As we bickered, we arrived at the entrance. As expected, Father was out waiting.

Why didn’t he ask someone to call me?

I felt sorry that I made him wait.

Before running toward Father, I told Kir, “Because I’m going to have dinner with Father.”

I sighed and ran towards Father who was waiting for me.

“Father! Sorry. Am I late?”

Father’s palm patted my head, signaling that it was okay. I grinned in response.

After a long time, today was the day I would be going to eat out with Father.

Call it a father and daughter date. When I looked up, Father was looking behind me. When I looked at the end of his gaze, Kir was staring with his cold eyes.

The harshness of not being able to eat a meal together was about to penetrate the universe.

“Looks like you’re going now.”

“I have a date with my daughter.”

My shoulders shrugged. Perhaps Father’s mentioning ‘date’ seemed to contain a desire to brag.

“Then, we’re going now. Have a nice meal too, Young Master.”

Father slightly bowed his head to Kir and took my bag. On the signal that it’s time to leave, I waved my hand once at Kir, who was still staring at me, and clung to Father’s arm.

I don’t know why he complains so much every day.

* * *

“You’re working hard today too.”

I took my eyes off the book I was reading, startled by Mr. Hafterry’s voice. He had arrived and was sitting across from me. I started reading before class began, but I was too focused I didn’t notice he came.

“You’re here?”

Mr. Hafterry, who had taught me since I was young, was still teaching me. I still took classes with Kir and Mr. Hafterry at the same time. Kir worked harder than expected, so somehow we kept taking classes together. Still, since the progress of Kir’s class was slow, it could be said that my education was mainly done by Mr. Hafterry.

“Sorry. I was too focused on reading.”

“No need to apologize. Such concentration is an outstanding talent for a scholar.”

I felt a little bit of a guilty conscience at Mr. Hafterry’s words, who was looking at me happily. As I was obsessed with studying and working hard, it seemed that Mr. Hafterry misunderstood that my dream was to be a scholar.

I missed the timing to correct it, but at some point, it felt like I was cheating and I couldn’t speak. In class with Kir, it became clear to me that what I was learning was more than basic.

It just wasn’t that fast-paced. Mr. Hafterry’s class includes an advanced course. There were often times when Mr. Jeremy was surprised that I was taught and learned that far. And later, he was curious about Mr. Hafterry’s, and after hearing the name, he wondered as if Mr. Hafterry was someone he didn’t know well, even though he would have been famous in the academy at that level.

Anyway, when Mr. Jeremy gave high praise to Mr. Hafterry, I felt proud. My teacher was so wonderful! It was a different kind of satisfaction than when I was complimented. This must be the true bond between teacher and student.

Even while I was thinking about something else for a while, my cheeks were itching for nothing at Mr. Hafterry’s gentle gaze as he praised me. Perhaps because he was a teacher, Mr. Hafterry gave off the feeling that he was a really mature adult. In fact, Mr. Hafterry also met me at a young age to be called a teacher.

Hence, as compared to back then, he clearly had an adult vibe. With his friendly and calm tone, somehow graceful gestures, and generous gaze, he always gave me a sense of confidence that he was someone I could trust and rely on. I even wished that Kir, who was still a child, would learn from Mr. Hafterry.

I couldn’t imagine Mr. Hafterry taking care of his own self-interest or being shaken by something. It could be said that he was truly an example of a noble scholar.

“Aren, do you enjoy studying?”

Oh, I was a little taken aback by the sudden question. Should I answer honestly? Or should I be shy? Mr. Hafterry’s eyes calmly waited for my answer. He was someone I respect. I didn’t want to tell lies.