The Students I Once Tutored As Part-Time Home Tutors During My Student Days Had Suddenly Achieved Excessive Success In Their Careers. - Chapter 19: Sora’s Home Part 3

Sora’s Home Part 3.

Some time passed, and…

“Wow, this is delicious! Sensei, you’ve become a fantastic cook!”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”

“You can even make omelette rice look so elegant… although there’s no cuteness in it.”

“Back then, I used to serve a dish with a tattered omelette, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, and you scolded me every time, saying, ‘Don’t do unfamiliar things.'”

“ahaha, but you still ate it, Nanase-san.”

After setting the omelette rice, soup, and salad on the table, Sora and Nanase reminisced about the past as they enjoyed their dinner.

“Actually, Sensei, you were very patient with me. I just barged into your house, made you cook for me, and got scolded. When I think about it now, I get embarrassed…”

“Well, it’s because you never said anything mean-spirited. Those times were fun for me too.”

“But still… Is Sensei capable of making most dishes now?”

“I can’t guarantee the taste, but I can manage basic home-cooked meals.”

“I see. Let’s just leave the ‘taste’ part aside then. Sensei, do you try to save money? You’ve got a really nice place here.”

“This is the first time someone has said that to me.”

“Well, then I’ll take it for you.”

“Don’t make jokes like that.”

“Huh? Annoying! But, I won’t say anything because the food is delicious.”

“Haha, thanks for that.”

Sora completely brushed off the comment. She was smiling widely, and her grin didn’t seem to be fading.

“Oh, by the way. I’m sorry for asking this now, but… are you doing well in college? You mentioned ‘working’ too, so isn’t it tough?”

“To be honest, I’m still doing fine, but it’s been getting a bit busier lately.”

“I see… Your health is important, so don’t overwork yourself.”

“Even if you say that, I can’t help it. Besides, back then, you were making panda-shaped food.”

“That… I can’t argue with that. Hahaha…”

During the university test periods, he had worked as a home tutor, often sacrificing his sleep to balance his own studies with his tutoring responsibilities.

“By the way, I have a question for Sensei.”

“Hmm?”

“I won the grand prize in a nationwide girls’ audition, and I’m also active on Youtube. Have you heard of it?”

“…Huh?”

For some reason, the name ‘girls’ audition’ was vaguely etched in her memory. And everyone knew about the video-sharing platform.

“Your reaction is… Ugh! Seriously, that’s harsh! Even the post-grand prize interviews were on TV!”

“Gah! Sorry! I’m really sorry!”

Upon hearing the mention of the interviews being on TV, he suddenly snapped to attention. He had faint memories of hearing ‘Nanase’ on television at some point.

“You should praise me instead of apologizing.”

“I mean, it’s amazing! Really, truly amazing! Should I make another helping of omelette rice!?”

“W-wait, I can’t eat that much. And your excitement level is off the charts. It’s like being wall-slammed from the side.”

“…I-I’ll try to control myself.”

Getting scolded by his former student with a stern look on her face brought Sora back to his senses.

If this conversation were turned into a quiz, everyone would get the answer wrong.

“Um… So, Nanase-san, you’re working in the entertainment industry now?”

“Yeah. Right now, I’m doing a lot of modeling, but if things go well, I might become an actress. My manager is working in that direction too.”

“That’s truly amazing… But, wait? Even though you’re in such a profession, you can’t afford to be misunderstood, right?”

Sora remembered. She recalled the time when they met at the supermarket, how Nanase had tightly clung to her arm and how she had refused to let go. Everyone around them must have thought they were a couple.

“Well, it’s not like I chose an agency that prohibits relationships, but I do have to be careful. Misunderstandings could limit my job opportunities.”

Understanding and being cautious, that was the key. If she acted responsibly, it would be a green light.

Sora gave Nanase a stern look, like a warning.

“C’mon, no need to give me that look… It’s just that my excitement got the best of me that time, and I couldn’t control myself.”

“Geez. Winning the grand prize is a really big deal, so you shouldn’t act recklessly.”

Although Sora wasn’t familiar with the details of the Girls’ Audition, he understood that winning a nationwide grand prize and appearing in interviews on TV was an impressive achievement.

Because of the significance of this achievement, Sora felt the need to advise Nanase not to squander such opportunities.

“I’m usually careful, I promise!”

“Really?”

“I stake my life on it. But… Well? At that time, I just didn’t want to lose you. Seriously.”

