Chapter 2 Let Me Stay at Your Place

Let Me Stay at Your Place

—It had been a few weeks since my divorce.

My heart hadn’t healed yet, so I tried to forget everything by throwing myself into work.

I’ve been working at this private tutoring institute for four years. Now I’m in charge of the branch, and this season—right at the start of summer recruitment—is our busiest time, as the number of students increases the most.

I was extremely busy, and being so absorbed in my work was the perfect way to distract myself from the pain.

“Let’s see… First, I have to enter the data for the trial students, then prepare the interview sheets. I also need to get ready for tomorrow.”

While I was immersed in my tasks, the part-timers who had finished getting ready to leave began coming out of the lounge one by one.

“Director! We’re heading out!”

“Good job!”

“Good job, everyone. See you next time.”

“Aren’t you going home yet?”

“I’ve got things to finish. Can’t be helped, can’t be helped.”

“No, no, don’t overwork yourself. You’ve got a wife waiting at home, right? She’ll be mad if you stay too late!”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

“Yeah… you’re right. Well, I’ll do my best.”

I waved and watched the backs of the college students as they walked out.

Seeing their young, hopeful faces reminded me of my ex-wife and the young man she recently disappeared with, and I involuntarily sighed.

…That remark really hit me hard.

I hadn’t told my part-timers about my divorce.

Since I deal with many people at work, I didn’t want to leave a negative impression on the parents or my staff.

So, their comments weren’t meant as jokes.

I know that, but—

“Damn. That one stung…”

I gulped down my coffee and slapped my face a few times.

Just as I was about to get back to work, one of the part-timers who hadn’t left yet spoke up.

“Eh, Ariga-cchi. Aren’t you going home?”

Startled by the sudden voice, I turned around.

As usual, she spoke casually and had a striking appearance.

“Amemiya! I’ve told you before, right? I’m the director, so you should call me with ‘san.’”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. It’s just a habit.”

“Geez, you never change. Well, there aren’t any students around right now, so I guess it’s okay.”

“Really? Then I’ll stick with calling you Ariga-cchi like always.”

She plopped down on the swivel chair and spun around in front of me.

When I glanced at her in mild annoyance, she just smiled back.

Her name was Amemiya Kanade 雨宮 奏.

She was one of my part-timers and a former student of mine.

There weren’t many strict rules at this cram school, so with her reddish-brown hair, she left quite an impression.

Her casual clothes made her look like she was trying to attract men.

At first glance, she seemed carefree and easygoing, but in reality, she was different.

Her casual attire was due to her hobby of dancing, and her overall vibe that made her seem “light” was apparently just her style… or so she claimed.

At least, that’s what she told me, though I can’t be entirely sure. Still, it did seem plausible.

I remember when I first met her—she was a very quiet student who gave me cold looks.

Well… Even if I say this now, it’s probably hard to believe…

She’s so familiar with me now that she doesn’t hesitate at all.

Kanade was my first student when I started this job; she was a second-year high schooler back then.

We’d known each other for four years since then… so it wasn’t surprising that her demeanor toward me had become more casual over time.

“Is this what you’d call growth…?”

“No way~ I’ve definitely grown, haven’t I? My grades were terrible when I first came here… haha.”

“It’s not funny. You have no idea how much I struggled back then…”

“Ahaha! Thanks for everything back then, Ariga-cchi!”

She patted my back and laughed out loud.

Her attitude, though a bit annoying, was refreshing in my low-energy state. It felt like I was getting a boost, and honestly, it wasn’t bad.

“Oh, right. About that trial student, Amemiya-sensei was looking at today…”

“Hey, Ariga-cchi! Don’t call me ‘Sensei’—it makes my back itch!”

“Fine, Kanade. Anyway, the trial student you worked with today decided to enroll.”

“Oh! Nice! I had a good feeling about them! As expected of me. Yay!”

“Haha, yes, yes, you’re amazing. That’s the fifth one this month. I really appreciate your help every time.”

“Fufu~ It’s all thanks to your teaching, Ariga-cchi!”

“Knock it off, you’re making me blush.”

“I’ve mastered the art of small talk, so leave it to me!”

“Wait, small talk!? Shouldn’t it be your teaching skills?”

People might think I only chat during lessons.

This made it sound like I only chatted during lessons… Well, okay, we had talked about that, but still.

As the director, I’d prefer if she’d say, “It’s thanks to your teaching method.” But honestly, her success wasn’t because of my teaching—it was her own talent.

She has excellent communication skills, and her knack for teaching makes her popular.

Especially since she works almost every day, she must be invaluable to the students.

Eh? Now that I think about it, isn’t she here almost daily?

I’m the one who sets the schedule, but I’m starting to worry. Is she managing her college classes?

Even though she’s young, working part-time every day must be exhausting. Maybe I should send her home early.

“Kanade. I still have work to finish, but you should head home. Don’t you have a morning class tomorrow?”

“Ehh, but I still want to talk~”

“If you stay, I’ll never finish my work.”

“And I wanted to grab some meat buns on the way home.”

“Hey, are you trying to make me treat you again? Haven’t you been mooching off me every day lately?”

“Fufu, I’ll repay you, I swear! But I have a favor to ask.”

“Huh? …A favor for your repayment?”

I tilted my head and sighed, looking at Kanade, who was grinning.

…Ugh.

I could tell she was planning something.

“Let me stay at your place tonight, Ariga-cchi.”

“…Huh?”

 A stupid sound escaped my mouth, and the late-night workplace fell eerily silent.

Her clear voice seemed to echo in the stillness.