"Wendy, are you ready?"
Wende whispered softly in Wendy's ear, his voice like a gentle breeze caressing her cheek...
They stood on one of St. Freya Academy's athletic fields. Wendy's expression was tense, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.
"I... I'm ready..."
Wendy nodded bravely, a determined light in her eyes.
"Then... shall we begin?"
"Mm..."
Wende gently took out a pair of cyan-colored running shoes and helped the still-seated Wendy put them on.
With her new shoes on, Wendy slowly stood up from her wheelchair, first taking a moment to get used to the sensation under her feet before giving Wende a slow nod.
Wende stepped forward to tidy the ends of her hair. Seeing the scarf around her neck, he couldn't help but smile.
"Come on, Wendy. I believe in you."
He patted Wendy's shoulder lightly, his gaze fixed on the track in front of them as he spoke to her in a soft voice.
"Mm!"
Wendy nodded firmly, her eyes full of resolve.
"Ready..."
"Go!"
With Wende's command, Wendy's long, slender legs began to move rapidly. She ran across the athletic field as if she were flying, while Wende stood to the side, a gentle smile on his face.
Hmm... eleven seconds for the 100-meter dash. That's already surpassed the level of an ordinary person.
Watching Wendy break through the finish line, Wende nodded in deep satisfaction.
Although there was only one day left, Wende didn't want to say his goodbyes to Wendy in a rushed manner...
Well-versed in all sorts of literary works, he was terrified that leaving without a word would inflict some kind of psychological trauma on Wendy... a lifetime of regret. That wasn't what he wanted at all...
"I did it! I did it! I... Wende!"
Wendy ran back swiftly, shouting excitedly at Wende before throwing herself into his arms. In an instant, tears of joy soaked the front of Wende's shirt as Wendy began to sob in his embrace once again.
She... no, they had succeeded! She was healthy again! She no longer had to rely on a wheelchair! She could be like she was before, strolling through the mall by herself... wearing pretty shoes... and she wouldn't have to trouble others so much anymore...
"Yes, you did it. We succeeded."
Wende gently stroked Wendy's back, his voice soft.
"Mm... we did it. We finally did it..."
Wendy murmured, burying her head in Wende's chest.
---o---
To celebrate Wendy's recovery, everyone at St. Freya naturally prepared a banquet for her. Wende even pulled out all the stops, showcasing his hidden culinary talents, which earned him thunderous applause from the crowd.
After a round of cheerful fun and games, Wendy, the guest of honor, quickly fell into a deep sleep, carrying with her everyone's blessings...
"Sigh, these girls really are a handful."
Wende sighed as he began cleaning up the mess everyone had left behind.
Looking at Wendy asleep on the sofa, he decided to carry her to the bedroom first. He removed her shoes and socks, changed her into her pajamas, and then gently tucked her under the covers.
"Sigh..."
Gazing at Wendy's peaceful sleeping face, Wende let out a soft sigh. He then got up, intending to continue tidying the house.
Just then, he realized that Wendy had, at some point, quietly taken his hand and was holding it in her arms.
"Wende... don't go..."
Wendy mumbled in her sleep.
"Mm, I'm not going anywhere."
Gently pulling his hand from Wendy's grasp, Wende brushed the hair back from her temples and whispered softly beside her, before leaving her bedroom.
"..."
"..."
"Liar..."
The girl's small body curled up under the covers, and from within, the faint sound of sobbing could be heard...
---o---
"Are you really leaving?"
Himeko looked at Wende, her face full of confusion. Given his situation, wasn't staying at St. Freya Academy the best choice? Anti-Entropy still held a grudge against him for wiping out their Titan mechs last time. If he left, where could he possibly go?
"Yes, I'm leaving soon. But before I go, Teacher Himeko, I'd like to ask a favor of you."
Wende stood before Himeko, his expression serious as he spoke.
"Go ahead. As long as it's within my power, I will do my absolute best."
Seeing Wende's earnest expression, Himeko's demeanor became more formal as well. She gave him a solemn nod.
After all, Wende had given her a chance to "start over." It was a debt she could never truly repay. If Wende was asking, it was only right for her to help.
"I'd like to ask you... to help look after Wendy. Can you?"
Wende spoke in a tone that was almost a plea.
"Is that all? Of course. In a way, Wendy is my student now. Looking after her is part of my duty."
"Mm, then I'll be counting on you."
---o---
"Mmm..."
In the early morning, Wendy was awakened by her alarm. She slowly sat up in bed, turned off the alarm Wende had set for her, and began her routine of washing up, getting dressed, and doing her hair.
After tidying her long ahoge, she looked at her cute reflection in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
Mm, Wende will definitely say I look cute today!
Filled with wonderful expectations, Wendy pushed open her bedroom door. The moment it opened, the aroma of breakfast slipped through the crack and into her nose.
"Wow, it smells so good. Today we're having... Huh? Where's Wende?"
Looking at the empty kitchen and the still-steaming breakfast on the table, Wendy tilted her head in confusion.
She sat down at the dining table and saw a note next to her breakfast. Without a second thought, she decisively opened the note left by Wende.
"Remember to eat your breakfast on time."
Of course I will. After all, Wende's cooking is so delicious!
Reading the note, Wendy felt a warmth spread through her heart...
But where was Wende? Was it a busy day at St. Freya Academy? Should she go and see him?
Wendy was a bit conflicted. Would it be a bad idea to bother him right now?
I'll go see him after my classes are done!
Today, she could walk to school all by herself...
For some reason, Wendy suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in her heart, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. It felt as if...
Something she cherished had been taken from her.
Silently, she tucked the note into her pocket. Her eyes fell on the scarf hanging on the coat rack, and she decisively wrapped it around her neck. Taking the textbooks she needed for the day, with a light breeze at her heels, she began to walk in the direction of St. Freya Academy.