"Welcome back, Sensei. I've been waiting for you."
Ayane closed the book she was reading, placed it on the desk, then picked up a stack of neatly organized documents from beside her. She stood and handed them to me as I approached:
"Sensei, these are the completed files. Please take a look."
It was now afternoon. I had already eaten lunch at the convenience store downstairs, and on the way back I gave the delivery I'd just received a nearly brand new secondhand phone to Sora.
I felt a little drowsy from riding in the car, but thinking about how energetic Ayane had remained after working all morning, I didn't have the heart to say I'd like to take a nap.
"All right, thank you for working hard, Ayane. You can go do whatever you need for now. I'll call you once I'm done checking this."
I took the documents I had asked Ayane to handle and sat back at my seat to review them carefully.
I have to say, Ayane gave off the impression of a serious, dependable literary girl, and her handwriting matched that image: graceful, neat, and pleasant to look at.
"Sensei, here, be careful, it's hot."
At that moment, Ayane handed me a cup of hot coffee.
"Thanks," I said.
I set the cup aside to cool and continued reviewing. Apart from the beautiful handwriting, the work was impressively thorough. There were almost no mistakes, just a few minor details that needed clarifying or correcting. It exceeded my expectations by far.
The other kids in the Task Force could really learn a thing or two from her.
I nodded in satisfaction and looked up at Ayane, who was reading on the other side of the desk, and when I focused, I realized she was reading a textbook.
"Ayane, are you studying?"
"Ah, I'm just doing a little preview for the next course," Ayane said, closing the textbook. "Sensei, if there's anything else you need me to do, please don't hesitate. I'm ready anytime."
"Not for now. I just meant…I admire how diligent you are."
I lifted my coffee cup with a smile. "And you're very cute, too. I really like that about you."
Then I took a sip of the coffee. It was meant to be a moment to enjoy Ayane's shy reaction,
Just as I hoped, the honest, well-behaved Ayane's eyes widened, her face flushed red, and she stammered in embarrassment: "Eh? You… you think I'm cu-cute, and you like me…? How could… aah, u-um…"
What a perfect reaction. But right then, I couldn't fully enjoy it,
Because this coffee was unbearably bitter!
Could it be… there was no sugar or cream at all? Did she think I was a proper adult so she didn't add any?
To preserve my dignity as a grown-up in front of Ayane, I forced myself to act like nothing was wrong. Just keeping a calm expression took almost all my willpower, leaving me with barely any brain space for anything else.
By the time the bitterness in my mouth had subsided, Ayane had finally noticed, and she puffed out her cheeks, scolding me shyly, "Geez! Sensei, you were teasing me, weren't you?"
"No, not at all. I really meant what I said."
Even the slightest blush showed clearly on the pale, glasses-wearing literary girl's cheeks. She was innocent, but she was not immune to the sweetness of praise.
"...Hmph." Ayane opened her book again, hiding the lower half of her face behind the pages. But through her lenses, her eyes locked on me with a steely gaze. "In that case, Sensei, how many girls have you said that to? In the Foreclosure Task Force, besides Hoshino-senpai, hasn't everyone already accepted similar compliments from you?"
I hadn't expected such a pointed question from gentle, shy Ayane. Probably she was feeling emotional.
That made her even more adorable.
I paused to think, then answered honestly: "There's no such thing."
In truth, Hoshino had been included, maybe even more than anyone else, she'd gotten a lot of praise from me.
"I don't believe you."
Still, the joy in her brows was obvious. She was truly an easy-to-please lady.
Sensing me looking at her with a faint smile, Ayane shrank her neck and buried her face deeper in the book, exposing only her bright brownish-yellow eyes that gleamed as she looked up at me.
Then she put the book down and gave me a gentle, soft smile. "Sensei, you should keep working."
"Right." I pulled out the chair next to me. "Come sit by me. I'll explain what needs attention."
"Um… okay."
It took a little time, but I used some real omissions in her documents as examples to explain clearly what she should watch out for. Ayane understood quickly, and with her serious nature, teaching her was easy and pleasant, and it gave me a real sense of accomplishment.
"Thank you, Sensei. I think I understand now."
She said gratefully, then asked, "So, what should we work on next?"
Tears pricked at my eyes, what a high-quality unpaid intern, and she even volunteered for overtime.
I shook my head, looking at Ayane kindly. "That's all for today's share."
"Oh… really?"
Of course not. But there wasn't much left, and I could handle the rest myself.
In a gentle voice, I said, "Yes. So, your duty is over now. You can do whatever you want. If you have anything else to take care of, you can go back to school."
"I don't have any plans right now…" Ayane said, lowering her head. Her index fingers touched together, and she asked shyly, testing the waters, "What about you, Sensei?"
Was she asking me?
I was not so clueless as to miss such a clear undertone.
"Well…" I said, pretending to be troubled, "like I said, I'm done working for now. But I haven't decided how to spend the rest of the time. Do you have any good ideas, Ayane?"
I directed an encouraging look at her, where shyness mingled with a little excitement.
"Y-yes."
Ayane picked up her school bag from beside the desk, rummaged inside, and pulled out a brand-new book with a white cover and black letters. Her lips lightly pressed together; her eyes were shiny: "Sensei, do you remember the gift you gave me?"
I read the title clearly and paused for a moment.
[Guns, Charm, and Zeal], the annual best-seller of Kivotos. If I recalled correctly, I bought it for Ayane back when I was still doing commissions for the Foreclosure Task Force in Abydos, as a special gift because she loved to read. (TL/N: V2 C15)
Recalling that now brought a rush of nostalgia. The time spent in Abydos, dusty and quiet as it was, held memories that weren't all bitter.
Wouldn't you agree, student Takanashi, who isn't here right now?
But with that memory, another one came flooding back, one closely tied to the gift.
"Heh heh." I chuckled softly. "Yes, it's time to fulfill our promise."
I pulled my chair closer, almost close enough that we could feel each other's warmth. I placed my hand on the cool cover of the book, and in as gentle a voice as I could manage: "So, let's read it together."
On Ayane's face bloomed a radiant, brilliant smile.
The girl nodded firmly, "Yes!"