I truly don't understand what Urawa Hanako is thinking.
It was clearly her who kept teasing again and again, saying strange things that left flustered, yet when I tried to probe her feelings in return, she wouldn't allow it?
What kind of double standard is that!
When Hanako suddenly turned on , once I realized what had happened, a sudden rush of anger coursed through .
But deep down, I also had to admit that I was at fault in this matter.
Even though I sensed her resistance, driven by a certain ugly desire for revenge, I chose to ignore it and press on, and that was probably what crossed her line.
Hanako's past circumstances might be sowhat similar to mine, and to a certain extent, I can empathize with her.
Still, I feel that she went too far in teasing first, and I rely retaliated. Besides, as the advisor of the Make-Up Work Club, it is my duty to understand the root of my students' problems. Everything I did was naturally justified.
Moreover, how could I not understand?
In short, although I can sympathize with her and reflect on myself, I simply cannot bring myself to lower my pride and take the initiative to reconcile with Hanako, whom I had only just t not long ago, only for things to end on a sour note.
And so, the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I beca. I wandered aimlessly through the Trinity campus, heading in the opposite direction from where Hanako had left.
When I finally ca back to my senses, I realized that, without knowing how, I had once again drifted to the front of the Trinity Cathedral.
After a brief hesitation, I shook my head and resolutely stepped into the grand building.
Fortunately, at a single glance, I spotted that familiar figure.
At the sa ti, the orange-haired, blue-eyed girl, calm and gentle, noticed as well. She imdiately put on a sweet, adorable smile, walked toward , and greeted .
"Sensei, hello. Grace be with you. I pray you have a nice day today."
"Mari, it's been a while."
Although I had missed this hardworking self-proclaid novice sister very much, now that we were truly face to face, I found myself at a loss for words.
As I weighed what to say, Mari, who had been watching , seed to notice sothing. Her smile gradually faded, replaced by concern.
"Sensei, did sothing happen?"
I had intended to brush it off and not pass my negative emotions on to others, but under Mari's sincere, concerned gaze, the words that reached my lips changed their shape.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Um… well…"
She hesitated, clearly struggling with how to put it. The troubled look on her face was answer enough.
I gave a wry smile, then sighed. "Sorry. I'm being lodramatic again. I deliberately ca here while feeling down because I wanted to confide in you and seek so comfort. Mari, do you have ti right now? May I take up a little of it?"
Mari nodded happily. "Yes. I don't have anything else scheduled today. If you're willing to let soone who can only do this much be the one you confide in, I would be more than happy."
She is practically an angel.
Deeply moved, I gathered my thoughts for a mont.
"Not long ago, I had a conflict with a student…"
Then, sitting side by side with Mari on a bench, I recounted what had happened with Hanako, trimming away the unimportant parts and blurring certain details, and along with it, the frustration weighing on my heart.
The orange-haired girl, who aspires to beco a true sister, though in my eyes she already possesses the virtues of an outstanding one, listened silently with a gentle expression, as if she could embrace everything about .
Since I did not want to burden Mari too much and hoped to finish quickly, I tried to restrain myself, so the confession did not last very long.
I let out a long breath. Though a part of still felt unsatisfied, it was enough.
Then I sincerely said to Mari, "Thank you for listening to all of that."
Mari shook her head. "I only did sothing trivial that anyone else could have done. Please don't thank ."
"But only Mari would do this for ." I smiled. "You're the only one I can ask."
As I watched her fair face quickly flush red, an astonished voice rang in my ear.
"Wait a second, what about !?"
Arona? When did she wake up?
Mari quickly composed herself and gave a faint reproach. "Honestly, Sensei, you're saying things like that again. I'm happy, but I think that if it's you, there must be many people willing to be the one you confide in."
That is indeed true. After all, most of the students harbor ulterior motives toward the handso , long waiting for a chance to grow closer.
"Hmph, that's right, like !" Arona declared proudly.
But among all those students, Mari is undoubtedly special to .
Special in that right now, she is the only one in front of , alone with .
