"I am Regro Barndead, Mash's grandfather. It seems my grandson has been greatly taken care of here... I look forward to your continued kindness."
After his meeting with the Afterschool Remedial Class, Mash and Regro were finally scheduled to meet with the highly anticipated Tea Party. As soon as they entered the terrace where the Tea Party hosts awaited, Regro politely greeted Nagisa and the others.
Nagisa and the others were seated around a tea table set for five, and Mash and Regro were directed to the empty seats. Their two escorts listened to the conversation while standing by, ready for any emergency.
"No, no, on the contrary, we are the ones who have been taken care of. These two, in particular, have probably relied on Sensei the most."
"Ugh." Weak 99999
"Well, Mika, you've relied on Sensei the most."
"Ugh." Weak 99999
"Seia-san, that's enough."
"Ah, my apologies—"I don't know what kind of face to make in front of Sensei's grandfather," or "How can I face him," she kept lamenting so much that I just got annoyed."
"Seia-chan!!" "Seia-san!!"
"Hahahaha, you're all so close, aren't you~."
"They're childhood friends, you see... Oh, I'm late with introductions, Grandpa."
Mash proceeded to introduce Nagisa and the others one by one, carefully... Yes, carefully... He was supposed to explain carefully... but.
"This is... Yuri-in Saia-san, and this is... um, Horafuji Nagisa-san, and this is... I won't get it wrong this time, Mizoguchi Mika-san."
"All of them are wrong!!"
"Sensei, that's the second time. As for Mika, only the first 'Mi' matches..."
"It's Kirifuji, Yurizono, and then Seia, okay!? Hey, Mash-kun, you're getting them wrong so much it feels intentional!?"
"...I wonder what Sensei's criteria are for an easy-to-remember name."
Even with Mash's brain carefully and earnestly thinking, this was the result. The three hosts of the Tea Party instinctively stood up from the table to retort.
"I'm sorry, I usually only call them by their first names."
"Does he get this dumb when he's not in 'Sensei mode'...?"
"That's rude, Mika-san. I can do multiplication and division properly, and mental arithmetic too."
"You mean mental arithmetic!? Before math, shouldn't you work on your common language skills and writing ability!?"
"Somehow, all the tension and seriousness has completely vanished, hasn't it..."
"Perhaps Sensei possesses some kind of special ability in that regard?"
"...I can't deny that, no."
Mash had a way of turning serious situations into gags, but in a sense, this was also an excellent power for helping people. Gag was, after all, the only way to relax important officials.
"...L-Let's get back to the conversation... to the—what was I supposed to talk about again?"
"Nagi-chan, are you okay? We came to hear stories about Mash-kun when he was little, didn't we?"
"That's completely wrong, Mika. We're going to talk about something far more important... wait, didn't we just talk about that?"
"Important... meaning?"
"...Regro-san, we... have heard about Sensei's birth—and how you both were treated in the magical world, from Seia-san."
"—What... did you say...?"
"..."
Seia had told Mika and Nagisa everything. The existence of Mash's father and the magical world... that is, how Mash and Regro were treated in their original world... everything. Regro couldn't help but wonder how she knew all this, but before that.
"Mash's birth... what do you mean by that...? Do you know Mash's parents!?"
"Grandpa, calm down."
"Regro-san, I understand your feelings, but please calm down."
"Do you know the inhumane fiends who abandoned Mash, who was such a cute baby!?"
"Inhumane fiends, he says."
"W-Well, it's not wrong."
"Who are they, these people... The moment I meet them, I'll punch them in the face, and pull out all their hair... or rather, every single hair on their entire body!!"
"Grandpa is saying some crazy things. Just calm down for now."
"Regro-san, please, be calm here."
"...My apologies, Mash. I just, I just got angry. I've caused trouble for Delta-chan too."
Thanks to Mash, Regro had decided against suicide and chose to live. If Mash hadn't been there, he would have taken his own life... but that was that, and this was this. Regro was desperate to know about the parents who had abandoned his grandson. Regro's eyes were bloodshot.
"...You said Seia-san, didn't you? —Why do you know so much?"
"...You might not believe me—but I had the ability to see prophetic dreams through a special power called 'Mystic,' similar to the magic you possess."
