On a particular early morning, Hina and her two Pandemonium caretakers are packing up their bags to prepare for school. Hina and Kofuyu are already outside with their guns slung over and currently wearing their shoes. Motoi is still inside at the desk, doing a last check on her items lest she forgets. As she is about to close her bag, she stares at the drawer where Hina stored her clicker. She knows she shouldn't touch it, but still, she is curious about it. She quietly opens the drawer and sees the glowing clicker once more. Motoi carefully takes it out and examines it closely.
Innocent, ordinary, but she can feel something… tainted in it. Perhaps it was because it saw death. She was about to put it back, but she felt something. She doesn't know what it is as this feeling is more compulsory than rational. But… it feels important. Important enough that it's best to carry it rather than have it stored. It's not a good idea, but if she wants to understand how Hina fears this thing so much, this will be the best time.
Motoi hopes that Hina forgives her for 'borrowing' the clicker for a while.
"Motoi! Are you done?" Hina called out. Thankfully, she didn't look in.
"Just about!" Motoi quickly and quietly closed the drawer and loudly zipped her bag up. Storing the clicker device midway in her coat's pocket.
After wearing her shoes, she nods at Hina, who then wears her soundproof earplugs before Kofuyu locks the apartment, sparing Hina any fright from doing clicking acts. Together, they depart for Gehenna Academy. Only Hina remains soundless while the other two chat with each other. Thankfully for Motoi, Hina did not suspect a thing.
Two days have passed ever since that intervention, and Hina has obeyed the rules and restrictions imposed by Sena herself. Although disappointed at the fact that she couldn't drink alcoholic beverages again, she feels more sober than before, just enough to keep her mind clear. Hina did receive odd looks from her fellow classmates that her Pandemonium caretakers were joining their class to keep an eye out for Hina. The Prefect members who have to meet Hina feel less tense, especially Prefect Officials, thanks to the caretakers' presence.
The limits Sena imposed on the Head Prefect include, but are not limited to: restricted from doing fieldwork, including emergency armed response, never being alone under any circumstances, restricted working hours and no overwork, restricted from diplomatic work, unskippable daily counseling sessions, and more. Hina is allowed to keep her pistol, provided that it is always empty, and her MG42 is confiscated by the Pandemonium Society for her own safety. She also has to take prescribed medicine under her caretakers' supervision, no overconsuming or less consuming. It seems very inconvenient, but Hina feels pretty weak enough that she's more thankful about getting more sleep than working on paperwork. These past two days alone, things have been quiet.
Perhaps eerily quiet for the Prefect Team. They have been expecting any call of delinquents going chaotic, but so far, nothing. Not a call, not a yell, not a gunshot, not even an explosion. Even Ako has to visit Makoto herself to confirm an anomalous drop rate of crimes as far as 150 percent, making any chance of crimes happening in Gehenna to be non-existent. Even Hina is surprised to hear that the GRS had left for Abydos instead. It's as if they decided to steer clear of Gehenna for some reason, but that's a million fewer headaches for Hina.
And then, there are the people who checked up on Hina. Sena, who checks on her progress; Sensei, who manages to come once a day; and even Kasumi, much to Ako's and Iori's bewilderment, whose fear of Hina is now replaced with genuine concern and even tries to cheer her up. But Makoto is probably the only one who visits Hina as often as she can, even if it inconveniences her. She would often come to her office three times a day, even frustrating Iroha to the point she said that Makoto was too obsessed with Hina's feelings than leading the student council. Even a couple of times between those visits, Makoto brought Ibuki along to play with Hina to lighten the mood. Thankfully, Ibuki is blissfully innocent enough to ignore odd mutterings Hina said during their games.
On this particular morning, with all Prefect officers present and Hina's caretakers standing by her side, Makoto enters the office alone, prompting her assigned subordinates to salute her. Chinatsu nods at Makoto, whereas Iori and Ako straighten their backs. Hina only returns a greeting after she notices her, wearing off her earplugs along the way. Motoi reports to Makoto for a moment, and then Makoto starts a chat with Hina. It is a little talk, but soon, Makoto places something at her desk. Something that caught Hina off-guard.
"A flower?" Hina drew it close; it was a purple rose.
"For you, Head Prefect," Makoto nodded. "I thought you might like it."
Hina looks up. Makoto has a small smile on her face, though the gleam in her eyes also indicates something else; a certain ill at ease. Hina sighs, forming a weak smile.
"Ako," Hina called.
"Yes?"
"Do we have a vase in this office?"
Ako eyes the purple rose for a moment, then stands up. "Give me a moment, Head Prefect."
Ako manages to find an empty vase on the office's shelf, fills it with water, and takes the rose from her into the vase, putting it on Hina's desk. Hina and Ako nod at each other before Ako returns to her seat.
"Thank you, President Makoto," Hina spoke. "I appreciate the gift."
"Heh, you should. Not everyone receives an honorable gift such as yours, Head Prefect," Makoto looked over her desk, realizing it was not paperwork. "What's that you're working on?"
"Vinyl records," Hina said. "I'm just perusing through them and sorting them out."
"Oh?" Makoto held one of the Vinyls. "Is it… all the Clicker's?"
"Only some of them."
Makoto raises an eyebrow. "Some?"
"Mein Präsident, some of these Vinyls are marked with named musicians we never heard of," Kofuyu explained. "The Vinyls made by him are not marked by any name, but they have their own titles."
"Is that so?" Makoto put down the vinyl.
"I've heard one of his songs," Chinatsu admitted. "It's definitely classy. Perfect to listen to in an evening stride."
"…I guess his songs aren't that bad," Iori added as well. "Seriously, it's hard to imagine him singing that smoothly on baritone after hearing how he spoke to Head Prefect like that."
"I concur," Ako agreed. "But considering his songs' emotional nature, I guess it is rather fitting."
Makoto looks at the only gramophone in the room, then turns at Hina. "I'm not familiar with this kind of thing, but is it possible to record piano music into these records?"
"Hmm…. It is possible," Hina replied. "But you need specialized equipment to… carve onto the record according to the tune. Even then, it's… not really my thing. Why'd you ask?"
"Just curious," Makoto placed a hand on her hip. "Have my minions been treating you well?"
"My answer is still the same, President Makoto," Hina furrowed her eyes a little. "Well…, I guess they both tend to argue with themselves about the instructions Sena gave them."
Makoto pauses. Her minions flinched the moment she laid eyes on them. "Care to elaborate?"
Motoi gulps a little. "President…, Kofuyu and I often have disagreements primarily about risk items in her environment."
"Ease up, President Makoto, it's not that bad," Hina waved off. "Perhaps what they were arguing is stupid, to begin with, but they were entertaining enough to keep me out of boredom."
