"Mugiiii! Where do you think you're off to?"
Mugi looked up from the dirt path home and groaned. "None of your business."
The girl ran in front of his path and put her hands on her hips, pouting.
"Umm, what's up with the pigtails?"
"Y-you noticed?" She started to blush but shook her head. "Hey! Like I was saying, where do you think you're off to?"
"And why are you puffing your cheeks like that?"
"Hmph!" She remained in his way.
"Like I said, none of your business, Noriko."
His mother had told him to hurry home after school, and he was pretty damn sure she wanted to rag on him for his poor grades, just like she had been doing for the past few nights.
"Oh, I'm certain that whatever you're doing, you would rather walk me home instead," she prattled on.
"Noriko. Just move out of the way, please."
"Not until you agree to walk me home."
Mugi snorted. "OK, fine."
Noriko smirked and began to walk by his side. He was imagining the ensuing conversation with his mom and drawing out a battle plan. Noriko was looking as if she had just won the lottery, and she was slowly but definitely getting closer to him. Could she make it more obvious?
They reached her house. "Alright, we're here. See you tomorrow, Noriko."
"Well, aren't you in a hurry? You don't have even a minute to spare?"
"No. Bye."
"You're insufferable!"
"Oh, I know."
He waved goodbye with a giant smile, which he immediately dropped once he faced away. He sighed and began the three minute trek to his house. When he opened the door and walked inside, he heard talking.
"He's bright, you know? But he's just having some difficulties with math," he heard his mother say.
"Mmm, I see. That's understandable!" a female voice responded.
Was that one of his mom's friends? He didn't recognize the voice, but it sounded way too understanding. Mugi threw off his shoes and shouted, "I'm home!"
There was some shuffling, and his mom oh-so-sweetly said, "Oh, there he is now. Mugi, come in here!"
Mugi walked into the dining room and found his mom sitting there with a woman. By his standards, she was a woman, but she must have been in her early 20s. Her lips were soft and supple. She had gorgeous, light long hair. He could tell that her conservative dress hid a stunning figure. He bit his tongue hard to distract him from the feeling coming from below.
"Yeah, uh, hi! I'm Mugi." He bowed.
She stood up with a smile. "It's so nice to meet you! I'm Ms… I mean Mrs. Minagawa!"
He narrowed his eyes. She stuck out her hand, and Mugi shook it after a brief delay.
"I'm going to be your tutor for the next year. I look forward to working with you," she said.
He fashioned up a smile. "Oh, great. Thanks for being so thoughtful, Mom."
His mom shot back, "Mugi, I'm just trying to do what's best for you. I want you to make it into high school, and the way you're going now-"
"Alright, alright, I get it. It's fine," he growled, but he took a look at Mrs. Minagawa. She seemed full of concern, so he softened his tone. "Really. I appreciate it. Or I'm sure I will eventually."
"I'm glad. Let's do our best, then!" Mrs. Minagawa spouted.
Wasn't she an never-ending ray of sunshine!
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm being tutored now, so I gotta get home."
"Walk me home first!"
"Ugh, fine." No way he was dealing with her nagging again.
"You don't have to say it like that, Mugi."
They were walking in pleasant silence when Noriko interrupted:
"Let me guess, math?"
"Shut up."
"Oh, so I guessed right! I know you so well, Mugi."
"Want a medal?"
"I'm just stating the obvious."
More relaxing silence. Her hand then brushed against his, and he increased his distance from her. He mentally sighed.
"Well, here we are. Do you require anything else, your Highness?"
"You are relieved, my dear prince. May we meet again soon!"
Mugi pulled out some retching noises and walked away as Noriko laughed her haughty laugh. Three minutes later, he was at his house.
"Mugi, why are you late?" his mom spat in a whisper. "Get to your room this instant. She's been here for a while already!"
"Sorry, I'm going."
As he approached, he saw Mrs. Minagawa sitting at his desk on a newly-placed chair, her face propped up on her hand, elbow on the desk. Mugi knocked on the open door and Mrs. Minagawa immediately spun around with a huge grin.
"There you are! Come and have a seat so we can begin."
If she was surprised at how bad he was at math, she didn't show it. It seemed like her grin was plastered on, and her voice got higher and higher pitched as time passed. His math skills were not improving either. He kept stealing glances at her. Her perfume or whatever was the source of her scent smelled nice. Shampoo, maybe? How did her hands look so soft? She probably moisturized often. Perhaps that was the origin of the nice smell?
An hour later, the arduous trial was over and Mrs. Minagawa put down her pen. She gathered her things into her bag and stood.
"My time is up now. Work on what I've assigned to you and we'll meet again next week."
He looked at her, starting from her feet and quickly scanning up to her face. "Oh, sure."
She nodded and smiled at him before leaving. Mugi looked over the notes he had written down. Gibberish. He sighed. If this was to be the result of his future lessons, then his mom would definitely fire her and resign him to the fate of being a failure. Mrs. Minagawa's scent still lingered. He vowed that he would study some more on his own time to keep her coming. New prospects were always worth exploring.