In a card fight game, when you're missing just one card to complete a set, it's almost unbearable, isn't it?
I sat in the same seat I'd occupied nearly all day, sipping my drink and scrolling idly through my chat with Kazusa on my phone.
Kazusa: Sensei, hello. This is Kyouyama Kazusa.
Kazusa: Ah…
Kazusa: You're not busy right now, are you? If you have time later, I'd appreciate it if you could reply to my message.
Kazusa: I'll be waiting for your reply, then.
Me: I'm free right now.
Me: I was actually hoping to see you too, Kazusa. How about meeting at "Crepe Cafe"? They just released a new dessert.
Kazusa: …Alright, I understand.
Kazusa: I'll contact you later, then.
And that was that.
Kazusa, the quietest member of the After-School Sweets Club, who rarely speaks or draws attention to herself, had asked to meet me. But for what reason? To share new desserts? To ask for tutoring? Or maybe… something else?
As I waited in quiet anticipation, time trickled by. Just as my drink was about to run dry, Kazusa appeared.
She looked the same as always—calm and cool, her delicate face touched with faint makeup.
The inner strands of her hair were dyed a soft pink. A black choker rested against her pale neck. Over her St. Trinity uniform, she wore a black hoodie printed with the school emblem. Black stockings and sneakers completed the look, giving her an air that balanced stylishness with youthful charm.
My gaze inevitably wandered to her legs. My verdict: absolutely flawless.
Kazusa sat down across from me. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Sensei. Hmm, looks like you're not as busy as I imagined."
"I gave up work just to meet you, Kazusa."
I had originally planned to head back to Schale for paperwork, but Kazusa's sudden message had derailed that plan. A pleasant derailment, admittedly.
As for the pile of unfinished work... well, I'd trust tomorrow's version of me to handle it.
Kazusa shivered slightly, giving me a look that mixed annoyance and disbelief. "That's kind of gross, Sensei… You don't talk like that to other girls too, do you?"
"Of course not!" I replied righteously. "I know perfectly well who I can and can't say things like that to."
Meaning, I only talked like this to cute girls who probably wouldn't hate me for it.
"…I see." A faint smile flickered across her lips before fading. "Anyway, I didn't call you out for anything major. There's just something I wanted to ask of you."
Kazusa pulled a stack of test papers from her bag.
"Our school's exams are coming up soon… These are some mock tests I did, but there are parts I still don't understand, so…"
I took the papers, looked through the questions and her answers, then raised my eyes to her, speechless.
This was worse than Yoshimi's situation.
"Kazusa… if you don't mind me asking, are you… not very good at studying?"
"Wow, that's pretty blunt, Sensei. You could hurt someone's feelings saying that." She sighed, then continued. "But I guess, as a teacher, it's your job to know your student's academic situation."
Kazusa admitted without hesitation. "I'm really bad at studying. Not dead last, but close, probably around the bottom 20 to 30 percent of my class. That's why I came to you for help."
I couldn't quite believe it.
What kind of student could possibly rank lower than Kazusa? Did they miss the exams? Hand in blank sheets?
This was Trinity, after all—a top academy. Could there really be actual airheads here?
"I honestly thought your grades would be above average," I said.
Kazusa sighed lightly. "Sorry to disappoint you. I've been hopeless at studying since middle school. Still, thanks for saying that. Whether you mean it or not, it's nice to know I don't look stupid.
"I know it sounds like an excuse, but I really have been improving. I do my previews and reviews regularly, but… catching up this late in the term is still tough."
"As long as you're improving, that's what matters," I encouraged. "Studying is about bettering yourself. If you're further along than yesterday, your effort's paying off."
"…I see. Thank you, Sensei. Let's skip the small talk before time slips away. Let's start the lesson. Whatever you want to drink, it's on me. Since I asked you to come, it's only fair."
The cat ears on her head twitched slightly, she seemed to be in good spirits.
I blinked. "Wait, didn't I say on Momotalk that I wanted to see you too, Kazusa?"
"Sensei…" Her tone darkened, and her cold stare carried a dangerous glint. "Please don't say weird things like that."
"I just meant, I wanted to try the café's new dessert with you."
"Eh? O-oh, that's all? You wanted to see me just for that?"
"Exactly!"
I admitted shamelessly, though it wasn't entirely untrue.
"…No, that's not good enough. I'll pay. Otherwise I'd feel guilty and wouldn't be able to focus. And you wouldn't want to distract your student, would you, Sensei?"
With her words leaving no room for argument, I had no choice but to give up my rare opportunity to treat a cute girl.
Back in my world, treating a student to food might raise eyebrows, but in Kivotos? It actually increased affinity points!
Kazusa smirked triumphantly. "Then it's settled. This time, it's my treat."
I perked up immediately, seizing on her phrasing. "Alright, then next date will be on me."
Her smile froze before she jolted in panic. "D-date?! Wait, this is just tutoring! What are you even thinking, Sensei?!"
"More or less the same thing. After all, it's you, Kazusa."
A calm, reserved girl like her was the most fun to tease, especially when that collected composure cracked.
"I-I'm going to order now. You just look over this question and this section!"
Kazusa fled toward the counter in flustered retreat.
I nodded at her retreating figure, pleased with myself, then focused on studying her test papers and how best to explain the problems to her.
By the time she returned, her mood restored and a tray of sweets and drinks in hand, we began the lesson in earnest.
Just as she'd said, her attitude was serious and her progress steady. Still, it was clear that her foundation was shaky.
Fixing that at this stage would take several times the effort.
I couldn't help feeling a little regretful. Whatever had happened in middle school must have set her back, but since she now had the will to improve, it wasn't too late.
As she finished reviewing her mistakes, Kazusa looked at her test with quiet wonder.
"It's kind of amazing… So this is what it means to be taught by a teacher. When I study alone, I get stuck on things I don't understand. But now, looking back, everything feels so simple. I can't believe I actually got these wrong. It's almost embarrassing."
"Not at all. It's mostly your own effort, Kazusa. I only helped a little."
"…Anyway, now that you've gone over everything with me, I think I'll be fine for the exam. All thanks to you, Sensei. Really, thank you for your help."
"No need to thank me. It's part of my job."
Kazusa tilted her head as she began packing her things. "So, are you heading back now? Do you always leave right after helping someone?"
"Well," I mused, "that depends. If, say, you wanted me to go somewhere with you after this date, I might not head back right away."
"…Please just leave already, Sensei."
Not exactly the cutest response.
Kazusa's expression softened, though, as she sighed faintly. "Sensei, listen. If you ever get attacked someday, you'll have only yourself to blame. You say things like that so casually... what if someone actually takes you seriously?"
I just laughed and shook my head, letting the comment slide as we said our goodbyes normally.
A little tension, a little release... that's the traditional rhythm, after all.
On my way back to Schale, I felt oddly satisfied. In just one day, I'd managed to grow closer to every member of the After-School Sweets Club.
…Though now that I thought about it, why were they all the ones inviting me?
A chilling realization dawned on me.
Don't tell me… I've actually been reverse time-managed?
Kivotos really is a terrifying place.