Midori did not know whether Ryouichi and Akiyama returned at eight in the morning or not, because she asked to be released soon after she woke up.
According to the deal she made with Takiko, she was supposed to receive the payment for her teaching service a day after she taught a class.
That meant, today she was going to take her first lesson in the womanly arts.
"I did not expect you to show up after yesterday's incident," Takiko remarked with a touch of astonishment. "Midori-san, are you feeling alright? We can postpone the lesson if you want."
"No, no, I am perfectly fine," Midori countered. "Madam, let's begin. I don't want to waste more of your time."
She especially did not want to waste her own, because she was going with Arata to Kagemachi the next day.
"Alright," Takiko said with a sigh. "If it makes you feel better, the three girls who tormented you are currently suspended from the academy."
"Oh?"
Takiko rolled out a calligraphy scroll and dipped her brush into an ink pad.
"I meant it when I said that our academy does not tolerate such behavior, Midori-san."
The middle-aged woman pinched the end of her right sleeve before she let her hand dance upon the blank white paper, her eloquent strokes producing the two characters that meant "virtue".
"The first word is probably a little complicated, but I am teaching you as an adult. Let's slowly learn, I will correct your every stroke along the way," Takiko graciously said.
"Thank you, Madam Kinoshita."
It was her first lesson, but she had no problem writing the characters at all. Her strokes might be a little shaky at the beginning, but the lines became smoother after the third and fourth attempts. Takiko could not help but toss out a praise.
"Oh, my. When you told me that you wanted to re-learn everything, I thought that you might be especially untalented. Who knew that you could produce such elegant writings in your first lesson?"
Midori put the brush aside and bowed her head at her teacher.
"Madam, you are praising me too much. A student is the shadow of their teacher. My success is entirely the result of your good teaching."
Takiko pressed the end of her sleeve against her lips and laughed.
"A teacher guides the way, but a student walks the path. I would say that we both contribute to your success."
A private lesson with Takiko proved to be more entertaining than what Midori initially thought. Convinced that Midori could handle more than just writing several characters at a time, she made her write poems on wall scrolls.
When they were painting flowers in the blank space to make the wall scroll more appealing to the eyes, Takiko asked her disciple, "Midori-san, what do you think about my son, Akiyama-san?"
"He is a good man," Midori said in a flat tone.
Takiko chuckled.
"I remember saying the same about a man I disliked, back when I was still young and unmarried."
Midori could not help but smile.
"Madam, what do you think about me?" she boldly asked.
Takiko widened her eyes in astonishment. "Are you asking about my opinion about you?"
"Yes, Madam."
"When my husband agreed on an arranged match between you and Akiyama-san, I was under the impression that he did it out of courtesy. Knowing your circumstances, I used to think that you were not a good match for my son.
But then..."
Takiko put down her brush and held her wall scroll in front of her to admire the painting and the accompanying poem next to it.
"... then I find out that you are more than just a pregnant divorcee with a bad reputation. You piqued my interest, and you proved me right again and again."
Takiko flashed Midori a sweet, gentle smile.
"All mothers want the best for their children, Midori-san. I am sure you understand me."
Midori put both hands against her abdomen.
"Yes," she said. "I do understand."
"I am not trying to promote my son in front of you, but Akiyama is going to be a good husband to any woman who is lucky enough to get him."
At the end of her sentence, Takiko let out a long sigh.
"Of course, there are some rough edges about him that still require some polishing, but I believe that we can work on that as the relationship proceeds. So if you are looking to find a stable home to build and raise a family, our Kinoshita family will be very happy to accept you."
"Thank you, Madam."
On her way home from St. Anne's Academy, Midori checked her Character Interface. She almost choked on her spit when she saw her point stand :
Life Points : 130 Points.
Charm Points : 150 Points.
Creativity Points : 43 Points.
Pink Love Points : 1986 Points.
Midori almost screamed out of euphoria. 1986 Pink Love Points! Like a seasoned shopper, she eagerly clicked on the numbers to access the relevant shop. The items inside the shop were mainly geared to promote the relationship between her and Akiyama.
There was, for example, a coupon for an "Exciting Dinner Date with Akiyama Kinoshita", priced at 1000 Pink Love Points, or a "Massage by Akiyama Kinoshita", priced at 200 Pink Love Points.
"Hey, S-9898, can you not disclose the higher-point items now? I want to know if there is any point saving this many Pink Love Points."
[Unfortunately, I cannot show you all available items, Midori-san (｡•́︿•̀｡). The list always gets updated according to your needs. Please make sure to check the shop often for new items!]
Midori clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Her displeasure quickly disappeared when she looked out of the car window.
"Onizuka-san," she called out to the butler who was driving her back home. "It is snowing."
"Ah, yes," Onizuka replied with a giggle. "It is Midori Ojou-sama's first snow after coming back to the Takigawa family."
"True," Midori said with a sigh as she leaned against the window frame. Winter had finally arrived.