I froze when I heard a man with a skull mask proudly claiming he's my guardian. My eyes were wide, and my mouth was shut; even so, I feel it will drop at this moment. Tsukishima, on the other hand, didn't show any sign of surprise in his body language; he was still holding my shoulder and kept his attention on the skull man.
Tsukishima: "Did you say you are his guardian?"
Arata: "Yes, I'm his guardian, so if you have any business with the boy, then you have business with me." He said with a serious tone.
The Skull guy then steps closer toward us. The sound of his steps syncs with the heavy silence in the alley. Tsukishima holds his book, and as any hostility shows from the Skull guy, he will transform it into a sword.
As the Skull man came closer, he put his hand into his pocket, then, with a smooth motion, he pulled out a card and offered it to Tsukishima.
Arata: "Kasami Arata, special tutor who will make your child one of the smartest people in their life, the payment is zero, in other words, it's free!" he says proudly.
Hoshito/Tsukishima: 'This guy is totally fishy…'
Tsukishima released my hand and took the card from the Skull guy. He looked at it for a moment, then turned to Skull guy.
Tsukishima: "I see, it's nice to meet Arata-San," — he says while smiling — "To tell the truth, I'm a friend of this boy, and I wanted to greet him since it's been a long time not to see him."
My eyes widened with a shocking expression on my face, seeing how shameless Tsukishima is.
Hoshito: 'Is this guy shameless?! Just a moment ago, you were looking down on me like I'm some bug!' I thought in my mind.
Arata: "I see, I see… I understand this, meet with old friend after a long time… ahh youth…" — he put his hand on Tsukishima's shoulder as he added — "I can tell, you are the kind of guy who is very worried about his friend, and after meeting him, you felt very happy and relieved that you ran to him into this dark alley."
Hoshito: 'Is this guy serious?'
I felt uneasy about this, and when I glanced at him, I saw his usual composure on his face, but underneath, I could tell he thinks this is annoying, and it's uncomfortable around him.
Tsukishima: "Exactly, now then goodbye, Hoshito."
Tsukishima then leaves, not wanting to stay a second with Skull guy.
I turned my attention to Skull guy to question him.
Hoshito: "Now that the guy left, first, I thank you for saving me, and second, are you really my special tutor?"
Arata: "Of course I am, do you think of me as a liar?"
Hoshito: "It can't help since you give a shady vibe, and it's the first time I heard about a special tutor." I crossed my arms on my chest.
Arata: "Well, about that… I just got hired today by your mother."
Hoshito: 'You can't be serious… but again I can see that since the mother of this boy is very worried about him.'
I sigh, and my fingers on my nose are evidence of feeling tired from this encounter.
Hoshito: "So, what's the catch?"
Arata: "What do you mean, Yuru-Dono?"
Hoshito: "Don't play dumb, there's always a catch with this kind of deal, so tell me what's the catch, or else I sue for being a fraud."
Arata: "Ho ho, smart kid, I see, you are right, there is a catch, and that would be staying at your house~."
Hoshito: "…What….?"