If there was one thing that Ishi was looking forward to the most ever since Rinse became a part of his life. It was certainly the Summer break they were about to enjoy once this school day ended. A month away from everyone was paradise to him. Even with an idol living next door, there was no reason for him to have to interact with her. His excitement was overflowing.
"You're looking pretty happy." Rinse took note of it, with mere minutes left in the school day. "I don't think I've ever seen you this upbeat."
"Ishi's just looking forward to the Summer break more than anyone else." Otoya answered for him. "Over a month of not being forced to see any of us must be like winning the lottery for him."
"More like winning 10 lotteries." Ishi spoke up. "It's kind of funny. With how late you transferred in. By the end of the break, you'll have spent more time away from the school than being at it." Rinse had only been attending this school for a couple of weeks before the break began. Though at this point she had become rather acclimated to everything this place had to offer. Especially when it came to those attending along side her.
He eyed the clock right as it was one minute away from putting his life back on the right track. The long hand ticked and the bell rang. Ishi wasn't alone in the joy of the break. The rest of their classmates also cheered in excitement now that this day was over. "All right." he said out loud. "Time to enjoy this break."
"Ishi Hirose, I'd like to speak with you before you leave for the break." That crushed the boy's hopes and dreams. He lightly slammed a fist down onto his desk. His life really was going to do this to him, wasn't it?
"Yes sir." He spoke formally as the people behind him left the classroom. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Don't worry, you're not in trouble." His teacher assured him. "The staff would like to ask a favor from you." Words like that pretty much made this a punishment to him. Since what they were going to ask of him was much worse than that. "I'm sure you're aware of a certain… 'Troubled' student in the class next to ours.
"You mean Chinae Kamagata, from class 3-2?" He had no qualms in guessing who was the subject of their conversation.
"Yes, that young lady." His teacher was being polite about her, but Ishi knew that this was the single worst person they could be talking about. "Her grades haven't been reaching the standard, and we're all worried if she'll be able to graduate at the end of the year."
"And you want me to spend my Summer break tutoring her?" It wasn't hard to figure out what they wished him to do. Of all people they wanted to ask, why did it have to be him? The boy was smart, sure. But it wasn't as if he was at the top of his class.
"Believe me, I wouldn't have suggested you if I didn't think you were up to the task. You're free to decline our request though. I promise that none of the staff would hold it against you." Even though that was what he said, Ishi knew they must've been desperate if they were going to him for aid. After all, his reputation went beyond just the chatter of the students. Since adults also were not immune to gossip.
What was so special about him anyway? All he wanted to do was spend his days idling about, maybe read some books or watching some movies. Having to tutor someone, especially that girl of all people, was going to be pure torture. However, he understood where his teacher was standing on this matter. It would be a shame if someone ended up failing and either dropping out or repeating the year.
"I'll do it." Ishi answered with a respectful bow.
"Good thing you accepted." His teacher chuckled. "I would've had to threaten your grades if you said no." He couldn't believe what he was told. There was no choice in this matter after all. "Anyway, she should be arriving here soon so you can exchange contact information to meet up during the break.
Right on cue, the door to the classroom opened. First came in an older woman, who was the teacher to the other class. Right behind her was the subject of their conversation. She had on a scowl, as this was the last place she wanted to be. Their break began when the bell rang, and here she was stuck still in school.
"So, they roped you into this?" She was the first to speak to him. "What? Did they blackmail you with your private porn collection?"
"I accepted on my own volition." He responded. "But I guess my grades are at stake here too." He glared at his own teacher in bitterness.
"Great, now that you two have introduced yourselves. Go ahead and exchange contact info, then we'll let you go." The other teacher spoke up with a cheerful voice. Did she really consider this to be a good introduction? They didn't even say their names and the words said were harsh. That woman really just ignored all of that.
They brushed it off and did as they were asked. The pair exchanged phone numbers and were allowed to leave. Of course, things were still rather rough as they left the school.
"You're going to be a real drag on my Summer break, aren't you?" She complained while they waited for the train to arrive.
"I think the real drag will be you." He retorted. After all this time of being excited, did the boy really need to be strapped with this? "And besides, it's your own fault for failing your classes."
"Yeah? So what? It ain't your business how I'm doing in school."
"It kind of is thanks to our teachers." He corrected her. "And again, this wouldn't be a problem if you either weren't too stupid or lazy to do your homework. And knowing you, I'd say it's both."
"I should kick your butt right here, right now." She got upset at his words, stepping up to him. Ishi showed no signs of fear about any potential pain coming his way.
"I'm not really scared of a girl." He responded. Not even if it was coming from her. "But fighting will get neither of us anywhere. So how about this?" Ishi offered a plan that they spend the next day doing all the homework assigned to her over this break. That way, they only needed to bother meeting once during this month long break. "Sound good to you?"
"...Sure." She nodded and stepped back after taking a moment to consider his plan. The less time spent with him, the better in her mind.
"Great. Then I'll see you at your place tomorrow afternoon to get started."
"Coming over to my place?" She didn't like the sound of that. "Really? We just met and you're already asking to go to my house?"
"Um, yeah?" Ishi didn't see the problem with that. This was just tutoring after all.
"That's a terrible idea, you pervert. I'm coming to your place, no more discussing." He attempted to argue, but she turned around, crossed her arms, pouted, and pretended he no longer existed besides her.
"Fine." He relented. "Just message me when you can come and I'll send you my address."
After agreeing to this plan, the pair would go on their respective paths back home. Ishi got a lot of questions about what took him so long to return. After all, he never made any detours after school since there were never any places of interest to him. "...Long story short, I have to help Kamagata with her homework tomorrow."
"Ooh." She said, picking out one specific point in his explanation that he didn't care for. "The girl… Is she cute?" His mom spoke teasingly.
"No." He answered, but that wasn't entirely true. "Well yes, but she's ugly on the inside." That was a lot more accurate in his head.
"You never know, she could be really sweet deep down." Ishi had doubts about that assessment. Especially considering hie mother never met the girl. "Besides, even if what you say is true. You could still be a good fit because you'd be pretty similar."
"Enough with the tea-" He paused when he thought about what she said. Did his mom just insult him? "Anyway, I'm going to my room. It's been a long day." He left his mother, who didn't mind this conversation coming to a sudden end. For she was expecting something to arrive right about now.
There was a knock on the door, right on cue. She hopped to her feet and hurriedly ran to answer. On the other side was Rinse, who was delivering some food her own mom made for them.
"Here you go." She gave off a glow of energy as she handed over the package. "Say, did Hirose ever come home? I remember that the teacher needed him for something."
"He's fine. My son's just in his room." His mother answered. "By the way, he's going to have a girl come over tomorrow." She bragged without thinking of any consequences. Not that it would affect her anyway.
"Oh, okay." Rinse gave a smile and turned around to leave. Then her brain actually processed what was said to her. "Wait, what!?"