The Art of Teaching
Chapter 4
"Good morning, Yuki. Did you sleep well?" Tohru asked, chipper as usual. Yuki plopped down at the table and laid his head down with a groan. The girl just smiled at him.
"Ah, Good morning Tohru," Shigure greeted her happily. "How are we this fine morning?"
"I'm fine. Oh, do you think I might be able to come with you to Yuki's lesson today?"
"I don't see why not," he replied. She turned her blue-green eyes to Yuki—who seemed to have shaken off the grogginess that had over taken him earlier—for approval.
"Of course. It's always a pleasure to have you come along Miss Honda."
"But, I have to wonder, why is it that you want to go?" the older cousin asked.
"Well, truthfully, I want to get to know Miss Hishida better. She seems like such a sweet person."
"I guess that means I have to go?" Kyo asked, annoyed.
"N-no, you don't have to come if you don't—" Tohru stuttered.
"Forget it," he interrupted, "It's not like I have anything better to do."
"Just don't make a scene like last time," Yuki remarked coldly. Kyo scowled.
"Shut up!"
School had finally ended and Hatori had come straight to the school to pick every one up. Much to Kyo and Yuki's chagrin Shigure was already in the car, a large grin plastered on his face as he stared longingly out the window, quietly singing a song that they hoped nobody else could hear;
"High school girls,
High school girls,
All for me,
High school girls!"
"I can't believe no one's thrown you in jail yet," Kyo muttered as he climbed into the car.
It was strange, but on that particular day, Yuki was actually half-way looking forward to his lesson. He thoroughly enjoyed the fact that every time he would sit down at his keyboard he could hear himself improving. To him it was like math; the knowledge would keep building on itself until he was able to move on to the next concept.
I guess practice really does make perfect.
The sound of the door bell alerted Kumiko to her guests as she was washing her dishes. After drying a plate, she quickly made her way to the door and yanked it open.
"Hi," she said to them brushing a few stray hairs from her eyes.
"Hello, Kumiko!" Shigure chimed happily.
"It's good to see you all again. Come in," she opened the door wider and stood back to let them in. "How have you all been?" she asked, deliberately making eye contact with Hatori. He looked back at her blankly, apparently unsure of how to respond.
"I've been catching up on my reading," Shigure said, drawing the young teacher's attention from the man before her, who took the opportunity to whip out his glasses and bury himself in his book.
"Shouldn't you be catching up with your writing?" Yuki inquired, his tone near scolding.
"You just don't understand the life of a creative writer," he responded indignantly. Kyo opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by another ring of the door bell. Kumiko cocked an eyebrow.
"Huh. I wonder who that is…" she pondered aloud. She opened the door to reveal a man in a mud brown button up shirt and matching slacks.
"Kumiko Hishida?" he asked.
"That's me," she replied.
"Package for you. Just sign here," the man said handing her a clipboard with a pen attached to it by a piece of yarn. She scribbled down her name and traded the clipboard for a medium sized cardboard box. "Have a nice day," he said, heading back to his truck.
She pushed the door closed with her foot and stared down at the box in her arms, confusion creasing her brow.
"What is it?" Tohru asked curiously.
"I'm not quite sure," the confused young woman answered honestly. Her eyes suddenly lit up when she saw the return address; her parents' address. "Oh!" Kumiko knelt down immediately and tore off the tape. "I hope this is what I think it is," she said as she opened the box. "Yes! Finally!"
The others gathered around her and peered inside.
"Books?" Kyo asked incredulously. She wagged a finger in his face.
"Not just any books my young friend. These are my prized music books," she explained pulling one out to show them. "My mom finally got around to sending them to me."
Yuki studied the book held out to them. "This is in English," he observed.
"Indeed it is," she replied simply.
"Do you speak it?" Tohru inquired.
"Fluently."
"Really?! That's amazing!" the teen exclaimed.
"It's not that big of a deal. You guys are learning it in school right?" the dark haired girl asked, trying to diminish her accomplishment. She ha never been one for boasting.
"Yes, but to be able to fully understand it is incredible," she praised.
"Well, thank you."
"If you don't mind my asking, why didn't you buy the translated version?" Shigure questioned.
