Mash Burned
In modern Kivotos, he is an indispensable pillar of the academic city's stability. Without him, chaos surpassing the Federal Student Council President's disappearance would erupt, rendering the city functionally paralyzed—or so the rumors go.
Mash has racked up countless achievements, silencing Schale's detractors and hostile organizations through sheer prowess. He is vital.
In the Eden Treaty incident, he dramatically improved inter-academy relations, transforming the dynamic between Kivotos's two mammoths—Gehenna and Trinity—from mutual hatred to rivalry.
He not only rescued the Arius Branch students—treated like tools—but physically crushed the adult plotting the city's destruction. An absurd human.
Before long, he was hailed as a hero in Trinity and Gehenna—
"I mean, hero…? That kind of thing… kinda no."
—yet he himself could not accept the title.
Two weeks after the cream puff party, Mash was taking a rare break in Schale's office. Facing the Shittim Chest, he munched cream puffs with Arona, casually replying to Momotalk messages.
Visible wounds had faded; casts and bandages were gone. His healing factor—improving with every battle—astonished even the Knights Hospitaller. Nothing to do but get used to it.
Back to the point: the word "hero"—now sticking like a nickname—made Mash visibly grimace.
'Why not? "Hero" is a rare title… and cool, right?'
"Yeah, sure… but it's itchy, you know? Being praised feels… weird. I just did what anyone would— Oh, Koyuki-chan must've felt like this."
Mash loves being praised. Knowing his origins and grandfather's life, he empathizes with others' pain, saving students from loneliness. To him—a student among Kivotos's girls, their teacher, junior, peer, senior, friend—the lofty label "hero" and being pedestalized as noble felt unbearably awkward and alien, regardless of physique or mystique.
"I'd rather be treated as a comrade or friend—seriously."
'Aren't you already praised as "Sensei"?'
"…Ah."
'Sensei, consider your own popularity more.'
"You deserve to be adored and loved by many, my beloved."
"Wah—scared me! When did you sneak up?"
"From around 'hero… kinda no'. Couldn't identify the voice in your device, though…"
"The whole time… Didn't notice at all."
"Ufufu~ Learning ninjutsu from Izuna paid off."
(…Adding horns to an oni, huh.)
Behind Mash stood Wakamo, hugging a massive bag. Curious about the unseen load, Mash asks.
"Wakamo-chan, what's in the bag?"
"This? —The Mash Burned-sensei Doll (life-size)."
"My doll… Handmade?"
"Yes ❤️"
"…Okay, sure… but demand?"
"Absolutely! You can gaze upon your face anytime, anywhere—guaranteed need!"
"…I see."
Mash felt complicated about near-worship, but Wakamo's love was undeniable. He decided no further probing.
"Oh, right—how're Saori-san and the others?"
"Divided into teams you assigned, working at various academies."
Mash reorganized Schale residents, placing former Arius Squad members as leaders of new squads. They now proactively handle requests, deploying to other schools.
"Team Custard, led by Jomae Saori, to Trinity—weed-pulling like Mika, cleaning classrooms and the cathedral, beautification service. Mika and Saori moved too fast; almost done already."
"As expected of Mika-san and Saori-san."
"Team Soda, led by Tsuchinaga Hiyori, to Gehenna—helping the Disciplinary Committee. 'Waaah! Too many documents!!' she wailed."
"Well, Gehenna… but better than before."
"Team Chocolate, led by Kainoo Misaki, to Abydos; Team Strawberry, led by Hakari Atsuko, to Millennium. Abydos: deep-cleaning the school, patrolling the district, small tasks for clubs… Everyone looked very satisfied."
"They said they want to work off the trouble they caused… I've been saved by them plenty too."
"Teams are small, but teamwork is solid."
"Some stay at Schale… Yeah, going smoothly."
"Former Arius Branch—now Schale affiliates—all moving for you, for someone… Hard to believe."
Atonement, compensation for trouble… or finally gaining the meaningful purpose they craved—Mash was happy for the results.
"…My beloved."
"Hm?"
"This Wakamo does not fully forgive or trust them… I'm only watching to ensure they don't flee… or betray."
"Yeah… fair."
"…But another grudge grows."
"Which is?"
"The adult who hurt you that badly… Beatrice."
