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"Hmm...as i expected."
"Hn? ...is there any problem, Riddle-senpai?"
I shook my head.
"No, it's nothing. Don't mind me."
Currently, it is 5:15 in the afternoon. My schedule for today was a "private study session" which i promised a while back to my junior, Yuu. And that is exactly what we are doing at this moment in heartslabyul dorm's private study room.
i look at the girl sitting across me. In this medium sized room with only two people in it, The only sounds that can be heard is the rustling of papers and pen scratchings. Her thin fingers swiftly writing her answers on the paper in front of her. What she is working on right now is the handmade questions i prepared for tutoring the 1st year s0tudents. As i expected...my tutoring is near unnecessary for her.
After a few minutes she stops her hand for a brief moment. Looking like she has found a question hard to answer, she locks her eyes to the paper.
bending her neck down, Her bangs hits the edge of her downcasted eyelashes and the rest of the straight long hair falls on the side of her face by the gravity tugging on it.
Without caring about the strands of hair hampering her eyesight, slowly, she brought her right hand which has been tirelessly writing to her chin. My eyes follows the pen in her hand as she lightly pushes the bunt end to her lower lips. Perhaps it's her habit to do that when in thought?
...wait, just where am i looking at?!
No no no, it isn't proper to stare at a lady!
Leave aside The Queen of Hearts' rules, it's simply a defiation of manners. Goodness me...what am i doing...
Just as i thought about such monologues, i could feel the temperature around my cheeks rise.
I start clearing my throat to calm myself down. Forgetting about the person sitting right infront of me.
However, as if oblivious to my distress, the girl in question keeps her gaze fixed on the paper in front of her.
I guess it's a good thing she doesn't realize anything.
Soon enough, the pen in her right hand goes back on the paper infront of her. Slowly writing one, two words, and by the third her hand quickly picks up its pace just as it was before.
Of course, i know the exact question she got stuck on. I inserted a few complex questions in those papers, and that was one of them.
It seems that she managed to get through it. Good. Being able to use rational thinking alongside already available knowledge to practically and accurately find the correct solution is a must have ability to aim for the very top. Although...
"Yuu."
The girl who just now looked like nothing can divert her attention from the papers on the table immediately turned her eyes up towards me by that single call.
"Yes."
"Question 43 you did just now is inaccurate. The theory itself that you used is correct, but the second incantation sequence of this spell is outdated."
I pointed out on her answers paper. As she read through the question once more, a soft crease could be seen between her eyebrows.
"No...i made sure it was the most recent revision.."
"It is indeed a recent one. However, the one you used is the second most recent. A new revision was released last month."
"Last month..!?" Yuu spoke up in disbelieve.
In that moment i could see her expression turn into dejection. new research as recent as a month ago is unreasonable. Chuckling, i try to cheer her up.
"Don't worry, I chose this question exactly to challenge capable students like you. Unless you are a genius, it's completely normal to get it wrong the first time. I'll give you the necessary material so read that first and we can redo this question later"
Yuu paused for a second and breaks a giggle. Cute.
"Riddle-senpai. Somehow i feel like you're too kind...it's like you're spoiling me."
"What do you mean? I don't spoil anyone. Everything is viewed equal in the eyes of rules and order. You're a hardworker that properly abide the rules, so I treat you in accordance to your behavior."
That is the truth. … Although, to be very honest, this isn't the first time someone said that. Ace once pointed out that I have a bias specifically towards Yuu.
How unpleasant. one breaks the rules, the other doesn't. The difference is obvious, and it has absolutely nothing to do with biases. Absolutely not.
"Honestly.. Why can't those troublemakers be half as well-behaved as you are"
I sigh in defeat. Understanding exactly who I'm referring to, Yuu shows a sympathetic smile and we continued as planned.
Before I realized it the sun had already started to set. It's time to wrap up the study session. I don't exactly understand why, but this time we spent together felt like it passed by quicker than usual. As usual, I escorted her to the dorm's front gate, and before parting, Yuu turned to face me and bowed slightly.
"Thank you very much for today, senpai. It was a great help."
Her hair blown on the wind and her eyes glitters faintly. With a warm smile on her face and her cheeks slightly red from the warm sunset, she looks at me with a kind expression. The sun setting behind her frames her figure.
Her gaze similar to a lit lantern, burning softly and silently. Something behind those eyes look almost like there's something she has been wanting to tell me for a long time.
"Of course, I wish you luck for your midterm exams next week."
Unable to find the words to ask, we finished our conversation and part ways.
…It would be nice if I can hear whatever it is that she wants to tell me one day.
fin.