"…The star of the show, huh? ⭐︎ I'm here to help, Sensei… or rather, Mash-kun."
"Mika-san, why are you here?"
"I told you—I'm here to help."
"But isn't it bad for you to be out right now?"
"Putting others before yourself! ⭐︎ That's just like the old Mash-kun, huh?"
"Ugh."
"This is… the worst timing…"
Before Mash and the group stood Misono Mika, a student wielding her trusty SMG. Her smile carried a mix of anger and relief, a complex expression that spoke volumes.
"Hey, Saori, just to confirm—you're the one who stabbed Mash-kun and poisoned him, right?"
"…Yes."
"Mika-san, about that… it's not like that, right?"
"Maybe it's over for you, Mash-kun, but for us students? It's not over."
"Y-Yeah… that's fair, isn't it…?"
For Mika, the wounds Arius inflicted on Mash were far from healed. She'd wanted to befriend Arius—but their betrayal, the harm to those she cared about, and the chaos they caused stood in the way.
"I'm not here to play the victim, but Mash-kun? He's different. No matter how you look at it, he's done nothing wrong—just a victim."
"…"
"He kept saying he wanted to help you all, investigated to make that happen, even stayed up all night to keep Azusa-chan, your spy, from getting expelled."
"…!"
"He helped me, saved me… Saved Nagi-chan and Seia-chan too. He's my savior. So, what did you do to someone like that?"
"…"
"That's something I can't just forgive yet."
"Why are you here, then?"
"Seia-chan told me Mash-kun went to save Arius."
"Yurizono Seia?"
"She asked me to help him. How could I say no to a friend's request?"
Seia had called Mika, pleading for her to aid Mash. Unable to refuse a friend, Mika gladly accepted, leading to this moment.
"…You're not here to attack us? We… we're no different from those who took everything from you…"
"They didn't take everything. I've still got plenty left."
"Even so… we…"
"I'm kind of an idiot, you know. At first, I completely hated myself. I thought it was my fault Arius used me, hurt the people I care about, got me injured, and cost me my place. Like I was some kind of—witch."
The word "witch" still stung, a label thrown at Mika even now. She spoke as if it suited her… but then—
"Mash-kun told me I'm not a witch. I thought, 'No way,' or that he was just good with flattery. But there wasn't a hint of deceit or sweet-talk in his words."
"Because I meant it."
"See?"
"You're… not a witch. Witches, bad witches… that's me—'Yes! That's it! That's the point!' …Huh?"
"Witches aren't just the bad guys, you know? Fairy tales are full of good witches too. So I decided—if I'm a witch, I'll be a good one. ⭐︎"
"A… good witch?"
"Yup—one who protects the people she cares about and helps those in trouble."
"So you're forgiving me to become that?"
"Not quite."
Mika lowered her gun and approached Saori. Mash, anticipating a possible attack, watched closely but stayed back. He understood this was something Saori and Mika needed to resolve themselves.
"You hurt Sensei physically and emotionally, threw Trinity into chaos, and put my friends through hell. I'm not kind enough to forgive all that so easily."
"…"
"So—live until I can truly forgive you."
"…!"
"I got a chance to atone. You and all of Arius have that chance too. So live until you've made up for your sins."
"Misono Mika…"
"Live—and let's be friends for real this time. No lies, no betrayal, just actual friends."
"You'd choose reconciliation with the rest of Arius too?"
"Of course! That's what I've always wanted."
Reconciliation with Arius had been Mika's original goal. Though their betrayal once shattered that dream, she was determined to start from scratch and make it real this time.
"For that to happen, all of Arius needs to be saved. Your family's in danger, right? I heard from other Arius kids on the way here, so I get it."
"Yes…! Hime… Atsuko…!"
"I'll help you save your princess."
"M-Mika-san's joining us?!"
"That's some serious backup…"
"—Saori."
Mika took Saori's hand, smiling gently, then pulled her into a hug—the same way Mash had once comforted and reassured her. Now, Mika offered that to Saori.
"It's okay now. Why? Because I'm here."
"Misono… Mika…"
"When this is over, let's have tea together, like proper girls. Maybe do some makeup, go shopping!"
"…I'm looking forward to it."
"—We're making up, right?"
"For now… yeah?"
"With Mika-san on our side, it's like having a thousand—no, ten thousand allies!"
"That's a bit much! And don't make me sound like a wrench or something…"
Mika stepped back from Saori and faced the group, raising her arm with gusto and declaring loudly.
"Alright! Let's save Hime-chan, save all of Arius, take down the final boss, and throw a massive cream puff party!!"
"Yeah!!"
"Y-Yeah!!"
With Mika joining the crew, their strength skyrocketed. Alongside their newfound ally, Mash and the group headed toward the Arius Autonomous District, where the mastermind awaited.
"Oh, by the way… You said someone's targeting you, Mash-kun. What exactly are they after? Your life?"
"My body, apparently."
"Huh???"
"My heart, to be specific."
"…HUH???"
While Mash and his group marched toward Arius, Wakamo, who'd been told "don't interfere," remained slumped at the spot where she'd aimed at Saori. Her fox ears and tail were soaked by the rain, but she couldn't move. Grief, anxiety, the fear of rejection, and the loneliness of being left behind weighed heavily on her heart, intertwining to torment her.
(I just… loved you… Sensei…)
She loved him, wanted to protect him—that was all. But her actions became meddling, rejected by the one she loved, and worse, they saddened him.
(I don't deserve to call myself his wife or aide… I don't belong by his side…)
In the end, she'd selfishly hurt the one she loved and believed she had no right to stand beside him or serve him. Arius, who'd unjustly caused Sensei pain, was hateful to her. But hurting Arius would go against his wishes, only causing him more sorrow.
"…If I just… never see him again…!"
As Wakamo declared this, a voice came from behind—young yet steady.
"Hmm, that's a pretty dangerous way of thinking."
"You… you are…?"
"Just a passing old man~"
"Old… man?"
"Yup, an old man (17 years old)… and, like you, a student who cares about Sensei more than anything."
"You… could it be…?"
"Uhe, let's walk and talk, Kosaka Wakamo-chan."
The figure beside Wakamo was none other than Takanotsume Hoshino, the leader of Abydos' Countermeasures Committee, known as the "Horus of the Dawn."
Little Sibling Sensei Corner, It's Been a While!
Chinatsu's Hot Spring Memoir Edition
Little Brother: "This, this is way too much! Total red flag!"
Little Sister: "A forbidden teacher-student romance?! …Oh, but I'm a girl, so it's fine, right?"
Brother: "The teacher-student part is the problem, I think. Not an expert, though."
That was basically a mixed bath… no, it was definitely a mixed bath. First time seeing it, I was like, "WHAT?! FOR REAL?!" YoStar, you absolute legends.
Someday, I want to do a hot spring episode too. That's the dream of this author!
Next time… Mash-kun and Beatrice finally come face-to-face! Well, through a screen, but still!
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Hey everyone, thanks a ton for following my story till now. If you wanna read ahead, I've already uploaded about 30–40 extra chapters on Patreon. Your support really keeps me going and helps me bring you more cool stories!
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]