AN:

Writer's block is one hell of a thing. Also, might redo the earlier chapters for some polishing and grammar checks again.

How long has it been since she had been searching for him?

When she started running, the sky was still colored blue as the sun continued to radiate its heat upon the golden grains. And when she had realized it… the moon had already replaced the sun as the stars follow suit. Painting the darkened sky like happy little accidents blinking in and out, with her phone buzzing and ringing frequently from her friends filling in on the silent moonlit desert. Asking for her current status… her whereabouts… and updates… she is tempted to just silence it and continue on without her MomoTalk to distract her, but she knew they meant well… just sometimes they're such worrywarts it's a little too stuffy for her.

If she had to guess, they're still in Abydos. Gathering their thoughts and preparing for the night in the school as a tradition they had picked up if something devastating came up during the day… just like what had happened today.

She doubts any of her friends wanted to sleep alone after… that.

Especially Hoshino.

CashMoney02: "I'm still searching. Go to bed without me."

Nonobling: "Nope! We'll be here till you find him!"

Ayane_Abydos: "Shiroko, are you still sure about this? We can follow you… just wait for us in just a minute…"

BlackCat_me: "Yeah! Are you still sure of doing this alone?"

CashMoney02: "Yes. Continue your work at Abydos and support me from there."

Ayane_Abydos: "Alright… but really keep us updated alright? You just keep going on and off the grid!"

CashMoney02: "Yes, mom."

Ayane_Abydos: "…"

Nonobling: "Hehe! She called you mom!"

The group chat continued on for a few good seconds of bickering. But none came from their vice president.

Not a single solitary message in the group chat, and not even in her DMs.

No noise, no calls, no nothing. Just an already rotting message from yesterday noon.

Everyone just assumed she had found somewhere secluded to sleep by her lonesome with her thoughts but, for Shiroko… this felt… wrong. Even if she is dozing off, she is never this quiet. So… silent.

CashMoney02: "…Hoshino?"

BlackCat_me: "No... We still can't find her."

Ayane_Abydos: "She's still not picking up her phone, and I can't track it anywhere…"

"..."

With that interaction, she pocketed her phone and face what lies ahead. She can't give up now. The scent still lingers around the winds… and it's just going to be a matter of time before she'll talk some sense into him.

Picking up the pace, she ran again through the frosty night before reaching towards the abandoned southern ruins. A once bustling shopping district by Hoshino's account, evident by the remnants of iron and concrete malls as a forgotten flyer laid buried away, deep inside the sands with no one to rediscover it.

This is where her nose had led her.

Climbing up the stairs, Shiroko had expected the adult to greet her. Alone with his thoughts, and that AI of his. Perhaps the AI had already given what her teacher needed to hear before she got here.

Either way, she pushed the creaking, crumbling door open.

"…Shiroko?"

And instead of the tall, white-haired wolf she had been expecting… it was his tablet. Sitting on its lonesome, supported by dusty cushions on top of a chair next to a smartphone, the earpiece from Ayane… and a worn field cap placed neatly on top of the tablet.

He really went off the grid.

"What are you sniff doing here?" The voice of the AI continued as she wiped her eyes. Damp, and still trickling with tears.

"…Arona? Have you been- "

"N-NO!" she defended before… stopping herself. "Yes…"

Walking close to the tablet, Shiroko sat on the floor. Watching at how could an AI feels… so alive, like talking to another student instead of a machine of code and logic.

"What happened?"

"Uu…" Arona whimpered. "…We- sensei said he wanted to be alone for a moment… said he'll come back after he had gathered his thoughts."

Shiroko gave an understanding nod.

"But… w-we're supposed to be partners! I am supposed to be with him as his secretary a-and…" she mumbled on.

"I… I think I had failed him… I didn't stop him when Kayoko used her ability… and I… didn't react enough t-to…" She started to tear up again. "I should've tried harder..."

"It's not your fault, it was just a horrible… and unfortunate situation, Arona." Shiroko sighs and tapped on the tablet.

"…But what matters most, sensei is still alive." She gazed at the stars. "Do you know? About his…"

Arona gave a reluctant nod. "A lot… and from what I saw, you already know his truth. "

"Nn" Shiroko stood up. "Only a glimpse of it… but that is enough for me."

"He is my kin, after all." Shiroko made a statement, determined to see this one through.

"Arona, will you come with me?"

"Ngh… I… y-yes! Let's go!" Arona's uncertain expression melts away as her eyes glowed with determination, and her halo morphs into a bright green circle.

"Then let's go find him together." Shiroko gave a thumbs up that was returned by the AI. "Together!"

"Nn." Picking up the tablet, Shiroko put her and sensei's other belongings inside of her slung sports bag. Picking up his phone, a forgotten message notification caught her eye.

A private message from someone named Chinatsu.

That is interesting but, that is not her business. Sensei is still sensei, after all. The very adult chosen by the missing GSC president. Responsible for every student in Kivotos, even the sukebans.

Every single one of them.

"…"

SLAP!

"Shiroko, did you just slap yourself?"

"No."

She hastily packed what he had left before she stopped at his field cap.

"…"

Her will is strong, yet her thoughts win.

Lowering her animalistic ears, she put on the worn cap on her head. A Little too big, but… it felt nice.

"Hehe, it fits you!"

