𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

The First Tutoring Session

Kanae’s POV

The sun filtered through her window the next morning, casting soft rays across her bed. As Kanae stretched and sat up, she couldn’t shake the anticipation bubbling in her stomach. Today was the day she would begin tutoring Sanemi Shinazugawa in biology, a task that felt both daunting and exciting.

After her morning routine, she grabbed a quick breakfast and set out for school. Thoughts of their upcoming session danced in her mind. She still wasn’t sure how well they would work together, but she knew she needed to stay focused. Sanemi’s reputation as the charming school flirt loomed over her, and she was determined not to fall into any traps.

Upon arriving at school, Kanae navigated through the hallways, exchanging hellos with friends and classmates. Yet, her mind remained fixed on the impending session. Would Sanemi take it seriously? Or would he find some way to turn it into a joke?

As the day progressed, she felt a mixture of excitement and nerves building inside her. Classes dragged on, each minute ticking away slowly. During biology, her mind wandered to what the tutoring session would entail. How would she explain the material to him? Would he even pay attention?

Finally, the last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Kanae took a deep breath, collecting her notes and preparing herself mentally for what was to come. She headed to the library, their agreed-upon meeting place.

Walking through the library doors, she was greeted by the familiar scent of books and the quiet hum of students studying. Finding a secluded table in the corner, she set out her materials, hoping to make the session productive.

Minutes passed, and Kanae checked her watch. Sanemi was late. Just as she began to worry, the door swung open, and there he was, striding in with that trademark confidence of his.

“Sorry I’m late, Kocho,” he said, his voice warm and apologetic. “I had to track down my biology textbook. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve misplaced it.”

Kanae raised an eyebrow but couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her face. “Just make sure you don’t lose it during our sessions. That won’t help you pass.”

“Right, right. No losing textbooks,” he chuckled as he took a seat across from her. “So, how do we start?”

“Let’s go over the basics first,” Kanae suggested, flipping open her notebook. “We need to assess what you already know and where you’re struggling the most.”

“Sounds good. Lay it on me,” he said, his playful demeanor easing some of her anxiety.

---

As they dove into the material, Kanae was pleasantly surprised at how engaged Sanemi seemed. He asked questions, took notes, and even contributed to the discussion. It was refreshing to see him take the tutoring seriously.

“Okay, so if I understand this right, photosynthesis is how plants convert sunlight into energy, right?” Sanemi asked, looking genuinely interested.

“Exactly!” Kanae replied, encouraged by his enthusiasm. “And what do you know about the different stages?”

Sanemi furrowed his brow, trying to recall the details. “Uh… there’s the light-dependent reactions and then… the Calvin cycle?”

“Correct! Great job,” she praised, her confidence growing. “Let’s break down those stages and see where you’re struggling.”

As they worked through the concepts, Kanae felt a warm rush of satisfaction. She had always loved teaching, and helping Sanemi made her feel like she was making a difference. The tension between them that had filled their earlier conversations began to dissipate, replaced by a comfortable rhythm.