I wasn't planning to make this chapter this long, and I don't think I can write the next chapters like this

...Or can I?

(The upcoming prelim examination, college style. It's time to study your hardest!)

"Hey Onee-chan, let's play now please!", the twins requested, clinging on their brother, "What are you doing anyway?". "Hazuki, Kazuki, please don't interrupt your brother right now", their mom said while she was doing something work-related, "He's studying really hard right now because his prelims is upcoming, right Nariyuki?".

"Yeah, it is", Nariyuki said with determination, "Right now I'm fired up! I don't want to let anyone down, so I'll definitely pass the test". "Wow! So cool!", the twins expressed with amazement, "Then we'll behave, do you're best Onee-chan".

"Heh. Don't worry, I will", Nariyuki said, then he went back to his studying, "Alright let's see here. A teacher should learn to be patient and understanding, as long as a child is under your care, it's your responsibility if that child will learn properly or not". While he was studying, Hanae was listening to the things he was reading out loud, "Nariyuki, you'll definitely be a great teacher, I'm sure he would agree as well. You would, right Yuiga?".

"Reading my notes only wouldn't be enough", Nariyuki thought, seemingly preparing to go outside, packing the bag that he'll bring and wearing his shoes, "That's not to say that my notes are ineffective. It's just that I need to read from more than one source". "I'll be going out!", he announced.

"Alright, take care", Mizuki said but she had something to ask, "Where are you going, big brother?". "Hm? Oh, well I was thinking of going to the library. I need to find more books to study my lessons better", he responded. "I see, but wait, how long will you be out for?", she asked again. "Hmm... i guess until 5 pm", he answered, "But it depends, if I can easily find the books I need, maybe I can get back by 3 pm, but that's a minimum".

"3 pm? That means you'll skip lunch with us", she expressed with worry. "Ah, don't worry about it, I'll just get something from a convenience store. I think I have enough to buy some instant noodles", he explained, checking his coin pouch just in case.

"That's no good at all! Wait just a moment big brother", she said, quickly entering inside the house. Nariyuki heard some noises of what he assumes to be of chopping and boiling. After about two minutes, Mizuki came out with something box-shaped covered in a blue cloth. "Here you go. Here's your lunch big brother", she said, handing out the lunchbox.

"Did you, just make this? You know you didn't have to, right?", he said while taking the lunchbox. "Nonsense! I'm doing this for you so that you can do your best. Studying is important and so is a proper meal to think properly. Don't even try skipping it", she explained, showing a smile of pure joy. "I see. In that case, thank you, Mizuki", he appreciated, "Well, I need to go now, the library will be opening soon". "Alright, take care!", she said, "Do your best, big brother".

Nanao Library, one of Nariyuki's favorite places to visit. It's quiet, vast, within walking distance, and most importantly, contains many knowledge. He was currently outside, waiting for the library to open, he might have arrived too early in the morning but it was fine for him. While waiting, he was back to reviewing his notes, this time he was reviewing core subjects. He finished Japanese, English, and Science, and he was now studying Math.

"To know if a function is continuous at a certain point, that certain point must be defined, a limit is existing, and the function at that point and its limit are equal. In a case that one of the conditions are violated, the function at that point is discontinuous", he read, and with that, he finished his Math notes. "If I'm being honest, these lessons are all too familiar for me", he thought, then he looked at his Math notes again, "For example, this Math lesson. When was the last time I needed to study a hard formula?".

He recalled the lessons in his first month in college, but none of what he's finding is to be recalled. He then recalled high school and it was clear. "I see. It's because I had to teach her. Those kinds of formula", he recalled, then he remembered something of the recent, "Ah, that's right, It's been a week and I haven't replied to her letter yet. Maybe I'll do that later at home".

While he was in his thoughts, he suddenly noticed a library staff about to unlock the entrance. The library staff gave him a weird look, probably because Nariyuki was the only other person at the time. The library staff was done unlocking the door, but before entering he gave Nariyuki a smile and said, "Studying hard?". "Yeah", Nariyuki answered before entering the building right after the library staff.

