A/N: Merry Christmas, guys! Ms. Toriumi, frame one, became one of my favorite characters. Her social link was a joy from beginning to end, and her reaction after the truth is revealed is the funniest scene in Reload. Mitsuru may be the queen, but Toriumi is the wife.

Hermit - IX

Solitude could be a comfort, she knew—a moment to breathe, a sanctuary within oneself. This was the lesson of the Hermit Arcana, number IX of the Arcana, and a symbol of self-reflection and quiet wisdom. It requires great courage to look within oneself and forge one's own path.

For Isako Toriumi, peace felt elusive. As a teacher, her days were a blur of lectures and restless minds, her role demanding presence when she longed for distance. That being said, she loved her job despite all its shortcomings. It was the job she willingly put years and years into striving for.

But, a break would be a welcome sensation. She couldn't enjoy her job because of a few hardships. Lately, even small pleasures were slipping away. Her favorite MMORPG had shut down, leaving her Sundays quiet and restless. The insufferable Mr. Ekoda continued to bluster and meddle, while Mrs. Terauchi rattled on endlessly about her husband. Small annoyances had grown unbearable, tugging at her nerves.

Yet, among the noise, one thing still brought her comfort—the calm within her storm, a pair of steady blue eyes watching her as she spoke. She could marvel those eyes for hours, but she had to impress. Her lectures were on point, her appearance was top notch, and her voice carried years of knowledge.

Isako Toriumi felt reborn. She was a whole new woman. She lost her internet boyfriend, Tatsuya, but with her loss and acceptance, she gave rise to the woman that had her students stunned by her revival. She was sharper now, brighter, a force reborn. Her students had noticed the shift. Even Tomochika, usually sprawled half-asleep in the back, sat up a little straighter these days.

Her voice carried with the confidence of a woman who reclaimed her individuality. "Iori, let's see if you know the answer. Where is the comma splice found in the following sentence?

"Because it is 10:30 right now, we will not reach the theater in time, it's already started, to my dismay."

All eyes turned to Junpei Iori, slouched in his chair with the effortless apathy of a boy who hadn't prepared a moment in his life. He blinked, his face a perfect mask of cluelessness.

'Some things will never change.'

Isako didn't know why she bothered calling on him. The oaf never paid attention, but she was hoping the day would come when she was proven wrong.

'How can you ignore my revived energy? Please, tell me you at least know something this simple.'

Junpei blinked in confusion. The very look that told her she was in for another round of guesswork. He had no clue, and Finals were right around the corner. She didn't like his chances of passing, but he managed to scrape by so far. Of course, she knew exactly why Iori barely passes each time, and it was time for her to nip that lifeline in the bud.

She noticed the lazy student glancing to his right, where the apple of her eye, Makoto Yuki, sat, composed as ever. Through some mysterious telepathy, he signaled for help from the boy beside him.

'Typical.' she thought with a flicker of irritation.

There was a moment's flicker between them—an unspoken exchange—and Junpei's eyes widened slightly in realization. She never understood how they talked so quickly and quietly, but regardless, she would put a stop to it.

"It's… uh… between 'time' and 'it's,'" Junpei answered with a note of forced confidence.

The answer was correct, though Toriumi only nodded, suppressing a smirk.

"Good job, Iori," she acknowledged, though her eyes lingered briefly on the boy beside him. "Maybe you're ready for Finals after all."

The room buzzed faintly with amusement. Of course, leave it to Makoto to bail Junpei out.

Junpei's mumbled response was lost to Toriumi as she continued her lecture. Yet, even as she taught, her thoughts drifted to Makoto Yuki. Those calm, blue eyes were like a sea in winter—cold but carrying a depth she found hard to ignore. Each time their eyes met, emotions she didn't want to name flickered inside her, a curious mix of shame and a flicker of excitement she struggled to contain.

She shook the thought away. She was a teacher, and professionalism was paramount. She wasn't like Kaoru, her colleague who relished the attention of young men with calculated charm and practiced smiles. No, Toriumi prided herself on her dedication to the craft and on the achievements her students earned through their hard work.

And yet, Makoto was… different. He was an enigma, the kind of student who faded into the background but somehow stayed present, drawing her attention at odd moments.

Unlike Junpei, who seemed to exist solely to test her patience, Makoto absorbed everything she taught with quiet precision. He was attentive in a way few students were, asking no questions but always answering them correctly when called upon. This was what made him linger in her mind—a silent strength and self-assuredness that challenged her to look a little deeper.