"Uuh…, thank you?" Kofuyu doubtfully responded.
"T-that wasn't sarcasm, right?" Motoi muttered.
"Hey, she complimented us!" Kofuyu spat at Motoi.
"Then why did you sound like you were asking there?!"
Makoto blinks and shakes her head. Hina merely chuckles quietly at their brief exchange.
"Guess I worried too much," Makoto said.
"You are worried too much," Hina countered. "Don't you have a schedule to catch up? I think you spent more time looking out for me than doing your work."
"Looking over you is part of my work," Makoto crossed her arms.
"It may be so, but-"
"What? Are you going to lecture me about what I can or can't do?"
Hina merely stares indifferently at her. After a few seconds, Makoto exhales a breath of annoyance yet understanding.
"Fine," Makoto raised both hands in defeat. "I'm always checking up on you because I want to. No motive, no bullcrap. I just want to try to care about you. Are you satisfied?"
Hina's stare then softens.
"Hah, Prefects like you are a pain on my side," Makoto spoke. "But it would be frustrating without you around."
Hina raises an eyebrow. "Are you trying to say something here?"
"I'm just saying I'm not going to pull something stupid, okay?" Makoto leaned against the desk.
They both fall quiet for some time. Motoi and Kofuyu only stare at each other in hesitance while the rest work on their paperwork.
"I would have preferred fighting you over this."
Hina perks up. "Oh, so you're going to pull another stunt?"
"How dare-!" Makoto stopped herself, composing her breath and mind for once. "That's not what I…. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror recently?"
"I have. What about it?"
"Did you really not see it?" Makoto almost whispered. "How sick you look?"
"You think I haven't noticed?"
"Notice- Hina, you looked like you've been possessed by a psychopath!" Makoto retorted. "Why do you think I'm here looking out for you?"
Hina raises an eyebrow. "That's rather exaggerating, isn't it?"
"Exaggerate?" Makoto breathed that particular word. "It's like you don't want to exist!"
The Prefect officials turn their heads to watch the exchange.
"Do you understand how freaked out I was?!" Makoto screamed. "Then three days ago, you went ahead to shoot your own-!"
The dictator stops herself once more. She looks away at the tensing Prefect officials, wearing off her cap.
"…I just want to make sure you don't lose sight of who you are, Hina."
"Well…, I'm still here, am I not?"
Makoto shakes her head, closing her eyes and biting her lip. "You say that. But are you really?"
Hina furrows her eyes, losing herself back at the vinyl records in hand. "Does it really mean anything anymore?"
"It wasn't your fault, Hina."
"I know, President Makoto. It's just…. I'm tired."
"Hmm…."
Makoto gets off the desk and walks around to stand next to Hina in her chair.
"Listen, if you need help, we'll be there, I'll be there," Makoto advised. "Don't lock us out so you can torture yourself like this."
"…You're persistent," Hina whispered, barely looking.
"I wouldn't if it wasn't because of that Clicker."
Hina nods, now returning a small, warming smile. "I appreciate that you've been straightforward with me. I mean it."
Makoto didn't reply. She hesitated for a moment but finally relented with a pat on Hina's head, as well as clinging onto her shoulder with the other hand. While the Prefect officials gawked on in disbelief, Makoto realized how diminutive she looked and how fluffy her hair was. But… there were other emotions she felt at that moment. She couldn't pinpoint what it was, but… warmth? Relief? Regret? Anxiety? She was already treating Hina like she was with Ibuki by this point, maybe more, but she didn't know what else to do to help her.
"You'll try to keep going, right?" Makoto inquired kindly. "For Sensei. For me."
"…," Hina held onto her hand on her shoulder. "I'll try what I can. Just… don't expect much."
Makoto bows her head. "That's all I need to hear."
Makoto soon leaves Hina alone and addresses the Prefect officers. "Administrator Ako, are you busy?"
"Not necessarily," the bluenette replied. "What do you need?"
"Can you come with me to my office?" Makoto inquired. "I would like you to grace me with your insights about housing and security for our upcoming students exchange from Trinity."
"Why is that?" Ako asked back. "I thought I heard you brokered a fair deal with them."
Makoto grits her teeth and crosses her arms. "Let's just say they have high standards for their students."
"Tch. Typical Trinities," Iori snorted.
"Very well then," Ako turned her head forward. "Can you handle this on your own?"
"Don't worry about me, Administrator," Chinatsu assured her. "We still have another pair of hands if I need help."
"All right," Ako stood up. "Iori, you're coming too."
"Why-? Alright, alright," Iori stood up too.
The three of them leave the office. Kofuyu stays near Hina to assist her with miscellaneous affairs, while Motoi helps Chinatsu with the paperwork. It is rather ironic, in Chinatsu's opinion, to see a Pandemonium member now dealing with the same paperwork that they sent to the Prefect Office. Motoi doesn't seem to mind much, though Kofuyu is grinning at Motoi. With the vinyl records sorted out, Hina asked Kofuyu to place them back onto the shelf containing his collection and get her a drink from the bar cabinet.
As Kofuyu is about to place the drink on the desk, she hesitates for a moment. Hina only gives a curious glance as Motoi just happens to look at her way.
"What are you waiting for?" Motoi called out. "Give her the drink, Kofuyu."
"Eh… should I?" Kofuyu asked back.
"What do you-? Just give her the drink!"
"Look, it's water! What if she chokes on it?!"
"Dammit, Kofuyu! She's not THAT desperate!"
"I know! Just… you know, hypothetically-"
"Oh, we're not doing this again, Kofuyu!"
Hina smiles a bit at their childish exchange.
"Huh…," Chinatsu glanced at Hina. "Now I understand what you mean by that, Head Prefect."
As the two caretakers continue to argue, Hina speaks up. "Have you ever considered that I could die from thirst, Kofuyu?"
"Gik-!" Kofuyu froze, looking over to Motoi and finally relenting. "Okay, okay, here's the water, Hina. Please don't choke on it."
"Like Motoi said," Hina took the glass. "I'm not that desperate."
"See?" the short-haired caretaker eye-pointed at Hina.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Kofuyu rolled her eyes. "I'll go ahead and write the logs."
Hina now begins her share of paperwork. She did see some from Pandemonium, but the proposals here seem more reasonable than usual, which makes things fast on her end. As she works, she ponders on her current situation. She felt… nice and… perhaps a bit privileged. With how much everyone around her is willing to extend their hands to help her, she feels more like a burden to them. And as for that Clicker….
