Riel had been familiar with the school since that was also where he used to study on his high school days, but he didn’t have many good memories there. One of the things that was especially intimidating to him was the entrance to the director’s office with a sign that says “Director’s Office” in all caps and not to mention, bolded.

“...”

“...”

*Grabs Doorknob*

“Hey, we should knock first.”

The Riel who grabbed the doorknob the moment he had the chance was stopped by Runa.

“Tsch. Screw formality and pleasantries. Who the heck invented such things?”

*Tok, Tok, Tok*

Runa then opened the door a few seconds after knocking. There, a bearded man of old age was sitting on his office chair. He seemed to be reading something on his laptop, but that really didn’t matter at the time.

“Should the director really be growing his bear-”

Riel was making a remark, but Runa quickly interrupted him as to not offend the director.

“Good afternoon. I’ve brought Kazetachi.”

“Pfftt…”

The sound of a laugh desperately trying not to get out could be heard towards the bearded old man’s direction. That sound was rather offensive for Riel. He just couldn’t help but feel irritated.

“Hey, this old man just made fun of my pen name. I’m out of he-”

“Oh, forgive my rudeness. I’ve been meaning to meet you since the twin sisters introduced me to your written works one week ago.”

“Written works?”

Asked Riel who felt like clarifying things. The director didn’t say anything. Instead, he showed his laptop to Riel and asked him to have a look at it.

“Sir Regio, by tutoring, you don’t mean I’ll be officially a teacher here, right?”

“Sharp mind as always. Yes, You’re going to be a tutor hired by me. You will be accepting your salary and you will be reporting directly to me. You only have to be present from noon until 6:00 pm. However, for as long as you are within the school premises, you ought to follow our rules.”

The bearded old man whom Riel called Regio explained the terms. He also warned Riel as if he knew that he was going to cause trouble.

“Just so you know. I haven’t accepted your offer, yet. I’m earning huge just by writing web novels. I won't even be here if these two hadn’t fooled me. I’m just curious as to why you’d be hiring an amateur tutor such as myself. I have neither a degree in education nor literature.”

“Ha ha. You’re as straightforward as I remember you. This is a good chance to battle against your social anxiety, don’t you think? I can’t pay you even half of what you earn from writing your web serials, but teaching should make a good side-line not for the money, but for the mental and emotional benefit that you would be getting. Teaching another would allow you to improve yourself further as a writer. Imparting your knowledge to another would also exercise your communication skills not to mention you’d be helping them achieve their goals. What’s there not to like? If you’re worried about your lack of education to this particular field, then I’m telling you this now. You don’t need a degree to be capable of teaching. Sometimes, experience makes a better teacher than someone with a diploma. Your written works are exceptional in the way that they are written. You also know how to capture your readers’ heart. It must have taken you countless hours of practice and experimentation. Countless times of failure and frustration. You must have worked hard to reach this point. You know how it feels to want to do something without anything to back you up. We have those types of students here. I’m sure that you will get along well with them.”

Riel was already getting bored with hearing Regio’s words, but he listened anyway. While playing with his ear using his pinkie, that is.

“Oh, you’re done speaking now? You haven’t changed, huh. You still blabber about all sorts of things. But I’d like to give you my thanks for putting your trust in me. I can’t make a decision right away, so if you’ll allow me to think this through…”

“Of course. The academic year is only in its second quarter, but don’t take too long. Being indecisive will not be good for you and for those who will be affected by your decisions. You’re an adult now. You ought to be quick. Always remember that there are people who are awaiting you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Sigh, the ordeal has finally come to a close.”

It was Riel who spoke. The talk with the director ended just a few moments ago, but the trio decided to hang around the school for a bit longer. That was because Riel wanted to see how different or similar the current school was to his memory back in the day. It turned out that the school didn’t change much after six years.

“I didn’t know that you and the director knew each other.”

Said Runa.

“Well, he was my English teacher back in the day. He didn’t have that beard before, though.”

They were loitering around the cafeteria at the time when Riel noticed that Luna kept on staring at the bottled green tea that was on display.

“You like that tea?”

Luna nodded upon being asked by Riel, but

“Sis forgot her wallet.”

Runa joined the conversation.

“If Luna forgot hers, why don’t you just buy it for her?”

“I would have bought it if she didn’t stop me.”

“Huh?”

“Lower your head a bit.”

Riel’s expression was begging for an explanation, so Runa decided that she’d whisper.

“Sis doesn’t like relying on others.”

“I see.”

A short silence presented itself as Riel was picking his wallet on his pocket.

“Ahh! I’m thirsty. I feel like buying something! You two, stay there. I’m going to go get something.”

Moments later, Riel came back with three bottles of green tea. He gave one to Runa who accepted it right away, but Luna on the other hand,

“Come on. I already bought this. I can’t drink two bottles, so I need your help.”

“T-thank you.”

Luna expressed her gratitude with a meek, but satisfied smile on her face.

“I guess it’s time to go home.”

Riel expressed his desire to head home, but Runa wanted to come with him.

“We’re coming with you!”

“No. Go home. I feel tired. I want to relax.”

“Grrrr…”

“What are you, a tiger? No means no.”

Riel wasn’t budging with Runa’s attempts, but how about Luna?

“Just for a moment… Will you allow us?”

Luna asked with her usual gentle voice and meek expression. Something in her just makes Riel want to treasure and take good care of her. That prompted him to say yes.

“Just be sure you’ll go home after 5 pm. I’m not sure how far away you are. I’m just concerned for your safety. We never know what danger may lurk at night.”

“We are just nearby, anyway.”

“How close?”

“We are in the village just next to yours.”

“Are you kidding me? That’s only 15 minutes away.”

“Umm… Riel, if you like.. You can visit us, too.”

Riel was happy that Luna was inviting him, but

“I don’t think I have the courage to step inside that village. The houses are just… I don’t know. They are big and intimidating. Like, plebeians such as myself aren’t allowed to set foot there.”

“Pfft… You’re exaggerating it. Sure, most of the homeowners there are quite rich, but it’s not as if we’re living in a giant mansion. Feel free to come visit us every now and then.”

“Well, I guess intruding the same way you intrude my sanctuary every time would be a nice change of pace, but… Your father isn’t there, right?”

“What? Do you have a grudge against pops?”

“N-not really… I just feel like I shouldn’t meet him yet.”

Since Runa didn’t answer Riel’s question, Luna felt like being the one to ease Riel’s heart.

“Papa has work overseas so… It’s just Mama and us.”

“I see. I’ll be visiting you one of these days then.”

As if a new habit is taking root deep within Riel, he began to pat Luna on the head once more.

[Ahh… Feels nice.]

Was Riel’s thought.

[Why does he spoil sis so much, but not me?]

Runa, on the other hand, was quietly expressing her discontent as to the disparity with the way Riel treats the two of them, but at the same time, unknown happiness wells up from within her whenever the two of them is together with him.

“I wish these days won’t end.”

Was Runa who accidentally blurted out her inner monologue.

“Huh? You say something?”

“No. It must be your imagination.”