Orm Kornnaphat, a highly esteemed princess, has always excelled in her royal duties and academic pursuits. However, she soon finds herself grappling with certain subjects in the demanding Royal University of Economics. Concerned for her daughter's f...
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The next day, after my tutoring session with Ling, I found myself replaying the interaction over and over in my head. Her cold demeanor, her sharp words, and the way she barely acknowledged the effort I put into studying - it all left me feeling more frustrated than I wanted to admit.
I needed to talk to someone, and there was only one person who could handle my venting without making me feel worse: Yoko.
We met up at our usual café, a cozy little spot near the university with oversized chairs and large windows. I arrived first and grabbed a seat by the window. I didn't even have to text Yoko; she always knew when I needed her. True to form, she walked in just a few minutes later, her face lighting up when she spotted me.
"Orm! You look... tired," she said as she plopped down across from me. Her eyes scanned my face, and I could see the concern creeping in. "What's going on?"
I sighed heavily and leaned back in my chair. "It's my tutor. She's-ugh, I don't even know where to start. She's impossible."
Yoko raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "This is the tutor your mom hired, right? The one for your economics class?"
"Yeah, Ling. She's-well, I thought she'd just help me study, you know, be nice about it, but she's... harsh. Like, I studied so hard for the session yesterday, and she barely acknowledged it. Just said I did 'the minimum' and needed to study more."
Yoko took a sip of her coffee, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Sounds like she's tough, but maybe that's not such a bad thing? You said yourself you weren't doing great in that class."
"I know, but it's the way she talks to me. She's so cold and distant. I tried being polite, showing that I was putting in the work, and she just shuts me down. It's like nothing I do is good enough."
Yoko let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Well, that's kind of her job, isn't it? To push you to be better? It sounds like she's not here to be your friend."
I crossed my arms and frowned. "I'm not asking for a friend, but a little respect would be nice. I mean, she didn't even give me a chance to feel good about the progress I made. I studied all week just to impress her."
I shot her a glare, knowing exactly where her mind was going. "Not like that, Yoko."
"Uh-huh, sure." She leaned back, clearly enjoying teasing me. "But seriously, it sounds like she's got some kind of chip on her shoulder. Maybe she's just like that with everyone?"
"Maybe," I said, but the uncertainty in my voice was clear. Ling didn't treat me like the other students I'd encountered at university. There was something about her that felt... different. It wasn't just that she was tough. It was the way she seemed completely unaffected by anything I said or did, as if I didn't matter at all.
Yoko tilted her head, studying me. "Okay, but let's be real. Is she at least cute?"
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Yoko grinned. "Oh, come on. I know how you think, Orm. You wouldn't be this worked up if she didn't at least have some... appeal. What's she like?"
I hesitated, but the image of Ling's sharp features and intense gaze flashed in my mind. I hadn't wanted to think about it too much, but Yoko wasn't wrong. Ling was beautiful, in a severe, almost intimidating way. Her dark eyes, the way she carried herself with this effortless confidence... It was hard to ignore.
"She's... okay, yeah, she's attractive. But that's beside the point," I admitted, feeling a little embarrassed to even say it aloud. "I'm just frustrated with how she's treating me."
Yoko wiggled her eyebrows, clearly delighted by my confession. "Mmm-hmm. So, this cold, distant, and very attractive tutor has you all flustered?"
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "This isn't helping, Yoko."
She laughed, reaching across the table to pat my hand. "I'm just saying, maybe this could be good for you. A challenge, you know? Not just in your studies, but... in other ways?"
I lifted my head, giving her a skeptical look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" she said, raising her hands in mock innocence. "But maybe instead of focusing on how she's treating you, you should just focus on the work. Let her see that you're serious about this."
"That's what I'm trying to do," I muttered. "But she doesn't give me any credit."
Yoko's teasing smile softened a little. "Orm, you're one of the smartest people I know. Don't let this tutor get under your skin. If she's tough, be tougher. You don't need her approval to know you're doing well."
I let out a long breath, appreciating her words more than I cared to admit. "You're right. I just... I don't know. I guess I'm letting her get to me more than I should."
"Exactly," Yoko said, nodding firmly. "So, next time you meet with her, don't focus on her attitude. Focus on yourself. You've got this."
"Yeah... yeah, I guess," I said, feeling a bit lighter after our talk. Yoko always had a way of putting things into perspective.
As we sat there, the conversation shifted to other things, and I felt myself relax. But in the back of my mind, the thought of Ling lingered. I didn't want to admit it, but Yoko had hit on something I hadn't been willing to acknowledge - Ling was getting under my skin. Not just because of her teaching style, but because of who she was. And I wasn't sure how to handle that.
For now, though, I decided to take Yoko's advice. I'd focus on the work. I'd show Ling that I could handle whatever she threw at me. And maybe, just maybe, I'd find a way to crack that cold exterior of hers.
