I truly don't understand what Urawa Hanako is thinking.
It was clearly her who kept teasing me again and again, saying strange things that left me flustered, yet when I tried to probe her feelings in return, she wouldn't allow it?
What kind of double standard is that!
When Hanako suddenly turned on me, once I realized what had happened, a sudden rush of anger coursed through me.
But deep down, I also had to admit that I was at fault in this matter.
Even though I sensed her resistance, driven by a certain ugly desire for revenge, I chose to ignore it and press on, and that was probably what crossed her line.
Hanako's past circumstances might be somewhat similar to mine, and to a certain extent, I can empathize with her.
Still, I feel that she went too far in teasing me first, and I merely retaliated. Besides, as the advisor of the Make-Up Work Club, it is my duty to understand the root of my students' problems. Everything I did was naturally justified.
Moreover, how could I not understand?
In short, although I can sympathize with her and reflect on myself, I simply cannot bring myself to lower my pride and take the initiative to reconcile with Hanako, whom I had only just met not long ago, only for things to end on a sour note.
And so, the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became. I wandered aimlessly through the Trinity campus, heading in the opposite direction from where Hanako had left.
When I finally came back to my senses, I realized that, without knowing how, I had once again drifted to the front of the Trinity Cathedral.
After a brief hesitation, I shook my head and resolutely stepped into the grand building.
Fortunately, at a single glance, I spotted that familiar figure.
At the same time, the orange-haired, blue-eyed girl, calm and gentle, noticed me as well. She immediately put on a sweet, adorable smile, walked toward me, and greeted me.
"Sensei, hello. Grace be with you. I pray you have a nice day today."
"Mari, it's been a while."
Although I had missed this hardworking self-proclaimed novice sister very much, now that we were truly face to face, I found myself at a loss for words.
As I weighed what to say, Mari, who had been watching me, seemed to notice something. Her smile gradually faded, replaced by concern.
"Sensei, did something happen?"
I had intended to brush it off and not pass my negative emotions on to others, but under Mari's sincere, concerned gaze, the words that reached my lips changed their shape.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Um… well…"
She hesitated, clearly struggling with how to put it. The troubled look on her face was answer enough.
I gave a wry smile, then sighed. "Sorry. I'm being melodramatic again. I deliberately came here while feeling down because I wanted to confide in you and seek some comfort. Mari, do you have time right now? May I take up a little of it?"
Mari nodded happily. "Yes. I don't have anything else scheduled today. If you're willing to let someone who can only do this much be the one you confide in, I would be more than happy."
She is practically an angel.
Deeply moved, I gathered my thoughts for a moment.
"Not long ago, I had a conflict with a student…"
Then, sitting side by side with Mari on a bench, I recounted what had happened with Hanako, trimming away the unimportant parts and blurring certain details, and along with it, the frustration weighing on my heart.
The orange-haired girl, who aspires to become a true sister, though in my eyes she already possesses the virtues of an outstanding one, listened silently with a gentle expression, as if she could embrace everything about me.
Since I did not want to burden Mari too much and hoped to finish quickly, I tried to restrain myself, so the confession did not last very long.
I let out a long breath. Though a part of me still felt unsatisfied, it was enough.
Then I sincerely said to Mari, "Thank you for listening to all of that."
Mari shook her head. "I only did something trivial that anyone else could have done. Please don't thank me."
"But only Mari would do this for me." I smiled. "You're the only one I can ask."
As I watched her fair face quickly flush red, an astonished voice rang in my ear.
"Wait a second, what about me!?"
Arona? When did she wake up?
Mari quickly composed herself and gave a faint reproach. "Honestly, Sensei, you're saying things like that again. I'm happy, but I think that if it's you, there must be many people willing to be the one you confide in."
That is indeed true. After all, most of the students harbor ulterior motives toward the handsome me, long waiting for a chance to grow closer.
"Hmph, that's right, like me!" Arona declared proudly.
But among all those students, Mari is undoubtedly special to me.
Special in that right now, she is the only one in front of me, alone with me.
