Another Step Closer

The tutoring session went on and Kanae couldn’t believe she has to start from scratch which only means they have to cover all their past lessons for the first half of the semester. She mentally slaps herself for agreeing and putting herself in a very difficult situation — for digging her own grave.

Although she has the option to back-out anytime, Kanae is the type of person that is braver than she appears. Despite her frail appearance, she has a strong resolve. She is a person who likes to challenge herself, like how she joined the student council despite her zero leadership experience and poor communication skills. Withdrawing from her deal with Keiji became the last among her list of options the moment she agreed. And as she looks at their situation from a different perspective, it’s still too early to judge things as they are yet to witness the outcome.

Maybe it’ll all be worth it in the end, or maybe not.

Rather than guessing, she is desperate to try and do what she can to at least turn the odds into their favor now that they have come this far. Besides, and much to her surprise, Keiji was also being cooperative. It seems like he is indeed serious this time and Kanae was convinced their tutoring session will have a day two.

She also found out that Math doesn’t appear to be Keiji’s strongest subject, but he is not bad at it to be fair considering that he is someone who barely attends his classes. Although challenging on her end, Kanae couldn’t deny that there’s still a part of her that finds teaching Keiji fun as it was one of the subjects that she likes the most plus the sense of fulfillment she feels whenever Keiji finally gets a difficult topic or solves a particular problem on his own. She shared her notes and suggested study techniques to easily memorize formulas, solve problems, and understand their lesson.

Keiji couldn’t believe there were still students like Kanae who have this much dedication to studying — and teaching others. Gosh, he doesn’t even comply with the majority of their requirements then people like Kanae exist, who are willing to do more than what is required of them, which he finds admirable although sounds very exhausting on his part — mentally, that is. Because Keiji knows that studying and teaching yourself is hard already, what more if you have to go back to square one and teach an absolute slacker like him.

Keiji couldn’t also believe he managed to retain his focus for a good few hours already. He is very much aware that his maximum attention span when it comes to studying wouldn’t even exceed ten minutes. Which is the reason why he intentionally comes late to class or skips his classes to do things he doesn’t even consider fun, the same way as studying.

For him, fooling around, pissing their teachers off, smoking and all weren’t even fun, they’re just 'less' boring compared to studying. But he knows they don’t make him completely happy; not at all.

Keiji realizes he is learning their lessons from Kanae more than he is learning from his Math teacher.

When afternoon came, Hanako-san, Keiji’s mother, prepared snacks for them. While they were taking their break, she asked Keiji to assist his grandma who’s having difficulty walking due to her chronic illness since it has become her routine to go out of her room to breathe some fresh air on their porch while having her afternoon tea.

Keiji complies immediately without any complaints and excuses himself which Kanae finds a bit surprising because who would’ve thought that Kurayami Keiji, who had always violated school rules can be an obedient son and caring grandson at some point?

Kanae considered the possibility that he may just be putting up a show, being nice and such all of a sudden but she figured that from what she can see, Keiji doesn’t seem to be someone who cares about fame — about what others think of him.

If Keiji was someone who wants to establish a good image then he would’ve done that pretension long ago in school where many people would witness it and not just in front of his family who’ve already known him from the start nor Kanae whom he cannot easily fool and who’s starting to get to know him better than most students and teachers in their school do.

“I don’t know how my son managed to convince you but I’m really glad you agreed,” Hanako-san mentioned softly as she approaches Kanae and sits on the floor, across from her.

Kanae puts down her cup of tea on the table, stares at the cup as her grip tightens, and smiles stiffly, “I’ve considered it as a part-time job so it’s like a win-win for us both, Kurayami-san.”

Then she glances at Hanako-san, who is still looking so beautiful despite the occasional wrinkles on her face. Kanae assumes Keiji probably took over her features as she notices the resemblance; those hazel eyes, pale skin, and jet black hair are convincing enough to believe they were mother and son.

Hanako-san smiled back, “Hanako-san is fine,” she said. “We’ve hired personal tutors before, but none of them lasted. They eventually give up after getting to know my son.”

“Keiji told me the same thing,” Kanae said as she looks down on her hands which are now placed on top of her thighs, finding it difficult to maintain eye contact with Keiji’s mom as it was her first time talking to a schoolmate’s parent aside from Ritsu’s.

Hanako-san heaved a sigh, “He’s really troublesome ain’t he?”

Kanae slightly laughs and nods. Slowly, she began to feel more comfortable and less nervous, “But he’s not really that bad.”

A warm, genuine smile formed on Hanako-san’s lips, “You’ve noticed too,”

“I had a terrible impression of him when we first met. But now, I can see that he is not as bad as I thought.” Kanae admits and finally finds the courage to look at Hanako-san directly in the eye.

Keiji’s mom stares at the pile of notes and textbooks scattered on the floor beside them, “When I told my husband about him getting into trouble, he didn’t really see it as something we should worry about at first, saying it is normal for teens at his age to act like that as they enjoy their teenage years. But then, the school called more often so we decided to talk to Keiji about it but he never listened to us.” She inhales deeply and starts to speak in a much sadder tone, “We’re starting to feel hopeless, about his studies, his future, his life. That’s why I’m really surprised when he told me he asked a schoolmate to come over and help him study.”

Kanae can see the emotions as she speaks, the sincerity, the concern, the kindness in her voice, the hint of sadness. She realized that agreeing to their deal appears to be the right decision after all.

She expected Keiji to come from a rich family, where his parents would probably be so occupied at work they have no time to provide the attention that their child needs that’s why he ended up that way. She also considered the possibility of him coming from a broken family, where no one would be there to guide and raise him properly. But the fact that Keiji’s parents don't appear to be irresponsible ones, especially her mother, left Kanae wondering where does Keiji’s carefree attitude is coming from and why is it that he still acts that way.

“I refused at first, but then again he is indeed stubborn,” Kanae snickers and Hanako-san laughs along with her, “I guess he is serious about saving his grades and so I was finally convinced.”

“His grandma talked to him, saying she wants to assure Keiji has a bright future waiting for him even if she’s not sure if she will still be there to witness it. Maybe that was one of his reasons for his sudden urge to study.”

'So Keiji isn’t doing it for himself.' Kanae realizes.

She had always thought that Keiji asked for her help for his self-interest, it’s hard to believe but he might did it out of his grandma’s request.

Hanako-san then excused herself as she joked around and said she doesn’t want her son to catch her exposing him to other people. Kanae offers to help her as she picks up the teacups and other utensils on the table but Hanako-san reassures her that she can manage by herself and that Kanae can just take some rest while waiting for Keiji.