The Hero Creation Classroom of a Reincarnated Ordinary Person: After Reaching My Limit As An Adventurer, I Reluctantly Opened A Classroom In The Countryside To Earn Money For The Future, And My Student Became The Strongest - Episode 78

At my house, Sana threw herself into household chores.

With her natural brightness, she was quickly accepted by Eve and Mu as well.

“Sana, you’re really good at cooking.”

“I’ve only taught her a little so far, but she’s already perfected everything I showed her.”

“Ah, thank you!”

Today was a rare day off, so Sana was making lunch.

For this meal, she decided to make a chilled soup, focusing on freshness with a lot of vegetables. The herbal fragrance added to it, making it very appetizing.

The seasoning was neither too strong nor too weak, and it even paired well with bread. Sana said it wasn’t very complicated, but I couldn’t believe she had never cooked before.

“…I feel like I need to make Mu drink a cup of the herbal medicine for her nails.”

“You can’t cook, huh?”

“Uh… I’d like to try Mu-sensei’s cooking someday.”

At Moo’s dissatisfied comment, it seemed like Sana caught on to the mood and hesitantly said that. Then Eve, who was sitting next to her, grabbed her hand and shook her head.

“Sana… your feelings are enough. Some things, people just can’t surpass.”

Right… one of them is the limit of growth, and the other is Moo’s cooking… Wait, what?

“Well, maybe it was just that the teacher and Eve-sensei didn’t like it. Perhaps I could still like it… And if it’s bad, we could try improving it later…”

“Sana, you’re a good kid. Make it for dinner tonight.”

“Don’t. Do it at midnight or something.”

I then reminded them that they had to go into town to buy ingredients together after this. Mu gave me a glare, but I ignored it, silently offering a moment of respect for Sana in my heart.

Later, Mu went into town with Sana to buy the ingredients.

Sana seemed to have enjoyed the trip, and when they returned, she had a big smile on her face, saying she had a great time.

And now, she was wearing a strained smile.

As night fell and it was getting close to bedtime, I decided to head to the living room for a quick drink of water. The lights were still on.

When I entered, I saw Mu and Sana standing with their backs to me.

“Hey?”

I called out, but there was no answer. As I got closer, I saw that Sana had a strained smile on her face—actually, it wasn’t even a good smile at all.

And Mu was stirring a very dark soup with a ladle.

“Wh-what happened…?”

Sana muttered with a voice that sounded like she was about to cry. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“Sana…”

“Teacher… I don’t understand. The vegetables are vegetables, and the fruits are fruits, right?”

“Yeah, they’re right. You’re correct.”

“I told her multiple times! I said, ‘Mu-sensei, that’s some fruit, not a vegetable!’ But she wouldn’t listen and insisted this was the right way…”

“Yeah, she never listens. Honestly, when it comes to cooking, this brat never listens.”

I drifted off into thought, remembering the past.

Ah, now that I think about it, even back then, she ignored my instructions and made her own ‘original’ dish… or rather, something original. It’s nostalgic, I suppose… but not in a sentimental way.

“Also… also, Mu-sensei insisted that tasting is important and handed me the soup, just a little bit, but even now my tongue… my tongue still tingles…”

“Oh, and this guy does it with such a nonchalant face when he tastes things.”

“Why? Why is Mu-sensei fine with it? I don’t understand at all. Please help me, Sensei.”

“Sana, remember this well. There are people in this world who are beyond understanding.”

I answered without looking away from Mu, who was busy with the pot in front of him.

Then I started listing off the people who came to mind that were hard to understand.

“For example, the carpenter who can build a room or even a house in one day, or someone who can use both swords and magic. And the most incomprehensible one of all… is this guy with a tongue like that.”

When I thought about it, I realized—aren’t there too many people around me who are beyond understanding?

Just as I was thinking this…

“Ah, Endy.”

That damn kid noticed me.

“Look, it’s done!”

“Whoa, that’s impressive. But that’s not ‘done.’ You’re officially banned from the kitchen from now on. And that soup, make sure you eat it yourself, alright?”

“…Objection.”

“Nope. It’s a majority vote. Eve and I are against it.”

There was no need to even wake up Eve and ask her opinion.

Even without considering Eve, anyone with common sense would be against it.

But that damn kid… it seemed like he wasn’t giving up yet.

“Hey, me, Sana, we’re two votes.”

“Sorry, Mu-sensei… I… I can’t bring myself to agree…”

“Betrayal!?”

Mu looked like something out of a dramatic scene with a loud bang sound effect.

But with that, it was three against one. The numbers were overwhelmingly in our favor.

It was decided: Mu would be banned from using the kitchen.

From that day on, Sana completely stopped talking about cooking with Mu.

Not only that, she even refused to talk about ingredients. She had completely shut it down.

I couldn’t help but think that this must be what they call trauma. I felt a little bad for her.

