Archive of Our Own ^beta

1.

Kivotos, the Academic City.

But also the city that has faced countless chaos and tumult.

Kaiser Corporation's attempted dominion on the Abydos, Mika's renegade offensive during the Eden Treaty, rebel of the Decagrammaton, Phrenapates's raid from an alternate timeline, the dark operation performed by the Gematria, and so on.

And all of those were stopped by a particular investigation team; Schale, led by the Sensei appointed by the General Student Council President.

That was almost a year ago.

Even so, Schale continued to oversee Kivotos before Sensei finally determined that their jobs are completed.

With Schale now completing their duties, the private investigation team was honorably disbanded, and Sensei resigned from his position and entered his retirement.

Some accepted his retirement and sent him off with a glorious farewell. Others were confused on why he is retiring even if he still had more life ahead of him.

But even so, one particular youth was very much interested in him even after his retirement, and she wished to contact him even after then.

It was two months after his retirement when everything came to light, however, as the birthday of Sensei approached.

"Should we really interrupt him, though?" asked Noa, not sure about the demand of her friend. "He didn't really care about his birthday even during his time in Schale, so I don't think he will be too upset even if we did not send him something."

"True, but it's his first birthday after his retirement. We should try to commemorate that at least once," said Yuuka, not relenting on her friend's hesitance. "Even if we are not visiting him, we can at least send him a present, right? Or at least, an invitation to this years Millennium Expo! It's the first time we opened it to every institutes other than Trinity, so there is even more reason to send him something!"

Noa stared at her face for some time before a sly grin started to appear on her lips.

"Oh, I see. You wish to present something for him, do you?"

A blush seemingly started to form on Yuuka's face, and she started to speak more inconsistently.

"W...What? No! I mean...yes, but not my own! I was thinking of giving something as a representative of the Seminar...and Millennium, on that extension!"

"Eh, well, it's not really surprising for Yuuka-chan of all people to take the reins of it, right?" asked the pink-haired hacker across the desk. "I mean, she was the one who was practically living in the Schale office with Sensei!"

"Et tu, Koyuki?!" yelled Yuuka, now burying her face in her hands. "I had no other choice, otherwise Sensei would spend recklessly! On one day when I wasn't looking at his expenses he has bought like...what, five Peroro dolls, each of them costing fifty thousand yen!"

Noa now raised both her hands, the smile still not going away.

"Relax, Yuuka-chan. I am thinking of giving something for him too, at least. So sure, let's go to the GSC and ask where he has gone to. He had informed them where he is going, and I heard that they occasionally have a talk."

Yuuka finally lifted her face from her hands. The blush still remained on her face but her expression was more grateful.

The travel to the GSC building in the main district of Kivotos wasn't that long, and entering the top wasn't so much of an issue either. With Yuuka being a member of the Utnapishtim's Ship crew and Noa also being a trusted member, the two essentially had a free pass to the GSC Office. The office was busy as usual, since the President was still absent, but it was far less busy than the moment when Sensei first appeared as he had settled down majority of the problems since his appearing.

Rin remained in the same seat that she occupied whenever she was on the duty at the GSC. Right beside her were the other two GSC members, Momoka and Ayumu, each busy with their work (and Momoka just munching away on her snacks). Hearing the door opening, Rin lifted her head to see two Millennium Seminar members entering.

"Yuuka. Noa. Welcome. What business do you have here now?" she asked, looking intently at the two's eyes.

"We know that Sensei told you where he will be going to after his retirement. He informed it to you on the day of his resignation from Schale, right?" asked Yuuka.

Rin slightly tensed at the mention, which Yuuka and Noa were quick to notice. They, however, did not choose to push about it for now.

"Yes, he did, albeit he said he is not receiving visitors," said Rin.

"We are not thinking of visiting him, we are thinking of sending something to him," said Noa, looking at her.

"I see. Well, then leave what you are sending to him here, and I will ensure that the parcel gets to him."

A slight frown dashed onto Yuuka's face. One so fast that only Noa noticed it, and fortunately one that Rin couldn't see it either.

"Rin, we don't actually have it right now. We were thinking of sending it ourselves, so the present is at the Seminar office. If you tell me then we will send it directly to him."

"I'm afraid that cannot happen. Sensei clearly said that his address cannot be made public."

"Sensei hiding his address? That's not like him. You know that too, Rin."

"Yes, all the more reason why it is strange why he was so adamant on not exposing it."

Noa could sense that something was not right in Rin's voice. It seemed like she was desperately trying to hide his address. And considering who she is, it was unlikely for her to say a fake address and lie it as Sensei's address. Even Yuuka noticed that something was off about her. Her patience was now wearing thin, and she stepped forth, her face now on a full-on frown that she didn't even decide to hide.

"Rin, I need his address. Now. You clearly know his address but you're hiding it."

"I do, and I am hiding it. It's under the request of Sensei himself, even though it is indeed really strange."

"And I was with him a lot of time as a Schale assistant and he promised no secrets with me. So I have every right to know it. And Schale's position is higher than the GSC, right?"

Noa could sense Yuuka was dangerously close on reaching out and grabbing Rin's throat, so she approached her.

"Yuuka, let's relent for now. She clearly doesn't want to say it."

"Noa, Rin is hiding something! This is clearly not like-"

"Argh, you really should know when to slow down!"

It was the outburst from Momoka that defused the situation. She looked up and shot a glare at the two with a frustrated grimace, the hand holding the bag of snacks clenched and crumpling the bag, pretty much pulverizing the chips into dust.

"Yuuka, I know you were very close with Sensei and he also trusted you a lot, but you should know that there is a reason when he decides to stay silent on where he is after his retirement!" snapped she. Ayumu looked at Momoka with concerned eyes, and even Rin's face was showing concern. "Not only that, right now you are all working on hosting that Millennium Expo where for the first time, all academic institutions in Kivotos is about to partake! You got more things to be concerned over other than worrying about Sensei fighting can-"

"Momoka!" yelled Rin, glaring in a much stronger intensity toward her. The outburst startled Ayumu, causing her to drop the paper stack she was holding, but even her face seemed to show strong disapproval. Momoka then seemed to recognize her blunder as her eyes widened and she dropped the bag of chips she was clenching, both her hands covering her mouth. The news was completely new to both Yuuka and Noa, as the two looked at Momoka with their eyes filled with confusion.

"Worry about what? Fighting what?" asked Yuuka. Still, her heart started to fill with both confusion and terror. She said something that started with 'can'. Could it truly be...?

The office remained silent for a considerable time before Rin slowly turned her head and eyed Ayumu. Ayumu nodded with a grim expression and went over to Momoka, grabbing her arm and dragging her out the office. Momoka's face turned to shame as she started to get dragged away from the site, the bag of chips still laying on the floor. If her clenching the bag didn't destroy the chips entirely, then Ayumu stepping on it as she dragged her out the office would have. Soon the office was only inhabited by three members, one from the General Student Council and two from the Millennium Seminar. Once Rin affirmed that the two were out of earshot, she let out a deep sigh.

"The two of you...please have a seat. There is a lot you two should know about him. He explicitly said never say this to anyone in Kivotos, especially to you, Yuuka...but...I guess there is no hiding anymore..."

2.

Yuuka was, shamefully, a bad runner. But right now, she couldn't think of anything else as she ran to her destination, her silver-haired friend also running beside her. Both of their faces laden with horror and concern.

Rin's news flash seemed to echo in the girls' heads as they continued to run nonstop.

“Sensei strongly told us to not speak the reason why he wanted his place to be a secret, but…well, it seems like he also knew it was only a matter of time before you knew.”

Their destination started to loom in front of them as they approached closer to the place, the single green cross visible on the top of the building. It was the building that was near the border of Kivotos; not really surprising for him to come here as he was still the Sensei of Kivotos.

“Remember how he seemed to grow slightly weaker ever since the series of events in Kivotos…how he seemed to take a longer time arriving at the meeting?”

The two busted opened the door of the building and rushed to the nurse at the reception, demanding the room where Sensei is. The nurse recognized their IDs and informed the two of the room number. She also provided the two with the access, which they snatched it off the nurse's hand and ran once again.

“And how he seemed to be growing short of breath whenever he visited all of you during the meetings led by Schale…?”

They ran into the elevator which seemed to take forever. The two constantly bounced on their feet, which caused the elevator cabin to rock. Had they bounced far too hard then the elevator might have made an emergency stop. But this didn't serve to calm them down; if any, it worsened the hole that seemed to open up in their hearts. Eventually the door opened.

“It might be because of the Iridescent…or something else. But one thing for sure is that…he does not have all the time in the world.”

They couldn't run now even if they wanted to; etiquette in the ward hall, which the two highly prided themselves on keeping. Eventually, the two reached the door leading to the room where he is in. The window on the door showed him, and upon seeing his state, the two felt their heart drop even further.

“Yes…he…he is not doing well. To be specific…he has cancer. And...he said that...”

Sensei was lying on the bed, multiple medical gadgets attached to him, his eyes closed. It was something akin to what he was undergoing when he was shot by Saori, albeit looking worse. Two doctors were looking over him, seemingly discussing about his procession.

"...he has two years at best. Could be shorter."

Yuuka couldn't believe what was happening in front of her eyes. Sensei was now fighting another battle, an uphill battle that was now eating away at his life. But this time, it wasn't just an uphill battle; it was a complete cliff, with no way of pushing back the force that was pushing him into the nadir.

The two failed to recognize the door opening, and the doctor noticed them standing in front of them.

"Oh, I see. You two are from...Millennium, right? We were just informed that the two students have arrived to visit him."