She still dreams about him, but recently, her dreams have been tame, so to speak. No longer is she forced to… kill him again, which is a given, but his presence remains fleeting, haunting, yet not demeaning in any way. It was his device that still terrified her. It is what started this whole mess, this fear. She has to ask her caretakers for help to click a pen or open a door. Yet….
"That clicker means a lot to me, you know. We've been together for a long time."
As much as she wants to move on. To not look back.
"I was lost. It found me…. But I can't click it the way you can."
She just couldn't. She still doesn't understand.
"But my hands…. I'm sick. Real sick."
The pain he had left in her mind. In her heart.
"You don't get to keep your dream, unless you're willing to sacrifice yourself for it."
What dream is worth dying over a clicker?
"I can't stay here like this."
Pointless…. He shouldn't have died.
…
…
…
But….
"I would say try to look for a different view or try to let it go."
Junko's words echoed in her mind. She doesn't know about a different perspective, but to let it go…. She's been trying to find the answer to it to no avail. It was constant. Can't think clearly; it sickens her, even.
She's about to grab another paper when she notices her gun shines a bit. With Kofuyu side-eyeing, Hina takes another look at her gun. Then, on the slide.
"Fight for your dream," she whispered.
It seems like a motto at first, but the longer she stares at it, she starts to realize something. Her cogs spin as she finally straightens her back and gradually widens her eyes at the gun.
"The clicker."
Everyone pauses, snapping at her. "What?" Kofuyu asked.
"The clicker. I need the clicker."
"Huh? But Hina," Chinatsu voiced her concern. "Didn't it cause you so much grief?"
"Yes. But I can't stay like this," Hina shook her head. "Not for long."
"Why do you need it?" Motoi asked.
Hina pauses at her question. "An answer. So, I can finally let it go."
"Um…? I don't know what you mean," Kofuyu confessed. "But even so, won't your clicker hurt you?"
"It will," Hina answered. "But I have to do it. I need the clicker."
"But you will need Sena's permission to get back home," Chinatsu added. "Even then, I doubt that you'll be allowed to deviate from your schedules."
"I…. Huh…."
Hina sinks into her seat, defeated. Motoi stares on, contemplative. After a few seconds, she sighs and walks over to Hina's desk. She then places something on the desk. Kofuyu and Hina widen their eyes when it's revealed to be the clicker.
"When did you..?"
"When we left for school this morning," Motoi answered Hina. "I… wanted to understand why you fear it so much. Sorry, Hina."
"Wait," Chinatsu walked over, shocked. "You took her clicker?!"
"I know it's wrong," Motoi responded. "But I really had to know…."
Hina cautiously grabs the clicker, stifling any form of disgust and horror from appearing on her face. "N-no, it's okay. Thank you, Motoi. Now…. To click it."
Everyone watches on with apprehensiveness. Hina gulps as her thumb lays over the clicker. With some difficulty….
*CLICK*
A jolt, but….
1.
Again.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Slow, steady, repulsive. Yet she keeps going.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
She keeps her pace. Beyond 20, she couldn't stand the noise, so she wore her earplugs and kept clicking.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
Her friends look on with trepidation. None says a word as Kofuyu writes down Hina's current activity.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
Her right hand trembles, scared to click more. So she switches to her left hand. Pressing on.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
"Don't stop."
Hina jumps in her seat and looks around. She just heard a whisper of a man but couldn't tell where it came from or who it belonged to.
"Woah, Hina, you good?" Kofuyu asked in concern.
"Did… did you hear anything?" Hina asked, unplugging her ears. "I just heard someone whispering in my ear."
"…Whispering?" Chinatsu stared strangely. "No, Head Prefect. There's no one here besides us. Are you sure you're not tired?"
She didn't return an answer. But whoever that was, he wanted her to keep clicking. And so, after wearing her earplugs again, she obliged quietly.
96.
97.
98.
99.
No clear answer. No clear objective. But she must push on.
100.
Hina exhales a ragged breath. Her mind and her hand wish to throw it as far as possible, but she holds still. She keeps on clicking, emptying her mind to keep going.
"…Huh."
Chinatsu turns at Motoi, who's staring beyond Hina. "What's wrong?"
"Was that painting that… grey before?"
"Huh?"
Chinatsu turns to the painting behind Hina, and then Kofuyu follows suit. When Hina finally notices their confused looks, she looks behind her. The sight was enough to make her stand up in bewilderment, wearing off her plugs, too. The painting of the blind man getting healed… lost all its colors, replaced by the epitome of neutrality. As if life has been sucked away for a purpose unknown, leaving only its trace.
"How did-?" – Kofuyu.
"That's impossible. Those colors shouldn't grey out like that." – Chinatsu.
"It was colorful a few minutes ago…." – Motoi.
Hina looks back at the clicker. A realization dawned on her.
"The painting? …I guess so. Reminds me of myself in some way. Something that I have lost."
Did he not realize…? Maybe that's the answer she seeks.
The painting.
*Click. Click. Click. Click-click-click-click*
"H-Hina?!" – Kofuyu.
"Y-you okay?" – Motoi.
Like a moth to a flame, her eyes lock at the ever-shifting numbers. Chinatsu changes glances between Hina and the painting. Kofuyu observes her hand continues to click and Motoi stands on Hina's side to observe her behavior in concern. A little poke from Motoi didn't even distract Hina from whatever she was doing.
The fleeting repugnance she had felt from this clicker is gradually suppressed. She grows mad curious, focused, despite the ache of its sounds.
155-156-157-158-159
She switches to her right hand, realizing her left hand is weaker. They all can see Hina is becoming impatient, even Motoi is disturbed that Hina hasn't blinked for a whole minute. She's getting close….
196-197-198-199….
Hina's thumb trembles. Holding her breath, she clicks.
200.
*THUCK*
Motoi and Kofuyu nearly raise their weapons, Chinatsu jumps from fright, and Hina snaps at the painting.
It moved.
It moved.
The greyed painting is tilting at a 45-degree angle counter-clockwise. That wasn't the only strange thing.
"Does that painting seem... brighter than before?" Motoi noted.
"S-should we call President Makoto?" Kofuyu hesitated.
"I…," Chinatsu grew uncomfortable at the painting. "I don't know."
*Click-click-click-click-click-"
To their bafflement, Hina continues to click despite this anomaly.
"H-Hina?" Chinatsu furrowed her eyes. "You're still clicking?"
And right, she still is, but Hina never answers her question. She looks so immersed in the shifting, glowing numbers. Not a part of her body moves save for her clicking hand. Hina did grow sick at first, but she managed to stifle her vomit. She can't afford any more distractions. She is left untouched by her friends as almost a minute goes by to click the device.
400.
