"And that's the story!" Makoto declared, grinning. "Kikiki! How's that? Another legend carved for this Makoto-sama!"
In the previous chapter, Makoto had revealed to Mash and Ako her meeting with Arius, where she uncovered their plans, escaped, and declared them enemies. Beaming with pride, she awaited their reactions.
"If you always acted this cool, your approval ratings and grades would probably skyrocket," Mash said.
"You're annoyingly competent and cool," Ako added, smirking.
"You two always have one jab too many!!" Makoto snapped. "I was nervous, sweating bullets out there!!"
"…I didn't exactly feel alive either," Iroha muttered.
Mash and Ako bantered casually, but their expressions soon hardened, beads of sweat forming as the gravity of the situation sank in.
"They're seriously out to erase us," Ako said.
"Weapons designed to kill me?" Mash said. "That's… terrifying."
"The missile details are still unclear," Makoto said, "but they'll likely increase their number and power after this."
"We don't know if our current arsenal can shoot them all down," Ako added.
"That many with that much power?" Mash asked.
"They're no ordinary foe," Makoto said. "But honestly, I'm not too worried about that part."
"Why not?" Ako asked.
"We've got Mash Burnedead, Teacher extraordinaire," Makoto said. "You can handle the missiles, right?"
"Of course," Mash said. "I'll stop them with everything I've got."
"That's reckless…" Ako began, then sighed. "But somehow, I believe you'll pull it off."
"Right?" Makoto said. "We're not sitting idle, though. If it comes to it, we'll rely on you, Teacher."
"Got it," Mash said.
Arius planned a massive act of destruction, but Makoto, now privy to most of their scheme, was ready to use all her authority to stop it—counting on Mash as a last resort.
"One thing bothers me," Ako said. "Why not tell the Disciplinary Committee Chairwoman?"
"Simple," Makoto said. "It's scary!!"
"That's your reason!?" Ako exclaimed.
"Think about it," Makoto said. "Hina wants the Eden Treaty to pass smoothly. I'm against it. If she found out I met with Arius to sabotage it…"
"Makoto, goodbye." (Hina, aiming her Destroyer.)
"That's what'd happen!!" Makoto shouted.
"I can't deny it," Ako said. "But this isn't the time for that!"
"She also said Hina probably wouldn't believe her," Mash added.
"That's your own fault," Ako said.
"Kikiki… I got nothing," Makoto admitted.
"I'll tell Hina myself, since I trust you on this," Mash said. "But for now, what's this weapon meant to kill me like?"
"It's easier to show you," Makoto said. "Iroha."
"On it," Iroha said.
Iroha brought over a carry case, opened it toward Mash, revealing a disassembled knife with a detachable blade and several red bullets.
"This is the weapon to kill me?" Mash said. "Not what I expected."
"Don't judge by looks," Makoto said. "That's no ordinary knife—it's a Spetsnaz knife."
"Spets…naz knife?" Mash repeated.
"It's a self-defense knife where the blade shoots out when you press a button," Iroha explained. "Not common in Kivotos… but they plan to kill you with this?"
"If it was just a flying knife, that'd be fine," Makoto said. "Its real power is its cutting edge and the mysterious force inside it."
"Mysterious force?" Mash asked.
"Iroha, set up that armor over there," Makoto said.
"Got it," Iroha replied.
Makoto stood, grabbed the knife, and aimed it at the armor Iroha placed. The moment she touched the red button—
Whoosh!!
The blade shot out, piercing the iron armor effortlessly and embedding deep into the wall. Ako's jaw dropped, and Mash gaped in disbelief.
"It makes iron pointless," Makoto said. "I tested it on myself—it stabbed right through."
"You tested it on yourself!?" Ako exclaimed.
"Yup," Makoto said, showing her bandaged arm. "Here's the proof."
"Are you okay…?" Mash asked.
"Compared to understanding this knife's power, my injury's nothing," Makoto said. "Besides, don't they say a scarred leader is cool!?"
Kivotosians could shrug off bullets with mere pain, and knives typically broke against them. But this knife was different—it pierced Makoto's arm, leaving a wound serious enough for bandages.
"But you mentioned a mysterious force," Mash said. "What's that about?"
"It seems to have little effect on Kivotosians," Makoto said. "Haven't you heard? We Kivotosians have something called 'mystique.'"
(Mika-san used that mystique to summon meteors… hmm,) Mash thought.
"I thought it was a fairy tale," Ako said. "Is it… real?"
"We have to assume so," Makoto said. "Anyway, Teacher, be careful. We don't know much about this force—"
"Just press this, right?" Mash said, holding the knife.
"What!?" the trio gasped.
Mash aimed the knife at his arm, finger hovering over the button. Panicked, all three lunged to stop him.
"What are you doing!?" Makoto shouted.
"Did you hear anything we said!?" Ako yelled.