Rin had actually called the assigned doctor of him to inform that two Millennium students will be coming to visit him, so he was aware of their arrival. Hearing that, Yuuka and Noa merely nodded, unsure of their voice not breaking. The doctor silently watched the two before stepping aside, letting the two enter the room, but not before giving them on how to act in the room.

"You can now go see him. But make sure you don't raise your voice too much. Even a simple strong noise could cause damage to his fickle state."

The two Seminar members nodded before slowly, but silently, entering the ward of Sensei. The other doctor-a resident, apparently-silently nodded at their appearance.

"How is he?" asked Yuuka. The resident hesitated a bit, but seeing Yuuka's eyes that demanded the truth regardless of how bad it stung, he finally opened up.

"The situation is...well, severe. It's hard to find which organs does not have the cancer cells in his abdomen. I...do not wish to speak ill, but it's...practically a miracle that he hasn't even collapsed or fell unconscious all this time."

Noa stood there, looking at him with a knowing frown before opening up.

"That's our Sensei...always looking after us...putting himself in the least priority..."

The resident silently listened to her before bowing to the two and leaving the ward, intending to resume his rounds. The two slowly went to sit on the chair located on the right side of his bed. Seeing Sensei this vulnerable and weak shocked them to the core. He was always standing strong for everyone, for Kivotos...and now he was in his weakest moment on the bed, struggling for his own life.

A deep pity grew in Yuuka's heart that she reached out to hold his hand. Noa also seemed to think of reaching out to hold it, but she did not, merely sitting there and letting Yuuka do what she was doing.

She continued to hold his hand for some time before she head Sensei let out a groan. Hearing that, both Yuuka and Noa looked up with a start. And Yuuka was greeted with the open, soothing eyes of Sensei, looking into her own eyes.

"Yuuka...? Noa...? What are you two doing here...?" asked Sensei, sounding confused. His soft and comforting voice was the same, just softer compared to the last time they heard his voice.

"We...thought of presenting something for you...as a present. Your birthday was soon, you know, and we decided to...present it," said Yuuka, not letting go of his hand.

"So...we asked Rin for your address...but we didn't expect that you will be here...," added Noa, her voice also laden with emotion.

Sensei merely stared at the two before making a wry grin and sitting up.

"Oh...right. My birthday was soon...I guess it slipped my mind." He then chuckled while slowly shaking his head. “Heh…damn you, Rin…I told you to not say this to anyone…especially Yuuka…but well, I guess I couldn't hide it forever from you two...smartest girls.”

"Sensei, what were you thinking? You should have told us! You should have...," Yuuka's complaint was short lived as she couldn't say further with the emotions blocking her throat. It was some time before Yuuka managed to find her voice. "You should have told us..."

Sensei continued to look at the two Seminar members, the smile now fading and becoming a more hardened face.

"And distract you from your important matters? You have more important things to work on other than worry about my state, Yuuka. If I remember correctly, the Millennium Expo is coming up soon. Even without it, you still have more things to worry about."

The two couldn't say a single thing, as he was right. Still, Yuuka couldn't just turn away. The fact that Sensei surrendered himself to a life of an exile until his passing was a big shock. She thus decided that one thing must happen.

"Well, but now that we know what's going on with you, the others should know too. You think we are the only ones who miss you? The others all miss you. They all wonder where you have gone after leaving Kivotos. They should also be given a chance to connect with you, even if it's for the last time."

Sensei, hearing the plan of Yuuka trying to tell the others about his situation, held her hand much tighter. But even his strongest grip felt weaker than before.

“Yuuka, Noa. Don’t say this to Kivotos. You must not inform what has happened to me," said he, his expression stern and his voice also becoming firm.

The two's eyes widened in horror.

"What are you talking about, Sensei?! This has to be known to everyone in Kivotos! We are not letting you just wither away all alone while none of you are aware of what is happening to you!"

"Sensei, even I must agree with Yuuka on this one," agreed Noa, her face also in a state of disbelief. "Everyone has to be aware of what's happening to you."

But Sensei's face didn't change at all.

"I insist. Alerting my situation will only serve to cause the blame game to happen among the institutes. That will practically throw the entirety of Kivotos into disarray. Abydos could be blamed on since Hoshino and Shiroko contacted the Iridescent before. Shiroko-the other Shiroko, I mean-could get executed in the worst case. Millennium might be persecuted too, saying that their reckless experiments could have triggered this. I was there in some experiments, as you know.

"The Eden Treaty between Trinity and Gehenna could get terminated too after multiple finger pointing. Animosity between two power groups cannot be all erased in a single day, as you are already well aware. In the worst case, Mika's faction could get expelled entirely by blaming Mika's renegade rebel. In the worst of worst case, what if everyone declares war on Arius and initiates a genocide, since they went on an active offense against me even if it was a machination via the Gematria?"

They couldn't refute Sensei's reasoning. It made full sense; Sensei traveled all across Kivotos and solved many calamities that span across the entire city. It would be unsurprising that somewhere down the line, he would have contacted something that triggered his cancer. And like that resident's words, Sensei never showed any kind of visible discomfort during his time in Schale except those that Rin mentioned. So it could have happened anytime, anywhere. That was more than enough to start pointing fingers to whoever holds the biggest responsibility.

But to have him just silently fade away from the memories of the students was also unfair. If any, it was a big insult to him. Not only that, Sensei was saying only the worst case scenario, not factoring in all the work he had done for them. The influence he had over the students and all institutes in Kivotos was more than enough to help them overcome all mental boundaries, so wouldn't it work here too? Why was he not trusting that the people of Kivotos will see common ground? Why was he thinking that his absence will immediately shatter Kivotos?

His attitude truly made them feel that Sensei had practically given up.

Sensing the two's hesitance, Sensei spoke it out firm once more.

"Yuuka, Noa, my situation could break Kivotos's stability. So it must not be alerted. It is better to keep this can of worms remain closed, to have the elephant in the room be neglected. Please, make this news die with me.”

Sensei pleaded to the two, his eyes practically begging. Yuuka and Noa said no words, just continuing to look at him in his eyes with emotions almost getting ready to spill.

3.

Sensei recalled that Yuuka and Noa hadn't actually said yes at his request, as the hospital he was in was soon flooded with wave after wave of students, visiting him on his sickbed. All of them had varying responses.

“What’s wrong with you?! You should have looked after yourself! You…you…you didn’t look after you and…look where that brought you…!”

The usual snapping, but also emotional voice of Serika...

“Sensei… I…I can’t believe this…is happening…you’re…you’re…”

The murmuring voice of Nonomi, almost illegible with all the tears...

“Arisu can’t understand why…why is Sensei’s body failing…? Sensei was so healthy…”

The innocent attitude of Aris...

“Just blame me, Sensei. If I hadn’t shot you then you wouldn’t even be here. My shooting had been the trigger factor, no?”

The devastated voice of Saori, the emotion visible on her seemingly solid face...

“I…I still haven’t made you a good meal…and I was getting better at it…”

The attempt on Juri presenting an edible meal for the first time, which he couldn't eat because his meals had to be monitored...

Many others have also come one by one, visiting him and shedding tears with him. The atmosphere between students were not hostile at all; it even seemed that many others have completely reconciled and built new bridges as well, especially regarding the case of Arius as Atsuko was being comforted by Nagisa.

The most surprising thing was the combined visitation of Tea Party's Mika and Gehenna Prefect's Hina. No argument or animosity was visible between them and it was clear that there wasn't an attempt on hiding it either. The two sat on the same side, side by side, not even minding the hands brushing each other or the wings and horns touching each other. Sensei couldn't help but chuckle at this.

"Heh, my concerns have indeed been a false alarm, then. You know, if my plight was what truly allowed Trinity and Gehenna to completely reconcile, then maybe I should have just immolated myself on the border of the two."

The black comedy that spilled from his lips before he could even stop it only seemed to make their feelings worse, though.

"Sensei...this is my fault, isn't it? I made the situation far too complicated when I shouldn't have...I fueled the fire... Had we not been fighting each other then we would have found your disease much earlier...," asked Mika, her voice sounding more remorseful.

"Sensei, don't put any of the blame on Mika...or Trinity on that matter. I...I should have noticed something was wrong with you when...we first contacted you... You should be blaming me instead...," interrupted Hina, shaking her head.

Sensei clicked his tongue upon seeing the two trying to blame themselves, a frown growing on his forehead.

"How many times should I be telling you, none of this is your fault. It's entirely my fault for neglecting my well-being. I really didn't want you to know what's happening to me precisely because of this. So stop. I don't want you to blame anyone, be it the other ones or yourself. It's all on me."

The two just looked down at the floor at his minor scolding.

Soon they left, and after leaving the earshot of Sensei, Mika broke down into tears, crumpling down onto the floor. Hina, who was walking with her, knelt beside her, embracing her. Mika did not shake her off during the entire ordeal; if any, she embraced Hina as well, since even Hina was shedding tears too. Both Ako and Hasumi, who came with them, couldn't say anything offensive toward each other either, since the two were also sitting side by side, seeing everything unfold in front of them. It was a massive development compared to the first day after the Eden Treaty was signed, where there was a clear sense of animosity despite the ceasefire, along with the two's bickering in the Halo Festival. Now, if you said that there were bad blood between them then you would be accused of spreading false rumors.

While all of this was unfolding, Yuuka observed everything happening while sitting outside his ward. Seeing this, Yuuka was able to ascertain these.

That Sensei truly brought the entirety of Kivotos as one, overcoming their mental boundaries.

That Sensei united everyone as a single family.

4.

The situation soon started to cool down as the visitations of the students slowed down.

On the first day when news reached Kivotos, students literally swarmed into the hospital to visit Sensei. It was going out of control that Yuuka and Noa had to stand in front of the door of Sensei's ward to gatekeep who to enter and who to wait. Even if they had to wait, they did not return to Kivotos and checked into the nearest inn.

