After parting ways with Sharl, I returned home and made my way to the living room.
“I was worried about you—how far did you go running?”
My mother asked without looking up from the TV.
My father was also awake, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.
“I just ran into a friend and we were chatting.”
“Oh, is that so? What about breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’ll eat.”
Upon my reply, my mother stood up and headed to the kitchen.
“Where’s Toko?”
I asked, though I could guess. Still, I directed the question to my father.
“She’s probably sleeping. She doesn’t wake up at this hour, does she?”
Of course not.
“Hmph, unhealthy lazybones.”
“Considering how until just last week this was your daily routine, I wouldn’t exactly talk.”
Last week?
I don’t dwell on the past.
What matters is now.
And the future.
“Hey, Dad, I’m going to the family restaurant to study, so can I have some money?”
“Huh? You’re talking about going to the place for breakfast right now?”
“No no. A friend offered to help me study, so we’re heading to the family restaurant.”
“Ah, I see… studying?”
My father looked at me with doubt, as if questioning whether what I was doing was right for his son.
“I mean, studying. Not that I want to, but this friend is willing to help.”
“Hmm… Oh, is this for Magic Academy studies?”
“Yep. By the way, some kid from the Academy happened to be nearby.”
Only a coincidence if she’s not my stalker. Likely something else though.
“Kid from Akaba, huh? Well, I suppose such things happen…”
Yuika has a cold.
And frankly, I’ve never even met her.
“It’s not Yuika, but something like that. Now about the money?”
“Hmm, since it’s study-related, sure…”
My father pulled out a thousand-yen note from his wallet and placed it on the table.
“Make sure it’s a girl and preferably a cute one, huh?”
“…That’s why you’re so suspicious on a Saturday, isn’t it?”
Another thousand-yen bill was added.
“Thanks, old man.”
“Take it seriously, alright?”
“I said I will—no need to remind me. This guy’s skills are top-notch.”
Receiving two thousand yen from my father, I ate breakfast prepared by my mother. After showering, I changed into my going-out clothes in my room.
“Should I bring my study materials…?”
I packed the textbook into my bag and prepared to go downstairs, stopping by the kitchen. There, one of the twin troublemakers, Toko, sat eating her breakfast bread, her messy hair a clear sign she’d barely woken up.
“Hey? Big Brother, you going somewhere?”
“Yeah, I’m heading out to study.”
“Ahhh, so boring!”
She seemed to think I was joking, which I can’t blame her for. Honestly, I had no intention of studying this weekend either.
“This is the honest truth. Mom, I don’t need lunch today.”
“Alright, alright.”
“Well then, I’m off.”
Leaving the house, I headed to the agreed-on family restaurant where Sharl and I were to meet. Arriving five minutes early, I entered the store.
“Welcome! Is it just one person?” the waitress asked.
“Uh… actually,”
I scanned the restaurant and spotted Sharl immediately. Wearing her academy uniform made her stand out even more.
“Hey, it’s over there—we’re meeting.”
“Ah, right this way, please.”
With permission from the waitress, I walked over to Sharl’s table.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Why are you wearing your uniform?”
I sat down across from her and asked. Sharl had changed her usual morning ponytail into a side braid, a look more fitting for the Academy.
“Since we’re studying, I thought I’d be more comfortable in this.”
“Ah, I’d rather not wear my uniform on the weekends.”
It’s a waste of my precious day off.
“Other people might have different preferences. In any case, when we go into Astral’s main town, you’ll see a lot of people in uniform.”
“Is that so? Tomorrow, Frank and Cedric are joining me—what about wearing uniforms then?”
“Some places give student discounts, and lots of girls prefer to wear theirs.”
“Huh, sounds good. I’ll go with the uniform tomorrow.”
“Still, I kind of wanted to see your regular clothes…”
“Baka. Now focus, let’s start studying the basics.”
Sharl smiled while pulling out the textbook from her bag.
“Wow, so you brought a bag. That’s impressive.”
In Astral, it’s uncommon to see people carrying bags around.
“There are other people here, after all. Now you, show me your stuff.”
“Fine, fine…”
We ordered from the drink bar, grabbed our beverages, and opened our textbooks for the study session. Following Sharl’s guidance, I engaged in what turned into her lecture on the subject.
“Hmm, something’s been on my mind since yesterday—where’s your notebook?”
“My handwriting’s terrible, so I was planning to copy someone else’s later.”
My ideal candidates would be Cedric and Noel for their neat handwriting. Frank and Ilmera might be questionable, and Toko’s is atrocious.
“Just look at mine, then.”
At her suggestion, Sharl showed me her notebook, which was unbelievably well-organized. Her handwriting was so flawless, it seemed like it could be typed on a PC.
“Sharl, I’ll treat you with the money Dad gave me, so let me copy your notebook.”
“Sure thing. I’ll explain using this notebook.”
Afterward, Sharl continued assisting me with my studies, effectively using both the notebook and textbooks.
Her teaching style was impressive, thorough, patient, and persistent.
“…Understood?”
“Probably?”
“Right… This is Foundation Studies, right?”
Sharl checked her notes carefully.
“Sorry… I’m not that bright. I never got over 80 on any test back in middle school.”
Though, I did manage to score around 90 in Health once…
“Ah, feelings similar to what you might’ve had this morning are starting to creep back up on me…”
Sharl pressed her temples with her fingers.
“You’re hopeless….”
“That’s what I thought…”
Of course…
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