The teacher started meeting various students after beginning his role as an advisor at Kivotos, specifically at Shalle.
Among them, it wasn’t hard to find a few rather unique… no, “unique” feels like a soft word to use, but students living in a fourth-dimensional world.
“Whoa, that’s just like… a ninja!”
As soon as the girl in front of him blurted out “ninja,” the teacher instinctively felt that another such student had arrived.
The girl, who introduced herself as Kuda Izuna, was a fox-eared girl with an overwhelming energy that felt almost chaotic.
Watching her ears perk up nonstop and her tail swishing back and forth so vigorously, the teacher reached a state of confusion, unsure if he was dealing with a student or a fox that could walk like a human.
“Oh, but… what brings you, the teacher from Shalle, all the way here? And with the infamous Reikubyō no Yū as well…!”
Amidst this, the teacher encountered one piece of information that grated on him.
Reikubyō no Yū.
He had already connected the dots that this referred to Kosaka Wakamo, a second-year student from SRT Special Academy, who had followed him all the way to Hakgwiyaeng.
Just looking at her name alone gave off a strong negative vibe. He couldn’t help but be curious about what would lead someone to earn the nickname “infamous.”
“…Wakamo, is there something I still don’t know?”
“Hmmm. I’d like to say it’s a misunderstanding, but it’s undeniable that I was once known as Reikubyō no Yū.”
“I knew it! Izuna can’t be deceived!”
Somehow emboldened, Izuna pointed her finger at Wakamo like an accusing detective.
No, she tried to.
Wakamo, appearing before her, was pressing down on the tip of her weapon so that she couldn’t raise it.
“C-Cough…?”
“But that’s still a misunderstanding.”
“Oh… But… if you were Reikubyō no Yū, then you’re a terrible villain who has committed countless acts of terror—starting with random destruction in the shopping district, hijacking the academy ship from Odyssey, and shelling the joint festival site! Teacher, you must be careful!”
“That too is a misunderstanding… Haa. Yes, it’s true that I did such things once. I can’t deny that.”
“W-Wakamo, does that mean… you actually did those things…?”
“Teacher. Stories are meant to be heard to the end to lessen misunderstandings, so I beg you to listen first before passing judgment.”
“…That makes sense. But if I were to state my thoughts, if Wakamo was still that kind of student, I don’t think she would belong to SRT. So I’ll believe you, Wakamo.”
“Oh my… Thank you for believing me, teacher. It’s true that I went through a wandering phase, but I’m different now. The most evident proof is this armband, as you said.”
While the teacher nodded in agreement, Izuna tilted her head, not quite understanding what that meant.
What she knew about Wakamo was only that she had built quite a reputation as a terrorist from Hakgwiyaeng; she wasn’t particularly interested in worldly affairs.
“I’m the only one permitted to carry out operations solo at SRT Special Academy, and that trust was given to me, Kosaka Wakamo, which is why I volunteered to assist you, teacher.”
“Indeed… Even Yukino, who’s usually so strict, didn’t say anything.”
“Hmmm? It seems you haven’t met our dear little fox senpai very often. Surprisingly, she’s not just serious all the time.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes… But that’s not what’s important right now. I, Wakamo, although I once was consumed by a desire for revenge and lived with the impulse to destroy everything before me… can proudly say that I was reborn as a new fox with a new heart and mind through meeting my benefactor.”
“In other words, you’ve reformed. From what I gather, it sounds like your past was quite colorful; I wonder how great you must be to earn the title of benefactor.”
“You already know the person, teacher. In fact, it’s becoming rare for someone not to know her.”
As Wakamo spoke, the teacher stopped to ponder.
The feeling of familiarity had struck him at the part where he already knew who she was.
“Could it be that you’re talking about Mika?”
“Yes, this Wakamo wholeheartedly adores and loves my benefactor. If it weren’t for her… I might have remained a wanted criminal among those heinous beings called Yuks.”
“…”
The teacher held his head. Not again, Misono Mika.
He was so used to it now that he almost felt disappointed if that name didn’t come up.
“Oh, so you’re not a villain anymore! Izuna, I hope you didn’t take offense!”
“No, it’s not an offense. It’s a consequence of my actions, so it’s something I must bear. Fufu.”
Still, based on this, the teacher found the undeniable noble spirit within Wakamo amidst the suspicious atmosphere she projected. With a history this clear-cut, it would be rude to doubt her.
Outside of personal relationships, she was a girl without any sharp edges in her character or abilities. It was likely that her personal connections were just as tangled as her past.
“Ah. I’ll tell you more later, teacher. It’s a bit embarrassing to speak of my past, which is laden with anger and malice, but it’s a matter too significant to not mention… I’m just cautious about talking about it in front of others. I’m sorry, little fox girl, but it seems we’re not quite close enough to discuss this yet.”
“Oh, it’s fine! I, Izuna, understand your feelings a hundred times!”
At that moment, the conversation paused. The teacher mulled over the information he had just received, and therefore, the two fox girls had no particular stories to share.
“By the way, teacher. I don’t think I’ve yet heard why you visited here. If Izuna has asked something rude, I’m sorry?!”
“Hmm? It’s nothing like that. I merely came to watch the festival.”
“…I see, so that’s the case! Then that’s perfect! I’ll guide you around the festival as a thank you for helping Izuna!”
With her ears perked and her tail wagging excitedly, Izuna made that offer, and the teacher couldn’t bring himself to say no. Meanwhile, Wakamo thought that the possibility of meeting Mika would increase if they wandered around, so she was fine with it.
Thus, the group began to weave through the bustling shopping street of the festival, passing by food stalls selling Yōyō Senbei and raccoon okonomiyaki, and climbing up to the observation deck that Izuna personally liked, causing the teacher to exclaim in admiration.
…For reasons unknown, Wakamo did not follow up to the observation deck.
While the teacher was enjoying the atmosphere filled with the vibrant energy of Hakgwiyaeng, Izuna turned to him with gleaming eyes.
“I, Izuna, really love this place where I can see the sacred tree and the streets of Hakgwiyaeng at a glance! Looking at the streets like this makes my heart feel soooo hot!”
“Your heart feels hot?”
“Yes! I have a dream! To become the best ninja in this street…! Even now, I train every day for that dream!”
“…Ninja?”
“Eek?! Ah, so, um…!”
“I don’t really need an explanation; I know what a ninja is. Breathing fireballs, building walls of dirt, and pushing the limits of the body, but at the cost of losing one’s life…”
Seeing Izuna’s flustered face as she pondered how to respond, the teacher couldn’t help but respond playfully.
“Oh, is that something ninjas can actually do…? Thank you, teacher! This Izuna just got a brand new goal! I’ll work hard and train to become the best ninja!”
“It was a joke, but… sure, I’ll support you.”
“Support… So, you’ll support my dream of becoming a ninja too?”
“Of course, as a teacher, it’s natural to encourage my students.”
“…Wow! No one’s ever told me that! E-eh hehe! If you’re supporting my dream, then… Yes! I, Izuna, will work hard and become the best ninja!”
After building this small connection with Izuna, the teacher watched her as she left to fulfill her employer’s request. He didn’t forget to nod and agree to meet up later to enjoy the festival together.
As Wakamo and the teacher stepped into a tea house marked with a signboard saying “White Night Hall,” they were taken aback twice.
“Welcome, boss! I’ve been waiting for you since I heard you were coming all the way from Shalle, I, the unworthy Pina!”
The first surprise came from the loud greeting from Pina at the front desk.
“Hey, teacher? It’s been a while☆”
And the second surprise came from Misono Mika, casually occupying a seat inside White Night Hall while sharing desserts with two other female students.
