Close To Heart

Not long after all the students were rescued, the live stream was cut off. So, nobody saw how long Kenji and Yuka hugged.

But even that couldn't stop the gossipers online. Many started searching for evidence of a romantic relationship between Kenji and Yuka.

Technically, Kenji and Yuka weren't exactly teacher and student, as Kenji was a guest instructor at UUA, there mainly to identify potential recruits for the Alliance Army, not a regular faculty member.

…

At the tournament place, a now calmer Kenji loosened his grip, realizing it wasn't appropriate to hold Yuka like that and slowly let go of her.

Yuka stood up from his embrace, and Lory and the Ichiro brothers, seeing them finally apart, rushed to thank Yuka.

She waved off their gratitude and repeatedly refused their offers of gifts, but they insisted.

Finally, annoyed, Yuka stood beside Kenji.