And yes, she admitted to herself, he was handsome—disarmingly so. His calm intensity and quiet maturity set him apart from his peers, and it didn't escape her notice. But such thoughts were dangerous, and she knew it. She wasn't Kaoru, her colleague who flirted shamelessly, basking in the admiration of younger men. Isako Toriumi valued her integrity too much for that.

Even so, she couldn't deny the pull Makoto Yuki had on her thoughts. He was an enigma, a puzzle she found herself wanting to solve. But that desire, she reminded herself sternly, was best left unexplored.

The bell soon broke her thoughts, echoing across the room as students collected their things, eager for freedom. But as the shuffle quieted, she called, "Yuki-san, please stay behind for a moment. I'd like a quick word."

Makoto paused, unreadable as always, though he nodded, his voice courteous. "Yes, ma'am."

As the last of the students filed out, Toriumi closed her notebook and gestured for the blue-haired student to follow. She heard his friends make snide remarks but chose to ignore them. Makoto, doing the same, followed in her wake.

Inside the empty student council room, she gestured for him to sit across from her. He did so without question.

"This won't take long," she began, her tone firm, her fingers interlaced on the desk before her. "I want to talk about something I've noticed in class. Let's make it interesting—pop quiz. Can you guess what it is?"

Makoto's eyes shifted thoughtfully, processing her challenge. For a moment, Toriumi wondered if he might evade the question, but after a brief silence, he spoke.

"Junpei," he replied, though there was a hint of understanding in his tone.

"Correct," she smiled. "Let me first say that you are not in trouble. But I'll be frank—Junpei's not going to make it if he keeps relying on you. And I can't keep ignoring that." She leaned back, her gaze sharp. "You're a great student, Yuki-san. You work hard, you listen, and I'm glad you participate in my lectures. But the kind of dependency I see from him… it's not doing him any favors. Or you, for that matter."

Makoto nodded slightly, absorbing her words. He wasn't defensive, just… reflective, and for a moment, she saw a glimmer of that mysterious depth that had her wondering about him in the first place.

For a fleeting moment, her mind wandered. She wouldn't mind having someone like him in her life—someone intelligent, capable of meaningful conversation, and, admittedly, easy on the eyes. But professionalism came first, and such thoughts were quickly shoved aside.

Toriumi continued, pushing down her feelings for now. "I know he's your friend, and I respect that. But at some point, he has to stand on his own. You can't carry him through everything. You're too nice, Yuki-san. And while that's admirable, it's not always practical."

He offered a faint smile. "I understand," he replied, moving a strand of hair to the side. "To be fair, we do hold study sessions before exams, but it's hard for him to focus."

She hated herself for giggling, but it seemed like the most logical response. "I can imagine, and I'm glad you agree. I don't mean to sound harsh." She paused, glancing at him thoughtfully. "I'm thinking of switching your seat with Tomochika."

Makoto raised a brow. "That's not a good idea," he commented, seemingly amused by the suggestion. "That will make it worse."

Toriumi nodded. "I know and I hate it, but it might be what he needs. Without his safety net, it might finally motivate him to put in the effort himself. I doubt it'll work, but it won't hurt to try."

Makoto folded his hands on the table. "I might have a solution," he said.

Her brow furrowed as she studied him. "Oh? Do tell."

"Junpei does have a one-track mind, but I think I know how to keep him on track without separating us. I'll make sure he passes his Finals."

Toriumi blinked, dubious. "You're very confident, Yuki-san. I hope you're not about to suggest I modify his exams to make it easier."

He shook his head. "No need. Just leave it to me."

Toriumi considered this, tapping her fingers thoughtfully on the surface. 'He's up to something. This sounds too easy. Don't let him use a loophole.'

There was something different in Makoto's demeanor now, a mischievous glint in his eye she hadn't noticed before. For all his quiet reserve, he clearly cared about Junpei and was willing to take an unconventional approach to help him.

"Fine," she acquiesced. "But there's a condition. If you're going to take responsibility for this, I want results. He has to rank in the top ten."

Makoto's confidence deflated in an instant. "Top ten?" he echoed as doubt crept in.

"If he does that, I won't separate you, and no, I will not reconsider. Either he scores high enough, or he can kiss his lifeline goodbye. That's my condition."

'Check.'

She sat calmly, awaiting his response.

Makoto was going over everything in his mind.

'That's a tall order. In the top ten? If she said average, we could manage.'

"Ms. Toriumi," he began, trying to throw on the charm. "With all due respect."

