The Students I Once Tutored As Part-Time Home Tutors During My Student Days Had Suddenly Achieved Excessive Success In Their Careers. - Chapter 17: Nanase’s POV Sora’s Home Part 1.

Nanase’s POV

Sora’s Home Part 1

“Excuse me~. By the way, this place is way better than it looks from the outside.”

“Right? It’s a family-oriented apartment, so the rent is a bit high, but I really like it.”

“The location is great too. You found a fantastic place. Plus, it smells like you.”

“Don’t say embarrassing things.”

“Sure thing.”

(With a place like this, it’s more than enough for two people to live together. Was he thinking about cohabiting in the future?)

Nanase had Sora drive her his home, and as she entered the spacious entrance, she couldn’t help but express her admiration. Then, when invited to the living room, her reaction was even more significant.

“Wait, it’s an open kitchen! And it even has a garbage disposal! Yeah, isn’t this too fancy for living alone?”

“Haha. I cook almost every day, so I like having the convenience. Oh, and Nanase-san, feel free to relax on the sofa.”

Sora pointed to a three-seater sofa and made a suggestion that would allow her to unwind comfortably.

To him, inviting guests like this was a normal action, but his words contained a gentle consideration.

(Yeah, you’d definitely gain weight being with Sensei… People who become Sensei’s girlfriend must end up pampered even if they don’t want to… If I were asked who would do anything for me, I’d definitely choose this guy.)

“What are you going to do now, Sensei?”

“I thought I’d make some food. You’re going to eat too, right?”

“Huh? You’re going to cook for me?”

“Of course. It’s this time, and I bet you’re hungry. What would you like?”

“Omelette rice! Definitely!”

“Got it! I’ll make it right away.”

“Yes!”

(Eating Sensei’s homemade food after so many years… Is this the first time I’ll be eating Sensei’s cooking at his invitation…?)

As Nanase watched Sora open and close the refrigerator, she suddenly remembered.

In the past, Nanase had used Sora’s home as a refuge—whether it was when she ran away from home after a fight with her parents or when she got injured in a brawl and needed first aid.

Each time, she would be welcomed with homemade food. “This is what I’m best at,” he would say, even if the omelette rice he served was clumsy, with broken eggs.

Back then, Sora was living alone, attending university, and working as a private tutor. He was leading a busy life and couldn’t be called a skilled cook. However, the omelette rice he made with such dedication was genuinely delicious and warmed her heart.

(Now that I think about it, I really caused him a lot of trouble… He should have scolded me at least a little…)

Nanase had never experienced living on her own, but she was currently attending university and working just like Sora. She realized the trouble she had caused, and to alleviate that guilt even a little…

“Sensei! Please use the eggs from portion! You originally bought them all, so…”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t give me such a childish answer with a straight face. Seriously.”

(This is my mentor, right? I can’t believe it…)

While watching Sora, who acted like a responsible adult most of the time, stubbornly clinging to this childish aspect, Nanase couldn’t help but be amused.

“Oh, by the way! There’s something I want to show you, Nanase-san!”

“Hmm? Something you want to show me?”

“Yes! Ta-da!”

Sora suddenly raised his voice, then reached out to the side of the refrigerator, making a hook-like motion with his hand before presenting something to her with both hands.

Nanase recognized the object. It was something familiar and had left an impression on her memory.

“I’m still using it even now, this apron.”

With a delighted smile, Sora told her, and Nanase could only avert her gaze.

The embarrassment and joy she felt were enough to make her body heat up.

“Um… hey. It looks incredibly worn out, doesn’t it? You should buy a new one…”

Aprons should be changed every one a year, and it wasn’t an expensive one. The fact that it was still in usable condition was evidence of how carefully he treated it.

“You’re really stubborn, Sensei.”

“Well, yeah?”

“No, I mean… ‘Well, yeah’ isn’t the right answer… sigh I’ll buy you a new one next time we meet. This one looks all tattered and shabby now.”

“Are you sure!? But it’s still fine, right?”

While tilting his head in puzzlement, Sora put on the well-worn apron as if it were a matter of course.

(Isn’t he seriously crazy, this idiot…? Don’t do anything that’ll make me even happier…)

Just being able to meet again, being invited to his home, and having him cook for her filled Nanase’s heart.

“Hey, Sensei. Since we’re here, how about taking some pictures? So we can see just how worn out it is.”

“If it’s a special occasion, I’ll grant your request.”

“Good.”

Nanase took out her smartphone from her pocket, launched the camera app, focused, and took a picture. Then, she hurried over to show him.

“See? The shoulder straps are all twisted, and it looks like you’ve done a lot of washing, so it’s shrunk overall.”

“Ahaha, you’re right. I didn’t realize the apron had shrunk this much…”

“Roughly speaking, you’ve been using it for about two to three years, right?”

“Yeah, about that.”

“I’m seriously amazed. You use it even though it looks so shabby.”

“I do wash it properly, you know!? It’s just the appearance!”

“Well, I guess you’re right.”

Her defense of the shabby, worn-out apron was unconvincing, to say the least. No matter how you looked at it, her outfit was too uncool, but to Nanase, it was different.

Moving away from the kitchen and facing away from him, she asked,

“So? Is there anything I can help you with? I feel bad just lounging around while Sensei is cooking.”

“You’ve really grown up. The old Nanase used to relax all the time.”

“Sh-Shut up… That was then.”

(Well, I can say that now because I’ve reflected on the past…)

Even though she might be tempted to ask for pampering, she didn’t want to obey such requests obediently.

“Anyway, going back to what I was saying… Is there anything I can help you with? If possible, something other than cooking.”

Although Nanase had become somewhat proficient in cooking, she kept it secret this time. If she helped with the cooking, she wouldn’t be able to eat “Omelette Rice made by Sora” on her own.

“Other than cooking… Hmm… The dishes are done, and I’ve already taken care of the laundry…”

“The laundry?”

Nanase pointed to the closed curtain.

“You hung the laundry outside, right?”

Nanase had seen it. When she was looking at the open kitchen, she noticed that Sora had closed the curtain as if to hide the laundry he had hung outside.

“But… I’ve hung the laundry out there… It’s okay! And, um… Look, I’ve even hung my underwear. I can’t let my student fold those, right?”

“But it would be easier if you folded them, right?”

“Well, it would be easier, but…”

“Then leave it to me. In return, sensei, go ahead and start cooking. I’m looking forward to it.”

“O-Okay. So, you don’t have to take the underwear, alright?”

“Sure thing.”

(Heh… I’ll take it without any hesitation. It should be fun and I can tease him.)

After confirming that Sora had started preparing the meal and washing his hands, Nanase went out to the balcony, brought in the laundry, and began folding it on the carpet.

Two minutes later, she put her plan into action.

“Whoa… Sensei, your underwear is huge! It’s bigger than my face!”

Just like when she showed him the apron, she stretched it out and showed it off.

“Huh…? Wait, what!? Why are you bringing it in!? Hey, don’t grin like that! Stop it!”

“Sensei. If you don’t watch your hands, you’ll get hurt, okay?”

“Jeez! I told you not to take the underwear…”

Sora, who was currently occupied with cooking, couldn’t move and watched in embarrassment as Nanase teased him with his own underwear.