Chapter 273 "Bystander" Matsumae Shinchun

On Monday, Akai Muzi was discharged from the hospital and came to school.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, Matsumae Shinchun observed her from time to time during class, and even raised her hand to answer a few of her questions. The feeling that Akai Muzi gave her at this moment was no different from usual.

However, during lunch in the cafeteria, Muzi did not seem to take the initiative to look for Teacher Fujii. Instead, it was Teacher Fujii who took the initiative to sit with her.

"Woman"

Jiuhuayue muttered in a low voice, and was heard by Matsumae Shinchun who had turned his gaze away from the other side.

"Xiaoyue, are you talking about Mr. Fujii?" Matsumae Shinchun's voice unconsciously lowered a little.

"Hmm~" Jiu Huayue agreed nonchalantly, poking the noodle soup in front of her with chopsticks, looking both concerned and unconcerned.

Matsumae Shinchun found it interesting and asked with a chuckle, "After all this, Xiaoyue is still jealous?"

"…What do you mean I'm jealous? Don't tell me Xinchun that you don't care at all now! There's nothing we can do about our current relationship. There's nothing we can do about it, don't you understand?"

After saying that, Jiuhuayue glanced at Fujii Itsuki who was talking to Akai Muzi at the other end of the cafeteria. She pouted, crossed her arms, and didn't even eat the udon noodles in front of her. She looked like a child with a sullen look.

Matsumae Shinchun looked at her and smiled more easily, comforting her: "Don't think too much, Xiaoyue, there are reasons for this."

"Why? Xinchun, you don't mean to say that uncle has been taking care of Muzi more these past two days because she is sick, right?"

“Well that’s one of the reasons, but not all.”

"What? Muzi has been discharged from the hospital. How can he still be like this? And we are all... How can he still not be satisfied?"

Jiuhuayue was a little depressed, and her voice became smaller and smaller as her sentences lengthened.

Seeing this, Matsumae Shinchun put down her chopsticks and asked gently:

"Xiaoyue, what do you think the teacher's attitude is towards Teacher Muzi now?"

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Seeing that her good sister did not answer, Matsumae Shinchun continued softly, "To put it bluntly, between the teacher and Teacher Muzi, there are not only past experiences, but also the friendship that the teacher has established since returning to Otaru.

"The teacher often asks for leave, right? Every time, it's Teacher Muzi who takes his place.

"The teacher was having trouble with the wind band before, right? Every time, it was Teacher Muzi who accompanied him to drink and listened to his distressing words.

"Not to mention that Teacher Muzi is helping with all matters related to the wind orchestra and the training arrangements. Even if we don't consider our past friendship, you should still take care of Teacher Muzi for these reasons, right?"

Jiu Huayue was a little surprised after hearing this.

but
But now
In this situation, how do you feel when you see him talking to other women?
Ugh.
Jiu Huayue sighed inwardly and surrendered, "I was wrong."

Matsumae Shinchun nodded and sat up straight, "I understand Xiaoyue's feelings, but sometimes, we should give teachers more space. Besides, Teacher Muzi is also good to Xiaoyue, right?"

Matsumae Shinchun's continuous questions left Jiuhuayue at a loss for words. She did realize that she was being a little petty, so she decisively raised her hands in surrender and continued to eat her udon noodles with her head down.

Matsumae Shinchun pinched his chin, thought for a moment, and then asked softly:

"Does Xiaoyue know what Teacher Muzi is planning?"

"what?"

"Teacher Muzi said she plans to resign after the national competition. Did you know about this?"

"What? Resign?" Jiu Huayue frowned, then shook her head, "I have no idea."

"That's it"

Jiuhuayue saw that Songqian Xinchun was inexplicably lost in thought again, and took the initiative to ask:
"Teacher Muzi said she wants to resign. Is that true?"

"Yes, I heard it myself."

"So what is she going to do after she resigns?"

"She said she wanted to open a flower shop in Shikoku Island."

"Going to Shikoku Island? Muzi is from Otaru, right? You are unfamiliar with the place, why would you go there to run a flower shop?"

Jiuhuayue shook her head slightly and immediately realized that something was wrong.

This woman, Muzi, actually wants to resign and open a flower shop?

This doesn't seem like her style!

Thinking of Muzi's lingering feelings for Fujii Itsuki, Jiuhuayue recalled the time when the uncle got drunk. If she had not gone to pull him back from Muzi's house, a big mistake would have already occurred.

How could Muzi, who was still in love with Fujii Itsuki for many years after the breakup, give up easily?
A person like this actually said he would resign and open a flower shop in Shikoku Island? !
"Xinchun, what happened?" Jiuhuayue asked quietly.

"What do you think, Xiaoyue? The teacher's relationship with us in the current situation."

Jiuhuayue understood a little bit instantly.

"I see. There really is nothing we can do about it."

"Xiaoyue, are you feeling sorry for Teacher Muzi?" asked Matsumae Shinchun.