"Prophetic dreams?"
"Or rather, it could be said 'within dreams'... I can enter or get lost in someone else's dream... Well, I don't know much about the specifics... but in that dream, I... had a conversation with a certain man."
"A man... Mash's father?"
"...That person called himself Innocent Zero... Does that name sound familiar to you?"
"I... Innocent Zero... you say!?"
"Grandpa, you know him?"
"In the magical world, it's the name of a famous... evil organization. Recently, many children might not know it anymore, but..."
"Regro-san. If you don't mind, could you please tell us...? It might concern us as well, so we would very much like to know."
"...Hmm."
Regro, sweating on his brow, drank a cup of tea and began to speak about Innocent Zero.
"...Innocent Zero, the Origin of Innocence, is said to be a criminal organization that has existed since ancient times, or the name of the worst sorcerer who leads it."
"A criminal organization?"
"Rumor has it that they commit crimes, of course, but also robbery, assassination, cultivation of illegal drugs, research into forbidden magic, human trafficking, illicit trade of illegal magical tools, backroom deals... In addition to these inhumane acts, they employ many death row inmates and serious criminals as their pawns to enable such activities."
"...Sounds like a bad group right out of a picture book."
"You said 'rumor'... so they're not known publicly?"
"They are people of the darkness... that is, the underworld. They rarely stand openly to do evil. I hear they do a lot of horrible things behind the scenes... but, of course, it's not our job to investigate them. That's a task for the Magic Bureau, the highest legal authority in the magical world—people far above us. I don't know the exact details clearly myself..."
"There are people like that in the magical world... scary."
"That criminal organization—no, perhaps its leader's name, he used as his own. I presume it's a pseudonym or an alias—"
"...That man, Mash's... father?"
"...What I'm about to tell you... might be upsetting for you and Sensei. —So, I want you to listen with a strong heart."
Seia told Regro the true intention behind Mash being brought into this world. Forbidden magic... a perfect life, and the necessary component to achieve it—that was Mash. She conveyed everything that the man and Seia herself had discussed in their dream to Regro.
"Ugh... just hearing about it makes me furious."
"Ahahaha... what that old lady said, it really was true after all—sigh, how can anyone say such horrible things?"
"...There's no other way to describe him than as an irredeemable absolute evil. —Because of his existence, Arius Branch School and the Justina Council, and Sensei..."
"Such a, such a man... such a man, Sensei and everyone else...!"
"Delta..."
"Regro-san, I know this is painful... but this is all the truth. So please... believe it, and accept it."
The reason for his grandson's birth, the cause of his magic-less constitution, the grand evil conspiracy that existed behind the events leading up to the Eden Treaty this time—after such a dreadful and bloody secret, too horrible for his own grandson to bear, was recounted, Mash and the students alike grimaced. Above all, Regro, Mash's adoptive father, took the situation most heavily, and tears welled up from the bottom of his heart with overflowing sadness—
"—It's."
"?"
"BRING IT ONNNNNN!!!!!"
" " " " " " !? " " " " " "
He was not. Instead, a strange, spirited aura overflowed from Regro's entire body, as he entered an awakened state filled with overflowing anger and hostility.
"What's 'perfect life'!? An old adult spouting childish nonsense, acting all high and mighty like an idiot!! Living long is hard and painful, you know, it's not something you can just fix with magic to stay young, you fool!!"
"The weight of his words is different..."
"You want my grandson's heart!? Then as a price, you should suffer endlessly for all the lives you've harmed, atone for your sins, and then we'll talk!! Besides, isn't it because of someone like him that adults like Beatrice or Gematria got power!? What an unnecessary meddler!!"
"Precisely."
"Mash!! If you ever meet Innocent Zero... punch him without question the moment you see him!! You can even take off your bracelets if you want!! Delta-chan and Echo-chan, don't hold back!! It's Innocent Zero's fault that you got hurt in the first place, so if you ever confront him directly, you can beat him up without mercy!!"
"OK." "Y-Yes...!!" "U-Understood...?"
"S-So eager, aren't you...? Aren't you worried about Sensei?"
"I am worried, yes... But, you see."
