I spent Sunday dropping in on everyone who's supported me this past year. Phantom Thieves and confidants alike. It's reassuring to know they'll be okay once I leave. But saying goodbye to Sadayo was the most difficult part of the day.
I felt a strange sense of sorrow as I walked down the street towards the school entrance for possibly the final time. Looking back, I'd never have thought that I'd end up missing this place, given how thing started. Looked down on by the principal, by my homeroom teacher, suspected by my teachers, feared by my peers, threatened by Komoshida. But, it's also here that I made so many friends, formed a team and found a purpose in helping those who struggle under oppressive systems, as I had. And, of course, it's where I met the woman I would come to love most in the whole world.
She stood at the school gate, waiting for my arrival since I texted her on the train ride over. She was here for some teacher duty or other, likely prepping for the new semester. It's a shame I won't be here for third year with Ann and Ryuji, or seeing Futaba on her first day of high school.
Sadayo took me up to the roof. We were spotted by Ms. Chouno on the way up, but Sadayo was quick to justify it as her showing her student around the school one final time. Ms. Chouno seemed to buy it and find even more respect for Sadayo's dedication to her job.
"I'd ask if you wanted to visit the staff room and say goodbye to the other teachers, but probably not, hm?" Ms. Chouno joked. It seems her attitude towards me has changed as much over the last year as her attitude towards Sadayo has. I gave a good-natured confirmation of her suspicion and we departed on good terms.
Once we were on the roof, Sadayo locked the door behind us while I took in Haru's final batch of plants. She's apparently passed this duty off to an underclassman, whom Haru helped to plant this batch. It looks like they'll be in good hands with her.
"You're going back home tomorrow, right?" That was the first thing Sadayo said upon locking the door and giving us a private place to discuss our future.
I was dreading having to have this conversation, but it wouldn't be right to not discuss it with her. I needed to be a man and face reality.
"Make sure you keep up your studies there, okay?" she said, sounding a little unsure of herself. I think she was also trying to put off having to have the talk. For the time being, I let the topic of school continue.
"I don't think I can," I said jokingly.
She smiled in a trusting way and warmly said, "You'll do just fine. But let me know if there's anything you need."
"I will. Thanks for everything."
"Hey, what's with this tone of finality? It's not like we'll never see each other again. You think I'm going to let you get away with stealing my heart and just running away, like some thief in the night? I'll chase you to the ends of the Earth if I have to."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from such a dutiful maid."
"Former maid," she corrected. "I'm 100% teacher now, thanks to you. And even in all these months we've spent together, I still don't feel like I've adequately thanked you for that."
"You have, trust me. You've done so much for me as my teacher, my maid, my confidant, and my girlfriend. If anything, I'm the one who's falling behind here. It was probably selfish of me to enter a relationship with anyone, knowing I'll be going home without them."
She nodded. "Mm-hm. Entirely selfish. But, after everything you've done for others over this past year, myself included, you deserve to be a little selfish."
"Do you... Do you regret it? Getting together with me?"
Sadayo smiled in a semi-annoyed way, as if to say her answer should be obvious, and ran a hand through my messy hair. "Of course I don't. Even putting aside how you saved me from an existence that could barely be considered a life, you've taught me so much about myself and my students, and helped me grow as a teacher, and you've taken me to so many wonderful places. White Day alone has made this whole thing worth it, you smooth player, you."
"But, are you okay with a long-distance relationship?"
She put her hands on her hips and fixed me with an agitated look. "We have phones. We have texts and calls and video chat. There are so many ways we can still see and hear each other while we're apart. Sure, I'll miss being able to hold you, but we can always talk, and we can still visit each other from time-to-time. And, hey, I won't have to worry about the cost of travel, because the Takases' reparations have started coming in lately, so I'm not going to be lacking in funds."
I couldn't help but laugh at that last remark. She joined in too. I think her laugh and her smile are what I'll miss the most about her. Sure, I'll be able to see her smile and hear her laugh over the phone, but it's not the same as actually being in her presence and experiencing in-person how happy this wonderful woman truly is.