Jiuhuayue took a small bite of the udon noodles, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and then replied:
"After all, Muzi has taken good care of me before. From her perspective, it is really sad that she has done so much but received no response. But like I said just now, there is nothing we can do. Everything is destined."

Matsumae Shinchun nodded, seeming to understand Jiuhuayue's thoughts.

There is physical education class in the afternoon, and second grade classes A and B attend together.

In this situation, there is often only one person who stands out between the two classes, and that is Chitose.

Every time Yang Kui Chitose ran ahead of everyone else, and after every run everyone was exhausted and panting, but she was the only one standing aside, gulping down mineral water, as if nothing had happened. The sunlight fell on her exposed arms and neck, making her look particularly energetic and healthy.

Today's training program is to run eight laps around the playground. After Class A finishes, it will be Class B's turn.

As expected, Chitose was the first to finish.

The PE teacher set the time: 07:12:73.

This result is not only excellent, but even better than many boys in Class B, which attracted cheers from the girls.

".I feel that Chitose-chan has been looking better and better since that day, but Fujii-sensei seems to be not as good as before."

"Oh? Which day are you referring to, Rinka-chan?"

"Hmm!" Rinka Hiiragi was about to explain, but when she realized she was being asked by Matsumae Shinharu's smile, she quickly covered her mouth.

"Hey! Rinka, Kokoharu, you guys are here? Is there any water?"

Yang Kui Chitose ran over with sweat all over her forehead, and Hiiragi Rinka immediately handed over her thermos cup. After Chitose took it, she drank the water in two gulps and said lightly, "Thank you, huh~ It feels so good to run!"

After saying that, she sat down next to the two of them to rest.

After they chatted for a while, Hiiragi Rinka suddenly had to go to the bathroom. Matsumae Shinchun took this opportunity to ask, "Does Chitose know about Muzi-sensei?"

"Muzi?" Qiansui didn't react for a moment.

"Yes, Teacher Muzi."

"Oh, you mean she was sick in the hospital last week and Brother Shu went to visit her?"

"No, it's about Teacher Muzi's plan to resign."

After hearing this, Yang Kui Chitose's expression changed, she put away her relaxed expression, lowered her head, and still held Rinka's thermos cup in her hand. "Chitose?" Matsumae Shinharu asked softly.

Yang Kui Chitose raised her head and said in a lower voice, "No, it's nothing. I just think it's a pity."

"Chitose is feeling sorry for Teacher Muzi?" Matsumae Shinchun continued to ask.

"That's not what I meant," Qiansui sighed, "Xinchun, think about it, how did I view Muzi in the past? I must have regarded her as my biggest enemy! The biggest threat! Every time I saw her, nothing good happened to me. Isn't that infuriating?"

Matsumae Shinchun looked at her silently without interrupting.

Chitose Yang Kui continued, "After many years, she returned to Otaru. When she first met Brother Shu, I could tell that she still had feelings for him! The way she looked at him was as if she wanted to fly away and follow him!
"So I thought she was the biggest threat to me. But I didn't expect that she was very nice to me. She never used any mean tricks on Brother Shu and helped Brother Shu a lot. Humph. She doesn't look like a Nine Flower Fox! She only steals fish!

"She said she was going to Shikoku Island to have a flower shop.
"Ah! How should I describe this feeling? Pity for the loser? Anyway, I don't hate Muzi that much now. On the contrary, I feel a little sorry because she is leaving. I think Sister Muzi is quite pitiful after her failure."

She paused, sighed and added, "It's a bit sad to see my old rival go. Well, that's it. I do have that feeling, but not a lot."

"understood"

Matsumae Shinchun nodded again, as if she understood Chitose's thoughts.

During the last class after school that day, Matsumae Shinchun had been thinking about the relationship between the few people. Neither Jiuhuayue nor Chitose seemed to have too much hostility towards Teacher Muzi.

What about yourself?
She thought about it and realized that she didn’t hate Muzi, but she had no reason to help her.

As for why I choose to care
Matsumae Shinharu closed her eyes, and the scene of her and Teacher Fujii reminiscing about the past by the office window suddenly emerged in her mind.

Could it be that I am treating Teacher Muzi as the same kind as me?

In the evening, it’s time to go to bed after returning home, taking a shower.

Matsumae Shinchun listened to the noise from next door for an hour and a half, and only when it was completely quiet did she choose to knock on the door.

I didn’t expect it was Yang Kui Chitose who opened the door.

She was holding a sailor suit, her cheeks were slightly red, but she was not wearing any clothes. She was standing barefoot in front of the door, and she looked very healthy.

"Chitose, aren't you sleepy yet?" Matsumae Shinchun asked softly.

"Ah? I, I am, a little sleepy." Qiansui answered stutteringly, avoiding gazes.

"Then go back and sleep first."

