Chapter 23

"So the point is to get you out of tutoring classes?"

"Alright, I've got you figured out, Asuna Yuuki. So that's the kind of person you are."

Naoki Kirigaya's mouth twitched slightly. Still, considering kids say whatever pops into their heads, he decided to let the little blonde's slip slide—adults don't hold grudges against kids, right?

He cleared his throat and said coolly, "I could be your private tutor."

Asuna Yuuki's eyes widened, staring straight at Naoki Kirigaya. "Are you sure my mom would believe you?"

A sharp glint flashed in Naoki's eyes. "I believe gold shines wherever it goes," he said confidently.

Asuna fell into thought, mulling over the feasibility of the plan.

Uncertain, she asked again, "You're sure this will work?"

Naoki considered it. He couldn't imagine failing. With a confident nod, he said, "No problem."

Seeing the boy's brazen confidence and recalling his earlier words, Asuna's mind started racing. She gritted her teeth, thinking of the countless days and nights trapped in tutoring classes. With a surge of resolve, she decided to risk getting scolded and give it a shot.

So, Asuna turned on her heel, grabbed Naoki, and started dragging him back toward her house.

"Huh? Asuna-chan, what's this? Not heading to class?" Naoki asked as she pulled him along.

"What class? You're going to talk to my mom first."

It was clear Asuna wasn't exactly a model student.

The doorbell rang, and a stern voice came from inside.

"Who's there?" The door swung open, revealing a woman in her thirties with short hair. She looked sharp and severe, giving off an intimidating vibe.

The moment she saw Asuna, her expression darkened.

It only reinforced that harsh first impression.

"Asuna, why aren't you at tutoring?" Kyoko Yuuki asked, her face grim.

Asuna instinctively shrank back. It was obvious she'd been terrified of her mother since childhood.

But remembering the boy behind her, she mustered her courage. "Mom, I've got something to discuss with you." She stepped aside to reveal the blonde kid behind her.

Kyoko paused, her eyes landing on Naoki Kirigaya. After a moment of thought, she said, "You're that prodigy, aren't you?"

Naoki blinked in surprise. "You've seen me before?"

Kyoko didn't answer. She glanced at Asuna, then stepped aside to clear the way. Her expression softened slightly as she said, "Come in."

Asuna nudged Naoki forward, hiding behind him. She'd clearly lost her nerve.

Naoki found it amusing but didn't mind too much. He strode in casually, slipping off his shoes at the entrance.

The Yuuki household was spacious and elegantly decorated, with a rustic, scholarly charm that screamed old-money intellect.

Kyoko led Naoki to the living room and gestured to a chair across from her. "What would you like to drink?"

"Plain water, thanks," Naoki said without hesitation, making himself at home.

Kyoko nodded slightly and went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water.

While she was gone, Asuna leaned in close and whispered, "You sure about this?"

Naoki patted his chest confidently. "No problem. I've passed IELTS—teaching you will be a breeze."

Asuna let out a relieved breath and settled back into her seat.

Kyoko returned shortly with a glass of water and placed it in front of Naoki.

"Thanks," Naoki said.

Kyoko sat across from them. "What's this about?"

Naoki glanced at Asuna, only to find her staring back at him.

They blinked at each other.

Great. Just great.

Was this girl really that timid? Noticing their odd exchange, Kyoko frowned slightly.

Naoki coughed a few times to break the silence. "Ma'am, I'd like to be Asuna Yuuki's private tutor. I can teach her English, and I'm decent at French and German too—I could handle her other language subjects."

Kyoko went quiet, her fingers tapping the table.

When she didn't respond, Naoki tossed out a few casual remarks.

To his surprise, Kyoko engaged him. "Why do you want to be a tutor?" Her words came fast, her English pronunciation crisp and precise.

Naoki thought for a moment. "I guess I've got a connection with your daughter. Plus, I could use a part-time gig to earn some cash."

"And what can you teach?"

"English, German, French, Chinese—you name it. Junior high and high school subjects are no sweat for me either. You can trust me with your kid."

Kyoko considered this, then asked, "German and French too?" This time, she switched to French.

"Naturally," Naoki replied, matching her in fluent French.

"And your rate?" Kyoko pressed on.

Her next question nearly made him laugh.

She'd switched to Chinese—awkward, halting Chinese.

Naoki stifled a grin and answered, "I'd expect 5,000 yen an hour."

Hearing his native tongue after so long felt nostalgic. As a Chinese speaker, his own language could never feel foreign. His pronunciation was flawless—so perfect that Kyoko looked faintly embarrassed.

She coughed dryly. "Fine. You can teach Asuna. I'll test her every month. If she doesn't meet my expectations, your job's done."

Kyoko had her reasons. Sure, the boy was a prodigy, but having knowledge and teaching it were two different beasts.

A scholar might not be a good educator, just as a great teacher might not be a scholar.

The Yuuki family wasn't short on money—quite the opposite. But they valued education above all, especially for their daughter.

Agreeing to the boy's proposal was partly a test of his abilities.

She'd heard of the prodigy before—seen him on TV, dismissed it as a media stunt for attention. Meeting him now, though, and finding the rumors true, surprised her.

Surprise aside, she could rationalize it.

This era did produce people like him. The boy was undeniably a genius. If the rumors weren't exaggerated, he might be worth keeping around.

With that in mind, she studied the blonde-haired boy in front of her.