"Sorry. I only want to ask you."
I gazed at the pure-hearted girl and spoke firmly.
"Eh? Eh!? S-sensei," Mari's voice was barely audible. "Please don't tease me…"
Seeing the beautiful sister flustered and blushing so easily from just a few words made my mood, already lightened after unburdening myself, grow even brighter.
Perhaps Hanako had felt the same way I do now.
"Ugh…! You big idiot who toys with a maiden's feelings!"
After throwing out that aggrieved remark, Arona fell silent, probably sulking somewhere.
It is not a big problem. I can coax her later with some strawberry milk.
"A-Anyway," Mari steered the conversation back, "Sensei, have you found the path to move forward now?"
I nodded with a smile. "Of course."
It is not such a big issue. A slight adjustment of mindset is enough to untangle the knot.
"That's wonderful."
Mari smiled sincerely, genuinely happy for me. Then she clasped her hands in front of her chest and spoke softly.
"I will pray for you. For the path you have walked so far, and for the path you will choose from now on… I hope there will be as much peace and happiness there as possible…"
The girl's pure kindness flowed into me almost without reservation, warming my heart.
I murmured, "In that case… may I join you?"
"Mm! Sensei, let's pray together. If we do, then you will surely…"
"You seem to have misunderstood."
I smiled. "If you're praying for me, then shouldn't I be the one praying for you instead?"
"…I see." Mari froze for a moment, then revealed a relieved, gentle smile. "Sensei, you really are as kind as I thought."
Please spare me that kind of description .
I shook my head and emphasized, "It's just returning the favor."
"Hehe, I know. But it's all right."
Mari let out a soft laugh, her tone growing even gentler. "Because as long as you are happy, Sensei, I will be happy too."
Those simple words made my heart pound restlessly.
Is that a confession?
Probably not. Otherwise she would not be so calm.
Even so, I know that Mari's feelings are not false in the slightest.
"In other words, this is a prayer for both of us… You could say that."
The innocent and adorable girl, her bright eyes like clear water, softly spoke words that, at this moment, surpassed a thousand sweet nothings.
I think I've fallen for Mari.
Precisely because of that, I should pray for her, and for us.
"Ah, right, I just thought of a good idea."
Mari suddenly asked, "Sensei, could you come a little closer?"
I hesitated for a moment, then did as she requested.
"There is more than one way to pray. Among them, there is one like this…"
As she spoke, the girl reached out her soft, slender, warm hands and gently took mine.
"A way of praying while holding hands. Personally, I like this method too. Especially for someone like you, Sensei… someone who has so many people more important than yourself. I think it's especially suitable."
"…Mari, I'm probably not the pure and selfless person you think I am."
A strange discomfort stirred in my chest, and I could not help but correct her. "In my eyes, I often see only myself."
Mari thought for a moment. "Um, I don't quite understand, but if that's the case, then why did you tell me?"
Our eyes met.
"That means, at least right now, I'm in your eyes, aren't I?"
I could not refute that, nor could I look away.
In her clear eyes, I seemed to see my own reflection.
"It's not good to lie, Sensei. To keep misfortune from falling upon you, we should pray even more. So, like this."
Mari tightened her grip slightly. "Sometimes, someone needs to hold on to you properly, and pray together with you not for anyone else, but for you yourself. If you would allow it, please let me be that person… as someone who will one day become a sister."
With things already said to this extent, what reason do I have to refuse?
Still, if she is willing to indulge me like this, it may lead to bitter consequences.
One day, I will make it so that Mari no longer wishes only to become a sister.
"Now, Sensei, close your eyes as well… calm your breathing…"
Unaware of my sinful thoughts, Mari spoke softly, and I obediently followed her instructions.
"Let us pray. Once more, for Sensei…"
Her voice was crystal clear, yet it felt as though it came from another world.
"And for us."
As it should be.
So I prayed sincerely that a future of peace and tranquility would descend upon me.
And upon everyone I care about.
…Including Hanako.
After that, the quiet moments continued for a long time.