*THUNK*
The painting tilts again, now on the opposite angle, and its image is upside down. The grey painting is now more luminous, so much so you would believe someone put an LED lamp behind the painting.
"Okay, this is now getting weirder," Kofuyu ended with a high tone.
"Motoi…," Chinatsu grew more nervous.
"I-I'm going to call them," Motoi quickly stepped away with her phone in hand.
420-421-422-423-424-425.
"Did you check that painting for anything strange before?" Chinatsu asked.
"Look, Chinatsu, I don't know what to tell you," Kofuyu answered. "We helped her when we were sorting out his collection, and we didn't see anything strange about the painting."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure! The painting wasn't tampered with in any way."
That just confirms Hina to keep going.
465-466-467-468-469.
"Okay!" Motoi walked back. "I just called President Makoto. They're on their way back."
"Motoi, do you know what's going on with that painting?" Chinatsu asked.
"I don't know. But…," Motoi glanced a little. "Whatever Hina is doing, it's definitely working.
507-508-509-510-511.
"Something feels wrong about this…."
"I agree with you, Kofuyu," Motoi replied. "But it hasn't done anything yet. Apart from that."
"I do hope that's not someone pranking on us," Chinatsu added.
"Who the hell wants to add a lamp in a painting to prank us?!" Kofuyu retorted. "Actually, we didn't open the whole frame in the first place!"
566-567-568-569-570.
"Kofuyu, why are you writing this down?" Motoi asked.
"Huh? Am I not supposed to write what's going on right now?"
Chinatsu palms her forehead. "Do you think anyone who reads this will understand what we are witnessing?"
"Use a phone, you idiot!" Motoi hissed.
"Oh cra- yeah, you're right!" Kofuyu began recording the scene.
596-597-598-599.
Hina pauses. A long, thrilling exhale.
600.
*THUNK*
The painting tilts once more. Still the same angle, but the head of the frame is now pointing down to their right. The painting is now more brighter than ever that they can barely see what black lines and colors remain between its sacred light.
Hina lets out a shaky breath, reeling from the anticipation. Reeling from her morbid excitement. She feels she can't hold back anymore. Clickity-click-click.
611-612-613-614-615.
Clickity-goddamn-click.
Chinatsu has never seen such a level of focus on Hina's open, livid eyes. It was borderline insane. Her clicking hand never moves even an inch, and her pupils refuse to stray elsewhere. A gaze so sharp, her eyes might accidentally cut someone's skin. The sound of clicks that used to hurt Hina so much is now non-existent.
647-648-649-650-651.
"Uh…, guys?" Kofuyu hesitated. "S-should we stop her?"
"I dunno," Motoi shrugged. "She did say she wants to find an answer."
Chinatsu shakes her head, patting her own nervous chest. "I don't like this. Hina, you should stop clicki-"
"No."
It catches them off-guard that she was listening the whole time, but she's still clicking, never bothering to look away for a single moment.
"Why Hina?" Chinatsu asked. "What kind of answer you're looking for exactly?"
Hina suddenly stops clicking. Motoi now notices she's at 699.
Hina barely glances and answers. "His dream."
"…I know. But that's still vague, Hina."
"You don't get to keep your dream, unless you're willing sacrifice yourself for it."
They shudder at her answer. "H-Hina?" Kofuyu glanced worriedly.
"He and I shared a similar fate, a similar dream; the only difference is… one of us couldn't take it anymore."
Everyone couldn't breathe for a moment. Kofuyu still keeps her phone steady, whereas the rest stare at each other with uncertainty.
"What was your dream, Hina?" Chinatsu softly asked.
"…To be a normal student," Hina pondered for a moment. "But it's not so bad anymore."
"What makes you say that?" Motoi inquired.
Hina glances a little at her way and smiles a bit. "You all gave me hope. How little it was. You showed me that there is still any meaning for me to remain here. I… I'm grateful for that."
Hina bows her head. Her left hand finally moves to rub her eyes, her tears threatening to overflow. "I'm sorry for being a burden for all of you."
"No, don't say that," Chinatsu held her shoulder. "It's alright. You don't have to be afraid to lean more on us."
"Yeah!" Kofuyu cheered. "That's what friends are for, isn't it?"
"Mm," Motoi nodded. "Please don't lose faith in yourself and us, Hina. That is all we ask."
"…Thank you," Hina steadied her breath, letting a tear flow. "Now…."
Back to clicking.
With a new burst of motivation, after 700, her thumb is now pressing the button much faster than before, oblivious to how tired her thumb is. Her focus returns, but a smile remains on her face. She stops herself at 799. It was at that exact as well that they heard the door burst open, and all but Hina looked in that direction.
"Minions! Chinatsu!" Makoto yelled, followed by Iori and Ako. "Explain to me what the hell is going-!"
*Click*
800.
*THUNK*
The painting tilts again, giving the visitors a massive fright. There's no longer a trace of the original painting. It was all replaced with a burning, bright light. It is eerily akin to a portal straight to Paradise that Nagisa told Hina about.
Makoto, Iori, and Ako carefully approach the group, the first of the visitors finally realizes what Hina is doing.
"Hina…. Why do you have a clicker in your hand?" Makoto asked.
"…You said you want me to keep going, right?" Hina asked back.
"…I did."
"That's exactly what I'm doing. To rid myself of this madness," Hina then continued clicking.
"Hey…," Iori stared at the luminous frame. "Wasn't there a paint-?"
"Yes," Chinatsu cut her off. "Hina. Do what you need to do. I trust your judgment."
"Do I really have no say in this matter?" Ako asked.
"That whatever's happening is a bad idea?" Motoi asked. "Don't bother. Hina'll keep going anyway."
853-854-855-856-857.
A last stride. A last chance to understand why she carries this pain.
871-872-873-874-875.
One last mile closer to the truth. One that she can wait no longer.
896-897-898-899-900.
No one dares to voice a single word. Waiting anxiously for any anomaly from this portal within the frame.
927-928-929-930-931.
The further she clicks, the brighter the room gets than the sun outside. Out of a sense of protectiveness, Makoto stands by Hina's side and holds her shoulder. Ako stands behind them as Motoi and Iori prepare their rifles to expect unforeseen consequences. Kofuyu and Chinatsu remain where they are, still recording and observing the changed painting, respectively. Hina can't hide her anticipation, her eagerness to unfold its secrets, and clicks faster. The green glows are approaching fast to their first mark.
995-996-997-998-999.
Her thumb trembles. She looks up at the bright portal and steadies her enthusiastic breaths. Last click; last click to unfold its façade. Letting out a final, long breath, she presses the button.
*Click*
1000.
