(Collaboration with the charming Amaya
@Knight of Doom)
Dear Mr. Mastuoka,
Due to an unfortunate technological issue, my essay will most likely be turned in late. I apologize for any inconveniences, and also will accept any deductions of points that you feel is necessary.
-Amaya TsukinoShou took another long drag of his cigarette. He was sitting now, at a fragile table for two with elegant Parisian café-style chairs flanking either side. They stared out into the open, and the man's eyebrow raised at the distant sound of a siren.
Was it an ambulance? ...the police? Something was up in Shine City.
Maybe it would not be such a quiet night after all…
His smartphone buzzed on the glass surface of the table by his side. Languidly and lost in a trance, he went to scroll through. A single unread email stared back at him from the notifications panel.
Without hesitation, he flipped to it, an odd curiosity and a tiny smirk behind the lenses of his spectacles.
It wasn't uncommon for students to message him on his academy email on Sunday night, or the day before an assignment was due. The name he saw was quite peculiar, though. One he wasn't used to seeing before.
Amaya TsukinoInstantly, he began on a reply, after tipping the ash into the ever-handy ashtray just within his reach.
To: atsukino921@sca.jp
From: matsuoka.shou@sca.jp
Subject: Late Essay
Dear Miss Tsukino,
Yours isn't a name I've seen often on this mailing list. Is it the first time you will be handing in something late?
I appreciate you letting me know in advance. Technological issues can happen to us all. I'm curious to ask what happened, but I'll leave that at that, should you wish.He paused.
And then his fingers moved across the keyboard to add:
I can give you until the end of this week, Miss Tsukino, especially if it's a first time offense. I'm afraid after that, I will have to begin deductions.
The rain has been pouring down today. I wouldn't be surprised if your power went out.
Do not hesitate to email me should you need anything else.
Keep well, and please stay safe.
Shou Matsuoka
Shine City Academy, Dept. of Biology.The email Amaya received was way too considerate given her circumstances. She should have got it done and turned it in sooner. However, as the college student glanced back at what she had finished of her new essay, there was no possible way to get a quality essay done by the end of the night. Even if she did stay up till midnight.
As kind as the professor’s offer was, there was no way she could accept it. Especially since many students would hate her for it. A student getting favors from a teacher? Many would accuse her of being a suck up, or even worse, having relations with a teacher. The thought paralyzed the blonde. It was a bad habit, but Amaya was always self conscious of what others thought of her.
To: matsuoka.shou@sca.jp
From: atsukino921@sca.jp
Subject: RE: Late Essay
Dear Mr. Mastuoka,
This is, to my knowledge, the only assignment that I have turned in late. However, I can not accept your offer to move the due date solely for me. I'm responsible for my work. If anything I should have turned it in earlier instead of the last minute. It's my fault, so there is no need to give me any leeway.
As for the technological issues that caused the loss of my essay, I'm not quite sure what happened. My laptop just shut down on it's own, but I don't believe it's because of a power outage, as my laptop immediately booted up when I hit the power button.
Thanks for your concern,
-Amaya Tsukino Shou wasn't expecting a reply.
Consequently, he was surprised to feel his phone vibrate against the glass tabletop again. He went to pick it up, stubbing the cigarette butt in the ashtray.
And then he read it, with his eyebrow quirking as a curious smile took his lips.
It was much more common for students, whoever he did grant a grace period, to send him thanks and “promise it won’t happen again”, but he had to respect Amaya’s honesty. After all, it was her first time. He shrugged his shoulders as his fingers tapped away on the little touch keyboard, him having to squint just a little against the light of his phone on the gloomy evening.
...somewhere, he was laughing to himself. Kids these days had
laptops, not desktops like they used to, Shou! So a power outage would, in most cases, mean nothing of significance. He mentally hit himself. How silly…
To: atsukino921@sca.jp
From: matsuoka.shou@sca.jp
Subject: RE: Late Essay
Dear Miss Tsukino
I had thought as much; yours really is not a name that frequents my email often.
