"—Thank you all for gathering. This will be a remote meeting, but… first, the circumstances that led to this—"
"Cut the preamble!"
"Everyone already knows the gist, so get to the point—why the hell are you letting Arius stay at Schale without a single consequence!?"
"Leader, calm down."
"How am I supposed to stay calm…!?"
"Leader, Momoi and the others are here too. I get how you feel, but… we need to hear this out."
"Tch…!"
The day after Mash opened his eyes, Rin urgently convened a remote conference and summoned every student with deep ties to him.
The feed streams from the Federal Student Council headquarters. Students from Millennium, Abydos, Trinity, Gehenna, Hyakkiyako—every academy Mash has touched—are present.
"Ahahaha… things are pretty heated on your end too, huh? Same here."
"Like Trinity, Gehenna's starting to boil over… mostly around anything to do with Sensei. Even Convenience Store 68 stormed in to protest not long ago."
"I briefed the crew on the battle in the autonomous region… and the consensus is still opposition. As president of Convenience Store 68—and more importantly, as the representative of employees who were close to him—I formally request a retrial of Arius Squad's disposition for threatening his life."
"Over here, numbers are small, but… aside from me and Shiroko-chan, nobody's on board."
"No matter what you say, I refuse to accept it."
"—Serika."
"Accept it…? There's no way…!"
"…Yeah, that's about the vibe."
"…Having heard this far—representatives of each academy, please give your status reports."
At Rin's prompt, the representatives relay the situation inside their schools.
"In Gehenna, aside from Pandemonium Society and Disciplinary Committee brass, nearly every student is in revolt… The man who changed our world for the better was put through hell. Of course they're furious."
"Trinity's the same. The Filius faction and Justice Task Force are especially vocal. The Sisterhood hasn't reached a satisfying conclusion either."
"…Hanuma, Kei, Ichika, and I decided to respect Sensei's wishes. Everyone else, though—first-years and middle-schoolers especially—keeps barging in to protest directly."
"Abydos is exactly what you just heard."
"I'll speak in Neru-senpai's place—Hayase Yuuka, Seminar. Most of us don't care except me and Noa… but the Game Development Department kids who were close to Sensei are furious—except for Aris-chan—"
"OF COURSE WE ARE!!! If Sensei forgives them, fine… but they're just living at Schale with zero punishment!? How is anyone supposed to swallow that—guh!?"
"Onee-chan, quiet!!" "We get it, but calm down…!!" "Momoi, no…!!"
"Over here, everyone but Asuna's pissed. Fair warning—Engineering's already building weird machines, maybe to raid you guys. Veritas is trying to hack Schale's and the Council's servers for intel."
"…Millennium once faced a financial crisis due to embezzlement. The one who not only bailed us out but helped resolve the whole mess was none other than Sensei. We are deeply grateful— which is precisely why we cannot accept this outcome. That is Millennium's official stance."
"…Thank you for the reports."
As Rin had feared, deep fractures had already formed in every academy. Not from malice or conspiracy— but from pure goodwill toward Sensei.
"Hey, Acting President… What the hell were you thinking, sheltering Arius at Schale— Sensei saved Asuna's life. That girl used to collapse without warning, like a marionette with its strings cut. We tried every drug—nothing worked. Sensei changed that. I couldn't do a damn thing, so all I've got is gratitude… So why are you protecting the bastards who nearly killed him!?"
"…As I explained before, it was at the request of Schale's advisor, Mash Burned-sensei. He wished to take in Arius—victims of long oppression—under protective observation at Schale, so they could atone. We honored that wish."
"…We all understand what Arius endured. But Acting President— their past and nearly murdering Sensei are completely separate issues."
"…"
"Being deceived by adults, treated as less than human… we sympathize. Even the protesters get that. What they're asking is: Why aren't they getting the same punishment as Mika from Trinity?"
"…That came out of nowhere, but yeah, exactly."
Mika remains a Tea Party host for now, but will be dismissed once a successor is chosen and forced into community service until then.
Arius, however, is to live and work inside Schale—the very place they tried to destroy. Most students could not stomach that verdict.
"Are they just exploiting Sensei's kindness to take the easy way out…? What if they try to kill him again? Betray us again? If that happens, there'll be no coming back. That's what we all fear."