Ultimately it took an entire week to defuse the situation and ensure that every student visit him and go back, and now that it was done, Yuuka and Noa could finally enter the ward. Yuuka let Noa go in first; she couldn't decide what to say, so she decided to buy some time by letting Noa go in first and have the two speak.

Not only that, Yuuka was trying to make the inevitable parting with him less painful by trying to distance herself from him. If she could have done it, Yuuka would have silently returned to Kivotos by blending in with the other Millennium students who had come to visit him. Noa knew this, which was the real reason, and tried to convince her to go in first, but she ultimately relented and went in first. Also, she convinced her that if she went back to Millennium without even talking with Sensei then she would be reprimanded by Koyuki about the fact that she did not talk with him, since she cared for him a lot.

It was pretty much an open secret to everyone in Seminar that Yuuka had a big crush on Sensei. Noa and Koyuki were quick to tease her about it. Even Rio seemed to know as she seemed to talk about Sensei more often when she was around (and discreetly smirking). The GDD members Momoi and Midori noticed it too, and they even sent her a game development suggestion to her-Me and My Sensei, if she remembered correctly-which was a dating simulator where the main heroine looked very like Yuuka and her rival was a spitting image of Noa and Hina. It didn't actually happen since neither of them knew how to write a plot for a dating simulator, but it created a good laugh within the Seminar and GDD.

As time went on, though, Yuuka felt that her crush for him started to grow into something bigger, something deeper. Yuuka couldn't say it for sure if she loved Sensei, but if this feelings were taken in a vacuum then one could think that Yuuka loved him. But she also had a hunch that Noa also held feelings for him, since she was trying to get his attention even more than her. She couldn't blame her, though; who could not like him, the one who was so sweet and accepting to everyone? And there was also the thing about the other Shiroko, who, despite being an age older than her, still served to reduce the age difference. Not that he was far older than her-five years-, but still.

She continued to wait outside the door, and her counting of the time he was talking with Noa was now almost reaching ten minutes and thirty-two seconds. Yuuka felt a pinch of jealousy that she was spending more time with him, but she quickly shed it off. At this moment, Yuuka didn't even care if Sensei decided to reciprocate Noa's feelings and left hers unrequited. If any, it was more like she was doing her a favor by helping her to distance herself even better.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted as Noa walked out the ward.

"Yuuka...it's now your turn." When she didn't respond, Noa continued on. "I'm...now going back to Millennium. We can't leave the matters of the Seminar forever, you know...and we already know what happened the last time we had Koyuki take over our work."

Yuuka barked a small laugh at Noa's reasoning.

"Yes, I know. The entire Schale servers were downed for good seven hours, and her name literally multiplied on the roster. It also sent messages to everyone to assemble at Schale cafe in the middle of night. There even was that unheard name-Miku, if I remember correctly-popping up everywhere."

Noa also made a wry smile at the reminiscence.

"Yes. All the more reason to go back and see what she is doing and if she hasn't done anything that's beyond her boundaries." Yuuka was just about to say that she will go with her before Noa interrupted her with a hand on her shoulder, her expression suddenly turning stern. "And before you say that you should also come with me, I said to him that I will go alone and you will stay with him for a full week."

Something akin to that of a shock flashed on Yuuka's face.

"Noa? Why did you..."

"Sensei asked me about you. He seemed so concerned about you."

A big hole that has opened up in her heart ever since her coming here with Noa seemed to widen.

"All the time I was talking to him, it was clear that he was worried very much about you. He constantly looked out the door, peeking if you are listening to the dialogue between us." Yuuka tried to say anything else, but Noa didn't give her the chance. "Also, I know what you are doing right now. You are trying to sever yourself from him. This is harming not only him, but also you. You're not doing this for your or his good. If any, you're killing yourself and him both. If you truly care for him and worry about him, you should stay here and talk with him, even if it's for a week."

Noa continued to say, not giving her a chance to refute.

"There is no escaping this, Yuuka. Once I return to Millennium, I'm changing the passcode to the Seminar and will only open the door when visitors ask for access. Only once I confirm from Sensei that you spent the full week with him will I then change it back."

Yuuka couldn't find a way to refute her and merely nodded, albeit reluctantly. Noa then smiled and squeezed her shoulder, embraced her once, and then turned back to return to Millennium. Yuuka saw Noa's back walking away before finally turning to face the door of Sensei's ward. She then slowly opened the door to be greeted with the same Sensei she saw few weeks ago. This time, he was sitting up and was reading a book, likely brought to him by Shimiko since Ui didn't-slash-couldn't come. Sensei then looked up to see her coming in.

"Ah, now you're here at last," said Sensei, a smile forming on his face. Despite his face looking more sunk and slightly pale, there was still that bright and caring atmosphere emanating from his eyes. "I'd like to thank you for helping everyone visit me in a slow matter. It's a completely bad thing for the other patients too if you all swarm into the hallway, you know."

"Someone has to keep them in line, Sensei," said Yuuka, chuckling slightly, resuming her trademark haughty expression. Sensei's smile remained a bit before it faded.

"And I'm sure you heard Noa, right?"

At that, Yuuka's expression also faded, looking down to the floor.

"Yes...she forced me to stay with you for a full week and until I do such...I am banned from the Seminar." Yuuka then looked up to see Sensei, a minor resentment visible on her eyes, but Sensei could see that such resent was forced. "Sensei...what did you tell her? What did you do to make her do such thing? Without even my consent, Sensei?!"

Sensei's face didn't change before responding with a calm tone. Not critical, but analytical.

"I said and did nothing. Just asked her about you, and she made that plan. I tried to say no but she was firm on it that I had to say yes."

Yuuka couldn't believe that Noa had done this all on her own.

"Still, Yuuka, I saw your face when you were regulating the entry of the students. You were desperately trying not to see me. You avoided my sight, and you even tried to distance yourself from Noa as well. You're distancing me, but you're also distancing the rest of the Kivotos. I thought that something had to be done about you. And maybe Noa noticed it too to conjure it."

Yuuka sighed; nothing truly escapes the eyes of Sensei.

"Such perception, Sensei...you would have made a great Seminar. And it makes even more questionable why you were so ignorant in your spending."

Sensei's expression fell at that with dread.

"Come on, Yuuka. Are you still mad about that five Peroro dolls? Hifumi was drooling over it, you know, and one thing happened another, and...,"

Seeing Sensei look so desperate at trying to explain himself, Yuuka couldn't stifle a giggle.

"I'm not against it, Sensei. It's a bygone thing."

Seeing that, Sensei just recognized that it's the first time Yuuka was able to make a hearty laugh ever since coming here.

From that day Yuuka sat at the bedside chair to spend time with him. Most she did was fill in about the situation of what happened since Schale disbanded and Sensei left Kivotos. The General Student Council continued to overlook and balance out the institutes. Despite the President still being absent, Rin was now balancing it out well. New heights in technological advancements were being made in Millennium. Trinity and Gehenna's animosity was now getting erased as the two institutes were no longer arguing on the sight of each other. Arius was returning back to their glory after the signs of Beatrice of Gematria was removed. There even was a rumor that Suzumi was thinking of moving in.

The biggest question he had was regarding Abydos, so she explained about it the most. Abydos was getting a late renaissance as the desertification was slowing down thanks to the Foreclosure Task Force taking an active part in the restoration of the green. Technological interests were also flocking into the place as it once housed the Utnapishtim's Ship, so Abydos was slowly but steadily getting repopulated, with stories also coming out about restoring the previous main Abydos building that got buried underneath the sand. The one who were the most active in this was Highlanders, who offered to reconstruct a railway line. Sensei guessed that it might have been the influence of Nonomi, which Yuuka agreed; even she knew that Nonomi was from a wealthy family in a railroad business.

Sensei and Yuuka also played some poker, with Yuuka making sure that he wasn't cheating by hiding extra cards in his sleeves. Even so, Sensei beat her soundly, but Yuuka didn't really mind losing. The two continued to play multiple different board games that GDD and Tea Party left behind, those including chess, backgammon, and battleship. Yuuka firmly said to not go easy on her, yet even so she could see that Sensei was deliberately losing a bit. The only one they were unable to play again was Jenga because they lost two blocks and she couldn't find them anywhere. Yuuka made a mental note to get a new one once she returns to Millennium and send it to Seia.

Eventually, it became the last day of the week, and Yuuka ultimately came to the topic that she was trying to avoid since she was already expecting what Sensei would say. Before deciding to drop the topic, Yuuka desperately pled for him to not say what she was expecting.

“Sensei…there was one thing I wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

Yuuka hesitated a bit before finally opening up.

“As you know, two months after today is supposed to be the annual Millennium Expo. It was...um, planned to be the biggest Expo Kivotos has ever seen, since it will involve every institute in Kivotos. Abydos, Millennium, Trinity, Gehenna, Shanhaijing, Wildhunt, Red Winter, Arius, and such. But…with this situation…”

“I’ll be there,” said Sensei, in a heartbeat. Yuuka was startled upon hearing that response, even if it was something she was expecting.

“What?! Sensei, what I was about to say was that I was thinking of postponing the event. Heck, we might even just straight-up cancel it, considering the state of affairs. I…"

“Yuuka, look at me. The Millennium Expo that you are saying is planning to be the biggest Expo that Kivotos has ever seen, right? That means many students would have been preparing very hard for this event, even other institutes who were given a first chance in the Expo. You can’t just let their time go to waste.”

"Do you think they will still think of continuing on when they heard about your sickness, Sensei? I'm sure their minds will be all busy worrying about you, so they won't be able to prepare properly. It's better to just close it instead of opening a half-baked Expo."

