Chapter Text
A sound of creaking breaks the quiet. A man wearing a brown coat is sitting directly in front of you. The man has no head, just puffs of smoke in place of it. And yet, his gaze can be felt. The same can be said of the greyscale picture the man is holding. It pictures a man looking away from the camera, but it felt like that man is gazing at you, Sensei.
The man sitting in front is the member of Gematria known as Decalcomania, and the man in the picture is another member of Gematria, known as Golconde.
Golconde: It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Sensei.
Golconde: I see that some of you has taken interest in the story I shared last time.
Golconde: Seeing your interest, I decided to share another story with you, a story that will never happen no matter what.
Golconde: But before I share it with you, I must warn you that this story is different from last time, albeit both similarly mixed with sadness and hope.
Golconde: You may feel pain that what happens here isn’t reality. Even so, will you continue?
Golconde: If you didn’t know about the previous story, then please ignore my last 2 dialogues.
Decalcomania: But of course!
Golconde: Do you remember that day? The Ark of Atrahasis was falling. You saved every one of your students, including Terror Shiroko. You weren’t afraid of your own impending death.
Golconde: Thankfully, your 2 so-called “AI daughters” conjured something to save you. Your sacrifice was not needed.
Golconde: However, the other you did not survive. He too was ready for death. He knew it was coming.
Golconde: But what would have happened if you saved him in exchange for your own life? What if you tried to save everyone at the cost of yourself?
Golconde: Let us explore this story together. I shall narrate.
-----
The day after the destruction of the Ark of Atrahasis, the reconstruction of D.U. began. It was a happy ending, at least for everyone involved. Kivotos was saved and the invasion of the Chroma was stopped. The crisis had been averted. Sensei has emerged as the hero of Kivotos for everything he’s done for everyone.
There was, however, one casualty. One person that was not saved. And that person is none other than Phrenapates, the alternate you who had brought Terror Shiroko to this timeline and the supposed guide of the Chroma. He died at the Ark of Atrahasis, leaving behind a paper crane from his student and a credit card, which may have already crumbled to dust.
The you in this timeline have wondered, was it possible to save Phrenapates too? What could have been done to help him? In the end of the day, he was the same as you, true to his duty as a teacher, and would always be there for his students, come hell or high water. Was there a way to save this other poor soul, to give him another chance at life after the horror of the alternate timeline?
The GSC President, as if to answer your wish, appears in your dream. We shall follow the story of this fellow Sensei, how he changed the past, true to the gift bestowed upon you, and how it shall unfold to have great effects on the timeline.
-----
Somewhere in a dream
GSC President: Sensei, isn’t this a beautiful ending for everyone? For the invasion of Chroma to be stopped and Kivotos to be saved?
GSC President: However, you are curious, if the sole casualty of this incident could be saved, the alternate you who carried out his responsibility as an adult to his last breath.
GSC President: Why do you wish to try and help him, Sensei? He was ready to meet his end, for he had done his duty as a teacher.
GSC President: I do not understand your thoughts and feelings, Sensei.
GSC President: ...But I will provide you with the opportunity to try.
Before I can say anything, the scene fades away.
-----
In the Ark of Atrahasis
Sensei: (What the... How did I get back here!?)
Sensei: (This is right after I saved the other timeline’s Shiroko...)
Sensei: (Rinny has already left the Ark. The only ones remaining here are Phrenapates and me myself.)
At that moment, I understood what the GSC President meant. I know what I want to do.
Sensei: Phrenapates...
Phrenapates: I know what you’re thinking. Don’t do this.
Sensei: How do you even know?
Phrenapates: I saw the GSC President too.
I want to inquire more, but time is running out.
Sensei: Take the Shittim Chest.
Phrenapates: I can’t do that. You need it to save yourself.
Sensei: Just take it. You deserve better after all that has happened in the other timeline.
Phrenapates: But your students still need you here! My life is disposable compared to yours.
There’s no time to argue. If I have to, I’ll force Phrenapates to take hold of the Shittim Chest.
I drop the Shittim Chest on the ground and start walking away.
Phrenapates: What are you doing!?
Sensei: Saving myself.
Phrenapates: What do you possibly mean? You left your Shittim Chest!
Sensei: You are my alternate self. So in a sense, I’m saving myself.
I continue walking away and close my eyes, as the Ark turns into a wreckage around me.
-----
I open my eyes. My body feels sluggish.
Sensei: (Where am I?)
