Chapter 749: 49. The Advancing Renee
The process of learning is always dull and painful; even bystanders can’t help but empathize and shed tears. Therefore, this burden of suffering is borne solely by Teacher Fisher and Jasmine.
However, after all, learning something is meaningful, rewarding, and necessary.
On the dim tatami mat, Fisher rubbed his weary brow. The turned-off light made the outlines of various books scattered around the room appear cold like the icy winter; yet Fisher felt no chill at all, only warmth, as if he was in the warm spring filled with blooming flowers.
This must be the hardship and joy brought by learning, right?
Swish~
A tingling sensation arose in Fisher’s chest, prompting him to lower his head. There, nestled among thick black hair, Jasmine’s slightly flushed face rested on his chest. Her dreamy eyes and tender fingers were slowly gliding over his chest, crossing the warm boundary of the quilt.
The arcs traced by her fingers sketched out clear words, seemingly those she had just memorized, deepening the impressions in her mind with each stroke.
After sensing Fisher looking down at her, Jasmine’s pink lips slightly parted as she lifted her head a bit, smiling warmly at Fisher and foolishly saying,
“Teacher Fisher, look! I remember all the English words!”
“…”
As she spoke, she pointed to the shapes she had just traced, just like a student eagerly waiting for the teacher to call on them for a recitation.
Could it be that this truly works wonders for learning a foreign language?
The thought unconsciously surged into Fisher’s mind, and he surprisingly found it reasonable. But in that moment, he couldn’t help but chuckle, finding it absurd.
He merely held her soft, delicate hand; yet a satisfied look appeared on Jasmine’s face.
The space fell quiet again. Fisher glanced at the scattered books on the floor; not only were there the English books they had used earlier, but also various religious texts from another world. Fisher could not understand the words on them, nor did he know why there were so many scriptures in the room he inhabited in the dream.
Thinking of this, Fisher reached for a scripture and brought it back. The distorted letters gradually transformed into shapes he could recognize, yet the meanings remained obscure—he couldn’t comprehend them.
“Namo Morotianzi… In the heavenly realm of transformation, between the realms of Brahmā and Īha.”
“There exists the palace of the demon heavens, spreading sixty thousand yojanas. The palace walls are seven layers, railings are seven layers, nets are seven layers, and trees for walking are seven layers, with countless birds singing in harmony.”
The text was incomprehensible, yet somehow, it seemed to make the temperature in the room more gentle, making one linger.
Moonlight poured through the translucent curtain, illuminating the torn Buddhist scriptures that lay scattered on the tatami mat.
The remaining scriptures were already fragmented; now, the only intact ones on the ground were the scripture in Fisher’s hand and an irrelevant English book tossed aside.
Through the moonlight, Fisher noticed that their bed was positioned in front of the wardrobe. Besides the suits and pajamas Fisher usually wore, there was also a splendid robe.
Fisher had never worn that robe, but it appeared to fit his frame perfectly, as if he had worn it before.
“Aw~”
Beside him, Jasmine yawned like a sleepy cat, snuggling deeper into his arms, reluctant to wake.
Staring at the incomprehensible scripture, Fisher suddenly thought of Asuka, recalling her long, lonely years of waiting for a full ten thousand years.
In this dream, Jasmine had a complete replica of memories of the other world, which meant she must be reminiscing about her past as Asuka at this moment.
Fisher’s heart skipped a beat. He turned to look at the drowsy Jasmine beside him and suddenly asked the question he had long wished to pose to her,
“It must have been very tough for you while waiting for me, right?”
Jasmine, still confused, asked with a hint of bewilderment,
“Teacher Fisher has always been here, hasn’t he?”
“Is that so?”
“Well, sometimes I do have nightmares, dreaming that the Teacher Fisher by my side is fake, and the real Teacher Fisher is still far from appearing. Whenever I think of that nightmare, I feel a bit scared.”
Jasmine’s small hand, hidden in Fisher’s embrace, trembled slightly as she recalled that “nightmare,” causing her face to pale.
“In that nightmare, I felt like I was soaking in cold, bone-chilling spring water, waiting for Teacher Fisher to appear while the shore was crowded with people passing by. Every time someone walked past, I could not help but strive to look up and see if it was Teacher Fisher. Yet… every time, I only saw unimportant others.”
Fisher’s heart tightened little by little, but Jasmine’s drowsy, reminiscing voice persisted.
