The teacher who entered the classroom was a young female teacher with glasses like the bottom of a milk bottle and her brown hair braided in the back. The clothes she wore were also plain and brown, and Kent got a very plain impression from her appearance.
“It seems everyone is here. I am Tia, and I will be in charge of this remedial class. I will be teaching as a teacher from today, so please take care of me.”
Besides Teacher Tia, there was only Kent in the classroom. Since she said everyone was here, Kent decided to ask a question for confirmation.
“Teacher, may I ask one question?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“You said earlier that everyone was here, but is it possible that I’m the only one in the remedial class?”
“That’s right. While there are several students in the first and third years, you are the only one in the second year, Kent.”
With what the teacher said, Kent’s doubt was cleared.
“Still, to be in charge of a remedial class with only one student for the first time… I’m not lucky… Sigh. And a student with zero points in all subjects…”
“Teacher, I can hear your thoughts.”
“Ah, I’m so sorry. I’ve made a terrible slip of the tongue. To hurt a student on the first day… I’m a disqualified teacher.”
“It’s okay, I don’t mind, unlike someone else. My time is precious, so please start the lesson.”
“Thank you. I was wondering what kind of dropout student I would get, but I’m relieved to find you’re an unexpectedly enthusiastic student.”
From their conversation, it seemed this teacher only knew the results of the previous test and didn’t have data from before that.
“Then let’s get straight to the lesson. Well then…”
The remedial class is a total review of the lessons taught in the first semester of the second year, and if a passing score is achieved on the final test, the remedial class will end. If a passing score is not achieved, remedial classes will be held again and repeated until a passing score is obtained.
Originally, if the student wished and the teacher permitted, they could stop the review and move directly to the test. However, because Kent’s score was 0, Tia, convinced that she had to teach everything from scratch, entered the lesson without telling him this.
“Teacher, you’re wrong there.”
“Eh? Oh no, it’s true… I’m sorry.”
“Also, this teaching method is difficult to understand, so it would be better to do it this way.”
Before she knew it, Kent was teaching Tia how to teach.
“Um, how can I teach this so that everyone can understand more easily?”
“Let’s see… How about it like this…?”
“Ah, I see. This way it’s easier to teach.”
When the bell for the end of the first period rang, Tia was startled.
“Oh dear. The roles have been reversed before I knew it. I was supposed to be the one teaching… I’m sorry. Let’s take a short break.”
Saying that, Tia left the classroom. After a break, the second period of remedial class began.
In the end, the roles did not switch back, and the remedial class for today ended with Kent teaching Tia.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry. I’m supposed to be the one teaching, but instead, I’m being taught. I’m a disqualified teacher.”
“It’s understandable if it’s your first lesson. I think it would be good if you could teach in front of many students next semester, so until then, you can teach with a relaxed attitude, thinking it’s practice.”
Kent was a little bewildered as Tia repeatedly bowed her head. At that moment, the reaction of her bowed head caused her glasses, like the bottom of a milk bottle, to come off. The face that appeared from underneath was one Kent recognized.
(It’s the woman who was attacked in the back alley the other day.)
Kent remembered the scene from a few days ago when he was returning from Baron Frederick’s mansion and was attacked by three men in a back alley. With glasses like the bottom of a milk bottle, she must have very poor eyesight. She wasn’t wearing glasses at the time, so she might not have seen Kent clearly. For the sake of her honor, having been stripped naked, he decided not to mention it.
“My glasses, my glasses… Found them.”
Tia picked up her glasses and put them back on.
“I have bad eyesight, so I can’t see anything without my glasses.”
“Is that so? But it’s rare to see someone wearing glasses.”
Kent didn’t know anyone who wore glasses, so it felt very novel.
“My father and mother saved up diligently and bought them for me when I said I wanted to become a teacher. That’s why they are so important to me. It’s difficult for commoners to buy glasses, so I made my parents go to great lengths. Thanks to that, I was able to get my teaching qualifications and work as a teacher at school, albeit midway.”
“You have good parents. I don’t have any parents, so I envy you.”
“Um, Kent, you don’t have parents? Then how do you manage to live?”
Hearing Kent’s story, Tia said with a worried expression.
“I’m working at the shop across from my house right now. The shopkeeper treats me well, so I have no complaints about my current life.”
“I see. If you ever need anything, please consult me about anything. You are the first student I’m in charge of, so I’ll do my best to help you.”
“Thank you, Teacher Tia.”
“Ah, Kent, could you say that again?”
“Eh? Ah… Thank you. Teacher Tia.”
She seemed very pleased to be called Teacher Tia.
“Oh no. A lot of time has passed since the closing bell. I’m so sorry.”
“You keep apologizing, teacher.”
“That’s right. I’m sorry… Ah.”
Realizing she had apologized unconsciously, Tia looked embarrassed.
“Well then, I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.”
“Yes, teacher. Goodbye.”
The first day of remedial class ended. Because they talked for a bit, it got a little late, so Kent hurried to his part-time job.
“Welcome home, Kent.”
“I’m home, Marie.”
After returning home to drop off his luggage, Kent headed to Marie’s Bakery across the street. He entered the shop through the back entrance and found Marie looking troubled.
“What’s wrong? Is there some kind of trouble?”
“Actually, could you take a look inside for me?”
At Marie’s request, Kent quietly observed the inside of the shop. He noticed that the dining space was different from usual.
“Are all five seats occupied by aristocrats?”
“That’s right. Up until now, the only aristocrats who have come to this shop to eat and drink have been the Duke, but today, aristocratic ladies have been coming and going like this. As a result, our regular customers who use the dining space seem hesitant to come in…”
It seemed Elnet was here a little while ago, but Josette and Caro, who are accustomed to dealing with aristocrats, were keeping a watchful eye, so there hadn’t been any major trouble in the shop. However, if this situation continued, the shop’s turnover rate would significantly decrease, affecting revenue.
Just as one seat became available, Caro began tidying up. Two young aristocratic ladies then entered the shop.
“Oh, what a small shop, but it’s quite nicely kept. Excuse me, could you show us to a seat?”
The aristocratic lady who had just entered spoke to Josette, who was nearby.
“Yes, I’ll show you to your seats now. Please, this way.”
Unlike usual, Josette, who was fully in customer service mode, responded. Normally, in this shop, they wouldn’t go to such lengths, and customers would simply sit in any available seat and call a clerk if they wanted to order. However, according to aristocratic etiquette, this is not done, so Josette accommodated them and guided the two aristocratic ladies to the seat Caro had just finished clearing.
“Please let us know when you have decided on your order.”
Josette bowed and stepped back.
“May we have a moment?”
“Yes, have you decided?”
“We would like to order something called ice cream.”
“Will vanilla flavor be alright?”
“Eh?… Yes, that’s fine.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
Josette bowed and went to the kitchen to place the order. It seemed that all the aristocrats who came here today were ordering ice cream. Kent had an idea about the cause.
“Josette, may I have a word?”
“Oh, Kent, welcome back. What is it?”
Kent spoke to Josette, who was placing the order.
“Did His Grace the Duke do something?”
“Yes, yesterday there was a small party, and at that time, my father served ice cream as dessert. Those who attended seemed very interested. They asked for the supplier’s information and he told them about this shop.”
“I see. So the people who heard about it came here.”
Kent understood after hearing that.