Regro confidently and clearly stated with his chest puffed out.
"My grandson would never lose to someone who doesn't even see life as life. And Mash isn't alone. Saori-san and Wakamo-chan at Schale, Hina-chan and Makoto-san from Gehenna, Tsurugi-san, Hasumi-san, and Toriko-chan from the Justice Task Force we just met, and all of you students now... everyone is with Mash. Rather, it's useless to even worry about him losing."
" " " " " " ...! " " " " " "
"If they come after me, that's fine, let them try to kill me... I'll curse every single one of them, down to the lowest foot soldier of the organization, for generations! I might as well haunt them day and night!!"
"Whoa... Ahahaha⭐︎ Mash-kun's grandpa is super strong mentally, huh."
"My spirit was forged while raising Mash... As long as Mash is here and everyone is well, I have nothing else to wish for. Don't underestimate an adoptive parent, you bastards."
Regro finished his tea, his face etched with indignation. He was certain that no matter how wicked or strong Innocent Zero might be, Mash would not lose. As he finished his tea, Regro noticed something.
"...Seia-san, earlier, you spoke about prophetic dreams... what did you mean by having had prophetic dreams?"
"...Actually, I no longer have—the power called prophetic dreams."
"...No longer? Why, again...?"
"I pushed myself too hard, and the power weakened... or disappeared, I think it's one of the two. Well... there's a part of me that's relieved it's gone—because now, I don't have to see such a future anymore."
A bad ending, a future that met its demise. In the period just before the treaty signing, Seia had seen it repeatedly. Each time, her spirit was chipped away, and she suffered from insomnia. But now she no longer had to see it... Thinking of it that way, there was a part of her that felt naturally relieved, while it was also true that she felt uneasy about losing her power.
"...You've had a hard time, Seia-san."
"—Yes, quite a bit... But it's alright now. Those painful dreams, and that fate... Sensei changed it all."
"—You did so well... Seia-san."
"...It was thanks to Sensei's strength."
"Seriously, Sensei solves everything with muscle, doesn't he~... Nagichan and I were saved by that too."
"...Yes, truly."
Seia was saved from the worst future she had seen, Nagisa was saved from her own thoughts and relationships with others, and Mika was saved from herself, all by sheer force. Mash even saved Trinity itself... and in fact, he once saved the fate of Kivotos... It was precisely because of Mash's connections that Mika wanted to ask Regro.
"—Grandpa, what do you think of us? Mash-kun told you, didn't he?... That we once put Mash-kun through terrible things, and tried to take his life."
"...Indeed, I certainly heard... But you all are reflecting on that, and trying to atone for your sins. Is that not right?"
"...Certainly, I can't forgive myself now... so I continue to atone, but..."
"Then that's good... This is just my personal opinion, but I believe there's a big difference between 'those who commit a sin, reflect on it, and try to atone' and 'those who commit a sin, don't reflect, and commit it again'... I think the former is overwhelmingly superior and commendable."
"Commendable... huh."
"Ah, yes—you are commendable, I acknowledge that. And... from Mash's perspective, it's already over... isn't that right?"
"Yeah, and I've done a lot of things too, and I owe them for saving my mental state... So this is... Minmin? Right?"
"You mean Win-Win?"
"Yes, that."
"—I am an adult, and for an adult to constantly meddle in children's problems... I feel it's somehow wrong. ...Though if they go too far, I'll naturally step in, won't I?"
Regro was an adult, and perhaps because of that... Regro's words pierced the hearts of the three girls... making them realize they were still children. At the same time, they became certain—this person was the same as Mash. An adult they could trust.
"I may be a frail old man... but I can wish and pray for your happiness. Please, continue to be well."
"...We'll also pray for your happiness, Grandpa⭐︎"
"May good fortune be upon everyone... indeed."
"—Hehe, I never thought we'd have such a conversation here."
"Really... Is this Sensei's power too?"
"I'd be happy if it were cream puff power or muscle power."
"Perhaps that's one of the powers Sensei gained in place of magic?"
"It's Mash quality, you see."
"What's that~... Huff... Ahahaha!"
Mika laughed, and everyone laughed. Yes, this was good... Children were best when they were laughing. Laughing was their job... and seeing that was Regro's happiness.
