"Good work, Sensei, Remedial Class. Thanks to you, we resolved this," Hasumi says.
"Haha… we barely did anything," Hifumi replies.
"Sensei handled it all. Taking down terrorists so easily… amazing ✨," Azusa adds.
"I get he's amazing, but how does he do it!?" Koharu demands.
"What do you mean? It's just muscle," Azusa says.
"That's what I'm asking! How does muscle do that!? It's all insane!" Koharu snaps.
"Hifumi-chan barely retorted this time," Hanako notes.
"I'm used to it…" Hifumi sighs, disappointed she couldn't help Mash more.
After subduing the Gourmet Research Society and returning the Golden Tuna, Mash…
"Mmm, choux cream… choux cream parfait, so good~"
"Ugh, that's cruel, Sensei!" Junko whines.
"One bite! Just one!" Izumi pleads.
"Should've eaten earlier…" Akari groans.
"Sensei's a sadist! A demon!" Koharu shouts.
Mash eats choux cream parfaits and limited-edition choux creams (bought earlier) right in front of the tied-up Gourmet Research Society, savoring every bite tauntingly.
"I read somewhere mental torment hits harder than physical," Mash says.
"Sensei's supposed to be kind and honest!" Hifumi protests.
"Even kind Senseis get mad!" Koharu retorts.
Fuuka, fuming, glares. Mash turns to her.
"That was rough, Fuuka-chan."
"I nearly became a terrorist… Thank goodness you were here," Fuuka says.
"Sorry I haven't visited lately, even though you offered to teach me cooking."
"You're busy, it's fine. But… the Committee Leader…" Fuuka trails off.
"Hina-san? Something wrong?" Mash asks.
"Um… maybe I shouldn't… No, I should."
Fuuka, ignoring the pleading Gourmet Research Society, shares her concern.
"Recently, Hina-san's been down."
"Down?"
"Yeah… like this one time…"
Flashback: Fuuka, wanting to support Hina, made her daily bentos. Hina was grateful, but…
Knock knock.
"Committee Leader, it's Fuuka from the Lunch Club! I brought your bento!"
"…Come in."
"Here's today's bento—"
"…"
"Committee Leader?"
"…Sorry, I zoned out."
"You've been like this a lot… You okay?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Really…?"
Lately, Hina's been low-energy, tired, like she's carrying a burden.
"Hey, Fuuka."
"Yes! What's up?"
"…Never mind."
"Are you troubled? If I can help—"
"You don't need to worry. It's my selfish whim."
"Committee Leader?"
"…I did it again. Forget that."
"…"
"That's how it's been," Fuuka finishes.
"I've been too busy to check in. I'll call her later," Mash says.
"Please do," Fuuka urges.
"Maybe it's the Eden Treaty stress," Hanako suggests.
"Probably…" Mash muses.
"Sensei, got a moment?" Hasumi interrupts.
"Sorry, Fuuka-chan, duty calls."
"No worries! I'm happy seeing you well. Visit the Lunch Club soon?"
"Of course. See ya."
Fuuka watches Mash leave with Hasumi, placing a hand on her chest.
"…Wish I could've stayed longer…" she whispers.
"Me, mediate the handover?" Mash asks.
"Yes," Hasumi confirms.
"Schale handling it reduces political issues for both Trinity and Gehenna," Hanako explains.
"Exactly," Hasumi agrees.
"Now?" Mash asks.
"Yes, transport's ready. Thank you, Sensei."
"No problem."
The Gourmet Research Society will be handed to Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee, with Mash, as Schale's teacher, mediating.
"We should head back to the dorms, right?" Hifumi asks.
"Yeah, it's late," Mash nods.
"I'll report we went out to assist with this incident," Hasumi says.
"Appreciated," Mash replies.
Mash sends the Remedial Class back to camp. The Justice Task Force can handle the escort.
"Parting with Sensei here…" Azusa says.
