[Short Romance Novel] After School, The Day I Was Called By My Name

Prologue: "A Promise Without Words"

The spring breeze had a scent that felt somewhat ticklish.

On the day of the opening ceremony, I stopped in front of the school gate, where cherry blossoms in full bloom seemed to envelop the school building. Petals dancing in the wind caught on the hem of my skirt, and I gently brushed them away with my fingers. Spring repeats itself in the same way every year. But for some reason, the air felt a little different this year.

"Good morning, Sakura!"

A cheerful voice flew at me from behind. I turned around to see my classmate, Mitsuki, running toward me.

"You were spacing out again this morning, weren't you?"

"Yeah, just a little..."

I headed toward the entrance, still feeling dazed. On the posted class list, along with the words "Class 2-C, Sakura," the name of the homeroom teacher was also written.

——Minato Fujiwara.

A name I was hearing for the first time. I wondered what kind of teacher he was, and a small curiosity sprouted deep in my chest.

A new classroom. New classmates. As I sat in the very back seat by the window, the spring sun shone in. While the classroom was buzzing, the sound of footsteps in the hallway stopped, and the door opened quietly.

"Good morning. I am Minato Fujiwara, and I will be in charge of Class 2-C starting today."

A quiet, calm voice. With just those words, the atmosphere in the classroom changed. He was a young man with glasses and hair that flowed smoothly. He didn't try to act overly cheerful, yet there was a strange warmth in the words he spoke.

"I look forward to working with you all for the next year."

I watched him standing at the podium, feeling as if I were holding my breath. I felt like I had met him somewhere before. But even as I traced my memories, no such scene came to mind.

His name——Minato Fujiwara.

At that time, I still didn't know. That his voice would change my world.

That I had become drawn to that voice——.

Chapter 1: "My Own After School"

"Sakura, could you stop by the staff room after school?"

The moment homeroom ended, Mr. Fujiwara suddenly called out to me.

Oh, yes... I understand.

The air in the classroom seemed to freeze for a second, and a few people around me glanced my way. I pretended not to notice and stuffed my textbooks into my bag.

I didn't volunteer to be the class representative. Everyone just sort of nominated me, and it was decided that way. But every time the teacher called my name, I felt a strange warmth in my chest.

The staff room after school. Checking submissions and organizing handouts. Even for such trivial tasks, the time I spent talking with the teacher alone was gradually becoming something special to me.

Thank you again today. You are a real help to me.

Mr. Fujiwara said that with a slight smile on his profile. His eyes behind his glasses seemed to hold both kindness and a hint of something else.

Teacher, aren't you tired?

I was surprised by the words that slipped out of my mouth. But the teacher looked surprised, then gave a soft laugh.

You might be the first person to ever care about me like that.

For some reason, my heart raced at those words.

When I returned to the classroom, no one was there. I stared at the red pen left on the teacher's podium and thought to myself.

I'm happy because it feels like this time after school belongs only to me.

But I know that this is something I shouldn't be feeling.

Chapter 2: The Meaning of a Name

That day, I was asked to deliver some handouts to the staff room.

When I stood in front of his desk, Mr. Fujiwara looked up.

Oh, Sakura. Thank you. You're a lifesaver.

—Sakura.

He called me by my name.

It was always "Sakura-san" or "you." Today, for some reason, it was just that.

For a moment, my reply was delayed.

"Oh... no, I'm fine."

I walked out into the hallway, went to a place where no one was around, and placed my hand on my chest.

"Sakura," the teacher had said.

His voice remained deep in my ears.

Why does just that make me feel so pained?

After school, we were alone in the classroom again. I gathered my courage and asked.

"Teacher, today... why did you call me by my first name?"

Mr. Fujiwara lowered his eyes just a little.

"I just thought your name was beautiful. Like a flower that blooms in spring, it suits you."

Hearing those words, I couldn't smile. Even though I should have been happy, I felt like I was going to cry.

"When you call me by my first name, Teacher... I get this strange feeling."

"Strange?"

"...It's happy, but painful."

Mr. Fujiwara was silent for a while. Then, he said as if whispering to himself.

"I might be the same."

That single sentence fell into my heart and kept echoing.

Chapter 3: "Every Time You Look At Me"

"Sakura, you've changed a little lately, haven't you?"

During lunch break, Mitsuki, who sat next to me, suddenly muttered.

Huh?

It's just, you've been looking at the teacher more often than before, and hasn't he been looking at you too?

My heart skipped a beat at those words. Is it really this embarrassing to have someone point out that you're conscious of someone?

N-no, that's not true. ...Maybe.