Sora fell silent.

“And what’s with the quiet response?”

“Sorry, I didn’t expect you to say that…”

“Ugh, seriously, you’re making me blush…”

“Well, you are too, Nanase-san.”

“Sh-shut up.”

During this exchange, their eyes met. Both of them had a slight blush on their cheeks.

“Hey, let’s change the topic, okay? If it gets any weirder, I don’t know what might happen.”

“U-uh, sure…”

Sora, who seemed to have accidentally used a more seductive tone of voice, hastily changed the subject.

“So, about Youtube. Are you really active there?

“Well, yeah. Sensei, you told me, ‘Don’t worry about others’ opinions, just take action. God helps those with high aspirations.'”

“Huh? D-did I really say something like that?”

“You did. Without your words, I wouldn’t have been able to work this hard.”

Once again, a quote from his university days, something he would have proudly said, came to light. It was embarrassing to recall that dark history.

“So, because of that, I thought about what I should do to achieve my dreams. And I figured that getting recognition and getting used to being in front of a camera are essential. So, I started introducing makeup tips, shooting my gym sessions, and doing game live streams on Youtube.”

“I see…”

“If you search for ‘Minase Nanase’ on Youtube, I’ll be the first result.”

“M-Minase…?”

What caught Sora’s attention wasn’t the abundance of ‘na’ characters in the name but the surname itself. Her surname was ‘Sakurai.’ Not only did it not match, but it…

“—Ah, there’s no special meaning to ‘Minase’! It just happens to be the same surname as Sensei’s, but this is… Well, my mother came up with it, you know? Also, it’s dangerous to reveal your full name on the internet, isn’t it?”

“I see, that’s a very important point.”

“Yes, it’s crucial.”

“By the way, is it safe to look up your channel right now?”

“It’s fine… Seriously, you’re such a curious idiot.”

After receiving assurance, Sora began to search for ‘Minase Nanase’ on his phone. He saw the number of channel subscribers: 300,000.

“W-wait a minute. You have this many subscribers!?”

“Doyaa! My Sensei’s students are amazing, right? My subscriber count doubled after winning the Grand Prize.”

With a skilled twitch of his eyebrow, Nanase proudly expressed her satisfaction.

“And my dream is to become even stronger than that idiot and show off even more. I’m still not a match for you, especially when you gave me those annoying lectures.”

Sora knew that ‘that idiot’ was referring to him, and she nodded in agreement, pretending not to notice.

“Oh, Sensei, I have a request.”

“A request?”

“Yeah. When you watch my Youtube videos, I act all cutesy and pure, so could you watch them when you’re alone? I go like, ‘Today, I want to do this!’ and stuff, and I pretend to be all innocent.”

“Haha, understood.”

Her words and demonstration, which showcased her personality bursting forth, made Sora burst into laughter as he returned to his usual tone.

“By the way, I mastered this skill of being ‘cutesy’ because of you. Thanks to that, I won the grand prize.”

“Eh? That can’t be true, can it?”

“You answered pretty quickly. Why do you think that?”

“Because winning the grand prize is not something that happens easily. What I mean is that just being ‘cutesy’ isn’t enough to win, and it’s the result of a lot more effort. Absolutely.”

Nanase averted her gaze and seemed uneasy as she listened. He believed it wholeheartedly, which is why his words were so earnest.

“And, honestly, I think the real Nanase-san is the most charming. You could have won the grand prize even without being ‘cutesy’.”

“Even though you said it’s ‘not something that happens easily’?”

“Well…”

“Seriously, don’t switch to Sensei mode all of a sudden. It feels like I’m in the counseling room right now.”

“Haha, sorry about that.”

“Well, I’m happy you said something nice, so I’ll let it slide. But… So?”

Her words stumbled a bit, and she blushed gradually, becoming flustered.

“However, I was taken aback by Sensei’s masochistic remarks. I’m actually rough…and I even hunt for panties, right? Is that what you find attractive?”

“…”

Sora, still blushing, responded, “You’re clearly saying that to be misunderstood on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Ugh! Sensei, if you make any more jokes like that, I’ll kick your shins. Seriously.”

“Haha, I’ll have to be careful then.”

Nanase chewed on her omelet, turned her head slightly away, and said, “That’s annoying,” as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

“…”

Furthermore, when Sora turned his face away, his ear, which had turned bright red, also came into view. And then, he took a bite of the Omelette rice.