Touru
There was nothing else more important in the world than order. Taught by my master to my teacher to me. Now, I teach them to you, and the chain goes on.
I picked up errands from my master, Kyou. Deliver books, assist the students, then I spend the evening cleaning and dusting as usual. Sometimes the annoying half-cursed magical being came, and it was my duty to kick him out of the school. Why was he trying to seduce my master was a mystery.
Thump!
What was that?
A drunken body just lying on the side of the streets? How typical. These were the types to casually throw away their lives for the sake of carnal pleasure.
Thump!
Did he just grab my foot?
"Hey. Get off." I said.
The man replied with languages rarely spoken in the Central Kingdom. It was a distinct dialect from the Western Kingdom. I sighed.
"Get off," I repeated. In the hope that he would understand if I spoke in his language.
"Y..you do not understand. I needed to go back to Souh.."
I have no idea who Souh was. I had no time for this nonsense. The blonde man looked at me pleading for help. I refused to waste my time.
"M.. my name is Jéan. I am a merchant commissioned by the courts to trade with your kingdom. Y.. your sigil, it was the mark of scholars. Y.. you have n..no choice but to help me as.. as an agreement of the scholars…" he said.
I could not believe this drunk knew the trade agreement. I am amazed yet troubled. I do not like helping people.
But I had to now, do I?
I sighed.
"Fine. I shall bring you to master Kyou. You can discuss your terms later to him." why must I do this?
Jéan smiled triumphantly.
"And your name, kind one ?" he asked.
I muttered. "Tohru."
"Nyaaan~ You bring girlfriend~ "
I dropped Jéan and chased that blasted fox spirit with my sword. "Come back here you monster! You came to seduce my master again, weren't you ?!"
"Ny~aan~ I was, but he is not here, nya!" The Fox, Haru stopped and smiled.
"He is not here ?" I stood shocked.
Haru nodded. "Your master has been kidnapped. Well, senseinapped!"
"By you ?"
Haru shook his head. "Nu-uh. If I kidnapped him, I'd be banging him already."
"THAT IS INNAPROPRIATE!"
Haru ran away as soon as he can. Winking at the blond before jumping off the roof and flies to the forest. "I will get him back! Promise! I love him too much!"
I sighed once more. All. Plans. Ruined. What am I going to do without my master to run the school. Ah. I needed to send letters to my master's second assistant immediately then, start teaching classes that I could. Then there was Jéan…
What to do with the blonde?
I looked at him exasperated. I pointed the nearest spare bedroom. "Your room is there. I will get things sorted out before tomorrow night."
To my surprise, he understood and went without causing trouble. I judged him wrong.
I woke up late. Damn. Was the stress getting to my head, I wonder? I came to my class to find the blonde was there.
"What are you doing ?!"
Jéan smiled. "Takahiro here told me the teacher was late. So I became a surrogate," he replied cheerfully. "Are you feeling better ?"
"O-of c-course I am!" I replied angrily. Why was I angry for?
"I would volunteer to help you while that fox spirit tries to find your master."
"I-I do n-not need your help!" I yelled.
Not sure when this became a fixture in my life. It has been months since master Kyou was gone. I have been running the school with the help of Hideki and Jéan. He managed to talk to Souh and delayed the trip back to his kingdom. Souh mentioned that Jéan had taken a liking to both teaching and me. I hoped the latter was jest.
We went out together a few times. Running errands and stopping at a tea house to rest. I must admit he was becoming less and less of a pest. I respected him for what he had done for our school.
"Tohru. I wanted to talk; it is regarding the school," he said.
"Hmm ?"
Jéan glanced sideways. I noted he did that only if he was nervous. "I know you prioritize the school and the well-being of the students more than anything, but I had told you, I have feelings for you, and I wanted to know if you have an answer for me."
I still could not accept the fact that he was even considering me as a potential lover. I can see honesty in his eyes but…
"We have to wait till master Kyou is found. I have no time for personal matters. The school is always my priority." I said truthfully. I did not reject him; I asked him to wait. He seems to understand this.
"Understood. I made a decision. I will stay as a tutor in the school, leaving my position as voyage captain to Souh. I am letting you know, that spending time with you is far more important for me." he said holding my hands.
I nodded. It went silent.
He went to talk once more. "I have a proposal, if Kyou ever comes back, you owe me a date. If not, I am merely another tutor helping out your school, sounds fair ?"
I smiled. I agreed to the terms. We paid for the tea and headed back to the school.
What did we saw?
Master Kyou was back, holding hands with that blasted Fox Haru.
"Tee hee hee~ We are back~" Haru smiled.
I looked at Jéan bashfully. He was grinning.
He held my hand triumphantly.
I guess I owe him a date.