"Nn."

Her eyes twinkle a little as the newfound… borrowed look.. Now with a companion, she made her way out and into the desert again. Before quickly stopping and gave her friends an update.

CashMoney02: "Got a new lead. Sensei is close, and I found a friend."

Click!

Image sent!

Ignoring her buzzing phone, the wolf got back on the hunt,

as the moon finally reached its peak in the sky.

Nothing more was heard except for the howling winds as it picked up the sands and carried it across the district, brushing the dunes and the hardened local flora of the climate gently repeatedly while the populace rested on their homes.

Just as then, from the nearby fields of green, a scampering creature exited its burrow. Two large ears, a twitchy nose, and two powerful hind legs propelled it up and down on the dusty terrain. Moving away from the protection of its burrow and towards somewhere else.

The creature gazed left and right before it finally reached its target of a small clearing of vegetation that had grown and sprouted well, considering the climate.

The rabbit then hopped for one last time as it opened its tiny mouth and munched on the green. Tiny teeth tearing and crunching upon it as it filled its stomach.

Oblivious to the eyes watching behind it.

It munched and munched and munched as the sand shifted behind it.

Then, with one last crunch… the rabbit noticed the growl of an apex predator. From the shadows, a white furred predator jumped and ran behind it, causing the prey into a full-blown panic mode as it scampered away in a futile attempt to save its life from the wide fanged mouth of death itself.

In the end, its fate is already sealed. The prey can't defeat the predator as it hunted. It can run, jump, slither, or fly. But in the end, all of them would meet the same fate.

One way or another.

The rabbit twitched as its last struggling tinge of life escaped its lips, before finally it ceased all functions. Clasped in between the razor-sharp teeth of the predator as it prepares itself to devour the fruition of the hunt.

Opening its mouth again, the beast started to enjoy it's late night meal. Crushing the rabbit's bones and tearing open its flesh, as it chewed and swallowed everything. Yet the prey was merely a snack. There must be something bigger it could hunt… but in truth, there is nothing else in the desert.

Thinking of going off to hunt again, the winds shifted right at that moment, and it caught something else… other than prey. Looking left and right… it immediately made retreat.

And moments later, footsteps came to the ground.

"Hm… I thought I had heard something…"

"Wait, look there!" Arona spoke directly into her mind, causing her to flinch a little. Is this what Hans-sensei experienced every day with the little AI? She wonders just how long did it take for him to get used to her voice in his head.

"Blood." Shiroko knelt down, rubbing her fingers on the stained sands.

"Is it... no, it's not sensei's right?"

"No. It's more like something has been eating here… and by the tracks over there, it could be either a large dog…"

Arona caught on. "…Or a wolf."

Then there's the silence… and the two had made a silent agreement.

"I'll inform everyone else, and for Ayane to give us some aerial view." Then Arona continued with a determined tint to her voice and a glow in her virtual eyes.

"Got it." Shiroko spoke, matching the AI's determination.

"Let's catch this wolf!"

The hunter had become the prey.

It pushed its legs as far as its stamina could go, pushing harder and harder as it had caught the scent of something that it wanted to escape from. Was it because of the strange guilt or merely the fleeting wish to be left alone? Perhaps no one can know decipher the truth that is eft locked behind the white and black iris of the canine.

It went plowing through to escape and hide till the night ends, or till its pursuers had lost his trail. But considering the flying drone above that is currently scanning a large enough area and the younger wolf running with endless stamina and vigor, its chance to escape and hide is already little as it is.

The footsteps came closer before it was replaced by… the sounds of wheels?

The prey looked back to see… the hunter on a bike it had never seen before.

D-DID SHE STEAL IT?!

"I found it." The girl in question gave it a peace sign as if she had read its mind. With that, she got even closer and closer, but in a lucky streak, it ran up towards a rock formation and leapt down to gain enough distance from its pursuer.

Yet it didn't stop running for at least 10 minutes more before it thought it had lost them. Letting out a small huff as it remains hidden. It thought of its next move. Maye it's better to just to go away further and-

"Found you."

A gentle, yet threatening voice of a student came to its ears. Interrupting its thoughts and causing its fur to shiver, and rose in horror.

It made a yelp as it tried to dash away, mist forming on its legs before it was picked up and hugged by the young wolf.

"Nn. Got you."

Somehow, her grip made it almost impossible for it to slip away.

It struggles before it tried to focus. Slowly turning its body to mist-

"Come on… please? I was lonely…" the AI spoke next.

And she knows how to play and weave with words enough to pierce the wolf's soul with even more piled up mental and heart burden. Stopping it from struggling and for its head to lower along with its ears, as a small, barely audible whine left its throat.

"…A-and sensei, um… I'm sorry I didn't try harder… and react faster to…" Arona spoke sheepishly, trying to take some of the blame for the incident.

But the wolf snaps its head towards the AI and shook its head.

Then silence.

"…Can you, you know?" Shiroko raised her hand to make a motion. Raising her hands to measure its height in another form.

It gave a slow nod.

"Are you going to?"

It shook its head.

"Okay, I'll let you go." Shiroko released her hug, and the wolf walked off from her lap before sitting down in front of them.

"Will you talk about what happened? What you saw?"

It lowered its head even more.

"Is it from the time when you're a soldier?"

