I came to my senses and asked passing students—and citizens in the form of animals—about the tower's location. Most had no clue. Only one student opened a map app and pointed me in the right direction; the rest couldn't give a proper answer.
"Are we here…?" I muttered.
A few delinquent students lingered near the Tower, probably latecomers. I squared my shoulders and walked out confidently. They glanced at me, then ignored me as I passed.
The tower gradually came into view. Even in the story it had seemed large, but from here, it looked like the kind of place where I could make a pretty penny cleaning the exterior walls.
Before heading to the main gate, I pressed my face against the convenience store on the first floor. A clerk with a shiny forehead was organizing… not cigarette butts, but ammunition.
Could there be part-time jobs here? I hadn't seen any fan art of this place besides that kid's, so probably not.
With a sigh, I stepped inside.
"Welcome…" the clerk muttered.
I pretended to browse, glancing at the name tag—Sora. My eyes lingered a second too long, and she noticed me too.
"Excuse me, is there anything you're looking for?"
"Are there any part-time jobs?"
"Y-yes…?"
"Aren't you hiring anyone else?"
"I… just got here myself… My seat isn't available…!"
Sora trembled, closing her eyes and crossing her hands in an X. His tiny wings flapped nervously behind him.
I resisted the urge to lightly tap her forehead, letting her fluster a bit—it was funny, and I didn't want to be a regular customer just yet.
"Just kidding. Where are the energy bars?"
"They're… over there, near the chocolate," she stammered, pointing.
I grabbed an energy bar marked "1+1," two more, and a blue sports drink, then headed to the counter.
Sora didn't notice me approaching; she was focused on the discount sign.
"Excuse me…" I said.
"Eek!? There are no part-time jobs!?"
"No, it's… calculated," I said, handing him the card.
"Aww…" Sora groaned, ears red, as he paid for the items I'd given him.
"Should I put it in an envelope for you…?" I asked with a smile.
I shook my head and held out an energy bar—not because it was too big for my tiny hands, but because I didn't want it to melt in my pocket.
"I'll give you one."
"Using this as an excuse to take my place…"
"Were not Hiring anymore."
I left the store, Sora watching suspiciously. I crouched against the window, set down my soda, and took a bite of the energy bar. The familiar crunch and sweetness… ah, comforting.
I sipped my drink and marveled, "Wow… tastes… like something Northern Europeans might enjoy? Refund? No way."
Finished, I headed toward the tower's main entrance. The card key machine blinked quietly. No one around. Perfect.
I slid my student ID into the slot. Inspection wasn't over yet—I pressed my ear to the door. Silence.
-Shuuuk—
The door opened suddenly. I crashed to the floor, rolled, and landed in front of the elevator.
Why did the door open automatically?
"I wonder… is it because I'm a teacher too?" I muttered.
I brushed dust off my clothes and took in the tower. Several rooms I couldn't identify, a back door to the store… curiosity tugged me. I stepped toward one room, but this wasn't where I needed to be. The teacher.
"Up? Or… down?"
An image flashed: a square tombstone floating in a dark room.
"Down first!"
I pressed the lowest floor button. Doors opened to a dark, empty space. A parking lot?
"This doesn't seem right…"
I pressed the upper floors, hoping to find something. Top floor—still dark. One floor looked like an office. I got off. Maybe the teacher hadn't arrived yet…
Or… no way.
We'd driven out delinquents, chased Wakamo, reclaimed the chalet, faced Arona, gotten a tablet-shaped box of Siddim from Rin, and handed control of Sanctum Tower to the Student Council. Rin had led me here, promised to introduce me to the "Federal Investigation Club," then—after glancing at the elevator display—pushed me back.
"…Seems like an uninvited visitor has arrived. Be careful, sir."
I frowned. I had just mentioned the runaway student.
"Did that fox stop by? Any trouble?"
"It's fine. Nothing happened."
"Phew… relief."
I arrived at the lobby, saw off Yuuka, Hasumi, and Chinatsu, then returned to the office.
Is this where I'll work now?
I sat, staring at a towering stack of papers—issues Rin mentioned, Kivotos problems… everything.
Then—tuft of messy hair swaying among disorganized boxes.
I held my breath. The kid I'd met twice crouched there, eyes glued to his phone.
"Ugh… might as well see it all."
"I see you often today."
"Ahhh?!"
I couldn't help laughing at that ridiculous, spiky hair kid.
"Hi," I said softly.
"Sensei?!"
Eyes wide, the child darted behind another box, then peeked cautiously.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now."
"How?"
"I… just came in."
"…?"
Right. I'd used the card Rin gave me. Security gaps from disuse. Wakamo underground… makes sense.
I scratched my neck, approached slowly. The child bolted without looking back. Sad… a little.
I crouched in a corner, nibbling the energy bar, rolling it on my lap, savoring the nuts and chocolate.
What's my role here?
The Sensei is the main story… am I a side story? A sub-teacher?
But the Sensei appeared briefly in a side story too, with plenty of fan art showing their relationships with students.
No room for another main teacher.
"Hmm… I guess I have to do it," I murmured. Something only I could do.
The theme of the game—hope, youth, bonds—explained why the story wasn't dazzlingly bright. I'm a teacher assistant, working behind the scenes. Sensei only had two close students, discovering the role too late. Final episode resolves everything.
But what could happen during training that risks your life? Misunderstandings needing total devotion to resolve? Two students committing a grave sin for forgiveness?
"Ugh… I'll go see it all," I muttered, gripping my head.
Then a cheerful, unfamiliar voice drifted from above.
"I see you often today."
"Wh-what?!"
The chalet teacher waved from above, smiling. Lights flicked on, revealing the office fully.
"Sensei?!"
How did you find me?
Even crouched behind a huge box, the teacher somehow knew. Muffled footsteps approached. I jumped.
Does the Schale Sensei have a secret ability the game never showed?
If not… I can't explain this weird, impossible situation.