"…Do I still have the right to stand in front of the children?"
After the surge of anger faded, Shun became sorrowful and lost.
"Even though it was a side effect of the medicine, I really did say things like 'I hate everyone.' I abandoned those angel-like children and ran away from my duties as an instructor… someone like me… someone like this…"
I thought for a moment, then asked back.
"If I said I hated you, would you feel hurt?"
"Huh? Th-That would be natural, I think…"
"But what if we had a fight? And it was actually Shun who did something wrong first?" I gave an example. "If I said something hurtful in the heat of the moment, what would you think then?"
The children of Plum Blossom Garden really did cause Shun a lot of trouble with their mischief. Kokona also did badmouth her sister behind her back and pushed work onto her. These were all undeniable facts.
"…Then, sensei, what would you think in that kind of situation?" Shun asked. "I also said I hated you earlier… even though you've always been thinking about me…"
I looked at the black-haired girl in confusion.
"In Kivotos, how could there be a student who truly hates me?"
This is the confidence built for me by Abydos' pink-haired girl and Trinity's pink-haired girl together.
As for Millennium's pink-haired one?
Kei is not a student.
Still, thinking back to some small incidents when playing "adult games" with Arisu, I added another line anyway.
"Even if there were, it would only be temporary."
After hearing this, Shun fell silent for a moment, then murmured.
"I feel like I've seen a side of sensei I didn't know… but that still isn't enough as an answer, is it?"
"Why not? Shun, you should know this. Kokona and the children of Plum Blossom Garden won't start hating you just because you said 'I hate you.' The things you've done for them, the care you've given them, they feel it all firsthand. Just like you wouldn't truly hate everyone just because they aren't perfectly obedient, right?"
"…That's true, but still…"
"What is there to 'but' about?"
Seeing Shun still hesitating, I spoke directly.
"If you keep overthinking this, you'll only end up with regrets. Shun, since you want to know whether you still have the right, why not go confirm everyone's feelings yourself? Besides, can Kokona really take care of the children alone? They're probably already starting to miss you."
Like the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Shun, who had still been wavering, froze slightly and let out a soft sigh.
"…Sigh. You're right. The children probably can't even get used to Kokona's cooking dinner… Sensei, you're right. I really can't keep running away from this responsibility."
With that, she gave me a gentle smile. Though her face was still that of a child, it carried a distinctly motherly warmth.
"Sensei, I've really caused you trouble today. May I have the antidote?"
"Yeah."
I took out the antidote and handed it to her.
She thanked me sweetly, then took it.
Only then did I realize that the long case Shun carried on her back was actually her rifle. And the black-and-white patterned cloth wrapped around the case, which looked vaguely familiar, was Shun's original qipao.
After returning to her mature appearance and changing back into her clothes, Shun stepped out from the hidden spot and said to me, who had been keeping watch for her:
"Sensei, thank you for your hard work. And thank you very much."
"For what? I just did what I should." I paused. "Besides, didn't I say it already? I was happy today too."
"Hehe~ I was too. Thanks to sensei, I had a very happy day as well."
Shun smiled gently.
"Then, before returning to Plum Blossom Garden, let me make a little compensation."
With that, she crouched down.
"Sensei, please get on my back. I feel really bad about your ankle. Even though this is far from enough as compensation, at least let me take you to the Eastern Alchemy Society."
I did not hesitate for long and agreed.
However, not long after, I started to regret it.
When I was carried by the shrunken Shun, I did not feel anything special because she ran very fast.
But now, being carried by Shun in her original form while moving at a normal walking speed through the Shanhaijing District Region, I could clearly feel the curious gazes of passersby.
Especially since Shun, as the instructor of Plum Blossom Garden, was also quite a well-known figure in Shanhaijing.
Along the way, people would occasionally greet her, and Shun naturally had to respond, which only made me feel more and more awkward. It felt like my foot wasn't even that painful anymore, I could probably walk fine with just a little support.
It seems I still can't completely ignore the gaze of society…
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Saya found us.
"Huh!?" The white-haired, red-eyed mouse-eared girl stopped her skateboard and let out a startled sound. "Shun, why did you already turn back?"
It seemed Saya still hadn't fully understood how much influence my charm had on Kivotos students.
"Hehe~ Shall we say it's because sensei lectured me a bit, and I realized my mistake?" Shun said gently.
"I'm sorry, Saya. About refusing to take the antidote earlier and causing you trouble."
"No, no, that's not the point!" Saya panicked. "Why didn't you wait for me to arrive before taking the antidote!? I missed such a rare observation opportunity…!"
But even so, despite her strong interest in experiments, Saya knew what was appropriate.
"Sigh. Fine. Are you okay, Shun? No aftereffects? Should I observe you a bit longer just in case?"
Though that also seemed to have other motives.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine. In fact, I feel better than ever."
"Shun," I spoke up. "Since Saya is here, you should put me down now, right?"
"…Yes, that's true."
She gently set me down on the ground, and Saya supported me instead.
"Well then, I'll head back to Plum Blossom Garden now." A faint smile appeared on Shun's face. "Sensei, I look forward to seeing you again."
"Yeah, see you next time." I said. "Shunling."
Shun froze for a moment, then her smile softened even more warmly.
"…Yes, sensei. See you."
Then, the instructor of Plum Blossom Garden turned and left. Her steps were light, and even her back seemed filled with quiet joy.