Ever since she could recall, Hanako had always been one to excel in academics.

Math, Science, History…any academic discipline she puts her mind to, she excels. While she does not excel in the same way in athletics, she believes she does well enough to not be a slouch when physical activity is needed.

Coincidentally, lovemaking was also a physical activity. Hanako could remember blushing when she first read such a book.

"Wow! You're so smart Hanako! I wish I could be just like you." She remembered a friend saying something along those lines to her.

"You'll just have to study more and you'd be able to do what I could too," Hanako replied with a smile.

"Nonono! That's impossible for me, you know?"

"Would you like me to teach you?"

"You would?! Thank you, Hanako! I'm glad to be friends with a genius like you!"

Genius.

She remembered hearing that word many times when people described her.

At first, she liked it when they used that word when being praised whenever she got high grades. If being a genius meant people would like her, then she would continue working hard with her academics.

Learning came naturally to her, but she decided to put in the effort by proactively reading any book, any piece of literature she could get her hands on so she could learn more. Her classmates would come looking for her, she helps them with their studies, and they become friends along the way. The praises she got while doing so weren't too bad either.

And for a while all was well.

But as she kept excelling, people's expectations for her started piling up.

"As expected of you, Urawa. Keep up the good work and you might land a seat in the Tea Party."

"So Urawa Hanako got first in the exam once more? Guess that's normal for her."

"Perhaps she's aiming to become a member of the Tea Party?"

"No, I heard the Sisterhood wanted to recruit her."

"Not only them. A few other organizations want her too.

"Wow…Must be nice being a genius."

Hanako could remember hearing similar words being said around her. Things that used to mean something to her, now reduced to meaningless pleasantries. The expectations that other people have placed on her have now become shackles.

And now, as a result of her achievements she's being roped into joining one of the political factions in Trinity. She did choose Trinity just to deal with the school's political in-fighting.

So she started rebelling in her own way. She flunked her grades on purpose. That helped with keeping the Tea Party away. But the Sisterhood was more stubborn, so she played up her pervertedness, like attending the Sisterhood's sermon with a swimsuit that one time. It was hilarious seeing the usually straight-laced Sakurako flustered.

Considering that worked, she just kept it up ever since. That, and she was not entirely pretending to be a pervert after all as she had always been interested in these things. After all, she didn't discriminate on what she read to learn, and the library was also full of illicit literature if you know where to look.

But still, an act was an act. It was not her true self, but only an aspect of her that she's exaggerating. It was no surprise that even those she once got along so well distanced themselves from her, though some of them, like Mari, would still try to talk to her from time to time.

A pity that she was also a member of the Sisterhood, though she did appreciate the fact that the nun-in-training wasn't forcing the issue and was quite understanding of her situation.

"Hanako, you don't have to go so far just to reject the Tea Party and Sisterhood's recruitment offers," Mari said. "If I just talk to Sakurako—"

"It's alright, Mari," Hanako replied. "I'll find some way to deal with it on my own."

"...I see. But remember that I'll always be there to help should you need it."

Hanako would have loved to accept Mari's offer, but she also couldn't risk jeopardizing her junior's position in the Sisterhood by helping her, as she heard that Mari was one of the running candidates to take over the Sisterhood after Sakurako steps down. The entire organization could really use someone earnest like her as the head.

All she could do was endure by her lonesome, without anyone to trust that could understand her burdens. Trinity had become a prison mired with hypocrisy, deceit, and prejudice to her. There was no use remaining here.

"You look lonely," she recalled the prophetess' words during a private meeting with her.

Lonely.

That was an apt word to describe what she was feeling.

She once read that geniuses were fated to become alone. To be misunderstood. Then why did she work hard on her studies?

Was it to garner other people's praises? No, that's not it. The praises were just a by-product. She just loved to learn, and share what she knew. If her reputation as an honor student was getting in the way of what she really wanted, then she had no need for it.

After all, what she really wanted was—

…

…

…

"Urawa Hanako. Wake up! The lesson is over." She was stirred awake from her nap, but refused to get up to rile Sensei up. Also she was confused as to how she fell asleep in the first place.

That was strange. She was not the type to fall asleep, even when not paying attention to class. Was it because of the food I ate earlier?

She heard Sensei sighed. Perhaps he had given up for now?