Concerning the essay, I will give you until Wednesday morning, then, before I begin mark deduction, seeing as this is your first time, and I’m sure the records will hold true. It is, however, your choice whether you would like to utilise this time to re-write the essay, or finish it all tonight. Quality is key, keep well in mind.
Technology in itself is strange, but if this becomes a frequent issue, I suggest taking your laptop to one of the skilled repairmen at Shine Junction. As somebody who frequents desktops, a power outage seemed like the most logical conclusion. It seems this new age is passing me by...
Ah, I worry for all my students and colleagues in this weather.
You never know what might happen. And dangerous things happen to the best of us in bad weather.
Stay safe,
Shou Matsuoka
Shine City Academy, Dept. of Biology.He wondered if the girl knew about the story of the physics professor who was murdered in the rain four years ago. That’s what they dubbed the story, anyway. The professor lingered on the memory of Alex, just a while longer. It seemed like, even four years later, she was forever on his mind. And it was at that moment, as if by pleasant coincidence, Jinxie, having decided she would much rather be outside than inside snoozing, padded into the balcony and before Shou could so much as stop her, launched herself into the empty chair sitting on the other side of the table. And there she sat, a pretty little lady of a Jack Russell, curling up on the pillow of the seat and expectantly eyeing her owner. He smiled a little wider as he reached across to give her a scratch behind the ears. She was a good dog.
Amaya was searching through the files on her computer. There was a seperate document she typed up that had all the requirements she needed for the essay. Her Biology folder was filled with typed up notes, study guides, and previous essays. Towards the more recent documents, one of the names stuck out. A document called “Biology Essay Final” caused the blonde’s heart to race. Could it be? She double clicked on the icon, and after a few moments, a Letter Document popped up with words flooding the page. A smile broke onto the stressed girl face as she scrolled down. By the end she was laughing with joy. It was her finished essay!
”Yes!” Amaya exclaimed, stretching back and spinning around once in her chair. She took a brief moment to thank whatever deity was out there. Before checking her email once again. It seemed as though the professor had sent an email back. She scanned the email, skipping over the parts about the essay. Then, her fingers flew over the keyboard to type her response.
To: matsuoka.shou@sca.jp
From: atsukino921@sca.jp
Subject: RE: Late Essay
Dear Mr. Matsuoka,
Good news, I have found my finished essay! So, there is no need to worry about any late work from me. It seems as though my computer auto saved it before shutting down. Sorry for the inconvenience.
As for the technology issues, I’m hoping it was just a one time thing. It would cost quite a bit of money to get a new laptop or get it fixed. And while I have a steady income, I am still a college student! It’s quite expensive to simply be here. That plus all the Christmas shopping I’ve done has taken quite the toll on my wallet. Also, you’re not that old Professor! Besides not many people know exactly how many of the devices we use, work. (Including me)
I promise I’ll stay safe, so don’t worry too much about me. I can handle myself pretty well. After quite a few years in martial arts, I’ve learned quite a bit about how the human body moves. It’s quite interesting actually. But that’s besides the point. You make sure to take of yourself as well Professor Matsuoka!
-Amaya TsukinoThe professor was delighted when the email came in, for more reasons than one. His worries were quelled and it so happened that the distressed student did indeed have her essay. Huzzah!
He shook his head, smiling as he pocketed the phone, went to scoop Jinxie into his arms despite her yelp in protest, and carried her back in, shutting the veranda door behind him.
Discarding the robe and plugging his phone in by his bedside, the man climbed into the large bed, spectacles sitting silently on the nightstand by his head.
At least it was a night that ended well, and tomorrow would be a new day…
Miss Tsukino, you certainly are an interesting young lady, and luck appears to have favoured your side. Should you have asked for anything more...I wonder if the universe would have granted that, too?
Member
Bozo
