The call ended, and Saori wore a complex expression. Her mind was full of the Chibi Mash situation, but she also had thoughts about the current situation where some feared him.
(I hear that everyone belonging to Genryumon unusually admires her and has very high loyalty... They probably believe that Sensei's existence could be dangerous to their Gate Master, Ryuge Kisaki. I understand their feelings, but... Ha, it makes me a little angry.)
While Mash was celebrated as a hero, it was also true that his power was feared, and many academies still hadn't accepted his existence. While this was unavoidable... she also felt that they shouldn't dislike him unilaterally without knowing anything.
From here, how should she, as a Schale student, act? Saori seriously considered her actions—
"Leader, Sensei is breakdancing!!"
"Nina, video!!"
"Oh, he finished it with a triumphant pose."
"Amazing, Sensei~!!"
—but then decided it could wait until after she'd doted on Chibi Mash, interrupting her serious thoughts.
"—Now, after all this doting, I think it might be best to hide Sensei somewhere for a while."
"Sa-chan, can I ask why, just in case?"
"First, if it becomes known to the world that Sensei became a baby, it will cause huge confusion. The number of people targeting Sensei will also increase... Though, in the end, it's just a matter of us eliminating them."
"That's overwhelmingly reassuring... Well, I think we just need to manage the information."
"It would certainly cause confusion... Other schools would be noisy too."
There might be a few delinquents and adults who would short-sightedly think, "Schale's Sensei became a baby!? Then we'll take him hostage!" However, if any troublemakers were to actually act on it, there would be no problem as the Schale驻 guard unit, composed of former Arius students, would eliminate them. However, the second problem was not so easily resolved.
"And the second is... well, there are certain students who would be troublesome and dangerous if they found out."
"Who are they?"
"Takanashi Hoshino, Sorasaki Hina, Saionji Mika, Kurosaki Wakamo... Wakamo in particular is very problematic. Really, very problematic."
"It's always troublesome people... Sensei really helps too many different kinds of people."
"B-But Wakamo-san might actually be quite responsible, don't you think? She does love Sensei, after all."
"Hiyori... it's because she loves him that it's problematic... Kurosaki Wakamo, frankly, has too heavy a love... Therefore."
"—My dearest, I am your wife... Yes, we are bound by a vow for the future... Is that understood?"
"Bab."
"You're such a good boy, my dearest... Heheheh."
"That's what could happen."
"Even that... No, I can't say it's impossible."
"As expected of a former Seven Prisoner..."
"...Um, by the way, where is Wakamo-san right now?"
"I believe she went shopping; she should be back soon... coming back!?—Leader, it's almost time for Wakamo to return with the cream puffs!!"
"Damn it! Everyone, quickly barricade the doors!"
At Saori's command, Team Custard, Team Strawberry, Team Chocolate, and Team Soda, who had scattered throughout the Schale office, quickly enacted emergency lockdowns on doors and windows. Chibi Mash was held by Yuuka, and the squad members formed a circular defense around Yuuka.
"Alright, no matter what happens, protect Sensei... No matter what!!"
(If it wasn't for this situation, it would be serious...)
"Babubaba."
"...It's alright, Sen... no, Mash... I... your big sister will protect you, always."
"Wait, Leader, what did you just say?"
"Nothing... Oh, don't worry, you're all my little sisters too."
"Leader!?"
Saori had completely shifted from "Leader mode" to "Big Sister mode." A siscon; she was originally a student with an incredibly strong family love, but seeing Chibi Mash, that passion reignited, her "big sister filter" activated, and she began recognizing Chibi Mash as her own little brother.
(...Ever since that sugoroku game, Leader's become a bit of a siscon, or rather, focused on sisterly love.)
(It's amusing, so maybe it's fine as is.)
While this was happening, voices could be heard from beyond the door. Saori and the others prepared their defenses and waited.
"I'm home, my dear ♡" "My Lord! Izuna is back!"
"Damn it—I completely forgot about the ceiling!"
"Is it even possible to come back through the ceiling!? What kind of place is this, a ninja mansion or something!?"
"Hayase Yuuka! Hide Sensei—'What are you hiding?'"
"Is there something shady?"
"No, no, absolutely not! At least not shady! There's nothing at all!!"
"Hiding things from me... You're being awfully bold, Kusunoki Saori. If it's not shady, then show it to me right away—"
"Bab."
"Oh, what is it, just a baby...—A baby?"
"Huh!? A baby!?"
"Babububa."
Chibi Mash, held by Yuuka, greeted them with a vigorous wave. Seeing this, Wakamo froze, and Izuna approached with sparkling eyes.