"That's not true—they've genuinely repented and pledged to serve as members of—"
"Where's the proof? Anyone can say pretty words. That's the problem—Arius can't be trusted. Nearly everyone here agrees."
Makoto calmly summarizes the room's consensus… and she's right. The majority demands real punishment.
"—Um… super sorry to interrupt the ultra-serious talk, but… why are we even invited to this huge meeting?"
"Huh? …Oh, the gutsy ones from back then."
"You were present at the scene, saved Sensei's life, and contributed to the Eden Treaty and Paradise Agency. The board decided you belong here."
"That's a light reason!?"
"Well, you did pull it off… Oh, Boss—another cream puff!"
"Coming right up~"
The Cream Puff Club is here too, with the Remedial Club in the back, cheeks stuffed.
"…Cream Puff Club, your thoughts on the matter?"
"…Um… well—I wonder… if this is really what Sensei wanted…"
"…Meaning?"
"I-I mean…! Sensei probably wants everyone—Arius, Trinity, Gehenna, Millennium—to be happy, to laugh together in peace… That's why he forgave Arius and kept them close, with all his pure heart…
But… that pure prayer is tearing relationships apart, turning into a curse, into malice… Is this the shape he wanted? He even said he looks forward to seeing the duty students' faces…"
"…Hold on—that means—"
"…He wants exchange through duty shifts at Schale… to mend ties?"
Mash's sole motivation: to bridge divides, dissolve friction, regardless of affiliation. He brought Arius in so duty students could interact, become friends—a naïve but earnest plan. He secured the Council's cooperation.
The result? This tragedy. In other words—Mash chose wrong.
"…That child, always…"
"…E-even if that's Sensei's wish, I—"
"—Mind if I cut in?"
"Who the hell are you?"
"'You'… Well, whatever—introduction time. I'm the owner of the cream puff shop Sensei frequents, and the Cream Puff Club's employer. Think of me as just some adult."
"—Oh! You're the guy who handed out free cream puffs when Gehenna and Trinity were in chaos!"
"So… that was you."
"He often speaks highly of your shop and menu… A man of great character, he says."
"H-heh, that's embarrassing… Anyway, forget me—"
The shopkeeper offers not a lecture, but small advice from an adult's perspective.
"I'm an outsider, so I won't meddle much—just this: If you can't forgive Arius, you don't have to."
"!?"
"Boss!?"
"Friends get hurt, you can't forgive—even adults feel that way. Grudges don't vanish easily… But one thing you mustn't mistake—"
"…Which is?"
"The victim's feelings come first. Here, that's Sensei himself."
"The victim's… oh."
"We're third parties. Whether to forgive the perpetrator is the victim's call alone. Remember that."
Anyone here would understand the rage of seeing Mash hurt. But ignoring the victim's wishes, stirring chaos, wishing the same pain on others—that's wrong, the shopkeeper says.
"So why not talk face-to-face with Sensei and Arius? We're outsiders, after all."
"—Yeah… we might've gone off the rails a bit, huh? Didn't really think about Mash-kun's own feelings…"
"…Come to think of it, I ignored Sensei's heart…"
"Now that you mention it… everything he did was for a happy ending, right?"
"…Hearing that…"
Reactions vary, but one realization unites them: No matter how unforgivable Arius seemed, they had run rampant, ignoring Mash's wishes.
"…S-sorry! An outsider shouldn't butt in—gotta run—bye!"
"U-um, I mean… Wouldn't it be better to hear directly from Arius and Sensei about their future, their feelings…?"
"…Hifumi-san… yes, that… makes sense."
"…Fair point, but…"
"We've never spoken honestly with Arius. That's why we can't trust them. But if Sensei says they're okay… shouldn't we at least listen?"
Makoto proposes: direct dialogue with Arius and Sensei to confirm their true intentions. Otherwise, this cycle never ends.
Everyone resolves to act—then:
"—…—H-hey, everyone. Can you hear me?"
"S-Sensei…!?"
"Sensei!?"
"Looks like you can—phew."
"Sensei, how's your condition!?"
"Perfect health—yeeeah! ✌️✌️"
Mash, supported by Mine, crashes the meeting. He looks far from healthy, but his spirit and color are the usual. The students sigh in relief at the sight of the man they'd been waiting for.
