Today wasn't the weekend—Tohka and the others were still in school, attending class.
And since Reine Murasame was a teacher, she was naturally at school too, no matter how much she was looking forward to something.
Shichen was a teacher as well, so when he arrived, no one stopped him.
The campus was relatively quiet at the moment. The field was empty; everyone was in their classrooms, sitting through lessons.
With a quick sweep of his senses, Shichen found where Reine Murasame was—she was teaching.
In that case… this probably wasn't the right time to interrupt her.
He'd have to wait a bit.
This time, Shichen wasn't stalling. He genuinely wanted to see her as soon as possible—no nerves, no fear.
He headed to the track and walked a lap by himself, thinking back on what he'd been through with Mio.
She'd been so pure, so sweet, so easy to spoil.
She had started from zero—learning everything from scratch—until she "knew" the world the way a book could teach it. Yet even after learning so much, she hadn't really changed.
But thirty years had passed. There was no way Reine Murasame was still the same as that Mio.
Honestly, it was impressive that Reine had managed to hold out for so long.
Back when Kotori was a kid and first became a Spirit, Reine had already realized Shichen came from the future. That alone probably explained how she'd endured.
She didn't want the very first encounter between herself and Shichen to change.
So there was nothing scary about meeting her again—nothing to dread. She would accept him no matter what.
That thought made Shichen pick up his pace and head for the classroom building.
He hadn't gone far when the bell rang. Immediately, the campus filled with the lively roar of students—voices rising and falling everywhere.
Break time really was the students' favorite part of the day.
Shichen climbed the stairs and reached the floor where Tohka's class was. As he turned the corner, he ran into Yuzuru and Kaguya.
"Shichen, you're back."
"Question. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It's all taken care of," Shichen said.
"That's good."
"Where are you two headed?"
"Answer. The restroom. Shichen, do you want to come with us?" Yuzuru replied.
"Idiot! Shichen can't go to the bathroom with us!" Kaguya snapped, flustered.
"Heart racing. Going with Shichen and Kaguya would be exciting," Yuzuru said flatly, saying something outrageous with a straight face.
"What are you even saying?!" Kaguya couldn't take it anymore.
"…I'm not getting dragged into you two," Shichen said, even though he was absolutely tempted. "Be normal."
"Disappointed. Fine. Next time, if there's a chance."
"Idiot! You must be holding it in so long your brain's gone soft. Shichen, go do what you need to do."
Kaguya grabbed Yuzuru and hauled her off.
Shichen kept walking and soon reached Tohka's classroom—just as Tohka burst out the door.
"It is you, Shichen! I could tell the moment I felt your presence!" Tohka beamed and jumped into his arms.
"Does my presence have a smell now?" Shichen laughed, hugging her.
"Hehe, I can't explain it… it's just your scent. I love it," Tohka said, rubbing her head against his chest.
Shichen couldn't help smiling at her straightforward sweetness.
And really—Tohka's meeting with him wasn't so different from Mio's. He'd even given both of them their names.
No wonder. Tohka was a Spirit shaped from Mio's feelings—her circumstances echoed Mio's.
"Tohka, you can't hog him."
A calm voice cut in, and a flash of white slipped into Shichen's embrace.
"What—Origami, what are you doing?!" Tohka glared at the way Origami had shoved in.
"Shichen's arms belong to everyone," Origami replied coolly, tightening her hold.
"I got here first!"
"Latecomers can still win."
"What?! Move!"
"No."
"Move!"
"Impossible."
"You—"
"Now, now—if you two keep fighting like this, Shichen's going to become public enemy number one," an elegant, composed voice interrupted.
"Kurumi—I'm back," Shichen said with a smile.
"Mm. Welcome back," Kurumi returned the smile, gentle and warm.
"Husband."
A youthful voice called out, and a golden figure rushed in—shouldering both Tohka and Origami aside.
"What?!"
"Mukuro!"
