Yahata and Shizuka stood facing each other in silence, but it was Shizuka who spoke first.
"Well, well, Hikitani, not bad at all. You must've been really sore about losing last time," she teased.
"I'd say it's about time you toned down the recklessness, Sensei," Yahata shot back.
"Look at you, talking big," Shizuka said with a grin. "But yeah… maybe it's time for me to settle down a bit. After all, I've finally…" Her voice trailed off as she gazed skyward, murmuring softly, "I've finally found someone I want to be with forever. Gotta prioritize safety now."
Yahata caught every word but stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. Shizuka met his gaze with a warm smile. "By the way, Hikitani, it looks like you've finally learned to rely on others."
"Yeah," Yahata admitted. "I still try to handle things on my own first, but some opponents are just too tough. Like Kayaba Akihiko… and you, last time."
Shizuka laughed. "Hah! Being compared to Akihiko Kayaba? I've come a long way."
Her expression softened, and she looked at Yahata earnestly. "Hikitani, I heard a bit from Ryotaro-san. You protected Asuna-san from start to finish, didn't you? No wonder you two are so close."
"Did I really protect her, though?" Yahata asked, his voice tinged with doubt.
Shizuka clapped a hand on his shoulder, her face breaking into a radiant smile. "You even rescued her from ALO afterward, didn't you? Be proud of yourself, Hikitani. I'm incredibly proud of you. But it's not over yet. Keep protecting her, alright?"
"Yes…" Yahata said, his voice catching as he looked down, his nose stinging.
"You've faced enemies you couldn't beat alone," Shizuka continued, "and you've learned to lean on trusted comrades to overcome them. That's it, Hikitani. My lessons are done. There's nothing more for me to teach you. You're graduated."
"Sensei…" Yahata lifted his head, tears in his eyes, not caring if she saw. But when he looked at her, he noticed something unexpected and burst out laughing through his tears. "Pfft…!"
"What's so funny? This is supposed to be a touching moment!" Shizuka protested.
"It's just… your face, Sensei. You look so frustrated!" Yahata said, snickering.
"Ugh, of course I'm frustrated! That car was cheating! Not fair, Hikitani!" Shizuka huffed.
"What are you, a kid?" Yahata teased.
The two locked eyes and burst into laughter, clutching their sides. Their friends, watching from a distance, approached with smiles, drawn by the contagious joy. Yahata glanced at his companions, feeling a deep sense of happiness, then walked over to Ryotaro. He slung an arm around his neck and whispered, "Klein, I've officially graduated from Sensei today. From now on, she's in your hands."
"You got it!" Ryotaro replied with a confident grin.
"Seal the deal soon, alright? Preferably today," Yahata added.
"Definitely the plan!" Ryotaro said, pumped.
With Yahata's graduation complete, the four prepared to head home. But Shizuka spotted a ramen shop in the distance and suggested they grab lunch together, seizing the moment. The six of them headed toward the shop.
"I'm treating today," Shizuka declared proudly. "Order whatever you want, as much as you want!"
Yui had no particular reason to be treated, but to save Shizuka's face, she stayed quiet. Ryotaro hesitated briefly but followed suit, already planning to cover the next meal.
"Wow, I've never been to a ramen shop before," Asuna said suddenly, her eyes sparkling as she looked around the place with curiosity.
"Really, Asuna-chan?" Yui said, surprised. "I would've thought Yahata-kun, the ramen fanatic, would've taken you to one by now."
Yahata's response was practical. "Well, I've been careful about her diet since she got out of the hospital. But today, we're throwing caution to the wind."
"Oh, that makes sense," Yui said. "I've been to tons of places with Shizu-chan, but come to think of it, this might be my first time at a ramen shop with anyone else. I don't think I've ever gone with family either… Wait, Yukino-chan, is this your first time too?"
"No, it's my second," Yukino replied. "I went once with Yahata-kun and Sensei."
"Really?" Yui said, intrigued. "Was that back in high school? You three went out together? Or did Shizu-chan crash your outing? I don't recall you two being close enough to hit up a ramen shop back then. Your relationship only got better around Christmas, right? And then that happened… When was this?"
"It was during the school trip, at night," Yukino answered.
"School trip?" Ryotaro said.
"At night?" Asuna added.
All three turned to Shizuka, who whistled innocently and looked away. The spotlight shifted to Yahata, who squinted nostalgically as he glanced at Yukino. "Yeah, that night. I ran into Yukino at the hotel gift shop, seriously debating over some Pansa-san merch."
"Yukino loves Pansa-san, huh?" Asuna said, her eyes gleaming.
"Um…" Yukino hesitated, then sighed, giving in. "Yes, I love Pansa-san."
"Then let's go to DestinyLand with Yuiyui and the others sometime!" Asuna suggested.
"That sounds wonderful," Yukino said. "Let's plan it when we get back."
"Awesome!" Asuna cheered.
Yahata, pleased to see Yukino and Asuna bonding, continued. "Anyway, Sensei happened to pass by, sneaking out to grab ramen behind the other teachers' backs. To keep us quiet, she dragged us along, and the three of us ended up eating together."
Yui gave Shizuka a pointed look. "Shizu-chan… really?"
"What? I was craving it!" Shizuka protested.
Yui sighed. "Fine, whatever."
Shizuka, worried about Ryotaro's reaction, glanced his way. He was nodding to himself, arms crossed, deep in thought.
"Ryotaro-san?" Shizuka asked cautiously.
Ryotaro grinned widely. "I totally get it, Shizuka-san! I'm a huge ramen fan too!"
Relieved, Shizuka smiled brightly. "Y-Yes!"
With the conversation settled, the group entered the shop, took their seats, and ordered. Asuna, after repeatedly confirming it was okay, ordered the same dish as Yahata. When the bowl arrived, she stared at it in shock—it was a glistening sea of oil. Yahata nodded at her, then pointed to Yukino's bowl, which was just as oily. Noticing Asuna's gaze, Yukino smiled reassuringly.
"It's okay," Yukino said. "It might look intense, but it's delicious."
Encouraged by Yukino, who seemed more delicate than her, Asuna glanced at the others' bowls—similarly oily—and cautiously took a bite. "Oh… it's good!"
"Told you," Yahata said, grinning.
Yukino nodded, her smile saying, See?
The group finished their meal in a warm, cheerful atmosphere and stepped outside. As they did, a voice called out.
"Looks like you all enjoyed your meal. Glad to hear it, Yahata."
Ryotaro and Shizuka looked around, confused—there was no one nearby.
"Wish I could've let you try some, Kit," Yahata said. "As promised, we'll fill you up with premium gas later, so bear with it."
"Thank you," the voice replied.
"Premium gas?" Shizuka said, her eyes widening. "No way, you mean that car from the show…"
Both she and Ryotaro stared at the Trans Am Yui's group had been driving. As if sensing their gazes, Kit raised and lowered its doors in greeting.
"Nice to meet you both. I'm Kit," it said politely.
The two froze, then shouted in unison, "It's real?!"
"No way! That's insane!"
For them, it was the biggest surprise of the day. The other four piled into Kit and drove off, leaving Ryotaro and Shizuka alone, still reeling from the encounter.
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