"I need to find a good one, the ones I found aren't enough", Nariyuki was troubled, hours have passed by but he has yet to find a book that was good enough for him. Currently, he has checked 14 books and counting. What troubled him the most was the fact that this is the first time he was checking out the library for his specialized subjects, it wasn't the same as the subjects in high school. He already asked the librarian for recommendations, but those recommendations were part of the 14 that he checked.

He picked another book from the shelves titled "Teacher's Guide For Teaching General Academics" hoping this doesn't just get added to his 14 books. He went back to his spot, a table by the shelves near the windows for good lighting. The library had a small crowd so he was able to focus well on studying. He then opened the book he picked and scanned it for important details from cover to cover. He found a few new details here and there, writing them down in his notes as he reads. He was able to find more details in this book compared to the previous ones but something's still isn't right.

"I'm glad that I was able to find more details here, but there are still some missing information that I need to find", Nariyuki thought, returning the book back in its shelf. He checked what time it is in the clock in the library and it was past 12 pm. "It's time for lunch, is it really okay? I don't want to waste any time but...", he was trying to decide what to do then he remembered the lunchbox that Mizuki prepared for him and remembered what she told him, "Don't even try skipping it".

"I guess I can take a break", he decided, packing his notes inside his bag, then he carried it to leave, food wasn't allowed in the library after all. Just as he was about to leave the building, he saw some books drop down on the ground like someone lost hold of them. He can't see who dropped the books since the person in question is around the other side of the bookshelf.

"Oh, the books dropped, I guess there's no loss in helping out so...", he thought, he then picked up the books and handed them to the person who dropped it, "Here you go". "Thanks", the person said quietly, Nariyuki recognized that the voice was familiar. He then looked up and he saw who it was.

"Furuhashi... S-Sir Furuhashi!?", he exclaimed with surprise. "Yuiga", Furuhashi Reiji, Fumino's father and a Math college professor, was also surprised, although you can't see it in his expression, "It's none of my business, but what are you doing here? Studying?". "Uh, yes that's right, i come here often to study, yeah", Nariyuki responded, visibly nervous, "How about you sir?". "I'm just reading some teaching matarials", Reiji said, then looked at the pile of books that he's holding, "That and other things"."Oh, that's right, He's a college professor", Nariyuki remembered, "If I'm not wrong, he's teaching in the university where Ogata is".

While Nariyuki was in his thoughts, Reiji returned his pile of books back in their shelves. "Why are you just standing there?", Reiji asked, surprising Nariyuki, "Are you finding books to read?". "Well, I was", Nariyuki responded, "But now, I think I'll take my lunch".

"Lunch?", Reiji repeated, then thought for a moment, "In that case, come with me". "Uh, sure", Nariyuki said, then followed after Reiji, "Come with him? What does he need from me?". Nariyuki was nervous, the voice that Reiji used had a serious tone. Reiji led the way while Nariyuki followed behind, both leaving the building.

After a long awkward walk without anyone even trying to start a conversation, they arrived at their destination. It's a building with big letters written on the front that spells "Jomosan". They entered the building, and they noticed that it was slightly crowded. They walked to an empty table at a corner.

"Sit down", Reiji said, with a tone like he was about to give a lecture. "Yes, sir", Nariyuki responded, doing as what was told to him. "Take your order", Reiji suddenly said, "I believe I haven't given my proper thanks yet". There was silence, although only for a moment. "Wait, that was what this was all about!? I just picked up the books, right?", Nariyuki thought, "S-Sir, you shouldn't have bothered, I just lent a hand, it wasn't a big deal!".

"Don't be modest, the help you gave was life changing", Reiji said, he sounded like he was serious, in a sincere type of way. "Whaaat!? What's so life changing about helping him pick up books?", Nariyuki was confused, the words he heard didn't make any sense. "Because of your help, you fixed something, I thought can't be fixed", Reiji kept going. "I don't even know anymore!", Nariyuki, with total confusion, just gave up. "Since then, Fumino and I have gotten a better relationship than before, that is all", Reiji said, finally giving some context.

