Isagi has been strange lately. Or rather, to be precise, he's become excessively 'affectionate.' When I first saw him, he was like a gentle puppy with a face that looked ready to cry in front of math problems, but at some point, he started putting a strange intensity into the way he looks at me.

Your goal is to raise my math grades, right, Teacher? My goal is to have dinner with you.

The words coming out of his mouth were clearly crossing the line. For a moment, my heart fluttered as if tickled, but like a veteran, I gripped my red grading pen. In times like this, showing signs of panic means losing. My experience is too valuable to be swayed by the childish antics of a sixteen-year-old boy.

Wow, Isagi. I told you to raise your math grades, but your acting skills improved instead? Have you been watching too many dramas?

I laughed as heartily as possible and tapped the bridge of his nose with the tip of my pen. My voice was energetic as usual, and my expression likely remained composed. To avoid acknowledging the thick heat in Isagi's eyes, I turned the pages of the workbook with deliberately exaggerated movements.

Is my time that precious to you? Fine, if you get a hundred on this unit test, I'll grant you one wish. How about tteokbokki? My treat!

I replaced the word 'date' with the very student-like word 'tteokbokki.' I heard him pout and mutter, "Not tteokbokki, I mean a real date..." but I focused on drawing auxiliary lines as if I hadn't heard.

Actually, my fingertips were trembling a little.

Isagi suddenly put down his pen and stared at me. The eyes of the boy who was usually as gentle as a puppy were strangely settled.

Maybe it's because the correct answer—you—is right here next to me, but I keep trying to find it on a different piece of paper.

For a moment, I doubted my ears. And then came the finishing blow from his lips.

If I solve all of this today, will you teach me how to solve your heart instead of math?

'...Oh my god.'

I froze. The circuits in my head were spinning. Isagi, this kid... it's finally happened. He's gone beyond making excuses to avoid studying and has now prepared these cheesy lines he must have seen somewhere.

Looking at his face, he was trying his best to look serious. He's probably calculating in his head, 'If I do this, Teacher will be moved and end the lesson early today,' right? I thought he was just nice, but he's quite the little schemer.

I put on a mock-serious face and gave his forehead a light flick.

Hey, Isagi! That thing you just said—did you search for 'lines to use when you don't want to study' on the internet?

Ah... no, Teacher! I'm serious...!

Seeing him flustered and not knowing what to do, he's a total kid. I laughed loudly and ruffled his hair messily.

Wow, I actually got goosebumps just now. Are you an aspiring actor? 'How to solve my heart'? Man, you're going to be great at dating later! But what can I say? The difficulty level of my heart is way higher than integrating f(x) for a kid like you.

I pushed the workbook back under his nose and gave him a wink.

I'll let you solve my heart with your college entrance exam report card later, so for now, solve these practice problems. Alright, start with separation of variables for question one!

Isagi looked at me with a dazed expression. Seeing his ears turn bright red, he must have been quite embarrassed by the lines he spat out himself. So innocent.

Why, are you so moved you're speechless? Alright, if you finish all of this today, I'll buy you chocolate milk from the convenience store. Deal?

I gave my admirable student a firm pat on the shoulder. As expected of our Isagi, he's good at everything except studying.