Ch 55:-

The deadline wasn't today, but actually next month. But I didn't like waiting until the deadline to submit something, I literally finished the assignment about 1 week after she gave it to me since I just took someone else's work. Plus it would make me look more diligent and passionate about learning, so I decided to submit it early.

I knocked at her door, indicating that I was already here. About half a minute later, she finally arrived at the door as she welcomed me,

"Good Morning Sweetie~" she greeted me

"Good Morning Teacher" I greeted back as she let me in

"Have you had your breakfast?" She asked

"Yes" I answered

"Well, Shall we start then?" She said as we sat down before a table

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"...That should be just enough for today" Aerin said as she stood up

"Uhm, Teacher... I've already finished the assignment you gave me" I said

"Really? I said you can do it until the first month of next year though?" She asked, seemingly surprised that I was able to finish it quickly

"No, it's fine teacher. I liked the assignment and I'm already pretty satisfied with my work" I said as I took out the musical sheets

"Hmm... would you then present your work?" she said

"Un... it's a composition I made originally meant for violin and piano, but since it will be just me for today, I'll just play it in the piano solo" I said as I sat down on the piano she gave me as a surprise years ago

I placed the sheets infront of me as I started playing. I actually didn't need the sheets, but I placed it there anyway just in case I forget something. Notes would sound out on the piano everytime I press a key, as the strings at the back vibrate. A familiar tune rang out as I continued to move my fingers.

"Well... that is... better than what I expected." Aerin said lightly as she heard me finish my piece

"Thank you for the praise..." I smiled like I was flattered

"You said it's supposed to be played with a violin as well, right?" She asked as she grabbed her violin from the closet

"Un, I made a separate sheet for a duet performance. The way I originally intended for it to be played..." I smiled as I answered

"Which would you like to prefer to play?" She asked pointing to the piano and the violin

"I don't mind really..." I said as I'm pretty comfortable with both

"Then let's play it just like this..." she said as she put the duet sheets on a stand as she read it while playing it for the first time

"Rinea... How did you name it?" she asked curiously

"I was thinking of someone" I replied curtly, as I played it slightly differently due to having a violin accompaniment this time

"...? -Someone?" she frowned as she heard my answer, to which I only smiled back at her

"But it's really good... You really surprised your teacher" she praised my work as we finished it

"Thanks~" I smiled

"How long did you make this for?" she asked

"Ever since you gave me the assignment?" I answered as I tilted my head

"Oh..."

"I submitted it early, since Mom said we might be leaving soon" I said

"Mom said the city is a big place, and that I might not see you anymore. I wanted to submit it first before that" I added

"You don't have to worry about me~" she said as she pinched my face

"Also Teacher... I don't think I would be able to visit again since the year is ending and I'm gonna be staying home..." I said as took my bag

"Really?... that's really unfortunate" Aerin sighed

"Uhm... Please consider this as thanks for all the years you've been teaching me... as well as an early New Year's gift~" I said as I took out the small box

There wasn't a Christmas in this Country atleast, but we do celebrate every Year's end, or more specifically the end of every 4 years. It was like the big end of the year celebration that we have, so giving gifts at that time was pretty common

"...? For me?" Aerin seemed shocked

"Yes" I smiled as I placed the gift on her hands

She bit her lips as she read my handwriting on the vellum. She then opened the box after which she saw the exquisite pocket watch that was placed inside

.

"This is... a pocket watch?" her eyes widened as she slowly took it out

"There's something at the back Teacher" I said as I urged her to look at the back

"This..." she saw a small key-like handle etched at the back

"Try rotating it-" and after she did, the condensed version of the piece that I just played rang out in a higher tune, due to the mechanisms of the music box

"What? Isn't this your-? Wait, how much did this-" she was about to ask when I cut her off

"Shhhh, it's a secret Teacher." Of course, I wouldn't tell that I got it made for free. I mean it wasn't like it was made of gold or anything, but it still wasn't something someone like me can easily afford.

"I worked hard for it" was all I said, and just how did I work? Well her imagination can come up with the rest.

"Uhm... is it to your liking?" I asked 'timidly'

"Of course! Teacher is really happy, anything you would have given me I would consider special"

"But this one... I like even more, okay?" she said as she hugged my before giving kissing me on the cheeks

"But can you open your hands for a little bit?" she asked with a worried face, I didn't know what she was gonna do so I just opened it

She then felt out my palms and my fingers with her hand before biting her lips.

"It's rougher... compared to before" she said quietly

She then hugged me as she buried my face on her bountiful chest. I smelled a fruity scent as I felt the softness of her breasts squish against my face.

Wait, what kind of jobs does she think I did. I'm pretty sure this is due to my sword practices with Mom

Well, I'm kind of surprised by her worry for me. I thought she would be happy that whatever she was doing to me was working out, but she seemed anxious when she found out I went to such 'great lengths' just to give her a gift.

But after her initial worry, just as I expected, she wasn't one to let an opportunity go, when she found out that there is a possibility the next time we would be meeting is at the capital, she decided to strengthen her hold over me.

"By the way... Teacher didn't expect that this would be our last meeting for the year... so instead is there anything your Teacher can do for you?" she asked with a smile as she looked at me

Although I wanted to do 'things', I need this memory of giving her a present to be something sweet and precious for things to work out in the end. And having her do erotic things, under the guise of a massage, will just kind of ruin it, so I just went with a very tame-

"Uhm... then just please use the watch that I gave you... it's not that expensive... but I worked hard for it..." I said earnestly as I looked at her

"Ahhhh~ just how precious can you be... I would have had no qualms fulfilling it, should you have asked me for a kiss"

"I would've used it even if you didn't specifically request for me to do so~" she said as she hugged me

"Really? Then that's great... I think I have to go home now, teacher" I said as I looked at the time

"I see, I see... well since this is our last meeting for this year~" she held my face, before lowering her head as she gave me a kiss on my lips again

"Mm?"

She held me close for a couple of seconds until she finally let go.

"What?" I acted embarrassed as I covered my mouth with my arm

"Well, Goodbye okay~" She said as she waved me off

"Un... goodbye as well" I said before I finally opened the door as I went out