My voice cracked. I couldn't pull off the deception.

But in reality, I was watching Mr. Fujiwara a lot. During class, I listened intently so I wouldn't miss a word he said. His back as he faced the blackboard, his fingertips as he handed out worksheets, the smile he would suddenly show. Everything about him seemed different from the other teachers.

One day, our eyes met during class. It was only for a split second, but it felt as if time had stopped for me. Mr. Fujiwara looked away immediately, but what I felt in that moment spread through me like ripples.

I wonder if I'm in love...

When I thought that, I realized I had been holding my breath without even knowing it.

It wasn't a clear-cut emotion. I just wanted to be near him. I wanted to hear his voice. I wanted to see him smile—that was the version of myself I found.

After school, when I was staying behind in the classroom to organize worksheets, the teacher spoke to me from behind.

Sakura, thank you for your help again today.

No, I actually like doing this. Being useful to someone.

You're a very observant girl. You really see what your classmates are thinking and how you should behave.

My heart raced at his words.

You... you're very observant too, aren't you? About your students.

It's only natural, since I'm a teacher.

He answered that way, but his tone sounded somewhat awkward.

But, when you look at me, Teacher... I feel kind of embarrassed.

The moment I said it, my ears grew hot. Why did I say something like that?

“...I see.”

The teacher's voice dropped slightly. I looked up softly.

And then, I realized it.

The teacher's eyes were looking at me, too.

A sudden glance, a casual word, the silence after school. Everything held the premonition that we could no longer remain just 'teacher and student'.

But if I put that into words—everything would fall apart.

So, I couldn't say anything. I just listened to the sound of the clock ticking in the classroom, quietly holding onto my feelings.

Chapter 4: 'The Rainy Way Home'

It started raining that afternoon. When I looked up at the sky during lunch break, gray clouds were already covering the school building.

After school, I stood frozen at the entrance because I didn't have an umbrella. My friends had all gone home, and I didn't feel like going back to the classroom, so I just listened to the sound of the rain.

“Sakura.”

I turned around at the voice, and there was Mr. Fujiwara. He held a large black umbrella in his hand.

“Are you stuck here?”

“Yes... I didn't check the weather forecast.”

When I gave a bitter smile, the teacher looked hesitant for a moment before offering his umbrella.

“Shall we go home together? If you're okay with just going to the station.”

The words caught in my throat, and I couldn't answer. But I nodded.

The road to the station was quiet. The rhythm of the rain hitting the umbrella was strangely pleasant, and the distance between us was a little closer. Under the umbrella, our shoulders were touching ever so slightly. That warmth would stay in my heart forever.

“...Sakura, why don't you want to become a teacher?”

It was an abrupt question.

"A teacher? Do I look like one to you?"

"Yeah, you really pay attention to people. You're a good listener, honest, but you also have a mind of your own."

I looked down at my feet. The two of us reflected in the puddle looked somehow unreal.

"What about you, Sensei? Why did you become a teacher?"

"...A long time ago, someone helped me out. I was able to get back on my feet because of that person."

Sensei didn't say anything more than that. But his eyes looked as if they were holding onto the past.

When we reached the front of the station, I found myself saying it without thinking.

"Could we walk a little further?"

Sensei nodded silently.

I wished that time could have lasted forever.

However, we both knew very well that it was wrong.

Chapter 5: Rumors and Silence

When the week began, the atmosphere in the classroom had changed.

"Hey, don't you think Mr. Fujiwara and Sakura are getting along a bit too well?"

Someone's casual remark began to slowly break down my daily life.

"No, she's the class representative, so isn't that normal?"

"But they're always talking to each other, you know."

I silently opened my textbook. My heart felt rough, and the words wouldn't sink in.

That day, even after school, I didn't stay in the classroom. I felt like I could sense Sensei's gaze, but I pretended not to notice and went home.

The next day, and the day after that, I lied and said I had committee work, so I didn't go to the staff room.

I knew it wasn't the teacher I was running from, but myself. But I was scared. Scared of being blamed by someone, and scared of causing trouble for the teacher.

One day after school, the teacher appeared in the empty classroom.

"...Sakura."

My chest tightened at the sound of his voice.

"I thought you weren't coming after school anymore."

"...I thought it would be better if I didn't come. Because I'm causing you trouble, teacher."

Silence.

"I... find it more painful if you're not here."

I couldn't lift my head.

The teacher's voice was calm, as always. But what lay beneath it reached my heart.

"So, I won't come after school for a while. You can decide."

His words were so kind that they only made me want to cry more.

I didn't even know what I wanted anymore.