"We'll see each other soon," Mash assures.
"Right… I'll wait at the dorm," Azusa says.
"Cool."
"We'll head out then. Take care, Sensei!" Hifumi says.
"Call if anything happens. I'll come running," Azusa adds.
"Don't overdo it~♡" Hanako teases.
"Uh, bye, Hasumi-senpai!" Koharu says.
"Good work, everyone," Hasumi replies.
Mash notices the transport van ready, driven by a Justice Task Force member.
"We'll stay back but don't expect more trouble. Please handle it, Sensei," Hasumi says.
"Let's train again sometime," Mash says.
"…Sure," Hasumi replies with a wry smile, leaving.
Mash sits alone. "It's late… but gotta keep going." He munches choux creams, feeling a bit lonely.
Munch munch. "Hm?"
Headlights approach—a Gehenna-crested armored vehicle. Mash swallows and tenses. The vehicle screeches to a halt, and a student jumps out.
"Sorry for the wait… Where's the body?"
"Pretty grim opener," Mash says.
It's Sena Himuro, white-haired, nurse-capped, Emergency Medicine Club armband.
"My bad, I meant 'injured.' I mix them up," Sena says.
"That's a thing?"
"Who are you? Not Disciplinary Committee."
"Mash Burnedead, Schale's teacher."
"Schale's human weapon, huh?"
"That's my nickname…"
"I'd love to study that robust body, but injuries first." Sena pulls out a tablet with Gourmet Research Society and Fuuka's data.
"How bad are they hurt?" she asks.
"Not hurt… I knocked them out with choux creams."
"Choux creams… knocked them out?"
"Yup."
"What speed and power does that take?"
"Insane speed."
"No external injuries?"
"Haruna got a German suplex, so a big bump."
"On concrete?"
"Yup."
"It's a miracle that's all. Even for Kivotos folks…" Sena mutters, rushing to the van, mumbling about "rare injuries."
"Gehenna's got some characters…" Mash says.
"Sensei's no one to talk," a familiar voice says.
"Hina-san?" Mash turns.
Hina, Disciplinary Committee Leader, hops from the passenger seat.
"Been a while, Sensei."
"Sorry I haven't called."
"Don't worry. I'm not mad… just a bit lonely." Hina looks away.
Mash feels guilty. "Really sorry."
"It's fine. What're you doing here?"
"Mediating between Trinity and Gehenna."
"Political considerations, huh?"
"Yup. Headaches."
"Tell me about it," Hina shrugs, hating political games.
"You mediating too?"
"Similar. We don't want this to be a problem, so officially, the Emergency Medicine Club, not Disciplinary, is here. I'm just tagging along. They're politically neutral."
"Got it."
Hina glances at the van, where Sena herds the Gourmet Research Society and a reluctant Fuuka inside.
"Why're they covered in choux cream?" Hina asks.
"Choux cream punch."
"Of course… Got any for me?"
"Yup, one left. Want it?"
"I'll take it. Haven't eaten lately."
"Nice."
(No questions about choux cream punch?) Mash thinks.
Sena shoves the group into the van. Haruna looks at Mash.
"Sensei, can you feed me choux cream next time?"
"Only if you repent and apologize properly."
"Heh, I will… Will you visit—?"
"Get in," Hina snaps, slamming the door.
Hina approaches Mash. "What're you doing at Trinity?"
"I'm teaching the Remedial Class—"
"I know. Intel reports. I mean, why's Schale, a neutral group, here now? It's like—"
"I'm favoring Trinity?"
Hina pauses, then shakes her head. "Forget it. You wouldn't."
"It's complicated. Wanna talk?"
"Sure. Sena, wait a bit."
"Got it," Sena replies.
"Sounds like you're in a mess," Hina says after Mash explains.
"Yup, head's killing me."
Hina studies him. "Not sleeping?"
"N-N-No way!"
"Liar. You're terrible at it."