"No," she replied curtly. Her tone left no room for reconsideration.

"But…"

"Nope," she repeated. "The only way you'll change my mind is setting Iori straight. Unless the task is too much for him to handle."

After a beat, Makoto exhaled, clearly recalculating whatever scheme he had in mind. But even as his confidence wavered, there was still that glimmer of determination in his eyes, and even more so, Toriumi's heart refused to settle down.

"We'll try our best," Makoto stated.

It wasn't exactly a promise, but Toriumi would take it. For someone like Junpei, effort itself was a victory.

"I wish you luck then, Yuki-san. Thank you for your time. Do you have any questions while I'm here?"

Makoto had several questions, but he was already privy to some. "I couldn't help but notice. Did something good happen recently?"

Toriumi blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. She felt warmth rising in her cheeks, unbidden, as her mind scrambled for an answer.

'Did he take an interest?' she wondered, her heart skipping a beat before she dismissed the thought. 'No, he's just curious is all.'

She composed herself, a small, teasing smile curling her lips. "Well, if you're that curious…yes, something good did happen, but it's a secret between adults. You probably wouldn't care anyway."

Makoto's expression didn't change, but his reply was unexpectedly sincere. "I'm happy for you."

Her blush deepened just a touch. She hadn't expected that. "Thank you," she said, her tone softening despite herself.

For a fleeting moment, she found herself caught in the depth of his steady blue gaze, and she had to remind herself—firmly—of her boundaries. Clearing her throat, she straightened her posture and gestured toward the door, unable to hide her rose tinted cheeks.

"That'll be all for now, Yuki-san. You can go. I expect positive results."

"Yes ma'am."

Just as Makoto reached the door, he hesitated, turning back with an expression that made Toriumi's stomach twist in an unfamiliar way. His head tilted slightly, and for a brief moment, his calm blue eyes locked with hers. The look lingered longer than usual, his gaze carrying a flicker of something she couldn't quite place. Mischief? Amusement?

Then, his voice broke the silence, low and almost playful. "One more thing," he said, a faint smirk curving his lips. "I'm glad you're okay, Maya."

And with that, he slipped out of the room, leaving the door to close softly behind him.

Toriumi froze, her mind reeling. The words reverberated in her head, playing on an endless loop. Her hands gripped the edge of her desk, knuckles white as the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.

Her face flushed crimson, heat rushing up her neck and into her cheeks as though someone had flipped a switch. She sat back down, stunned, her heart racing like it hadn't in years.

'He called me… Maya. HOW does he know that?! There's no way! No way, no way, no way!'

Her composure shattered entirely as she bolted to her feet, her chair screeching against the floor. "TATSUYA!" she shouted, the name escaping her lips before she could think better of it. The sound echoed off the walls, and she slumped back into her seat, breathing heavily, as if her body had been sprinting to catch up with her racing mind.

'No… no, no, no, no, NO!' Her hands flew to her face, covering it in an attempt to hide from the crushing wave of realization. It can't be. There's no way! Tatsuya and Makoto are…

Her thoughts spiraled, and she let out a silent scream in her head. 'NOOOOOOO!'

Leaning forward, she buried her face in her hands, her voice a muffled groan. "Why? Why me?"

For a long moment, she stayed there, wrestling with a mix of emotions she didn't even want to begin naming. Embarrassment, shock, and—despite everything—a faint, unwelcome thrill she immediately tried to suppress.

The faculty room was quiet now, but her thoughts were anything but.

whispered, her voice trembling as she forced herself to take slow, deep breaths. "It's fine. Get a grip on yourself, Isako. One step at a time."

She patted her flushed cheeks, the cool press of her palms grounding her spiraling thoughts. Letting out a determined huff, she straightened her posture and began gathering her documents.

As she organized her papers, her gaze fell on something that hadn't been there when she arrived. A small strip of paper sat neatly on the desk, innocuous at first glance.

Curiosity and unease gnawed at her as she picked it up. Her breath hitched the moment she saw what was written:

A sequence of numbers, a time, and a date—one that only meant something to her.

Toriumi's vision swam, her knees buckling as her mind filled with a singular, overwhelming realization. The paper slipped from her grasp, fluttering onto the desk as the world tilted and faded to black.

She fainted, her body slumping unceremoniously into her chair, her thoughts consumed by the undeniable truth.

Makoto, her sweet, smart, and handsome Tatsuya, left her his number and picked a time and day for their date.

Next time, the Fortune Arcana.