“The water was so cold that I couldn’t even feel my limbs anymore. But if it’s this painful, can it still be called a nightmare? What truly makes me sad is the disappointment when I look up with all my might and still can’t see Teacher Fisher’s figure.
“In those moments, I thought, so many people passed by, and some of them walked with steps similar to Teacher Fisher’s, why weren’t they Teacher Fisher? Teacher Fisher hasn’t arrived yet, so I kept waiting and waiting, but… that road was so long, and the water was so cold, so cold.
“In those moments, I thought, if the water is this cold and I freeze to death… when Teacher Fisher arrives and doesn’t see me on the shore, he definitely won’t be angry, right?”
Fisher opened his mouth, his eyes feeling a bit sour, as his vision blurred in the thick darkness.
It was as if he was being pulled into the icy deep water of that guilty conscience, seeing Asuka, who had turned pale after being submerged beneath the surface.
He closed his eyes, hugged Jasmine a little tighter, and trembled as he said,
“No.”
“But it’s okay. That was just a nightmare. When the nightmare ended, Teacher Fisher was still by my side.”
“Mm.”
“I’m so sleepy, Teacher Fisher.”
“… Sleep well, good night.”
She closed her eyes, smiled, nodded comfortably, ready to sleep, but suddenly seemed to recall something and awkwardly raised her head to give Fisher’s neck a kiss. Then shyly, like a small beast, she buried her face back into his embrace, mumbling,
“Hehe… we must always be together, Teacher Fisher, okay?”
That kiss was sweet like sugar, making Fisher feel drowsy too. The scripture in his hand slipped little by little, eventually falling to the ground.
His consciousness seemed to be stained by the scarlet moonlight, longing only to sleep and rest, to stay with her.
He set down the scripture and wrapped his arms around Jasmine’s shoulders, resting his forehead against hers, and softly said,
“Good night, Jasmine.”
The room gradually fell quiet, and the bright moonlight seemed to dye itself a layer of crimson along with Jasmine’s slumber, then slowly receded like a tide.
In the end, it illuminated the scripture that had fallen to the ground once more.
“Namo Morotianzi…”
“In the heavenly realm of transformation, between the realms of Brahmā and Īha.”
Like a chant, like sinking.
The next day, a refreshed Fisher adjusted the collar of his white shirt while facing the mirror in the washroom. His demeanor resembled that of a scholarly teacher.
In his mind, more memories about his teaching career flooded in, allowing him to easily glance down at the English textbook placed aside. He was already well-prepared for what he would teach that day.
“Teacher Fisher, are you ready? We need to set off!”
From outside, Jasmine’s call brought Fisher back to reality. After washing his hands, he responded,
“Coming!”
They had already had breakfast and then boarded the train to go to school. This routine would continue until the weekend when they would rest for a bit and then cycle back again the following Monday.
After parting ways at the school gate in the morning, Fisher entered the class he was to teach. Compared to the confused teaching the day before, Fisher, who had diligently practiced and studied a whole night of foreign language, gradually became more familiar. He no longer had to rely on self-study or tests to placate the students below the podium.
“Teacher Fisher, it seems Teacher Hela is sick. Can you substitute for her class until she returns?”
“… Sure, no problem.”
Where did she go?
Fisher felt a bit puzzled, but the first thought that emerged in his mind was how he would manage such a heavy teaching burden.
Other thoughts seemed to linger from last night, like the dirty clothes he had yet to wash that were tossed in the laundry basket.
However, they couldn’t just let the other two classes go without English lessons, right?
Moreover, this was only first-year content and not particularly difficult. It would mostly be more lesson time that consumed energy, but the class fee was still alright.
Fisher thought to himself.
Thus, days passed and a week went by just like that, with the following week swiftly passing as well.
Teacher Fisher’s work became progressively smoother, transforming him into the English teacher for all four first-year classes.
Time went by day by day.
A few weeks later.
Everything became sweeter; Teacher Fisher’s reputation in the first year soared. As the shared English teacher of all students, his popularity among the first-year girls reached unimaginable levels.
It was the age of infatuation, driven by hormones. What thoughts could these young students dare to have?
Before spring even arrived, just shy of Valentine’s Day, various love letters had already fluttered down onto Fisher’s desk like snowflakes, with girl students subconsciously turning this fervor into motivation for studying, almost making the principal spit out his tea when reviewing the average English scores of the week after exams.
