Tsumugi Tsukioka/A Miracle Through These Hands

Let's Study with Tsumugi-sensei!

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Tsumugi	Oh, Itaru-kun. Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you for some advice.
Itaru	You asking me for advice is rare. What’s up?
Tsumugi	Actually, the employer I work part-time for mentioned that they’ll be renting out this library to host a study group for elementary school students.
	But it seems that the ratio of the kids might go over the number that they predicted, so they’re hastily looking to find more instructors.
	So I was asked if I had any connections with people who could volunteer.
	That’s why I thought I’d ask you about it, since we’ve always been considered as the teachers within the dorm.
	Perhaps… If you’re willing, that is.
Itaru	The students being from elementary school, though… I’m not too sure about that.
Sakuya	Itaru-san, your way of teaching is really good and easy to understand! You’ll be alright!
Muku	I think so too! Itaru-san’s really kind too, I’m sure you’d be a popular teacher!
Itaru	Hmm........
	...Alright. I have to return the favor for you for always being in your care, after all, Tsumugi.
Tsumugi	Thank you, Itaru-kun! It’d be a great help.
	I’d still like to reach out to one person, though…
Sakuya	In that case, why not Chikage-san?
Muku	Chikage-san has been tutoring within the dorm too, so I’m sure he’d be good with teaching to kids, too!
Itaru	Ah, but Senpai has been pretty swamped with work lately, so his free time might be tricky.
Tsumugi	That does sound difficult…
Juza	I’m home
Tsumugi	Welcome back, Juza-kun.
Muku	—Oh yeah! What about Ju-chan?
Juza	…?
Muku	Ju-chan is pretty good with the brush pen, so maybe he can help teach kids some penmanship…
Tsumugi	Penmanship, huh… Yes, that could work!
Juza	What’s going on?
Tsumugi	You see, there’s this study group for grade-schoolers that’s going to being hosted at the library, so I’ve been asked to look for people who could help in being the teachers.
	If you’re willing, could I ask you to help fill up a spot, Juza-kun?
Juza	Is it really okay for it to be me?
Tsumugi	Of course. I think the kids would love to learn how to use brush pens.
Muku	Ju-chan would definitely be a good teacher!
Sakuya	If they get to learn how to write with beautiful handwriting, I’m sure they’d be thrilled!
Tsumugi	What do you think?
Juza	... I’ll do it, then.
Tsumugi	Thank you! I’m glad for the help.
Itaru	So with that, three people will fill in the teacher roles— and that’s me, Tsumugi, and Juza, huh?
Tsumugi	Yes. I’ll let you know more of the details once they’ve been decided.

Tsumugi	Itaru-kun, Juza-kun. I’ve got more details about that study group.
	The event date will be next Saturday.
Itaru	Gotcha.
Tsumugi	In addition, I was told that the library holds a Halloween event during October, so the librarians and the staff can wear costumes for the occasion.
	So I’m guessing we’ll also be going to the event day while wearing some costumes as well.
	Seems like our clothes are already being prepared by the other party.
Itaru	Hoh, that’s quite a change of pace.
Izumi	Having a study group while wearing costumes does sound like fun!
Tsumugi	I was also told that we’re free to choose which subjects we may want to teach from the selection they gave to us; the subjects included are Japanese, Mathematics, Science, Environmental Studies, and Social Studies.
Juza	Since I’m doing brush pen, I guess I’ll go with the Japanese subject.
Izumi	What lessons will you plan on teaching, Juza-kun?
Juza	I’m not good with complicated topics, so I’m planning to teach some simple calligraphy.
Tsumugi	Would you need some stuff like ink and inkstones then?
Juza	It might be too much to start using with the real tools, so just having regular calligraphy pens is good enough for substitute.
Tsumugi	That’d help with making their first-hand experience with the brush pen be a casual one, then. Good thinking.
Juza	I thought it’d be good to teach them the fundamentals, like pen grip and writing the correct letter stroke orders.
Izumi	It sounds like it’d be an interesting lesson plan!
Itaru	What’s “Environmental Studies”, actually?
Tsumugi	Science and Social Studies classes aren’t included for elementary school Grades 1 & 2, so to make up for it they added Environmental Studies to their curriculum.
Itaru	It’s that substantial to be included in the curriculum?
Tsumugi	In Environmental Studies, there are activities such as exploring your surroundings and observing nature. And through these activities, they will learn to apply critical thinking and form a different perspective on everyday occurrences.
Itaru	I see. In that case, I’ll take the Science subject. There’s actually something I want to try out.
Izumi	Something you want to try out?
Itaru	Slime making♪
Tsumugi	Now that’s nostalgic. It used to be really popular when I was in elementary, so we got to play with slime a lot.
Itaru	Slime making isn’t a hazardous activity of any sort, so I bet the kids will also have fun in the process, too.
	Plus the ingredients are easy to work with.
Tsumugi	If the kids will be delighted by it, then that sounds good.
	I’ll let my part-time employer know about both of your subject choices then.
Izumi	What will you be teaching though, Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	I’m still unsure what I want to do myself. I was worried about overlapping with everyone else’s plans, first and foremost.
	My specialty when it comes to subjects is classic literature and modern Japanese, and I’m not that good with subjects relating to science or math.
	So, even though the lesson I want to teach is something relating to social sciences, I still haven’t decided on anything.
Izumi	In that case…
CHOICE 1: Something relating to flowers…. [+] Izumi How about teaching them something relating to flowers? Every time you start talking about flowers, you always seem to be having so much fun that you get so lively! Juza I also think that’s a good idea. Itaru True enough, Tsumugi would fit right in. If it’s in the library then surely there’d be illustrated books about plants too. Tsumugi A lesson on flowers, huh… Yeah, that might work. If the kids get inspired and start getting interested in flowers from it, then I’d feel pretty happy about it. Thank you, Director! Izumi I hope the lesson will turn out well!
CHOICE 2: Something relating to cafes... [+] Izumi How about teaching them something relating to cafes? Tsumugi-san likes cafes after all, so it could turn for an interesting lesson. Itaru What would a lesson on cafes be like? Izumi Perhaps something like… An introduction on cafes that you could be familiar with, and a presentation on the basic menu and sweets? Juza A presentation on sweets… Sounds interesting. Izumi It’d be a social science lesson, but what do you think? Tsumugi Let’s see… It’d be nice to use cafes as the topic, but if we’re talking about something that I like that I want to teach, then it’d be interesting to talk about flowers as well. Izumi Flowers… That’s right, there’s also that! Tsumugi I could be able to come up with something fitting for a lesson plan with that, and if we’re teaching at the library, then there should be plenty of flower-related illustrated books to work with. Izumi If you feel that it’ll be an easier theme to go with for you, then let’s go with that. Tsumugi Alright, then I’ll think up a lesson with flowers as my topic then!
Itaru	That being said, it’d mean Tsumugi’s subject is also going to be Science, right?
Tsumugi	Actually, what I’ll be teaching is intended for the students in the lower grades of elementary, so that’d be under Environmental Studies.
	I’m going with “Common Flowers that Bloom in Flowerbeds” as the theme, so I figure it’d be good to teach them the types of flowers as well as flower names.
Izumi	Each of these lessons seems pretty distinctive already.
Itaru	It’s been a good while since I’ve done slime making, so I should probably study up on it.
Juza	I’m going to do some practicing, too.
Tsumugi	Let’s all do our best to give the kids a pleasant time!