It was Mukuro.
"Mukuro, were you good at school?" Shichen asked fondly, ruffling her golden hair.
"Husband, I was very good. I've been getting along well with my classmates. I haven't even argued with Tohka and the others."
"I see."
"Do I get a reward?" Mukuro looked up at him expectantly.
"Of course you—" Shichen started, then abruptly stopped and looked ahead.
There, in a white lab coat, stood a pale woman with glasses that couldn't hide her dark circles. Silver hair loosely tied. In her coat pocket sat a battered little black cat plush.
"Reine…" Shichen's voice fell quiet.
She was standing there, staring at him from a distance—hopeful, nervous, almost trembling with anticipation.
"Shichen…" Reine whispered, and Shichen lowered his hand, just watching her.
One day… and also thirty years.
"Shichen…" Reine's eyes lit up, and even the way she addressed him changed, as if she couldn't stop it.
That look—this feeling—she couldn't be wrong. This Shichen was the Shichen she knew. The Shichen she loved.
"Shichen…? Reine…?" Even Tohka could tell something was different between them.
"What's wrong, husband?"
"I don't know…"
"Maybe the answer is right in front of us," Kurumi murmured, thoughtful.
The three of them looked at her, confused.
Kurumi smiled faintly. "We can ask later. For now… let's give them the time and space they deserve."
Without further explanation, Kurumi gently ushered the others back toward the classroom.
"Wait—"
"Husband—"
"…"
Meanwhile, the students who'd gathered to watch stayed put.
They'd shown up because Shichen and the "princesses" were being openly affectionate. Even if the girls left, Shichen was still right there—who knew what would happen next?
Shichen didn't acknowledge the onlookers. He walked toward Reine Murasame at a steady pace.
Reine didn't move. She just stared at him, eyes full of devotion, like she was afraid blinking would make him vanish.
Thirty years of searching… and even with the hope she'd once glimpsed, it was still thirty years.
Thirty years was half a lifetime for an ordinary person.
Somewhere along the way, she'd forgotten time. Forgotten sleep.
Sleep brought dreams—sweet moments with Shichen… only to end in the despair of being left behind.
It wasn't a pleasant dream. It was a nightmare.
Since she didn't have to sleep, she stopped sleeping.
Without him, she couldn't sleep properly anyway. She didn't want the nightmares. She didn't want to think.
Shichen reached her, looking down at her tired face and heavy dark circles. His feelings had changed completely now.
Tenderness rose in his chest. He lifted a hand and gently cupped her cheek.
"Shichen…" Reine lifted her hand too, pressing it over his, as if checking whether he was real.
"It's me," Shichen nodded.
"Is it really you?"
"It's really me. I'm sorry." Shichen stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
A familiar hug. A familiar scent. A familiar voice.
Reine's chest loosened, finally, and she hugged him back just as tightly.
They held each other as if the rest of the world didn't exist.
Around them, the students whispered:
"What is this…?"
"Wasn't Mr. Shichen just being all close with the princesses? Why is it Murasame-sensei now?"
"Don't ask me, I just transferred in…"
"Is Murasame-sensei part of his 'harem' too?"
"Honestly… it wouldn't shock me."
"So Reine likes him too?"
"Looks mutual."
And through the classroom window, the girls watched as well.
Even Shichen, with all his composure, felt the pressure of so many eyes.
"Reine… it's kind of loud here," he murmured.
"Then come with me," Reine said. She pulled away, took his hand, and led him off.
The students didn't dare follow a teacher.
"Where are we going?" Shichen let her tug him along.
"Somewhere I can make you pay me back," Reine said, not even turning around.
"…You're right. I owe you. Leaving you alone that long… and then doing that to you…" Shichen's voice softened. "Tell me what you want. I can do anything."
"Can you?" Reine asked quietly.
"I swear it."
"Then…" Reine finally glanced back at him. "Give me a child."
"?"
~~~
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