The long day came to an end.
Soaking in a lukewarm bath, Kiraboshi (she) was idly reflecting on the day’s events, feeling as if it had all been a dream.
…It all started during yesterday’s lunch break.
She was summoned by the Kamase Sisters through Shirogasaki (she), and after her thoughts hit a dead end, she went on a rampage with a chainsaw.
Then, fearing that her crime would be exposed, she tearfully begged Kageichi (he) for help…
Only to be taken to an unknown Dungeon and forced into a deadly battle with an Ice Dragon—which, even now, she thinks was outrageous—and she sobbed and choked her way to victory.
Even that intense experience was blown away by the Creature Behemoth that appeared in the depths of the Dungeon.
A true Monstrosity that would make even the giants in movies laugh…
And the teacher who easily brushed it aside and defeated it.
How much had she been surprised in a single day?
How many brushes with death had she experienced in a single day? Kiraboshi (she) shuddered in the bath as she thought about it.
Her parents scolded her for coming home late, but they surely wouldn’t believe her even if she told them the real reason.
…At the same time.
It was a terrifying experience, but it was also truly…very educational, she thought.
An experience that turned her worldview upside down had certainly changed Kiraboshi’s (she) consciousness.
And—it was scary as hell, but there was also a strange sense of security.
(Probably because Kageichi-san (he) is there…I think)
When she became desperate and tearfully turned to Kageichi (he), he encouraged Kiraboshi (she) in his own way.
He gently told her that the Chainsaw Incident could easily be covered up.
He even said that he would take responsibility and explain if there were any problems, protecting Kiraboshi (she).
During the Ice Dragon fight, he made sure to help her in the end.
Even in the battle against the giant Behemoth, he kept his distance to ensure that Kiraboshi (she) wouldn’t be hit by any attacks.
…Kiraboshi (she) believes that this is genuine kindness, unlike the empty words of her parents and classmates.
(He’s not kind on the surface, but he’s actually kind)
She understands that he has a cruel side.
She also understands that he is a villain who lacks a sense of ethics and casually disposes of people as if they were burning garbage.
Everyone would surely frown if they knew what he was doing. If Kiraboshi’s (she) parents knew the truth, they would be shocked and urge Kiraboshi (she) to stop.
…But.
(But…he’s the only one who taught me bad things)
The essence of human nature that the “Class Representative” who is expected by everyone cannot do.
If you don’t get caught, it’s okay to commit misdeeds to relieve Stress.
If you are forced to be righteous, you can use force to reject it.
Murder should be done more casually.
Kageichi’s (he) teachings are called “evil” by the world.
In the first place, the reason why Kageichi (he) can speak such outrageous things is largely based on the violence of his own strength.
A dangerous ideology that approves of changing the status quo by force…it could never be accepted in today’s world.
—Even so, it was a necessary teaching for Kiraboshi (she).
He taught her about human emotions that cannot be resolved with just platitudes.
Not just justice or the pretense of doing things for the sake of the world and others…
But a path of safety, security, and no Stress.
“…Sensei (teacher) is amazing, really.”
As she got out of the bath, Kiraboshi (she) suddenly noticed that she was feeling a small flutter in her heart.
No, this is no good.
Somehow, she was struck by a strange emotion.
…But this feeling shouldn’t be a bad thing.
Ah, Sensei (teacher) is really…calm and collected, yet crazy—but actually a kind old man….
With her face slightly flushed, perhaps from the heat of the bath, Kiraboshi (she) looked at herself in the mirror.
…Plain, gloomy, and not exactly in great shape.
But I’m a high school girl too, and I’m not so bad, am I…? She thought, then hurriedly dried her hair and gently put her glasses back on.
*
Even after such a dramatic day, the next day was school.
She couldn’t skip the practice test, so she walked along the school route, clutching her bag and wondering what to do.
(Maybe…I really have a small capacity)
…I had forgotten about it with everything that’s been going on, but Kiraboshi (she) is currently suspected of prostitution by her classmates.
Even if the truth about the Chainsaw Incident isn’t revealed, rumors will spread.
Kageichi (he) said he would explain, but she doesn’t know how much her classmates will believe him—and the Kamase Sisters might harass her again.
As she approached the school, her cowardly heart began to grumble.
Even though she had experienced so many life-and-death battles yesterday, her heart was still small-minded.
(Have I not grown at all…?)
But she doesn’t have the courage to run away from school.
In the end, as always, Kiraboshi (she) can only endure while putting up with it.
…With such melancholy in her heart, she arrived at school.
She hesitated at the shoe lockers, not wanting to go to the classroom, but then she resolved that she couldn’t stay here forever, and took off her shoes—
Thud!
A sharp pain ran through her.
Her vision was suddenly shaken, and her forehead was slammed against the shoe locker two, three times.
The first thing she felt was confusion rather than the sharp pain.
What? What happened?
Kiraboshi (she), completely frozen, eventually realized that someone was grabbing the back of her head and assaulting her.
“Ugh—!”
Eh? What is this, it hurts…!
While holding her throbbing head, she forcefully shook off the arm grabbing her and turned around—
Kiraboshi (she) widened her eyes in shock.
There.
“It’s you, isn’t it? You’re the real form of that Creature from back then! I know it, so confess, you bitch!!!”
“H-Hii…!”
“Die! I’ll exterminate you, Monster!”
Her eyes bloodshot, baring her teeth like a real Monster—a crazed classmate approached.
Kamase Aneki (she) had a demonic expression on her face, grabbing Kiraboshi’s (she) hair and slamming her against the shoe locker.