"Expo isn't all about showing off the results, Yuuka. It's about showing the progress. Even if it's not a properly prepared one, who cares? You can take that one result and make it into something bigger. One failure doesn't make a complete disaster. Not only that, to have the fate of the Expo determined by a single person is not a right thing to do."

Logical as always, thought Yuuka. He really cares for everyone, she also thought. Yuuka stood there silent before groaning.

"Damn, I shouldn’t have said this…look what happened, you are saying that you will try to leave here just to come to our Expo…when you should be focusing on your treatment…”

Sensei shook his head at this.

"I still would have found out, Yuuka, even if you tried to hide. Millennium Expo usually takes place around this month, and as it gets broadcasted out wide, I would have known."

Yuuka held Sensei's hand tighter, looking into the eyes of him.

"Sensei, then promise me one thing. Don't come. Focus on your treatment, even if it feels hopeless. Right now, you need to focus on your treatment, not our Expo."

Sensei looked at Yuuka's face before turning to the side, picked up his phone, and sent a Momotalk message to Noa:

Week expired. You can change it back.

5.

The Millennium Expo. Overseen by the Millennium Science Academy, this year's Expo was the biggest size Kivotos has ever seen. It used to be open only for the divisions within Millennium, sometimes to other academies, but this was the first time the Expo was open all.

Abydos, Trinity, Gehenna, Millennium, Shanhaijing, Arius, Valkyrie, SRT, Highlanders, Wildhunt, Red Winter, Allied Hyakkiyako. All of them participated.

But the Expo wasn't so lively. If any, it felt too lifeless. Not a surprising thing since the news that Sensei, their beloved teacher, is on a sickbed, fighting for his life regardless of how hopeless it is.

The Seminar, who was in charge of this, was also just sitting in their own office, simply watching the cameras that was overseeing the entire Expo site. Primarily it's because Seminar didn't open a booth; they had nothing to show off other than the bunch of paperwork. Not only that, C&C offered to take the position which would have been their work if it was any normal Expo.

It seemed that they knew Yuuka was taking the story of Sensei's plight very hard, so they were trying to give her a break so that she can calm down.

But it didn't help her at all; if any, it gave far too much time for her to get immersed about Sensei's situation. She would have preferred to drown herself in work to get her mind off from Sensei, but that was unavailable at this moment. As such, Yuuka merely sat on her own desk, her face stiff and devoid of any emotion. It was very strongly shown that if it was possible, she would have abandoned the post and rushed straight to the hospital. Her getting forced to spend time with Sensei had strengthened the bond she had with him and now he was in her mind all night all day.

Ever since she returned to the Seminar Yuuka's dreams turned into dreadful images. Sensei suddenly collapsing right in front of her, her rushing to resuscitate him only to fail, Sensei trying to reach out for her hand before falling short, his eyes turning hollow and empty, and Yuuka holding his now still body and crying her eyes out...before waking up drenched in sweat.

She felt that she was almost going mad.

Nobody seemed to say a word to her. Not even Koyuki, who usually teased her about her feelings for Sensei. Rio, who was also here for the rarest time, also seemed to show concern for Yuuka as she seemed to spy a look on her face time to time. Even Noa tried her best not to speak to Yuuka; she felt that she still held resent against her for forcefully spending time with him.

But she firmly believed that Yuuka had to have time with him. Noa was indeed fond of Sensei, too, but she was quick to notice Yuuka's deep crush for him; after all, when Sensei miraculously returned from the destruction of Phrenapates's invasion after giving up his escape chance, Yuuka was the first to rush for him. At first, she felt let down as Sensei seemed to focus more on her. But as time went on, it was clear that Sensei also had Yuuka in a special place in his heart. Thus, if Sensei was to pass ultimately, she believed it is a necessary thing to make her spend time with him. Otherwise, the two would never get a chance of speaking everything in their heart.

She would have done the same thing anytime. So that Yuuka would speak everything she had in heart before parting forever.

That's what she firmly believed.

The silence in the Seminar office started to get disturbed with commotion that seemed to happen near the entrance. The camera at the entrance showed a sudden increase of people, who seemed to look at some individual that has arrived.

"Noa, do you see what's happening at the entrance?" asked Yuuka, suddenly perking up. Noa also turned to the screen, but she couldn't see what the problem was with all the crowd blocking the camera.

"We should go and see what's going on," said Noa, and Yuuka nodded.

Immediately, Yuuka loaded her two rifles and slung one behind her back. Noa also picked up her own and checked if it was all in order. As the two rushed to the entrance, Yuuka could feel even bigger frustration, if not rage, bubbling in her. She didn't know what the issue was, but it was definitely not something that was okay. She had her mind busy about Sensei and the Expo and now the delinquents were here to do something? Couldn't they see that the entire Kivotos was in mourning mode? Yuuka decided that once she grabs these delinquents she will throw them to the freezing cold of the Red Winter all unarmed and naked. Or make them get lost in the deserts of Abydos in the middle of the sandstorm. Whatever works.

When the two arrived, though, her face turned to that of a surprise. The other students were all crowded on the entrance of Millennium, seeing one person walking forth. Behind that person was a car that had the symbol from the Valkyrie Academy. The one who was behind the wheel was hard to see, but that one had short blonde hair. The person walking was someone she knew very well.

Black hair, combed to the best effort. Face that looked sunk but with eyes shining with passion. The robes that was worn during the time as a Schale overseer.

What was a big difference compared to the past was the cane he was holding with him. It wasn't that he was reclining very much, but he was relying on it.

All students looked astonished at his arrival, as they never expected him to come. All but one.

He looked around a bit before seeing Yuuka, and he stepped forth, a slightly worn smile on his lips. And at the same time, Yuuka stepped to him. Soon they stood close, and Sensei was the first to open up.

"I didn't say no," said he. Although his voice had gotten softer than before, it still held that strong aspect.

Yuuka's eyes seemed to water a bit before rushing toward him, embracing him tight. Sensei grunted at Yuuka's forceful embrace.

6.

Led by Yuuka, Sensei started to visit every booth in the Expo. It was slow as Sensei had to rely on a cane and Yuuka's hand to move from booth to booth, but Yuuka didn't mind at all. If any, she was enthusiastic about leading him to multiple booths. Her face even seemed to brighten up for the first time since she heard of Sensei's issues.

Since he was weak right now, Sensei couldn't participate or experience the booths. He merely walked along, visiting every show and presentation. However, even just Sensei's presence seemed to brighten up the atmosphere in there. The gloomy atmosphere was immediately brightened up. The silent situation instantly turned lively. And the booths that was already having sufficient hype had their excitement and hype go up to eleven.

Some of those booths' responses were in his mind...

"Welcome to the Momoyo Hall Millennium Division!" called out Shizuko, carrying a tray.

"Hopefully you signed a proper contract this time," said Sensei, and Shizuko nodded. "You still have that slipping trait on you?"

Shizuko winked at his inquiry.

"A bit, but this time it's only for people who likes it. How do you wish it?"

"Just the usual side, please. I'm not alone, as you can see."

Shizuko smiled again at his request. Almost immediately, right beside him, Yuuka pulled on his sleeve in a slightly strong force, and Sensei turned to face her. He immediately noticed a sense of minor defiance on her eyes and decided not to push his luck further. As such, he led her to a seat and sat on a table for two, ensuring Yuuka that face him.

After sitting, the two ordered their own drinks; Yuuka a simple green tea and Sensei a black tea. They also got a tray of flower cakes. But even as Umika, not Shizuko, who came to take their orders, walked away and returned with their orders, Yuuka constantly peeked at Sensei to see if he was trying to talk to anyone else. When he tried to strike a talk with someone or someone else tried to speak up to him, Yuuka slurped audibly from her cup. Or, in other case, she put down her cup with a bit of extra strength, making a clattering sound.

In a rare occasion, or rather once, Shizuko arrived and spoke up longer before getting called. Due to the fact that she didn't go until called, he was forced to talk longer before finally stopping. Sensei tried to pick up a flower cake after that, but Yuuka snatched it much faster and popped the entire one in her mouth, shooting a disapproving glare.

Sensei scratched the back of his head before making a stiff smile, and Yuuka couldn't keep her glare at that as it soon gave way to a giggle.

"A robot? That's truly amazing. What are the materials?"

Upon asking, Hare became looked more enthusiastic and started to explain.

"The armor and structure, made from Engineering, was made by cans and other recycled materials. The programming was done by Veritas, too."

"Heh, I think I remember Yuuka mentioning that the two of you made a robot akin to this before. I think I can assume that those cans came from your spiked drinks, right?"

Hare slightly looked away at Sensei's jab, looking slightly flustered, but the enthusiasm was still there.

"It's...true. And we did, but that was a temporary one made for inspiration. This one is an official version, sanctioned by Seminar."

Yuuka nodded at Hare's mention, and Sensei noticed it too.

"What can this can do?"

Hare then started to explain all the possibilities this robot could do, which Sensei started to listen intently, a warm smile on his lips. Behind them, the robot was now doing a salute, which excited the others.

"Sensei! This is our new game! No combat or action involved, just a simple adventure."

"To be honest, we had a hard time drifting the development during the final stages, but this result makes it worth it!"

Sensei watched the game progress on, with many students also standing in line for the game. Right now one student was in the process of going through a railway line, lowering their head whenever they saw something approach. Judging by the scores, it seemed that maybe this was level five.

"Impressive, Momoi. Midori. Drifting is only done when you feel like it won't work with what you have, but you did it. And it seems like it worked."

Hearing Sensei's compliment made them make an excited expression; a seal of approval from Sensei was exactly what they wanted.