*THUNK-WHOOOOPPP-*
The frame spins, and it's for the final time. It returns to its original position and engulfs the whole room in its sacred light, following up with a choir of dissonance from its activation. No one within could comprehend what was happening. They're all deaf, blinded, confused, screamed, lost all their senses as they shield themselves from the light that would make the Lord Himself proud. Thankfully, it was only after 10 seconds the light immediately ceased. Everyone within the room rubs their eyes out and recovers their senses once they realize the room remains untouched and normal. Ten seconds it was, but it felt like they'd been baptized for an eternity.
"I-is everyone alright?!" Makoto shouted, holding onto the now recovered Motoi.
"…Yes, I'm okay…," Ako said as Chinatsu helped her up. "What in Infernal's name was that?"
"Goddammit…. I thought I lost my eyes for a moment there," Iori helped Kofuyu up. "You good?"
"I-I'm good!" Kofuyu gave a thumbs up. "Huh…. Whatever that was, at least it didn't break my phone."
"It's still running?" Motoi asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. Good thing. I wasn't looking forward to replacing my phone."
"Ugh, I feel so dizzy…" Chinatsu rubbed her own head, looking at the still-illuminating painting. "What kind of painting the Clicker was holding onto this whole time?"
"I doubt he even knows that could happen in the first place," Ako commented.
"Yeah? Well, whoever made that, I'll make sure to get my refund as soon as I can if I was him," Iori retorted. "That was a dick move, honestly."
"That's not the main problem right now."
Makoto turns to Motoi. "What do you mean?"
Motoi still stares at the painting, and they all follow suit. The frame containing only white illumination remains still. There are no notable changes whatsoever, apart from the earlier happening. Motoi and Kofuyu look evidently downcast at the result. Only Chinatsu who looked relieved that nothing bad came out of it.
"All that… just for nothing?" Ako inquired.
"Jeez, that light show was just for show off then?" Iori scoffed.
"It seems so, Field Captain," Makoto answered.
Chinatsu sighs in disappointment. "I'm sorry, Hina," Chinatsu then looked at her. "It seems that- huh, Hina?"
Makoto glances to the side. "Chinatsu, what's-?"
Makoto couldn't finish her sentence as she stared at Hina, or… the lack of the person.
She's gone.
She's gone.
"HINA?!"
She yelled just loud enough to send everyone in the room scrambling around. They search the whole room thoroughly, even looking out to the hallways for any signs of her. She couldn't find her anywhere.
As if she was erased from the world.
By the time they finally regroup, they all come to a single conclusion.
They stare back at the illuminated frame.
"No…. NO!" – Makoto.
"Oh God." – Chinatsu.
"H-Head Prefect!" – Ako.
"It absorbed her?!" – Iori.
"What do we do?!" – Kofuyu.
"Calm down! We need to think!" – Motoi.
"Motoi! Kofuyu!" Makoto barked. "Get that painting down! NOW!"
They already rushed for the stairs by then. Both of them managed to get it down, resting it against the wall. Makoto immediately rushed to the changed painting and tapped through it to no avail. She soon resorts to banging the illuminated painting to get inside it, so much so that the Prefect officers have to hold her back.
"Let me go! I order you to let me go!" Makoto barked in her struggle.
"Calm down, calm down!" Ako exclaimed. "If you keep at it like that, you're just going to break it!"
Makoto curbs herself from arguing and relents, prompting them to release her. Of course, Makoto was extremely worried. She can only stare at the white painting and drops to her knees.
"What…," Motoi stared at each one of them. "What should we do now?"
Makoto could feel that it was mocking her. She should've done more, and yet, she has lost Hina. She couldn't call herself a befitting leader anymore. She is an insult to all of Gehenna once more.
I have never seen a light that is so bright, I still see it filtered through my eyelids. It really hurts my eyes so much, but thankfully, for a brief time. I open my eyes once I no longer see bright red through my eyelids and…. Huh…, that's strange. Why is everything white? Actually, what happened to the Prefect Office?
I try to look around only to be met with the same thing. An expanse of white landscape surrounds me with no end in sight, like in a void. I can't tell where the light that defines this whole area even comes from. Not a single discernible change in sight as I circle around many times, almost letting panic overwhelm me. My only consolation is that I still have the clicker with me but not the gun.
I circle around once more, and finally, there's something. A portal of sorts, I assumed, is still open behind me. I'm not even sure how I even missed that in the first few spins but I'm glad to know there's an exit out of this place.
"He's dead, isn't he?"
I made a full turn almost immediately. I realize there's someone sitting just ahead of me, and like this place, his whole being is as white as he can be. He looks non-threatening, but…. There are large numbers floating behind him that read 11000. I wasn't sure what it meant, but there's something more important than that.
"W-who do you mean? The Clicker?" I asked, taking a couple of steps forward.
"Yes."
I stop in my tracks. I want to answer, but I can't voice a single word.
"…," the entity shook his head. "Damn."
I take a few steps forward, now standing just before him. "You know him, sir..?"
"I knew he was going to go soon. But not like that," the entity sighed and looked up at me. "So, you're Sorasaki Hina."
I widen my eyes. "You know who I am?"
"No one sees me unless I want them to," he answered. "It's a whim. A moment. I capture their ATTENTION, and hold it until the feeling passes. Then I leave."
Now that he said it, it also took me a while to realize he was wearing a mask, the same one the Clicker used back in the apartment, but it's all colored white. Is this the man he dreamed of? The adult that he talked about?
"You… capture others' attentions?"
"The impulsivity in-between moments. A magnet for those who crave desperately, those who notice things outside the realm of your own subconscious rationale. A way out, even momentary, whenever there is a woe or void."
…. What?
"I… I don't understand," I lowered my clicking hand, looking on with confusion.
"Maybe," he agreed, I think? "But your spirit does."
I narrow my eyes, trying to understand. "You…. He told me about you."
"What did he say?"
"You're the man who is clean. Who is strong. You observed him before," I answered, deliberate in my words. "He said you were… perfect."
"…So he said?" he asked back; I can't tell if he was amused or intrigued.
"…You were the one he dreamed of," I finally added.
He regards me for a moment, scrutinizing every word I say. He bows his head, sighing.
"I never really considered whether they would remember me."
I raise my eyebrow. "How so?"
"Why would I?"
….
I was stunned. It took a while to register his answer. "What do you mean?"
"It's my attention that matters. Not theirs."
….
….
"You…."
I clench my left fist hard. I tighten my grip on the clicker. Was that really his reason? All of this? The Clicker is dead for such a selfish reason? Does he even understand what I had to go through?! Why am I here in the first place?!