"What's wrong with you!?" Iroha added.
"Yup," Mash said, pressing the button.
"Listen to us!!" they screamed.
The blade shot toward Mash's arm. Makoto reached to block it, but—
"Ouch," Mash said.
"…?" the trio froze.
"…Uh, it just kinda pricked me," Mash said. "Oh, there's some blood."
"Whaaat!?" they shouted.
A knife that pierced iron armor and wounded a Kivotosian had no chance against Mash's body. It barely pricked him before falling to the ground.
"Ha… ha…" Makoto panted. "Do you realize what you just did!?"
"Sorry, it was made for me, so I got curious," Mash said.
"Think about the worst-case scenario!" Ako snapped.
"It pricked you… just a sting, but any discomfort?" Iroha asked.
"Hmm… not really—wait, no, it's tingling a bit," Mash said. "And my arm's a little hard to move."
"Even a prick does that?" Makoto said.
"It's dangerous for others, but not so much for me," Mash said.
"This was specially made for you, right?" Ako said.
"Yup," Mash confirmed.
"It's useless against you…" Ako said. "So it's more dangerous for us?"
Silence fell. Makoto pictured Beatrice boasting about her perfect weapon, and suddenly felt a twinge of pity for her.
"Let's switch gears," Makoto said. "These bullets are enhanced by that mystique too. They pack a punch."
"You tested those on yourself too?" Ako asked.
"Kikiki… yeah," Makoto said.
"You need to value your body more," Mash said.
"You're one to talk," Makoto retorted.
"Do the bullets have that numbing, movement-restricting effect too?" Iroha asked.
"Probably," Makoto said. "Which means…"
"They're useless too," Ako said. "Teacher, you can catch bullets barehanded, right?"
"Yup," Mash said.
"…Maybe," Iroha said, "Beatrice is underestimating Teacher."
"Or Teacher's way stronger than she expected," Ako added.
Another silence. They'd expected a tense atmosphere, but Mash's overwhelming strength made it impossible to feel threatened.
"Well… if someone from Arius stabs you deeply, it could be dangerous," Makoto said.
"Anyone who can beat me in close combat?" Mash asked.
"I can handle long-range too," he added.
"Let's discuss Arius with Hina later," Ako said. "And request Trinity's cooperation."
"Not thrilled about it, but fine," Makoto said.
"So that's it for now?" Mash asked.
"Yup," Makoto said. "Thanks for listening, Teacher."
"No problem," Mash said.
Mash stood, glancing at his slightly pricked arm. The mystique's effect left it tingling and sluggish.
"Makoto-san," Mash said.
"Hm? What's up, Teacher?" Makoto replied.
"Thanks for this," Mash said. "It was dangerous, but you stepped up."
"No reward for compliments," Makoto said. "Besides, you're always doing crazy stuff, Teacher. My stunt's nothing compared to that."
"Keep that energy and make nice with Hina," Mash said.
"Rejected!!" Makoto shouted. "My ultimate goal is to surpass Disciplinary Committee Chairwoman Hina Sorasaki and claim the top spot! And after Hina, I'm coming for you, Teacher!"
"Looking forward to it," Mash said.
"Kikiki, you better!" Makoto said.
"I'll stay and talk with them a bit more," Ako said.
Mash reached for the door handle, but Makoto stopped him.
"Teacher," she said.
"Yeah?" Mash replied.
"Just to be sure… who are you?" Makoto asked.
"Who?" Mash said, his expression calm and ordinary. "I'm everyone's reliable Teacher, Mash Burnedead."
"…Right. Sorry for holding you up," Makoto said.
"No worries. It's a push door, right?" Mash said.
Mash left the room, heading to his next destination.
Makoto sat back, clasping her hands and exhaling deeply.
"…As expected," she murmured.
"Makoto-senpai, what was that question about?" Iroha asked.
"He said he's everyone's reliable Teacher, Mash Burnedead," Makoto said.
"So what?" Iroha asked.
"Don't you get it?" Makoto said. "We're starting to forget… Mash Burnedead is a kid, like us."
"!" Ako and Iroha gasped.
"Teachers are usually adults," Makoto said. "But he's carrying that role now. In other words…"
Makoto's words hit hard, their weight sinking in.
Mash wasn't the same Mash anymore. He'd grown, aware of the burdens he carried.
I felt bad writing this… so let me goof off a bit.
My little sister Teacher recently got Elden Ring… and she's turning into a battle maniac.
"Oh, I died… but whatever, I wanna keep having fun!"
She's been muttering stuff like that—scary. Is that normal for FromSoftware fans? By the way, she's running a strength build.
Meanwhile, my little brother Teacher was singing praises over the 3D swimsuit models of the Abydos crew.
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Stopping here would be such a waste… The next chapter is waiting for you on Patreon! [pat*eon*com/Greyhounds]