That's why.
(—Mash might be better off not in his original world... perhaps.)
Regro was beginning to think so.
"Ninja... I heard they were amazing, but this much?"
"Half of it is thanks to Master! The Master's muscle training menu, which Grandfather devised, is excellent for training!"
"Grandfather, huh...—Wait, you did that? Seriously? Amazing... Want some candy?"
"Yes, please!"
"And juice too. Delta-chan and Echo-chan, feel free to drink as well."
"Yay, thank you very much!!"
"Ah, thank you."
"I gratefully accept."
(—So honest~, and such good kids~... This child's master... Mash really has changed~.)
All discussions at Trinity General School had concluded, and Regro and Mash had returned to Schale. The Arius students and Wakamo seemed to have been dispatched to other academies for separate matters, so only Regro, Mash, Izuna, Delta, and Echo were present.
"Oh, by the way. Grandfather, how did you get here?"
"Even if you ask 'how,' I don't know either... I've been to Kivotos twice before, and it's always the same: I wake up and I'm here. It just keeps repeating."
"That's the biggest mystery, isn't it? It doesn't seem like magic Grandpa used... And if he just shows up unannounced, it means someone is doing it intentionally, or it's happening naturally... that's about it."
"I think so too... Besides, large-scale forbidden magic that can do something like this always demands a certain price, and I don't understand the meaning of bringing Mash here, let alone inviting me here, even after paying that price... Hmm."
"Huh... Could it be, Grandpa, you sacrificed your head hair as the price?"
"This is how it's always been, so don't touch on that."
Even a divine vision user might be able to learn dimension-traveling magic... but that was only allowed for the strong. Regro had only one line on his face, and by no stretch of the imagination did he possess enough power to wield forbidden magic.
Precisely because of that—because he lacked power, Regro wanted to ask Mash this.
"Hey... Mash, are you happy being here...?"
"Of course, I can make friends with all sorts of people, and my comrades keep growing."
"And... you're supporting dreams."
"Not all of them, but I'm supporting Izuna-chan's dream, and I think it can definitely come true."
"And the students are... enjoying living with Mash."
"Izuna is also happy to spend time with Master!"
"We are also delighted to spend 'normal school life' with Sensei, and we are proud to be members of Schale."
"M-Me too! Thanks to Sensei, I found meaning and confidence in my role...!"
"...I see... That's why, Mash. If Mash is happy—I think it might be better for you to stay in this world forever."
"...Eh?"
Regro said this seriously and earnestly. As Mash looked confused by the sudden remark, Regro continued.
"To be frank, you have no allies in your original world... most of the populace dislikes people like you. I think it would be better for Mash to stay in this world forever, rather than in such a world."
"...But then I wouldn't be able to see Grandpa."
"That's true, isn't it?"
"...I don't want that."
It would undoubtedly be better for Mash to be in a world where everyone liked him, rather than a world where everyone disliked him. However, for him, there was no reason to choose to part with Regro. Mash was rejecting the idea of continuing to live in Kivotos.
"...I... Izuna would be very happy if Master stayed by her side forever."
"See! Izuna-chan says so too—'But'."
"Izuna... wonders if Master can truly be happy that way... I think losing one's only family member would be very sad and lonely."
"—This unworthy Delta, though presumptuous, I believe that no matter how cruel the magical world may be to Sensei and Regro-san, it cannot be a reason to abandon your connection."
"That's right... that's right! Not being able to live peacefully with your family, a normal everyday life... surely, the world is mistaken in that!"
"We will be your allies. We swear to protect Sensei in this world until it becomes a world where you both can smile wholeheartedly and live freely. So please, please—we want you two to continue being family. Because losing family—is a very, very painful thing."
"...Yeah, it would be painful for me to never see Grandpa again."
"Mash..."
"...Besides,"
Mash wanted to stay in this world, but... he had to go back. After returning, there was something he had recently come to realize he needed to do.
"In the original world, there's that Innocent Pelo person, right? Leaving them unchecked is... too dangerous for Grandpa and everyone else, isn't it?"
"You mean Innocent Zero, don't you? ...W-Well, that's true, but?"