Chapter 6: "Just Once Is Enough"

During the preparations for the school festival, the classroom was filled with a more excited atmosphere than usual.

I was put in charge of organizing the library preparation room and was working alone after school. After a while, the door opened and Mr. Fujiwara poked his head in.

"You looked like you were having a hard time alone, so I thought I'd help."

"...Thank you very much."

A quiet room with just the two of us. As we arranged the books on the shelves, a conversation began naturally.

"Sakura, you liked novels, didn't you?"

"Teacher, you remembered?"

"I read the book you recommended, properly. 'Piano of the Night', it was wonderful."

Even though it was such a trivial conversation, my chest felt warmly touched.

Before long, a sudden silence fell.

"Sakura, are you crying?"

"...I was just remembering something, that's all."

I wiped my eyes with my sleeve. If it weren't for the excuse of preparing for the school festival, I surely wouldn't have been able to come to this room.

"Why... why does it have to be you, Teacher?"

The words slipped out.

Mr. Fujiwara said nothing. He simply placed a handkerchief on my shoulder.

"Just once, I want you to hold me."

In that moment, the air stood still.

"That's not allowed."

"...I know. But I can't just throw away these feelings."

The teacher remained silent for a while.

Eventually, he gently placed his hand on my shoulder. His arm moved around to my back.

A quiet, singular embrace.

It was a moment that could not be shown to anyone, a time that must never be known by anyone.

I closed my eyes and etched that warmth into my heart.

Chapter 7: "The Teacher's Secret"

With the arrival of winter, the air in the school building grew colder little by little.

One day, a phrase I heard casually in the classroom tightened my heart.

"I heard Mr. Fujiwara is transferring next year."

A casual rumor. But it quietly and surely shattered something inside me.

On my way back from delivering handouts to the staff room, I instinctively called out to Mr. Fujiwara as we passed each other in the hallway.

"Teacher, is it true? That you're transferring?"

He stopped and looked at me.

"...How did you hear that?"

"I heard it in class. If it's true, I wanted you to tell me."

For a brief moment, his eyes wavered.

"I... couldn't tell you, Sakura."

Those words pierced my chest like a thorn.

"Why? I... about you, Teacher..."

He quietly interrupted the words I had started to say.

"Sakura, let's stop this."

"Stop what? What do you mean?"

"We must not give a name to these feelings."

I took a step closer. He took a step back.

"I don't want to hurt you, Sakura. I am a teacher, and you are a student. That is why..."

Isn't that just for your own convenience, teacher?

Tears spilled over. No matter how calmly the teacher tried to act, I knew. I knew that he was aware of my feelings and was just as shaken as I was.

I'm the one who is hurt. I have been... for a long time now.

From that day on, I couldn't look the teacher in the eye.

Chapter 8: A Promise Between Just the Two of Us

The year had turned, and it was February, with the atmosphere of entrance exams hanging in the air.

I was called to the corner of the staff room, where I faced the teacher, who looked somewhat exhausted.

Sakura, I'm sorry.

I was surprised by the sudden apology.

I can't lie anymore. It's been decided that I will be transferred to another school next year.

His voice contained something like resignation.

Teacher... I don't want that. I want to tell you not to go.

But for the sake of your future, that is what is best.

I will decide my own future!

My voice trembled.

I changed because I met you, teacher. Falling in love with you, feeling happy, feeling painful... it's all thanks to you.

The teacher was silent for a while. Then, he took a piece of paper out of his desk drawer.

On it were the words 'Transfer Request' and 'Resignation Letter'.

I was also lost for a long time. But, after all, I have a responsibility as a teacher.

I nodded slowly.

Then, please promise me.

...Promise what?

Please don't call me by my name anymore until I graduate.

The teacher looked surprised.

Because every time I'm called by my name, I start to hope.

That silence felt terribly long.

...I understand. Until the day you graduate, Sakura, we will remain student and teacher.

That promise became the only thing supporting us.

Chapter 9: A Kiss in the Snow

Just before winter break, snow fell on the school grounds.

After school, I went to retrieve something I had forgotten and stood still in the deserted schoolyard.

Sakura.

That voice echoed in my chest. When I turned around instinctively, Mr. Fujiwara was standing there with an umbrella.

...Teacher. You broke your promise.

I'm sorry. But I couldn't hold back anymore.

As the snow fell quietly, we stood facing each other.

Sakura, are you doing well? Lately, I've felt like you've been so far away.

I've just been pretending to be fine, too. I'm so scared that you'll be gone...

My vision blurred.

...Then, I have a request.

I took a step closer.

"Please, give my first love an ending."

