Chapter 507 - The Temporary Tutor
After finishing the lunch of Sora-san's handmade sandwiches and my own quick-and-dirty vichyssoise on the side, we went to unpack.
Since a week-long stay means a lot of clothes and other luggage, Ashe had arranged for our things to be delivered in advance. We all headed to our assigned rooms, and it was officially free time.
Well, the entire trip is basically free time, anyway. According to Ashe, "Aside from [Arcadia], we have pretty much everything. If we don't, I'll get it." So in that sense, we're truly free.
I thought it was just two floors, but apparently, this place even has a basement.
It's a spacious area equipped with recreational items that involve physical activity, like a billiard table and a dartboard, as well as fitness equipment, so you can even have a pseudo-gym session. The whole place is so over-the-top it's laughable.
Of course, it's also fully equipped with entertainment for those who prefer not to move.
While not as extensive as the Yotsuya dormitory, the guest room—which is three times the size of my one-room castle of an apartment I lived in when I first moved to Tokyo—boasts a high-end PC that seems to say it can beat any newer model on specs alone.
In other words, there's a solid internet connection, and the theater room on the first floor is said to have every kind of 'game' imaginable, with the exception of [Arcadia].
And of course, we're welcome to go outside and play. We can relax on the terrace, take a walk on the well-maintained forest path... Ashe did warn us to "always go in pairs" to avoid any serious accidents, but if we go down to the shore, we can even go fishing.
In a word, it's a dream castle.
Well, I have things I need to do, just as I originally planned. Personally, I'm treating this not as a 'vacation' but as a 'training camp.' Just as I was getting fired up...
Knock, knock, knock—a knock came at the door at the perfect time.
It's a bit strange that I can identify who it is just by the sound of the knock, but the three girls each have a distinct and easily recognizable style.
In this case, it's not just the resonance and volume of the knock, but the slightly relaxed yet extremely regular, flat rhythm—
"—Is now a good time?"
"Yeah, of course."
When I opened the door, there she stood, expressionless. It was this princess, without a doubt.
Perhaps it was custom-made for me, since I had come with this intention. Separate from the desk where the PC sat, the room had a large round table that looked perfect for spreading out textbooks and notebooks.
At the very least, Nia's room didn't have one. The other furnishings and layout were identical, so I assume she had it brought in specially.
"Alright... for today, let's set a time and really focus on each subject. I think it would be best to determine the pace for the rest of the week after seeing how quickly you learn and progress."
"Okay, got it—no, that's not right... Thank you for doing this. I feel bad again, making you look after my studies during your well-deserved vacation."
"...Mm. I know it would be difficult for you not to say it, so I will accept your thanks."
With that, I placed a mountain of textbooks on that study table. Since they were being delivered anyway, I'd sent them all over the day before, but seeing them piled up like this is seriously intimidating.
I can feel my vacation-induced sense of freedom rapidly diminishing. Well, that aside. From Ashe's demeanor as she sat down next to me, she seemed to be ready to start 'anytime.' I decided to take her up on her offer and begin my instruction immediately.
"I want to say one thing before we start."
"Yeah, yeah?"
"I have taught people before, but I would not say I am experienced. At first, I may go too fast, or conversely, too slow. If the pace does not suit you, please do not hesitate to tell me."
Her characteristically efficient way of speaking was both reassuring and appreciated.
"Got it. On my end, I won't resent you for being a spartan instructor, so don't hold back—sorry, let me correct that. Please be strict, by the standards of a typical first-year university student."
—And so. I'm not even going to bother pointing it out anymore, but the gap between us as we sat on the two chairs was only about ten centimeters.
Even as we spoke, I tried to subtly, silently shift my chair over a bit... but her flawless tracking skills ensured that the distance between us didn't change by a single millimeter. It seemed pointless to put up any resistance.
By the way, I've already told the other two that I'm asking Ashe for private lessons.
Furthermore, the teacher herself has given her approval for them to 'come and hang out anytime if you're bored,' so it wouldn't be surprising if Sora or Nia knocked on the door at any moment—
"The university you attend is not generally referred to as 'typical,' you know."
The princess, who let slip a small smile, was in a great mood, as if to say, so what?
I wish she wouldn't smile at me from such a close distance. I want her to be aware that there are people whose lives could be forfeit as a result.
Well, she's probably doing this because she's aware...
"Haru."
"Yes."
"Your face is red."
"That's your fault, you're too close, our shoulders and arms are touch—hey, stop pressing against me right after I told you not to! This is study time!"
"—For now. Yes, I understand."
Ah, crap.
"Wait a minute? Isn't it a bit harsh to lose on a single mistake?"
"As you said, let's focus on our studies for now. For now."
"Yeah, you don't have to emphasize it like that. What are you planning to do to me lat—"
Ignoring my panic at having given her an opening, Ashe calmly released my shoulder and tapped the notebook on the table with her fingertips.
—Since that day, my stance toward Sora and Nia has changed.
I no longer just let them push; I push back... well, I can't go that far, given my position, but I have completely stopped hesitating to 'return' their feelings.
I've stopped pretending not to see their affection and brushing it off. No matter how much I struggle, I'm the one on the receiving end of their advances, so I've resolved to at least carry out the one thing I can do—'return their feelings'—with all my might, without pretense. I'm in the midst of that daily struggle.
...However, for some reason, that just doesn't work on her.
To be precise, my makeshift 'counter-attack' is completely ineffective.
Even more precisely, not only is it ineffective, but the moment I show my fangs, I have a strong premonition that I'll be eaten alive, so I can't easily change my stance.
In the end, the girl named Alicia White is, in every sense of the word—
"Now, open your notebook—as you requested, I will teach you strictly and gently."
—not the kind of person whose way of being would change over something as trivial as my own resolve.
And with just a change in resolve, her smile, which has become quite skillful lately...
"Y-...Yes, please, I'm in your, care..."
"...Heh."
The me of recent days, for a slightly different reason than before—
Was beginning to find myself unable to look at it directly.