A slow nod.

Then a hand fell to its head, sliding up and down before moving to below its ears and under its chin.

"You've been through a lot, haven't you?"

Shiroko took off the field cap and put it on the wolf.

"…As we rely that much on you. I want you to rely on us as well. We are your students, after all… sensei."

Then she gave a tiny smile.

"Have faith in me as I have in you. If you wanted to talk about it… then we are here."

It looked down and the gears turn. It had made a mistake, yes… out of its trauma, experience, and a feral nature to protect and fight.

But that doesn't mean that he could get off scot free. It can't deny it, nor deflect it. A mistake is a mistake, a sin is a sin. It could've… ended another's life.

But that doesn't mean it can't remedy its mistake.

The wolf gave a nod, and Shiroko rubbed its head again.

"You already helped us more times than I can count. You gave us hope. Support. And patience. Now it's our turn."

"So… how about we stay here for a moment? I wanted to see something." Shiroko stood up with a gleam in her eyes.

"Let's go hunting."

"Huh?! But it's already late! Shiroko, you need to get some sleep!"

"But tomorrow is Saturday."

"You'll destroy your sleep schedule!"

"…Ugh." She lowered her ears with disappointment. Yet the wolf walked ahead and gave a nod and a gesture.

Before it dashed away, catching Shiroko a little off guard before the same determination glinted within her eyes, and a fire burning inside.

She stood up and picked Arona and her gear before sprinting to follow the wolf.

"W-WAH?! Shiroko?!"

"Nn. It's a race. Hold tight."

Four legs against two, sprinting across the endless golden grains of sand as the moonlight brightened their paths back towards their destination.

And as the hours passed, Shiroko huffed as she reached the gates. Wiping her brow with a towel she kept with her at all times. She was sweaty, dusty, and her shoes were filled with sand. Yet she kept a small smile of satisfaction.

Wiping her sweat again, she looked forward. Meeting with the red eyes of her teacher. Nodding at her as he tidied his field cap.

"Welcome back." Shiroko offered her hand.

"…I'm back." He whispers and shook her hand, before it went to her head. "Thank you."

."Nn. Everyone is waiting. If they're still awake, that is."

"Hans-Sensei…" Arona mumbled from the tablet as Shiroko offered it back to the captain.

"…Arona."

Silence grows over them.

"Can I hug you?" Arona offered, spreading her arms.

"…Yes."

Reaching out, Hans reached to the screen as his sight darkens and his surroundings changed. Finding himself back in the derelict classroom again.

But this time, the moon shines down on the two of them with the stars to accompany it.

Wasting not another second, Arona leaped into his him. Her tiny arms surround his frame as she nuzzled into his worn greatcoat.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry as well, um… does it still hurt from y-you know?"

Hans shook his head and reached out to the AI. Stroking her hair gently.

"It never did. Thank you for worrying."

"How could I not? I failed to protect you... and I failed to stop you."

"You tried, and that is enough for me."

"But that doesn't mean that I succeeded… I was really… really scared you know? I-I know that you can… survive but…"

Hans nodded and continued on to embrace her. "It's alright. Thank you… Arona."

Then… he opened his eyes. Staring not at the classroom, but at the sands and the younger wolf in front of him.

"Sensei, you stood still for a minute there. Are you alright?" Shiroko called out.

"Yes." He reached out to the smaller wolf as well, gently stroking her head.

"N-Nn."

Then a yawn left her lips. "!"

"…To think I'm getting sleepy for the night… ugh." She rubbed the corners of her eyes, trying her best to keep the drowsiness away.

In which, Hans gave a small shake of his head. "We'll continue tomorrow."

She sighs but eventually nodded. "Nn. Are you going back to SCHALE, sensei?" Shiroko asks, glancing at her watch.

"Sensei, now's your chance!" Arona whispers.

"…Would you mind if I stay here for the night?"

Shiroko's eyes lit up, and she gave a quick nod before… calming herself down. "N-Nn. I don't think the others would mind. Since they didn't answer the chats anymore… they're probably passed out as well."

Entering the school side by side and into the clubroom, the sight that greeted told the pair that Shiroko is right. The other remaining members are all passed out cold in the clubroom. Snoozing as the exhausting events of today had finally taken their toll. Ayane was on the table, with her face down in front of her devices, and her glasses still worn on her face. Nonomi and Serika, cuddling each other on the sofa.

And yet, still there is the glaring absence of their senior.

"…She's not here." Shiroko sighed in a minor frustration at the senior's absence before quickly turning to face Hans.

"Sens- " Before she stopped. Quickly double taking at what Hans had quickly brought. Spare pillows and blankets had taken from the infirmary without missing another second to tuck them in a comfortable position.

"Hm. I should've known." Shiroko gave a tiny smile. "Sensei, we can use the spare room just ahead. There is a spare sleeping bag and I have my own." Then she dusted off her uniform before she sniffs herself.

"Um… I'm going to shower first… and you should too later."

Shiroko quickly sprinted, leaving Hans by his lonesome with Arona who is… sleeping as well.

Tucking back the tablet, he closed the clubroom door and entered the spare room. Dimly lit, and yet still kept clean.

Well… clean enough, but there's no harm in just tidying it just a little more.

Footsteps came into his ear, followed by the sliding door.