"And besides... it's embarrassing to say this, but. That world might be a painful one for me—but no matter how much I struggle there, it's the world where I grew up, the world where I was born... it's Grandpa's and my hometown."
The original world, the magical world—it was undeniably Mash and Regro's hometown, the place where he grew up. Even in the current magical world, there were people suffering from magic deficiency or diseases that caused loss of magic, and they were persecuted just like Mash. It was unforgivable to let such a place be run rampant by evil, and abandoning the suffering people to hide in Kivotos wouldn't solve anything.
"And when I think that person is still taking lives, just like Beatrice did, it makes me furious. I guess I've really grown into this 'Sensei' role."
"...Mash."
"Beatrice even told me, 'The world wasn't kind to you, so why do you keep reaching out?' It's precisely because I wasn't treated kindly, precisely because I understand that pain, that I know how to help people crying from the same pain, so I decided to be as kind as I possibly can to everyone around me—that's what I thought."
"..."
"So, Grandpa... when we find a way to go back, and after everything here is done, I'll definitely go back. But I was really happy that you thought of me... Thank you... and, I'm sorry."
"...—No, no, it's fine. If that's... the choice Mash has made, then I can't deny it."
Regro prioritized Mash's choice. Making his own choices and living his days according to them... that was undoubtedly a child's growth. Regro's tear ducts completely opened, and Mash's dependable figure shone brightly in the color of the setting sun.
"—Master."
"...Sensei."
"Sensei...!"
"Izuna-chan, Delta-chan, Echo-chan... so that's how it is, please bear with me for a while. Let's continue to get along."
"...—Yes!! This Izuna, as Master's ninja, as a friend, as a comrade... will absolutely, absolutely not let Master feel lonely!!"
"Leave it to us. From the moment you saved me and I gained light, what I must accomplish and who I must protect are already clear."
"I-If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to tell me!"
"That's very kind of you~... All three of you, please take care of Mash."
"Yes...!"
"...No~, even so... Mash has really come so far, hasn't he~...!!"
Just as Regro was overcome with emotion... his body began to glow. A premonition of returning to his original world... Mash let out a small "Ah..."
"—Mash, you are the pillar of this world, everyone's reliable Sensei... but, at the same time, you are also still a child. So, Mash—
—Enjoy your youth to the fullest, rejoice, and laugh! ...That is the promise between you and Grandpa!"
"—Understood."
"...Izuna-chan, I hardly got to speak... but perhaps I'll drop by again sometime. When that happens, please be kind again... And please take care of Mash. Thank you, Delta-chan and Echo-chan, take care to rest so you don't catch a cold!"
"Leave it to us!"
"We thank you for your advice... Regro-san, please take good care of yourself too."
"Goodbyeーーー!!"
"Tell everyone thank you too. —Mash, be well!!!"
With a cheerful, heartfelt smile, Regro vanished. He must have returned to his original world... Mash felt relieved, yet somehow sad.
"...Izuna-chan, Delta-chan, Echo-chan."
"Yes, what is it?" "Is something wrong, Sensei?" "Sensei...?"
"...Can I have a hug...? I'm starting to feel a little lonely."
"—Of course, please do!! Izuna will do anything she can for you!!"
"If that helps Sensei feel even a little calmer—please."
"When you're sad, you don't have to force yourself to hide it. If you're lonely, it's okay to lean on us. ...We might still be unreliable, but... when you're lonely, please rely on us!"
"...Thank you."
Regro Barndead in Kivotos... Mash's grandfather's third visit to Kivotos and his academy tour safely concluded—Mash felt a bit refreshed, despite the lingering loneliness.
(—A child... then I just have to enjoy it. My youth.)
Mash decided that while doing his best as Sensei... he would wholeheartedly enjoy his youth.
"—Izuna!! Commit seppuku!!"
"It's unfair that Big Sis Wakamo gets all the hugs!! I want a hug sometimes too... Hmph!!" Squeeze!
"Nuwaaaaaah!!!!"
"W-Wakamo! Read the room—Ow, why did you bite me just now!?"
"...Are we to blame for this too?"
"Who knows—'Do not poke a sleeping fox.' Let's get out of here before she notices us."
(...This is so anticlimactic~.)
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