"An ending...?"

"So I can keep it in my heart forever, please, just once. Give me proof that my feelings were real."

Mr. Fujiwara's eyes wavered.

And then—he quietly held me and pressed his lips to mine.

It was a very gentle kiss. It was bittersweet and warm enough to make me want to cry.

"Sakura... thank you."

I gently closed my eyes and poured all my feelings into that single moment.

I can't tell anyone about these feelings.

But I know I will never forget them as long as I live.

Chapter 10: "Each of Our Springs"

On the morning of graduation, the sky was clear. But inside my heart, it remained cloudy.

Every time I walked down the school hallway, the familiar scenery felt somehow distant. The final homeroom, the laughter of my classmates, the weight of my diploma—everything was signaling an end.

After the ceremony, I headed to the back of the old school building alone. It was the place where I had talked to him that day.

"Sakura."

The voice wrapped around me like a spring breeze.

When I turned around, Mr. Fujiwara was there. He was in a suit, standing at a slightly distant, formal remove.

"I believed you would come."

"Sakura, congratulations on your graduation."

Thank you... and thank you for your hard work as well, teacher.

I almost choked on my words. I didn't know what I should say.

Starting next month, I'll be working at a high school further north. The climate is different, and I'm sure the students will be completely different, too.

I'll be lonely. I can't imagine a world without you here, teacher.

Sakura, you'll be fine. I know you can walk down any path you choose.

Even so... just for now, please let me be a child.

I said that and buried my face in his chest.

Thank you, teacher. I loved you so much.

...Me too. You were always special to me.

It wasn't a confession. It was just a way of settling our hearts. But it was warmer than any other words could have been.

As we parted, the teacher said one last thing.

Congratulations on your graduation, Sakura.

With those words, I felt like everything had been worth it.

Chapter 11: A New Name

University life was dizzying, filled with new encounters and daily assignments.

Little by little, I was trying to find my own path. I wanted a future career working with children. Perhaps that desire sprouted because I met him.

I fell in love with a friend at university, and sometimes things didn't go well. But I didn't hate myself for being able to truly love someone.

Every time spring arrived, there was a name I would remember.

Sakura—that feeling I had when he called me that.

Every time I walked through the city, I would find myself looking for the same back. Those days continued for a long time.

And then, on a rainy day.

While taking shelter from the rain in front of a used bookstore, I caught sight of a familiar back.

I approached the person standing there without an umbrella.

"...Teacher?"

The person who turned around wore a nostalgic smile.

"...Sakura?"

Just hearing that voice made me feel as if the blood in my entire body was rushing backward.

"I knew it... Sakura, you've grown up."

"And you, Teacher... you haven't changed at all, it's almost unfair."

The moment we laughed together, I felt as if the world had become a gentler place.

Chapter 12: "The Voice of Reunion"

As we sat facing each other in a nearby cafe, the tension from those days began to melt away little by little.

The teacher is still teaching, and he says he is now in charge of career guidance. His attitude toward his students remains the same as it was back then.

"What are you doing now, Sakura?"

"I'm studying educational psychology at university. I want to become someone who can support others, just like you, Teacher."

The teacher looked surprised, and then he narrowed his eyes.

"I see... somehow, I feel proud."

"It's your fault, Teacher."

"My fault, huh?"

"In a good way, of course."

Even after that, our conversation never ended. About the past, the present, and our dreams for the future.

As we were parting ways, I gathered my courage and spoke.

"Teacher... may I see you again?"

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Of course. You are no longer my student, after all."

At those words, I finally felt like I had truly graduated.

Epilogue: "The Reason for Calling My Name"

Six months since our reunion.

Slowly, but surely, we closed the distance between us.

I no longer call him "Teacher." Now, I call him "Minato-san." But sometimes, when I jokingly call him "Teacher," he smiles with a slightly embarrassed look.

One day, in the middle of a casual conversation, I asked him.

"Why did you call my name back then?"

Minato-san was silent for a moment, staring at his coffee cup.

"Names are strange things, aren't they? Calling someone by their name brings you closer. But there are also people you shouldn't call so easily."

"...Was I someone you shouldn't have called?"

"No, you were... the person I wanted to call the most."

Just hearing that made me feel like I was about to cry.

Now, he is the one who calls my name more than anyone else.

The "Good morning, Sakura" every morning, the "See you tomorrow, Sakura" when we part, and occasionally, in a quiet moment, "I love you, Sakura."

The name he called back then still makes my heart tremble even now.

And today, once again, I softly whisper his name.

"Minato-san. Thank you. From now on, forever..."

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