"Uwah, is that you Shirok-"

Then it was cut.

Hans turned to look at her, pale and wide eyed. A free hand almost reaching for her stained weapon.

"Hoshino."

A long and tense silence fell over them before Hoshino slouched over with a small grin.

"Heeh. I thought you for Shiroko for a second there sensei. Uncle here will leave you to it." She raised a hand before turning her back on him.

"…Wait. Hoshino." Hans put down his work and walked to her, staring into her small frame. "Stay. For a moment."

She did. Stopping just before she went to the door.

"…I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"…My show of aggression is… uncalled. I should've controlled myself better."

"Hah. It's not your fault. Sensei I- I shot you. Instead of thinking of apologizing, are you hurt anywhere?" Hoshino kept her back to Hans as she kept her tone neutral.

Hans gave a small huff. "No. What about… you?"

Her hands curled into fists. "I'm good. A little bruised, though."

"…You know what I meant." Hans kept his stance. "…You did the right thing."

"Sensei. I. Shot. You." She spoke in a harsh and quiet tone, still with her back to him. "Don't tell me it's a good thing. I could've shoved, pushed, or anything, but… I shot at you."

She paused for a moment. Holding her voice.

"…You have no halo, sensei. I could've… killed you."

Killed her junior's light and Kivotos'

Then her twin colored eyes tilted to meet his own. Void, angry, discontent, yet… fearful.

"…Hoshino."

Then she walked away, uncaring anymore from her piled up exhaustion

"You owe us an explanation. I'll see you in the morning… sensei."

Hans watched her walking away. Thinking of her, the school, and his past.

It's better to just… do this tomorrow. A brand new day, maybe even better than this one.

Taking off his greatcoat, Hans sat down and crossed his arms. Sighing as he took a rest upon the hard wooden floorboards and the concrete wall. A sleeping bag folded neatly, and a thought of a shower buried deep and laid forgotten.

A paper laid bare on the table as a student folded it neatly into her bag and in between her books. A shotgun laid to the sides, still stained no matter how hard she tried to scrub it. Her hands went to it before hesitating as her stomach still churned upon the dried crimson that decorated it.

Yet, she let it churn.

Holding it again, she exited out of the meeting room and the building.

She had done it. Meeting with someone that she thought she wouldn't meet in her lifetime and thinking of something that'll burn everything she had done and built.

An afterthought. The nuclear option, so to speak. Yet looking at her options? There is little to choose from… even with his help.

For her juniors, she would do anything.

"…Hehe." She chuckled to herself as she made her way towards her usual seat in the park. Staring up to the sky as her body still howls and creaked, begging for her to take a break and rest even with the hours she spent napping.

Yet her mind laughs in defiance as it churns with the exhausting events of today. And it all came back not at the meeting, but at HIM again and again.

She stared at her shotgun once more. Glaring at the persistent crimson, as her stomach churned for the nth time today.

No matter how much she wanted to just… let it fade and rot away, it still came back.

Just like her.

Just like that day.

But this is different.

This… is different.

There are no lifeless eyes that greeted her, no icy hands laid bare upon the grains. But something else, beyond an adult, and a student.

His torn muscles and organs regenerate and stitched like clay, heart pumping, and new blood cells were made to replace the ones lost.

His fingernails elongated like claws, teeth sharpening, and white fur sprouted from his body.

And eyes staring at her like she was nothing more but prey.

That was she felt right there after she had shot him. Like a little rabbit staring into the eyes of a beast.

A monster.

Yet… that is not what he is, right? Just an adult… who had been chosen by the missing GSC president herself. Not a monster…

Just. Their. Teacher.

Her hands clenched once more, gripping her skirt as it trembled ever so lightly before her ears caught a rising ruckus nearby.

"Eek!"

Because some delinquents were causing trouble in the district. Thinking they're hot stuff as they harassed a civilian.

Heh. Perhaps this could distract her for a minute.

Standing up, her eyes met with the delinquents. Shotgun in hand, and armed.

And barely five minutes later, they turned away. Running and crying with their tails tucked in between their legs.

"Phew… thank you… wait- oh! H-Hoshino! I… you saved me again." The pug spoke as he rubbed his head, picking up his scattered papers and suitcase.

"Uhe, it's nothing. Just glad you're okay."

"I won't without you. It's not much but… take this." He offered Hoshino some cash.

"Well… don't mind if I do." Hohsino grins and rubbed the back of her head as the money went into her pockets.

"Really, it's the least I can do. Abydos is really lucky to have you." Then he waved goodbye and went on his way.

And Hoshino went on her way as well, as her smile slowly faded as well.

For Abydos, she would do anything.

This is her choice.

Even if one day… she must do what she must.

Moving on, she patrolled around the area just a little more before stopping nearby as she reached into her pockets. Pulling out her forgotten device, left silenced by its desperate screams for her as a dozen missed calls and messages had flooded its cracked screen.

"Hoshino, where are you? Are you alright?"

"Please, pick up."

"Hoshino! Where the hell have you been sleeping again?!"

"Hoshino. Pick up your phone."

Just as then, a new message was there. Sent barely 5 minutes ago.

CashMoney02: I found sensei. We're going back to Abydos in a min.

Her heart slowed down for a minute. Then she ended her patrol right there and then. Dashing and jumping through to make her way towards her friends.

