“Kent, I’m glad everything worked out,” Teacher Tia (Female) said.
After Elnet (Female) decided to bring Teacher Tia (Female) back to the academy after she withdrew her resignation, Kent (Male) and Catherine (Female) were talking on the sofa in the living room. Hanako was also there, but she stayed quiet, enjoying her warm tea without interrupting their conversation.
“Yes, and thank you, Catherine, for your cooperation,” Kent (Male) replied.
“I only acted as an intermediary, so I didn’t do anything,” Catherine (Female) said, blushing.
As they were talking, Marie’s (Female) voice came from the entrance.
“Oh, Kent and Hanako, welcome home. What happened to Teacher Tia?”
“We managed to bring her back safely, and she’s agreed to return to teaching.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
Marie (Female) entered the living room, eager to know the results. Kent (Male) happily shared that things had gone well, and Marie (Female) was overjoyed.
“Marie, you were at the shop earlier. Were you working on your sales declaration?” Kent (Male) asked.
“Yes. Before, when it was a small shop, it wasn’t too much work, but now that the business has grown, the calculations are very difficult. Al was helping me, but if I don’t finish the declaration by the deadline, it’ll be a big problem.”
Marie (Female) was working on the documents to report how much profit Marie’s Bakery made last year. Until recently, it was a family business, but it had grown to become the most profitable shop in town, even opening branches. The sales figures were astronomical compared to the previous year, and the transactions were numerous and complex. This declaration would determine the amount of taxes the shop owed, and failing to submit it on time could result in a huge tax burden, potentially crippling the business. That’s why every shop owner was busy with the sales declaration process during this period.
“I’ll help anytime you need it, so please let me know when things get tough,” Kent (Male) offered.
“Thank you, Kent. But thanks to the software on the computer, I just need to input the numbers, which is a great help.”
At Marie’s Bakery, the day’s sales were recorded on paper and then entered into a computer for processing. This allowed for easy calculation of sales and expenses without complex manual computations, a method virtually impossible for other shops to replicate.
“I wish I could get you a more powerful computer, but this is the best I can get through my terminal. I’m sorry,” Kent (Male) apologized to Marie (Female). The computers he could order were only low-spec, budget models found at the Home Center. This sometimes led to slow processing. Rachel (Female) had a similar model for personal use in her own room and had lamented wanting a higher-performance machine, even though it was beyond Kent’s (Male) current capabilities.
“Oh no, I don’t know the difference performance would make, but I’m very grateful to have a computer. Thanks for your help, Al.”
“I’m exhausted. My eyes are so dry.”
Kent (Male) offered words of comfort to Al (Male/Female), who entered the room behind Marie (Female) with a visibly exhausted expression. Al (Male/Female) rubbed their eyes, looking very tired. Al (Male/Female) had inherited some of their master Kent’s (Male) abilities, including computer literacy and administrative skills, but they were more suited to physical labor, making this a particularly strenuous task.
“Here’s some tea, Mother. I prepared mineral water for Al too,” Catherine (Female) said.
“Thank you, Catherine.”
“Ah, this is so refreshing.”
Catherine (Female) brought Marie (Female) a warm cup of tea and mineral water from the refrigerator for Al (Male/Female), who could only drink water. Marie (Female) sat on the sofa and slowly began to sip her tea, while Al (Male/Female), who was very thirsty, drank theirs all at once.
“I’ll start preparing dinner after a short break.”
“In that case, I can…” Kent (Male) began.
“No, no. Kent, you’ve done a big job and you must be tired. Please relax.”
After her break, Marie (Female) told Kent (Male) to rest and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
“Yo, Kent.”
“Good morning, Bobby.”
The next day, despite everything, Kent (Male) and his companions headed to the academy as usual and entered their classroom. Bobby (Male) greeted them with his usual morning salutation.
“Good morning, Josette and Patty.”
“Good morning, Bobby.”
“Good morning, Bobby.”
“I’m so lucky to get a morning greeting from two of the most beautiful girls in our class!”
Bobby (Male) greeted Josette (Female) and Patty (Female), who were with Kent (Male), and seemed happy to receive their greetings in return.
“Speaking of which, it was great seeing Teacher Arnet again the other day. I really like her cheerful vibe, and her… well, they’re so big, I couldn’t help comparing them…”
“Hey, Bobby. Stop looking at Josette’s chest while you say that.”
“Whoops, sorry.”
Kent (Male) noticed Bobby (Male) comparing Teacher Arnet’s (Female) chest to Josette’s (Female) as he reminisced about the previous time Teacher Arnet (Female) had filled in for Teacher Tia (Female). He cut Bobby (Male) off. Bobby (Male) didn’t know that the chest he’d been so attracted to was actually artificial.
“That’s right. I don’t want anyone but Kent to look at them,” Josette (Female) said.
“Josette.”
“Kent.”
Josette (Female) and Kent (Male) gazed at each other.
“Hey, don’t get lost in your own world over there,” Bobby (Male) teased.
“Yeah. Let me join you,” Patty (Female) added.
“Whoa!”
As Bobby (Male) teased them, a voice from behind startled him.
“El… Teacher Arnet, you weren’t at the shop this morning. What happened?” Patty (Female) asked, nearly calling Elnet (Female) by her real name. Elnet (Female), also known as Arnet (Female), hadn’t been at the shop that morning and had taken the day off.
“Well, that matter has been resolved, but another homeroom teacher caught a cold. So now I have to cover their class for a few days. I came to see Kent because I hadn’t seen him today.”
“Huh? Teacher Arnet, your way of speaking is a little different today…”
Teacher Arnet (Female) had responded to Patty (Female) in her natural tone. Bobby (Male) looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“Wh-what are you talking about? I’m perfectly normal. So, I need to get to my assigned class.”
Teacher Arnet (Female) tried to cover up her slip-up and then sped off with incredible speed. Bobby (Male) watched her go, looking surprised.
“Sis… er, Teacher Arnet also seems very busy. Well, the bell for homeroom is about to ring.”
“Alright, everyone, let’s break up. Bobby, you should get back to your seat too.”
“O-okay.”
Josette (Female) pointed out that it was almost time for homeroom, and everyone dispersed to their seats.
*Cullian, cullian.*
Soon after, the bell rang, signaling the start of homeroom.
“Good morning, everyone. I apologize for suddenly being absent the other day.”
As homeroom began, Teacher Tia (Female) entered the classroom and immediately apologized to everyone for her recent absence.
