After resolving the Helmet Gang's attack, Serika's kidnapping, Handyman 68's assault, the Black Market bank robbery, the Disciplinary Committee issue, Kaiser Director's territorial schemes, Hoshino's contract, and the battle with Decagrammaton Prophet Binar, Mash and the Abydos students gathered to discuss the future.
"Choux cream production… begin!"
The group donned aprons for a choux cream party.
"Sensei's morning batch was too good to waste, so we ate it," Ayane said, wearing an orange apron with red-rimmed glasses patches.
"He made all that alone?" Serika asked, in a red apron with cat patches.
"Don't overthink it, Serika-chan. Mash-sensei can do anything!" Nonomi chirped, sporting a lime-green apron with minigun patches.
"His mixing speed's so fast, I see afterimages," Hoshino said, in a pink apron with whale patches.
"Making custard… fun," Shiroko said.
"No snacking, Shiroko-senpai," Serika scolded.
"Caught," Shiroko admitted, her blue apron adorned with wolf patches.
The Countermeasure Committee kneaded dough and cooked cream joyfully alongside Mash, who, with Shiroko, made choux creams with extra enthusiasm.
"Shuu~ is for choux cream~♪" Mash sang, off-key and monotone.
"—is for choux cream~♪" Shiroko sang, her voice clear and beautiful.
"Ku~ is for choux cream~♪" Their voices blended into a miraculous harmony.
They sang while kneading, preparing cream, and waiting for the pastry to bake. Shiroko's smile shone brighter than ever.
"Ugh, my juniors are too cute!" Hoshino gushed.
"Should we take pics?" Nonomi suggested.
"Shiroko-senpai's smiling like never before," Ayane noted.
"She's been so expressive since meeting Mash-sensei," Serika added.
"Not true," Shiroko said, beaming.
"Liar! Total liar!" Serika teased.
"Being expressive's good," Ayane said.
"Sensei saying that lacks credibility," Serika shot back.
"Huh?" Mash blinked.
"They're done!" Hoshino cheered.
"Choux cream!" they shouted.
"Since when did Shiroko-senpai love choux cream this much?" Serika wondered.
Mash and Shiroko grabbed the baked pastries with gleaming eyes. Hoshino clutched her chest and collapsed.
"Ugh!"
"Senpai's down!" Ayane cried.
"My juniors are too precious!" Hoshino wailed.
"No 'uhee' this time!" Serika pointed out.
"Choux cream♪ Choux cream♪ Choux cream♪"
"Eek!" Hoshino gasped.
"Senpai's not breathing!" Nonomi panicked.
"You two! Stop before Hoshino-senpai actually dies!" Serika yelled.
"—?" Mash and Shiroko tilted their heads in sync.
"Pfft!" Hoshino sputtered.
"Senpai!" they cried.
"Once more, great job, everyone… Cheers!"
Mash and the committee raised their glasses, clinking them together.
"Cheers!"
Handyman 68's four members joined, raising their glasses.
"Wait a sec!" Serika snapped. "Why's Handyman here?!"
They were casually eating choux cream in the classroom.
"The reward for our job was this party," Aru said, munching. "So good!"
"Invited to a choux cream party—that was the deal," Kayoko added.
"Aru-sama, this one's tasty too!" Haruka said.
"Thanks, Haruka. All good?" Aru winked.
"Ugh, we owe them, so I can't complain," Serika grumbled.
"We've crossed paths before. Let's just roll with it!" Nonomi said.
Glasses clinked again. Everyone grabbed choux creams from the tower, their antics utterly adorable. Mash ate quietly, watching the scene.
Shiroko, however, paused, holding her choux cream.
"Shiroko-senpai, you haven't eaten. What's up?" Serika asked.
"You were so lively earlier," Ayane added.
"…Don't wanna eat," Shiroko mumbled.
"Huh?!"
"On a diet?" Mash asked.
"Sensei, tact matters," Serika scolded.
"What's wrong, Shiroko-chan? It's delicious," Nonomi said.