"Um,"

Yang Kui Chitose agreed, and when she saw Matsumae Xinchun was about to go in, she quickly reached out and grabbed her arm, "And! Xinchun, you too, go to bed early. Brother Shu is already a little tired, don't let him work too hard."

"I know."

Matsumae Shinchun responded and pushed the door open and entered the bedroom.

Seeing Fujii Itsuki lying on the bed, she sighed softly - he was not just tired, he was almost asleep.

The air conditioner is on in the bedroom and the temperature is just right, so there's no need for a quilt.

Chitose was very considerate and handled it very cleanly, so she could use it directly.

Matsumae Shinchun walked gently to Fujii Itsuki's side and looked at him quietly.

Fujii Itsuki breathed evenly, with a look of tiredness and exhaustion on his face.

Seeing him so exhausted, Xinchun couldn't help but feel distressed.

She sat on the edge of the bed, pulling some quilts over him, thinking about today's conversation with Chitose and Muzi, and their respective complex emotions.

Chitose's attitude towards Muzi, Jiuhuayue's possessiveness of Fujii teacher, Fujii teacher's resignation plan, and Muzi's decision to resign and open a flower shop in Shikoku...all of these are like a tangled thread, troubling her heart.

Matsumae Shinchun suddenly realized that she was the only one who seemed to be playing the role of "bystander" in these relationships.

Only you know best what everyone thinks of each other.

Teacher Fujii fell asleep and seemed to be dreaming and talking in his sleep.

"Teacher, what are you talking about?"

Matsumae Shinchun leaned closer to listen and realized that the teacher was dreaming about the past?
The person being called should be Teacher Muzi, right?
"Teacher, what is your attitude towards Teacher Muzi now?"

To be honest, Matsumae Shinchun herself was a little confused.

Seeing that he was feeling quite uncomfortable, Matsumae Shinchun stayed by his bedside for a while until he woke up.

".Xin.Xinchun?"

"Yes, teacher, it's me."

After Fujii Itsuki woke up with a startled breath, his breathing was still a little rapid. He quickly scanned the room until he saw Matsumae Shinchun sitting beside the bed. Only then did he relax a little.

".Xinchun?" He murmured, his consciousness gradually returning to reality.

"Yes, teacher, it's me." Matsumae Shinchun responded softly, reaching out to tidy up his hair, and looking at him with concern. "Teacher, just now, you were calling out Teacher Muzi's name in your dream, right?"

Fujii Itsuki was stunned, a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face.

He lay down again, looking at the ceiling, and was silent for a while, as if he was sorting out his thoughts. Then, he slowly spoke:
"I talked a lot with Muzi this afternoon. She talked about her desire to go to Shikoku Island. I don't know why, but I dreamed about my high school days."

After hearing this, Matsumae Shinchun nodded silently, and it was just as she expected.

She hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Teacher, what is your attitude towards Teacher Muzi now?"

Fujii Itsuki lowered his eyes and sighed, "Xinchun, Muzi is a part of my past. We used to be very close, just real lovers. But later, she went to the United States, and the distance between us gradually widened, and many things became complicated. I once felt disgusted with her, but recently I found out that she was just having an inferiority complex, and I feel a little guilty for not taking good care of her before."

Matsumae Shinharu listened quietly. She could feel a hint of inseparable emotion in Fujii Itsuki's words, but also a bit helpless.

She couldn't help but ask, "What about now? Teacher Muzi is going to resign and go to Shikoku Island. Do you feel sorry for her?"

Fujii Itsuki looked up, his eyes a little confused, but then he became firm again after seeing Matsumae Shinharu, and at the same time a little lonely, "Regret? Of course I do, but I can't quite tell whether I feel regret for the past relationship, or regret that she is going to Shikoku Island alone and I have lost a friend.
"In fact, I hope she can let go of her feelings and find her own happiness. If I can see her gain happiness and become happier, I will definitely be happy too."

"But, Mr. Fujii, you also know that Ms. Muzi--"

Fujii Itsuki looked at Matsumae Shinharu, feeling mixed emotions, but still determined in his choice, "Yes, Muzi will not change her mind, but whether she changes or not, there is nothing I can do. Since she has made up her mind to leave, as her friend, I should cherish the time I spend with her."

She gently held Fujii Itsuki's hand, and the warm touch made him feel a little relieved.

Fujii Itsuki's eyes softened as he asked, "What do you think, Xinchun?"

"Xinchun? Xinchun just thinks that Teacher Muzi looks a little pitiful. She has struggled all her life but has not been recognized by even one person."

Matsumae Xinchun's voice was low, with a hint of pity between her words, "Xinchun sometimes feels that if even one person could say to Teacher Muzi, 'It's okay, you've tried very hard, I don't care about these things', it would be good too."

Fujii Itsuki's emotions were originally relatively stable, but Matsumae Shinharu's words made him fall silent.

A moment of silence followed, and Matsumae Shinchun realized that his words were too heavy, and fell silent.

Finally, the two of them were silent together in this air-conditioned night.

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(End of this chapter)