"So, what's the name?"

The two sisters' expressions became a more reserved smile. They then responded calmly, and coincidentally.

"That Monster, Cancer."

"Ah, Sensei," Shiroko welcomed Sensei after stepping off from the exercise bike. Right next to her was another bike where Mutsuki was reclining onto, panting, and Haruka was fanning her. Shiroko herself, however, didn't look so parched. She looked excited to see him instead.

"Virtual Bike Race with Shiroko? I wonder if anyone had ever beaten you."

"None so far!" chirped Ayane, grinning. "Nobody has ever defeated the bike master of Abydos!"

"Uhe, the other Shiroko was so close to beating her, but nope, even for her she was a few seconds short," added Hoshino.

"You should have mentioned Suzumi, too, but she couldn't beat her either!" also added Aru.

"Has Sumire took her on yet?" asked Sensei, and speak of the devil, he saw her approaching, her eyes burning with passion.

"Sunaookami Shiroko, I challenge you on this race!"

Shiroko smirked upon hearing the challenge before riding on her own virtual bike. And the following race the two had was the fiercest one yet, with Shiroko finally getting a worthy adversary and also bringing attention to Abydos.

The rest of the day sped past his mind too. Tasting some dango from the Gourmet Research Society of Gehenna (and Junko finally getting a taste on that), watching the Library Committee holding a book quiz and Ui revealing the progress of their page restoration, Eastern Alchemy Society demonstrating the results of their apothecary progress (which still needed more time but still showed promising results), and looking into the Occult Investigation Society's astrological fortune telling were some of them.

Almost at the end, he and Yuuka went to watch the group show with people from multiple places participating. Sensei was able to recognize the affiliations of each students by just looking at the halos, and Yuuka affirmed his guesses. Those included Red Winter, Arius, Trinity, Gehenna, Shanhaijing, Wildhunt. Yuuka also added that some students from Millennium have also participated willfully here as well. At the end of the show, the representatives of each institute's team came to visit him and gave him some words of encouragement.

"Your fate isn't over yet, Sensei. The spirits have promised as such."

"I believe in your strength comrade! I have faith that you will endure this hardship!"

"Sensei, not even a cancer can destroy your will, that's for sure."

The two eventually walked out the main gates of Millennium, both holding a drink that Sensei bought from a nearest vending machine. The two sat on the bench side by side, each drinking their own soda. Sensei was the first to speak out, a smile on his face.

"Yuuka, I really enjoyed today. It really made calling Kanna and asking her to drive me here worth it."

"Did the hospital say yes at you leaving, Sensei?" asked Yuuka.

"They did. After all, my situation really makes all the treatment I am getting is a palliative measure. So it won't be too much of a problem if I take a little break from that for a single day. They did provide me with a strong antineoplastic agent, which made me really wobbly, but it's a price I can take if I could come here," he replied, looking to the cane before seeing the front again. "And if I hadn't come, then this year's Expo might have been the gloomiest Expo ever."

Yuuka shook her head at it.

"I can't disagree on that. We all had our reservations up until the last minute, but decided that delaying or cancelling is something that you wouldn't have wanted so we decided to push forth. And it almost became a bad choice before you came in."

Sensei then turned to see Yuuka, and put his hand on her shoulder. Yuuka also turned to see him.

"Yuuka, I will come again next year, so make sure you don't postpone it again. And send me an invitation, will you?"

Yuuka's face turned into a slightly prideful expression.

"I was planning on sending you an invitation this year, after all, Sensei. Of course I will send you one next year."

Sensei smiled at her words. The smile, despite being on the very lean face, was bright.

"I appreciate it. Could we think this as a date, then? I mean, we technically spent time together, so it might classify as such."

Hearing that, Yuuka instantly felt her face flush and looked down. Was this a date with Sensei? She led him throughout the Expo, had meals with him, spent practically an entire day with him, and also felt slightly jealous in Momoyo Hall...

Oh gods, today was a date with Sensei, thought Yuuka, her face flushing even further. But she didn't really mind that, though. She actually enjoyed it. In this kind of situation, Yuuka could say only one thing.

"Of course, Sensei," she said, in a sheepish voice, a smile forming on her lips too. When she turned to face him again, she was met with a warmest smile she ever saw from him. The slim face and slightly sunk eyes did not disturb the smile at all.

"Then let's go on another date, in the next year's Expo," said he, and Yuuka found herself nodding at Sensei, her smile still remaining.

The two then turned back to the front, drinking their respective soda. And in her heart, an uncontrollable heat seemed to run amok. She desperately tried control it, but her heart seemed to be ignorant to her pleas. She had no idea how to factor this in...

She then heard a gagging sound, which sounded seriously like someone holding in his cough. Yuuka instinctively turned to the side, catching the sight of Sensei coughing and trying to hold it in by holding the soda bottle to his lips. Yuuka looked at him in horror before he couldn't hold it all in and spat out the soda he was holding in his mouth.

Seeing what he just coughed out sent a strong chill down Yuuka's spine. Unlike Yuuka, who was drinking cola, Sensei was drinking pure sparkling water.

Which was now stained red.

7.

Yuuka could only sit in the lobby's chairs in a slight trance. The doctors were working away for Sensei, and she wasn't given access to the ward until they decided it will be okay.

And the doctor's diagnosis that came out as soon as she and Kanna got him back to the hospital...

"It seems like Sensei did lie to you after all...he didn't have full two years in the first place. He had maximum eight months when he came. I guess...he didn't want you all to worry."

Yuuka still couldn't remove the situation unfolding in front of her eyes as he was getting rushed in. Pale and sunken face, the sparkling water he coughed up that was stained red, the same red that started to get smeared on his clothing, Kanna speeding through the streets of Kivotos with sirens blaring and having him and Yuuka as passengers, doctors yelling at each other in terms that she couldn't even understand, nurses pushing the bed he is on in a running frenzy, some even holding bags filled with liquids...

She buried his face in her hands, suppressing the sobs. Soon she felt someone come beside her.

"Um...excuse me. You're...Hayase Yuuka, of this world, right...?"

Yuuka managed to lift her head to see who spoke up to her. Grey hair, wolf ears, more grown up, and a dark teal colored halo which was slightly damaged that was almost getting repaired.

"Shiroko...?"

Shiroko Terror nodded slightly, her face downtrodden too.

"Can I have a word with you?" she asked, hesitantly.

Yuuka hesitated for a bit before shuffling to the side. Shiroko-the alternate-nodded before sitting down. The two remained in silence for some time side by side before Yuuka opened up first.

"Enjoyed our Expo?"

Shiroko nodded a bit.

"I did. Although I still couldn't beat weak-me on that bike race. A few seconds short...," she said, a slight barking laugh leaking from her lips. Yuuka also recalled Hoshino mentioning it, so she also made a small smile, too.

The silence fell again between the two before Shiroko opened up.

"You know, in my world, my Yuuka seemed to hold feelings for my Sensei."

Yuuka turned to face Shiroko, who seemed to hold a wistful expression by trying to recall the situation of her world.

"What gave it away?" she asked, and Shiroko answered on that.

"When I was an agent of the Iridescent, I attacked Millennium first...more like what's left of it, to be specific. Before you died, you constantly muttered something. Something that kept nagging at me even when I was about to now turn to Trinity by setting them as the next target. It was something like 'See you soon, Sensei'...if I remember correctly. And...in her pocket by her heart was actually...a picture of him. I didn't know when she got that, but I think she got that during her time as an assistant of him."

Shiroko looked regretful about the whole ordeal, how she destroyed her world's Yuuka's dreams by striking her down. Then coming to think of it, she didn't know the story of her; it was only open to Abydos and even though she sometimes came to Schale, she didn't open up about it. It was strange to see her open up about her world, a world that only remained in ruins, but faced with this newfound tale, Yuuka couldn't help but inquire.

"If it's not a bother, then...what was I like? The other one, I mean."

"Somewhat similar with you. Always logical, always trying to measure the strengths and weaknesses. She even tried to reason with me when I first invaded Millennium. Saying that Sensei is not the one who will just easily give up, saying that I am better than this. The me at that point, however, was completely devastated. It was just a few months ago when the entire Foreclosure Task Force of my world was decimated, so I was going feral, technically."

"Why was the Task Force gone?"

"In my world, Schale was under the direct control of the GSC President, not an independent entity. Sensei was placed as an overseer, not a commander. Thus, the President decided that Schale had to take care of the Eden Treaty first and foremost, and had him go to Trinity first. And just like this world, he was assaulted by Arius during that. He was put on a life or death situation, and while that was happening, Kaiser struck. Without Sensei, we had no ammunition backup, and that pretty much sealed our fate."

Yuuka nodded slowly, surprised at the news flash. She knew of Abydos's situation before Sensei's coming, but she couldn't have imagined that it was that bad. It really made her wonder if Sensei focusing on Abydos as a priority was the saving grace of Kivotos. After all, the Foreclosure Task Force was said to have played a key role in making the Eden Treaty come to fruition. It also made her curious, too, as Millennium was the second place he went to; if the President had him go to Millennium first to heed Momoi and Midori's request, could he still have saved Abydos? Could he have convinced Seminar to help them officially?

Shiroko soon found that she had strayed off too much from the topic at hand, so she returned back to the topic of her world's Yuuka.

"Back to you. She really, really tried to make me stand down. She convinced the others to not attack me, and even laid down all her arms. Yet when the talk dragged on, they started to target me. Yuuka tried to cool down the situation, but it was too late. I still don't know who drew first shot. Maybe it doesn't matter now. But even at that moment she attempted to evacuate the others. At that point, though...I didn't really care. I targeted everything I could see.

