"Welcome back folks! I am Kawaru Shion, and we're here in Abydos! So, why are we here again, our dear viewers, back home? What else could this autonomous district offer? Because of THIS!"

Shion spread her arms as if welcoming a group of Pandemonium Society girls with the Head Prefect. Talking and lounging about in the old exteriors of Abydos High School. Flanked by The Prefect Team's field medic and the Head of the Emergency Medicine Club, and with them are the Remedial Knights of the Trinity General School.

Next, the camera panned towards a Trinity student who hid her face from the camera until she was relentlessly teased by the girls from the Pandemonium Society. The girl gave a shy, but timid wave before her gaze averted back to talking about Momo friends.

A well-known Peroro enthusiast and beloved figure part of the Tea Party.

"Yesterday, the news of an invasion from the PMC branch of Kaiser was put to light! Though the CEO of Kaiser Corporation has denied any of his involvement in the incident, claiming that was the pure decision by the Head of the PMC, there must be more! Something they hid! Considering that right after, a mysterious storm suddenly came back and ravaged-"

BEEP. BZZ.

"…A-Ahem. Sorry for the technical issue!" Shion cleared her throat. "Currently, new rebuilding efforts are underway, but the real highlight of today's news is the unprecedented level of support gathered from other schools."

The Pandemonium Society, and even a member from the esteemed Tea Party of Trinity, joining together! WOW! Then there is still hope for the Eden Treaty after all!" Shion struck a pose to the camera.

"And it's all thanks to the mysterious, stone-cold, a-and relatively handsome Hans-sensei of SCHALE!" She stuck out her tongue as her eyes shone like stars. "BUT! Rumors have it that Hans-sensei had even employed the dastardly dangerous Faust from the Mizugi-"

BEEP. BZZ.

Mai elbowed her partner as the camera "malfunctioned," for a brief second.

"What my partner is trying to say is: In a short period of time, he was able to resolve the crisis that had struck Kivotos, and the Abydos district. Planting seeds of hope that would hope for Abydos' whispered 'revival', and the upcoming Eden Treaty."

A pause.

"And the next scoop of the news is not our usual cheer, but… still related to the topic.."

The idol took the mic immediately and cleared her throat.

"This marks the fifth day Hans-sensei has gone into a coma.
The joint medical team from Gehenna and Trinity are still hard at work to stabilize his condition, so let's take a moment of our time to pray for his speedy recovery."

Hoshino walked through the empty halls of Abydos. Focused—even if her own footsteps pained her and was still limping. Bandages still surround her chest and forehead, and a cotton-padded band-aid on her cheek. She passed through door to door like a well-rehearsed musician until she reached the far end of the halls.

The worn double door waiting for her, and the person resting behind it.

Even now, as she stood in front of it—her heart hid from the sheer pressure she felt by standing this close before it restarted.

Thump. Thump.

Her hands reach to the sliding door. Gripping on the aging handle as her heartbeat hastened its pace. Reaching her ears, and her trembling hand holding it.

What would she say?

She… can't exactly remember what had happened when the serpent attacked. Actually, no one did. It was as if a sudden black cloud had fallen over everyone on that day, obscuring everything.

Even so, they all… remembered only faint glimpses of a presence. A presence so terrifying, and monstrous that the mechanical serpent felt like an afterthought.

Yet nothing could be remembered of that presence no matter how hard she tried. Though she had this strange hunch that she was better off staying ignorant than knowing what lay beyond the clouds she had laid her eyes on that day.

"…Okay."

After what felt like forever, she opened the door.

There he was.

Breathing calmly beneath thick sheets. A thin, gentle mist surrounded him, and it filled the room like a strange, living creature. The ghostly mist crept into every corner, twisting and shifting as if moving with a thought of its own.

They gathered around the man sleeping on the sheets. Nothing had changed… he was still the same except for the burns and wounds he had. Wrapped under bandages and band aids as the mist swirled and licked the covers and damaged flesh.

The steady beeps of the machines, and the slow drips of an IV injecting fluid into his arm filled the silence in the room, as the needle pierced through on what should've been unbreakable.

On a nearby table, the tablet that he had from the day he arrived in Kivotos rested gently on a soft pillow. In it, contained the little AI, Arona which had been entrusted to them, even if only for a little while.

They had considered moving him over to an actual hospital, but in the end, they let him rest here in this old, shabby infirmary. Thanks to Hans' powerful natural regeneration that fully convinced the joint medical team.

