Ch.82Episode 17. Home Visit (2)

After showing my “overnight pass” to the security guard and leaving the academy, there was an SUV provided by the Chancellor waiting at the entrance.

I’m not sure how he knew about the personal overnight pass I had issued on Thursday, but the Chancellor suddenly called me yesterday and provided this vehicle.

He’ll probably use this as leverage to ask for help if the academy gets into trouble. I feel like I’ve been caught in a trap.

“Hello. You’ve probably heard from the Chancellor, but I’m Shin Sangho, your driver for the next two days. Are you Eugene?”

The man standing in front of the car approached and introduced himself.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“…Who is he?”

Yeon Muhui clung to me subtly, tugging at my sleeve as she asked.

“He’s our driver for the day. The Chancellor… arranged it for us. It would take too long to use public transportation to get to Taean and back.”

“I wouldn’t have minded taking the bus.”

“The bus takes too long. We need to get back quickly.”

When I looked up the route from here to Taean, I found that the bus would take at least four hours. That wouldn’t leave us enough time to arrive at her house and have a relaxed conversation.

“But this must cost money too.”

“Well… the Chancellor will cover it.”

“Is it okay to be so casual about it?”

“If he asks me to pay him back later, I’ll just give him the money.”

I still had plenty of the 1 billion won I’d taken from that villain, and my salary as an instructor wasn’t small either, so I had more than enough.

“Are you bragging about having money?”

“I’m being considerate. Don’t feel burdened.”

“That makes me feel even more burdened.”

“Then let’s just say you’re getting a free ride. I’m going there for my own purposes anyway.”

Still, I should get a driver’s license soon for future convenience. My afternoons are pretty free, so I’ll apply next week.

Since I have driving experience from the other world, I should pass without much trouble.

I never expected to care this much about these kids, but seeing their gradual improvement doesn’t feel bad at all.

“This is my first time visiting Grandmother’s house since I was little, except for Mom’s birthdays…”

“You’ll get used to it quickly.”

Discomfort only lasts at first. I’m certain it won’t take long for it to become a habit and part of daily life.

“…You’re mean.”

“I told you this would be a one-time thing.”

Is that becoming your catchphrase?

“Haha. Shall we depart now?”

“Yes. We’ll have lunch after we arrive in Taean.”

I deliberately didn’t offer to pay for his meal. When you hire a driver for the day, providing lunch is expected. It would seem like I was showing off otherwise.

“Let’s go then.”

He seemed to understand my intention, smiled slightly, and walked to the driver’s seat.

“Get in.”

I opened the back door for her. She stared at me blankly before getting in. I followed right after. After closing the door, I looked at Muhui.

“…What are you doing?”

“What?”

“You need to tell us where we’re going.”

“…You already know, don’t you?”

“I don’t.”

“What? You were lying?”

“Hurry up and give the address. The driver is waiting with the navigation on. Quick.”

Pressured by my urging, Muhui sighed deeply instead of arguing and recited her grandmother’s address. I should memorize it and write it down later.

“Put on your seatbelt.”

I fastened the seatbelt for her as she sat there with a sulky face, openly showing her irritation.

I needed to prevent any possibility of her throwing a tantrum and trying to get out.

“No, I-I can do it myself.”

She was flustered by the sudden closeness. Her face was subtly red. Her pupils were more dilated than usual. She’s overreacting even though our bodies didn’t actually touch.

But she smells nice. I wonder what body wash she uses?

“I did it for you because you weren’t doing it.”

“You could have just told me.”

“I’m the type who acts before speaking.”

“Isn’t that trashy behavior?”

“How dare you call your instructor trashy.”

While Muhui and I were bickering, the driver was watching us through the rearview mirror.

“Look. He’s watching.”

She urgently hit my arm and shouted. That hurt quite a bit. It might bruise.

“You should call him ‘driver.'”

“…The driver is.”

I’m happy that she follows my instructions even when annoyed.

“Haha. This might be an impertinent question, but are you two perhaps dating?”

“What…!”

“Haha, do we look like that?”

“W-why are you laughing?”

“It just means we seem close.”

“We’re not. Close at all.”

Looking at her carefully, I thought she was the cool-dere type, but she seems more like a tsundere.

Still, I should stop teasing her too much or she might get genuinely upset.

“We’re not actually dating. We’re instructor and student. But I suppose we have less distance between us than most instructor-student relationships.”

“I see. That’s nice to see. Well then, let’s depart.”

“Yes.”

The car started moving. There was no longer any chance for her to get out. I smiled with satisfaction.

“You look pleased, Instructor.”

“Hmm. Maybe because it’s been a while since I went out?”

“…Liar.”

I pretended not to hear Muhui’s comment and turned my gaze to the window. Seeing the good weather today, I feel like many good things will happen.

* * *

We stopped briefly at a rest area to use the restroom.

Just to be clear, this was deliberate. I needed to help calm down someone who was quite angry.

“Muhui.”

“…You know standing in front of the bathroom makes you look like a pervert, right?”

She’s being snippy again.

“It hurts my heart when you criticize me with such a nonchalant expression.”

“Shut up.”

The wrinkles between her eyebrows haven’t disappeared, suggesting she’s still annoyed about being deceived. She’ll get permanent wrinkles at this rate. Should I press her forehead later?

“Since we’re at the rest area, let’s get something to eat before lunch.”

“No thanks.”

I can’t help but chuckle seeing her grumbling like a sulking child.

It’s not my imagination that her emotions are particularly visible today. She must be anxious about visiting her grandmother’s house.

“You say that, but you’ll eat everything if I buy it. Stop playing hard to get and let’s go.”

