I already knew that Saya's elixir of immortality usually came with all kinds of side effects.
But I truly did not expect that she had even managed to develop a potion that could reverse aging.
If life was a game, this would be an in-game event.
Glancing at the girl holding my hand and skipping along happily, who I could basically confirm was Shun after taking Saya's medicine, I felt strangely conflicted.
Even as a child, Shun was very cute, but the motherly aura she had in her normal state, something rarely seen even in Kivotos, was really hard to give up.
"Sensei, look! It's candied orange skewers!"
At that moment, little Shun spotted something, her voice unable to hide her excitement. "Candied hawthorn is common, but this is my first time seeing candied oranges! The peeled segments are lined up so neatly on the skewer, just like golden flower stamens… just looking at them makes me so happy."
As she spoke, she stared at the stall, her eyes sparkling, almost drooling.
After turning into a child, perhaps due to hormonal changes, Shun seemed to have mentally regressed a bit as well.
"Sensei, let's go try them. Sweet and sour, they must be delicious!"
"Alright, let's give them a try."
I had deliberately pretended not to notice, even going along with her excuse of "looking for Shun-nee," and brought her to the Black Tortoise Promenade stall. I just wanted her, who was usually so tense, to take this chance to relax.
I bought two candied orange skewers from the vendor, one for each of us.
The peeled orange segments were coated in a thin layer of sugar that melted instantly in the mouth, sweetness spreading across the palate.
"What do you think, sensei?" Little Shun, already wearing a blissful expression after just one bite, asked for my opinion. "It's good, right?"
"Yeah, it's really good."
"Right? The Black Tortoise Promenade is one of the top food destinations in Kivotos. No matter what you eat here, it always exceeds expectations!"
She enthusiastically explained, "Especially the guild representative, President Rumi. She's not only skilled in Shanghaijing's traditional cuisine, but also has unique insights into ingredients and cooking methods from other academies. Every time, she creates amazing fusion dishes!"
At that point, a trace of worry appeared on her childish face. "But the Genryumon from Shanghaijing's student council strongly dislikes this kind of food. They believe it disrupts tradition and stability. There are even rumors that the two factions are engaged in fierce, hidden conflict over control of Shanghaijing…"
…Did Shun not realize that as an ordinary nine-year-old Plum Blossom Garden child named Shunling, she should not know so many insider details?
Then again, even what Shun herself knew seemed fairly limited.
In Shanhaijing Secondary School, which places great importance on education, Plum Blossom Garden held a very special position.
Both the children and the student instructors were carefully protected, like flowers in a greenhouse.
Perhaps because of that, Shun, who had seemingly forgotten she was still pretending to be a child, let out an unusually mature reflection:
"At Plum Blossom Garden… no, personally, I feel that both the Genryumon and the Black Tortoise Promenade are kind and gentle people… so if possible, I hope they can stop fighting… but managing such large organizations must be very difficult. After all, just taking care of children is already not easy."
I paused for a moment, then gently reminded her:
"…That's quite a… mature take…"
"Ah!?"
Hearing that, Shun's mouth fell open in shock. "Do I really sound that old? I thought I'd seem younger like this… but I still sound old?"
At that point, overwhelmed with emotion, she completely forgot to hide her identity and cried out, "Even if my body got smaller, my speech still sounds old!?"
Playing along, I chose to ignore it again.
"Shun… Shunling, for a child, being mature is a compliment, you know?"
Kokona, who prided herself on being a mature young lady, was a perfect example.
Shun quickly caught on. "R-right. Children usually want to grow up quickly, so it should be a compliment! Ahaha… ehe∼ Shunling is such a silly girl∼"
What should I do? I felt like I was about to lose control. When did maintaining a straight face become so difficult?
Fortunately, little Shun was even more flustered than I was.
"A-alright! Sensei, Shun-nee probably isn't at the Black Tortoise Promenade… I'll take you somewhere else to look! This way, this way! Follow me!"
With that, the guilty Shun dashed off into the distance, and I hurried after her, my feelings growing more complicated. I wondered if it might be better to just talk things out with her directly.
After hesitating for a while, we arrived at a small park.
"This place is very close to Plum Blossom Garden, and it's usually quiet. If you want to relax, it's perfect."
Shun spoke in a tone of sharing something she loved. "I often come here during breaks… I mean, I often see Shun-nee come here to rest!"
Why did she slip up almost every other sentence?
I feel like Shun's image in my mind was undergoing some subtle changes as I indulged her behavior in this childlike form.
"There are many good spots to rest in the park, but my favorite is here. These tree stump tables and chairs!"
As she spoke, Shun sat down on one of the stump chairs, her expression nostalgic and content. "When you sit here, the table perfectly supports your chest… even if you sit up straight, your shoulders won't feel sore!"
Following her words, I tried to imagine it, and to my surprise, the image of this Plum Blossom Garden instructor in my mind returned to its original grandeur, even surpassing it slightly.
"It's rare to come to the park with sensei, so we have to play more today!"
Shun jumped off the stump chair and looked around eagerly. "What should we play? That seesaw looks fun, and that spring rider… ah, there's a swing over there!"
The black-haired girl smiled brightly and said in a coaxing tone, "Sensei∼ I've always wanted someone to push me on a swing… let's go swing, sensei!"
I thought that as long as she was happy, that was what mattered most.
Just as I was about to agree, a somewhat familiar, puzzled voice came from behind me.
"Huh? Sensei?"
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