Due to the school's strange one-week break, Eriri lingered at Sen Getsusa's house for three days before going back.
Often, when the sun was high in the sky, Sen Getsusa would push open the door carrying a teacup—
The other girl would be wrapped in a quilt, rolling around on the bed like a meatworm. At the top of the 'egg roll,' a tuft of blonde hair remained, and at the bottom were two little feet moving about.
"Time to eat!"
"Not eating, not eating, not eating! Not hungry, not hungry, not hungry!"
"I made it myself."
"Hmph..."
"I'll reluctantly give it a taste..."
Besides the awkward Miss Eriri, Sen Getsusa had another unexpected visitor.
Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"I say, your life is simply pure enjoyment."
Bending her legs to take off her high heels, Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped directly onto the floor in her black stockings.
It seemed she had just finished a date; she was dressed in professional attire, her face still wearing delicate makeup.
As soon as the woman entered the house, she subconsciously looked around the massive property—isn't this too luxurious...?
Although she herself was an heir to a large fortune, compared to her own miserable self who often had to match wits with her uncle, Sen Getsusa, who controlled a large number of shares and real estate, was clearly more at ease.
"You've already completed life, Sen Getsusa," the woman said, leaning over with a wink. Her voice was quite gentle, as if she hadn't yet stepped out of her dating persona.
"A date?" Hiratsuka Shizuka curled her lip as she walked. "It was a blind date."
Inside, the tea set was neglected and set aside, replaced by two cups of rich black coffee.
Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't get used to drinking tea.
"Hey, what's the deal with you and that girl..." There were only Sen Getsusa and Hiratsuka Shizuka in the room. The other's gossipy posture, like a thief with a guilty conscience, really made Sen Getsusa laugh.
"Teacher is still concerned about such things?"
"Well, there's the student's mental health, and... the teacher's mental health." Hiratsuka Shizuka blinked curiously, glancing cautiously out the door as she spoke. "What exactly is going on?"
Sen Getsusa picked up her cup, lightly sniffing the bitterness and aftertaste of the coffee.
"Teacher should have the information on Yuno's family situation, right?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand. "Oh, I'm not talking about that."
"I mean, isn't there something else..."
As she spoke, she twiddled her index fingers together, tip to tip.
"Please don't make that disgusting expression..."
Hiratsuka Shizuka rolled her eyes. "How boring. It's high school; how can there be no romantic love? You two are truly dull..."
"Yuno is my family."
Sen Getsusa took a small sip of her coffee, unhurried. "Teacher Hiratsuka, today you are...?"
Mentioning her purpose, Hiratsuka Shizuka set aside her playful demeanor, crossed her legs, and shuffled a few times closer to Sen Getsusa.
"Don't you have any questions about the school break?"
Sen Getsusa blinked, holding her coffee. "No."
"No?" Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes widened, and she lowered her voice. "Isn't it strange? That day, the heavy fog and the Special Police Officers..."
Clack.
Sen Getsusa set down her coffee cup.
"Superpowers..."
Whispering quietly, Hiratsuka Shizuka cautiously covered her mouth with her hand held vertically. "I overheard the principal's conversation. It seemed to be about some 'ritual'..."
Sen Getsusa repeated with feigned confusion, "ritual?"
For topics one doesn't wish to continue, one only needs to repeat the last few words.
Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded with certainty. "It's definitely a superpower incident. Don't you know? Many upperclassmen have gone missing..."
Sen Getsusa acted surprised. "Missing?"
"What kind of response is that?" Hiratsuka Shizuka crossed her legs solemnly and tapped her chin hard. "Sigh, isn't it terrifying..."
Sen Getsusa sat up straight with great formality. "It's too terrifying."
Hiratsuka Shizuka:...Actually, Sen Getsusa didn't really want Teacher Hiratsuka to get involved in these matters. Although there had been some unpleasantness with Yukinoshita Haruno before, those things had nothing to do with Teacher Hiratsuka.
rituals, mystery, order, and chaos.
This wasn't like the blood-pumping fantasy Worlds in anime—
This so-called transcendent ability could cost people their lives.
"I think it's better if Teacher Hiratsuka doesn't try to learn too much."
Sen Getsusa advised the overly curious woman, "Have you forgotten the incident with Fujimoto Matsu?"
At the mention of Fujimoto Matsu, Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but shudder uncontrollably.
Fujimoto Matsu... Hiratsuka Shizuka gave a bitter smile. "I've already become a bit neurotic."
"Seeing that white fog, and then later, so many Special Police Officers evacuating the crowds, I subconsciously wanted to explore, to understand everything behind it... Do you know? We teachers have already received a notice. In a week, an announcement will be made citing a 'fire' as the cause."
Yes, the inability to resist exploring the unknown.
Sen Getsusa rejoined the topic: "I heard from Yuno that it seems over a dozen upperclassmen from the second year have gone missing."
