Trinity General Academy · Classroom
"The Eden matter's settled, tests are over, and a new remedial class was formed…" Mash said, standing at the podium, facing familiar Remedial Class members—those who'd overcome trials before.
The Remedial Class was for students with dire grades, risking advancement. Despite Nagisa's political maneuvering, it was meant for actual remediation. Their presence meant one thing: failing grades again.
"Haha, my test clashed with Peroro-sama's concert…" Hifumi stammered.
"The next test covers untaught material," Azusa noted.
"I tried a third-year exam… couldn't solve it," Koharu admitted.
"Leaving me out would be lonely, right? ♡" Hanako teased.
"Hmm… what now?" Mash mused.
Each had their reasons for failing. Nagisa excused expulsion or suspension due to their heroics, but as Trinity students, they had to study properly.
"We're back in this classroom, as you said, Sensei," Hanako smiled.
"I did say that," Mash replied.
"Failing keeps recruiters at bay," Hanako added.
"Failing on purpose negates the point," Azusa pointed out.
"Reputations fluctuate, dear ♪," Hanako chirped.
"That's… very Hanako," Mash said. "I like that about you."
"Please don't say that out of nowhere!" Hanako deadpanned.
"Your deadpan's great too," Mash grinned.
"Ugh!" Hanako huffed.
(Hanako's being toyed with…) Hifumi thought.
"It's been a while," Azusa noted.
"Yes… Sensei?" Koharu hesitated.
"What?"
"Should I point it out?" Koharu asked.
"Didn't want to, but… please," Mash sighed.
Hifumi took a deep breath, louder than usual, nostalgia kicking in. "What's with your swollen red cheeks!?"
"Got scolded by lots of people," Mash admitted.
"Who?" Hifumi pressed.
"Almost everyone I've met."
"Wow…" Koharu gasped.
Mash's dream and lone actions, shared by Azusa, spread everywhere. Students from Abydos, Gehenna, Trinity, Millennium, even Hyakkiyako and the Federal Council swarmed him for visits or lectures.
"The heart thing too—abababa!" Mash stammered.
"What happened!?" Hifumi asked.
"Wakamo and Izuna cried, Fuuka and Juri too, the Cream Puff Club bawled, the shopkeeper fainted, Problem Solver 68 grilled me, Justice Task Force lectured me for an hour…"
"Got it…" Hifumi nodded.
"Game Dev Club cried, C&C maids insisted on caretaking, I declined but they ignored me, Engineering gave me a security buzzer…" Mash continued, trembling. "Alice was terrifying, cornered me with black eyes. Seminar's duo, Momo and Yuzu, chewed me out with big words for making Koyuki cry. Yuuka yelled, Noah crushed me coldly… but the worst was Hoshino-san."
"Sensei? You're shaking more than against that monster. What did Hoshino do?" Koharu asked.
"Her eyes… no smile, arms crossed, voice so unlike her… terrifying!" Mash shivered.
"How scary is she!?" Hifumi exclaimed.
"Someone who scares Sensei this much?" Azusa wondered.
"And the cheeks?" Koharu asked.
"Alice landed a solid straight," Mash said.
"Got it! Alice will punch this clueless jerk with all her might! Light!"
"That punch swelled your face?" Hifumi asked.
"She's a complicated kid… and it still hurts," Mash said, rubbing his cheek.
No guilt shadowed his face—only clarity. Never scolded for misdeeds, this was new, a valuable lesson in being reprimanded.
"Let's put me aside. Time for fun studying together!" Mash declared.
"Yes, Sensei! Let's do this!" Hifumi cheered.
"Uh, please, Sensei…" Koharu mumbled.
"I'll ace it next time," Azusa vowed.
"Let's do this, everyone ♡," Hanako sang.
Nodding with familiar smiles, they matched Mash's grin. "Study time!" he announced, kicking off the usual remedial session.
Trinity District · Tea Party Terrace
"Ugh, Mika-san…" Nagisa sighed.
"Haha, Nagisa's not fully recovered but so lively!" Mika laughed.
"I can't trust Mika with duties. Say something weird, and I'll shove cream puffs in your mouth," Nagisa warned.
"Yay, work's fun~ (deadpan)," Mika monotoned.
Mika skimmed documents on the tea table. Still on trial for nearly causing terror, her aid to Mash's heart earned temporary release, assisting Nagisa.
"Nagisa, you're frowning again. Everything went well!" Mika said.
"Yes, but other academies demand Paradise Agency explanations, the chairman's making trouble, and just when I thought Sensei's success solved things, new issues pile up…" Nagisa groaned.
