Being the daughter of a wealthy family seemed as if she were a princess living in a different world.
āWhat an amazing homeā¦ā
After school, I was invited to Kurumizawa-sanās house.
Yesterday we had a discussion at my auntās office, and today I came to her house to start tutoring her in earnest.
Everything as far as the eye could see was the property, and the distance from the gate to the residence was rather long. When I got out of the car and looked up at the residence, it was a mansion like I had only seen on TV.
āExactly. I wonder what kind of evil things my father does to earn money?ā
Perhaps hearing my muttering, Kurumizawa-san, who was standing next to me, chuckled.
We didnāt have any conversation in the car, as I was pressed into silence throughout the ride, but I couldnāt help but marvel at the world that was so ā¦ different by so many orders of magnitude.
Perhaps she was happy that I had said the words, but Kurumizawa-sanās expression was bright. My mood was complicated because I could see that.
Itās a strange thing to have your feelings affected by a single phrase from a person like meā¦
āCome on, shall we go?ā
As if leading the way, Kurumizawa-san started to walk.
I looked behind me and saw the woman who had been driving the car for us earlier, bowing her head. Is she a servant?
Come to think of it, I remembered that Mary-san had a servant like her. That person might have been born into a family as wealthy as the Kurumizawa family in terms of size.
Well, I heard that she is out of the country now, so it doesnāt matter to me.
āIām nervous because this is the first time Iāve invited a boy to my room ā¦ However, it is not a very girly room, so there is no need to be shy.ā
The room I was shown to was more modest and neat than I had expected.
The room is spacious enough, but it doesnāt have a lived-in feel. At least, it does not have a fancy atmosphere like Shihoās room.
There was a desk, a closet, a bookshelf, a bed, etcā¦ There was the bare minimum of furniture necessary for living, but there were no items that really made an impression on me.
If anything, it might resemble my room.
āWell, letās see ermā¦ Letās study for now, shall we? Youāre hired as a tutor, after all, arenāt you?ā
āIām not doing very well, am I?ā
āI donāt care. After all, I just want to be with you, and ātutoringā is just an excuseā¦ You donāt have to teach me how to study, so why donāt we work together?ā
After saying this, Kurumizawa-san smiled shyly. Slightly red in the cheeks, she said something like this.
āAlso, itās been my dream to have a study session with someone I like, so Iāll be happy if you can make it ā¦ come true.ā
When she says that to me, Iām vulnerable.
It makes me aware that she really likes me.
I canāt be so insensitive that I can show rejection to a favor.
So in the end, I accept it.
āUh, yeahā¦ I understand.ā
But the reason I feel guilty subconsciously is probably because I am remembering Shiho.
Iām sure she would be jealous if I was in a study group with another girlā¦ When itās all over, Iāll have to apologize properly.
I donāt think sheāll forgive me easily.
But, wellā¦ yeah. I canāt deny the fact that my grades have been getting worse lately.
In order to support Shiho in the future, I should study.
So this study session may be divided up as a way to get along with Kurumizawa-san, or rather, for my own sake.
I suddenly felt heavy as I found myself once again thinking of excuses.
No matter what the reason may be, there is no way I can overturn the truth that I am cheating on Shiho.
Once I realize that, the last thing I want to do after ā¦ is to fall into a loop of self-loathing.