Everyone was now in the classroom, waiting for the class to start. There were still a few minutes left before class started, so most of the students were up talking to each other.
"I swear, none of you will get me with a punishment today!" Keiichi stood with his arms crossed.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that." Mion laughed.
"Keiichi is so kyute when trying to act tough, tough." Rena smiled as she sat in her seat.
"Hey, I'm serious!" A vein popped out of Keiichi's head as he looked at the two of them. "And I'll let Satoko and Rika know that once they show up, too!"
"Come to think of it," Mion dropped her smile. "Where are the two of them? Usually, they're both here early."
"I know." Rena frowned. "They seemed fine yesterday, so I don't think they're sick."
"I'm sure they're just running late." Keiichi sighed. "Maybe Satoko overslept, and Rika was stuck trying to wake her up."
"That's believable." Mion giggled.
"Sorry, I'm late, everyone. Please stand." Chie entered the room. Everyone got up from their seats and faced forward. They all looked as she walked past, holding a baby. They didn't even realize that Rika and Satoko were behind her and went to their seats. Once she got to the front, she turned around to face her students. "And bow."
On command, all of them bowed before taking their seats. However, they still looked at the baby in Chie's arms.
"Ummm, Chie-Sensei?" Rena raised her hand. "Is that…?"
"Rena!" Maria stretched her arms out like she was reaching for Rena.
"I had a feeling you'd realize it was her." Chie smiled. "Class, this is Maria, and she'll be joining us for class today."
"Is that even allowed?" Keiichi raised his hand.
"If you're allowed in this class, I think Maria's also allowed." Mion joked, making everyone laugh.
"Now, I know all of you are always on your best behavior, but I want to remind you to be on your best behavior, considering there's a baby in here today," Chie explained before seeing Rena still had her hand up. "Yes, Rena?"
"Can I, hold her?" Rena frowned. "I know we're in class, but I think Maria wants me to hold her."
As Chie looked at Maria, she saw she was starting to squirm while still looking at Rena. Chie sighed as she walked over.
"I had a feeling she'd want that." Chie smiled as she held Maria out. Rena got up from her seat and grabbed Maria before sitting down.
"Hi again." Rena smiled as she looked down at her. Maria just giggled as she looked up at Rena. Once Chie saw Maria was fine with Rena, she returned to the front of the class.
"Now, as promised, I checked all your recent test scores to see if we would be done early or be stuck with class for the final days."
Everyone looked up at her, nervous. Despite Chie seeming like a friendly teacher, her tests could be challenging. However, the final was even harder than anything else they had taken earlier that year. Chie also promised if anyone in the class failed it, they'd spend the last two days correcting the reasons they failed.
"Thankfully, all of you passed." Chie smiled as the students collectively let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness." Satoko dropped her shoulders. "I thought Keiichi was going to cost us our early break."
"Hey!" Keiichi glared at her.
"Now, it's not a break from going to school, but today will mostly be a cool down as I review what he learned over the term." Chie grabbed a piece of chalk and turned to the board.
As Chie said, it was a cool down for everyone in class. She reviewed each topic they covered and helped answer students' questions about something they didn't fully understand. After a while, it was lunchtime, and like usual, the club got together. Before the rest could ask, Satoko and Rika started to explain everything.
"That's heartbreaking about Rosa." Mion frowned. "Someone like her doesn't deserve that, especially when she has a daughter to worry about."
"At least Irie is helping her." Keiichi sighed after taking a drink. "I'm still confused why they didn't want Maria to stay there."
"Same." Rena got a spoonful of yogurt for Maria, who happily ate it. Rena smiled as she watched Maria on her lap.
"Irie said he wanted Rosa to focus on his examination." Rika took a break from eating. "He said Maria might get in the way, and he didn't have anyone in the clinic to watch her."
"Is that really it?" Mion raised an eyebrow.
"Of course." Rika smiled.
Mion then turned to look at Satoko, who had some food in her mouth. Satoko just nodded as she kept eating.
"Well, let's just hope Rosa feels better soon." Mion sighed as she went back to eating.
"I'm sure she'll be fine." Rena smiled as she wiped Maria's mouth. "There. All done."
"You're very good at taking care of Maria." Mion smiled.
"I say it's because Maria thinks she's her sister." Keiichi lightly laughed.
"That is adorable." Rika smiled.
During all this, Rena kept blushing at everyone sharing their opinion. Sure, Rena loved having Maria around, but hearing everyone say that felt awkward, primarily because of Rena's personal life before meeting her friends.
"Hey guys, look." Satoko was holding up the bag Rosa had for Maria. She then pulled out a photo from inside of it. "I found a picture of Rosa and Maria."
Everyone looked at the photo Satoko pulled out. The Polaroid photo had Rosa sitting on a chair, smiling at Maria in her arms, who looked slightly younger with shorter hair. Satoko then flipped it over and saw, "Happy first birthday. Mama will always love you. March 29, 1983."
"They look so happy." Mion smiled.
"Let me see it." Rena held out her hand. Satoko placed the photo in it, and Rena brought it to Maria's eyes. "Look how adorable you are in this photo."
Maria just stared at the photo, not paying attention at first. Rena just giggled as she watched Maria. However, Maria's eyes took another look at the picture. Everyone jumped as it sounded like Maria was starting to cry.
"Maria?" Rena placed the photo down and looked at Maria. "What's wrong?"
M... M…."
"What is it?" Rena frowned.
"M…. mama…." Maria had tears in her eyes as she started crying.
"Wait, isn't that only her second word?" Satoko's eyes were wide.
"Oh my." Rika frowned as she looked at the crying infant.
"Shhhh." Rena smiled as she got Maria's teddy bear and gave it to her. "Your mama misses you too."
"Is everything okay?" Chie came over. "I heard crying and thought something happened."
"It's fine, sensei." Mion sighed. "Maria just misses Rosa right now."
"Oh, poor thing." Chie frowned as she watched Rena try to calm her down.
"Sensei." Rena looked up at Chie. "I know you're a great teacher, and you treat everyone so well, but can I be excused to take Maria to Rosa?"
"Rena, I…" Chie hesitated as she looked at her and her other students. Unlike them, she had seen Rosa's condition but could see Maria needed her mom. She sighed as she closed her eyes. "Tell you what. You're all good students and did great this whole term. You're all dismissed and can start your break a day early."
"Really?" Rena smiled. Chie just nodded in response. "Thank you so much, Chie-sensei."
Chie smiled as every student packed up to go home. Meanwhile, Rena and everyone were getting their stuff while ensuring they had everything for Maria before zipping up her bag.
"Mama…" Maria looked up at Rena, still having tears in her eyes.
"Don't worry." Rena smiled. "We're taking you to see her right now."