kscans

Chapter 508 - Dazzling Facing Mirrors

Putting aside the ever-growing charms of my temporary tutor, I’d been forcing my mind into a state of extreme focus for a solid two hours now.

So far, there had been no sign of Sora or Nia barging in, and Ashe had kept her word, reigning in her seductive moves. Thanks to that, my studies were progressing dramatically.

I mean, I was well aware of how good she was at explaining things even before I was blown away by her notes the other day, but when that talent was applied to academics, she was nothing short of a professional teacher.

From the perspective of “teaching,” she might even surpass the professors at my university… Well, I wouldn't go that far, but the one-on-one situation certainly helped. The speed at which my questions were resolved and my understanding deepened was on a completely different level from a typical lecture.

And after spending that extremely meaningful time, it happened.

"…Hm, I think I have a general grasp of it now."

As if to say, that’s enough for now, Ashe closed the textbook spread out before her and murmured quietly.

The atmosphere was different from the numerous times she had pointed out my misunderstandings up to this point.

When I glanced over to ask what she’d “grasped”… for some reason, the expression she turned to me was a vaguely disappointed deadpan.

"It was simply a matter of not having enough time. You understand how to study, and your pace for learning the fundamentals is above average. Your ability to think through and handle applied problems is fine as well—at this rate, you should be able to catch up quickly. You may not need that many lessons after all."

"Are you serious? You're going to praise me to death all of a sudden?"

Everything she said was undeniably welcome, but if you asked me whether I could celebrate it wholeheartedly, the answer was no.

"This isn't humility, it's a fact: your teaching was just that divine. No, really. I’ve never felt like I’ve accomplished this much in such a short time studying alone."

"I did fulfill my role as a tutor, so I'd rather you not compare it to your efficiency when studying solo. If you learned ten things in these two hours, then on a normal day, you should be able to learn three as long as you focus—whereas a ‘normal person’ who isn't particularly good at studying might only learn one."

"Well, yeah, I'm aware I can do better than most people…"

Given the university I got into, I wasn't so out of touch with reality that I'd say something as absurd as, “Oh no, I’m just average.”

And just to be clear, this was my genuine feeling, with no intention of flattery—

"If my usual is a three, then these past two hours were a thirty. I was honestly impressed the whole time by how incredibly good you are at teaching."

"…I see. It is nice to be praised."

Her reaction was appropriate, but her expression remained its usual calm self despite my compliments. It seemed that while she was genuinely pleased, it wasn't enough to make her blush.

"—In any case, that is the situation. I don't want you to take this as me abandoning my duties as your tutor, but I don't think you need to study so intensely."

"Hmm… This is the second time, but are you sure? I definitely have a better handle on the things I didn't get, but that's just the tip of the iceberg when you look at the whole picture, right?"

"There's no need to worry. This is also the second time for me, but I have a general grasp of your nature. From now on, I will teach you even more efficiently— …What is it?"

I couldn't help but chuckle, and she tilted her head in confusion.

It wasn't that I had any deep meaning behind it; it was almost unconscious…

"Ah, how should I put it… It’s just so like you, Ashe, to throw in some subtle humility, only to end up being supremely confident in the end."

After I added that I meant it in a good way, she took a few seconds to process my words, and then…

"Do you like that part of me?"

"Tch…! …………"

Her sudden, dangerous question hit me head-on, leaving me at a loss for words.

I already knew the answer. But it was a word I couldn't say just yet. A word I didn't want to speak with a heart that hadn't yet decided who it should be directed toward.

As for the time I’d already given it to Sora as her partner… I hope you’ll forgive me for that, as it was a necessary penance to settle all the dithering that came before.

"………………The fact that you ask ‘Do you like me?’ instead of ‘Do you hate me?’ is just so you, right down to your core. So, well… I think it’s… nice."

"…Fufu, you dodged it. But that's fine, for you."

"I don't think it's fine at all… I am trying my best here—bu, t…"

A hand gently stroked my hair, startling me. I turned to my side to see that Ashe had, at some point, silently stood up. She gave me a soft, gentle—

—and completely natural smile, and for a moment, I felt as if time had stopped.

"What I said before, I have no intention of retracting it, even now."

"…………"

"You were more charming than anyone in the world just as you were—and yet, you've started looking even further ahead, running with all your might. To my eyes, at least, everything about you is unbearably dazzling."

Her slender fingers trailed down from my ear, caressing my cheek.

"The you who tries his best, the you who struggles, the you who is lost—I find it all so wonderful, it's almost troubling… So please, don't worry about me."

I couldn't look away from her lips as she took a breath.

"I want you to show me everything—because no matter what kind of Haru you are, I'm sure I will fall in love."

Honestly, it was a miracle I managed to stop my body from making a move.

"—Haru, your face is bright red."

"Yeah, and it’s someone's fault…"

"Fufu… Shall we take a break from studying for now? We can continue tonight."

As she reluctantly pulled her fingers away from my cheek, as if to check its heat, the princess's composure didn't crumble in the slightest.

It had been a while since I'd last felt this way. Leaving me behind, utterly and completely slain by an instant-death attack, Ashe quietly headed for the door.

Then, she turned back one last time.

"Haru."

She called my name, her expression somewhat bewitching.

"Even I wouldn't be able to ask something so boldly if I wasn't confident."

"… …………"

With that finishing blow, she strode briskly from the room.

No, seriously.

How in the world am I supposed to go on the offensive against that?