"O-Oh, wow, it's a real baby...!"
"Bab."
"B-But, so small... so cute..."
"Bab bab."
"But his voice is deep!!"
"Ah, hey, don't shout so loudly."
"...no."
"Sister! You too—"
"Sensei, you cheaterrrrrr!!! To have a child with someone I don't even know, leaving me behindddd!!!!"
"What are you even saying!?"
"Waaaaahhhhhhhh!!!"
"Wh-What do we do now?"
"It's funny, so let's leave it."
"Hime-chan, this isn't a laughing matter!?"
Wakamo approached Chibi Mash, crying. His appearance was exactly that of her beloved... Wakamo, convinced this baby was Mash's child, ranted and raved, lashing out at her surroundings. Of course, this baby was Mash himself, and certainly not Mash's son.
"Whose, whose child is this!!? Where is the mother!?... Is it you, Kusunoki Saori!? To lay hands on Sensei... you audacious woman!!"
"Of course not!! I'm his big sister!!"
"You're not his sister, either, are you?"
"Then... Hayase Yuuka, is it you!? You homewrecker!!"
"Why would you think that!? Are you saying I raised him in secret all this time!? Besides, Sensei, of all people, wouldn't have that kind of knowledge!!"
"Then—is it my child?"
"Seriously, why would you even think that!?"
"He's not your child; he's my little brother."
"Sorry, Leader, it's getting confusing, so just keep quiet."
"Eh, this child is my Lord's son... No, but, wait, a baby... huhhuhuh...!?"
Izuna fell into a panic, and Wakamo wouldn't listen to any explanation of the situation. Izuna at least tried to listen, but Wakamo kept interrupting... Chaos. That was the most fitting description of the situation.
"Bah."
"Whoa, he suddenly moved, what's wrong...!?"
"...He's walking towards... not Wakamo...—but towards the cream puffs!?"
Amidst the chaos, Chibi Mash began to move, walking directly towards the cream puffs that Izuna and Wakamo had bought. When Izuna thought, "Could it be...?" and offered him a cream puff—
"Giggle, giggle!"
"He's happy... holding the cream puff, he's happy...—Th-That means... could it, possibly...!?"
"...Yes, that's right, both of you—this baby is Sensei—and my little brother."
"Ehhhh!?... And, brother!?"
"————"
Chibi Mash happily held the cream puff, giggling and moving it up and down. Wakamo, whose thoughts had stopped, gently began to embrace Chibi Mash.
"—I will raise him."
"Wakamo?"
"I will take responsibility and raise this young, pure Sensei into a fine child!"
"What responsibility!?"
"You're not taking my little brother!!"
"Sorry, Leader, just be quiet now."
A one-hit knockdown. Misaki buried her face in her hands, thinking, "So it came to this," and moved to retrieve him. Wakamo's eyes were now floating with pink hearts.
"Now, my dearest?—First, I shall teach you what it means to be a loving wife ♡"
"I won't let you, Kurosaki Wakamo!!"
"Step aside, Kusunoki Saori... ah, no, former... older sister?"
"I'm currently and actively his older sister!! Hand Mash over and stay out of the way until this situation is resolved!"
"No, you step aside. It's a mother's command."
"I don't recall becoming your daughter...!!"
The two, both losing control due to their deep affection for Chibi Mash—one, the former Seven Prisoner "Fox of Calamity," the other, the leader of a special unit from the former Arius Branch School... both highly skilled individuals, not easily stopped by ordinary means.
"—Get back!!! I'm his big sister!!!!"
"Step aside!!! I am his mother!!!"
"You two are just outsiders with no blood relation!!... Ugh, why am I the one jumping in!?"
"Misaki, you're doing great."
"Hime, won't you help me!?"
"Hmm... Too much trouble, I'll yield."
"You're so honest, really!!—Anyway, for now, securing Sensei and subduing those two who are clearly hallucinating!! Izuna and Yuuka, help me too... Just do whatever it takes!!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"...Oh, honestly... why does it always turn out like this... Hiyori, please take care of Sensei!!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
Afterwards, the group, whose composure was severely lacking, managed to restrain the two "abnormal" individuals. Breathing heavily, they tried to secure Chibi Mash.
"...Huh... Sensei?"
"...Hiyori, Sensei is—"
"Y-Yes? Sensei is right here... huh?"
"—No way, right?"
"Ugh..., waaaah, I'm sorry!! You two were so scary, I-I-I accidentally let go... and then...!!"
"Oh... no... my stomach hurts..."
Chibi Mash, escaped. While the students were bickering, the baby with unimaginable power, driven by curiosity—had flown out of Schale.