Was there any dissatisfaction regarding this?
The first was certainly Jasmine; the second was the male students in Hela’s class.
However, neither presented a significant problem, as since that night, the bond between Teacher Fisher and Jasmine had deepened. They not only commuted together every day but also had lunch together. He hadn’t replied to any of those love letters, simply playing the role of a competent teacher, nothing more.
The third, our student Renee, was genuinely at her wit’s end.
Last week, after Hela’s guidance, Renee had determined to launch a fierce attack on Teacher Fisher the next day. But why hadn’t she done so? Instead, she allowed Teacher Fisher to finish his class normally?
Because she had chickened out.
Well.
That was a perfectly normal reason, right?
Just like after getting used to something for a long time, suddenly being encouraged to muster the courage to try a brand new area and content, even if you felt psychologically prepared, you would still hesitate at the threshold.
What you lack at that moment is just a gentle push from behind.
Renee was just like that. She hesitated a little in the morning, and the defeatist was still at the brink of transformation into a fierce warrior, needing just that final nudge.
So she made up her mind to ask Hela for advice after class, hoping to get a bit of encouragement, and thought she would surely succeed.
However, Teacher Hela fell ill and didn’t come to school. This not only denied her that final push, but it also kicked her back into the realm of the defeated. She ended up hesitating week after week, failing to express her feelings to Teacher Fisher.
Then she could only watch in increasing red-eyed frustration as Fisher and Jasmine progressed together, nearly colliding headfirst into her desk.
Renee, oh Renee, you must muster up your courage!
Is it true that you can’t do it without Teacher Hela’s encouragement?
Does confessing to Teacher Fisher mean confessing on behalf of Teacher Hela?
No! Absolutely not!
You’re doing it for yourself!
A happy life must be grabbed by oneself!
Thus, one morning after two weeks of silence, Renee finally gathered the courage, racking her brain to write a heartfelt love letter, stating,
“After the second period in the morning, I hope to meet Teacher Fisher alone on the rooftop.”
“Jasmine’s teacher for the second period will go overtime; she won’t notice.”
“I have something very important to tell Teacher Fisher; please make sure to come!”
“C Class, Renee.”
Renee pouted, shoved the letter into an envelope, took a deep breath, and stood up, walking towards the door.
At that moment, students hadn’t yet gathered in the early morning, and as Renee stepped out of the classroom and into the hallway, she unexpectedly bumped into Jasmine, who had just separated from Fisher, preparing to return to class.
After a brief eye contact, both were taken aback, but their reactions were completely different.
“Good morning, Renee.”
Jasmine smiled warmly, her cheeks rosy, exuding a sunny and joyful demeanor, as she cheerfully waved to the not-so-familiar classmate.
In contrast, Renee’s face turned pale, resembling a thief caught red-handed by the police, panic-stricken.
Under pressure, she awkwardly smiled, just about to instinctively raise her right hand to greet, but suddenly remembered that her right hand still clutched the envelope containing her confession for Teacher Fisher.
The next moment, her raised right hand froze suddenly, hovering in mid-air before falling back down. She raised her other hand instead,
“Good morning, haha.”
“…”
Jasmine opened her mouth, looking somewhat puzzled. She couldn’t figure out Renee’s intentions, but instinctively felt that something was off with her. So she asked,
“Renee, where are you rushing off to? Class hasn’t even started yet?”
“I…I’m going to the restroom; I can’t hold it anymore.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Jasmine covered her mouth, quickly stepping aside, saying apologetically,
“Sorry, Renee, I held you up.”
“It’s fine. Haha, it’s no trouble.”
Renee quickly waved her hands, then brushed past Jasmine, who wore an apologetic expression.
As she slipped past Jasmine’s shoulder, Renee’s originally panicking expression slowly faded, replaced by an excitement and cunning that spilled over from her heart.
Hmph, Jasmine definitely didn’t expect that I, Renee, wasn’t actually going to the restroom but to sneakily pull a fast one on your game!
Just wait, once I send this love letter, you’ll see.
Wait, but that’s not right! It seems other girls also delivered love letters to Teacher Fisher, and he never responded to any of them!
So doesn’t that mean sending mine is pointless?
Renee’s once brisk pace gradually slowed. She bit her lip tightly, her expression becoming filled with distress.