What she didn't expect was for Sensei to remain silent. She didn't hear any footsteps leaving the classroom or a door opening either, so Sensei is most likely standing in place and waiting for her to get up on her own.

But Hanako refused to get up. If Sensei wants her to move, he's going to have to make contact with her, and then she could tease him about it.

If he's so intent on keeping her in Trinity, then he should be ready for her constant teasing—

"If you don't get up soon, then perhaps I'll play a trick on you. Is that what you want, H-A-N-A-K-O~?" Sensei blew into her ear at the end, jolting her awake.

"S-S-Sensei you…!" Hanako was flustered, though she quickly recovered. "What a n-naughty teacher you are."

I did not just stutter, Hanako mentally clicked her tongue. Damn it, and here she thought she could rile Sensei up this time.

"Oh Hanako, you're still too green to try and tease me," Sensei said with a smirk. "Come back after a few more years."

"I don't need years, Sensei. I'll be sure to catch you off-guard one of these days," Hanako replied with her usual playful tone.

"Looking forward to it." Sensei's words were laced with sarcasm, but surprisingly Hanako didn't hate it. She realized that Sensei was a bad liar early on. Once you get to know him and get familiar with his tells, Sensei was like an open book.

But being a bad liar and an open book didn't mean that he was bad at deceiving others with half-truths and a few choice words to rile them up when he wants to. And Sensei was a master at controlling the flow of a conversation.

"Sensei, do you hate me? For being such a problem child." Sensei's not part of Trinity, and they were alone right now, so she could be more honest around him.

Sensei must've sensed the change in her demeanor, dropping his obnoxious attitude as he looked at her seriously. After a moment of silence, he replied, "You're quite a handful, I must admit. As far as academics go there's nothing I could teach you that you don't already know so it's clear that you're in the Make-Up Work Club for another reason entirely…"

"Ouch. Way to lay it on thick, Sensei," Hanako replied with a sad tone. "I was hoping you would be a bit…considerate with your words."

"I thought you would appreciate me being honest instead," Sensei said as he placed his hand on her head to pat her. "Also, I said that you were a handful, but I don't hate you. You just want to enjoy your youth after all. I couldn't fault you for that."

Hanako giggled as she enjoyed the feeling. She wondered when was the last time someone patted her head like this.

Sensei wasn't done however, and after patting her head he flicked her on the forehead.

"Ouch~! Sensei, I thought we were having a moment there~!" It didn't actually hurt. Not with her halo and with Sensei controlling the strength of his flick. It was more of a statement than anything really, if his next words were of any indication.

"Honestly, if you wanted to make some friends and are sick of Trinity's atmosphere, you could have just gone to another school's district and befriend the students there. You'll probably get along with the girls from Abydos for example. Or you could just visit SCHALE from time to time. You'll naturally get to know all kinds of people there."

"Sensei, that last one wasn't an option until about last month."

"Well, it is now."

"Touché." Hanako giggled. "Make sure you don't regret making that offer, okay?"

"I'll probably get a headache or two, but that comes with being the adult in the room."

I wished you came to Kivotos sooner, Hanako was about to say, but kept it to herself. After all, he's here now isn't he? No, what she really wanted to say was, "Thank you for being here, Sensei."

"You can thank me by not intentionally tanking your exams next time. Honestly, I could understand intentionally failing something once just to understand what it means to fail, but what you're doing is something else entirely."

That surprised Hanako. It was almost as if Sensei was implying that he also…

"Sensei, did you intentionally fail an exam back when you were a student too?" Hanako asked, curious about Sensei's student days.

"During my time in my school's Archery club. I'll tell you more about it when we have the chance," Sensei said as he started to leave the room. "Come on. Hifumi, Azusa, and Koharu are waiting and I'll have to prepare dinner soon."

"Can I help you with the preparations?" Hanako offered.

Sensei widened his eyes a little. "What brought this on?"

"An apology for making everyone wait," Hanako replied. "Also, I do know how to cook after all. You already know that I aced my academics. That includes home economics."

"And yet you were still so impressed with my food that you slept the entire afternoon with a satisfied smile on your face. Not that you were the only one who had trouble staying awake," Sensei said with a smirk. "Looks like I do have something to teach you after all."

"I'm looking forward to the lesson, Sensei~!"