Tokyo Tutor: Starting with My Ex-Girlfriend's Sister

Chapter 37: Himeno Natsuki's Three Years of Study Abroad Life

"Is there a problem, Natsuki-san?"

Yamazaki Kazuka asked with great interest.

"When she arrived in Europe, unlike other international students who attended social events such as dances and dinners, she traveled around visiting famous historical sites and sketching."

"The most outrageous time was at the college's social ball. As the most anticipated debutante, she neither wore a gown nor went on stage to dance. Instead, she wore casual clothes, tied on an apron, and hid in a corner with a sketchbook, observing the layout of the ball and making drafts."

"During this time, several men asked her to dance, but she refused them all."

"Miss Natsuki, does she not participate in any social activities at all?"

"Teacher Yamazaki, let me tell you something even funnier. Because of the poor security in many parts of Europe, I spent a lot of money hiring a security company there to send people to ensure Natsuki's safety."

"As a result, after Natsuki arrived in Europe, she spent almost all her time painting in her studio, except when she went out to sketch. She was either painting in her studio or painting next to famous historical sites in Europe."

"The only form of entertainment I had was going to church every Sunday to listen to hymns."

"The bodyguards and personal assistants who accompany her have all undergone rigorous training and must stay by Natsuki's side at all times."

"As a result, within a year, everyone on her team developed mental illnesses to varying degrees. Those bodyguards were former special agents; even they couldn't handle the lifestyle, yet Natsuki managed to endure it."

At this point, Himeno Kiyoyuki was on the verge of a breakdown.

"It is precisely because she was able to endure such a simple life that Miss Natsuki was able to achieve such great success today."

"Sigh, to you outsiders, you may only see Natsuki's achievements, but as her mother, I feel for how hard she has worked."

"I don't understand why she works so hard. Is she cursed by some witch in Europe? Like the girl in the fairy tale who has to keep dancing until she dies."

"Ms. Yamazaki, do you know how many paintings she did in Europe? Fifteen!"

Upon hearing this, Yamazaki Kazukaze realized the seriousness of the problem.

During her three years of high school, Himeno Natsuki only created five works.

She painted fifteen pictures in less than three years of studying in Europe.

She's risking her life!

"I'm so worried about her. But she's so far away, what should I do?"

"Mrs. Himeno, I have a suggestion. Why don't you go to Europe and talk to Miss Natsuki?"

"I'm not good at talking to my daughters, and I'm afraid things will only get worse. Mr. Yamazaki, why don't you go to Europe and talk to Natsuki in my place?"

"You can handle Saki, and you can also persuade Natsuki."

It's hard to say.

"Mrs. Himeno, you overestimate my abilities."

"In my eyes, Yamazaki-sensei, you're just that amazing. So, can you fulfill my expectations?"

"Since Mrs. Himeno values ​​me so much, I will not let her down."

Mrs. Hime has invited me time and again. If I refuse the Hime family's request to renew the contract after the start of the school year, it would be rather unreasonable.

The Himeno family offers high wages and has the intention of hiring me long-term, making them an excellent long-term meal ticket.

While Natsuki's situation is certainly a problem, facing it might be a better solution than running away from it.

"Mr. Yamazaki, you've worked so hard. I'm calling you so late again. I hope I'm not disturbing your rest."

On the other end of the phone, Himeko Kiyoyuki smiled sheepishly.

"Mrs. Himeno, there's one more thing about Aoi-kun."

"About Aoi?"

"Aoi is having a hard time staying at Himeno's house."

"Was it because Saki Ryo bullied her?"

"No, Mrs. Hime, think about it. Aoi always watches her grandmother busy serving Saki, and she can't eat at the table. She has to wait until we finish eating before she can eat in another small room, and she only gets leftovers."

"Aoi is a good child. She must be feeling terrible seeing this."

"Mr. Yamazaki, you're right. I didn't think things through. Aunt Uesugi came with me when I married into the Himeno family, and I have great respect for her."

"I understand that Aoi is upset, and I also want Aunt Uesugi to retire."

Why?

"Mr. Yamazaki, you've probably noticed it already. Why is it that my house is so big, yet I only have one maid, Aunt Uesugi?"

"To be honest, the Himeno family used to be a yakuza family. That bloody era instilled a suspicious nature in the Himeno family members."

"It's not their fault, because those who weren't suspicious were betrayed or assassinated. That's why very few servants were able to enter the Himeno family residence to serve the Himeno family members."

"We'd rather do things ourselves than have outsiders enter our private space."

"We are a separate family, and the house is not big. Usually, it's just me and my two daughters at home. I'm not usually home, and Natsuki is studying abroad, so I left Aunt Uesugi to take care of Saki at home."

"Aunt Uesugi is getting old now, but that house needs to be cleaned every day, and she can't keep up with the physical demands. She should have retired long ago."

"But Saki is picky about food. She doesn't like many chefs' dishes, she only likes Aunt Uesugi's cooking. And my garden, watering and cultivating the flowers every day, is not something an ordinary nanny can do well."

"I've been looking for someone recently, but I haven't found the right person until recently. She's my uncle's adopted daughter."

"She is loyal and even more skilled at housekeeping than Aunt Uesugi. Her fiancé, whom the family arranged for her, passed away, so I want to bring her home to help you take care of Saki."

"Mr. Yamazaki, do you think this is appropriate?"

"Perfectly suited, Mrs. Himeno, your arrangements are excellent. Thank you for trusting me."

"Haha. Yamazaki-sensei, do you know why I trust you so much? Although I now practice vegetarianism and Buddhist chanting, I used to be a shrine maiden, and I can sense a person's aura."

"Mr. Yamazaki, your aura makes me feel very comfortable, which is probably why you were able to tame Saki. I believe that in the future, when Natsuki returns to see you, she won't resist you."

Himeno Kiyoyuki almost revealed that Himeno Natsuki was going to return to Japan.

[Natsuki might resist me, but it's unlikely she would.]

Upon hearing this, Yamazaki Kazukazu couldn't help but think of this phrase.

"Oh dear, it's so late. I'm so sorry, Yamazaki-sensei, I've been rambling on for ages. I hope you don't find me annoying."

Himeno Seiyuki never expected that she would tell Yamazaki Kazuka so many things at once, and many of them were secrets of the Himeno family.

This boy seems to possess a kind of magic, specifically targeting the Himeno family.

Both Saki and I would relax our guard in his presence.