Shiroko lowered her gaze, wolf ears drooping. "If I eat… it'll be gone. The party will end… and Mash-sensei will leave."
"!"
"Handyman too… We got close, but it'll end. That's sad."
At sixteen, the cool-headed Shiroko felt the sting of parting.
"Silly girl, you think this ends our bond?" Aru said.
"?"
"We won't stop seeing each other. They say hearts stay connected, even apart," Aru continued.
"Exactly. I'm leaving, but it's not goodbye. I'll visit anytime," Mash said.
"Really?" Shiroko asked.
"Yup. If you're sad, let's make today so fun it blows that sadness away," Mash said, handing her a choux cream.
Shiroko ate, smiling brightly, ears perking up. The others joined, stuffing their faces with laughter.
Mash, holding a choux cream, whispered, "Eating with friends… it's this delicious."
Raised alone with his grandfather in the mountains, Mash had no friends and little worldly knowledge. He'd longed to make a ruckus but convinced himself his grandfather was enough. Yet, deep down, he'd felt lonely.
"Sensei? You stopped eating," Ayane said.
"Oh, nothing. Just… this is fun," Mash replied.
"All thanks to you, Sensei. You fought and worked for us," Hoshino said.
"Not just me. You all didn't give up, followed me, and so many helped. That's why we're here, having fun," Mash said.
"Hey, that's mine!" Serika snapped.
"First come, first served!" Kayoko teased, grabbing a strawberry. "Oh?"
"Delicious," Shiroko said, snatching it.
"Fast as a falcon! Haruka, dig in!" Aru urged.
"No, I don't deserve—" Haruka began.
"Here, ahh~" Nonomi coaxed.
"Ahh… tasty," Haruka said.
"Glasses, wanna share?" Aru asked Ayane.
"Sure, but—hey! You took most of it!" Ayane protested.
"Tricked ya!" Aru laughed.
"Mrrgh!" Ayane fumed.
"…Coming here was really worth it," Mash murmured.
"S-Sensei, just now!" Hoshino gasped, snapping a photo.
"…!" Mash's face lit up with a rare, radiant smile.
Hoshino tried to capture it, but—
Whoosh.
"Back to normal! One more! Please!" Hoshino begged.
"Nope," Mash said, wielding a choux cream.
"Please! Just once more!"
"Absolutely not," Mash refused.
"Nooo! Hahaha!" Hoshino laughed.
They reveled in the feast.
Listen, Yume-senpai… I met adorable juniors like Shiroko and someone truly trustworthy, Mash. I'm so happy.
A week after leaving Abydos, Mash received a message.
"Sensei! A message from Abydos!" Arona chirped.
"Already?" Mash opened the System's Box.
A long email from Ayane awaited:
To Mash-sensei, from Ayane Okusora, first-year at Abydos High. It's hard to believe a week's passed since the party.
Abydos has changed. Kaiser's exorbitant interest rates were slashed to realistic levels after their embezzlement and kidnapping scandals forced action from Kaiser Corporation and the Federal Student Council.
Thanks to you, our debt's halved. We see hope now. Thank you.
Handyman 68 left after the party but found a new office. They're doing well… though rent's steep.
Mash's phone pinged with a message from Aru: "Jobs welcome anytime!" He returned to the letter.
The black-suited man who targeted Hoshino-senpai remains a mystery.
"If he tries anything, I'll crush him," Mash muttered. "But that won't stop him."
The rumor of you fighting alongside us against the Helmet Gang and Kaiser's army spread, making Abydos known—for better or worse. But we're different now. You got us officially recognized!
We were lost, wondering how to move forward. Now we face tomorrow with hope. Thank you for saving us and our world.
P.S. Shiroko-senpai and Hoshino-senpai miss you. Visit sometime.
Attached was a group photo from the party, everyone smiling with choux creams (Mash stone-faced).
Mash gave a soft chuckle, a smile he'd never show the students. He changed into training gear.
"Feeling great—time for a workout."
Mash began his training.
Abydos Countermeasure Committee Arc: Complete