Chapter 302

"Eh? Teacher Matsumoto, you're already married at such a young age?"

"…I'm already twenty-seven, almost thirty — wouldn't it be strange if I *didn't* get married by now?"

Matsumoto Sayuri felt there was something a bit off about that line of reasoning.

An elementary school teacher her age should indeed be starting to think about marriage, since in a few more years the water really would stop running and the lights would go out, and then it really would be hard to find a husband.

"Hehe~ Just kidding."

"Teacher Matsumoto, congratulations and happy newlywed life."

"Thank you."

Matsumoto Sayuri smiled and accepted Mao Li Lan's blessing.

"When is Teacher Matsumoto planning to hold the wedding?"

"The afternoon two days from now."

"So that's Wednesday."

Since it's in the afternoon, if she's going to attend the wedding, she'll still need to take half a day off.

Mao Li Lan nodded slightly.

Taking leave isn't all that difficult, and since it's only a half-day in the afternoon, the teacher won't refuse either.

But just as she was about to agree, she paused, and Ren Ren came to mind.

As if possessed, she asked.

"Teacher, if the wedding is two days from now, could I bring a few friends along to attend?"

"Ah, Sonoko will be coming too."

"Of course."

To this request, Matsumoto Sayuri agreed without a second thought.

"After all, it's a wedding — having more people come can make it livelier."

"If my former student can come to my wedding, of course I'd welcome it."

"…The only pity is Kudo."

Matsumoto Sayuri also felt a pang of regret.

If Kudo were still alive, she would have hoped he could come to her wedding too.

Unfortunately, some accidents are just this heartbreaking.

Matsumoto Sayuri was also very sorry about Kudo's accident.

Some people and some things just disappear like that, in a single careless moment.

"Teacher Matsumoto, let's not talk about Shinichi."

"Some things, once they've happened, there's nothing to be done."

"…That's true."

Matsumoto Sayuri shook her head slightly and pushed the matter of Kudo out of her mind.

Some accidents just happen that suddenly.

Continuing to talk about Kudo afterwards would only be a painful reminder for Mao Li Lan, and once Matsumoto Sayuri realized that, she didn't dwell on it any longer.

"Then Mao Li Lan, see you the afternoon two days from now."

"Mm, Teacher Matsumoto, see you in two days."

After hanging up the phone, Mao Li Lan steadied her emotions, then picked up the phone and dialed a certain number.

"Ren Ren, two days from now my former music teacher is getting married, and she's already invited me."

"Also, I've already gotten permission to bring my current friends along."

"What do you think — should we all go together?"

PS: New book on the shelves, please send data.