"Truly, you've astonished me," Seia said. "...You're…" Mash mumbled. "Our second meeting, right?" "Maybe you're…" "Yes, I'm… the Tea Party's final member, Yuri—"
"Yurinto and Seia-san?" "Want a taste of my Meteor Fist, Sensei?" "Whoops, meant Yuriyuri Seia-san." "No. Yurizono. Yurizono Seia."
In a dream, Mash met Seia Yurizono, the Tea Party's last member, again. Not on their terrace, but in a boundless flower field stretching to the horizon.
"This… my dream?" Mash asked. "It became this when I linked with you. Believe me?" Seia replied. "Brain's a flower garden?" "Poor phrasing… but you believe me instantly?" "Gotta trust my students." "Right, that's you."
Sitting in the flower field, Seia spoke of her friend, Mika.
"You beat Mika." "It was tough—how'd you know?" "Secret." "Ugh…" "Didn't expect this future." "This future?" "I saw multiple futures… usually just one." "You see the future!?" "Yup." Smug.
Seia plucked flowers, showing them to Mash.
"Yellow Casablanca, 'betrayal.' Tansy, 'I declare war.' Marigold, 'sorrow.' Aster, 'I won't forget you.' Lily, 'death.'" "All negative… pretty but sad," Mash said. "Yes. My longest-seen future was… tragic." "Tragic ending?"
Seia explained her visions—the reason she stayed hidden, a future threatening Mash's life.
"Mika's betrayal of Trinity's council and factions angers you. You fight her." "Hm." "But you lose, unluckily." "Oof." "Fatigue from the club, or emotions clouding your skill…" "Then?" "Your body's wrecked. The club wails, denying your death. Mika didn't mean to kill you—an accident." "…" "You're at your limit… and die." "I die?" "Then the worst begins." "There's more!?" "Of course. Shalle's Sensei dying isn't the end."
Seia clutched the flowers, continuing.
"The club grieves. Sisterhood and Tsurugi arrive too late. Tsurugi, enraged, attacks Mika—purple peony, 'fury.'" "…" "Their fight lasts till dawn, both collapse, and Arius is taken by Sisterhood." "Then?" "Your death spreads—Gehenna, Millennium, Abydos, the Federal Council mourn. Black lily's 'hatred' consumes them." "That's—" "They vow revenge on Trinity and Mika, calling it justice or holy war." "Seriously?" "Some resisted, but leaders ignored them. Trinity falls to their onslaught."
Seia gripped the stems, her face bitter.
"Arius moves to conquer Kivotos but is crushed by the coalition. Then, with you gone, Kivotos' order crumbles. Adults with power invade." "…" "But a mysterious force wipes them out." "What force?" "I couldn't see it or interfere… but it destroyed Kivotos."
Seia held a water lily. "Extinction."
"Your death caused this. Not your fault, but…" "One death did all that?" "Your influence is that vast. Everyone you touched went mad without you." "…" "But that's another worldline. An 'if.' You survived, saved the club. Not quite like this, though." "So I picked the best future?" "Exactly." "…Sweating weirdly now."
Cold sweat in a dream—Mash felt relief stopping Mika, saving everyone.
"You saw that future all along?" "Yup." "Wasn't it… painful?" "My precognition's a dream. Every sleep, that future played." "That's…" "You changed it. I'm grateful."
Seia dropped the flowers, relieved. Mash's fist forged the best future.
"You mentioned another future?" "Oh, you crush Mika and Arius, pass the club, happy ending." "That's not happy! More like… true ending." "Right." "Good thing I chose right." "Your happy ending makes Mika, Nagisa, the club, Arius—all smile." "Of course, including you, Seia-san." "Heh, I know, Sensei."
Seia sat closer, touching Mash.
"I envy your strength. If I had it, I could help someone." "You already do. Tea Party alone is huge." "Glad you think so." "Oh, wait a sec."
Mash dashed off, crafting something in the dream.
"Back." "That was five seconds." "Here, an apology gift." "A… crown?"
A flower crown, made impossibly fast. Seia stayed silent, accepting it.
"For failing to protect you, even unknowingly." "You don't need to—" "That's just me."
Mash tried placing it on her head.
"Won't fit." "Sorry, big-eared Seia." "No, uh… let's put it on your ears. There."
The crown circled her animal ears.
"I'll visit you." "I'm not awake yet." "Being alone in dreams must be lonely. I'll be there in reality." "How do you say stuff like that!?" "?" "You'll be a heartbreaker someday." "Precognition?" "Just a hunch." "A seer's hunch is terrifying." "Haha, true."
Talking, even in a dream, was enough for Seia.
"Time's up." "Aw." "Thanks for talking… and saving Mika. Please, Nagisa too." "Of course. Hanako messed up, so…" "She's fragile, you know." "Got it."
The world glowed white, Seia fading, her voice clear.
"Sensei, many trials remain. But you'll overcome them. I trust you." "Bring it on, no matter how tough." "You're reassuring."
Seia vanished. Mash shouted.
"Seia-san, I'll make everyone smile—including you!" "Thank you, Sensei… until we meet again."
The world whitened, Mash's vision blurred, and he reached out—
"…Huh?"
Mash woke in a hospital room. His bloodied uniform was gone, replaced by bandages and casts on his arm and leg. Gauze covered his face, his torso wrapped tightly.
"What's this?" "Casts. They stabilize fractures or sprains for healing," Hanako explained. "Even on my leg?" "You're lucky it's just that." "That bad, huh—wait, Hanako-chan?" "Good morning, Sensei." "Uh… morning." "!!" Hug! "Whoa!"
Hanako, tears in her eyes, hugged him, casting aside her usual restraint.
"Hanako-chan?" "Sob… I was so worried…" "How long was I out?" "Three days." "…Seriously?" "I'm so glad you're awake!"
Her tears wet his shoulder. Mash felt a mix of emotions but settled on one thought.
"…Wanna eat cream puffs."
Note: Seia's precognition is partly my interpretation.
Post-Mika Betrayal, Sibling Sensei Talk:
"Ughhh!" "Wait, wait, wait!" "Stop, seriously!" "Let me go! Kill our kids? No way!" "I get it, but Mika didn't mean it! Right?" "Still, 'wipe out' is too far!" "Calm down, don't throw your phone!" "…You said 'our kids'?"
Little Sis Sensei's rage is valid, but… tough. Doesn't hate Mika, but that comment's unforgivable. Big Bro Sensei's brain got wrecked. Both were shocked by Hanako's "too much!" moment.
Event Note: Next is Nagisa's recovery arc. The event will stay close to the original but will be super fun—stay tuned!
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