Thanks to Mash's chaos, Abydos' debt was halved.
Feeling victorious, Mash and the Countermeasures Committee decided to celebrate with a cream puff party.
Whisk, whisk, whisk!
Mash churned out cream puffs nonstop, rocking an apron.
"…Got too excited and made 1,000," Mash said. "But everyone eats tons, so it's fine, right?"
He stacked the cream puffs into a towering masterpiece, carrying it with both hands, humming happily as he headed to the classroom.
"Shu's for cream puff's shu, ri's for cream puff's ri~" Mash sang, kicking open the meeting room door. The sunrise peeked through the window, casting a soft glow.
"Whoops, stayed up all night making these," Mash muttered. "If I sleep now… Huh?"
A letter on the desk caught his eye. He set down the cream puff tower and picked it up.
"A letter? From Hoshino-san…" Mash glanced around, checking for others. He knew it was wrong, but curiosity won. "I'll fix it later. Alright."
Mash opened the letter and read:
To the Abydos Countermeasures Committee,
I'm sorry for saying goodbye like this. This old-fashioned way suits me, you know.
I've been keeping something from you all. I've been scouted for a while now—to work as a mercenary for Kaiser PMC. In exchange, they'd cover most of Abydos' debt. Pretty good deal, right? Turns out, I'm kind of a big deal.
The debt? I'll handle it. It won't solve everything right away, but it'll lighten the load.
This was the only way I could think of. I'll be leaving Abydos and Kivotos, but don't worry about me.
I'm sorry for doing this on my own. But it's my responsibility. I'm the last of Abydos' student council. So, this is goodbye. See ya.
"…" Mash's voice faltered. "Hoshino-san… Why…?"
The letter revealed Hoshino's plan to leave Abydos, work for Kaiser, and repay the debt. Even halved, the debt remained, and Hoshino had resolved to bear it alone. Mash hadn't seen it coming.
"There's more… For me and Shiroko-chan's group…" Mash found two more letters.
To Sensei,
I knew… or maybe I didn't? I used to hate adults. Didn't trust them.
I thought you were some crazy kid when you showed up—a younger Sensei? How could I trust that?
But everything changed since you came. Supplies flowed, attacks dropped—you beat them all up. You made friends with enemies, brought happy endings, made cream puffs… They were delicious, you know?
I hate adults, but people like Shiba Seki gave me some relief. You'll grow into a kind, amazing person, I'm sure.
Sorry for rambling, Mash-kun. Protect everyone from senseless violence and threats with that incredible strength, okay?
To Shiroko-chan, Nonomi-chan, Serika-chan, Ayane-chan,
Please protect our school. It's a sandy wasteland, but it's the only place that means something to me. If we ever face each other as enemies…
Destroy my halo. Do it.
P.S. I love Abydos, full of memories. I haven't given up. If this doesn't work, I'll find another way. I believe in you. I hope this gets through… One last thing: I'm sorry.
Mash found a final paper—a club resignation form.
"…" He set the letters down, grabbed the resignation form, and stormed out, his face a mix of anger and sorrow.
"Arona-chan, I need to ask you something," Mash said.
"Ta-da! Hoshino-chan, look! An old Abydos Sand Festival poster! Finally got it! Back then, the oasis was like a lake. This is for you!"
Yume-senpai handed me the poster. Her face was blurry… Why? She must've been smiling. In dreams, I want to see her lively face, meet her again…
"Pretty cool, right? If a miracle happens, maybe it'll be like this again, with tons of people—"
"Miracles don't happen, Senpai. They don't exist," I snapped, taking the poster and glaring at it. I was such a bratty kouhai…
"Look at reality! No one's coming to this desert anymore! Stop with the fairy tales!"
"Uweh, Hoshino-chan… Sorry?" Yume faltered.
"Tch!"
I got mad. My temper was short back then. Now, I'm just embarrassed and regretful. I couldn't do anything.
"Always floating around with miracles and happiness… Get it together! You're Abydos' student council president! Take responsibility!"
I tore the poster in my hands.
That's when I always wake up.
Whenever I have that dream, my eyes drift to it—the poster I secretly picked up and taped back together. Two years later, it's even more faded. I gently touch it.
"…Morning, Yume-senpai," I whisper.
It's something she left behind, something precious. I speak to the poster.
"…Time to go."
I left the letter before dawn. By the time I reach his place, they'll have read it. I wonder what Mash-sensei's doing? Crying, maybe? I kinda want to see that…
Screech!
