Surviving in Blue Archive Chapter 90 9: A Prayer to Mari, Until Dusk

As the host of the Tea Party, Seia had official duties to attend to. After finishing her cup of tea, she had to return to work.

With a mix of emotions I couldn't quite na, I bid her farewell.

I didn't know what she had foreseen that made her tell we wouldn't see each other for a long ti. But since she didn't wish to speak of it, I could only respect her choice.

To let that make moody would be shaful.

To clear my head, I thought of a good idea...

After ssaging soone and getting a positive reply, I arrived at the Great Cathedral of Trinity.

Following the directions given, I made my way around to the back of the cathedral.

"…Ah. Over here, Sensei."

A soft, clear voice called out. I turned toward it and saw a young nun in a black habit, her orange hair braided and draped over her right shoulder. Under her veil peeked a pair of animal-like ears, and her gentle, serene expression carried the warmth of sunlight filtering through stained glass.

It was Iochi Mari, the girl I'd t during my first visit to Trinity, when I ca to tour its historic buildings.

After we exchanged contacts on MomoTalk, she'd sent a group ssage offering to listen to anyone's troubles. I'd been too busy rescuing Hoshino at the ti, so after politely asking whether I could reach out later, I'd left it at that.

Now, with my duties finished and ti to spare at Trinity, I decided to see if Mari was free.

And so here we were.

I walked quickly toward her, apologetic. "Sorry for calling you out so suddenly."

Mari shook her head, smiling kindly. "It's fine, Sensei. I happened to be free at this ti anyway. Besides, if I can be of help, that makes happy."

An angel. This girl was an angel.

Just look at the other foxes I've t so far...

Wakamo! So intense, so reckless! Blowing up everything in sight! Dangerous, but adorable.

Yukino! Pointing a gun at the mont we t, though I did point mine right back and confiscated sothing precious from her. Too bold, but still adorable.

Seia! Always speaking in riddles, never sharing her real worries, keeping everything locked away inside… frustrating, but adorable.

Everyone has their own kind of charm.

"Mari, actually, I've been having so troubles on my mind."

"Hmm~ what kind of troubles, Sensei? If you'd like, I'll listen."

Her indigo-blue eyes were calm and sincere. The words I'd planned to say shifted on my tongue, and what ca out instead was:

"Mari… I've been troubled by my own powerlessness."

The mont I said it, I regretted speaking so candidly. But the composure in her expression, the gentleness in her gaze, gave the courage to continue.

"Even though I'm an adult, even though I'm the only Sensei in Kivotos, I'm still the weaker one compared to my students. Without the protection of a halo, I can't fight like they do, unless I pay a heavy price."

My life.

With the Primordial Alchemy I rely on, I'd have to sacrifice more than a year of my lifespan just to unleash two attacks equal to heavy firepower.

"I want to change everything that doesn't sit right with . But I can't. Even if I give it my all, I can only change so very little. There's so much I don't know how to fix and so much I don't even have the right to try."

Whatever Seia was going to face, I had no position to pry. And since it concerned the future, if she wouldn't tell , there was no way to learn it from anyone else.

"Sister, I must confess... to my foolishness, my cowardice, my helplessness. I've failed to fulfill the role expected of . That is my sin. The sin of being a Sensei."

I must climb the highest rung that grants eternal peace. To do that, I must gather as many of Kivotos's students under my protection as I can. And for that, I must offer up everything I have.

But what if even that isn't enough?

"Sister, forgive ."

I closed my eyes and bowed my head.

Then I felt sothing warm rest gently atop it.

Mari's voice was as soft as a hymn. "Sensei, if that is your burden, then even God would be proud of you. Haven't you already given it your all?"

…Maybe so.

It wasn't like anything had been solved, but sohow my heart felt lighter.

Compared to Arona, Mari was a far better listener.

Sigh. That AI really is useless sotis. If only she could channel half the enthusiasm she shows when it's ti for sweets into helping with actual work.

"Thank you, Mari. You really helped ," I said sincerely, then added with a teasing smile, "Though I thought you might give so advice as a counselor."

"Counselor…?" Mari looked a bit flustered. "That's far too important a role for . I can only listen. That's all I can do. But if my listening can help soone move forward, even just a little, that's enough for ."

I nodded lightly. "I'll move forward. So thank you again, Mari."

"There's no need to thank so formally, Sensei. It was nothing special. Besides, by listening to others' troubles, I can learn how to beco a better sister."

That caught my attention. "Beco a sister? Aren't you already one?"

"Um… how should I put it…"

Mari tilted her head thoughtfully. "It's like… even if you wear a nun's habit, that doesn't an you instantly beco a sister, right? There's still so much I need to study and understand. And honestly, being called 'Sister Mari' still makes shy.

"But soday, I hope I can answer to that na with confidence. That's my dream for now. So I'm just doing what I can, one step at a ti."

Listening to her speak with such sincerity, I couldn't help but feel admiration.

"Mari, having that kind of mindset already makes you a wonderful sister, both in spirit and in heart."

"Eh…? In spirit?"

Mari's cheeks flushed bright red. "P-please don't tease like that! I-I know better than anyone that I'm still immature!"

I thought to myself that having such self-awareness already proved how mature she was.

"O-of course, I'm still a little happy hearing that… but let's just forget you said it, okay? Really, Sensei…" Mari gave a shy, exasperated smile, though I could tell she was genuinely pleased.

Then my thoughts shifted.

For such a kind, selfless girl who helped yet underestimated herself, there was only one thing to do.

"Mari, listen to ."

"Eh?"

"I truly believe you're already a fully qualified sister."

I stepped forward slightly, speaking with firm conviction. "If you weren't, how could you resolve soone else's worries? If you weren't an authentic sister, yet could still ease my heart, wouldn't that make look like I was just whining for no reason?"

The gentle Mari was caught off guard, flustered into silence.

I pressed on. "So please, allow to call you Sister Mari and accept it with pride!"

"S-Sensei! Don't say that! I'll—eh? Eh?!"

Mari's flustered expression was a sight of pure delight.

But midway through her protest, her gaze shifted past . Her face turned crimson in an instant.

Curious, I looked back.

It was just a pink-haired girl in a swimsuit walking by.

I turned my head back slowly.

Wait, swimsuit?!

Realization hit, and my head whipped back again.

"Ah! my neck—!"

I clutched my poor neck, suffering its second assault of the day.

Still… the swimsuit beauty… is now etched in mory…

The pure-looking girl gave a bright smile, waved, and then strolled away.

I think… I might have just gotten lucky.