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MT - 23 The Private Tutor
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 05:47:55 +0000 UTCSo the goal is to get you out of cram school?
Alright, Asuna. I've got you figured out. This is who you really are.
Roy Kirigaya's lips twitched slightly. Still, he reminded himself that kids say the darndest things, and it wasn't worth getting annoyed over such trivial comments. Clearing his throat, he said calmly, "I can be your tutor."
Asuna's eyes widened, staring at him in disbelief. "Do you seriously think my mom will trust you?"
A sharp glint appeared in Roy's eyes as he confidently replied, "I believe that true talent shines no matter where it's found."
Asuna fell into a thoughtful silence, considering the feasibility of his plan. Still skeptical, she asked again, "Are you sure this will work?"
Roy pondered for a moment. The idea of failure didn't even occur to him. With unwavering confidence, he nodded. "No problem at all."
Watching his overly self-assured demeanor, Asuna felt a mix of doubt and inspiration. Remembering all those long, grueling hours trapped in cram school, she bit her lip and decided to take a risk—even if it meant facing her mother's wrath.
Without another word, she turned around, grabbed Roy by the wrist, and started walking back toward her house.
"Wait, Asuna, what are you doing? Aren't you going to class?" Roy asked as she pulled him along.
"Class can wait." Asuna replied, her voice firm. "You're talking to my mom first."
It was clear that Asuna wasn't exactly the type who enjoyed studying.
When they arrived at her house, Asuna rang the doorbell. A sharp, no-nonsense voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
Moments later, the door opened to reveal a short-haired woman in her thirties. Her sharp features and cold expression gave an immediate impression of someone strict—bordering on harsh.
The moment her gaze landed on Asuna, her face darkened.
"Asuna, why aren't you at your cram school?" Kyouko Yuuki asked, her tone icy.
It was clear she wasn't in a good mood.
Asuna instinctively shrank back, her shoulders tensing. Her mother's presence had always intimidated her. But knowing Roy was standing behind her, she summoned her courage.
"Mom, I have something to discuss with you." She said, stepping aside to reveal Roy.
Kyouko's eyes narrowed as she studied the boy for a moment. Her stern expression softened ever so slightly. "You're that prodigy?"
Roy blinked in surprise. "You've heard of me?"
Kyouko didn't answer directly. She glanced briefly at Asuna, then stepped aside to let them in. "Come in."
Asuna nudged Roy forward before quickly ducking behind him like a shield. It was obvious she was already regretting this plan.
Roy found it amusing but didn't mind. He stepped inside, slipping off his shoes at the entryway and making himself comfortable.
The Yuuki residence was spacious, tastefully decorated with a refined and traditional aesthetic. It gave off the distinct vibe of a scholarly, upper-class household.
Kyouko led them to the living room, gesturing toward the chairs. "Sit." She said curtly. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Just water, please. Thank you." Roy replied, his tone polite but confident.
Kyouko gave a small nod and left for the kitchen to fetch the drink.
As soon as she was out of sight, Asuna leaned in close to Roy's ear, her voice barely a whisper. "Are you sure about this?"
Roy patted his chest with a grin. "Relax. I've passed the IELTS exam. If I can do that, I can definitely tutor you."
Hearing that, Asuna let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and returned to her seat.
Kyouko soon returned with a glass of water, setting it down in front of Roy.
"Thank you." He said, offering her a polite nod.
Kyouko sat down across from them, her sharp gaze cutting through the air. "So? What is this about?"
Roy instinctively glanced at Asuna.
Asuna immediately looked back at him, clearly expecting him to take the lead.
The two exchanged a look, blinking in silence.
Great. Just great.
Noticing the awkward silence between the two, Kyouko Yuuki furrowed her brow slightly.
Is this girl really this timid?
Roy Kirigaya cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Ma'am, I'd like to become Asuna's tutor. I can teach her English, and I'm also proficient in French and German. I'm confident I can handle her other language subjects as well."
Kyouko remained silent, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the table.
When she didn't respond, Roy decided to keep talking, throwing in a few casual remarks to fill the silence. To his surprise, Kyouko suddenly engaged him in conversation.
"Why do you want to be a tutor?" She asked in English, her tone brisk and her pronunciation impeccably clear.
Roy paused for a moment before replying, "Well, I suppose it's fate that I met your daughter. Besides, I'm looking for a part-time job to earn some extra money."
"What can you teach?"
"English, French, and German. I'm also more than capable of tutoring middle and high school subjects. You can trust me with Asuna's education."
Kyouko considered his words, her gaze sharp as she continued. "You're fluent in French and German?" She asked, switching to fluent French.
"Of course." Roy replied in equally polished French.
Kyouko's eyes narrowed slightly before shifting to her next question. "What's your rate?"
Her words this time nearly made him laugh. She had switched to German—but her accent was clumsy and awkward.
Roy held back his smile, replying smoothly in flawless German, "My expected rate is 5,000 yen per hour."
Hearing such perfect pronunciation in her imperfect attempt at German left Kyouko slightly flustered. Clearing her throat, she quickly regained her composure. "Fine. I'll allow you to tutor Asuna. However, I'll be testing her progress each month. If she fails to meet my expectations, your job will end immediately."
Kyouko's decision was not without careful consideration. While the boy might be a prodigy, academic knowledge and the ability to teach effectively were entirely different matters.
A person brimming with knowledge doesn't necessarily make a good teacher, just as a skilled teacher might not know everything.
Money wasn't an issue for the Yuuki family. If anything, they were incredibly wealthy, but their focus was always on ensuring a quality education—especially for Asuna.
Agreeing to Roy's proposal was partially a calculated decision to evaluate him.
The name "prodigy" had crossed Kyouko's ears long ago. She had seen him on television once, dismissing it as a media gimmick to attract attention. Yet, now that she was meeting him in person, she found herself surprised.
The rumors weren't exaggerated.
Still, while she felt a measure of astonishment, she also understood the reality of the situation.
In every era, there are exceptional individuals, and Roy clearly belonged to that category. Since the rumors were true, it wouldn't hurt to build a connection with him.
With this thought in mind, Kyouko's sharp gaze settled on the blond-haired boy sitting across from her.
