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As a teacher, I always pride myself to be the best of the best.
After the return, I was… well, lucky enough to be affiliated with Hoshino Productions in secret. I even got to meet my idol… Who, turns out…
“She even remembered me…”
As a kid, I used to watch her shows all the time… to think she was also keeping us safe from the otherworldly troubles…
It was… frankly, quite weird knowing that the world we returned to also has people like Yue – vampires. Ai Hoshino is even one, in fact.
I guess it’s just dumb luck that the main group of us are only comprised of pure humans.
“Morn’, Sensei.”
“Oh, hi, Kaori. Carry this to my table, will you?”
“Damn, demanding today, huh Ai-chan-sensei? Eh, nae bother, I’ll do it in a jiffy– wait, uh… Hi, Eri. Can you carry this for me, thank you.”
“...Hi, Eri,” I said to the direction Kaori was heading towards. As today’s gatekeeper, I’m inclined to do my job to the extent of my abilities, then I can go back and tend to my plants alongside my new tenants.
Our school’s been receiving new faces alongside old ones, and not only that… My new friends’ workplaces are scattered around this part of Tokyo, too.
“...Sis, we’ll be late!”
“Shut up, Ayato. It’s your fault for not waking up. I’ll fucking fly at this point, grab my leg- Oh, hi Aiko-san. Sorry about the ruckus. Now, Ayato, fucking hold tightly, ok? Yoriko’s gonna make fun of me again… Urgh.”
“...Hi, Touka. Say hi to the other school’s teachers for me.”
“...Huff, huff…”
“Look, you’re barely in time, Miledi-san.”
“...It’s Miledi. Let’s just conceal me properly so as to not disturb other people.”
“Sure. Also don’t leave your stuff improperly on the floor.”
“...Gate’s closing, Hajime!”
“S-Sensei, please wait! I’m still not used to running in skirts…”
“Just fucking come earlier then, you smartass?”
“...Will do, will do. Mom just got me to help with her manuscript, sorry.”
“...Oh, yeah. I should drop by to help too, actually.”
“Thanks, really… Thanks.”
“No biggie. Now get to class!”
“...Paperworks... fuck that.”
I admire the courage of Remia-san to move home with her young kid alone after all that happened. She was one of the few people who also played a key role in ending Ehit, though...
“...Man, I really shouldn’t have been the one to silence everyone every now and then, don’t I?”
“I dunno, Sensei seems like the best one to do it after what went down previously. While it’s good that we mind-wiped ourselves... I can’t say I’m good with my position with you,” Hajime wryly smiled.
“Shit’s gonna get awkward for the next 2 years or so. Anyway, class! Today we’ll be learning about...”
“...”
It was lunchtime. While normally I’d go and eat downstairs, circumstances force me to be in the room with the rest of us. Naturally, I’ve packed my own package of veggies and hamburg as well as some supplementary monster meat.
...It’s not gonna kill me, don’t worry.
But, as I was walking back to the student’s room, I noticed that there was a male student running towards another female student who was... about to turn the corner! I need to help her out.
“...Oi, no running in the hallways.”
“??”
“Huh?!”
“Seriously? Do I have to hammer it literally in your brain just so you stop?”
“N-No. I was in a hurry, that’s why–”
“Okay. One: if you crashed into her head-on, tell me what will happen? Two: tell me, before making excuses, what should you say?”
“...S-Sorry for all the trouble.”
Well, he went this far. I guess I’ll also let him off the hook.
“Good kid. Now go. This might be the last time I’m willing to be lenient with you.”
“T-Thank you!”
“Thank yous are meaningless if you can’t follow up. So, please don’t let your words be all for naught. Now, as for you...”
“...?”
“You good?”
Seeing as she’s all red, I was wondering if she was on the verge of tears, but then...
“I-I’m good, Sensei! I’ll be off now!”
Alongside the boy, they both speed-walked away from me. Well, if that’s the case, then...
“...Eh?”
The hallway, originally devoid of students, became swarmed with both boys and girls. Even the teachers decided to take a peek.
...Tch, troublesome.
“...I’ll go eat my lunch now! Everyone please also do the same!”
“Holy shit, I’m not even 2 weeks back and I’m already tired as fuck.”
“Tell me about it,” Hajime shrugged.
“Look, Hajime. I’ll say this: I get what you’ve been through, but like... This is starting to get on my nerves way more than I’d like to admit. Fuck.”
“...Pfft, Sensei actually swearing wasn’t on my 2022 Bingo Card,” Eri laughed.
“Nakamura.”
“S-Sorry.”
“...No, I was actually amazed that you have a bingo card for each year. Can I see?”
“Erm...”
