"Yes. I managed to reschedule my obligations for this afternoon. Being able to welcome you like this, Hirokazu-sama, fills me with joy."
"Ah... ha ha ha... I see. Well... I'm happy too, being greeted by such a beautiful woman as yourself, Kaoruko-san."
"Ara~ You always know just what to say, Hirokazu-sama."
Pleased by his candid compliment, it seemed her mood visibly improved, and she pressed herself even closer against his side.
"N-No, really... Anyone would call you beautiful. You barely look like you're in your early twenties."
"Fufufu... I might just start to believe you mean that..."
As she spoke, Kaoruko leaned her head against his shoulder.
This tutoring job came with two specific problems, and Kaoruko herself was one of them.
Yoshida had made it clear from the beginning that he was already in a relationship. Yet, despite having no recollection of doing anything to encourage it, he found himself on the receiving end of her obvious affection like this.
She was his employer, so outright rejecting her advances was a delicate matter. Moreover, being pursued by such a stunning woman... well, such thoughts inevitably crossed his mind, making it difficult to firmly push her away.
It was worth noting that Kaoruko was tall for a woman, standing only slightly shorter than Yoshida himself—perhaps a touch taller than Rena. This made it effortless for her to rest her head against his shoulder while standing, just as she was doing now.
"Ah... Isn't this a little... close?"
"Is it? Besides, there's no one around, so it's perfectly fine. I've given everyone else their tasks for the time being."
Kaoruko only indulged in this kind of affectionate behavior when there were no witnesses. She never acted this way in front of Genan or the other staff. That, at least, was his sole saving grace...
"Come now, we should be going. Toka-chan is waiting, isn't she?"
"Mmm... Very well. If we must. In that case, allow me to escort you just like this."
True to her word, Kaoruko refused to release his arm, and they proceeded toward their destination with her intimately linked to his side.
Knock knock...
"Toka. Hirokazu-sama is here."
"Okaaay!!"
Upon reaching the designated room, Kaoruko knocked and called out softly. A bright, girlish voice answered from within, followed by the sound of the door sliding open.
Clatter...
"Ah! Sensei~!"
The girl who burst forth from the doorway spotted Yoshida and immediately flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around him.
"I missed you so much..."
"H-Hey... Toka-chan. Isn't this a bit too clingy...?"
The girl clinging to him was his student, Toka Hojoin. A third-year in middle school. The esteemed young lady of the Hojoin family, she usually carried herself with a dignified, perfectly proper demeanor befitting her station.
She'd been the very picture of such refinement when they first met, but with each passing day, she had transformed into an utter sweetheart starved for affection.
Her hair was long, straight, and raven-black, falling to a length similar to Nino's or Yotsuba's. She was tall for her age, her height not differing much from the quintuplets'.
Having lost her father at a young age, Toka spent her days diligently applying herself to lessons and other rigorous training expected of the Hojoin heir.
Yoshida had advised her that during their time together, she needn't be bound by those constraints. The result was this—a thoroughly spoiled, affection-craving young lady.
Even now, she nuzzled her face against his chest, rubbing her cheek against him as she clung tightly.
And this was the second problem: Toka's excessive physical contact, which invariably pressed her surprisingly large breasts firmly against him. Suppressing the surge of lust this provoked was a constant, agonizing trial.
'Honestly... are they not on par with Ichika and the others? I've never seen them directly, so I'm going purely by feel here... But at her age... this is...'
He found himself internally chastised for the follow-up thought: 'Does that mean her mother, Kaoruko, is similarly endowed?'
He had once tried to caution Toka about the way she pressed her chest against him, requesting she not cling so fiercely. Her response had been a simple, 'With Sensei, it's perfectly fine,' and his warning had been utterly ignored.
The issue was compounded by the fact that Toka, unlike her kimono-clad mother, wore Western clothing—clothing that seemed to grow progressively more revealing by the day.
Today, for instance, she wore a dress, but its neckline was cut low enough to offer a distracting glimpse of her cleavage. He had no idea where to safely rest his eyes.
"Ehhh... This much is fine, isn't it...?"
"Toka! That is unbecoming."
"Okaaay."
Only when Kaoruko scolded her did Toka finally relent and release him from her embrace. Yoshida bit back the observation: 'Didn't you refuse to let go of my arm just moments ago?'
"My apologies, Hirokazu-sama. I shall speak to her sternly about this later..."
Kaoruko bowed apologetically, her expression contrite. Yoshida hastily raised both hands in a gesture of placation.
"No, no, there's no need to go that far. Toka-chan works hard every day. You and I are probably the only people she feels she can be this spoiled around. It doesn't bother me. Well... maybe it goes a bit overboard sometimes... ahaha..."
"Fufufu... Sensei really is so kind... That's why I love you so much."
Apparently delighted that he hadn't scolded her, Toka latched onto him once more.
'I just said it goes overboard, didn't I?'
Keeping the thought firmly to himself, Yoshida simply reached up and gently stroked her hair.
"Sigh... You are far too lenient with Toka, Hirokazu-sama. Still, as you say, she applies herself diligently to her studies and training normally. Perhaps this sort of release is necessary for her."
Despite her sigh, Kaoruko validated his sentiment.
"Hm? Come to think of it, Sensei, you're dressed quite handsomely today! Is it... for me?"
Having had her fill of clinging for the moment, Toka stepped back and appraised his outfit. Her eyes sparkled as she asked if his sartorial effort was on her behalf.
Yoshida didn't usually fuss over his appearance. Today, however, he had a date with Nino scheduled for later, prompting this rare foray into fashionable attire.
He wore a black T-shirt beneath a navy tailored jacket, paired with tapered trousers.
He'd thought the ensemble looked sharp, and Toka's positive assessment was a relief.
After all, the date was with Nino, the most fashion-conscious of the quintuplets, and he had put considerable thought into ensuring he didn't look out of place beside her.
"Ah... I'd like to say yes, but... sorry. I have plans to meet someone after this."
Yoshida offered the apology sheepishly. Toka's eyes widened, and she froze in place.
...
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