"U-um, Sensei…! I…"
"I heard from Hoshino—sorry, Serika-chan. I decided everything without knowing how you felt."
"That's not something for Sensei to apologize for…!"
"Everyone, I'm really sorry. This time—my thinking was too naive. I assumed I understood your feelings, made decisions unilaterally… nearly destroyed the bonds between all of you who get along so well. This was my selfish goodwill. Truly, I'm sorry."
Over the feed, Mash bows slightly. The students—gathered for his sake—fluster at the sudden apology, but he continues.
"—So this time… I want us to talk properly. All of us."
Mash steps back from the screen… and the next face to appear is:
"—You…"
"…I am Jomae Saori, former Arius Branch student, squad leader of Arius Squad. And… the ringleader who tried to murder Sensei."
Tension spikes. Most students' faces harden—Mash sees it all.
"Nee-sama… is this really… okay?"
"—We have no right to interfere. Sensei himself said, 'I'm betting everything on this one chance'—he set this stage. Trust him."
"…Y-yes."
Inside Schale's office: Saori—Arius's leader. Mash—the root of this uproar, in a sense. Arius students watching over them. And in the back, Wakamo and Izuna, guarding Mash and the girls.
Izuna has been extremely supportive of Arius's rehabilitation; upon hearing their story, she wept and comforted them. Wakamo, like most in the meeting, still can't forgive Arius—but she and Izuna agree: Mash's will comes first.
"—Jomae Saori, let me ask once more… You are the mastermind behind Sensei's attempted murder?"
"…No mistake."
"You… you…!!"
"Serika-chan, stop—for now."
"…S-sorry."
Gehenna students glare with open hostility. Trinity students keep neutral expressions, but their eyes burn with hatred. Millennium students reach for weapons. Despite Rin's remote setup to prevent "worst-case scenarios," the air is explosive. Depending on the outcome, attendees might storm Schale immediately. Fully aware of her crime's weight, Saori begins.
"…Your anger is justified. We shouldn't be here… we are sinners."
"…At least you're aware. So? Why show your face?"
"To settle this… the situation we're in now."
"Hey, Saori-chan? How do you feel about the current state of things?"
"…Suffocating. That's the honest truth."
Saori removes her hat and speaks plainly about their reality.
"The guilt of trying to kill Sensei… self-loathing for going unpunished… and that man's curse. They all weigh on us here… To be frank… it hurts."
"…I'm so sorry."
"Sensei has nothing to apologize for. And the one suffering most is you, isn't it…? Thanks to you, we've recovered this far… But even so… I can't forgive what I did."
"…Why did you try to kill Sensei in the first place?"
"Because those were my orders. If I disobeyed—my family, the comrades I'd suffered with… would become sacrifices for his plan."
"‼︎"
"But he said if I eliminated Schale's Sensei and destroyed Trinity and Gehenna, that wouldn't be necessary— I tried to kill Sensei to protect my family… to use you as substitutes— It's nothing but excuses now, but… I'm truly sorry…!!"
Saori bows deeply toward the screen. It doesn't quell their anger… but something shifts in their thinking.
"…You must've had it rough, but Sensei is our benefactor, our friend. We can't just say 'okay, forgiven' after what you did to him."
"—That's fine. In fact, being forgiven would leave me unsatisfied."
"…"
"We did something utterly unforgivable… Working at Schale to atone? We don't believe that's enough— So—"
Saori bows even lower, pressing her forehead to the floor in full dogeza, and pleads again. The impact revives the pain from the day a racket smashed her skull.
"From now on… for Sensei… for Kivotos… Let us use these lives."
"!?"
"Every member of Arius Branch decided this. As residents of Kivotos, as subordinates under Sensei— We will keep using these lives. I speak here as Arius's representative."
"Lives…? You just escaped evil adults— you'd throw them away again?"
"These are lives Sensei saved. We'll never waste them… But if danger ever threatens Sensei or Kivotos, we'll trade our lives to protect them. We never had much of a life to begin with—what do we have to lose now?"
"…You…"
"—This is also the first thing we've ever chosen for ourselves… If this method of atonement displeases you, give us any other demand or order. Whatever form it takes, if it becomes atonement, we'll accept it."
