Keine stood dumbstruck at the young man's words, blinking in disbelief. Her student, taller than her, looked like a mouse eye-to-eye with a cat. His eyes, shadowed by the setting sun and his long bangs, hid a tell-tale blush. She didn't see him flinch; nor did she see him twitch. The love confession was sudden, unexpected.
"Student-kun," Keine began, walking right up to him. He didn't move. Fear or bravery, she didn't know for sure.
She wrapped her arms around him, bringing him to a warm embrace. He felt the blush rise in his cheeks, accepting the hold, feeling Kamishirasawa-sensei's soft yet firm touch through his cloaks and her sweet, tickling breath against his neck.