"I don't blame you for being angry," he finally added. "It sounded callous coming from me, but that's just the fact. I only observe, only watch what is curious. I was never here nor there. No one would miss me because I don't exist. Even you should know that."
"Should I?" I hissed. "You bastard…. THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?!"
This… clean and strong man only stares at me. I can't see his eyes, but I'm certain he shouldn't look so dismissive at a time like this.
"Do you know how many days I have to suffer like this?!" I cried with such indignancy I wished I had sneaked into the confiscation room to get my MG. "How many days I keep asking myself why he died?! Why he was chasing a dream so pointlessly without knowing what it is?! And you're telling me all of this happened because you caught his attention!? You… selfish bastard! How could you..?!"
I grit my teeth, staring daggers at him. Not once did he make any attempt to avert his gaze. I didn't realize the tears that overflowed over my face. I cannot stand his answer so much that I let myself drop on the ground – at least, I think it is the ground – and stare at the ground.
"I…. I almost killed myself before I couldn't take it anymore. That's all you can say…?"
Each of his fingertips presses against each other. He seems to ponder my words, but I can see he only regards it as nothing more than an echo. He then rubs his own hands and puts them on his lap. I can feel he looks back at me, and… it feels as solemn as a lone flower petal among the river.
"…It was not my intention to cause such pain. It never was," he finally answered, though it was audible as a whisper. "But do not misunderstand. What he did back then, I never gave him an illusion of choice."
"Then what did you give him?" I hissed again.
"Only a feeling he longed for, then I left," he leaned against his chair. "Whatever his reasons, his decisions, I don't pay much mind to it. Never was my business in the first place."
As I regard his words, I quietly observe his behavior. I hate to say that there are no layers behind his words but the truth. I wish to call him a liar, but….
"Like I said before, I never considered if they would remember me, including you," he continued. "I doubted that anyone would care who came to look or even knew whose existence they were with when they got their feelings. If they remember it…."
The man stands up from his chair, resting his hands on his back. "He remembered, though."
There, I finally heard that tone of sorrow. I look up to him, who is now turning around to look at the numbers.
"He was compelled. It ruined his life," he continued. "He longed for that feeling and chose to chase it, and I never asked if he wanted to."
He turns his head around, glancing at me over his shoulders. "The reason why I brought you here is not only because I wish to give you answers, but also because you intrigued me."
I restrain a scoff as I glare at him. "What? My suffering intrigues you?"
"It was your resolve, your will," he finally turned around. "Everything doesn't make sense, yet you still keep going, even when you are at your wit's end. Not even any tasks within your Prefect duties could compare to that."
"You're speaking as if such traits are your favorite spectacle," I tiredly answered, averting my eyes.
"No, it was my admiration, Ms. Hina," he then kneeled to my level. "Not once have you felt alone against the world, but you still pull through. It is a shame, no, an insult, that you don't get the recognition you deserve. If I may, let me be the second person to say that you are the best student Kivotos ever had."
I widen my eyes as I take in his words. I never expected such warmth within his words, and it was sincere. All the anger I had left my mind, and now I was left with wiping the tears from my eyes.
"So, who was the first person then?"
"Heh," his voice suggested amusement. "Who else than Sensei himself?"
….
….
"Pfft!" at the very least, I appreciate that he humored me a bit.
"Glad to see that I made you smile," I sensed some relief from the man as he stood up. "You have been in a cage, crying for too long, and your anger has been but a senseless storm that follows you. I'm aware that you begin to wonder if anything around you is… tangible. If it has any meaning to it."
He bows his head, resting his hands behind him. "The substance of life is just that: if this world is truly yours?"
Heeh…. Inquisitive as I might be, I'm still a bit annoyed at the fact he still kept giving me riddles. Yet… some of his words do make me contemplate for a moment. Perhaps…. He might have a point. I still remember the words Junko spared to me, about belonging, about worth. Maybe…, even with how far I've fallen, it is where I belong; I'm still here. This place – this world – it is only mine to shape. Perhaps….
"I guess you have a point," I finally said. "But what about him?"
"What of him?"
"Yes. Does he mean anything to you?"
"Hm," he paused. "He's no longer here."
His remark is casual, and thankfully, I stifle my irritation at his insensitiveness.
"But you are," he added. "What I represent never meant as a gift. It's more like a reflection. Nothing grand, but it shows what makes you content, what you are missing out on. It reveals what is locked away within your own veil."
"…It's a double-edged sword," I sadly concluded.
"You may interpret it that way," he agreed. "It doesn't make any difference anyhow."
He then turns around, staring back at the large floating numbers. "That's how many times you've clicked so far."
I perk up at that. I clicked the clicker a few times and confirmed that the large numbers were indeed mine. "Oh, it really is…."
"Yes, you are truly the one who clicks," he answered. "Yet, there is a hand at play, even manipulating mine, to ensure you finally reach this point. That you finally reach here."
"W-what?" I narrowed my eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"It is not something a student would understand, but a god might," the man looks in a certain direction. "Even now, he is right here with us, yet he's also not here, simultaneously."
H-huh? For someone so composed yet cryptid, it sounds more like a drivel to me.
"Sometimes, I wonder if he is the true clicker," he added. "With how many times he touched his buttons."
"W-who are you talking about?" I grew more worried now. "Touched his buttons? You're not making any sense."
"Perhaps it's because it's not your time to understand that," He then looked around him. "But I shall say to YOU: I know YOU are there, the ONE who writes behind the scenes. The ONE who plays these events. The ONE who made Hina suffer, either for your amusement or your proclivities for tragic events to unfold. The ONE who needed to write an angst of both their tragedy as a way for their tribute."
HUH?! Is he-? I'm starting to wonder what Nagisa meant by Paradise really exists. Is it whoever up there orchestrated all this to happen? If that's the case, then….
"No, that's not the case, Hina," he somehow read my mind. "HE is merely someone who appreciates the art of a story, regardless of HIS experience. Please pay it no mind."
I simply nod, now observing him looking at someone; at least, I assumed it was someone.
"And of course, YOU're not the only one here, are YOU?" the man continued. "THEY are also here, aren't THEY? YOUR audience is indeed vast. Some appreciate it, some hate it, some are curious, and some…, for the lack of a better word, wish to see her suffer."
WHAT?! I could barely restrain my voice. He's… not implying that, right? The point that I…? It makes my skin crawl to think about it.
"Yet, YOU and THEM do share a mutual purpose," the man then turned at me. "To finally give this story a happy end."
Huh…? But didn't he say…?
"Because, after all, this is not just YOUR story," the man continued. "This is also Hina's story. Even I can tell as YOU peruse through my dialogue that YOU and YOUR audience want her suffering to end. To help her finally let It go."