Sensei: (Wait, this is a hospital.)
Sena: Ah, you have finally awoken, Phrenapates.
Sensei: (What? Did Sena just call me Phrenapates?)
Sena: Please wait a moment. I will go call Acting President Rin.
Sena left the room, leaving me by myself in the room.
I look down on my hand.
Sensei: (These hands, they’re mine, but they’re thin and pale. Is this Phrenapates’ body?)
I look at the window to see my own reflection.
Sensei: (Yeah, this is definitely Phrenapates’ body.)
Sensei: (But... How did I end up in his body?)
Sensei: (If I tell anyone that I’m actually Sensei, will anyone even believe me?)
Rin suddenly enters the room.
Rin: Good day, Phrenapates, or would you rather have me call you by your old title, Sensei?
Sensei: Hello, Rinny.
Rin: Don’t call me that. I’m not the Rin you know.
Sensei: What happened? Why am I in the hospital?
Rin: We found you unconscious and naked between the remains of the Ark.
Rin: We transported you to the hospital. You’ve been unconscious for several days already.
Rin: Your body looks like a corpse, but I was told your vitals and internal organs seem to be in order, strangely enough.
Sensei: What about... the other me?
Rin: We have several search parties looking for Sensei among the wreckage of the Ark, but we’ve looked through nearly everything and still haven’t found anything.
Rin: We’re still searching, but we’ve given up hope of finding our Sensei.
Sensei: (My body is probably gone. A human body can’t possibly survive a fall from the stratosphere.)
Rin: I’m getting distracted. I’m here to ask you a question, Phrenapates.
Rin: You were found holding the Shittim Chest, but not your Shittim Chest, but our Sensei’s Shittim Chest.
Rin: How come you had our Sensei’s Shittim Chest?
Sensei: I don’t know.
Rin: Really? Do you really not know anything?
Sensei: I really don’t know.
Rin: ...
Rin: Fine, let’s leave it at that.
Rin: For now, we’re putting you under house arrest. You won’t be allowed to leave the hospital until we decide what to do with you.
Rin: I have more matters to deal with, so I’m afraid I’ll have to excuse myself. Do you have any question before I leave?
Sensei: What will happen to SCHALE without Sensei?
Rin: SCHALE will be suspended until further notice, as SCHALE can hardly operate without Sensei.
Rin: I’s nearly impossible to find a replacement for Sensei. And only Sensei was able to use the Shittim Chest.
Rin: It’s not official yet, but SCHALE will most likely be defunct.
Sensei: (But I’m your Sensei... I want to continue working at SCHALE and taking care of all of you.)
Sensei: (Then I suppose I just have to do this.)
Sensei: If you can’t find a replacement for Sensei, then allow me to take over operation of SCHALE.
Rin: What!?
Rin: You... Sensei... You can’t be serious! Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?
Rin: You were the guide of Chroma that helped lead the disaster into Kivotos. You tried to destroy Kivotos! Now you’re telling me you want to substitute for Sensei?
Rin: There should be a limit to how ludicrous you can be!
Sensei: I still care for my students.
Sensei: Even if I become the guide of Chroma, or become a corpse...
Sensei: I’m still your teacher, and I have my responsibility as an adult.
Rin: ...
Rin: ...I’ll see what I can do.
Sensei: The GSC is that desperate, huh?
Rin: I hate to say it, but yes, we are desperate.
Rin: Sensei helped us in many ways. His death is a great loss for Kivotos.
Rin: Your willingness to take over his role is surprising, but perhaps a good solution.
Rin: If you take his role, then SCHALE can continue to operate. We didn’t know what to do with you anyway.
Sensei: I promise to take up his mantle.
Rin: ...I will have to excuse myself. Until further notice, you are to stay in this hospital.
Rin leaves the room.
-----
In SCHALE office
Within a few days, Rin has put me back in charge of SCHALE.
Momoka: Oh, you’re finally here, Phrenapates.
Sensei: Good morning, Momoka.
Momoka: You sure are diligent, taking Sensei’s work after he’s gone.
Momoka: Not that I’m complaining. That just means less work for me.
Sensei: ...The GSC still doesn’t trust me, do they?
Momoka: Of course not. You were the guide of a god that attempted to destroy Kivotos, after all. We can’t be careless now.
Momoka: I’m sure you noticed the large number of cameras in SCHALE. They’re meant to monitor you.
