A sad goodbye
Ensen sat in deep thought, staring at Ada.
"Why do you think you could get me my job back?" He said, conflicted.
Ada, not realizing Ensen's conflicted look continued with a proud attitude "Well after you left I went to the principals' office to talk to her. We talked for a while, and she said if we could convince our parents then maybe you could come back! Isn't that amazing?!" She said in excitement.
Ensen didn't want to lie to her. He had already given up on SilverLeaf academy. The truth was he simply did not fit in there anymore. Even if his students respected him as a teacher and wanted him back, was it really his place to come back? He was already fired because of the parent's persistence of wanting him gone.
But how would he break it to her? It wasn't her fault or any of his student's fault. His class this year was one of his best classes' in his whole career. While he would love to continue teaching him, he would have to compromise his morals and possibly even the academy's reputation. After all, a male teacher in an all-girls school was slightly weird, especially if he tried to force himself back into teaching in the school after he was fired.
Looking straight into Ada's eyes, Ensen decided he needed to be clear with her, he didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he didn't want to give her false hope either.
"Ada, I'm sorry but It's not appropriate for me to return to teaching there. I know you enjoyed my classes, and I've enjoyed teaching you guys. But... it's better for the academy to not have me in the long run. You understand, don't you? There's a reason I was fired and trust me I would love to come back, I have been teaching there for quite a while after all. But I don't have a future there." Ensen paused, trying to gauge Ada's reaction.
Upon seeing Ada sitting there silently, Ensen continued "Even if I was reinstated tomorrow, it would be a matter of time until I was fired again. I don't want to create trouble for my students or my old school either."
Ada sat in the same place. The silence in the shop reaching every corner. Even the barista nearby lost her smile from feeling the cold atmosphere.
Ensen sat there, bravely waiting for Ada to respond to his blunt but honest response. After nearly a minute, Ada finally reacted, as if finishing processing the sentence. Tears began to well in her eyes, threatening to pour out. Her mouth turning to a gloomy standstill. Trying to arrange her thoughts, she opened her mouth slowly, as if still in shock. "But... but everybody in the class loves having you as a teacher. You're so nice and help to point out all of the mistakes we make, unlike the other teachers. I know you don't fit in with the school anymore, but why?"
Ensen stayed silent, letting Ada think his reasoning through. He knew he was being hard on her, but it had to be this way.
Ada slowly raised both of her hands and rubbed her eyes, trying to clear the tears slowly forming. She took a deep breath to compose herself, finally understanding what he was saying. "... I'm sorry for being emotional Mr. Fuentes, I... I just can't help it." She said, looking visibly depressed.
Looking at Ada in such a state, Ensen didn't know what to do. He wasn't the best with emotions in the first place, how could he console her if he didn't have the slightest idea how to make her feel better? Looking at her once again, Ensen knew he had to do something.
"Don't be sad Ada," Ensen said, trying to smile towards Ada. "I know you like me as your math teacher, but I bet your new math teacher is great too."
"She's dumb! Not even half as good as you." She said, heavily pouting.
Ensen thought deeply, trying to think of what to say. "Then, do your best and show them how good of a teacher I was."
He knew that sounded conceited, but it was the only way he could encourage her. He knew he wasn't the best teacher, but he thought this was the easiest way to have her do her best. Even if it was for him in a sense.
Ada sat there, seemingly in deep thought. After a minute, she wiped her tears for the last time. With a strong look of determination, she said: "I'll show them you're the best teacher ever, I'll show everybody."
With a genuine smile, Ensen stood up from his seat slowly, walking next to Ada. Resting his hand on her shoulder, he said gently "I know you will. I need to go now, Ada. But I might come here more often from now on, the scones are quite delicious."
After a slight pause, He headed towards the exit. His footsteps resounding through the silent cafe. Right as he reached the door, he took a glance behind him, seeing Ada staring directly at his slowly vanishing figure. With a heavy sigh, Ensen opened the door which seemed multiple times heavier than when he first walked in, now determined to use the mysterious system to make the best academy possible for his students.
He slowly walked towards his car, seemingly weighed down by his heavy decision earlier. Even though he felt gloomy, he did not regret it. Life moves on, no matter who you are. Although he felt as if life had been moving a little too fast the past 2 days, it still held true for him.
Getting into his car, the atmosphere was solemn. He pulled out his phone slowly, checking the address of the next plot carefully before casually throwing the phone onto the passengers' seat. His short drive to the next location was in pure silence. No music, podcasts, just his thoughts.
After arriving at the next plot of land, Ensen tried to put his thoughts to the back of his head. He looked around the area and noticed this was significantly better than the previous location. First off, it was on a quiet street right off the main road, making it easily accessible. There was also a nice park opposite the plot of land.
Getting out of the car, Ensen unhurriedly locked the car before casually walking towards the plot of land. Unlike the plot before, there was no fence keeping outsiders away. It was an open flat land prepared to be developed. There were a few big rocks and trees scattered about the plot, but that was not a big deal at all.
But... there was a massive problem with this land. Ensen returned to the road and looked down three buildings and saw something which practically shattered his entire confidence with this location. The famous Littlewood Academy was standing there proudly, with its elegant iron-fence painted black surrounding the perimeter and a large brick building behind the fence. The building was covered in many windows overlooking the road and the surrounding area.
Littlewood Academy was known as the best private academy in the city, mainly because of its rich history. It was established nearly 100 years ago and has remained a popular academy with a good reputation since. They had nurtured many of the current influential people in the city, including even the current mayor. Needless to say, attempting to create a new private academy 3 plots down from such a reputable academy was something only a fool would do. So although Ensen truly did like this plot, he couldn't use it.
Taking out his phone, Ensen decided to call it a day. He slowly walked back to his car, slightly demotivated after the failed 2 plots of land and his hard goodbye with Ada. But hopefully, tomorrow would be better. It took Ensen around 40 minutes to return home. After he had returned home, he quickly changed into new pajamas, after all, they are the best.
He then immediately walked over to the kitchen and grabbed an egg, quickly throwing the egg into a heated pan and letting it cook. Out of pure curiosity, Ensen thought in his mind 'Show me my cooking skill'. As if on queue, a new blue box popped into existence. But what it replied left Ensen both astounded and embarrassed.
[Cooking Skill: H-]
'H-... That's worse than F- isn't it?' He muttered, obviously disappointed in his lack of skills. He didn't think his cooking was that bad, but others would definitely say otherwise. Trying to ignore his depressing lack of talent in the culinary field, he turned his attention to his now confirmed theory.
'So this 'system' can listen to my thoughts and interpret them. There's not much I can do about it though, and to be honest, my thoughts are probably of no use to him considering how strange and high-tech this thing seems.' He thought reasonably.
Ensen quickly finished cooking his slightly charred egg and put it on a white plate, taking it towards the table along with a fork and knife. Ensen took out his phone and slowly ate the egg while checking more real-estate sites, but nothing caught his eye. After finishing the egg, he decided to look around a bit more, but still no luck. Ensen quickly cleaned the plate and utensils before taking a glass of water to his room.
He dozed off very quickly. Although full of uncertainty with his future, he was also filled with anticipation and hope towards tomorrow.