Pushing her legs to the limits, she pass through alleys and shortcuts, before she arrived back to the school. Barely before her legs gave out, and eyes flickering in and out of the dark out from the sheer extortion of her stamina.

Turning open the backdoor, Hoshino enters the school. Wiping her brow, and held her beating heart.

Just then, she walked inside. Knowing well her juniors are probably asleep except for Shiroko and… sensei. Nearing the spare room, Hoshino took a gamble, a single coin flip.

And as she entered, hoping for her junior. But instead, she met the red eyes of the last… and first person she wanted to see today.

The night passes, and Hoshino falls down. Exhausted both mentally and physically as her head fell on a table. It's not exactly comfortable… but who gives a damn? The talk with him was short and yet, and all she wanted is just all of it to fade and go away as it already hammered her nonexistent energy.

Closing her eyes… her thought wandered to the paper once more.

On the other side… Hans thought and dreamed of darkness that night.

Before he felt warm, then something heavy on him. Yet it doesn't feel awful, just... this strange lingering warmth.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING WHILE WE'RE ASLEEP?!"

A voice suddenly exploded, breaking Hans out from the dream, then into reality. He had a blanket around him, along with a small pillow. Yet that is not what disturbed and shocked him the most.

It was the fact he was not alone inside of the blanket.

A pair of white wolfish ears popped out of the blanket, followed by a head and a halo forming above it.

"…Nn, Serika, you're loud." The wolf yawned, rubbing her eyes before she fell down on the large frame that is Hans who still doesn't know how, what, and when.

"ME?! SHIROKO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" the cat girl shouted and pointed with a large blush on her face.

"My my, Shiroko is not taking chances." Nonomi, meanwhile, is just happy to be here.

"…" And Ayane has no words merely staring as her brow twitched, and her face redden a little.

"Hee, what a lively morning." But what's more shocking than Shiroko did was Hoshino herself that had disappeared yesterday to only drop a nuclear bomb by waking up early this morning.

"WHAT THE- HOSHINO?!"

And with a few good minutes of Hoshino lying her ass off, telling them she had gone sleeping somewhere else and went somewhere to clear her head. Insisting that she is fine now as she continues to embrace her juniors.

And then it came to Shiroko being reprimanded for… that. Then came the silence. With vengeance.

Taking this as his moment, Hans opened his mouth.

Just like tearing open an old wound.

"I owe an… explanation of what happened yesterday." He took off the field cap, and without waiting for any objections, he starts.

"When that bullet soared, I saw myself back… in war. I saw my… companions fell around me, my… people slaughtered, and I saw my enemy in front of me."

He paused for a second.

"I have no excuse. I should've… controlled myself better."

"Sensei… you're wrong." Ayane immediately reasoned. "You don't owe us an explanation… I was worried more about you… than an explanation. Just with you talking about this… is already enough for me." Ayane walked to Hans and gave him a small nod.

Then… Nonomi took the chance. Leaning to Hans, he pulled him into a hug. "Hehe, and to me as well, it's not your fault. There, there." She stood on her tiptoes and barely able to stroke his head, aided because he was leaning town a little.

"Nono-! Ugh… I don't know what ghosts you have, sensei. But considering you told us about your time as a solder… well, except me." Serika tugged on his greatcoat. "What you owe me is… a story a-as long as you want to share… of course."

"Nn. I have nothing more to say." Shiroko locked on his arm.

"Heh. Well… I'm glad my juniors got your back, sensei." Hoshino gave a small, faded smile. Before she could say or do anything else, Shiroko pulled her to the group.

"You're not going away."

"Yay!" Nonomi pulled her close as well. Hands grasping on Hans and the third year, with a grin on her face.

Hoshino was clearly a little uncomfortable… but she finally surrenders and leaned to the blonde. Closing her eyes, a little.

"But sensei… how did you… um… I mean um…" Serika mumbles and jumbles her words.

"I have… something like a halo." He answers. "…Maybe one day... I'll tell you about it."

Yet this is not over yet… he still needed to visit the one he had hurt.

So, after a moment once more with the students from Abydos, he bid them farewell for the day. Exiting out from the gates, he called on Arona.

"Hm… to there, sensei?"

"Yes… find the closest route there."

Hans exited out of the jeep and lowered his field cap, ignoring the rowdy people as they come and go. Buying and selling, harassing, and fighting. Just like he had expected of a district filled with shady people and rag tag groups of delinquents and other kinds of students coming from every corner around Kivotos.

Left and right outside of the illegal stuff some students and adults have been trading, business flourished.

Services like ID forging, casinos, arcades, muscles for hire, business advice, and surprisingly… hotels as many of them are around the general area.

Why? He doesn't want to know. At least for now… or maybe never.

Just as he was still lost in his thoughts, a blunt and cold steel of a gun barrel met his back.

Click.

"Oi, gramps. You look stacked. How about you empty them pockets, eh?"

Gramps?

Hans didn't respond, titling his head ever slightly to give them a glare.

"!"

"H-Hey! What are you staring u-us for?! Empty your pockets or get blasted!" The masked blonde delinquent threatened, still pointing the gun.

Then within a fraction of a second his hand we raised, then he tugged on the weapon and pulled the delinquent to his face.

Glaring at her from top to bottom, and causing the girl to let out a small whimper.

