"Why are you so happy," Ai questioned me.

"Can't say. I've got to go home!"

After Graduation...

I locked my door to pack my stuff into a huge backpack. As I put my stuff in it, my parents were talking downstairs excitedly. It hurt.

"I've got to go," I shouted, "Graduates have to be there early! Bye!"

Since they were in the kitchen, they didn't see the backpack.

Graduation started and ended quickly, but it felt like it would take forever! My parents and I took lots of picture.

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"Go," my parents consented. They were talking to other parents and my friends' parents.

I slipped outside and saw Kyosuke. He drove up and I got in. "I thought we'd get caught!"

"Naw," he assured me. "You're okay."

I took off the gown and cap. Before I knew it, we were married in some church between Tokyo and Osaka.

As we drove to Osaka, I commented, "I'm married and I graduated in the same day. Not only that, I got married to my science teacher!"

"It's all your fault," he joked. "You had to be so cute and sweet with me. Then, you wrote that postcard and that letter to top it all off."

"But how come I was always in your class?"

"I requested it. Remember, I'm the head of the science department."

"See?! It wasn't fate!"

"Why do you think I took your class to the field trip in your sophomore year? You were there!"

"I'm that special, Kyosuke?"

"Hai!" He held my hand while driving. "And you're all mine."

"Where will I go to college?"

"You're going to the college I went to or the one in Tokyo?"

"I want to be with you in Tokyo."

"Okay."

What ended up was that we spent summer at his parents' house in Osaka. They were really surprised with me.

I called my parents from there. "I'm okay. Don't worry about me."

"What do you mean," my mother screamed.

"I-" I hung up the phone. Well, at least they know I'm alive.

When we went back to Tokyo for him to teach, I came with him. I said hi to everyone and talked with everyone.

At lunch, the teachers let me eat in their lounge. Kyosuke prepared me some orange juice. I went over to him. "Kyosuke, please put some sugar in it, okay?"

"Okay."

Mr. Moriya curiously inquired, "Not to be rude Mirano, but why did you call Mr. Furukawa, Kyosuke?"

"Um."

Kyosuke cleared his throat while I fixed his tie. "I have an announcement to make."

"Hai?"

"This must not be told to anyone. Promise?"

"Hai."

"Okay. Akire and I got married."

"What?! So that makes you-"

"Mrs. Kyosuke Furukawa."

"So that's what happened after graduation! Tell us something!"

We left the teacher's room and went to his classroom. He sat on his desk and held me. I kissed him. "You're always full of surprises."

After that, we had two children. On my [ten-year] reunion, it was a different story. I'm not going to tell you in depth what happened, but everyone was shocked that I got married...and to the teacher I said I didn't like!

Ai and Kai were going to the bathroom. Renmi and Eri just stood there shaking [their] heads smiling. Mikiru fainted.

I have a pretty good life. My parents' got upset and disowned me... Even though I am an accountant, I work at home. My two babies, Kyo (1) and Alex (6 months), are sleeping; so it's quiet at the moment.

Kyosuke taught me all those things I wrote on the letter (which he still has and the postcard that only has "Hope you're having fun" on it). Most of all, he brought me love and happiness. I sang that song in high school that I made up, "Love Song," for God and him.

[The End.]

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