"Sorry. I only want to ask you."
I gazed at the pure-hearted girl and spoke firmly.
"Eh? Eh!? S-sensei," Mari's voice was barely audible. "Please don't tease …"
Seeing the beautiful sister flustered and blushing so easily from just a few words made my mood, already lightened after unburdening myself, grow even brighter.
Perhaps Hanako had felt the sa way I do now.
"Ugh…! You big idiot who toys with a maiden's feelings!"
After throwing out that aggrieved remark, Arona fell silent, probably sulking sowhere.
It is not a big problem. I can coax her later with so strawberry milk.
"A-Anyway," Mari steered the conversation back, "Sensei, have you found the path to move forward now?"
I nodded with a smile. "Of course."
It is not such a big issue. A slight adjustnt of mindset is enough to untangle the knot.
"That's wonderful."
Mari smiled sincerely, genuinely happy for . Then she clasped her hands in front of her chest and spoke softly.
"I will pray for you. For the path you have walked so far, and for the path you will choose from now on… I hope there will be as much peace and happiness there as possible…"
The girl's pure kindness flowed into almost without reservation, warming my heart.
I murmured, "In that case… may I join you?"
"Mm! Sensei, let's pray together. If we do, then you will surely…"
"You seem to have misunderstood."
I smiled. "If you're praying for , then shouldn't I be the one praying for you instead?"
"…I see." Mari froze for a mont, then revealed a relieved, gentle smile. "Sensei, you really are as kind as I thought."
Please spare that kind of description .
I shook my head and emphasized, "It's just returning the favor."
"Hehe, I know. But it's all right."
Mari let out a soft laugh, her tone growing even gentler. "Because as long as you are happy, Sensei, I will be happy too."
Those simple words made my heart pound restlessly.
Is that a confession?
Probably not. Otherwise she would not be so calm.
Even so, I know that Mari's feelings are not false in the slightest.
"In other words, this is a prayer for both of us… You could say that."
The innocent and adorable girl, her bright eyes like clear water, softly spoke words that, at this mont, surpassed a thousand sweet nothings.
I think I've fallen for Mari.
Precisely because of that, I should pray for her, and for us.
"Ah, right, I just thought of a good idea."
Mari suddenly asked, "Sensei, could you co a little closer?"
I hesitated for a mont, then did as she requested.
"There is more than one way to pray. Among them, there is one like this…"
As she spoke, the girl reached out her soft, slender, warm hands and gently took mine.
"A way of praying while holding hands. Personally, I like this thod too. Especially for soone like you, Sensei… soone who has so many people more important than yourself. I think it's especially suitable."
"…Mari, I'm probably not the pure and selfless person you think I am."
A strange discomfort stirred in my chest, and I could not help but correct her. "In my eyes, I often see only myself."
Mari thought for a mont. "Um, I don't quite understand, but if that's the case, then why did you tell ?"
Our eyes t.
"That ans, at least right now, I'm in your eyes, aren't I?"
I could not refute that, nor could I look away.
In her clear eyes, I seed to see my own reflection.
"It's not good to lie, Sensei. To keep misfortune from falling upon you, we should pray even more. So, like this."
Mari tightened her grip slightly. "Sotis, soone needs to hold on to you properly, and pray together with you not for anyone else, but for you yourself. If you would allow it, please let be that person… as soone who will one day beco a sister."
With things already said to this extent, what reason do I have to refuse?
Still, if she is willing to indulge like this, it may lead to bitter consequences.
One day, I will make it so that Mari no longer wishes only to beco a sister.
"Now, Sensei, close your eyes as well… calm your breathing…"
Unaware of my sinful thoughts, Mari spoke softly, and I obediently followed her instructions.
"Let us pray. Once more, for Sensei…"
Her voice was crystal clear, yet it felt as though it ca from another world.
"And for us."
As it should be.
So I prayed sincerely that a future of peace and tranquility would descend upon .
And upon everyone I care about.
…Including Hanako.
After that, the quiet monts continued for a long ti.
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