The Students I Once Tutored As Part-Time Home Tutors During My Student Days Had Suddenly Achieved Excessive Success In Their Careers. - Chapter 5: Reunion Part 1

Reunion Part 1

“Ah, I understand! Thank you for letting me know!”

The next day, after finishing the usual Short Homeroom session and returning to the staff room, Sora received a message from the teacher who had been in charge of contacting Sae.

“It seems that Sae will be coming to school around noon,” the message read.

It had been five days since the opening ceremony, and finally, the day of their first face-to-face meeting had arrived.

“If she could come to school after the fourth period, would it be possible to have a discussion, including greetings, during lunch break? It might be tough for her after school,” Sora replied to the teacher who had informed her of the situation.

He took out his schedule from his pocket and checked it immediately. As he had remembered, he had staff meetings and departmental meetings in the afternoon. Realistically, the discussion with her would have to take place after completing these two appointments. However, she was attending school during her work breaks, so it wouldn’t be ideal to keep her waiting too late.

“Guess I’ll have to hope she can come in a bit earlier,” he muttered to himself.

Understanding the circumstances of the students was important to him. It didn’t mean he would treat them differently, but knowing their situations allowed him to be more accommodating when necessary.

“Now that I think about it, today is the first day when the entire class will be present…”

As he realized this, a gentle smile formed on his face. While his relationship with the students in his class was still relatively new, as their homeroom teacher, having everyone present in class was a delightful prospect.

“I’m a bit nervous, but I can’t wait to greet her.”

With eager anticipation, Sora looked forward to the day ahead.

***

The time was 12:20 PM, just about 10 minutes before the end of the fourth period.

Sae was at a bakery on her way to school, settling the bill.

“Two chocolate croissants for 400 yen. With the student discount, it’s 350 yen!”

“I brought just the right amount today.”

Without taking her wallet out of her shoulder bag, Sae had already placed 350 yen in her uniform pocket. She handed over the money with her small hand.

The cashier, after checking the money with a smile, rang up the purchase. Without handing over a receipt, the cashier’s tone changed.

“Thanks for coming by all the time. See you again, Sae-chan.”

“Okay, I’ll be back.”

Sae’s default expression was one of indifference. She gave a short nod and took the bag with her bread in both hands before heading toward the entrance.

Sae had been a regular customer at this shop for over two years. On school days, she would stop by this bakery and buy the same bread—two chocolate croissants.

As a regular customer, she was eligible for a student discount without needing to show her student ID. She was never asked if she wanted a receipt either.

After leaving the bakery and returning to her route to school, Sae paused for a moment. She opened the bag with the handle and glanced at the individually wrapped chocolate croissants.

“I’m glad they weren’t sold out.”

“I’m glad I could buy them.”

She couldn’t help but let a small smile across her face. With that, she continued on her way to school.

For Sae, these chocolate croissants held a special significance. It wasn’t because she particularly liked them or found them delicious.

It was because they brought back vivid memories from over two years ago—a memory of the beginning of her friendship with someone she held dear, Sora.

***

At that time, Sae was bullied by boys, and she became a truant. In that environment, she became indifferent to everything.

She had no intention of studying, and when her worried mother asked for a home tutor, she tried to make him dislike her on purpose. She tried to find faults intentionally to make him quit. She was being mean on purpose.

She resorted to such cruel actions because the home tutor was a ‘man,’ just like those who had bullied her.

Although the other person was completely different… out of frustration and pain, she tried to retaliate with bullying.

One of her tactics was to steal the ‘favorite bread’ that the home tutor brought each time.

If she got scolded, that was fine. If he quit as a result, that would be even better. If she could be mean to him, that would make her feel better.

Now, she couldn’t imagine having such thoughts, but back then, Sae had them. When the home tutor went to the bathroom, she seized the opportunity to take the bread. She took a bite, swallowed, and then realized how hungry she was. Before she knew it, she was eating it hungrily.

“Ahaha, that croissant is delicious, isn’t it? You can have this one too; it’s also delicious.”

And suddenly, the home tutor, who had returned without her noticing, said this while extending another piece to her.

On that day, the home tutor’s stomach had been growling the whole time.

Sae had never wavered in her aversion toward ‘men’ as much as she did on that day, because his reaction had been completely unexpected. He had shown her kindness that she hadn’t anticipated.

After that day, many days went by. She began going to that bakery with the home tutor.

The first time she went, they both laughed when he put the two chocolate croissants she had initially taken on a tray.

But that time had been the most enjoyable for Sae.

“I wonder if Sora-kun is doing well… Where is he now? I miss him. I want to return that bread I ate back then…”

Sae, her current feelings expressed in her words, hurriedly walked to school as if she suddenly craved chocolate croissants.

***

The time was 12:40 PM.

Ten minutes had passed since the lunch break started when Sae arrived at school.

(The new homeroom teacher, on the other hand, must be addressed by their last name, without a doubt…)

With a determined look in her sharp eyes, Sae entered the staff room.

(That person is… the new teacher…)

She confirmed the back of the person sitting in the homeroom teacher’s seat for Class 3-A.

(This is the new teacher…)

With an air of tension, Sae opened her mouth to speak.

“I’m Komachi Sae from Class 3-A. I’ve arrived late, so I’ve come to get a tardiness slip.”

“Oh! We were waiting for you, Sae-san!”

Then, just as she energetically called out, the homeroom teacher turned around.

“…Eh?”

Their voices overlapped.

Both Sae and the teacher were wide-eyed in surprise.