Uncle Hikigaya is Forever Young [37]

“Oh! If it isn’t Kirisu Mafuyu-sensei. I’m really sorry—I startled you!”

Hikigaya Ryōhei muttered inwardly, Didn’t I just see her yesterday? How are we running into each other again today?

Could it be that this fresh graduate was also here applying at Sōbu High?

Indeed, Kirisu Mafuyu-san was here for the job at Chiba Municipal Sōbu High School.

One had to admit, the fastest growth for newly graduated students came precisely from failing job interviews during graduation season.

Today, compared to yesterday, Kirisu Mafuyu-san had quickly acquired a more professional air, shedding a bit of her student naiveté.

Her professional suit was more formal today, not casually styled like yesterday. Around her neck, that patch of smooth, jade-white skin was adorned by a necklace, making her look slightly more intellectual.

“It’s nothing. I just thought I should greet you since we met yesterday. It seems you’re here for Sōbu High’s job interview too?”

Kirisu Mafuyu stepped back two paces and stood upright, a hint of gloom in her voice.

“That's right. Seeing how you're dressed, Kirisu-sensei, does that mean fate has brought us together again today?”

“Ha… I suppose…”

I don’t want to interview with you again! Honestly, is it appropriate for a thirty-something uncle to come out here and snatch food from the mouths of young educators just starting out?

On the surface, Mafuyu was composed, pretending to be a poised, professional woman—but inwardly, her complaints ran rampant.

This uncle was seriously a scary opponent.

Yesterday’s interview had been conducted in groups of three, so she had heard Hikigaya Ryōhei’s self-introduction, trial lesson, and Q&A.

Initially, when she’d heard him introduce himself as a graduate of Tokyo Gakugei University—but in his thirties without any teaching experience—she’d sighed in relief, silently thanking him for wasting a precious interview slot.

Then this uncle, playing the fool to catch the wise, began his trial lesson. And that was when she panicked.

What happened to having “no experience at all”?

W-what was with this incredibly insightful and brilliant classroom teaching method?!

Who was he trying to fool?!

Because it was her first interview, her nerves were easily swayed. When it was finally Kirisu Mafuyu’s turn, she hadn’t performed very well.

If Ryōhei was reluctantly passed over, she had been outright eliminated.

But it wasn’t all fruitless.

Last night, Mafuyu had spent over an hour at home practicing her teacher’s image in front of the mirror, making substantial progress in appearance.

She’d also significantly improved her techniques for transitioning between lesson segments and interacting with students.

Indeed, knowledge from textbooks alone was superficial—real life was always different.

...

Exchanging polite small talk, the two walked together toward Sōbu High’s gates.

Ryōhei didn’t ask further questions, and they merely exchanged a few thoughts on yesterday’s interview.

As to why they’d run into each other immediately after yesterday, just a little thought made it clear.

Although there were many schools in Tokyo, the number of middle-school job postings in the past half-month was around twenty to thirty—not exactly few.

But narrowed down specifically to their shared subject, history, it was only around ten.

Removing those specifically requiring previous experience, the number dwindled even further.

Both he and Kirisu Mafuyu—one old, one young—had no previous work experience. So it wasn’t particularly surprising they’d cross paths again.

Ryōhei had also previously submitted his résumé to Sōbu High.

Unlike Teitan Junior High’s strict and standardized group-interview process, Sōbu High arranged informal interviews on a walk-in basis throughout a one-week window.

Had he not gotten that recommendation letter, Ryōhei would’ve waited a bit longer before visiting.

...

One hour later.

The informal interview concluded quickly enough.

A simple trial lesson, some casual conversation, and filling out paperwork.

He also handed over his recommendation letter.

Of course, Sōbu High didn’t give immediate results on the spot. They would notify by phone within a week.

Feeling relaxed, the middle-aged uncle walked swiftly out of Sōbu High’s gates. He planned to head home, cook lunch for Hikigaya Hachiman, have lunch with him, then head to his afternoon shift at the convenience store.

“Hikigaya-san! Hikigaya-senpai? May I ask you something? It’s about education.”

Not far outside the school gate, he unexpectedly ran into Kirisu Mafuyu once more.

The slender, graceful girl bent slightly forward in a polite bow as she spoke.

In that instant, Ryōhei realized this girl had probably waited for him here on purpose.

Earlier, they’d arrived at the interview at the same time. Ryōhei had politely let her enter first, waiting until she’d finished before going in himself.

“Oh? Sure, though I’m not really good at educational theory questions.”

Kirisu Mafuyu seemed a little troubled. “It’s not exactly theoretical knowledge. Actually, the interviewer just asked me a question—what do you think is the most important thing to become a good teacher? I had to answer in one sentence. I answered something… textbook-related. But the interviewer didn’t look very satisfied, so I wanted to ask you, senpai, for advice.”

This young woman, newly entering society, seemed somewhat dejected. She’d done decently well in the trial lesson but faltered badly during the Q&A session, making the interviewer shake his head.

“Oh, he asked you something like that? That’s pretty broad. Not easy to answer indeed.”

“Can I ask what they asked you? Of course, only if you don’t mind sharing.” Kirisu Mafuyu wouldn’t let any opportunity to improve herself slip by.

“He asked how old I really was, whether I was married, and if I could work overtime.”

“Pffft—!”

The pink-haired girl felt as though she'd been punched in the chest. Her delicately made-up face twisted slightly, barely managing to maintain her carefully cultivated image of “cold intellectual.”

“It seems you should have no problem this time…”

“Not necessarily. But anyway, if I had to answer your question… Hmm, I’d probably say something like…” Hikigaya Ryōhei instinctively slipped back into his past identity as a teacher, looked upward thoughtfully, then spoke.

Mafuyu quickly whipped out a small, palm-sized notebook. Her intensely serious gaze made him feel somewhat startled.

“You don’t need to go that far. Everyone’s understanding differs, so just take this as a casual reference,” Ryōhei waved his hand dismissively. “I think to be a good teacher, the most important thing is probably… having a kind heart.”

“That’s it? A kind heart?”

As expected, there wasn’t really anything worth writing down. Kirisu Mafuyu’s mouth hung slightly open, feeling a bit bewildered.

“That’s my take anyway. There are hundreds of standards for an excellent teacher, constantly changing. Just keeping up with education reforms and adding new knowledge in your subject—that alone is a lifelong task… Simply put, there are endless methods to teach. But if the teacher leading students lacks a good heart, everything else is meaningless. You’re still young, so you might not understand yet. This is easy to say but hardest to put into practice.”

The rookie teacher Kirisu Mafuyu stood there in a daze. For the first time, she seriously wondered whether she needed to completely rebuild herself.

When she was younger, she'd never felt attending a prestigious university made much difference…

Was Tokyo Gakugei University really this powerful? A graduate who'd wasted over a decade could casually KO her just like that?

Suddenly, unwillingness surged within her, prompting her to ask impulsively, “Hikigaya-san, you really do have teaching experience, right?”

“Huh? I really don’t! If you don’t believe me, I can show you my résumé. Work records can’t be faked. I’ve honestly never taught before.”

---

A/N: Seems everyone really likes Kirisu Mafuyu, huh? Actually, this type of extremely anime-like young female teacher does exist in real life—but you’d probably have to first get into a top-ranked elite high school in your province to meet one, hahaha! (Dog Head)

T/N: Bwahahaha! (Dog Head)

This is a fan translation of 比企谷大叔永远年轻 by Stargazer All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!