Outside of the room, while I wasn’t there physically, I can see and hear the vice principal discuss with the principal in regards to why I’ve changed this drastically.
...Look, while the returning of us were big surprises, it actually died down quite quickly when I explained to Ai-san about Tortus.
Apparently – and this I have not a fucking idea – this world is already interconnected with another world named Terra. This high school just so happens to have a lot of humans in it, so that’s why we never really heard of it. Only a few people – Ai-san included, knew about the existence of other worlds that’s not even just Tortus.
Our parents were also surprised, but that’s because the information of other worlds to them is just... Terra.
Someday, I’d like to take them there.
“Wait, okay. So, after we all consumed the monster meat from Tortus... Remind me later to check who’s got new traits, okay?”
“Alright!”
The class agreed unanimously.
For one, I’ll think of a way to protect them, the way an adult like me can do.
For two, I guess I’ll tell Remia that she doesn’t really need to hide her ears, it’s not that abnormal.
For three... Maybe I’ll find a way to get more traits from Terra.
“Alright, folks... Class is done today, you can go home- Not that fast! No running in the fucking hallway!”
“...Holy shit, what’s with these paperworks? I swear I’m not playing around in Terra for a year.”
“...Hatayama-sensei."
That was the principal calling out to me. Better respond formally.
“Yes?”
“...This is an order from your superior... Who was also ordered from the Ministry of Education. Go to the hospital to get a checkup. So far, you’re the one that’s been speaking out to people in regards to the case of missing people. Maybe you have a false memory planted into you?”
Apparently from what I heard Ai-san said later, only Terra is accessible due to the magic circuitry being maintained well from both Earth and that place. There has yet to be any established link between Tortus and Earth... Publicly, at least.
Privately, I’ve already created some doors to traverse. It’ll take a few years before Tortus can connect with Terra and Earth.
Last time, I used a clone and that got my image all jumbled up, even Rin Hino had to save me from my predicament.
Guess I better be staying true to myself, right?
Anyway, this time I’ll go. I’m also wondering what the hospital thinks of me.
“Alright, got it.”
18:33...
What’s this hospital?
Kanae Hospital, is it? Funny red and blue combo.
“...Hatayama-san? Hoshino-sensei is ready to see you.”
“Y-Yeah!”
Hoshino-sensei? She sounds... familiar.
“...No fucking wonder why.”
“Pfft. Look, I’m also a surgeon and a general doctor capable of splitting my souls like you. We’ll get along, Aiko-sensei.”
That was Ai Hoshino... but also not Ai Hoshino.
She’s like me – a magician. Only difference is that her power is her birthright, whilst mine was... torturous.
“What do you need me for?”
“Check-ups, duh? As a fan, you’d do what your oshi said, right? And, as a trainee, you’d do what your trainer said, right Sensei?”
“...Yeah.”
Scanning took only a while, but Ai-san’s face looks a bit funny.
“...I don’t have any slightest fucking clue what happened in Tortus, because your race is shown as non-matching in the database, so it defaults to Human and Angel.”
“A-Ah, yeah. Apostles are basically homunculi Angels.”
“I’m also a Kitsune, fun fact. But... I think we better discuss this at the agency. For now, just take this paper and show it to the principal. I’ve falsified some records to keep you safe, don’t worry. You’ve sacrificed so much for others, now it’s time that others protect you.”
At the end of her statement, I began to feel teary.
It’s nice to be able to rely on someone who, despite not knowing all of my circumstances, still chooses to help out anyway. I can’t really trouble the rest of us, they already have too much on their plate.
“Thanks. I’ll probably go home for the night.”
“Home!”
“Welcome, Aiko dear,” said Remia, cooking something for Myu and me.
“Hi dad.”
“Oh! Didn’t see you there. You’re even faster than your car!”
“Tetsuo, don’t say that. She loves her car, alright? It’s just not convenient.”
It’s true. What Akiko-kaasan said was true. My car was modified by me during the last weekend, and now I love it so much it pains me that I can’t drive it to work.
“I’ll go grow some crops now, if you don’t mind.”
After returning and learning that this is our reincarnated form, it took quite a heavy toll on me. On one hand, I don’t get why we have to suffer again. On the other, I’m glad the Liberators are all alive and well.
Living without having to hide myself or others as much as before is so nice, actually.
“[...S-Sensei!]”
“[Look, that pallet was flimsy, ok?]”
“[...And now I die, great!]”
“[...Well, your fault dying to NoED, Haji.]”
“[...Mu, fine.]”
“[There’s still next matches, don’t get to crestfallen now, girl.]”
In addition to what I did, I now also help my parents grow crops and play games with the kids. It’s a good distraction, and a good thing to help me at ease.
Being busy but having fun everyday wasn’t so bad, after all.