The Students I Once Tutored As Part-Time Home Tutors During My Student Days Had Suddenly Achieved Excessive Success In Their Careers. - Chapter 28: Visiting day.

Visiting day.

And so, the day of the home visit arrived.

“Sora-kun, I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Haha, sorry to keep you waiting.”

When he pulled into the coin parking lot near Sae’s home, she was standing at the entrance. She wore a beige hoodie, a long white skirt, and sneakers.

Smiling at her, Sora greeted her as they walked along the sidewalk toward her house.

“Hey, Sae-san.”

“Yeah?”

“I have a suspicion. Did you ask me about where to park the car the day before just so you could come out to greet me like this?”

“Yeah, I thought you might like it better that way.”

“As I suspected! Thanks for being considerate.”

“It’s no big deal. It’s the least I can do.”

Even though she still gave him that look, she nodded her head to show her determination.

“By the way… Did you wait for me?”

“I didn’t wait. I just happened to be here when you arrived.”

“R-really?”

Their relationship as teacher and former student was something that couldn’t be easily discarded. He couldn’t help but ask, even though he knew it was unnecessary.

“Isn’t it rude to ask such a thing? But yes, it’s true.”

“Right now, you’re avoiding eye contact.”

“I saw a bug. A bug with wings.”

“A bug, huh… I didn’t see it myself.”

“Blame the height difference.”

Even when he tried to peek at her face, she would always avoid his gaze. She understood that she could be read through her expressions, but this action in itself was proof that she was lying. With a wry smile, he decided to change the topic.

“Sae-san, would you like something to drink?”

“Something to drink…?”

“There’s a vending machine over there. I can buy you whatever you like. It can be a thank-you for coming out to greet me.”

He chose not to mention “apology for making you wait” since it suited her personality better.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

“Then, I’ll have a hot cocoa.”

“Haha, sure thing, hot cocoa it is.”

“Did I say something weird just now? Sora-kun, you laughed.”

This kind of exchange brought them right in front of the vending machine. Sora took out his wallet and explained.

“Sorry about that. I just thought it would be as I expected. I remembered how you always used to choose hot cocoa when we stopped at vending machines like this in the past.”

“Mutual understanding, I suppose. You’d always go for mixed juice.”

“Haha, that’s correct.”

They both had a sense of what the other would do. Even after two years had passed, they remembered each other’s habits from the past—always buying the same drink in front of each other. Sora inserted 500 yen, purchased the hot cocoa, and handed it to Sae.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. But you know, I’m starting to feel a bit nervous…”

“It’s just going to be you, my mom, and me today, like old times.”

“That’s true, but it’s been a while since I met your mom, so I’m looking forward to it, but at the same time, I feel a bit self-conscious.”

He scratched his cheek as he spoke his mind.

“Knowing Sora-kun, he’s probably thinking, ‘I have to show that I’ve become admirable.'”

“That’s right. She really took care of me during my university days. She treated me to dinners, and sometimes I went to her for advice… So, I want her to see that I’m a reliable homeroom teacher now.”

“Well, my mom already thinks you’re amazing, so you don’t need to worry.”

“But I want her to think I’m even more amazing.”

“Why do you keep thinking about it in a way that makes you more nervous?”

“Oh, uh, hahah… You’re right.”

She playfully bumped her shoulder against him as if to say, “See? I told you so.” Due to her small stature, or perhaps her determination, he swayed a bit from the impact, choosing to pretend he didn’t notice.

“Hey, Sora-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“After we’re done with the consultation, let’s play in my room, okay?”

“Come to think of it… Did you get permission from your mom for that?”

“Rather than getting permission, it’s more like she ordered me not to let you escape until dinner.”

“Really!? She said something like that!?”

“Yeah. So let’s have dinner.”

“…Is it okay to rely on you so much?”

Despite being the one who suggested the home visit, I find myself in a situation where everything is being taken care of. While it’s nice to be offered a meal, I can’t help but feel a bit reserved.

“Mom said she wants to talk a lot with Kuun, so I want you to indulge her. She’s been so excited since yesterday, bought a ton of ingredients, and even Dad was chuckling about it.”

“I see. In that case, I’ll gladly accept your kindness.”

It feels a bit awkward to enjoy such a lavish home-cooked meal without her father present, but with her insistence and the effort they’ve put into it, it would be hard for anyone to decline.

“Also, I have a message from my dad for you.”

“A message…?”

“It’s nothing bad.”

A message from someone he hadn’t met yet. His nervous expression didn’t go unnoticed by her, and she reassured him before continuing.

“He said, ‘Thank you very much for everything regarding Sae-chan. Please continue to take care of her.’ He knows everything about me, like when I was a shut-in during junior high, and how I was able to recover, all thanks to you.”

“Uh, well… Did you explain it to him in an exaggerated way or something? I mean, I’ve only done what I thought was normal.”

“I knew you wouldn’t take it seriously. Because it’s you.”

“Are you teasing me with that reverse psychology?”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, you!”

Slightly lifting the corners of her mouth, she doesn’t let him off the hook. With a playful smirk, she retaliates, and he can’t ignore it.

“You’re such a meanie, Sora-kun.”

“W-What?”

“Not just my dad… Thank you for everything from me too. I think this conversation will come up in front of my mom, so I wanted to say it now.”

Her upward glances and blushing cheeks convey her embarrassment at the idea of having this conversation in front of her mother.

In the face of this, it seems that he too feels a sense of embarrassment.

“…”

“…”

Seeing each other like this, it’s easy to see how their embarrassment is contagious.

“Even if you say thanks like that, I won’t give you any extra credit.”

“You cheapskate.”

“I’m not a cheapskate.”

They both understood the underlying sentiments behind their playful banter.