Tutor, Tutor

Chapter 3

"I don't see why this Tensai needs to go for tutoring." Sakuragi grumbled. He was walking back from basketball practice with Ishii, Kuwata and Sasaoka. The quartet were heading for Sasaoka's house for their study group, which met three nights a week. Tonight was the first time Sakuragi was joining the other three sophomores, since Miyagi had roped him into the arrangement with no way out just a while ago, the moment practice ended. Initially, Sakuragi had outright refused to even entertain the idea of tutoring, but Ayako had mentioned something about Rukawa failing his classes...

With renewed vigour, Sakuragi's competitive fire had been ignited; he'd enthusiastically agreed to Miyagi's idea, as if he was the one who'd suggested it in the first place. He, Sakuragi Hanamichi, the Tensai, was going to be a million times better than that fox! But now, he'd been relegated to hanging out with these commoners, and his spirit had dampened once again.

"Well, if you don't get good grades, the school won't let you play basketball." Ishii pointed out.

"Are you saying that this Tensai is stupid?" Sakuragi shot back sharply.

"I didn't say that!" Ishii replied quickly, remembering the redhead's temperament.

"Don't worry, Sakuragi. We'll be helping each other out with today's homework, that's what we usually do. It's not a proper tutoring session." Kuwata countered, smiling at Sakuragi. "Besides, it'll be good bonding for us sophomores."

"Hmmm." Sakuragi rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "If you put it that way..."

Kuwata sighed inwardly in relief. Ishii had decided to clam up for the rest of the journey, in fear of arousing the redhead's anger once again, and Sasaoka was one of the shy ones and barely said a word. Finally, Sasaoka announced that they had arrived after another ten minutes of walking in silence. Kuwata grinned at Sakuragi to appease him, but the center had a blank look on his face, unsure of what to expect.

"I'm home." Sasaoka called out, removing his shoes. Ishii and Kuwata, who were regulars at Sasaoka's on Wednesday nights, followed suit, leaving Sakuragi awkwardly fumbling at the back.

"Welcome back, Satoro." His mother greeted him with a smile. "Hello, Ishii-kun, Kuwata-kun." Her eyes fell onto the redheaded giant towering at the back of the group. "Satoro, who's your new friend?"

His hair is so red! Mrs Sasaoka almost voiced out her thoughts, but managed to hold onto her tongue, eyeballing Sakuragi's intense red hair.

"Mum, that's Sakuragi Hanamichi. He's on the basketball team as well, and he's joining our study group." Sasaoka explained. He turned to Sakuragi, and introduced his mother.

"Welcome, Sakuragi-kun. Come on in, everyone. Make yourselves at home." Mrs Sasaoka invited them in with another smile, then disappeared to the kitchen, but not before one last glance at Sakuragi's shockingly red hair.

"Your mother's nice, benchwarmer." Sakuragi commented, looking around the hallways, taking in the atmosphere. Sasaoka simply nodded and led his friends to the living room. "Your house is nice, too!" A thin smile adorned Sasaoka's face.

"Well, I guess we can get started." Sasaoka said, inviting his friends to sit at the coffee table. The four of them sat on cushions, and Sakuragi glanced around as the other three boys took out the day's homework. Since he was the Tensai, Sakuragi never wrote down his notes, let alone carry around a notebook! Scrambling around in his book bag, Sakuragi found a crumpled-up maths worksheet that was due yesterday. He smoothed it out onto the table, a satisfied grin creeping onto his face.

"So you want to do maths first, Sakuragi?" Kuwata had been watching the redhead's actions. Ishii and Sasaoka were already bent over their books, pen scratching on paper, immersed in that day's essay assignment.