・ Epilogue

"Six sugars, then. You do love your sweets, don't you?"

"—Ah. Yes. You remembered..."

"Of course. Last year, and the year before that. You came all this way just to see me."

"............"

"I remember at least the preferences of my cute students."

"...Thank you."

"Besides. When I drink with Dustin or Koh, your name comes up quite often."

"Eh?"

"Fufu. Are you that surprised?"

"N-no. It's just... what kind of things do you talk about?"

"It's the same every year. I say, 'By the way, I wonder why that girl asks the same question every year?'"

"............"

"Then, Koh usually starts saying something strange."

█

'It's a curse.'

'...Excuse me?'

'We had 'em in Amatsu. Planting the same thing year after year. Piling up the curse bit by bit, until you finally kill the guy you hate.'

'Ah. That's possible. We have earned quite a lot of resentment, after all.'

'Hey now. That's only your first glass, Koh-sensei. And Stagna-sensei, don't egg him on.'

'No, wait, Dustin. The mysteries of Amatsu are not to be underestimated.'

'Stagna!? You were the last one to start drinking!'

'An insect's body is slow at breaking down alcohol...'

'That's not something to brag about.'

'By the way. Who do you think she'll come to see first this year?'

'My bet's on me.'

'Why you, Mustache? Any way you look at it, it'll be the talented teacher Koh-sensei.'

'Mustache...?!'

'Ahahaha!'

'You guys, honestly!'

'...Well.'

'Hmm?'

'It doesn't feel too bad, though.'

'What doesn't?'

'That girl. She comes every year, right?'

'You mean Noel-san?'

'When she comes, I feel a bit relieved... like, "Ah. She came again this year, she looks well." It's like a New Year's greeting.'

'And she always asks the same question. Right?'

'Yeah. Let's see—'

—What do you think about the fact that the Headmaster is missing?

█ "............You talk about things like that?"

"Yes. Every year."

"...Am I really that easy to read?"

"Rather than being easy to read."

"Yes."

"If I watch you for a long time, I can't help but notice."

"............"

"It doesn't look to me like you are searching for the 'Headmaster' at all."

"..."

"It's the opposite, isn't it?"

"The opposite?"

"You are going around confirming that the Headmaster is 'not here.'"

"............"

"...It is strange, after all, isn't it?"

"Yes. A little. The President of the PR Club catches the same teacher every year, asks the same question... and looks relieved to hear the answer."

"............"

"You're very quiet today, Noel."

"...I am..."

"That's enough."

"Eh?"

"I don't wish to hear your secrets."

"............"

"Dustin and Koh are probably the same."

"...Then, what?"

"We're just worried whether you're carrying too much on your own."

"............"

"You should look in a mirror once in a while."

"Do I look that terrible?"

"You look like someone who is the only one who knows the moon is going to fall."

"..."

"And you've convinced yourself that you're the only one who can stop that moon."

"Teacher..."

"So, I will give you the same answer this year."

"............Yes."

"The Headmaster is, indeed, not here."

"...Yes."

"Even so, Academy City is running smoothly today as well."

"............"

"Can you feel relieved with this answer again this year?"

"...Yes."

"Truly?"

"...It's enough."

"I see."

"............"

"Would you like a refill?"

"No. I have one more place to go after this."

"To Dustin's?"

"Yes."

"Then, please give him my regards."

"What should I say?"

"Tell him to 'take good care of that lovely mustache.'"

"...Fufu. I understand."

"You laughed."

"Just a little."

"That's good."

"...Teacher."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

█

"——Shit."