"I like to keep music in its original form. That way, its true meaning isn't lost," Kumiko clarified thoughtfully. Hatori glanced at the books cover. The picture was one of a woman in a light purple ball gown and a man in traditional Siamese dress dancing in what appeared to be a palace.
"The King and I," he read aloud. "I've heard of it, but I've never seen it."
"It's my favorite musical of all time," she said fondly.
"Then, you wouldn't mind singing a song for us?" Shigure requested suddenly. She looked up at him, taken aback.
"That sounds like a good idea," Yuki added.
"Oh, I…I don't know…" she said hesitantly.
"Oh please will you?" Tohru begged. "I'd love to hear you sing." Her large eyes shimmered pleadingly. The college student sighed reluctantly.
"Well…I guess I could." She took the book from Kyo's hands and walked into the music room, motioning for them to follow.
As the others filed into the room and gathered around the piano, she sat down on the bench and flipped through the pages.
"Ah, this seems good," she stated. "Before I start; do you want me to translate it?" They looked at each other, searching one another's faces for the answer.
"I think we'll all understand it well enough," Hatori said quietly as he set his book down on a small table. She nodded and focused on the sheet music.
"Keep in mind that I haven't seen this music in a while," the musician remarked sheepishly as she began to play the introductory notes and speak the first few lines.
It's a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher,
By your pupils you'll be taught.
The music began to flow through the room and she started to sing, her beautiful, lilting voice filling the air.
As a teacher I've been learning—
You'll forgive me if I boast—
And I've now become an expert,
On the subject I like most.
Kumiko looked up at them with a small grin.
Getting to know you.
Shigure and Tohru giggled in response.
Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you,
Putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.
Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you,
Putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say.
Haven't you noticed,
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new,
Things I'm learning about you,
Day by day.
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say.
Haven't you noticed,
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new,
Things I'm learning about you,
Day…by…day.
Kumiko finished playing the song with a grin of self-satisfaction on her face. She heard applause erupt from behind her and turned to see everybody in the room—even Kyo—clapping.
"Brava!" Shigure cheered. She blushed slightly.
"That was wonderful," Tohru said happily.
"Thank you," she replied.
"You never mentioned anything about singing," Yuki commented.
"You never asked. Now, we should probably get to the lesson," she suggested. Her student nodded in agreement, and everyone filed out of the room. "Well, that was nerve-wracking."
"Why? You did fine," he said, a smile gracing his features.
"I was just worried that I'd mess up and embarrass myself. Enough chatting, let's get going."
The lesson seemed to go faster than usual. She was happy to learn that Yuki was making very good progress on the song she had assigned to him the previous lesson. He had already gotten through the introduction, although he stumbled over a few notes.
"Very good, Yuki. Just keep working on it, and I'll see you next Tuesday," she said as she led him back to the living room. "It was good seeing you again, Kyo, Tohru." She inclined her head towards them in their respective order.
"You too. I hope you don't mind us coming along," Tohru stated as she slipped her shoes on.
"Of course not, the more the merrier, right?" she responded with a smile. Tohru nodded and grinned. "I'll see you guys later." She shut the door behind them and went back into the music room.
Kumiko sat at the bench and thought for a moment, deciding what to play. She laid her fingers on the keys, having settled for "Nocturne" by Chopin. She was at the climax of the piece when she felt a presence behind her. Her heart beat quickened and her hands stopped short. The young woman gasped as she turned to see the intruder.
"Hatori!" she exclaimed covering her heart. "You nearly scared me to death!"
"Sorry," he apologized, eyes wide. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just forgot my book, and when I knocked you didn't answer, so I let myself in."
"It's okay," she told him, getting to her feet. "I probably shouldn't play so loud next time," she said with a smile.
"You really do have a wonderful talent," he said grabbing his book from where he had left it on the table.
"Thank you." He turned to look at her.
"I'm doing fine, by the way. I…I think I'm getting better…" His voice trailed off. Kumiko gazed up at him with a light of gratitude in her dark eyes.
"I'm glad."
A\N: Yay another one!
Shigure: Poor Kumiko! Stop breaking into people's houses Ha'ri! 3
Camie: Right. Anyway, Reveiws are welcome just don't flame. See you!