But at this moment, she had already arrived at the teacher’s office door. She couldn’t go in and couldn’t leave either.
“Creak.”
Even worse, just as Renee was stuck in her thoughts, the door slowly opened, revealing Fisher, who was about to step out with a water cup.
“F-F-Fisher teacher?!”
Renee’s face flushed immediately; instinctively, she wanted to retreat and escape.
“Renee?”
Fisher paused, looking at the girl in front of him with a name that seemed carved into his soul.
Unbeknownst to him, it was this single word “Renee,” rather than “Renee-san,” which struck a chord deep within her soul, pulling her back from the state of the timid defeated.
Renee stared blankly at Fisher, who seemed slow to realize his slip-up. He shouldn’t have called her by her first name, so he quickly changed his expression and smiled to remedy it,
“…Renee-san, is there something you need?”
Hearing this, Renee opened her mouth, tightening her grip on the letter in her hand. For some reason, her hands seemed uncontrollable and suddenly lifted, pushing Fisher back into the office.
Inside the office, there was no one; the door quietly closed behind them. Fisher’s pupils contracted as Renee trembled and tightly cupped his face with both hands. Her throat squeezed out the words,
“Renee-san can just call me Renee, Fisher!”
“…”
At that moment, Renee had already slipped out of that brief state of waking from a dream, or rather, once she lifted her hand and mustered the courage to push Fisher into the office, her attempt to escape the dream lost its effect.
She felt herself returning to a defeated state, even beginning to internally scream “regret” repeatedly.
But looking at the wide-eyed Fisher before her, the words contained in her throat were still urged out by the courage she had accumulated over two weeks.
With all her might, Renee mustered her courage and spoke this sentence.
It was simply because she wanted to be called Renee by Fisher, not “Renee-san.”
“Haha.”
Renee trembled as she looked at the Teacher Fisher who was now dazed, her face gradually flushing red.
Her courage had been exhausted, turning her back into a timid girl, and the terrifying fact was that she had to confront the reality of what that “brave Renee” had done afterward.
Ah.
What… what did I just do?
Renee’s lips trembled, and even her legs became weak. Tears welled up in her purple eyes, and driven by the impulse to flee the office, she slapped the letter against Fisher’s chest and turned to escape,
“Sorry, Teacher Fisher! I didn’t say anything! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
“Smack!”
But from behind, Fisher’s large hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, anchoring her in place.
Startled, Renee closed her eyes and let out a cute sound.
Yet the anticipated stern reprimand from the teacher never came.
“Eh?”
Renee slowly opened her eyes to find Fisher’s deep black eyes staring back at her.
“Renee?”
“Eh? Y-yes… it’s me, Teacher Fisher?”
“…”
Fisher blinked, as if he had suddenly awakened from a deep dream.
Cold sweat broke out all over his body, as if he had been pulled back from an inescapable mire.
He took a deep breath, looking at the timid Renee before him. Overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn’t help but reach out and hug her tightly.
“Eh?”
Renee’s eyes widened, frozen in confusion, falling into a state of disbelief.
In her embrace, Fisher was panting, his shirt already soaked with cold sweat.
Only by holding Renee and inhaling her fragrance, which felt just as real as reality, did his consciousness slowly clear, becoming exceptionally calm.
Since that night with Jasmine, it felt as if he had been swallowed by this dream, almost unable to regain his composure.
Even though he possessed such a precious nature, it seemed he could not be completely immune?
Fisher clutched Renee tightly, a hint of gratitude in his voice as he leaned close to her ear and murmured,
“You’re the best… Renee, thank you.”
“…Ah?”
Renee’s brain overloaded completely.
She had never expected this.
Just once in her life, she had been brave.
Although…
Although she didn’t know why Teacher Fisher was embracing her and suddenly said such things, overall it felt like…
Was she successful?
Feeling the warmth of Fisher holding her tightly, she couldn’t help but raise her hands to pat Fisher’s broad back. Confirming everything was real, she finally burst into laughter.
Thank you, Teacher Hela! If it wasn’t for you, I would have never taken this brave step!
And the phrase “Brave individuals enjoy the world first” is indeed not a lie.
Thus, the advancing defeated Renee evolved into…
Battle Wolf Renee!
She opened her mouth, unable to comprehend her current state, and could only hold Fisher even tighter.
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(The End)