"!"

"What the-!?" The other one tried to pull out her weapon, but Hans had pulled her close as well. And let his eyes to dart through them left to right, as the two felt the sudden pressure of being in proximity with the adult.

"…Do you know anywhere I could… ask for some fixers?"

After a while of a nice, nonthreatening, professional filled talk of navigating the black market, Hans found himself meeting an automaton that, by the delinquents' words, are probably sketchy enough to know.

"Yeah. I'm the guy. With a price, I can tell you about it."

Hans tossed a few bucks to the table. The robot grins, and before his hands went to it, Hans slammed his hand on the cash.

"Hey! Tch."

"I need a team… from Gehenna."

He grumbles before thinking. "Got a few." He reached for something and tossed a few name cards down. "Take a look yourself." Then he pointed to his hand. "Care to lift it up now?
Hans lifted his hands and with a sleight of hand, he took more than half of what he had tossed on the counter for the informant, leaving barely scrap enough for two bean bento boxes.

Then Hans disappeared before the robot realized it.

Looking at the name cards, Hans shifted from one to another before he found what he had been looking for. Complete with an address and a phone number.

Walking to a payphone, he punched in the numbers… and waited.

…Ring… ring…

Click.

"Problem Solver 68. We do the crime, if you got the dime. But we, um… we are off for the day… or week."

"…I see."

"So, thank you for calling but-"

Push on.

"I'll have a contract… that you might be interested in. I'll be brief… please."

"O-Oh?! Wait-!"

Then mumbles are heard on the other side.

"But- wait… a-are you sure? Please, you need to- ugh… alright… if you insist…"

"Alright, we can have a discussion."

"I'll come to your office in 30 minutes."

"I- okay. See you then, client."

Just then shouts are heard, as the sounds of someone scrambling before falling down from her seat. "Clean the office! We got a guest!"

Click.

Ending the call, Hans made his way somewhere else before he came towards his destination.

He wouldn't want to enter their office empty-handed now, wouldn't he?

Kayoko looked at herself in the mirror and opened her bandage, revealing the bruises that were hidden underneath. The red and blue mixing into a long, relentless stain upon her pale milk skin. It doesn't hurt anymore, but sometimes it would itch.

She let out a small sigh as she rubbed it, annoyed at how long it'll take for it to fully fade away. As much as it is, there is no one to blame. She and her friends and Hans-sensei are just doing their jobs. They to attack and subjugate Abydos and Hans-sensei to protect his students, and she got what's coming… perhaps.

This is one of the many reasons why she is so apprehensive about using her "Panic Bringer" and would rather use her alternative black bullets that had a more… toned down part of her skill.

Even with such a name… the truth remains there. It's something much worse than just causing panic. It tore open wounds and past trauma to play back it again and again inside of one's head as their own personal hell for 5 seconds. More than enough to make it feel like it's an eternity, yet she can't exactly control it to make it stop prematurely.

For as long as it is then, she can only hope that it wouldn't cause any permanent of long-term trauma.

…The memory came back.

Long when she was in her younger days, she thought of it as her gift. To destroy anyone who stood in her way, on THEIR way.

Wearing black and red, complete with the logo of her school with pride and ignorance. Doing hits and jobs for a leader who is just… unbearable with vigor and loyalty. Till, she got the one task that had shattered and burnt everything she had built to the ground.

She raised her gun and let the roar to escape. Engulfing her enemy in a miasma of horror and malice.

Then as the smoke and ashes clear. There is nothing left of the girl. Just a pale, horrific imitation of what is left.

Even less than a shell.

Less than a shadow.

A shard of a shard.

She never recovered from being trapped in her own hell before eventually, her shard shatters again.

And then she is nowhere to be found.

Even with congratulations and praises, Kayoko ran and emptied her stomach. Her hands forever stained, and her soul condemned. That is when she realizes… it is not a gift. A curse.

A curse that she needed to abandon. Yet she can't.

…Her curse continues, so there is only one way. To let it fade and never use it anymore.

And it shows. 5 seconds from her full length 20.

The echoes remain but it's just a whisper of what it is… allowing her to feel… a little safe using it again in a dire situation.

Kayoko wrapped her neck again. She thought… she wouldn't have to remember these old memories. They still came back like a boomerang.

And he had been a part of it resurfacing. Like he was… a part of the awful, yet poetic coincidence life had made.

Should she be furious? Loathing? Spiteful? No. Instead she glad she could remember her sin again. Telling her that… no matter what, it wouldn't go away. All that she can do is… to look to the future.

She wouldn't want it any other way.

Bzzz!

"It's them!" Aru called out from the other side of the door as she made her way to her seat.

"I'll get it." Kayoko's lips curled into a small smile as she exited out from the bathroom. "Hold your horses, everyone."

Kayoko rubbed her neck and walked to the door, having a good idea who might it be.

Welcome to our office," She opened the door.

After all, it's too much of a coincidence if the mysterious new client wasn't him.

"Hans-sensei."

And there he was. HIis greatcoat exchanged for a white shirt with a pin of SCHALE on its collar. A black vest, and a blue armband on his right arm. Holding bags of… something from Angel 24.

"…Kayoko." He spoke softly and barely a whisper.