So… there is indeed hope for me after all. The man sits back in his chair.
"As for you, my dear Hina," the man called me. "Most people would've left this room. Taking their reasons with them. They would forget that they ever met me. But you."
He points straight at me, his eyes groping over my appearance like I was the chosen one.
"I can tell. You will not forget anything. Not really."
"Of course, I won't. All of this is hard to forget," I responded.
"That's not what I meant," the man shook his head. "You are going to carry a little piece of me forever."
"Huh?" I widen my eyes at the unexpectedness. "A piece of you?"
"A shard of remembrance. A mark," he elaborated. "Just like I'll carry a little piece of you."
"Oh?" that's a rather interesting thought.
"That's why I don't visit people anymore," he recounted. "You don't get to choose your impact. One touched moment SPREADS. You didn't even know I existed, and…."
He clasps his hands together. "…he gave you a piece of me. His piece. There is no innocent contact where a soul is involved."
Ah…. I see now. I think I understand now why he was dismissive a little while ago. Like how I was attached to his.. death. Like how his death sent Kivotos into turmoil once again. Still…, now that I know what he was dreaming of, all that's left is his obsession for the clicks.
"…I can tell you aren't satisfied yet with my answers. But…, I wish I could offer you more," he bowed his head for a moment. "Anyway…. I'll be here."
I tilt my head a bit, noticing how sharp his gaze feels now.
"Keep clicking, if you want," he explained. "Maybe that way, you could finally reach an understanding about the clicker himself."
"Is that even possible?" I asked. "Just from this thing?"
"Who knows?" he shrugged. "If you want to be watched, you can click in here. If you want to be alone, you can turn around and click out there."
I look down at the clicker, the glowing numbers now reading 1017.
"Click for as long as you like," he suggested. "I won't judge you. After all…, I'm the one watching."
I sigh at his last words. "Now you just made this creepy."
"Ha. Was it something I said?"
"That was something the Clicker would say."
"Knowing the man himself, I very much agree."
I look back at the glowing portal, then at the clicker in my hand. No one's here but him, and I'm still missing more about the answer. Looks like a waste of time, but… it's not like I have anything else to do anyway.
"Alright, I'm just going to click here," I said to him. "Do you mind if we chat a little along the way?"
"But, of course," the man answered. "Just talk to me when you need it."
"Thank you," I nodded. With a lost look, I begin clicking.
"You know," he interjected. "You should appreciate your friends more, Hina."
I look up in surprise, still clicking.
"If it wasn't for them, you wouldn't be here. Maybe you couldn't see it, but they were the bastion of your light."
I look down to my side, rubbing the clicker button for a moment. "I wonder if that is the case…."
"You sound hesitant," he noted. "As if you have lost faith in your friends."
I pause for a moment, including the clicking. "No, just…. I am the Head Prefect, and I am expected to deal with even the hardest of duties, yet look at me."
I bitterly sigh. "I've been nothing more than a heavy burden for everyone, including Sensei. Yet, they decide to stick around after all this time. The outbursts I let out. The hurt I caused…."
I look straight at where his eyes should be. "Do I really deserve any of that?"
He merely hums with a tone befitting of a researcher. "And at the end, they still remain."
I almost smirk a sarcastic one. "You're saying I deserve all that?"
"You have suffered for too long, even HE agrees with me. Why wouldn't you have any right to it?"
"Why would they? With all the trouble I brought them?"
"I'm going to quote Kofuyu's words, 'That's what friends are for.' I'm sure Sensei would agree with me."
"Heh…," I pondered as I click. "What do you think I should do for them?"
"It is rather simple: keep going for them," he straightened his back. "For now, keep clicking. Think, talk, or listen. When you feel that it is time, walk back through the portal."
"…Okay," I took a few deep breaths as I clicked. "To keep going…."
By the time I focus back on the clicker, it's reading 1126 and up and up. I continue on silently. The only sound heard around here is only the clicks. The sharp metallic sound is firm, on point, and chunky. The only thing surprising for me is that the clicks no longer hurt me anymore.
I keep clicking constantly, and by this point, I never change hands. For some reason, the longer I click, the longer I stare at the ever-shifting numbers; my mind… becomes a blank slate, in a good way. Any tension or stress that I still had left my body. When I snap out of my focus, I am already at 2456. Feels… weird that I reached that number that quickly. I wasn't in a hurry or anything, but it felt like a minute had passed since then.
I return to my clicking soon after. Hearing the same monotonous clicks seems dull, even for me. But after a while, I think it was after reaching 3000, I… felt something, heard something, I guess. I started to feel distinctions between clicks, yet it felt so subtle that I wasn't sure if it was just me being paranoid. However, the clean and strong man seemed to notice the changes in my expression and the curious pace that assured me I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Later, and later, I felt… good. I can't explain why, but… it feels comfortable now.
About 5000, or 15000, as the numbers behind him indicate, we began to exchange some words, but mostly from me. I inquired much about his existence while I clicked, though most of his answers were cryptic. What surprised me about him was that he didn't consider himself a god or any divine entity. He is just that, an ordinary person, or an outsider if you want to be superstitious. In return, he asked me about my life studying in Gehenna, which intrigued him the more he learned about it, but he seemed to fixate on its idea of limitless freedom.
As our conversation progressed, I reached 7500 or 17500 clicks, and afterward, we stopped talking. Since I am not willing to keep hearing the same monotonous click, I begin… experimenting. My fingers tap on the ground, following the rhyme of my favorite song as I click. Then I try other sounds like scraping, sliding of fingers, waving of my uniform, rubbing my hair, and more. Then, I lie on the ground, holding the clicker right in front of me as I stare at both it and the endless sky. I close my eyes even and let my ears be caressed by its signature sound.
I feel… relaxed, blissful, even. There is a feeling of peace I never felt before. It sounds alone enough to make me feel sleepy. After some time, I sit back up and stare at the numbers. 19000. At that point, I just keep clicking. The same feeling of impatience, eagerness, and relief come back again.
And I haven't changed hands at this point.
Click-click-click. I'm so close….
19995-19996-19997-19998-19999
I stop. I take a well deep breath as my thumb trembles from excitement.
*CLICK*
20000
"Haaaahh…," bliss at last.
The man nods approvingly. The large numbers still hover behind him. "Very good."
My thumb threatens to click, but I decide to leave the button alone.
"You stopped," the man noticed.
"…. I think I get it now."
"How so?"
"This… clicking thing. I understand what you meant when you said he chose to chase it. There's…. There's no special reason behind it, isn't it? He… just happened to click it, and that became his preference. That feeling he longed for. No reason, no meaning, no justification."