"…Beatrice."
"Yes—still, I feel rage."
"Everyone feels that… I'll never forgive her either."
Wakamo's true hatred: Beatrice. Treating Mash's body and heart like tools, mocking his life's value—she stepped on a landmine. If Beatrice appeared, Wakamo might riddle her with holes in fury.
"…No good. I… can't easily forgive. Even during the party, I was simmering the whole time."
"…"
"My beloved… please forgive this foolish fox… No matter how you picked me up, invited me… my essence is the Calamity Fox— I'm a beast without a human heart…"
Wakamo—who once rampaged Kivotos for self-satisfaction, destroying for terroristic joy— Even after Mash's guidance, falling for him, joining… her core only shifted slightly. She berated herself as a bloodthirsty beast.
"If you had no human heart, you wouldn't love me or get this angry."
"…!"
"You're gentle to Izuna like a little sister… No heartless fox."
"…Even one who can't trust others?"
"That's just you. And hey—you trust me, right? One day, you'll trust the others too—absolutely."
"Until then… may I stay by your side?"
"Of course—forever might be tough, though."
"…Then until the end—this Wakamo, always by your side…"
"Reliable."
Tail wagging, Wakamo snuggles closer, smiling. Wakamo is not alone—never, no matter where.
"By the way, my beloved? —During the party, when you slipped away… What exactly did you do with Mika from Trinity?"
"—No comment."
"Phew… Post-work training and protein hit different."
Evening. Work done, Mash runs with dumbbells—ecstatic for the rare workout.
"…Hero, ugh—still don't like it."
Even training, he grumbles about the title. It's honorable, and he thinks it's cool. But not what he aspires to.
"I just want to be everyone's teacher, friend, or just a human… ugh."
Mash wants to be treated as a normal human, comrade. Close students see him that way, but others deify him as a hero—misaligned with his vision.
(…Whatever. How people see me is their business… I decided to act as a kids' teacher—screw it, no more overthinking.)
No forcing adult understanding. Mash drops deep thoughts, heads back to Schale—
'Kukuku… As expected, that's the kind of human you are—Mash Burned-sensei.'
"!!"
From the shadows emerges Kurofuku, a Gematria member who's put Mash through hell. He appears boldly.
Mash instinctively swings—but this Kurofuku is different.
"—No way."
"Act before thought… or pure reflexive disgust? Fufu—that's you. Splendid."
Kurofuku catches Mash's punch. First since fighting powerhouses like Mika or Barbara. Mash leaps back into stance, but Kurofuku halts him.
"Please wait, Sensei… I'm here solely to talk. Sheathe those fists."
"…What do you want? My favorability for you guys is deep in the negatives."
"Painful… but natural."
"…Spit it out."
"Kuku, no need for such wariness… Words won't suffice—here." strip strip
"!"
"Now we talk."
Kurofuku sheds his suit, revealing a sculpted physique: six-pack, thick pecs rivaling Mash, toned arms and legs. Unimaginable under the suit.
"—Nn!" flex
"! —Hmph!" flex
Silently, they pose—trading muscle displays in body language. No words needed.
"…So you trained just to beat me."
"Since that day, endless training and body modification… Kuku, somehow possessed by muscle."
"You crossed over to the meathead side too."
"No, I'm still barely on the brain side."
"…You didn't show up just to report that, right?"
"As expected, Sensei. I came to show this body… and warn you."
"…Warn?"
Kurofuku redons his suit, speaking of a new threat targeting Mash.
"…That one sees you as an enemy, a threat—top priority for elimination. You will fight soon. This is my advice."
"Why bother?"
"Straight to it—Sensei, I want to beat you. With my own power."
"…Oh?"
"After losing to you, I pondered… How to become like you, delve deeper into mystique… Conclusion: Surpass your body."
"Surpass me… What's the point?"
"Does it need one? Curiosity—obtain, observe, study. That's inquiry. So, Sensei—"
Kurofuku turns, walking into darkness.
"—Win, please. Hero of Kivotos, Mash Burned-sensei."
"…I hate that name."
"Kukuku… Farewell."
Kurofuku vanishes into the dark like mist, his muscular presence erased. Mash clenches his fist, staring at his hand.
"…Whatever comes—I won't lose."
For his students, Mash vows again.
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