"Let's start the Momo Friends goods award ceremony, as promised!" Hifumi declares, bringing in heaps of plushies.
"—!" Azusa's eyes sparkle. Koharu and Hanako wince. Mash still presses a wet towel to his face.
"Haha…" Koharu laughs nervously.
"…" Azusa stares.
"Go ahead, pick your favorites!" Hifumi urges.
"Hmm…" Azusa ponders intensely.
"I'll pass…" Koharu says.
"Me too…" Hanako adds.
"Oh… okay…" Hifumi deflates.
Koharu and Hanako decline clearly. Azusa, dead serious, struggles to choose.
"What do I do…? I can't pick! The black horned one's cool, and the glasses hippo…" Azusa frets.
"It's not a hippo, Peroro-sama's a bird…" Hifumi corrects.
"I can't choose…" Azusa agonizes.
Sniff. "She's never been this torn," Mash notes.
"Sensei… Hifumi! Pick for me!" Azusa pleads.
"Huh?" they say in unison.
Hearing Azusa's plea, Mash and Hifumi seriously consider. Azusa would love anything, but they want it perfect.
"This one," Mash decides.
"Yes! Azusa-chan, how about the intellectual Peroro Doctor?" Hifumi suggests, holding it up.
"…Perfect!" Azusa nods, grabbing the plushie and hugging it tightly, finally letting her excitement show.
"Peroro Doctor's a knowledgeable scholar, perfect for Azusa-chan, who's studying hard and growing so much!" Hifumi explains.
"Got it!" Azusa beams.
"There's a hidden trait—he's a bit unhinged from overstudying…" Hifumi adds.
"Is that okay…?" Koharu asks.
"The lore's deep…" Mash mutters, glancing at Peroro Doctor.
(That face…)
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Mash thinks it's barely cute. (Tastes differ…) He keeps quiet about the design.
"I love it!" Azusa says, squeezing the plushie.
No need to critique Peroro's look when Azusa's so happy.
"So soft, so cute… I love it, hehe…" Azusa smiles brightly.
Mash, seeing her joy, says, "Adorable enough to die for."
"Sensei!?" Hifumi gasps.
"…Did I just say something epic?" Mash asks.
"Pretty much," Hanako replies.
"Lately, I'm weirdly expressive for a stoic guy," Mash muses.
"You're aware of your own character archetype?" Koharu retorts.
"It's just my charm," Mash shrugs.
"Thanks, Hifumi. I'll treasure this forever!" Azusa says.
"Tch, that's overwhelming… but I'm glad! You earned it," Hifumi replies.
"Also… my first gift from a friend," Azusa murmurs, hugging it tighter.
Not just a gift—a precious token from a friend.
"I'll treat this hippo like it's Hifumi!" Azusa declares.
"That's embarrassing! And it's a bird, not a hippo… Oh, Sensei!" Hifumi says.
"Hm?"
"Why not pick one too?"
"Me? I didn't take the exam or pass."
"True, but you've worked so hard for us. This is your 'Effort Award'!"
Hifumi holds up Peroro and Skullman plushies. The Effort Award fits Mash perfectly.
"Thank you for everything!" Hifumi says.
"I thought you were weird at first, but you're reliable. Your study guides helped," Koharu admits.
"You're exhausted yet make us choux creams and make us laugh daily," Hanako adds.
"We only passed the mock, but thanks to you, I've learned fun… happiness?" Azusa says.
"Am I really helping? Your results came from your efforts, and…" Mash starts.
"You're part of that 'everyone,' Sensei," Hifumi interrupts.
"—!"
Mash recalls telling Hina and Fuuka they were working hard. He never expected those words to boomerang back.
"Here, Sensei!" Hifumi offers.
"Effort Award, huh…"
Mash takes Skullman, clutching it. He realizes he's been working hard too.
"…Thanks, everyone." Smile.
"—!"
"I'll gladly accept it."
Not a perfect smile, but a small, gentle one. Trials remain, but Mash is certain—no betrayers here.
Tap, tap, tap…
In a dim hallway, a Gematria Black Suit walks, deep in thought. A member seeking the arcane, he's fixated on something else.
(Impossible… a mere human, just trained, can't have that terrifying body.)
Mash's physique baffles him. Despite being from another world, how could a human achieve such power? He's pondered this since Mash's hellish training.
(Pointless. His body's beyond my comprehension.)
He shifts focus.
(Beatrice… heh, her rage toward Sensei…)
He recalls mentioning Beatrice, a Gematria member, to Mash.
(Even if she tries to kill him, she'll just get crushed—)
"Black Suit… here you are," a voice interrupts.
"—Heh, long time no see, Beatrice."
A shadowy figure emerges—a woman's voice, both terrifying and reassuring. Beatrice, the one Black Suit warned Mash about, appears…
"…Heh, you look like a dying hag," Black Suit teases.
"Say that again, and you'll regret it," Beatrice retorts.
Bandaged head to toe, trembling, leaning on a cane.
"Why… why am I like this!?" Beatrice wails.
"My condolences," Black Suit chuckles.
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