Summer
Summer came, hot and sticky, making the students restless with talk of vacation. Jyou found himself a bit indifferent; he didn't mind being in class, and went to cram school every day, even if he didn't like being about in the hot weather.
Estelle was there too; she was bright and funny and liked to discuss academics, and Jyou often sat by her.
But he was puzzled the first time he noticed her sitting in on an English class.
"Can't you speak perfect English?" he asked afterwards.
Estelle smiled, looking a bit sheepish. "Well, yes...but I was interested in seeing the way it was taught," she explained. "I think I'd like to teach different languages myself someday."
She still looked a bit embarrassed, but Jyou nodded, respecting her ambition.
"What, did you think I had a thing for the English teacher?" Estelle teased.
Jyou looked up at the teacher at the front, an elderly man, then looked back at Estelle with an obtuse expression. She laughed out loud, and he couldn't help but chuckle a bit, too.
The days of early summer passed by quickly, in a haze of bright sunshine and school lessons. Soon Jyou's class was being dismissed on the last day of school.
"See you in the fall," Estelle chirped, passing by him with a wave.
Though she was studious, she seemed eager to begin her vacation, like all the other students. Jyou pondered briefly why he didn't feel as excited as all the rest of them. Perhaps it was because of the days that he was leaving behind; days of high school, cram school, and sitting by Konishi Estelle.