Hiratsuka Shizuka rubbed her knees bitterly, the downward curve of her mouth reflected in her coffee cup. "Among them... were students I taught."
"After a 'big fire,' they're all gone."
"All gone..."
"Superpower crimes... are too terrifying."
The lingering fear made the woman's voice intermittent. "I checked many people's names."
"Open..."
"Missing."
"Open..."
"Missing."
"Nakajima Saki is missing..."
"Hayami Mari is missing..."
"Komuro Yota is missing..."
"Nitta Satori is missing too..."
Hiratsuka Shizuka calmed her slightly hysterical emotions, her fingertips, somewhat rough from work, gripping the coffee cup tightly:
"I was really afraid that after opening to your name, it would still say 'missing'..."
Her voice trembled.
Sen Getsusa remained silent.
"Fortunately, you're okay."
The two of them lowered their heads in silence.
After a long while, Sen Getsusa slowly let out a breath.
"Thank you, thank you, Teacher Hiratsuka."
Indeed, for a teacher, the most painful and the most joyful things are all tied to their students.
She suddenly thought of the girl who had once called her 'Mother.' Although she had deliberately ignored it after the incident, not wanting to remember it again.
Hayami Mari.
The brief time they spent together wasn't enough for Sen Getsusa to truly accept her, let alone attach deep emotions to her.
After all, as her bloodline gradually awakened, she knew very well that the space left for emotions and human empathy was becoming smaller and smaller—she had to choose carefully and save it for important people.
But at this moment, mentioning Hayami Mari still made the girl's heart feel a bit heavy. She didn't care about many humans to begin with, so why did they have to choose someone near her for the descent?
That silly girl... Sen Getsusa lightly ground her teeth.
Masquerade Ball... good job, you're all dead.
At that moment, the bright red blood flowing through her veins seemed to boil, beginning to burn with a fanatical heat!
Layers of gold, like gold dust appearing after being sifted, shone brilliantly under the Sun. Inside her heart, a series of proud female voices echoed incessantly, declaring something with pride and passion.
—In a trance, she seemed to be sitting on a massive throne, looking down disdainfully at the creatures prostrating at her feet.
Endless hurricanes and sharp snowflakes blew across the vast snowy plains. A deafening roar resounded through the sky, blasting through the clouds and allowing the blazing Sun to shine upon the lady's hand.
Even the Sun had to bow to her in greeting.
Gusts of wind scorched the faces of travelers climbing the snowy mountains, like imperceptible blades harvesting human pain. Atop the mountain peak, an ivory-colored shadow spread its wings, which covered the sky. Dark pupils turned to gaze over, and then, thick limbs suddenly tightened with force!
A dragon's roar broke through the thick clouds, and the incomprehensible words instantly transformed into a magnificent, multi-affixed language. The female voice was not shrill, but rather appeared young and vibrant.
'The Dragon Rider in the Snowy Mist, the Awakened Mad Princess...'
'Your enemies shall dance with the Dragon Flame.'
To the left of the throne, behind the girl, yellow sand swirled like scattering flowers amidst the crushed ice. A tall man looked up reverently, his right hand over his chest, bowing to her.
His voluminous robes were draped with luxurious gold and jewels, glittering and clinking.
'Lord Silver Moon,' the tall man spoke with a tone full of religious solemnity, his words sounding like he was reciting an ancient romantic poem: 'Do as you wish; we will sweep away everything for you.'
'Indeed.' To the right, a figure in a maid's outfit appeared before the throne at some unknown moment. She stepped forward and knelt on one knee, the intricate silver embroidery gleaming on her black skirt. Her long boots reached her knees, blending into the thick layer of snow on the ground.
The maid gazed affectionately at the person before her, seemingly oblivious even as fine snowflakes fell upon her golden head—she simply stared at the figure on the throne with her deep blue eyes.
'You are the madman of the era, the black swan atop the spire, the Eternal Silver Moon suspended above all conceptual spirits.'
'We await your return forever.'
The Little Sprite lay on her lap, covered by its emerald princess dress, snoring leisurely. Its little mouth mumbled incoherently, calling out 'Queen,''Susa,' 'Takoyaki'—in the icy World, rows of silver armor were donned by slender shadows. When the scimitars were drawn from their sheaths, the'shink-shink' sound cut through the vast snow.
The ranks chanted in unison!
'Child of Gold and Silver!'
'Child of Gold and Silver!'
'The Dimensional Opera walking through the Chronology!'
'Child of Gold and Silver!'
'Master of the Mad Lock and Key!'
'Silver Moon...'
'Eternal Silver Moon!'
Steam rose as Sen Getsusa giggled while holding her coffee, her black hair blooming like roses.
Ah, it's getting more and more interesting...
-------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 30 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon.
patreon.com/TLScarlet
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!