She watched his chest rise and fall, steady and rhythmic, till her gaze linge on a strange scar near his heart—a scar that seemed resistant to his healing.

She'd seen him recover from fatal gunshot wounds without much trouble, but this scar… it looked deep, as though caused by a crude weapon.

She stopped, and shook her head. It was best to not dwell on it.

With a small sigh, she sat on the chair that had waited for her on the right side of the bed.

The very same chair that had seen many visitors in its lifetime.
Her friends,
the Problem Solvers,
he Prefect Team,
visitors from Trinity and the Pandemonium Society.
Even Makoto had been here, sitting beside Hans's bed for so long that she was practically dragged out by Chinatsu and the others.

Now it's her turn.

Most of them simply visit and talk about anything and everything. The blue-haired girl from the Prefect Team—Ako, if she remembered correctly—had been the shortest visit. Makoto and Nonomi, on the other hand, had stayed the longest.

Especially Makoto.

So she should do the same.

But where to start? Was she supposed to thank him first for… bringing her back? Should she have started with what was going on in Abydos right now?

"…"

The girl's eyes glanced at the clock, surprised that fifteen minutes had already passed since the time she'd sat down.

"Things had gone quite hectic sensei. I guess I finally understand why my cute little underclassmen would get mad at me for taking prolonged naps." She finally made up her mind.

"Everyone has been so hard at work. The girls had been going around gathering funds… and cleaning up the mess Kaiser had made. Yes, even the giant snake.
Though we don't know exactly what to do with it. So… we're working to cover it up. Thank God only its head and a few meters had left the sand. If not, it'll be too much of a hassle for this grumpy old man."

She paused, and reconsidered her words carefully before giving up. "Uhe…Sorry, I'm not great at this kind of thing." Hoshino scratched her cheek and absent-mindedly touched the hollow place where one of her teeth once stood,trying to remember other interesting topics to talk about.

"The girls from Gehenna and Trinity had lent quite the hand. Though I just think that girl, Makoto simply wants to get into your good graces. Though unexpectedly, there's this one girl from Millennium as well. It was…the treasurer from the Seminar, Yuuka.

She's been visiting to chat with you and Arona every day. When she spoke of her status in the Seminar, Serika got inspired, and started asking for pointers till Yuuka took the girl under her wing… or should I just say, she forced Serika to do so?"

A hearty laugh left her lips as the memories flowed gently right into her mind.

"HOW- HOW COULD YOU…WASTE THIS MUCH FOR A SHADY CRYPTO?!"

Yuuka's hand crushed the receipt into an unrecognizable mess.

"E-Eek! B-But… they're-"

"Miss Kuromi…"

Serika felt her hair stand up in attention as a dark aura surrounded her and the entire classroom that they were in.

"As a fellow treasurer… I can't overlook this."

Slowly, the purple-haired girl from Millennium turned her head around with a menacing smile.

"From now on, you'll be under my tutelage so you will never fall to pathetic scams like this. You want to pay your debt to Kaiser, right…?"

"Uhehe! Don't let her know this, but she's even scarier than Ayane when she found out about her tendency to fall into scams!"

Hoshino wiped her eyes and stifled her laughter.

"Uhehe… she really did train her to the bone. She even cried to me once about Yuuka's brutal scolding, but I think it's effective. She taught her to invest in the reputable corpos using the money you sent us from the heist. I want to protest, but my big talk won't do anyone good at the moment."

Her expression softened as she shifted her voice to a more introspective tone.

Her words. Her choices…

"If there is one good thing that happened in my… 'absence' it's that Black Suit's contract still stands. Seventy percent of our debt is gone, and with the support and the blessings we have received, we just need to hold on just for a little while longer. So there is hope that we will see our debt paid off in this lifetime."

What's next?

"Well… I guess that's just all I wanted to say. I don't know what else is on the agenda for my first visit..." Hoshino folded her arms and leaned back on the metal chair.

An idea popped into her mind as a small smile formed on her lips.

"I see why you have captured the hearts of so many students, sensei. You're… truly one of a kind adult." Hoshino stood up from her chair and walked to his unmoving form.

"So… after you're done with your nap, sensei…"

She felt her heart thumping. Beating faster than when the nightmares she felt days before. A small lump formed on her throat.

…Gulp.

"I hope you still have energy for some ramen."

She leaned down. Slowly closing her eyes…
and the distance between them.

Badump.

Badump.

Chu~

"…Ha.."