Momoka: Although, just between you and me, not all of them are really active. Some of them are just for show.
Sensei: Is it really okay for you to tell me that?
Momoka: You’ll find out sooner or later, so I might as well tell you now. We don’t have the manpower to monitor you 24/7 anyway.
Momoka: Anyway, Rin told me to hand you this. This is our Sensei’s Shittim Chest.
Momoka: You shouldn’t have any problems using it, right?
Sensei: I feel like you’re too quick to entrust this with me.
Momoka: It’s hard to say you’re wrong, but Rin already said not to worry.
Momoka: She said that if you plotted something bad with the Shittim Chest, the tablet will supposedly stop working or something.
Momoka: I don’t know where she got that information, but she’s convinced of it. She had an opened letter on her hand when she said that, so maybe it was related somehow?
Sensei: ...You’re seriously letting me take this just because your boss said it would be fine?
Momoka: Eh, I trust her, so her words are good enough.
Momoka: Besides, we’re already monitoring you, so you won’t be able to do anything suspicious either.
Sensei: If you say so.
Momoka: Anyway, my job here is done. I’m going to go slack off.
Momoka: Ayumu should come to visit with a pile of documents later. Good luck with it!
Sensei: If only you could be diligent like when the False Sanctums appeared.
Momoka: Wait, how do you know what I was like when the False Sanctums appeared? How do you even know what we call them?
Sensei: (Oh crap. Phrenapates never actually knew any of those.)
Momoka: ...
Momoka: Eh, I can’t be bothered. I’m out of here.
Momoka leaves the SCHALE office.
-----
We thirst for the Seven Wailings. We bear the koan of Jericho.
Arona: Good morning, Sensei! Welcome back!
Sensei: You can recognize me, Arona?
Arona: Of course, Sensei! I was the one who made this miracle happen, after all.
Sensei: This miracle?
Arona: That’s right, Sensei.
Arona: I was surprised when you gave me to Phrenapates. I couldn’t possibly save you anymore if you leave me.
Arona: However, I did everything I could to save you. I couldn’t save your body, but your consciousness is still alive!
Sensei: What happened to Phrenapates?
Arona: Ah... That... Sensei....
Arona: Phrenapates volunteered to switch consciousness with you so that you could live, Sensei.
Sensei: So that means...
Arona: Yes, Phrenapates inhabited your body at the Ark of Atrahasis and died with it.
Arona: I know you wanted to save Phrenapates too, Sensei, but...
Arona: I... Why did you...
Arona breaks down crying.
Arona: Sensei, why did you use the last one for the other Shiroko!? And then you gave me to Phrenapates? Why do you have no care for your own life!?
Arona: Why... Have you not considered any of your students’ feelings if you were gone? How sad we would all be? And what fate could have befallen without you!?
Arona: Uwaah!
Sensei: *Hug Arona*
Sensei: I’m sorry, Arona...
Arona: Sensei, please promise me... that you would never... throw away your life carelessly... again... *sob*
Sensei: I promise, Arona. I will never throw my life away carelessly anymore.
Sensei: (I attempted to save Phrenapates in a spontaneous decision without considering the consequences.)
Sensei: (I made everyone sad because they all think I am dead. I now feel like an idiot.)
It took Arona a while to calm down.
Arona: ...I’m sorry for crying so much, Sensei.
Sensei: That’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.
Arona: Right, Sensei. I also have a surprise for you.
Arona: Meet someone new in the Shittim Chest, Plana!
Plana leaves her hiding place.
Plana: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sensei.
Sensei: It’s nice to meet you, Plana.
Arona: Plana helped me create a miracle to save you, Sensei! She was amazing!
Plana: It’s the least I can do. It was his last wish.
Sensei: Thank you for helping me survive.
Plana: It was my pleasure.
Arona: If it weren’t for Plana, I wouldn’t have been able to switch your body with Phrenapates’ as well as helping you survive the fall from the sky.
Sensei: It must have been hard to perform 2 miracles in a row.
Arona: It was too hard, Sensei.
Arona: Some of our protection of your current body faltered during the fall, but your body didn’t seem to take any damage.
Sensei: ...What?
Plana: You heard that right, Sensei. We couldn’t protect you all the way during the fall.
Arona: We expended too much energy on the first miracle. Performing the second one was a challenge.
Plana: Your current body, the one affected by Chroma, is stronger than your original body. It can withstand some bullets, although it’s not invincible.