Tsumugi	The costumes look really good on the both of you!
Itaru	I’m totally getting the magic teacher vibes from you too, Tsumugi. You seem like you’d teach a class on magic medicine.
	Interesting how Juza’s clothes aren’t white, but black instead.
Tsumugi	I suppose it’s to fit in with Juza-kun’s cool aura.
Juza	I’ve never worn clothes this flowy before, it feels kinda weird.
Library Staff	Everyone, you all look very dashing! I’m sure even the kids will be thrilled to see you all in your outfits, too.
Tsumugi	We’d better do our best then.
Library Staff	There are designated locations for where each of the lessons is to be held. Once you head there, please feel free to familiarize yourself with your assigned space.
Tsumugi	Thank you. Pleasure to work with you.
Tsumugi	For today’s lesson, I’d like for us to learn about various things about the common flowers that bloom within flowerbeds.
	Let's take a look at the flowers in this illustrated book. Is there any flower here that you’ve seen before?
Child	I’ve seen that one— that one that looks like morning glory! There are lots of those in the flowerbeds at school!
Tsumugi	This flower here is called a “petunia”. It’s also known to be the “Queen of the Flowerbed.”
Child	I know that cabbage-looking flower!
Child	I’ve seen that one too!
Tsumugi	This one is an “ornamental kale”. It comes from the same vegetation family as cabbages called the “Brassica family”.
	Though it looks like a flower, every “petal” you see is actually all leaves.
Child	Woah~!
Child	That’s interesting~!
Tsumugi	If you’re familiar with any other flowers, please feel free to tell me.
Child	Me, me, me!! I’ve seen that purple flower before~!
Tsumugi	So this flower is known as “salvia”, and—…
Tsumugi	Good work, you two.
	The lessons you gave seemed to be very well-received. Thank you again for volunteering for today.
Juza	Glad to know the kids were pleased with it.
Itaru	Same here. The kids don’t get much chances to encounter such substances on any regular day, so I think they liked the experience too.
	I ended up having some fun myself.
Tsumugi	Ahaha, I’m glad to hear that!
Tsumugi	Itaru-kun, Juza-kun, take a look at these.
Itaru	…? What’s with this mountain of letters?
Tsumugi	These are all addressed to the two of you.
Juza	For us?
Itaru	Say what? … Let’s see, “For Itaru-sensei…”—— Oh, could these be from the study group from before?
Tsumugi	That’s right! The students who joined the study group wrote and sent us all letters. There are some here that are from the parents and guardians of the kids as well.
	It also seemed like the employer had it difficult, too.
Itaru	Don’t tell me, they were stormed with complaints…?
Tsumugi	No no, of course not. The study group gained such good popularity that they’re being inquired about commissioning for tutors.
Juza	Sounds like a good result.
Izumi	You got lots of letters as well, didn’t you, Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	I did. I’m very grateful for them.
Sakyo	What’s happening here.
Izumi	Tsumugi-san and the others received letters of thanks from the kids who they taught for at the study group a while back.
Sakyo	.......
Tsumugi	...That look, could it be—
Sakyo	… If it means getting some money, maybe our dorm should start a tutoring service too.
Itaru	Hold up hold up hold up… For real, that’s kinda too much….
Sakyo	We’ve got enough manpower for it, don’t we?
Izumi	Our number isn’t the problem—
Sakyo	Tsukioka. Since you’re the experienced one, you’ll be the executive head.
Tsumugi	Huh? M-Me?!
Izumi	H-Hold on a minute!! Don’t tell me you’re really planning on making MANKAI Company a tutoring service business!?
Sakyo	Don’t take it seriously, I was joking.
Tsumugi	Ahaha… It’s hard to tell if it was a joke when it was coming from you, Sakyo-san.

Dita