"…Uhe. I guess… that's my way to thank you for fulfilling your promise… taking care of my cute kouhais…"

She gave him the warmest smile one can muster "And as a good luck charm for the future." She continued on before reaching for the door. Sneaking one last glance at his fleeting form.

"Thank you for giving me hope."

If this was a bad comedy drama novel, he would've opened his eyes as she said her parting word… or when she had done that. Heh. It's good she's living in the real world instead of some cheesy, corny literature.

"Mm… oh, Hoshino? Have you finally come to visit?" The voice of the little AI emerged from the tablet and paused Hoshino on her march. Wiping her eyes to fight off her drowsiness, a kindred soul of napping like Hoshino, eager to protect what she loves.

"Uhehe, you missed it Arona~ I have finished talking to him and I'm just taking my leave."

"Mean! Can't you stay a little longer?!"

"Mm… nah."

And the day moved on.
Time kept ticking as the sun and moon moved and danced in the grand tapestry of the cosmos.

Everlasting, never ending, until it becomes something mundane.

"Serika, too much salt! Add more water and make it again!"

"I-I'm on it!"

"Master Shiba! Two regulars on table 3!"

"Thanks. You heard that, chef?"

"I- Yeah! Phew…"

"Hey watch it, girl! Don't get your sweat into the broth!"

"I- I'm sorry!"

Serika didn't realize how stressful the kitchen could be. Even if she was simply cutting vegetables, stirring the broth, and boiling noodles, everything must be done perfectly, and most importantly, punctually.

How the boss had done this on his own is something she would have to learn no matter what. So this hellish experience and routine is something that she has to stomach up.

Because one day…

"One day when I finally retire… I'm handing Shiba Seki to you."

And that single sentence running on a loop scorched away her festering exhaustion.

"ORRAHH!"

"That's the spirit! But you're mixing too fast! Calm down, Serika!"

People come and go as the white mist keeps on surrounding his form.
In and out and in like roots and tendrils.

"Phew… I guess that is all." Ayane wipes her brow and puts down her tablet. Strings of numbers and statistics, graphs, and progress are listed and neatly organized for convenience on the screen.

Everything is running smoothly as planned as they move and work in a beautiful harmony. Every worker here, experienced or not, still has a role to fulfil.

The smallest things could mean everything.

"Miss Okusora! Thank you so much for your help!"

"A-Ah! Thank you for your hard work! Enjoy your break time!" Ayane waved to the construction workers. Some staying here to eat, and some going out from the site to eat somewhere else.

However, for the elf, there is still something to finish before she could unpack her store-bought lunch. Some meager schedule she has to finish for the upcoming week, a few letters for workplaces, and a few items she had to put on sale thanks to the surplus.

But does it count as legal or is she just playing on a loophole? Since technically she is selling looted items-

"Kufufu~! Nice work like always Miss four eyes~!" A strange weight came upon her back, looping around her with a hint of gunpowder, citrus, and strangely enough… vanilla.

"Hyah?!"

The imp smugly released her grasp and in one fluid motion, yanked the red-rimmed glasses off from her face, and into her own. "You're adorable today too, Miss Glasses~ Kufufu…!"

"H-Hey! Give my glasses back…! Seriously!" Ayane began the chase with obvious frustration that it had happened far too many times.

"If you keep messing around and stealing my glasses like that… I'll have to switch to contact lenses-"

"WAIT! YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT FAR!" Mutsuki suddenly screamed in shock, surprising Ayane by her sudden fear-filled outburst and… tear pricked eyes?

"Uahh…! I'm sorry…!"The imp in question waddles to Ayane with total anguish. "Ueeh… I'll give your glasses back and my entire collection, so please forgive me…!"

"I- okay, okay, I get it already. Please s-stop crying…"

Overwhelming. Calming.
Entering through every pore he had on his skin as it mended cell and bones with unmatched precision.

Letters she had from her family left behind as she moved on to Abydos. She is the embodiment of her choices. Standing tall with pride as she remains that way.

With everything that had happened… Nonomi tossed another letter away into her ever-growing collection of old papers.

"…Hm…" She leans back in her chair. A whirlpool dancing in her mind. "…Highlander Railroad Academy." She muttered under her breath. "Oh well…"

The blonde stretched on her seat and cupped her chin as she laid on her table.

"Oh, right!" With a jolt of energy, she immediately checked her phone.

"Yes! It's been accepted!" Nonomi pumped her fists. "24 Hour Abydos, here we go!"