I smile back at him, a warming smile. "He happened to stumble upon it, and it became his obsession. He sacrificed it all to find that feeling he had long ago. That was his dream."
The man nods deliberately. It is firm and resolute. "Then you are ready, Hina. To finally let it go."
"I guess so…" I stood up, cradling the clicker in my hand. "I suppose it is time for me to go."
"You will," he leaned against his chair. "Now go. Your friends on the other side are worried about you."
I stare at him for a moment with a knowing nod, and then I turn for the portal. Before I step off, I take a last glance at the man himself.
"Will I get to meet you again, mister?" I asked softly.
"…When you want to see me again. You know how to find me."
I give him my happiest smile at his answer. "Very well, then. Goodbye, mister!"
"Goodbye too, Hina."
I finally face the portal and step through.
A flash of light envelops the room once more, and standing just before the painting is Hina in the flesh. As Hina adjusts herself to her surroundings, she realizes she isn't the only one in the room.
Her Prefect officers and all Pandemonium members are all present in the office. But not just them; the whole of Problem Solver 68 is here, as well as Sensei, Kirino, Fubuki, Kanna, and the whole of Rabbit Squad. Heck, Sena, Hoshino, and Yuuka are even present when they set up some kind of experimental device at her desk. They drop whatever they are doing and immediately gawk at her sudden presence.
"Uh…. Hi, everyone," Hina awkwardly greeted.
"I-is that-?" – Motoi
"No way…." – Kirino
"Did it just…?" – Saki
"Hina..?" – Sensei
All of a sudden, Hina is immediately embraced by none other than Makoto herself. Such an embrace caught Hina entirely off-guard.
"M-Makoto?"
"Damn you, Hina!" Makoto cursed aloud. "You shouldn't have gone like that! You gave us a lot of fright! I thought you were- you were…."
"I-I'm here, Makoto. I'm okay," Hina felt her shoulder begin to wet. "Makoto, are you crying?"
"N-no, I'm not!" Makoto lied. "This is just a cry of joy! Yes, it's a cry of joy because I haven't lost you yet!"
"Hinaaa!" Ibuki immediately joined in, tears well overflowed. "Ibuki was very scared when Hina-nee was kidnapped! Ibuki is glad that Hina-nee is back safely!"
"Yes, yes! You made her cry for a long time, Hina," Makoto rubbed both of their heads. "Please never do that again, Hina."
"Thank goodness you're finally back," Sena sighed in relief. "I thought you'd be trapped there forever."
"All of us came running here when we heard it happened," Aru added in. "I thought something worse had happened, but you're still here…."
"Yeah, we thought so too," Kanna let out a relieved sigh. "Looks like Kivotos won't be in chaos again since you're back."
"I-is that so?" Hina asked, touched but also concerned. "I'm grateful that you all came here for me. I assure you that I'm exactly fine. How long I was away?"
"For six hours, you dummy!" Saki retorted. "We were starting to lose all hope a while ago!"
Hina widens her eyes. "It was for that long? It felt like I was away for an hour at most."
"Believe it or not, it was that long," Sensei approached, worried. "What really happened on the other side? In that painting?"
Hina warmly smiles as Makoto and Ibuki finally let her go. "I found the answers I'm looking for."
"Answers to what exactly?" Miyako asked.
Hina simply turns her head around. "What was his dream about."
They all look at the painting. It was no longer a bright portal, but the painting is now a man who can finally see, with the three other healers now standing by to admire the fruits of their labor.
"It-it changed…," Kofuyu stated.
"Was the painting like that before?" Satsuki asked.
"No, definitely not," Iroha answered. "The painting depicted a man getting his eyes healed. This is something else."
"Eh, but he seems to be able to see now," Chiaki pointed out. "That seems to be a good thing, right?"
"Oh, yes, that's definitely a good thing," Hoshino lazily walked around to Hina. "How did you enter that painting anyway, huh, Hina?"
"Well," Hina kept her smile. "I clicked at the painting."
Those from Gehenna remain curious. Those from Valkyrie and SRT became befuddled. Sensei and the others look on with confusion. Yuuka, however.
"How does that even work?" Yuuka commented. "I don't even need math to tell you that it doesn't make sense."
"I don't know how I can explain it better to you, Yuuka," Chinatsu answered. "When she clicked, the painting just… reacted."
"What? You're telling me the painting is sentient now?" Moe asked, amused.
Makoto shrugs, rubbing her eyes. "I don't even know anymore."
"So…," Kirino interjected. "You said you clicked to get in that painting? Does that mean that those clicks don't…?"
Hina simply raises her clicker and clicks it a few times. Slow at first, and then fast, stopping above twenty clicks.
"It doesn't hurt me anymore," Hina happily declared. "I think… I'm ready to move on."
"Well, would'cha look at that!" Mutsuki traipsed to her side, giggling. "It seems a celebration is in order for you. What do you think, guys?"
"Y-yes! I think we should!" Haruka answered.
"I-if that's the case…," Miyu nervously added. "W-Will there be bentos in her celebration?"
"Oh, we'll be getting more than just a bento," Fubuki answered cheekily. "That, I can tell you."
"Well, I certainly don't mind then," Miyako relaxed herself. "We could use to eat something else."
Understanding the challenge she had overcome, Sensei walks over and rubs her white hair. "You did really well, Hina. You have come far to get to this point. I'm really happy for you."
"T-thank you, Sensei," Hina wasn't certain if she should hug him right now.
"In fact, as a reward, I will be sure to spoil you as much as I can, Hiniature!"
Hina becomes shocked and flustered. "S-Sensei! Not in front of them!"
"Looks like things will finally come back to normal, huh?" Motoi inquired curiously.
"Looks like it," Kofuyu agreed. "Think the evidence we collected should be enough to be believable?"
"Yeah, I think so. Especially that video you recorded."
Iori glances at Ako. "We're back in business?"
"Business as usual, now that she's here," Ako smiles at Hina. "We're happy that you're back, Head Prefect."
"Likewise, Ako," Hina clicked a few times, then stopped. "Hm…."
"W-what's wrong? Ako anxiously asked.
Hina stares at the clicker, then at Ako with a maintained smile. "I just invented a new punishment if both of you messed with your tasks."
"Eh?" – Ako
"What?" – Iori
Both of them look at the clicker, then at Hina. They finally feel that same dread whenever Hina is displeased.
"Y-you're serious…," Iori was finally at a loss.
Sensei can only laugh gracelessly as the others seem weirded out by her declaration.
Sena, in a rare instance of amusement, chuckles. "It seems Gehenna will be in for an interesting development."
Kayoko sighs. "I can't believe I have to agree with you there."