The police car pulled up in front of the Busujima residence.
"Sensei, this is fine. I'll get out here and head inside."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay at my house for a few days?" the vice principal asked with genuine concern."There's a spare room—it's no trouble at all. I even have a daughter your age. You'd have a companion your own age, and after what you just went through, with your father away… I can't relax knowing you'll be alone."
Busujima Saeko shook her head. "Thank you, Sensei, but I'll be alright."
The vice principal sighed. "At least keep your phone by your bed tonight. If anything happens, call me immediately."
The officer behind the wheel cut in, "If anything happens, it's best to call the police first."
The vice principal snorted at that. The officer, patient by nature, chose not to argue.
"I understand. Thank you very much," Saeko said politely.
"Go on now. I'll stay until I see you get inside safely," the vice principal urged.
Saeko gave a slight bow, then turned away from the patrol car and walked toward the gate of her family home.
Meanwhile, at the Minamoto household—
When Senya stepped through the door, the sight of the kitchen in chaos and half-prepared dishes left cooling on the dining table struck him with a wave of warmth.
He could picture it easily: the moment his family had received the call, they must have panicked, rushing out the door in such a flurry that dinner was left half-finished.
"Senya! Thank goodness you're alright!" Takanashi Junko pressed a hand to her chest in relief. "When the police called, I thought I'd die of fright."
Takanashi Toka shook her head helplessly. "I told you from the start there was no need to panic. Senya would never do anything criminal. It was obviously just a misunderstanding."
Her younger sister Rikka giggled. "But even though you said that, when Mom told you Senya was being taken to the police station, didn't you nearly run out without even turning off the stove?"
"That's only because Mom's words confused me!"
"Oh? So now it's my fault?" Junko huffed. "That officer on the phone didn't explain things clearly enough right away!"
Senya smiled softly at their back-and-forth, bowing his head. "Either way… thank you, and I'm sorry for worrying you."
Junko walked over and patted his head gently. "What are you saying, child? We're family."
Then she turned to her daughters. "Rikka, go run the bath for your brother. Toka, help me warm up dinner. We're all hungry. Let's sit down and eat together."
Ten minutes later, Senya was soaking in the tub, letting out a long sigh of relief.
The door suddenly slid open, and his father poked his head inside. "Your aunt still isn't at ease, so she asked me to check if you're hurt."
"I told you already—I'm fine," Senya replied, exasperated, but he still spread his arms and rotated his torso to prove it.
Satisfied after a quick inspection, Minamoto Shinden nodded. But he lingered instead of leaving.
Senya caught on. "Dad… is there something else?"
"I'm not against you stepping in to help others. But promise me this: if something like this happens again, put your own safety first. Don't act recklessly. You saw how worried your aunt was back at the station."
Senya smirked inwardly. Classic old man—he's worried himself, but he has to frame it like it's all about Aunt Junko.
Still, he nodded seriously. "I understand."
His father narrowed his eyes. "You've been training in secret, haven't you?"
"…Yeah."
"I thought so. You've even got abs showing now."
Muttering to himself, Shinden left the bathroom at last.
At dinner, once it was clear Senya truly hadn't been harmed, Rikka's curiosity overflowed. She pestered him endlessly for every detail of what had happened. Only when Junko tapped her lightly on the head did she finally quiet down.
Afterward, she suddenly remembered something. "Ah! Senya, what about the taiyaki you promised me?"
When she asked if he'd forgotten to bring it, Toka wordlessly flicked her younger sister on the forehead.
"Hey! Don't hit me!" Rikka protested, then promptly leapt at her sister, trying to wrestle her down. Within moments, though, Toka had her pinned flat on the floor.
"Senya, help meee!"
Ignoring her outstretched hand, Senya rose from the sofa. "It's late, and I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed."
"You traitor! Don't ever ask me for help again!"
"Not like you've ever been useful to me anyway."
"I'm gonna tell everyone in class bad things about you tomorrow!"
"Alright, enough, idiot. Quiet down."
Toka pinched her sister's nose shut, then gave Senya a small wave, signaling that he could go without worrying.
Honestly, Senya thought, stifling a laugh. This girl used to be so shy around me. Now that she's warmed up, she's turned into a little gremlin who can't sit still.
He gave Toka a discreet thumbs-up before heading upstairs. That was exactly how Rikka deserved to be handled.
By the time Senya returned to his room, it was already after nine.
He picked up his phone.
Several unread messages awaited him.
The first was from Busujima Saeko.
They had exchanged contact information when leaving the police station earlier.
[Busujima Saeko]: Minamoto-kun, if you have time, I would like to meet you tomorrow after school at the kendo clubroom. I will wait until six o'clock. Please forgive me if this is an inconvenience.
Senya's reply was nothing like her carefully worded message. He simply wrote back:
[Minamoto Senya]: Okay.
A few minutes later, the "Read" receipt appeared, but no further response came.
The next day, Senya went to school as usual.
Very few people knew about Saeko's ordeal, and it hadn't stirred up any gossip. Everything carried on as if nothing had happened.
Senya had barely stepped into class when Haruhara Yohei sidled up with a conspiratorial grin. From beneath his jacket, he shoved something into Senya's desk drawer.
"This is my ultimate treasure. I'll lend it to you—return it whenever you like!"
The smirk on his face told Senya everything he needed to know. Whatever it was, it wasn't wholesome.
"I don't want it. Take it back."
"What are you saying? Don't be shy, bro!"
"I said I'm not being shy!" Senya hissed. Seriously? In the middle of class, with everyone watching? I have at least some dignity left, unlike you.
Just then, a girl appeared at the doorway. "Minamoto-kun, the homeroom teacher wants to see you."
Senya shot Yohei a glare. "Take it back. Now."
With that, he left for the office.
There, both the vice principal and his homeroom teacher briefly went over last night's incident with him.
Their message was clear: focus on your studies. Don't let this weigh on you. If police or reporters bother you again, tell us right away. The school will handle it.
It was obvious—the school took care of its own.
"Overprotective" might not sound flattering, but when you're the one being protected, it felt pretty reassuring.
That afternoon, Senya made his way to the kendo clubroom.
When he slid the door open and stepped inside, he found Busujima Saeko alone.
She was still in her school uniform, practicing her swings with deliberate precision.
She noticed his arrival, halted mid-movement, and turned toward him.
Senya closed the door behind him, slipped off his shoes, and walked over.
"Thank you for coming, Minamoto-kun. Please, sit." Saeko lowered herself into a formal kneeling position. Her voice was calm, her tone smooth and resonant.
Senya nodded and mirrored her posture.
He had never actually visited the kendo club before, though he'd often heard the sharp crack of bamboo swords clashing as he passed by. Strangely, today the dojo was completely silent.
Saeko noticed his slight puzzlement and explained, "I'm the captain of the kendo club. I told everyone else not to come to practice today."
"I see," Senya said with a small nod.
Then Saeko leaned forward, pressing both palms lightly to the wooden floor. As she bowed her head, her long, lustrous purple hair slipped gracefully over her shoulder.
"Thank you," she said softly. "For speaking up for me at the police station. And… the taiyaki with red bean filling was delicious."