"Overdid it, huh?" Mika teased.
"Still, Trinity, Gehenna, and beyond are moving toward new paths. So we—" Nagisa began.
"Keep moving forward, right?" a voice interrupted.
Familiar yet impossible, it lit their faces with smiles as they turned.
"Seia-chan!?" Mika gasped.
"Hey, Nagisa, Mika. Been a while… help," Seia said.
"Hey!" Mash greeted.
"Not 'hey'! What's going on!?" Mika yelped.
"Nursing," Mash said, feeding Seia. "Open wide."
"I'm not a baby… stop this!" Seia mumbled, mouth full.
Mash held Seia like an infant, a cream puff in his other hand.
"I couldn't move after waking. As I sought help, Sensei burst through the door," Seia explained.
"Another wall ruined!" Nagisa groaned.
"Heard Seia-san woke up, so I rushed," Mash said.
"You were teaching the Remedial Club, right?" Mika noted.
"I'm older than you, Sensei, so stop—mmph!" Seia protested.
"You haven't eaten properly beyond hospital food, right?" Mash insisted.
"Fine… it's delicious," Seia admitted.
"I'm so relieved," Mash said, his face softening like a father or brother.
(I can't believe he's his father,) Seia thought, recalling Innocent Zero. Listening to Mash's heartbeat through her large ears, she felt calm.
"Seia-chan!? You can't do that just 'cause you're awake! Unfair, I wanna do it too!" Mika whined.
"Your desires are showing, Mika-san," Nagisa teased.
"Your heart beats strong, Sensei," Seia said.
"My spirit's tough too," Mash replied.
(Listening to this… it's reassuring…) Seia thought.
"Seia-chan, something off?" Mika asked.
"Nothing, Mika. We must move forward, carrying our burdens through the darkness, aiming for what's ahead. Sensei, someday… I need to talk."
"I'm all ears," Mash said.
Seia set aside her thoughts, discussing the future. Nagisa, understanding, sipped tea. "We've learned much. Let's start anew—our youth, our journey."
"I'll support you," Mash said.
"Please, Sensei, sit. We need you," Nagisa urged.
"Of course," Mash said, joining them.
The Tea Party hosts' faces brimmed with energy, thrilled at the return of their lively, busy days.
Schale · Night
"Been a while," Mash said, returning to Schale after long absences—staying at Trinity during the Eden Treaty and recovering in the Relief Knights' infirmary.
"Makoto and Nagisa will get along, Hina and Tsurugi are livelier, Gehenna and Trinity's ties improved… I did good," Mash praised himself, entering.
Wakamo and Izuna slept side by side. Mash adjusted their blankets quietly, then headed to his office. Opening the door—
"Welcome back, Sensei," Shiroko greeted softly.
"Uh, I'm back, Shiroko-chan."
Before asking why or how she was there, her "welcome back" melted his tension.
"Sorry, Shiroko-chan, I'm drained… can I lean on you?"
"Sure," Shiroko said.
"Knee pillow?" Mash blinked.
"Hoshino-senpai said it's best for tired people. Come on, Sensei."
"Alright… excuse me," Mash said, resting his head on Shiroko's lap, careful not to burden her. She held him firmly.
"How's it feel?" Shiroko asked.
"Weird… warm, calming…"
"I feel weird too… tight, fluttery," Shiroko said.
"Something wrong with your chest?" Mash asked.
"Uh, maybe," Shiroko said, slipping into monotone.
"Why the accent… never mind," Mash mumbled.
Reflecting, Mash knew not everything was resolved, but he'd done well.
"Shiroko-chan, I… did good, right?"
"Absolutely. A kid like us, doing more than adults. Even now."
"I acted weird, being 'Sensei' and all."
"Before Sensei, you're our friend, right?"
"Yeah… you're right, Shiroko-chan," Mash smiled.
Shiroko chuckled, stroking his head as he grew sleepy.
"Sensei works hard, helps so many. I'm glad you're here."
"That's embarrassing," Mash murmured.
"Rest now, Sensei. Sleep," Shiroko urged.
"Alright… thanks…" Mash drifted off, snoring.
"No romance or mood… dense," Shiroko teased, smiling, stroking his hair.
"I couldn't resist coming… glad I did. Probably the first," she said.
"Snore…" Mash slept.
"Like me, you were picked up… by someone kind, amazing. We're alike," Shiroko whispered, stroking his head. Mustering courage, she hesitated, then—
"—Did it," she said, kissing his cheek gently. Blushing but satisfied, she smiled.
"Good work, Mash."
In the quiet office, she honored the greatest hero.
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