Late that night, a figure slipped noiselessly into Kawashima Toya's room at the onsen inn.
Hehehe, I finally have an opening!
Toya, you might have saved me and treated me to a meat feast that nearly made me burst, but gratitude and revenge are two entirely separate matters. They must be handled individually!
Jashin-chan scanned the darkened room with predatory excitement, searching for any sign of her target. However, after a thorough search, her smile faltered. The room was empty. The futon hadn't even been disturbed.
Suddenly, Toya's calm, level voice drifted from the shadows beside her.
"Jashin-chan, what exactly do you think you're doing?"
"Ah—!"
"It's the middle of the night. Are you sleepwalking?"
Cold sweat began to pour down Jashin-chan's forehead. She scrambled to hide the small, mirror-polished knife in her hand, the blade catching a stray sliver of moonlight.
Toya's gaze turned cold. "You just don't give up, do you?"
"Get out."
He grabbed the demon by the back of her neck and tossed her toward the door like a bag of refuse. Jashin-chan struggled wildly, but her strength was negligible compared to his.
Puchi!
As she hit the floor outside, she failed to retract her weapon in time. The small blade sank easily into her own midsection.
Clutching her stomach, Jashin-chan staggered back toward her own room, muttering under her breath.
"I won't... I won't give up..."
I can't even get a peaceful night's sleep in a bed, Toya thought.
He stretched lazily before skillfully flipping himself up onto the wooden ceiling beams.
He had originally intended to sleep on the tatami mats like a normal person, but the restless antics of Jashin-chan and Nyaruko had made that a liability.
Just as he was settling into a meditative rest, a light tap sounded at the door.
"Toya-niisan, are you awake?"
Hinatsuru Ai? Toya wondered, glancing down. What is she doing up at this hour?
He dropped back to the floor, switched on the light, and slid the door open.
Ai stood there tentatively, clutching a massive stack of workbooks to her chest. Seeing the massive stack of papers made Toya feel completely overwhelmed.
No... please tell me she isn't here for what I think she's here for.
"Toya-niisan, there are so many problems I don't understand. Could you please teach me?" Ai looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. "Mama doesn't know how to do them either!"
"Ai-chan, it's very late. Maybe your homework should—"
Before he could finish, the light in her eyes began to dim. Her shoulders slumped with such genuine disappointment that he found himself unable to say no. With a defeated sigh, he ushered her inside.
Ten minutes later, Toya was practically tearing his hair out.
What did I do to deserve this? Why did I agree to tutor a child?
He had never encountered a primary schooler so fundamentally disconnected from academics.
She lacked even the most basic foundation. Even after explaining a single concept ten different ways, her expression remained entirely blank.
I acted too hastily, Toya mused. They say if you mind your own business, you'll live a long life. I should have stayed out of it.
Perhaps Ai was actually the smartest person in the room before he interfered; she knew she wasn't cut out for studies and chose shogi instead.
Then he had come along with his high-minded advice and forced her onto a path that clearly made her suffer.
"Ai-chan, don't worry. Let me think for a moment."
Toya patted her head comfortingly while his mind dove into the system shop.
[SkillAcquired: Human's Perfect Teacher (Master)]
[Cost: 1,000 Origin Points]
In an instant, an ocean of pedagogical theory and psychological insight flooded his mind. Toya's eyes sharpened with newfound wisdom.
His entire aura shifted, radiating the scholarly, refined temperament of a master educator.
It was impossible to reconcile this version of him with the man who had ruthlessly cut down an ancient Onmyoji earlier that day.
"Alright, let's try this again," Toya said, his voice now carrying a magnetic warmth. "I'm making sure you master this today."
"Nobody is sleeping until you've understood the material."
It was no joke. He had spent a thousand points on this; he was going to get his money's worth. As the world's most perfect teacher, he was confident he could educate a stone if he had to.
If I made a promise, I have to keep it. Toya smiled at the girl. "Study hard. Let's turn you into a prodigy worthy of the University of Tokyo."
"Tonight, I'm going to make you the top student in your grade."
Seeing Toya suddenly fired up, Ai gave a firm, determined nod. "Toya-niisan, I'll do my best!"
.....
That night, Hinatsuru Ai experienced the most intense academic awakening of her life.
Toya utilized every advanced technique in his arsenal to keep her mind sharp and focused, ensuring she absorbed knowledge continuously without hitting a wall.
The scene even brought a sense of relief to Hinatsuru Akina, who was watching secretly from the hallway.
My daughter finally understands the value of an education.
The next morning, Toya dragged his exhausted body to the car, carrying his light luggage. He waved goodbye to Ai, whose eyes were brimming with reluctant tears.
Akina bowed deeply to Toya. This young man had completely overhauled her daughter's outlook. Ai finally understood that education was her true priority.
Shogi? Even a dog wouldn't touch a game board now.
Once inside the car, Toya let out a series of long yawns, nearly nodding off immediately. Beside him, Hanazono Yurine couldn't help but ask, "Toya-kun, did you not sleep at all?"
"I really didn't," Toya replied, his voice weak as he leaned against the soft seat. "A certain primary schooler brought a mountain of homework... I had to power through it."
Thanks to his teaching skill, his efforts had paid off. He had successfully turned that "little brat" into an academic powerhouse—or at least enough of one to crush her peers.
Yurine let out a soft laugh. "You're far too kind, tutoring her all night. No wonder you're so drained."
"Yeah, well, I couldn't exactly leave her hanging," Toya shrugged.
He had talked her into this path, so it was only right he helped her find her footing. The exhaustion was purely mental; if it were a battle, he wouldn't be this tired. He'd just draw his blade and be done with it.
But tutoring was a different kind of war. He had squeezed every bit of value out of those thousand points.
Toya is exhausted? Now's my chance! In the back seat, Jashin-chan's eyes gleamed with malice as she prepared for a sneak attack. Before she could even shift her weight, Toya's flat, lifeless voice drifted back to her.
"Jashin-chan, I'm tired, but my senses are still working. If you try anything, I'll tie you to the bumper and drag you all the way back to the Trash Fox Detective Agency."
"I was wrong!" Jashin-chan pressed her hands together and apologized instantly. "Toya-sama, please forgive my insolence!"
Being dragged behind a car for a two-hour drive? The mere thought was terrifying. She would die a very messy, very painful death.
.....
[New World Quest Issued]
[Objective: Apply for a teaching position at Sakano Academy and investigate the death of Ito Makoto.]
[Reward: 10,000 Origin Points]