"That's what he was talking about!", Nariyuki thought, finally understanding what he's saying, "I see, thanks for the offer, but like I said, you shouldn't have bothered. I brought my lunch". He quickly opened his bag and brought out his lunch, "See". "Hmm, that's too bad, in that case...", Reiji said, calling in a waiter to give his orders, "Two large parfaits".

Nariyuki nearly choked, he then looked at the menu list and nearly choked again when he saw the price of the order. "Large parfaits? Two? That's unexpected", Nariyuki thought, setting up his lunch, "Maybe that's where she got her love for sweets. I guess the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree". When he finished setting his lunch up, he excused, "May I go ahead and eat?". "Sure", Reiji responded. Nariyuki then uttered a little "Thanks for the food" before eating.

"Here's your order, sir", the waiter said, putting the two large parfaits on the table. "Thanks", Reiji said, handing out the tip. "There", he said, giving one of the parfaits to Nariyuki. "W-Wait sir, this is for me? Really?", Nariyuki said, hesitating to take it. "Yes, I figured that since you have lunch, I ordered you dessert", Reiji explained, "I couldn't just bring you here and not give my proper thanks, that is all". "I see, in that case, thank you, sir". Nariyuki took the parfait, saving it to eat after his lunch.

"So you said you were trying to find a good book for studying?", Reiji asked, they were now back in the library. "Yes, sir, preferably one that is about General Academics", Nariyuki answered. "In that case, I think this is the one you're looking for", Reiji picked a book from the shelf with the title "General Academics Guidebook 1". "Thank you, sir", Nariyuki said while flipping through the book, "Hopefully, this will be the one, especially if a college professor recommended it". "I just heard about this from one of my colleagues, I heard it's decent, that is all", Reiji explained. "I see, well, thank you any way for sharing this", Nariyuki said with a smile.

"I'll be going now", Reiji said, preparing to get going. "Uh, Just a moment, sir", Nariyuki said, he had a request he's been planning to ask. "It might be a bit of a bother, but could you please tell this to Furu- err, Fumino-san?", Nariyuki requested, realizing a bit late that he's technically also talking to Furuhashi-san, "Please tell her that I'm doing fine, and I'm doing my best in studying. She shouldn't give up and keep working hard!".

"Hmm, a message? What's your purpose here, Yuiga?", Reiji asked. "Purpose? Well, I wanted to reply back to the letter that she sent me. That is if you don't mind, sir". "Hmm, I'll tell her then", Reiji agreed before leaving. "Be safe, sir!", Nariyuki told, he then looked at the book recommended to him, "Let's see if this is a good book".

He skimmed it from cover to cover, and then scanned it from cover to cover. Eventually, he started finding all the missing details that he needed. "This is amazing, I was able to fill-up my notes with information just with this book", Nariyuki said, "I think I have everything I need, It's time to go home I guess". He returned the book back in it's shelf, he saw the series of books it belongs in, reminding himself of where to find next time he needs them. He packed up his things and left the library, the clock displays the time, 3 pm.

"Onee-chan, welcome back!", the twins greeted. "Hey there!", Nariyuki responded back, putting down his bag near a table. "Look, look, Onee-chan, there's this weird looking monthly bill we found in the mailbox", Hazuki said while Kazuki was waving some kind of paper. "Huh? Monthly bill? This early? Let me see", Nariyuki said, taking the letter and checking it, he saw the star-themed stamp on the back and immediately decoded what it was, "This isn't a monthly bill you guys. It's a, uh, friend letter for me, I guess it's what you call this. You really startled me back there".

"Ahh, that's why mom said we shouldn't open it", Kazuki said, then the twins had smiles forming on their faces, "It's a love letter isn't it!". "What? No! Hey, who taught you that!? Is it mom?". Nariyuki said, a blush from embarrassment can be seen on his face".

Question

/End

Next issue, now that the ordeal of one side was shown, how about the other?