Swirling through veins and nerves, encompassing every matter and atom that formed his fleeting, mortal form of flesh.

"Phew." Shiroko took a sip from her electrolyte drink and reached into her bag for a towel. Wiping her sweaty brow and neck before moving on at the sight that kept on drawing her close.

The hidden corpse of the metallic snake that laid upon the scorching sun and fine desert sand. Still dripping its golden blood rhythmically

It should be almost impossible to bury a thing this large. But thankfully, when the serpent fell, it kicked a large enough cloud of sand and dust to cover a large part of it by sheer luck.

They just have to do the rest to hide the presence well enough.

Tarps, wires, ropes, and sand surrounded the "corpse" to veil it from aerial view—with the only ones knowing the corpse's location being Head Prefect Hina, Kayoko, and the rest of the Foreclosure Task Force.

Ayane herself had even put drones, cameras, and a few traps around just to satisfy their growing paranoia so no one like Kaiser could exploit the corpse, especially since they had found something else.

A blessing that is the golden "blood" of the serpent.

Refined oil that doesn't need any kind of distillation—pure, magnificent, and with the sheer length of its body, Ayane predicted the reservoir could last decades. Currently, they're still looking for a more efficient way to extract the liquid gold and find out the serpent's secret on how it was able to make such a thing.

Perhaps Abydos' freedom isn't such a distant dream after all. Heck, they could one day even buy back the lost lands to Kaiser.

So their caution is understandable, and it being the second reason why Shiroko came here again for the nth time today.

Because just the other day she saw a drone.

It was white and shaped like a disk with a black stripe and a camera in the middle. Another thing that she caught was the letter written in all caps on its hull.

It was AM… something before she had lost track of it.

It doesn't look like it belonged to Kaiser, but it wouldn't hurt to increase her patrols and security.

Who knows who it belonged to?

The mist kept swirling, and twisting, with new replacing the old endlessly in a perfect cycle.

A magnificent process that usually took seconds, now hours for a reason.

For a twitch of a finger.

For the Garou that was born under the full moon, forged for combat and warfare, regeneration that needs seconds came at the cost of their stamina, strength, and "rationality". Holding back the frenzy and rage they naturally had when the Fera first walked the earth by the blessing of Gaia herself.

Usually, Hans cares not for such a thing. So be it if he must fall into a frenzy. He is a soldier through and through. If being consumed by frenzy would make him a better fighter? So be it.

Yet, the situation differs now.

He had taken another call—and he didn't want to repeat what had happened to Kayoko.

He is three different things at once. A teacher. A soldier. A dog.

Sometimes, the line fell into a blur that he can't even understand which is which. So he chooses one that is best suited for the situation.

…And this situation calls for him as a teacher.

So, he'll take his time.

Let the mist do the work as slow as it is. Mending his body and mind.

Because when the time comes, his finger will move for the second time. Feeling the fabric under it before clenching into a slow fist and until everything came back like a tsunami.

Sensations. Smell. Feelings. Emotions. Passion. Strength. Logic. Motor.

All of it, every part of it accumulates for a single reason.

For shy, gentle movements in his muscles.

Before finally,
The wolf opened his eyes.

Raising his tanned fingers,
touching the lingering warmth upon his cheek.

"SENSEI!"

"Omph."

He opened his eyes in the classroom where the young AI had been waiting for his return. The very same one he had known in and out by now.

"I missed you!"

"Mm… I'm back. Sorry for… making you wait."

"Hehe… but I'm still mad that you wouldn't let me go with you in the fights."

"…Sorry."

"Hmmmph. I'll let this one slide… if you buy me some deserts later on."

"…I promise."

"And don't do anything more reckless!"

"…Mm."

"Stay here longer with me. You owe me a head pat as well."

Moments later, he blinked back in the worn bed of Abydos' infirmary—with the very same beeping machine, and the bag of IV fluid hung nearby. Busily flowing its content into his veins.

He would rest his head again, if he was alone in this small confinement.

"Uhehe… welcome back to the land of the living, sensei. How was your nap?"

"…Hoshino."

The captain greets. Raising his hand to push away some of his hair, followed by a questioning look.

"Hmm…? Oh. You've been out of commission for… seven days."

The captain shook his head and pointed at her.

"Oh me? I'm fine~ you sure did a number on me, but eh… I deserve it." Hoshino shrugs. "It doesn't really hurt anymore." She took calculated steps to close the distance.