"Hey. Come in." She pulled the door wider to let him in, ignoring the wide-open mouths of Aru and Haruka, and an amused Mutsuki.

"w-w-w-w-whuh-?! I- WHAT!" Aru finally snapped from her surprise, her hands slamming on the table as she stood up. "HAN-HANS SENSEI?! OUR CLIENT IS HANS-SENSEI?!"

"Kufufu… is it really much of a surprise? I should've expected you, sensei." Mutsuki walked to Hans next. "So… here to redeem yourself for hurting our Kayoko?"

Hans flinched and gave a nod. His eyes looking down in shame.

"It's fine, sensei. I'm doing better. Sit, I'll make us some tea." Kayoko gave him a small sigh, and she left towards their shared kitchen. Letting Mutsuki to pull him to the sofa. "Come here!"

Mutsuki snickered, taking a seat next to Hans. "What do you have, sensei?"

"I-I still…. I- okay… um… ugh," Aru mumbles, still with her thoughts scrambled from the development. "But- but! WE ATTACKED ABYDOS! H-HANS-SENSEI I-IS! UM!"

"Psh. Water under the bridge. Yesterday, it's just us doing our jobs. We need to get along well, right?" Mutsuki gave an impish smirk, and Hans replied with a nod.

"…Um, Aru-sama s-should I..?" Haruka mumbles, as she gripped her shotgun.

"No… no.. it's alright. Water… water under the bridge." Aru sighs, and sat back down.

"Woah! Aren't these the super expensive premium bentos?!" Mutsuki gasped in surprise, placing down the meals on the table.

Mutsuki continued to rummage through the bags, pulling out some more snacks and drinks, and lastly… some meds. A few painkillers, an ointment, and a small bandage, just in case.

"Hehe… you really went all out." Mutsuki smiled.

Then in just a moment sooner, Kayoko walked out with a kettle and five glasses as her eyes saw what he had brought.

"Really… sensei, you don't have to bring us this much just to…" Then she smiled to herself and poured the tea. "You're a handful, you know that?" then she sat on the opposite side.

"…Your..." Hans whispered, pointing to her neck.

"I'm fine, sensei. Just the bruise that'll need healing." She rubbed her bandages.

"Still… I'm-" Hans tried to apologize but Kayoko sighs and stood up, and sat on his left. "If anyone needed to apologize, it's me, for making you… remember unpleasant memories."

"…Kayoko, but.."

Then Mutsuki reached out and leaped onto his lap. "Fufu, you're such a worrywart. Don't worry, sensei. We didn't put it personally. She's healing, we're all fine, and no one is utterly and terribly hurt! Well… anymore, that is." She then looked towards Kayoko, a little worried as well.

"What she said." Kayoko sipped on her tea. "I'm fine."

Mutsuki sighs and changed the topic.

"While you're here sensei… Aru has been rewatching the videos of us getting our ass kicked over and over again. Especially when you came into view." Mutsuki giggled and pointed to Aru, in which causing the girl to spit out her tea.

"W-WHAT?! MUTSUKI WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?!" She paled and defended herself.

"But it's true! Kufufu!" Mutsuki continued on to tease, kicking her legs back and forth.

"W-Well… ugh, enough about me! Why don't get off from his lap?!" Aru pointed.

"Eeeh, but we need to get along. After all, he is still our client~," A devilish grin left Mutsuki's lips.

"W-What? But- sensei is…!"

"Mutsuki is technically right." Kayoko joined in. Sipping on her tea as if she didn't jump on the pile of teasing.

"…W-Well… h-he did call us…" Haruka mumbled.

"O-Okay! Um, alright." Aru clears her throat. "Dear client, thank you for choosing us. So… what can we do for you?"

Aru tried to look her coolest. Yet falling short from her trembling hands and sweaty forehead.

"…A contract for me to support you… as my students, and as Problem Solver 68. By this… all members of it are recognized as part of SCHALE itself, while remaining independent from SCHALE. Allowing us… me to do everything in our power to support you."

Hans reached to the Shittim Chest and let Arona to deliver the contract papers down on the table.

"Woah! Sensei, you really didn't need to do all of that! Like I said, it's alright! Are you really serious?!" Mutsuki tried to reason.

"Sensei, really… this is a little too overkill." Kayoko sighs.

"…A-Are you really serious, SCHALE supporting us…?" Aru's eyes bulged as she sat up and ran to read the contract.

"A-A supporter… and it's Hans-sensei…" Haruka mumbles.

Hans nodded. "I'm sure. In truth… this is just a formality. No matter what… no matter the academy… you're still my students. Whether you wished for you to be a true part of SCHALE… or not."

He gazed at the entire room.

"…This is the least I can do." Hans gave a small bow while still holding on Mutsuki on his lap.

The room grew silent at his declaration.

"…Haah. Really, sensei… you're too much of a handful." Kayoko stood up and grabbed a pen, signing on the paper.

"Kufufu! With this we are secured!" Mutsuki signed in next before locking her arms to Hans'.

"…I-I'll wait for Aru-sama to make her decision…" Haruka hesitates.

And Aru kept her gaze on the paper.

Hans-sensei. SCHALE. The cool adult who had this aura of a powerful leader and guardian. Yet holding so much wrath and madness underneath that quiet visage of his. She is worried herself… and she had her doubts, even if he had done this with good intentions.

