Inside the Shittim Chest.
After returning to the annex from Trinity's main campus, I noticed that the girls were all deeply engrossed in their studies, and apparently didn't need me. I took the excuse of a nap to come here for the first time in a while, sitting down by the virtual beach.
The warm sunlight fell on my skin, the gentle sea breeze brushed my face, and even the sensation of the soft, slightly gritty sand beneath me felt remarkably real. I couldn't tell whether this seemingly ordinary panel used some advanced black technology or if it truly connected to a pocket dimension.
Whatever the case, this place held meaning for me beyond simply enjoying the vast scenery and relaxing.
Here, even as an adult, I could freely seek comfort from others.
"Sigh, sensei," said the blue-haired girl sitting beside me, shaking her head, "You really didn't hold back at all. Nagisa must have cried herself to pieces after you left."
…Even if all I received in return were sarcastic remarks like that.
"I think, compared to the things she did that made people angry, I was already holding back quite a bit."
"Mm… that's true…" Arona nodded thoughtfully. "Then what exactly are you feeling guilty about?"
I sighed. "After all, when I said those things, it wasn't just about venting my emotions."
Indeed, my earlier scolding of Nagisa might have looked impulsive, driven by my annoyance at her attitude, but a larger part of it was calculated.
If I could wake her up with it, all the better. If it backfired, well… that would be acceptable too.
What I feared most was that after receiving my harsh scolding, Nagisa would still put on that fake, gentle smile. Judging by her anger, the moment she drew her gun, and the sobbing I later heard, at least that worst-case scenario was avoided.
The possibility of Nagisa truly regretting her actions was already near zero. So this situation had naturally developed to its simplest, clearest stage.
Before talking to Nagisa, I had held onto a sliver of hope that she hadn't become too extreme yet.
But unfortunately, after just a few words with her, I realized that conventional methods would likely be useless.
At this point, there was no need to keep gathering evidence to convince someone whose mind was already set on their "truth." All I could do was prepare for a direct confrontation and wait for the right opportunity.
By letting Nagisa's anger cloud her judgment, even temporarily, I could accelerate the process.
Although my ultimate goal was to protect everyone, including Nagisa… making her cry, in essence, wasn't much different from the actions of the tea party host.
Perhaps, as Nagisa said, I was indeed the one most full of myself.
"I get it!" Arona exclaimed suddenly. "Sensei, you're worried that even if Nagisa later understands your intentions, she won't forgive you, right?"
I furrowed my brow and corrected her seriously: "What are you saying? If Nagisa later refuses to understand, that's clearly her own loss!"
Arona drew in a breath of strawberry milk: "I see. According to your logic, sensei, Nagisa must already be deeply attached to you."
"What logic? That's not logic, that's fact. At worst, she'll just live with regret for the rest of her life."
Arona nodded obediently: "Yes, you're just kind-hearted and worried Nagisa might suffer later."
…Something about this AI's words is a little off.
I said with mock irritation: "From the way you talk, do you have a good idea for handling the current situation?"
"Mm…" Arona pondered for a moment before replying seriously, "I think, when faced with troubles that have no obvious solution, someone like you hiding out here with just the two of us, avoiding reality… is actually a brilliant strategy!"
Confirmed, she was indeed subtly mocking me. She's only teasing me for being busy the past few days and not coming in to spend time with her.
I ruffled her head hard and grabbed a big sip of her strawberry milk. Immediately, my mood improved.
Enjoying this silly child's little tantrums and playful punches, I continued:
"Actually, I think I understand why Seia didn't tell Nagisa and Mika that she's still alive."
"Ugh… I'm not in the mood to hear that! Bad sensei, give me back my strawberry milk!"
I nodded in satisfaction: "Good, a student worthy of my teachings. Since you're so curious, I won't hold back."
In short, the real key point isn't that [Seia was attacked and killed], but that [The tea party members were attacked and couldn't find the culprit].
Whether Seia lives or dies, a seed had already been planted in the hearts of Nagisa and Mika...
The next one… could it be me?
I completely understood how terrifying that fear itself could be.
In this context, the living Seia was actually less useful than a dead one. The latter could hide safely and have prophetic dreams. The cost was merely that the powder keg, destined to explode unless the crisis was removed at its source, would detonate a little sooner.
The Make-Up Work Club? Just unlucky victims caught in Nagisa's self-detonation.
As for Beatrice and Arius, their roles in this incident would have to wait until after the second special exam, when Azusa's intelligence could be confirmed.
"In short, the only one capable of stopping Nagisa's recklessness and protecting everyone is me."
Saying this, I felt a surge of heroic pride. if not me, then who?
Even though I was still pondering exactly how to act.
"Wow, that's amazing."
Arona said dryly, clapping half-heartedly. "Then what about the strawberry milk?"
I snapped: "Is that all you care about?"
"Nope."
Her eyes shone with an unusual light, her expression soft beyond words: "Sensei, you are my forever number one."
Her words, unexpected and almost like a confession, shook me deeply.
Looking into the eyes of the blue-haired girl who had been almost constantly by my side since we met, I felt time itself freeze.
It took me a while to regain composure, still a little flustered, and I barely managed to ask: "W-why are you suddenly saying this?"
Arona grinned faintly: "Isn't this exactly what you wanted to hear? Sensei, stop dragging this out and give me my strawberry milk!"
…My fault.
I shouldn't have held any unrealistic expectations for this girl.
Feeling somewhat deflated, I handed her the strawberry milk she had been longing for, and then left the Shittim Chest.