Chapter 52: The teacher and the musician.
"I'm glad I'm not late," I muttered to myself, standing in front of the familiar villa. Although Ji-eun had called it 'cheap,' I had to hide my shock. Letting her see my astonishment would definitely show her the 'idiotic' side of me. That would be a real pain.
I rang the bell and waited for the head maid to open the massive door.
"Hello, who is it?" came a voice from the intercom.
"It's Minami Reo," I replied. The door opened, and the head maid welcomed me inside.
"Good afternoon. I hope you had a pleasant journey from your home," she said, bowing slightly.
"Yes, I did," I answered, following her into the house.
"I will call the young mistress. Please wait here," she said, leaving me alone in the room.
As I waited, I glanced around and noticed another presence. It wasn't Ji-eun, but a boy. Ji-eun's room, usually kept at a consistent 20°C, was now warmer, likely adjusted for this guest's comfort.
The bed sheet was untidy, which was unlike Ji-eun. The room also had a faint scent of perfume that Ji-eun never used; it was distinctly masculine.
'Did that girl actually manage to get herself a boyfriend?' I thought in shock. The same girl who often said socializing was a pain seemed to be interested in dating.
After a while, Ji-eun walked in with the boy. He looked normal, not what I expected. To be honest, I expected someone with the same expressionless face as hers.
"So, this is the guy, huh? I must say you have a good eye," I said, teasingly.
"What do you mean by that?" Ji-eun questioned, while the boy beside her looked at me, seemingly understanding my implication.
"Well, I'm talking about that boy," I said, pointing at the boy behind her.
She looked at him and then back at me, "What do you mean?"
"Well, since when did you start seeing him?"
She sighed, "It's nothing like that. He's just a guest. Just. A. Guest. Okay?"
"Okay, okay. Let's get on with the lesson. So, is 'Mr. Guest' going to watch us?"
"Yes, he will if he wants to," she turned back to the boy, "Do you want to stay or leave?"
Before he could answer, there was a knock at the door, interrupting us.
"Young master Ren, please come downstairs. You are being called by Master Harate," the personal butler of Yamamichi Harate said. If I wasn't mistaken, Ren was the grandson of that man. It was surprising, to be honest.
"It seems I can't stay. Maybe next time?" Ren apologized.
"Next time," Ji-eun agreed, extending her hand. Ren punched it lightly and took his leave.
"Well then, let's start," Ji-eun said, taking the violin out of its bag.
"Alright then, let's begin," I said, starting the lesson.
.
.
.
.
.
It was afternoon by the time the lesson ended.
"Thank you for the lesson, ma'am," Ji-eun said, bowing politely.
"It's my duty. I'll see you soon," I replied, gathering my things.
As I left, I couldn't help but wonder if Ji-eun would ever fall in love. It was possible, but it wouldn't be without complications.
In the tangled tapestry of high school life, relationships often bloomed like delicate wildflowers amidst chaos. Beneath their superficial allure lay a labyrinth of complexities, a maze fraught with perilous pitfalls.
In the tender years of youth, we were but fledglings, barely learning to spread our wings. To tether oneself to another in such formative moments was akin to attempting to anchor a kite in a hurricane. We were still discovering who we were, shaping our identities like clay in the hands of an uncertain sculptor.
To entwine our hearts with another's in the tumult of adolescence was to risk losing sight of our own path, to surrender the reins of our destiny to the capricious winds of infatuation. We became ensnared in a web of emotions, trapped by the ephemeral whispers of young love.
And oh, how intoxicating it could be, to taste the sweetness of stolen glances and whispered secrets, to lose ourselves in the heady rush of passion. But beneath the surface lay the cold reality: we were but fragile vessels, ill-equipped to weather the storms of commitment.
In the hallowed halls of high school, where cliques reigned supreme and gossip spread like wildfire, relationships became fodder for the voracious appetite of teenage drama. We were but players on a stage, performing for an audience hungry for spectacle.
True fulfillment lay not in the fleeting passions of youth, but in the enduring journey of self-discovery and growth.
That's how life was.
We should not regret and curse our luck for not falling in love in our youthful days but rather commit those days to self-perception.
.
.
.
.
.
Later that evening, I found myself reflecting on Ji-eun and Ren's interactions. Ji-eun was an enigma, always so composed and guarded. Ren, on the other hand, seemed to bring out a different side of her, one that was slightly more open and curious.
As I walked through the quiet streets, I couldn't help but think about my own experiences and the lessons I had learned. High school was a time of exploration and growth, a period where we were constantly learning about ourselves and the world around us.
I remembered my own first crush, the excitement and nervousness that came with it. But I also remembered the heartbreak, the realization that we were both too young and inexperienced to make it work. It had taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of self-discovery and the need to be patient with myself and others.
When I reached home, I decided to call my friend Miyake, who had always been good at giving advice.
"Hey, Minami, it's been a while," Miyake greeted me cheerfully.
"Yeah, it has. I need your advice on something," I said, diving straight into the topic.
"Sure, what's up?"
"I've got a student, Ji-eun. She's brilliant, but very guarded. Today, I met a boy she seems to be close to, and it made me wonder about the complexities of relationships at their age," I explained.
"Ah, young love," Miyake said with a knowing chuckle. "It's a tricky thing. On one hand, it's a beautiful experience that can teach them a lot about themselves and others. On the other hand, it can be incredibly distracting and sometimes even destructive if they're not careful."
"Exactly. I just want to guide her the best I can without overstepping," I said, feeling a bit more reassured.
"You're doing a great job by just being there for her. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to listen and offer our support. Let her know that it's okay to explore these feelings, but also remind her of the importance of self-growth and independence," Miyake advised.
"Thanks, that's really helpful," I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
"Anytime. And remember, everyone's journey is different. What works for one person might not work for another. Just be there for her, and she'll find her way."
As I hung up the phone, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Ji-eun and Ren were at a crucial point in their lives, and it was important for them to have the space to explore their feelings and grow. But it was also important for them to have guidance and support.
The next day, I decided to have a conversation with Ji-eun about her future plans and aspirations.
"Ji-eun, can we talk for a moment?" I asked after our lesson. Seeing that this was the right moment, I decided that this was the best time to start a conversation. Source: Myself.
"Of course, ma'am," she said, with a look of inquisitive interest.
"I wanted to discuss your future plans. You're incredibly talented, and I believe you have a bright future ahead of you. Have you thought about what you want to do after high school?" I asked.
"I have a few ideas, but I'm not entirely sure yet. I love playing the violin, but I also have other interests," she admitted, resting her chin on her hands.
"That's perfectly normal. It's important to explore all your interests and see where they take you. Remember, you don't have to have everything figured out right now. Just focus on doing what you love and learning as much as you can," I counseled her
"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate your support," She said, nodding her head. Even though in this situation anyone else would have replied with a smile, Ji-eun was different. All I could see was a face without any sort of expression.
"You're welcome, Ji-eun. And remember, if you ever need to talk or need advice, I'm always here for you," I said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
As I left the Vila, I felt hopeful for Ji-eun and Ren. They had a lot to learn and experience, but with the right guidance and support, I believed they would navigate their way through the complexities of adolescence and come out stronger on the other side.
That's what I hope for them . It comes from the bottom of my heart.