Being Stuck in the Middle

Leslie received her answer soon, an unfortunate one.

"Irene, how have you been?" Leslie glanced at Calliope, seeing the little one resume reading the storybook, "Are you excited for your... summer break next month? Wait, are you... calling me during school hours?"

Summer break usually started in July, which meant around one month more. The holidays last for about eight weeks, plenty of time for the students to have fun in summer despite some still being tied to cram school.

"Yeah, I'm quite excited, haha... It's a self-study session so, I'm not interrupting the class. Big Sister, are you busy now? Is my brother-in-law there with you?"

Irene's voice lacked its usual cheer, paired with the hollow laughter. Leslie pointed out nothing about it as she hoped to hear more from the teenager.

"I'm not busy... I just had lunch. Have you eaten? How... is your study so far?"