"So uh… how are you feeling?"

Hans raised his eyebrow.

"I'm just trying to break the ice, you know…" Hoshino pouts.

"…Been… better." Hans gave her an uncharacteristically snarky remark. Catching the lazy president off guard.

"Heh heh. I guess that made the two of us. I'm seriously getting too old for that kind of fight…" Hoshino jokes. Defaulting to her old man persona.

Then silence.

What else is there to say between them? She felt like she had spoken about everything she has in a lifetime.

Suddenly, Hans plucked the IV off from his arm. Raising it up and clenching his fist once. Twice. Thrice before nodding and steadily rising to leave the bed.

"Woah! Sensei, what are you doing?!" Hoshino leapt from the rusted metallic chair, tossing it aside as she came to his side.

"…We still need… to get that ramen."

He answered simply.

"Huh, what? Ramen? Eh?" She blinked. Lost in thought. 'Ramen?'

'RAMEN?!'

"WAIT. Wait… s-s-sensei… so you've- you've been…?!"

"Yes."

"..U-uhe…"

Hoshino's expression lit up like a Christmas tree as her mind started to spin and spin and spin—blending her mind as her core temperature rose higher than a hundred.

"…Um… so… do you…" Her voice raised barely above a whisper as her fingers gripped on the fabric of her skirt hard enough to rip it.

"…I… don't mind." He affirmed with a gesture of the hand.

Hans really had spent his time reflecting inside his mind. Thinking back, replaying the moment where she landed that kiss.

A second kiss he felt after eternity.

"…O-o-okay…"

An awkward silence passes followed by a strange tension thick enough to be cut by a knife.

"…Ramen."

"R-Ramen."

"Le-Let's go to my cute underclassmen as well. They missed you too, y'know?" Hoshino sputters out. Trying to shift the topic and ignore the… um, thing she did.

He agreed, and they started for the walk.

"You're… still limping." The captain comments.

"Uhe… I'm just an old man. Plus, you're no better."

"…" Hans raised his eyebrow before cracking his legs—and walked perfectly.

"Show off."

"…"

It wasn't long before Hoshino pulled open the door with him beside her. But before she could even open her mouth to announce his return to health, a cacophony of hugs and shouts accompanied him in his wake.

"SENSEI!"

Buried under the crushing depths of an elf, a cat, a young wolf, and a blonde coming together, Hans couldn't discern if this is heaven or hell—with them still pressing to confirm if his existence was real or a cruel figment of their imagination.

"Nn!"

"Welcome back, sensei!"

"Mm! Welcome back~!"

"Oi Nonomi…! Y-You're hogging him!"

Following soon after, the news of his awakening spreads like a powerful forest fire.

And Abydos had become a hub of activity for the day.

The students from other schools came and blended together to visit him. Some familiar and some not until the medical team dropped the foot to stop, until the general check up is done.

"You know, before you have recovered, we, the remedial knights, are… stumped at what we should do. Sensei, you came with burns and- so many broken bones! But… seriously, even if you have that healing factor, you should be more careful."

A pink haired nurse spoke up.

"…Oh, um, my name is… Sumi Serina, by the way, sensei. I'm from the Remedial Knights. You can just call me Serina." Serina shyly introduced herself. Even if she had just scolded Hans like that.

"Mm. I agree with Miss Sumi. Your injuries could make someone mistake you're a corpse." A horned, silver-haired caretaker nods in agreement.

"Or in need of a drastic medical procedure!" An energetic lavender haired nurse raised her chainsaw before it was forcefully lowered down by a certain medic from Gehenna.

"A-Ahaha… um… n-not that too extreme, Miss Asagao, Miss Himuro." Chinatsu chuckled awkwardly.

"Either way, as the president of Gehenna's Medical Emergency Club, I'm happy to see you recovered well. I'm Himuro Sena, please just call me Sena. Pleased to meet you, sensei." Sena nods.

"Asagao Hanae!" Hanae joyously raised her chainsaw again before it was lowered down by Serina this time. "I'm from the same club as Serina-senpai!"

"W-Well… I see that everything has healed, and I don't see anything of the ordinary." Chinatsu cleared her throat.

"Yeah, um… I really see no more problems… but to make sure for you to stay extra careful." Serina follows next.

"Do well sensei. Don't let you become a corpse- I mean injured in the future."

The door closes, and the rest went by like a whisper in the wind. Interactions. Smiles. Worries. Every aspect of it burned and engraved, yet it all fell into a blur.