"You're right," I said, grinning like a madman. "And your visits will give me something to look forward to."
"See? We can make this work. And honestly, hearing that gives me peace of mind. Oh, but do you know what'll make you look forward to those visits even more? I've got a present for you."
She took my hand in hers and placed something into it. It was a small coupon-like piece of paper with the words "Unlimited Service" printed on it. It looked like it was an official coupon from Victoria.
"It sounds like the setup to a joke: a student bumps into his teacher in a full French maid outfit," she giggled. "But somehow, that opened up all kinds of new paths in my life. You taught me so much. You're not just my best student. You were a great master."
"Were?" I chuckled.
Her cheeks reddened. "Fine. You are a great master. There. Are you happy?"
"Happier that you can imagine."
She sighed. "I've created a monster."
"Two letters off. B-. See me after class."
"Oh, you wanna talk about grades, huh? What about that last pop quiz, huh? I noticed you were looking at me a lot during that. Is that why your grade slipped to a-"
"Okay, okay, I get the picture! I just don't find the material as interesting to focus on as you."
"Is that so? I'll have to see some evidence of this. I'll be expecting reports on all your grades each time I visit. If I don't see an improvement, then I'll know you were slacking off and not just distracted by my divine beauty."
"'Divine' is underselling it."
"Mm-hm! Good to see one last correct answer from you before you leave."
Morgana gagged inside my bag, attracting Sadayo's attention. She smiled as she poked a finger inside, jabbing him in the face, if his feline shriek was anything to go by.
"Hey, watch where you point that finger, lady!" Morgana protested as his head poked out of the gap in the zipper.
Sadayo smiled and stroked his forehead and scratched behind his ear, which placated him. "You look after him back home, Mona, okay?"
"S-Sure," he said, enamoured. "I can d-do that." I hesitate to ponder how suggestible he might become if Ann ever did that to him.
I pushed his head to get him back in the bag before zipping it back up.
Sadayo giggled. "And don't you worry about me. I can make up for all the times I distanced myself from my students, thanks to you. I'll help anyone who needs it, just like you guys. I learned a lot from you, and I won't let that go to waste." She pumped her fist with determination.
I couldn't hold myself back anymore and wrapped my arms around her. She stiffened up, maybe on reflex out of worry that someone might see, before relaxing and wrapping her own arms around me in turn.
"I love you, Sadayo," I said, barely able to hold back my tears.
"I love you too," she replied, not able to hold back her own. "It... It sure has been a crazy year, huh? Back in April, I never would've imagined I'd ever say that to one of my students. Though, I guess you aren't my student anymore, huh? I just hope I've been able to help prepare you for the real world in some way."
"Now who's talking with finality? You may not be my teacher anymore, but I've still got plenty to learn from you, and plenty of time to learn it. Your job as a teacher isn't over yet."
"Yeah. Then, I guess I'd better start on my lesson plan when I get home."
"I'm looking forward to it... Sensei."
We couldn't talk after that. For quite a while, all we could do was cry.
Eventually, we both calmed down and Sadayo tried to regain control of the situation. "You, uh... You try to be a little more diligent with school once you're home, okay?" I really will be expecting reports when I visit."
"Okay" was all I could say in return.
"Wow, so obedient," she said jokingly.
"I learned from the best," I said with a sly grin.
"I'm glad you have been of service, Master. God, you've created a monster too..."
"A perfect monster."
"I'd say the same of you, but that would be two letters off, and I have to set a good example for my students."
I chuckled. Then, I leaned in and kissed her. She kissed me back. It was the last one we're going to have in quite a while, so we were sure to make it count. Once it was over, we made our way over to the door back inside.
"This year has felt so fulfilling," Sadayo said with a smile that broke through her sadness. "I had to take care of you sometimes, but I also learned from you. It wasn't even for that long, if you think about it, but you're my student and my master. No matter where you are, no matter how long it takes, you'll always have me. Take care. If you ever need me, just say the word, and I'm there."
"You too. I'll always be there for you if you need me."
She smiled one final time. The sadness was harder for her to suppress, but her faith in me broke through, regardless. "I know. You always have been."