"Ugh…"
Seeing his faint eye bags, Hina thinks. Mash, who claimed he's bad at teaching, is working hard for Trinity's students. She admires him but feels a twinge of envy.
"…Jealous," she mutters.
"What?" Mash asks.
"Nothing… You think there's no traitor at Trinity, right?"
"Absolutely."
"Very you."
"Why tell me, a Gehenna student, about Trinity's secrets? We're technically rivals despite the peace treaty."
"You wouldn't spill, right?"
"Of course not, but—"
"No issue then. I trust you."
"…Right." (You always say that…)
Trust is simple but heavy, depending on the speaker. Hina wouldn't trust Makoto or Trinity's leader, but Mash's trust is unshakable.
"About the Eden Treaty as a military alliance," Hina says.
"Yeah?"
"Interesting view, but I see it as a true peace treaty."
"We're on the same page."
"The Eden Treaty Organization won't be controlled by one person. Nagisa and Makoto share equal power, split among Tea Party and Pandemonium members."
"Right, shared authority."
"ETO going rogue is unlikely. Even if they all conspired, it's improbable."
"Exactly."
"Honestly, Makoto cooperating with anyone is hard to imagine," Hina scoffs.
"Is she even on board with the treaty?"
"Probably not thinking at all. I pushed for it on Gehenna's side."
"Maybe you're…"
Mash senses why Hina's troubled. "Feeling the weight?"
"…"
"Sorry, too blunt."
"It's fine. You're not wrong."
As Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee Leader, Hina's borne a heavy burden as a deterrent force. With ETO, her role might lighten, reducing the need for her as a suppressor.
"If ETO forms, Gehenna's order should improve. I might not need to be Committee Leader anymore… Maybe it's time to retire."
"Retire?"
"What's the Disciplinary Committee called in Gehenna?"
"Heroes keeping peace?"
"No. 'Freedom-crushers.' 'Demons.'"
"That's unfair."
"Lately, I wonder… who am I fighting for?"
To Gehenna students, the Disciplinary Committee isn't heroic but oppressive. As leader, Hina faces intense disdain. Even within the Committee, some think, Hina's enough; we can leave it to her. She has no real rest or freedom, despite Mash easing things. Her youth is stifled, and she's fed up.
"Once peace comes… maybe I'll quit."
"Got plans after?"
"No… no purpose, really."
"No hobbies or passions?"
"Not really…"
"Then come to Schale."
"Schale?"
"We'll train, make choux creams, play games. Games are fun!"
"But… that's a burden on you."
"No burden. Don't worry."
"Even if I find purpose, I can't repay you."
"I just want you to enjoy life. No repayment needed."
"There's no benefit for you."
"Tons."
"Tons?"
Mash lists benefits. "One, I'm alone at Schale's office. Lonely. You'd fix that. Two, living with friends under one roof—pure youth, right? Three—wait, stop!"
Hina feels strange. Someone valuing her presence so much embarrasses her.
"Is that even allowed? My position—"
"I'll make it work. Brute force if needed."
"Brute force!?"
"I'm excited to hang out at Schale with you."
No ulterior motives, just Mash wanting Hina to enjoy life and youth. Hina's overwhelmed, crouching, hiding behind her wings, tears welling up.
"I'll… think about it."
"I'll wait forever."
"This is… what, the millionth thank you? But… thanks, Sensei."
"No prob. You gotta smile, Hina-san."
"Smile… ah!"
"Seeing your smile again? Bliss."
"…Sensei?"
"Sorry, got carried away."
"Heh…" Hina giggles.
Mash savors the moment. Sena checks her watch. "Committee Leader, time."
"Got it," Hina nods reluctantly, heading to the van. Mash follows to see her off.
"Talking was great," Hina says.
"Same. I'll visit after this."
"I'll look forward to it… See you, Mash-sensei."
"See ya, Hina-chan."
They wave, parting with a bittersweet feeling, returning to their places.
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