“I said no…”

“Are you sure? Then if I buy something, I’ll eat it all myself?”

I know you can’t resist the walnut pastries at rest areas.

“…”

She turned her feet, which had been heading toward the parking lot. Without a word, she brushed past me and walked toward the shops.

Taking quick steps, she said something at the walnut pastry stand and received two paper bags. Then she approached me, who was slowly walking toward her, and held one out.

“What’s this?”

“Rest areas mean walnut pastries. We’ll eat a proper meal when we get to Taean, so just have a little.”

“I feel like you’re imposing your preferences on me. What about the driver?”

“Don’t know. You buy it for him.”

When I just stared at her, Muhui pressed the paper bag against my chest and let go. Then she hurried toward the car with quick steps.

The way she rushed, eager to eat her walnut pastry, was incredibly cute.

I watched her retreating figure before buying a few more snacks and returning to the car.

* * *

After arriving in Taean and having a decent meal, we stopped by a supermarket to buy fruit before visiting her home. It was a huge watermelon.

Muhui complained about why I was buying such a thing for a home visit, but I told her that first impressions are important and it’s proper to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home.

She was probably saying that because she felt burdened, but these small details matter. The priority was to reduce the distance between us.

So with the watermelon in hand, we headed to Muhui’s grandmother’s house.

Her grandmother’s house was in the same Taean County, but in a small village about five minutes away from the county office.

“According to the address, this should be it.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

It took a little over two hours to get here.

Coming this way definitely saved a lot of time, which is good. Next time I’ll get a driver’s license and rent a car.

As soon as I got out of the car, the scorching heat made it hard to breathe.

“Wow, it’s hot.”

Can’t I block heat with electricity?

Muhui, who got out of the car after me, looked around anxiously before approaching me.

“Instructor.”

“Let’s not talk about going back now that we’ve come all this way. At least for the driver who drove for two hours.”

Her face crumpled.

“…Are you reading minds these days? How do you know exactly what I’m thinking?”

“It just means I pay a lot of attention to you. Let’s go. Blue roof, right?”

“…How do you know the roof color if you don’t know the address?”

“I just read your mind.”

“Now you’re just lying all the time. Mean person.”

“Lying is certainly bad, but I’m trying to be a good person for you.”

After gently patting her shoulder, I turned around. I approached the driver who had just turned off the engine.

“Driver, you’re free to do as you please. There’s not much to see or do here. Feel free to go to downtown Taean. And use this card for dinner and accommodation.”

Even though the driver was sent by the Chancellor, I had studied enough to know how to treat a day driver properly.

I really need to get my driver’s license and buy a car soon. This is too inconvenient.

“Yes, I understand. Ah, the card is unnecessary. I already received one from the Chancellor. I’ll wait around here for about an hour, and if I don’t hear from you, I’ll head to downtown Taean.”

“Please do that.”

“Then have a good time with your student.”

“Yes. We’ll make it a truly meaningful time.”

After putting the card away, I picked up the heavy watermelon and walked toward the blue roof visible in the distance. Muhui hurriedly caught up and matched my pace.

“Instructor.”

“What?”

“Don’t say anything unnecessary.”

“What’s unnecessary?”

“Mom and Grandmother will be very surprised. Just have a cup of tea and let’s go back.”

“How is that a home visit?”

I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“Listen to me. There’s nothing good about them meeting you now. There will be another chance next year.”

This won’t change if we wait forever.

Until I make it clear that the object of fear is Yeonhwaryong, not you, this situation will continue.

“I called this morning, so it should be fine.”

“How can it be fine when you called the same morning? Are you stupid?”

“I don’t want to be called stupid by someone who got C+ in all subjects.”

“Ugh. Using grades to attack me is unfair… How well did you do then?”

“I didn’t attend the academy.”

“What? How can you be so strong if you didn’t even go to the academy?”

“I told you. I was born strong.”

My words must have sounded arrogant, as Muhui frowned in disgust.

No, it’s true. It’s because that author made my character setting so strong. That’s a bit unfair.

“…Anyway, say you understand.”

I think she might be tense and afraid about the sudden visit. However, the person who really needed to be careful was Muhui, not me.

“No.”

“Ah, please listen to me.”

Muhui grabbed my clothes as she spoke. However, I had no intention of changing my mind.

After all, the reason I came all this way was to break down her needless stubbornness. It’s too late to back out now.

“I told you. Just this once, I’ll be the bad guy.”

“Still…”

“Don’t worry. What you’re concerned about won’t happen. Just like you trust me and receive my training, trust me this time too. You definitely won’t regret it.”

As we were talking, we arrived in front of the blue-roofed house. I immediately rang the doorbell.

Ding-dong.

At the sound of the doorbell, Muhui flinched and didn’t know what to do. She fidgeted, nervously biting her lower lip.

“…Who is it?”

A gentle voice from inside.

Though weakened with age, it had a comforting quality to the listener.

With a clank, the iron gate opened, revealing an elderly woman with a perm.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Who…?”

The elderly woman’s gaze, which had been scanning me from head to toe, suddenly shifted behind me. Her mouth fell open when she saw Muhui standing awkwardly behind.

“As Muhui probably told you this morning, I’m Eugene, the special class instructor… no, Muhui’s personal instructor at the academy.”

I introduced myself with a warm smile and confidence.

Upon hearing my name, the elderly woman let go of the gate and clapped her hands.

“Oh my! How did an academy instructor… Did our Muhui do something wrong?”

In response to the elderly woman’s concern, I smiled broadly, showing my gums.

“Not at all. I’m here for a home visit.”