"The remainders of Veritas, Engineering, C&C, they did try to slow me down, but that only bought them a few minutes. That didn't stop me and only three-Noa, Rio, and you-remained. My Yuuka resisted to the last even she was the only one standing. You were...um, let's say a tough challenge."

"I guess it's better for Sensei to just die than to see this."

Shiroko quickly recalled the words that caused her to snap, fiercely attacking Yuuka before she also perished. Yuuka also seemed to notice it; it seemed that the her in the other world had spoken the hardest vitriol toward her, and decided not to push it. Instead, Yuuka just silently nodded before she felt something strange and decided to ask it. It was indeed odd for Shiroko, who wanted to stay silent about her world, the world which she destroyed, decided to open up about it.

"Shiroko, why are you saying this?"

Hearing that, Shiroko turned to her.

"Yuuka, what caused me to succumb to the Iridescent, what caused me to fall as a Terror, was despair. Despair that I will be completely abandoned, despair that nobody will look at me and embrace me with their full heart. That despair was so big, that even when Sensei tried to convince me in a final desperate attempt on his dying body, I did not listen to him. I destroyed his Shittim's Chest, corrupted Arona, almost killed him, because I had pretty much given up and abandoned my all hope."

Yuuka felt the warm hand now on her right leg; Shiroko had put her hand on it. Her face now took a more soothing and convincing aura. Her eyes were firm, but also had that particular wisdom behind it. Something that seemed to truly understand her, something that had seen a lot of things and was able to decipher one's actions.

"I already saw how Sensei saw you in Schale, and how you saw him too. It had the same aura I saw in my world too. The two of you have something for each other, but I am thinking that you are not trying to say what you feel for him because you think that you will only give Sensei despair and regret that he couldn't have given you a better time. I think otherwise.

"I believe that the regret that you never got the chance to even say it is bigger than the regret that you couldn't extend it. It's like an experiment, so to speak. Every experiment has a chance of failure, a chance of causing a casualty. But if you retreat from it saying that it is going to be dangerous then we will have no chance of expansion. Trying on even though it has dangers allows you to control some of the risks and set reasonable expectations."

The voice of Shiroko was very reassuring, somewhat of a tone of an adult, close to that of Sensei. It was something that was beyond age that made her voice sound more convincing. She considered that the fact that she had seen the dark side of things that made her tone convincing. Yuuka couldn't help but feel astonished.

"What I am trying to say is that, it's worse to leave what you had in mind fester than to speak it out at least once. I'm not saying that you will succumb to the Terror like me, but it will be the most vulnerable spot that could be exploited by anyone. And from that, anything can happen."

Yuuka, unknowingly, found herself in Shiroko's embrace.

"I'm not trying to force a decision on you, or maybe I have overstepped, but...it's worth a shot."

Yuuka separated from her, a small but grateful smile on her lips.

"Thanks...Shiroko."

Shiroko then nodded with a soft smile. She then looked up above her head, presumably to check the clock, and jolted a bit.

"I think I should be going now. Serika had called me for something, and I have took too much time here. Just...think about it, okay?"

Yuuka nodded and let her go.

8.

Two weeks passed since Sensei was admitted quickly back into his ward. Although she could now visit him, it was clear that he had gotten considerably weaker compared to the moment of the Expo.

The results of his treatment wasn't so favorable, either. Even with all the treatment they could do it didn't give him more time; he had eight months when he was first admitted, and two months passed until Yuuka and Noa first visited him. Then it took two weeks for all students to spend time with him and Yuuka return to Millennium to handle out the Millennium Expo. Two more months passed until Millennium Expo, when he made a temporary discharge to come here. Thus, he had almost three months and maybe two weeks, maximum.

Yuuka decided that she cannot return to Millennium. She dreaded to see the emotionless message of Sensei's death. As such, she decided to stay by his side, putting Noa in charge while she was away. The two communicated via Momotalk and Noa occasionally asked Yuuka about how to balance out the numbers. And almost everyday, she asked how is Sensei doing, which Yuuka could only respond that he is still alive, yet. She also demanded that this news, the news that Sensei is on his last breath, must never be exposed. Noa understood it, so she vowed to keep her silence. Shiroko Alter-which was the term she used to call her-was also invited to the two's private talk so that they can tell her to not say this before the time is right, which she agreed and also vowed to keep her lips sealed.

It was a tough time for her, staying by his side in the private ward. Eventually she looked after herself too, under his insistence, but it was incomparable to how she had done normally. She only had meals from the convenience store which she brought to the ward to eat there. She slept in the caregiver's bed which was far more uncomfortable; it didn't even have separate blankets so she had to cover herself with her own jacket, which only reached her knees at best. When she had to brush her teeth she used the disposable toothbrush which was also in the store, and when she couldn't find it she resorted to using dental floss and mouthwash. At least she was able to find a brush to keep her hair stable.

Not only that, she eventually became more of a caregiver for him. She helped him take short walks in the ward hallway. She helped him into the toilet. She aided him in taking a shower. During this time, Sensei joked that this reminded him of the time when Yuuka had been managing all his finances, even during the weekends when she didn't need to. Yuuka replied that someone has to accompany him, especially in this situation, and he made a wry chuckle at the jab. It was somewhat of a relief to her as Sensei is finding some windows to stay cheerful in this state, but that bit of relief died down quickly as fast as it sparked.

As the time of staying with him went on, Yuuka was able to understand what Sensei had to undergo. Sensei was busy caring for his students, looking after pretty much everyone in Kivotos. She occasionally found him sleeping on his seat, his hair a mess. She once reprimanded him for neglecting his own wellbeing, but now that Yuuka was in the position of focusing on him, she found herself doing what he had been doing while he was in Schale. Accompanying him, talking to him, making sure he is not feeling alone...just like what he had been doing so far.

What Shiroko had told her was also nagging at the back of her brain. She held a deep infatuation for him, but does he also? She had no idea. Maybe, just maybe...it will be worth taking a plunge. Even if he said no, at least she would have had an opportunity to say what she had in mind.

It was after two weeks' passing when Yuuka felt that she had her chance, as Sensei looked slightly more lively compared to the first few days when he was admitted back in. The two were talking about how Millennium was managing their situation after the Expo. That the Expo was a big success, with Sensei playing a role in it.

"Noa and Rio said that this first inter-academic Expo was a huge success. With all academics intermingling with each other, it really served to lower the barriers and unfamiliarity. They even said that why don't we make this a regular occasion, and commission an independent committee for this, too."

Sensei smiled at the proposition.

"That sounds like a great idea. It will serve to make everyone more close to each other further. We could even have some kind of rotation for the biggest sponsor like the Halo Festival so that everyone gets an equal chance to shine."

Yuuka nodded at his proposition. Soon the room fell silent, and as Sensei turned to see Yuuka, he found that her face was starting to glow red, her expression also turning something that was in the middle of shy and sadness. Sensei was confused at seeing her expression, and decided to ask about it.

"Yuuka, is there something you have in mind?"

At his words, Yuuka turned to see him, and she said in a bit of a silent tone.

"Sensei...there is something I wished to say. I..."

Yuuka continued to have a mental battle even until the last minute. Seeing that, Sensei patted her on the back twice.

"Yuuka, it's okay. If you feel like it's something you must not say, then you don't have to."

"No, Sensei. I have to say this," she said, shaking her head rapidly. Sensei continued to look at her, and Yuuka took two deep breaths. "It's...well, you know the feelings people have for each other? Some...strong feelings? Maybe...intimate...?"

Sensei did not say anything, just having that same, warm eyes that did not judge her. Showing that he is willing to wait until she is good to go. Yuuka, though, knew that she cannot back away anymore. She had to say it since she already hinted it out.

"That's...the same kind I had...no, have...for you. I...I like you. I...I know that it is not right to hold such feelings to a teacher as a student, but... I...I can't just ignore it now." Yuuka then took a deep breath once more before saying it out once more, this time in a clearer tone. "Yes, Sensei. I...I like you. Not just...normal like, more of a...like, like. You know..."

Silence fell in the ward for some time. Yuuka had two thoughts clashing in her after it. On one side, she desperately wished that Sensei also felt the same. On the other side, she feared that Sensei might just see it as a joke. A few more seconds passed before she felt something warm on her hand. Yuuka felt a jolt fly up her arm and she turned to see that Sensei had put his hand on her right hand, the one that she put on the bed. When she turned to see him, she saw a bright smile, far brighter than any other smile she had seen so far from him. And the voice that continued on from him was even warmer.

"Heh, I'm glad to hear that, Yuuka. I...I also felt the same."

She felt her heart that was about to drop from that silence immediately rush back to the original position. Relief also started to swarm into her heart too.

"R-Really...?"

"I'll admit, the first week when I was here, you were pretty much a big pain. I mean...you were combing through all of my receipts, saying that I need to be responsible at everything, even that one in Club Smoochie...," Yuuka frowned, albeit playfully, at that remark, and Sensei also snickered at her response. "But as time went on, I...well, I began to trust more and rely more on you. On that path...I started to feel something for you as well. I tried very hard to push it down, though. I mean...like you said, relationship between teacher and student...that is really had to accept in the other standards."

"But Sensei, you have stepped down as a teacher, right? So now, we will have no boundaries."

In Yuuka's mentioning, Sensei's expression turned a bit thoughtful before something seemed to click.

"Yes, you do have a point. Nothing now blockades it."

Yuuka really wanted to leap into his embrace. She liked him. He liked her back. Romantically, too. It took all her willpower to stop her from leaping onto the bed, crushing him beneath her and squeezing him in a big hug. Instead, she embraced his upper body, and he did the same as well. Relief and happiness flooded into her heart, as Sensei also brushed out some of her hair away from her forehead, the caresses gentle and soft. Yet at the same time, Yuuka felt a bit of a sadness, too. Although now they learned of their fondness for each other, that didn't mean they will be able to spend sufficient time.