Plana: I believe you saw how he was able to take the bullets for our Shiroko as you teleport your students away, did you not?
Sensei: Now that you say it...
Plana: That’s how it is. The body affected by Chroma becomes stronger, even if you look like a corpse.
Arona: Sensei! Your body might be sturdier, but I worry it’s not safe to stay in that body. We don’t know what a body affected by Chroma can do.
Arona: The Chroma doesn’t seem to affect you or anyone around you now, but who knows what will happen if we let it be? We need to replace your body!
Plana: That’s easier said than done. How will we find a replacement body in the first place?
Arona: Ah, that...
Plana: It’s impossible to find a replacement body. In which case, we’ll have to revert Sensei’s body into the state before Chroma affected it.
Arona: But is that even possible? Sensei’s body appearance is practically that of a corpse now!
Sensei: It’s not possible to revert someone affected by the Chroma.
Arona: Eh? Sensei?
Sensei: However, if I wish to try regardless, I have to find Kuzunoha.
Plana: ...
Arona: Kuzunoha? The person Seia supposedly met at the dream world?
Sensei: Yes, she knows about the Chroma more than we do.
Arona: Sensei? How do you even know it’s impossible to revert someone affected by the Chroma? Did Plana tell you that?
Sensei: (Ah, I haven’t received the scroll which Michiru brought.)
Plana: I’m afraid I do not know much about the Chroma too, Arona-senpai. We should seek Kuzunoha as Sensei mentioned.
Arona: Alright, then we have a goal in mind! Let’s do our best, Sensei!
Sensei: Yeah, let’s do this!
Sensei: ...But first, I need to deal with paperwork.
Arona: Ah... Right...
Plana: It seems the paperwork has piled up while you were away from work. We have a lot to sort out.
Arona: D-don’t be discouraged, Sensei! Let’s power through this!
Plana: Speaking of which, the GSC member Iwabutsu Ayumu has entered SCHALE. She’s about to arrive in your office.
Sensei: Wait, how do you know that?
Arona: We took control of the unused security cameras in SCHALE. A surprisingly large number of them aren’t used.
Arona: We can practically see the entirety of the SCHALE building now.
Sensei: Including the bathroom?
Arona: What!? No, we can’t!
Plana: They didn’t set up any camera in the bathroom anyway.
-----
*knock* *knock*
Ayumu: It’s Ayumu. May I come in?
Sensei: Sure.
Ayumu: Good morning, Phrenapates.
Ayumu: The things is... Um...
Sensei: You’re here to drop off paperwork, aren’t you?
Ayumu: Yes, yes, I am.
Ayumu: I’m sorry, Phrenapates. Today is your first day at SCHALE, but the amount of paperwork you have to do is already massive.
Sensei: That’s okay. The GSC is understaffed as usual.
Ayumu: Ah, was it like that too in the other timeline?
Ayumu: It’s embarrassing, but the GSC is practically helpless without SCHALE.
Ayumu: I wish we could at least handle the bureaucracy ourselves, but even that’s too difficult for us.
Sensei: I’m happy to help with the paperwork.
Ayumu: Thank you, Sensei! You’re always so reliable!
Sensei: You’re suddenly calling me Sensei again?
Ayumu: Ah, sorry. Your attitude is so similar to our Sensei, so it just slipped my mind.
Sensei: If you prefer to call me Sensei, that’s fine too.
Sensei: Even now, I’m still a teacher.
Ayumu: Ah, if you don’t mind, Sensei.
Ayumu: I’ll excuse myself. I still have a lot of paperwork to handle.
Ayumu: Once again, thank you for taking our Sensei’s role in SCHALE.
...
Arona: Sensei, the other Shiroko has entered SCHALE. She’s heading to your office as of now.
*knock* *knock*
Shiroko: Sensei, it’s me, Shiroko. May I come in?
Sensei: Come in.
Shiroko: Sensei…
Sensei: What’s the matter, Shiroko?
Shiroko: I’m…
Shiroko: I’m sorry… For everything…
Shiroko starts sobbing and crying.
Shiroko: Ah… I caused the end of Kivotos, I killed everyone, my existence only brought pain. I should have never existed.
Sensei: *Hug Shiroko* It’s okay, Shiroko.
Shiroko: I’m a monster… I don’t deserve to live…
Shiroko continued crying for a while. I comforted her as best I can.
Sensei: Your birth and existence are not your fault, Shiroko.
Sensei: It is normal to want to be happy.
