Chapter 508 - Dazzling Facing Mirrors
Ignoring the ever-increasing charms of my temporary tutor, I mustered all my mental fortitude and focused completely for a solid two hours.
So far, there was no sign of Sora or Nia barging in, and Ashe, true to her word, held back on any seductive moves, which allowed me to make dramatic progress with my studies.
I mean, I knew she was a good explainer even before she blew me away with her notebook analysis the other day, but when that talent is applied to academic study, she's practically a professional teacher.
From a purely 'teaching' perspective, I wouldn't go so far as to say she surpasses my university professors, but the one-on-one situation meant that I was resolving my questions and deepening my understanding at a rate incomparable to a normal lecture.
And so, after that extremely productive time had passed...
"...Mm, I have a general idea now."
As if to say, that's enough for now, Ashe closed the textbook spread out before her and murmured softly.
Her tone was different from the times she had pointed out my misunderstandings.
When I looked over to see what she had 'figured out'... for some reason, the expressionless face turned toward me looked somewhat disappointed.
"It was simply a lack of time. You understand how to study, and you grasp the fundamentals faster than the average person. Your ability to think through and handle applied problems is also fine—at this rate, you should be able to catch up quickly. You might not need that many lessons."
"Are you serious? Are you trying to kill me with praise?"
Everything she said was undeniably welcome, but honestly, I couldn't rejoice unconditionally.
"This isn't modesty, it's a fact: your teaching was god-tier. Seriously, I've never felt like I've achieved this much in such a short time studying alone."
"Having played the role of your tutor, I would be troubled if you compared this to the efficiency of your solo studying. If you learned ten things in these two hours, then when you study alone, you should be able to learn three as long as you concentrate—while a 'normal person' who is not particularly good at studying would learn one."
"Well, I'm aware that I'm better than most people, I guess..."
Given the university I attend, I'm not so out of touch with reality as to say something foolish like, "No, no, I'm just average."
And, for the record, this is my genuine feeling, not an attempt to flatter her—
"If my usual is a three, then these two hours were a thirty. I was genuinely impressed the whole time by how amazing you are at teaching."
"...I see. It is nice to be praised."
And yet, despite her seemingly appropriate response, Ashe's expression remained neutral. Though she said she was happy, it didn't seem to be enough to make her blush.
"—In any case, that is how it is. I do not want you to take this as me shirking my duties as your tutor, but I do not think you need to study so intensely."
"Hmm... This is the second time you've said it, but are you sure? It's true that I understand a lot of things I was confused about, but in the grand scheme of things, that's just the tip of the iceberg, isn't it?"
"Do not worry. And this is the second time I am saying it, but I have a general idea of your nature now. I will teach you even more efficiently next time—...What is it?"
I couldn't help but laugh, and she tilted her head in confusion.
It was almost unconscious on my part, with no real meaning behind it, but...
"Ah, how should I put it... It's just so like you, Ashe, to throw in a bit of humility, only to end up being supremely confident in the end."
I tacked on, "In a good way, of course." After taking a few seconds to process my words,
"That me... do you like her?"
"Tch...! ..."
She fired a dangerous shot out of nowhere, and I, taking it head-on, was at a loss for words.
I know what the answer is. But it's a word I can't say yet. A word I don't want to say with a heart that hasn't decided who it's for.
As for the fact that I've already given it to Sora as her partner... I'd like to be forgiven for that, as it was a necessary 'penance' to settle all the waffling that came before.
"...The fact that you ask 'Do you like me?' instead of 'Do you hate me?' in that situation is so, so you. So, well... I think it's good."
"...Heh, you dodged it. But that is fine for you."
"I don't think it's fine, though... I'm trying my best, you know—but..."
As I was speaking, she casually stroked my hair, surprising me. I turned to my side to see that Ashe had stood up without a sound, and with a soft, gentle smile—
—a completely natural, tender smile—it felt as if time had stopped.
"What I told you before, I have no intention of retracting it, even now."
"..."
"You were more charming than anyone else in the world just as you were—and yet, you started looking even further ahead and running with all your might. To my eyes, at least, every part of you is unbearably dazzling."
Slender fingers traced their way down from my ear to caress my cheek.
"The you who tries his best, the you who strives, the you who is lost—all of it looks so wonderful, it is almost troubling... So, do not worry about my feelings."
I couldn't tear my eyes away from her lips as they parted to take a breath.
"I want you to show me everything—because no matter what kind of Haru you are, I am sure I will fall in love with you."
Honestly, it was a miracle I managed to stop my body, which had started to move.
"—Haru, your face is bright red."
"Yeah, and I wonder whose fault that is..."
"Heh... Let us stop studying for now. We will continue tonight."
The princess's composure didn't crumble by a single millimeter as she reluctantly removed the fingers that had been pressed against my cheek as if to check its heat.
It had been a while, I think. Leaving me behind, utterly defeated, Ashe quietly headed for the door.
Then, she turned back one last time.
"Haru."
She called my name, her expression somehow bewitching.
"Even I would not be able to ask so boldly about something I was not confident in."
"..., ..."
With that final blow, she swept out of the room.
I mean, seriously.
How am I supposed to go on the offensive against that?
The offense and defense here will likely never be reversed, for all eternity.