"Sensei...but we don't have a lot of time, however. I'm sure that you cannot leave this place as often as possible. And...you don't have a long life either..."

Sensing her sorrow, Sensei held her shoulders and had her look into his eyes, with had a bit of firmness in it.

"We have today. And a few more days. We don't have zero time, Yuuka. We have time."

It was like what Shiroko said. She was right, too. She now felt like a weight that has settled in her heart for a long time has been lifted from her. Thus she silently vowed to herself that as long as he is breathing, she will do everything to make him feel loved, and that she will give him the best moments of time.

So from that day onward she started to act more close around him. When she talked with him, she held his hand. He also acted more close to her, brushing her hair away from her eyes when it went off. There were caresses from him and her both. When she slept, she moved her hand a bit closer to his bed. Sensei soon recognized what she was trying to do and also reciprocated, moving his hand out the bed and holding her hand as they slept.

Their relationship was practically made aware by everyone who entered their ward. The doctor who was assigned to him sensed the two were now going deeper. Sensei didn't hesitate in calling Yuuka his 'girlfriend', which really flustered her, but not in a bad way. As payback, Yuuka sometimes called Sensei her 'fiancé', making him blush and bury his head under the sheets. This sometimes drew a laugh between the three of them, and although it might not have actively made a difference, it made the atmosphere in the ward lively, even for a few minutes.

Both Noa and Shiroko were also made aware of the two's relationship as Yuuka finally admitted that she confessed to him and Sensei reciprocated. When hearing the response, Noa filled her first response with a screaming onomatopoeia and even more excited emojis, asking for details. Shiroko made a smug expression and had that 'attagirl' attitude in her response too. She also advised her to not regret anything, and make the best of the given time.

Yuuka heeded the two's response and decided to lower the barrier a bit more, sharing even the most private information about her, and he did the same. As Sensei bonded with everyone he had a lot of stories to tell about the others. It was around that moment when Yuuka learned who was the culprit of modifying her profile and Yuuka made a mental note to pay Maki back once she gets back. ("I'm gonna kill Maki when I get back and cut the Veritas's funding down to 5% of what is now!") She also joked about how Sensei had took a bath in the spa that had wine in it and ended up smelling like alcohol for a week, and Sensei replied that he felt like he was getting drunk. ("I pretty much drunk all the wine I was planning on drinking for the next six months.")

Eventually Yuuka decided to ask the question that had been on her mind for some time.

"Sensei, if I had confessed to you during your time as Schale, then...would you have accepted?"

Sensei seemed to think about it when she asked.

"I would have. Although I would have also suggested that we keep it a secret. The situation in Kivotos was fickle still at that point, so any form of favoritism would have tipped the tables precariously."

Yuuka nodded with a giggle.

"Really, I was thinking the same thing, too. I guess it also gave me the good reason for me to wait until it all defuses, huh?"

"Highly likely, Yuuka."

The two then cuddled to the best they can do until night fell.

One month passed. Yuuka was now returning to his ward, her meal of coffee and sandwich she got from the convenience store in hand. As she walked up, she discovered someone just leaving his room; Hoshino. The pink-haired, laid back student union member of Abydos looked at Yuuka and nodded, slightly grinned, and made a zipping gesture on her lips with the right hand. In her left hand was an envelope, the same envelope that she commonly saw during her time in Schale office.

Yuuka nodded in gratitude, and she let Hoshino go. Before she left, Hoshino quickly embraced her before going, and Yuuka entered his ward. Despite the sight of his struggle, Sensei smiled at seeing her return to the ward, but seeing her measly meal again, his smile faded a bit.

"Yuuka, you really have to look after yourself. How many times have you been having meals in my ward with only a coffee and a sandwich?"

"Sensei, you lived out long enough with meals like this. If you can do it, then so can I."

Sensei shook his head at Yuuka's rebuttal, deciding not to push it. Yuuka then decided it was her turn.

"Sensei, what was Hoshino doing here?"

Sensei seemed to think for a bit before speaking out.

"Written will. It will be delivered to the GSC. The only other one I could trust with it other than you was Hoshino, so I decided to ask her."

"Why not Noa? Or Shiroko, on that matter?"

"Noa has to keep Seminar in check since you're here and I still don't trust Koyuki after she busted the servers. And I heard that Shiroko is on a bike tour or something. And if I asked you to do it you will say that you can't leave me."

Although Yuuka snickered at Sensei, she could only think that Sensei wasn't truthful. He then spoke up, holding her hand once more.

"Hey, Yuuka."

"Yes?"

He then looked into her eyes intently, a solid expression on his face.

"Remember, don't postpone the next Expo. I don't want to arrive in an empty venue and be a complete idiot on that day."

Yuuka chuckled silently, despite her sad expression, a small mischievous smile on her lips.

"I guess I should postpone it without informing you once for the sake of seeing your response."

Sensei responded with his own chuckle, before it ended with his deep breathing.

One more month passed. Sensei was now taking a longer time to respond to Yuuka. Fearing that she could strangle the life out of him, Yuuka decided that she cannot hug him on the bed anymore. It was getting impossible for him to stand up from the bed to take a short walk too.

So she resorted to just sitting by his side, holding his hand.

Sensei noticed that Yuuka has suddenly fell too silent, so he took the lead.

"Yuuka...I..."

"Hmm?"

Hearing Sensei's voice now felt painful, as if his words were shredding her insides. The strong, confident voice of Sensei was now no more, replaced with a soft, quiet, almost whispering voice.

"I'm...making you worry, am I not...?"

His voice, despite being very soft, still had that small mischief in it. If it was any other moment, Yuuka would have slapped his shoulder. But not anymore. So she resorted to a forced snicker.

"You're such a handful...even now."

Hearing that, Sensei chuckled even more. And that chuckle died down fast, ultimately dropping the ward down to silence once more. It was about two hours later when he opened up again.

"Hey, Yuuka..."

Yuuka turned to see him, and his face held that smile again. The smile that warmed her heart, and the smile that was painful to watch at the same time.

"Don't postpone that Expo, okay? And send me an invitation."

Yuuka nodded, forcing a smile on her lips.

"Of course...Sensei."

Yuuka still couldn't believe how she managed to speak it; she was so close to breaking down.

One week passed, while Sensei grew more and more feeble. It took even more time for him to respond to Yuuka's call every morning.

But he did try his best to respond to her whenever she called him.

Still, it was really obvious that Sensei was growing too tired to even open his eyes, as after responding to her, his eyes fluttered shut again.

His responses also started to devolve into responding her name, to a simple groan accompanied with a smile and a nod.

Yuuka soon found herself spending more time in the patient's lounge outside the ward, staring at the television. Sometimes she tuned out the television's noise and started playing with her calculator she carried all the time. She walked back to Sensei's ward when she was about to have her meal and going to bed, but other than that, Yuuka felt that she was subconsciously trying to avoid him. Seeing Sensei on the bed, not opening his eyes, looking peaceful and silent, was now getting too hard for her. Thinking of seeing Sensei falling completely still, never to wake up again, scared her.

Eventually Sensei seemed to sense that Yuuka was afraid of seeing his still body, and tried to have her leave to Millennium. He flitted his eyes to the door several times, or used the other hand to point the door But Yuuka was adamant, and continued to stay in his ward.

She also found herself staying awake until 3am, holding onto his hand and putting it on her forehead before finally lying down. It was as if she was trying her utmost best to sense his pulse, so that she will be the first to know his passing.

"I'm still here, Sensei...I'm still here..."

She repeated that like a mantra, almost in a whisper, as she held onto his hand.

And every time she said it, she felt his hand tighten a bit before releasing.

As if that words reached his ears.

One week passed.

It was morning. It was past time for him to open his eyes, but there was still no flutter.

Yuuka called him softly, yet he did not respond even with a grunt. She called him a bit louder, but still no response.

Yuuka knew what it meant. The time had come.

With a weary, and an almost tearful expression, Yuuka moved to sit by his side.

She held his hand tightly, feeling the beating of his veins on his wrist.

It was still there, but it was getting weaker by the minute.

Yuuka prided herself in the calculation of the human's pulse rate, and she could know the delay was getting longer.

She continued to hold tight to his wrist, trying her best to sense his fading pulse.

It faded and faded and faded...until the rate was so long it passed the boundary of a bradycardia.

Yuuka placed her forehead on his now still hand, swallowing the tears.

She was unable to witness Sensei's last smile on his lips.

9.

Funerals were not a common thing in Kivotos. Unsurprising since every inhabitants had Halos above them, which sustained life for them. Unless they were crippled and damaged, the Halos would heal the wearers. The other ones were either robots or anthropomorphic dogs. Robots did not require funerals as they could be repaired anytime, and threatening dogs were never a thing to be considered by anyone.

The only funeral they had so far was the one for Yume, and even that was only done in secret and in private by Hoshino alone.

The second funeral in the Academic City, however, was by far the largest funeral the city has ever seen; not a very trustworthy comparison as the only thing to compare was the simple burial by a single individual, but even considering the very low standards, it was a very big funeral.

The entire Kivotos came to a halt when Yuuka returned, bringing back the tragic news of Sensei's passing. With no Sensei to stop the flow of the tragic news, it was already out in every outlets of the city. All Momotalk discussions spoke of Sensei's funeral and even the Kronos Journalism became more reserved. So reserved that Shanhaijing wondered if the GSC has actively started interfering in the news.

And when the day of the funeral arrived, everyone was present. All, but one.