Interviews. Conversations. Sentences. Words. Letters.

Hans couldn't remember the rest of it as it spun faster inside his mind. A fast-forward button to what he cherished the most in this time of his existence.

Yet what matters is his steps outside. Walking next to his students, and let his eye to wander. New infrastructure that the Prefect Team had built to replace what had been lost in the fray.

Now, with more efforts by the "storm" the serpent had done. Even if the target was him and the other students, the effects still rippled through the lands. More dust covering the districts, refugees, wounded, and the financial and infrastructural problems that had risen by it.

"Hey, can you bring that here?"

"Get your meals here! Free to our hard-working people!"

"Don't forget your helmets."

But by the looks of it, they had it under control.

"Woah, watch it!"

A small tumble as a beam of iron slid and fell a few meters away from a muscular canine.

Even if there are accidents.

"Oi, did you hear what I've been saying, sensei?" Serika frowns.

"…Sorry."

Serika sighs before shaking her head.

"Sensei, we're here." Shiroko gently tugs on the captain's shirt.

SHIBA SEKI RAMEN.

Rebuild from the ground up.

Ah, the smell of the legendary broth.

Everything was exactly the same except for a few differences here and there, yet it's almost unnoticeable for him—even if they're the only customers here.

It's… nice to go back.

"Welcome! About time. Hmph. How is your beauty sleep?" The rejuvenated master of the broth grins.

"…Fine."

"Then take a seat. Serika, you know the drill."

"Yes, master!" Serika scurries away and picks up her apron to the confusion of the wolf.

"Hee… you'll understand later, sensei." Hoshino shrugs and walks to an empty table. Or rather, one of the many empty tables in the entire building. "She's excited to show you this y'know?"

"Yup yup! She even refuses to show us a glimpse of what she has been hiding without you!" Nonomi claps her hands.

"Shaddap!" Serika shouts from the kitchen. "Don't say a word!"

"Ahaha…" Ayane scratches her cheek. "Don't mind her, sensei. Serika is just exited."

The sliding door opens with a ding, and a voice calling out.

"Hello Abydos Task Force!"

"It's Aru! Hello~" Nonomi greets first.

"Fufu… we came as soon as we could when we heard sensei was discharged." Aru took a seat at a table next to them. "How are you feeling, sensei?"

"…Healed."

"Well, can I say I'm jealous?" Kayoko cuts as she enters with the rest of the problem solvers. Bandaged the same. Her pale skin ridden with previous new bruises, wounds, and burns—and for the first time after a while, didn't wear her usual black hoodie.

Instead opting for a light gray one with the writing, "1999 BIZARRE SUMMER" on the back and a logo of a cat's skull accompanied with the text, "DEADLY QUEEN" on the front.

"They said that I'm lucky not to break any bones. But everything still hurts." Kayoko took her seat next to the captain. Effectively sandwiching him in between a young wolf and a punk. "Seriously, you better compensate me well after this."

Her gentle voice slowly lowered in decibels as she leaned into the wooden table. Eyes narrowing in a rare mischief. "Maybe you can treat me for some coffee every once in a while. What do you think?"

"…Can do."

"Kufufu… my,my Kayoko~" The imp took a seat soon after, followed by the timid Haruka. "You really are something else~"

"Hm? What are you on about, Mutsuki? I'm just saying that we should get proper compensation." Kayoko clears her throat and keeps her cool.

"Kufufu… really~?"

"Knock it off, Mutsuki. Kayoko does have a point. Though… I don't know about coffee…"

"I-I think anything is enough for me… but…" Haruka mumbles before she is interrupted by a flick on her forehead by the captain and a shake of his head.

"O-oh… hehe..."

With a satisfied huff, Kayoko rested her eyes for a moment until she felt the glare that burned into her soul.

"…Um, what is it, Shiroko?"

Shiroko looked away.

"…"

"And… DONE!" The kitchen bursts open, and Serika makes her entrance as if she was a herald. Holding her tray of warm ramen along with the Master.

"Hehe. Now, enjoy!" She excitedly exclaimed. Placing the bowls with a loud thud that could break through the ceramic if she had put much more force in it.

"Serika. Calm down, a little." Master Shiba scolds softly.

"Oh sorry, master."

"Heh. All is well. I can share your excitement, kiddo." The dog winks before addressing his customers. "This is Shiba-seki… Ala Serika. It's her signature dish and our new menu. What are you waiting for? Try it!"