"Take her straight there?"
"No, to Black Suit first."
"Got it."
My ride's here? Early… Gotta go.
At the door, I glance back at the poster.
"Hey, Yume-senpai… A miracle might've happened."
I got four adorable kouhai. A reliable adult in Abydos… well, a kid, but super strong, kinda dumb, always eating cream puffs… but really cool. Not a ton of people, but fun friends from other schools and someone precious.
"I'll be back."
I'll return. Time to switch gears… Let's go.
*"What're you doing—GYAH!?"
"OGH!?"
*"You're the kid who wrecked the Director—KII!?"
"What!? What's happening!?" I flung open the door.
Why… is he here?
"Hoshino-san… Where are you going?" Mash asked.
"Hoshino-san… Where are you going?" Mash repeated.
"How…" Hoshino stammered.
"Hm?" Mash tilted his head.
"N-Nothing!" Hoshino said. "What're you doing here so early, Sensei? Something up?"
"This," Mash said, holding up the resignation form.
"!" Hoshino froze.
"Your resignation… Leaving Abydos? I don't want that," Mash said.
"…"
Mash had scoured Abydos for Hoshino's house, spotted a car heading somewhere, and followed it, finding her. Then he beat up the automaton escorts.
"You read it, didn't you?" Hoshino asked.
"Yeah," Mash nodded.
"Then… move," Hoshino said.
"No way," Mash replied.
"If I work there, I can pay off the debt," Hoshino insisted. "It'll protect everyone, the school… So, move!"
"No. I'm not moving," Mash said.
"—!" Hoshino glared.
She bolted, trying to escape, but—
Grab!
"I won't let you go. No way," Mash said, catching her hand.
"Why… Why won't you let me!?" Hoshino shouted. "I'm not a student there anymore! That's proof!"
"No, you're still a student," Mash said.
"What?" Hoshino blinked.
"I haven't signed this," Mash said, holding the form. "As your Sensei, you need my approval."
"The signature…" Hoshino realized.
"So, you're still an Abydos student," Mash said. "I talked to the guy in that car. You're going to… Black Suit, right? To work for Kaiser."
"Yeah," Hoshino admitted. "He's Kaiser's ally. I go to him, and…"
"I won't allow it," Mash said.
"It's not about you allowing it!" Hoshino snapped. "It's my contract, my responsibility! Let go!"
Hoshino insisted that joining Black Suit would erase the debt, freeing Shiroko and the others.
"There's no other way…" Hoshino said.
"There is," Mash said.
"What? No way there's…" Hoshino trailed off.
Mash clenched his fist, explaining his plan.
"I'll beat up Black Suit and make him cancel the contract and Kaiser's deal," Mash said.
"!?" Hoshino gasped.
"Basically, I'll threaten him," Mash said. "Kaiser's backed by Black Suit, right? I'll cut off that support."
"Even if you do that… the debt…" Hoshino said. "And Kaiser won't attack us anymore."
"Probably… they will," Mash said, reading from his phone. "Kaiser's after Abydos' land, right? They'll likely use force to take it." Phone glance.
"But… the Committee's still here," Hoshino said.
"A friend told me," Mash said, glancing at his phone. "The Countermeasures Committee isn't officially recognized. If you leave, Abydos High has no official student council members. The school can't function." Phone glance.
"…" Hoshino's eyes widened.
"Then it's easy to attack and claim the land," Mash said. "That's probably their plan." Phone glance.
"You… came up with that?" Hoshino asked.
"Nope, someone else did," Mash said. "Thanks, Arona-chan."
"No problem!" Arona chirped.
Most of the plan was Arona's, and Mash was just relaying it. But Hoshino knew it was likely true.
"The land's their real goal… The debt's meaningless," Hoshino laughed bitterly. "I'm such an idiot…"
"Hoshino-san, I can change this," Mash said. "I can save everyone. So… rely on me."
"As a Sensei? Or… a kouhai?" Hoshino asked.
"As a person," Mash said. "As Mash Burnedead."
Mash's earnest gaze reassured her. With a trembling voice, on the verge of tears, Hoshino said:
"Mash-kun… Help me."
Mash wiped her tears, gripped her hand firmly, and said:
"Of course."
Afterword
Black Suit, Kaiser—you made Hoshino-chan cry? You're done for. Next time: Black Suit gets wrecked! Mentally broken too! Stay tuned! Please rate, comment, and share activity reports! Typo reports are super appreciated!