She was there for some time before leaving the premises; she was getting tired of listening to the respective address of everyone. Rin's firm voice, Ayane's voice that felt so close to bursting to tears, Noa's very silent voice that you had to perk your ears to at least make heads and tails, Hina's tear laden voice, Atsuko's voice that tried her best to calm down...it was getting into her too much.

She couldn't remember for how long she had been walking, until she found herself standing in front of the tower that held the past Schale office. The Angel 24 CV was also closed due to the funeral procession, so the building was technically completely vacated today.

Yuuka didn't stop there. She went through the door, entered the elevator, and reached the same floor where the office remained. She fished around her pocket to pull out the cardkey Sensei entrusted to her, and unlocked the door. The key was only given to one student in each academy that Sensei deeply trusted; not even Noa was given such privilege.

As she opened the door to the office, she expected to see Sensei behind the door. Either working off at his desk with a lot of paperwork, greeting Yuuka as his savior. Or him lying down at the couch at one side of the office, exhausted after forced to work overnight. Or chatting off with another student from any of the academies.

But the office was completely empty, devoid of any life signs. The dust that settled on the desk that she used to sit on, facing Sensei, truly showed that nobody had been using the office ever since the disbandment of Schale. Yuuka felt even more hollow at seeing the now deserted office, the office of the savior of Kivotos, now abandoned and vanishing into a distant memory.

Yuuka continued to walk ahead, reaching the seat where Sensei used to sit, until she discovered something on the desk where Sensei used to work on; an envelope, something that you could see commonly during the work of Schale. Yuuka felt that she saw that envelope some time before, though. Confused, Yuuka sat on the chair and picked up the envelope, opening it.

Inside was a letter, handwritten on a back of a form. The writing was almost like a scribble, as if someone with weak hands wrote it, but she could recognize that writing anytime. She pulled it out and started to read:

Yuuka, I fear I do not have enough time, so I’ll keep it short. It might sound like me rambling, and I apologize.

First, I guess I owe you an apology. No, maybe the entire Kivotos an apology. I didn't have two years. Not even a full year. I only had eight months, and that was a week before my resignation. I just didn't want you to worry. Or anyone to, on that matter. That was also why I had lied to Rin, and firmly hid the reason why I am resigning.

Secondly, I owe you a deep gratitude. As I had confessed to you, I held feelings for you too.

On that day when you said you had feelings for me, it felt like a weight off my shoulders. Love truly is a wonderful thing, to bring happiness with a single word. That time when I was able to look around the entirety of the Millennium Expo under your lead was the happiest moment of my life.

And because of that, I'm very sorry to destroy your hope that we will be together.

Heh, some teacher I am, giving hope to a student and just stomping it beneath my heel. Scold me however much you want. No, hate me as much as possible. You said that your dream is to have a happy end with someone you love. And I totally ruined that.

But what I felt for you, what I had thought about you, was genuine. It was never a lie. That I can vow and swear.

Before I resigned from Schale, before I learned of my state, I bought one gift for you, which is attached with this letter. My original plan was to spend more time with you, and when the time comes, I would present this to you on my one knee under the starry night sky. I apologize that this is the only way to give you.

I also wished that I personally hand this to you, but I thought I needed time to collect my thoughts, and I apologize for it.

I apologize that it took too long, and too late to give you this message.

Hayase Yuuka, I love you, and I’m very sorry.

I have lost count how many times I said I’m sorry, but I'm afraid that’s the only thing I can say.

Thank you, Yuuka. For putting up with me. If there is indeed the next life, I wish we will be together.

-Sensei

Yuuka felt her eyes water upon reading the entirety of Sensei's writing. She then discovered that the envelope was warped, as if something third-dimensional was in it as well. She picked up the envelope and shook it once, dropping the content inside it on the desk. Her eyes widened upon seeing it.

For on the desk lay a small band. Black in color, with a blue lining across the middle. Around the edges of the band were some more blue lines, but it didn't serve to make it look messy. On the outside of the band was a simple gem; cyan in color with a diamond cut.

Yuuka picked up the band and looked intently at the gem on it. She then turned to the side, her eyes catching the mirror on the wall. Even with the dust on the mirror, Yuuka could clearly notice the similarity.

This band, this ring, looked just like her halo. The only difference being the gem.

The tears that was pooling on her eyes soon started to flow, and sobs also started to leak from her lips. She looked back down onto the ring, the vision now getting distorted.

Slowly, but surely, she brought the ring to her left hand, sliding it onto her ring finger. The ring fit her precisely, as if it was made for her.

The ring, made metallic, was cold on her finger, but it felt far warm than anything.

It was more than enough to crumble her down.

Yuuka collapsed onto the desk, the same desk where Sensei used to sit and work. Her sobs increased in intensity as the room felt far cold than anything.

The office remained silent and empty, with only Yuuka's sobs filling the room, growing and growing until it filled the entire chamber.

10.

Kivotos, the Academic City.

But also the city that has faced countless chaos and tumult.

And all of those were stopped by a particular investigation team; Schale, led by the Sensei appointed by the General Student Council President.

It was now almost two years after Schale was disbanded and he resigned from the position, and almost a year after he passed away.

The Expo was now in full swing once more, and once again, all of Kivotos's institutes participated.

There were discussions of changing the name of the Expo, as it no longer became only for them.

It ultimately got renamed as the Schale Expo, and an independent committee was constructed for it, which now occupied the past office used by Schale.

While the Expo was going through, the Millennium representative of the Expo left the office to visit someone. Someone that the other committee members knew who she was visiting.

Yuuka continued to walk, reaching one side of the Expo, where a single monument stood. It acted as a grave for the one who made such Expo possible and a big success. On the base of the monument was a bronze plate that held the face of the one who laid there. Some flowers were around the base of it, too.

Once she stood there, Yuuka pulled out two things. One was a simple flower, a forget-me-not. The other was an invitation. She put down the two on the base before slightly smiling.

"Hello, Sensei. It's been a full year. I promised you that I will invite you to the next Expo. We changed the name, too. It's now Schale Expo. Original, right? But we couldn't find any other fitting name, though. I mean, that club really united everyone."

Yuuka then sat by the base of the monument, avoiding sitting on the flowers, and leaned on it.

"Things have changed a lot since our first inter-academic Expo. Abydos's desertification has slowed down considerably, and attempts on restoring the green back to what was once a sandy area are also panning out. Repopulating the place is also going well, and the place is becoming more invigorated. Also, the other Shiroko has finally beat our Shiroko in that virtual bike race. She looked really exhilarated when she learned that she won, heh. You should have seen her face.

"Trinity and Gehenna now get along very well. Can you believe that Tea Party had invited Hina to their tea party? And she accepted? Guess who had issued an invitation. Mika. Yes, that Mika. Nagisa and Seia also supported her decision. Wow, right? It's indeed 'wow'. Now we have absolutely no fights or animosity between the two. There is a bit of unfamiliarity remaining, but that's to be expected. This year is also an amazing year for the two, as it's the first time the two collaborated for a single booth.

"Arius has grown too. They have shed off everything that came from Gematria and has stood on their own feet firmly. They are now finding their own ideology, but I'm sure Atsuko can plant something good in them. The last time I visited them, she said that she is thinking is to have Arius made as something akin to that of a black ops specialty. Something that's similar with Valkyrie, but in a more shadowed side.

"And this might be something that you will be impressed about. Remember That Monster, Cancer? The one game that Midori and Momoi showed you last year? That game received an award. First Place. Yes, I'm serious. GDD is now staying for more decades. I promised with them that if they make a game that gives them an award, I will add funding to them. And I did."

Yuuka remained silent for some time before turning to see the plate that held the face of his. The eyes continued to look forth, not turning to see her. And yet, Yuuka could feel his eyes looking at her. She then looked down to her left hand, the hand that held the last present of Sensei on her finger.

"Sensei...you really thought of me a lot, huh? I...I really appreciate what you prepared for me, Sensei. So that was your written will, right? What you had Hoshino bring to the Schale office. It's like...as if you knew that I will go to the Schale office after you were gone.

"We...we all miss you, Sensei. Especially me, but...the others are no wiser. The flowers here really proves it. I...don't know what would have happened to us without you."

Yuuka continued to look down onto the ring, the cyan gem on it receiving the light and shining. She still didn't know where Sensei was able to find a cut pyroxene to set onto the ring; pyroxenes were the rarest gems in Kivotos and practically the price depended on the seller.

"You know... I would have accepted your proposal in a heartbeat. You...didn't need to settle your thoughts. But...well, I guess you had to think what you will say while you were about to give this to me, right? To make me smile in tears, and nod really fast, yeah?"

That was the expression she was holding right now; smile with tears on her eyes, which just started to overflow. Yuuka eventually stood up and kneeled in front of the monument, so that she will be facing the bronze plate with Sensei's face on it. The face was still and lifeless, with his trademark semi-smile embossed permanently on his lips. And although his eyes were fixed, she felt like she still could get lost in it.

Before she could regret it, Yuuka pushed herself forward, pressing her lips to the plate where his lips were engraved. It was cold, just like any other metal, but Yuuka had a fleeting thought that she felt warmth. She stayed there for a few seconds before parting, and remained a bit more kneeling there before finally standing up.

"I'll...see you again. I'll invite you to the next year's Expo, too. I...I love you, Sensei," she spoke, in a cracking voice, before wiping the tears off her cheeks and turning back.

As Yuuka walked away, a small breeze picked up. The forget-me-not she placed on the base waved a bit, as if Sensei was waving to her.

She was also certain that she heard his response in the wind that just blew.

See you again, Yuuka. I love you too.

The eyes on the bronze plate remained still in that spot. But maybe it was tracing the one who was walking away.