Hans stared at the bowl. The same toppings swim on the golden broth. Meat, seaweed, green onions, a piece of a fishcake, and a half of a soft boiled egg. But the smell differed from before.

It's much stronger, sweeter with a lingering spice. Wasting not a moment, he separated the wooden chopsticks and pulled a hearty amount of noodles and popped it into his mouth. Chewing and chewing before moving to the toppings, and tasting the broth.

Slurp.

"…"

"Um… well?" Serika waited with bated breath as everyone started to taste her dish. Negative thoughts flow for a moment until she brushes it away.

"…Delicious." Hans spoke first and raised his thumb.

"Nn." Shiroko follows next with the same gesture.

Then the rest follow after.

"Nice work Serika~!" Nonomi cheers.

"Mm! Though this is a little spicy for me… I don't mind!" Ayane gave her friend a bright smile.

"Uhehe… I wish you could cook for me forever, Serika…"

"What the- NO!" Serika stomps her foot from the sudden rush of embarrassment.

"I have to agree with everyone. It's good." Kayoko interjects.

"Kufufu~ not bad at all, Miss feisty!"

"The broth is perfect. Even if I'm not a spice fan." Aru sipped again.

"I-Is s-s-so yummy! Is it alright if trash like me- ow!" Hans sent another flick to Haruka's forehead. "Can I have… s-seconds?"

"Kahaha! Eat as much as you want, girl!" Master Shiba laughed heartily. "You hear that, Serika? You're one step closer to my level."

"M-Master! Thank you..!" Serika tried not to cry.

A spectacular failure.

"And you, apprentice…" The dog narrows his eyes at the captain. "You'll have to catch up sooner or later."

Hours later, they left the ramen joint happy and stuffed—with a few packages to take home, mostly for the girls from the Problem Solvers. Reheated, but it would taste the same.

Waving goodbyes, and thank yous until the two factions part ways.

"Kufufu~ See ya~!"

"Hm. See you guys."

"S-See you!"

"Heh. See you next time."

Now he stood back here to where it all started. The annex building that was riddled with sand and dust, gunpowder and other knick knacks in the ground.

Entering the same room where their adventure began.

"Yup yup~"

"Serika, stick closer."

"Oh."

"Mm…! Perfect! Everyone look here~!"

"Arona if you may!" Nonomi grins.

"Alright! Three… two… one!"

CLICK!

"Arona, join in as well!"

"Okay!"

CLICK!

With that, he finally left their side.

A goodbye, for now. Till they meet again.

That is his promise.

"…Arona."

"Mhm. I'm already on it. Hehe… sending them… now."

Kivotos Bank Transfer

SUCCESS.

246789100165
OKUSURA AYANE.

1/2/2024
20:27 PM

¥ 50,000,000

"We'll finish transferring the rest of them by the following month." Arona harrumphs before falling silent with a fond smile.

"They're really good kids, aren't they sensei?"

"…Mm. Indeed they are."

"Will you miss going to Abydos, sensei?"

"…Abydos is… a quick ride away."

"It's not really quick… but eh. I get what you mean." Arona teased. "We can always visit them later in between jobs."

With a quick scan of his card, the doors of SCHALE opened swiftly with a zing.

The halls of SCHALE are as quiet as ever. He had expected dust to rise around here, but it seems the automated security and cleaning protocols had done their work… plus to the Problem Solvers being here in the day.

"Hum, hum, h-?! Sensei?!"

A voice from behind him interrupted Hans' request—followed by the heavy thud of papers and folders falling to the floor.

"…Rin."

"You- sensei. I didn't expect you to… come here soon." Rin picked up the fallen papers until Hans decided to lend a hand.

"Thank you. I thought you're staying in Abydos today, sensei. I apologize for not visiting you soon." Rin rubbed the edges of her eyes.

He tapped her shoulders in reassurance and pointed to the papers.

"Usually Ayumu or any of my other subordinates would be the one to deliver these kinds of things… but since I finished most of my work anyway, I guess I could use some air." She sighs and puts away the documents.

"I heard that your wounds had healed perfectly, yet I still have to ask, how are you feeling? ."

He nodded.

"Good. What… about you?"

"Same as always." Rin shrugs. "Though things have calmed down-"

Beep Beep!

"What the…?" Rin reached for her phone and a scowl gradually came upon her lips."It seems I spoke too soon. I'll see you later, sensei."