"…"
"But before that… please— Please grant us… the chance to atone…!!"
"—I beg the same."
Beside the dogeza Saori, Mash collapses into dogeza too—bandages, casts, and all—ignoring Mine's protests.
"Sensei…!?"
"Sensei, please stop! Your body—let me—"
"Sorry, Mine-san, I have to say this… Everyone, listen. I still didn't fully understand the weight of atonement. I thought because you're all good people, you'd understand… I assumed, acted selfishly… and hurt you all again."
"W-wait, Sensei!? We didn't want you to apologize…!!"
"But if you can forgive someone like me… Please hear my final wish. Give Arius a chance—time, opportunity—to atone… I'll support them, earn your trust, find a way for us to hold hands and live together… So please—"
Mash slams his forehead into the floor with all his might. The heavy thud shows the room his resolve. Wakamo nearly leaps forward; Izuna gasps in worry; Squad and Nina bite back fresh guilt at his sincerity… Silence fills the conference.
A once-in-a-lifetime plea, head bowed for his students, body on the line despite injury. Some are speechless at the sight of him smashing his head without hesitation; others recall the grief and pain they'd caused him until now— Many weep or look away.
"—You're unfair, you know that."
"…So like Sensei."
"You know this, Sensei… but that's an incredibly long road. Getting everyone to forgive Arius, accept them, see them as comrades—"
"I know. That's why I have to teach Arius what they need. Give me that time."
"…—Damn it! …Guess you're not stopping, huh."
Neru rakes her hair, flashes a small smile, then speaks again.
"—Fine. I'll support Sensei's stance."
"…! —Neru-san"
"I-is that… really okay!? Neru-senpai…"
"…The victim himself, covered in blood, dogeza'd for them— I was there, fought them up close, saw everything Sensei did. After this, saying 'whatever' is impossible. Like we said—we're third parties."
"…Neru-sa—'But don't get it twisted, Sensei'—"
"I'm only giving them a chance. If they betray us, try to kill you again—no mercy. That's what this means."
"…Same here. How about you, Sorasaki Hina?"
"If they swear to risk their lives fighting for Sensei, that's enough."
"—If they'll contribute to each academy like Mika-san, I'll grant probation for rehabilitation. We'll provide any support needed."
"…Everyone… ugh…!!"
Over the screen, Serika slams the desk, tears streaming as she rages.
"—If you're all going that far, then PROTECT SENSEI NO MATTER WHAT!! I wasn't there, had nothing to do with the Eden Treaty… but you put my benefactor, my friend through hell— Take responsibility!!"
"…Abydos is still targeted by shady types and weird adults~ So when push comes to shove, we'll count on you~?"
"—Yes… yes…! Please, rely on us!"
"…Everyone, thank you."
"—Um, Sensei…!!"
"Hifumi-chan."
"I… I love happy endings. The kind where everyone lives normal lives, laughing together… But in every one, Sensei is there— Without you, happy endings turn bitter!!"
Hifumi shouts loud enough for all to hear.
"—So from now on… from now on! Rely on us more—Arius, all of us! When you're struggling, when you feel like crying… We'll always be here!"
"…Hifumi-chan."
"—I believe in you, Mash-kun. So… let us believe in the Arius you believe in… Mash-kun."
"Rin-san… thank you… —Alright."
Mash rises straight from dogeza, resolve harder than ever, and declares clearly.
"—I'll do my best. Until the day everyone can truly smile… forever. So everyone… let's keep going together."
Across the screens, students nod in unison… The situation doesn't fully resolve— but the spark is undeniably extinguished.
Arius remains unforgivable… but they'll grant time for atonement under Mash, to learn what's needed, to make amends for their crimes. That's the protesters' conclusion. Mash's will takes priority above all.
They grant a chance—so that one day, they might truly see Arius as comrades.
"And with that—cream puff-making party the day after tomorrow! For bonding, reconciliation, and a grand finale."
"You're saying that NOW!?"
"Gotta say it now, right…? Besides—"
"I've always wanted this. Through the flavor I love, I wanted everyone to know the joy of eating something delicious and smiling."
One step closer to a happy ending.
-------------------------------
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