◆◆◆

A week had passed since the Mu cooking incident that traumatized Sana.

Sana was still diligently focusing on her studies and doing her household chores well.

Her willingness to throw herself into everything with all her energy, and her eagerness to learn, was actually quite endearing.

Of course, Eve, Mu, and Louis were all serious students as well.

But Sana was different—she had an earnestness that made her stand out.

It was no surprise that Eve and Mu paid her extra attention.

“Sensei, excuse me.”

“Hm? Oh, it’s you, Sana.”

Sana entered the room, carrying cleaning supplies. It seemed like she was cleaning the house for us.

“Sorry to trouble you on your day off.”

“No, Sensei, you’re all busy… I’m happy to do whatever I can.”

Sana smiled brightly as she tidied up the messy room.

I watched her back for a moment and then decided to make some small talk.

“Did you clean the other rooms too?”

“Yes, I cleaned Eve-sensei’s and Mu-sensei’s rooms.”

“Ah, Mu’s room must have been a mess.”

When I said that, Sana smiled sheepishly while putting books back on the bookshelf.

Chapter: Sana’s Room

“Honestly, quite a bit. But it was a room that was worth tidying up. On the other hand, Eve-sensei’s room was perfectly organized, and there was almost nothing to clean up.”

“Yeah, those two are pretty many opposites.”

Mu is the type who finds tidying up a hassle, while Eve is the type who keeps everything in perfect order.

“Sensei, will you still be using this?”

“Huh? Oh, just leave it there.”

“Okay.”

After responding to Sana, she quickly started putting books back onto the bookshelf.

Watching her, I noticed something.

(…Huh?)

She was placing the books exactly where I had left them.

In fact, right at this moment, Sana had placed a book exactly where I had been thinking it should go.

“Whoa, that’s impressive. You remembered where to put them.”

“Huh? Um… Was there something wrong?”

“No, I just didn’t expect you to remember the placement of the books… I haven’t really had you in here all that many times, right?”

There have been a few times when I was in the room and Sana came to visit, but it wasn’t like it was every day. It’s been just a handful of times.

I complimented her memory, and Sana shyly blushed, looking embarrassed.

“Ah… I see. Well, I didn’t remember perfectly, just roughly. But I thought if I put them somewhere else, it might make you trouble, Sensei.”

“Ah, yeah, you’re right. Thanks.”

“No… I… It’s nothing…”

Sana shyly turned her face away, and I found it quite endearing as I watched her.

Just as I was smiling at her reaction, though…

“Ugh…”

Suddenly, Sana clenched her fists in front of her chest.

She placed her left hand on the empty space on the bookshelf and closed her eyes, as if trying to suppress something.

“Hey? Hey, Sana?”

I quickly stood up from my chair and approached her, but her breathing had become slightly deeper.

I wasn’t sure what to do, but I decided to rub her back gently.

If the pain didn’t subside, I thought I’d call Eve or Mu for help.

But slowly, the frown on Sana’s face softened.

It seemed like the pain had eased.

“Sana, are you okay? Come on, sit down here and take it easy.”

“Y-Yes… Thank you. I’m sorry…”

I helped Sana sit on the bed and kept an eye on her.

She was smiling weakly, but there was no sign that she was still in pain.

“Are you sure you’re okay? If there’s anything you need, I can get it for you…”

“No, I’m fine. It’s just a weird feeling, but it’s nothing serious…”

“How long have you been feeling this chest pain?”

When I asked, Sana widened her eyes slightly but answered right away.

“It’s been since I was little, since I became aware of it.”

“Is it a sickness?”

“No, the doctor said there’s nothing wrong… It’s just that I feel a little restless in my chest from time to time. When that feeling gets stronger, it turns into pain… but even when it hurts, it’s really small… like, not much at all.”

“I see…”

If she’s been seeing doctors, then it seems like there’s no major issue after all.

With how wealthy the Kujakumiya family is, they must have taken Sana to the doctor plenty of times.

Still, I couldn’t shake off a bad feeling.

“Don’t you take any medicine for it?”

“Well, I have medication for it… but usually, the pain goes away before I even take it… The doctor says it’s an unknown condition…”

“Really… So they don’t know what it is?”

Even though I wanted to do something, I wasn’t sure what I could do.

Then, Sana lowered her eyes apologetically.

“I’m sorry, Sensei, for making you worry…”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

“Yes… Oh, by the way, I still haven’t finished cleaning up.”

“No, it’s fine for today. Go ahead and relax in the living room, maybe read a book or something. I’ll finish the cleaning, okay?”

“…………”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask her to continue cleaning after seeing her in that state.

So I said that, but Sana gave a small, lonely-looking smile.

However, maybe she was used to being taken care of, as she quickly brightened up, smiled, and said, “Thank you,” before leaving the room.

I looked at the books still scattered around the room and started cleaning them up.