Rin made her hasty retreat out from the building and to the helicopter parked at the roof. Seconds later, she is gone.

"…I do not… envy her."

"Hehe, right?" Arona commented. "The GSC has always been like that. They're glue that held Kivotos together. Being the acting president or the president doesn't mean they have the power to do as they please… it means to carry the burden of Kivotos itself."

Somehow the voice of the young AI became nostalgic. "You must make the choices that could make or break everything that was there."

Anguish.

"…And sometimes, even a single foolish choice… or a single wrong choice of word could easily destroy everything in a heartbeat.

Relationships. Lives. Loves. Entire districts. All of it… just gone."

Loathing.

Then silence.

"W-Whoops! Ehehe… d-did I say something like that?! Um… I just re-reading the facts that laid here…!" Arona hastily shook her hands, trying to distract Hans from the fact that she had just dropped that kind of a bombshell.

"…"

"…Ehe."

The captain transported to the classroom and flicked Arona. "…What do you… know about the missing president?"

"L-Like I said! I don't know a-anything…! All The information about her is gone!"

"…Mm?"

"Y-Yeah! Geez stop teasing me!"

"...Okay."

As he left the space, Arona let out a huff of relief. "…Phew."

Back in the real world, the captain wonders what to do next. "Arona."

"Mm?"

"…What do we have… on our… agenda?"

"Well let me check our Momo. Hmm… oh, right! We have had this request coming from the Hyakkiyako Alliance Academy for a while now. Let me forward it to you."

He nods.

"Is there… anything else?"

"Well, there are lecture requests… firearm training… eh. Nothing too urgent."

He nods.

"…Tomorrow."

"Yup! Now, while we still have time… how about we slash those documents acting president Rin has given?"

"Mm."

Thus the night rolls, until the clock strikes into one. And Arona had fallen into a slumber barely two hours in with him finishing paper after paper.

Oblivious of the eyes that stared at him from yards away.

Ending in a soft click.

"…"

Thousands of screens displayed everything that's happening in her beloved school and beyond thanks to her eyes in the skies.

Watching silently like hawks—staring down at each entity and object of interest. Focusing on what should've been powerful entities or organizations that could threaten not only Millennium, but the whole of Kivotos as well.

An AI claiming to be God.

Nameless, forgotten cultists who worshiped a long lost deity.

Yet this time, her observations focused not on them.

For the first time, all of her efforts, all of her focus organized for a single entity. For one singular person and his organization made by the authority of the missing GSC President.

"Hans Günsche."

The enigmatic teacher from SCHALE.

The big sister of Millennium clenched her fists. She was there when Binah suddenly became active again in the Abydos desert—thinking that maybe the AI was planning something big.

But no.

It's not because of the ascended machine.

It's a consequence of his presence in Abydos.

Her mind recalled the inky black tendrils that grasped her heart and loomed over her head like a shadow. Forever branding her existence by its presence as every fiber of her being screams and shouts for her to run or pound her screen into dust.

Yet she soldiered on. Ignoring the whispers, the coiling darkness, and repulsive miasma that grasped her mind until the fight came to its conclusion long written in stone.

The great fall of the third prophet into the same land it destroyed all of those years ago.

Claws. Fangs. White fur. Red eyes. Four legs. Snarling. Raging. A whirlwind of otherworldly strength and wrath.

A werewolf.

"…You shouldn't exist. Yet here you are."

She must do her research.

Even if he was her teacher.
Even if he saved Kivotos and Abydos.

How long can he remain human?
How long can he remain sane?

VOLUME 1: THE ONES THAT WERE FORGOTTEN.

COMPLETE.

Author's note.

Shoutout and much love to my boy Badguy(0peratorsalt) for the beta!
Goodbye Abydos.

...Gomen Shiroko, Gomen Kayoko.

I hope I'm able to create a small satisfying ending to the FTF, even if CH3 exists.

We're going to Hyakkiyako next and then Millennium. On my schedule, I'm going to continue on Re:membrance and based on the votes on my server, we're going to continue on Hans, then ULTRAKILL, and then back to Gordon Freeman.

God, I have neglected Gordon for awhile now as well as the cover. Anyway, before moving on to them I'm going to rehaul all of the earlier chapters of this fic. Probably changing, adding, or removing dialogues and scenes, and changing some other drastically.

Early chapters are a bane of a my existence as a writer. Big sad.

What do you think of this chapter? Send me your thoughts in the comments~

I hope to see you on the next volume, and on my other works! See you soon~