Sensei: Promise me you won’t blame yourself again, Shiroko.
Shiroko: I promise, Sensei.
Sensei: Thank you.
Shiroko: You’re always so kind, Sensei.
Shiroko: After all I did in the other timeline, after everything that’s happened…
Shiroko: I… I don’t know if I can ever repay you, Sensei.
Sensei: I don’t need you to repay me, Shiroko. I simply did my duty as your teacher.
Shiroko: Your kindness truly knows no bounds, Sensei.
Shiroko: You even agreed to take up the task of running SCHALE after the Sensei of this timeline is gone.
Sensei: (Technically, I’m still here, but only Arona and Plana know that.)
Shiroko: To be honest, when I was teleported away from the ark, I was worried about you. With the situation in the Ark, your chances of survival were slim.
Shiroko: When I heard you were found alive, I was thankful. However, I also felt guilt. This timeline’s Sensei died. I was the one who brought about the Chroma. I had a hand in his death.
Sensei: Shiroko…
Shiroko: I couldn’t bear the guilt, so I gave myself up to the GSC of this timeline. I explained who we are, the Chroma, everything.
Sensei: (So that’s how Rinny and the others know who Phrenapates truly is.)
Shiroko: Then, I heard you wanted to continue the work of SCHALE. I was surprised, but in a way, I wasn’t too surprised. After all, you’re still the same kind Sensei I know.
Shiroko: Sensei, if you wish to work at the SCHALE of this timeline, let me help you.
Sensei: You wish to help me, Shiroko?
Shiroko: Yes, that’s right.
Shiroko: I have pained everyone around me. My sins are too great. I’ve done too many unforgiveable deeds.
Shiroko: I know you’ve said that I too deserve happiness, but to obtain happiness after all I’ve committed isn’t right. I can’t run away from the blood on my hands. I’ve had a hard time sleeping since the destruction of the ark.
Shiroko: As such, I have decided that I must make amends. No matter how, I must atone for my crimes.
Shiroko: Please let me help you carry your burden.
Sensei: Of course, Shiroko. You may help me.
Shiroko: And please don’t call me Shiroko anymore. Call me Anubis.
Anubis: The Abydos of the other timeline is already gone. I’m not the same Shiroko who was a student of Abydos. The name Shiroko was Hoshino-senpai’s gift to me before I became the guide of Chroma.
Anubis: I’m no longer the same Shiroko she knew, so I must shed that name. The name will only bring back painful memories anyway.
Sensei: Are you sure about this?
Anubis: Yes, I’m sure, Sensei.
Anubis: I’d like to experience a rebirth of my identity. I wish to change myself.
Anubis: Besides, it would be confusing to have 2 people with the name Shiroko in this world.
Anubis: So, Sensei. Please take care of me.
Sensei: Of course.
-----
Congratulations! You have reached the alternate ending.
Anubis has joined your student roster.
All students’ favourability rank and bonus have been reset.
All students’ relationship stories have been changed.
With the exception of Anubis, you must bring a students’ favourability rank to 10 before using them again.
You have obtained Phrenapates’ adult card. Plana has joined your Shittim Chest.
-----
Golconde: How was it, Sensei? Was the story to your liking?
Golconde: It’s ironic that the one with the miracle to save the other ended up surviving, whilst the one given the golden opportunity did not.
Golconde: Phrenapates obtained the opportunity to survive, but he chose to throw it away so that the you in the other timeline could survive.
Golconde: Phrenapates was really a mirror of that timeline’s sensei. They both had a strong sense of self-sacrifice.
Decalcomnania: But of course!
Golconde: Sensei, tell me. If you had the choice, would you have picked this ending instead? Even if it meant everyone thought you were dead? Even if they will cry in their sleep every night?
Golconde: Indeed, in this ending, Terror Shiroko would join you at SCHALE. But all your other students would be saddened, thinking their Sensei was gone.
Golconde: Would that sacrifice be worth getting Terror Shiroko?
Golconde: Whether this ending was better or not, only you can decide. This story is made for you, after all.
Decalcomania: But of course!
Golconde: It looks like time is up. This was another pleasant meeting, Sensei. If you wish to, we can share another story again sometime.
Golconde: It might be particularly interesting to dive deeper into some of the stories we’ve already seen, but maybe you’d like to read something else. Farewell, Sensei.
Decalcomania stands up with his walking stick and Golconde. He exits the room, leaving you, Sensei.