…Could this be a tactic for their silence at the matter? But is he really that kind of person to do so?

Kayoko insisted that she is fine. But Aru's heart still ached at the sight of the bandage, and the look of utter terror from her face when her halo cracks. How the hell does she recover that fast from such a trauma is beyond her.

Mutsuki is… unreadable. Perhaps she hold doubts herself but she looks like she is just happy to tease and have fun.

Haruka is Haruka. Without her making a move first, the girl wouldn't do anything else.

Even if she didn't sign it… in the end, the outcome would be the same. They're still his students. And by signing this…

Their future is secured. Working directly with Hans-sensei… and still remaining independent? This is all too sweet.

She is overthinking this.

The one that is truly hurt is Kayoko, and she… still kept her smile as she stood next to Hans-sensei. She trusts him… and so she will do as well.

"No matter what…" Aru raised her pen. "Then I trust you to bring Problem Solver 68 to greater heights." She then stood up, staring at the teacher as she offered her hands.

"I shall put my trust, as the boss… a-and as your student on you."

Hans stood up as well, carefully picking up Mutsuki before setting her down beside him.

"Then… I shall not betray your trust… Aru." He shook her hand with a tiny… yet warm smile on his lips.

With that, the oath was forged between him and the outlaws as slowly a smile crept to Aru's expression. Feeling strangely fuzzy as she shook his hand… and when she said her same ever so softly with that smile.

"…Hehe." She giggles a little. Feeling somewhat content.

"Kufufu." Mutsuki smirks, as she got back on her position on top of his lap. "Aru-chan… you look like you're-"

"No I'm NOT!" Aru immediately sprung back. Clearing her throat as she sat back down on the singular chair.

"Then… Aru-sama trusts you, Hans-sensei… and I will trust you as well." Haruka's hands trembled and signs on the paper.

Yet somehow, the pen cracks, and ink poured barely on the paper. Staining it just by a smudge before Haruka yells and tossed the pen to a wall.

"I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY-"

Hans raised his hand and tapped Haruka. "It's fine." Looking at it, the ink doesn't really matter that much.

"It is?" Haruka wiped her tears as a hand gently rubs her hair.

Hans gave a nod and tucked the document into the Shittim chest. Letting it to store the document for now.

"Kufufu. Sensei, are you going back to Abydos after this?" Mutsuki asks.

Hans thought for a moment… and shook his head.

"Then! I have a formal request to SCHALE." Mutsuki raised her finger. "For you to spend your day today with us!"

"I expected much." Kayoko sighs.

""Wait, what?! Sensei, w-wouldn't you um… have any important things to do?"

Hans shook his head. "…Documents. I can always do them later. My students are… my first priority."

Or to just go all nighter.

"You heard him Aru! Today we'll have our first hangout with sensei!"

Hans felt like he had dug himself a hole as he stared into the eyes of that imp. Yet, he nods. Well… whatever happens, happens.

The next thing he knows is when Mutsuki hopped off from his lap and ran to the doors. Before returning with a board game, and two decks of cards. One is labeled 'Satu' and the other is a fresh deck of classic poker cards.

Out of all things…

"Poker!"

"Really?" Kayoko raised her eyebrow.

"It'll be perfect considering the snacks and food sensei had brought." Mutsuki hummed.

"Hm… I see. Very well! Let's begin." Aru sat down on the sofa with Haruka following beside.

Mutsuki shuffles the cards. Kayoko opens the snacks and candies as chips. Then the imp stares all around… then at Hans.

"The last place loser of a round will be punished… by answering a question from the winners… or doing a favor" Mutsuki's eyes glinted with a calculating humor as the other members of PS68 flinched a little.

"…Hm." Kayoko folded her arms.

"The stakes are high…" Haruka gulps.

"Fufu. Play to win… there will be no mercy. Winner takes all." Aru brushed her hair.

Then the cards are dealt.

Hans glanced at his own before he looks at the others, their eyes focused and calculating of their next move.

Gears moving to think whether to fold or to draw.

…

He took a risk.

"Straight flush." Hans placed down his cards.

"NO WAY!" Mutsuki slammed down her cards

"WHAT?" Aru rose up

"Ugh…" Haruka looked at her own with disappointment…

"Haah…" And Kayoko sighs.

"Sensei, you're not cheating, right!?" Mutsuki pointed and looked at his cards before pouting. "Of course not… hmmphh.."

Then the cards fell down more, and Aru was in the last place.

The hours passed as the games continued, and it all mixed into a blur. Everyone is teasing, snacking, and chuckling along as the day goes on with him. Seemingly…what happened yesterday was just a bad dream. An illusion made from the sands. Yet even with knowing truthfully of their reassurances for him, in the end, Hans couldn't read their minds nor the Abydos students. He knows… that there could be a tint or trauma and maybe paranoia caused by him.

That he completely understands.

He just hopes that… he is still worthy to be called their teacher.

Hans closed his eyes, and let his mind wander again with that thought as the noises continued on in front of him. Of Aru being teased hard by Mutsuki as she reshuffled the cards.

Then his phone made a noise as an incoming message came.

Perhaps from Abydos?

No.

HinomiyaChinatsu Chinatsuu_

"Sorry, sensei… but Ako had made her choice."

Edited 17/4/2024