Mash Burnedead and the Traitor?
Mash, flustered, completely botched a student's name upon their reunion. Mika, slightly hurt, couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Listen, Sensei? It's… I mean, we've only met twice, so I get it, we're not close yet. But Isono? Really? Why'd you go with my full name? You could've just called me Mika, you know? ☆ I'm not mad, but… it stings a little…"
"…I'm sorry."
Mash sat in seiza, listening to Mika's complaints. He understood why she was upset but secretly thought she was laying it on thick. Mika, noticing his reaction, hammed it up with a playful smirk.
"Ugh, Sensei, that's harsh… Am I that forgettable to you…?" Sniffle.
"I'm really sorry…" Gloom.
"(Oh no, he's that down?) Okay, fine! One more chance! Guess my last name right, and I'll forgive you! ⭐︎"
"Really?" Brightens up.
"Y-Yeah! (So obvious…)"
"Okay… uh…"
Mash racked his brain to get Mika's name right this time, while Mika thought, (Is it that hard…?).
"I got it!"
"Really? Say it! ☆"
Mash, with a smug grin, took his shot.
"Mikazuki."
"Nope, Sensei, that's 'Mika!!' from that show. I'm not in a robot anime!"
"Robot?"
"Just… my bad. You got the 'Mi' part right, though!"
"…Miso?"
"That's a seasoning… Are you doing this on purpose?"
"No, not at all!" Hurriedly.
"Ugh… Mi-ka! Got it? Remember it!"
"Y-Yes… (She's scarier than our first meeting…)"
Mash quietly ranked Mika as the second scariest person to anger, just behind Hoshino.
"By the way, Nagi-chan's really gone all out, huh? Lending out a place like this? Even mid-tier clubs wouldn't get approval for this training camp."
"It was pretty neglected when we arrived. Cleaning was a hassle."
"Haha, well, Trinity's huge. They can't keep up with everything. Maintenance is one thing, but aesthetics? Second or third priority."
"Such a waste."
"Factions, politics, you know—lots of complications," Mika said with a wry smile. Trinity, one of Kivotos' biggest schools, couldn't possibly manage every corner perfectly.
"So, how's the camp going? Far from the main campus—any fun stuff? Pajama parties? Pool parties?"
"It's a study camp, so… not really."
"Boo, come on! It's a camp! You've gotta have some fun events!"
"…Mika-san."
"Hm?"
"Why did you really call me here?"
Mika paused, her expression softening before she let out a cheerful laugh.
"Geez, so suspicious! I'm delicate, you know—easily hurt!"
"I figured that out already."
"…But seriously, Sensei, you look pale. Eating okay? Want me to send some treats? Cake? Tea?"
"I've got cream puffs, so I'm good… But, Mika-san, you've got dark circles under your eyes."
"…Haha, I tried to hide those…"
"Sleep deprivation?"
"Uh, yeah… kinda?"
"Don't push yourself too hard."
"Heh, you're worried about me? That's sweet."
"Of course I'm worried."
"You're too kind, Sensei."
Mika smiled, gently letting go of Mash's hand, stepping back with her arms behind her.
"But enough about me. Let's get to the point! Oh, by the way, Nagi-chan doesn't know I'm here. Just me, no escorts!"
"I believe you."
"Hehe…"
Mika scratched her cheek, caught off guard by Mash's earnest gaze.
"Anyway, the real topic—Sensei, has Nagi-chan proposed any deals? Like, say… finding a traitor in Trinity?"
"…Yeah. It kinda turned into an argument."
Mika sighed, visibly frustrated.
"Ugh, Nagi-chan's so predictable. Did she give you any details? Reasons? Goals? Why the remedial class is set up like this?"
"She explained a bit, but not much."
"Figures… Dumping such a heavy burden on you without explaining properly…"
"I turned her down, though."
Mika blinked, stunned.
"What? Really? Why? Don't want to suspect your students? Or—"
"That's part of it. But more than that, I want to trust them."
"…Huh."
Mika's eyes sparkled with intrigue. She crossed her arms, nodding thoughtfully.
"I see… You're with Schale, a neutral party. Trinity's our whole world, but not yours."
"That sounded a bit sharp."
"Ha, interesting take. It's refreshing—your answer's valid in its own way."
"Perspectives change depending on where you stand. I chose the path I believe in, and I stand by it."
"Hmm… So, whose side are you on?"
Mika's curious gaze locked onto Mash. She'd heard he was close with Gehenna's students and wanted clarity.
"If not Trinity, then Gehenna? The Federal Student Council? Abydos, after that incident? Or… nobody's side?"
"None of those."
"Then what?"
"I'm on the side of every student in Kivotos."
Mika's eyes widened. Mash's words carried no hint of deceit—just raw conviction.
"…Wow. All the students? That's… unexpected."
"…"
"Um, Sensei?"
"Yeah?"
"Being on the students' side… does that include me? I'm part of the Tea Party, but still a Trinity student. If I'm in trouble… would you help me?"
"Of course. Doesn't matter if you're older or important."
"Doesn't… matter?"
Mash met her gaze firmly.
"If you're struggling, I'll help. If you're lost, I'll take your hand and figure it out with you. If you're hurting, you can lean on me. I'll make sure you can be yourself, no matter what it costs me."
Mika's cheeks flushed at Mash's intense sincerity. He wasn't trying to sound cool—he meant every word, which only made her blush harder.
"W-Wow, you just… say stuff like that, huh?"
"I don't lie."
"R-Right… It's kinda slick, but… I can tell you're genuine. That's… honestly kinda nice."
"No matter how much I'm hurt or how tough it gets, I'll always stand by my students."
"That's… Don't put yourself down like that, okay?"
"…Got it."
How could someone younger than her carry such resolve? Did he even realize the weight of Kivotos' fate on his shoulders?
"Then… how about a deal from me?"
"A deal?"
"Yeah."
Swallowing her emotions, Mika spoke with a heavy tone.
"I'll tell you who the traitor in the remedial class is."
"…What?"
Mika's sudden declaration left Mash speechless, but he listened intently.
"Nagi-chan's hunting for Trinity's traitor, trying to get them expelled. It's a bigger, messier problem than it seems. I can't just watch you and Nagi-chan get jerked around. Plus, I'm the one who invited you to be the remedial class's teacher. Did you know that?"
"No."
"Yeah, Nagi-chan was against it. Said it wasn't right to use a debt like this. Sounds like you two have history, huh? Well, I've got my own baggage… Anyway, the traitor."
"The traitor in the remedial class is—"
Shirasu Azusa.
"…What are you saying?"
Yesterday.
The second night of the training camp—an abandoned school building.
As everyone slept, Azusa slipped out of her room to meet someone.
"You're late, Azusa."
"…"
A figure in a deep hat, rifle slung over their shoulder, stood in silence. Their face was half-covered by a bulletproof mask, blending into the shadows. Her name: Jomae Saori.
"Progress?"
"So far, as planned. Your side?"
"No issues. She's still… grumpy, though."
"Still not over it?"
"Let's drop it. We don't want to upset her again…"
Saori shuddered briefly, her breath uneven, before regaining composure.
"Mash Burnedead. Any info?"
"Nothing special… but his physical abilities are… abnormal."
"So it's true."
"Yeah."
"No problem. We have it—the weapon she prepared."
"For Schale's teacher."
The weapon, crafted solely to kill Mash, was her instrument of despair.
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