“That’s probably it.”

“Eh?”

Oops. “Yes, you are right. I will try to sleep more.” To salvage what’s left of our time together, I reach into my teacher kit and take out a box of playing cards and teach them Slap Jack. They start out hesitant at first but get into it by the end. I’m glad they like it; from what I’ve heard, playing cards are considered the devil’s pastime in Japanese schools, so everyone gets excited that they can play them here.

After the class, Manager confirms our new arrangement with the mothers. He apologizes for the short notice but thanks them for signing up. Fumiko and Mami stand quiet, looking reluctant, but Manager assures them our lessons will help their kids. Miyoko is the only one with the brass to say more than a weekend’s notice would have been nice. I’m glad someone said it, whether or not it was on my behalf. Oh well, it’s another bonus for me, I guess.

The rest of the day flies by. My private lesson with Keisuke goes well, as usual, and my bilingual students go home with a new appreciation for Sesame Street after learning about all the different kinds of toppings a pizza can have besides tuna, mayonnaise, and corn. Then I head to the washroom for the maipetto spray and a washcloth. It’s my day to wipe all the sticky fingerprints and oily forehead streaks from the observation windows. Which is fine, because I need to do something to burn off steam without ruining my skirt suit. On every clock in the school, the number seven throbs in my vision as I go to each room except for Rooms One and Five, where I can hear Seri-sensei and Yuki-sensei teaching their private lessons. Manager walks by Room Three, sees me inside, and knocks on the door.

“Cybelle, otsukaresama desu.” He bows. “You look so fine today. You have … a date?”

What the…? “I have that important trial lesson tonight.”

“Eh? No.”

I blink a few times. “Yes, I do. Lieko texted me last night?”

“Eh, no …” He repeats, frozen in the door with a blank look; he then smacks his forehead. “Shimatta! Ah, Cybelle … one student, asked for trial lesson, then cancelled.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. He is very serious. He really want to have lesson with you, but today he has important meeting with doctor, so maybe, he will not come tonight. Maybe he will see your lesson next week. Sorry. Ah, but you will go to restaurant? After last classes finish?”

Uh-oh. “Tonight?”

“Yes! We will go to Pepe le Pew, behind the station. I thought that is why you wear a skirt. But this dinner is not fancy. It is not enkai. Only dinner. But, nevertheless, it will be very exciting. Now, ah, I want to talk about re-contracting form. Do you have?”

“It’s still in the staff room. I haven’t taken it.”