Days passed. Weeks passed. Then, suddenly—my fear toward him vanished.
That boy started coming to school like a completely different person.
He tried to change himself. Helping other students. Returning the money he stole. Volunteering for classroom chores—alone.
But… something about it felt wrong.
His eyes had changed.
They were empty— completely devoid of purpose.
He used to have eyes brimming with determination, with a clear goal. But now… it was like looking at a puppet moving the way society expected him to.
What did I do to him? I can't bear the thought that my careless words were what crushed his dream.
I don't want things to end like this. I want to see that fire in his eyes again…
Evening came. Students rushed home early, excited for the start of summer break. But that boy—he stayed behind.
He stood there quietly, erasing the chalkboard alone. The atmosphere in that empty classroom was eerie, uncomfortable enough that I didn't dare step inside.
But… if I don't do something now, he's going to do that.
I have to be brave. I have to stop him.
Muyagura Hime! You can do this!!
—
A sigh escaped the boy's lips as he glanced toward the doorway.
"…Muyagura-sensei."
I stepped into the room slowly. His gloomy gaze met mine.
Ao stared right back—sharp, cold, hostile—like always. It made my palms sweat.
I tried to speak, but my throat refused to cooperate.
"O–Onishima-kun… you finished the classroom duties already…?"
My voice cracked pathetically.
"What's wrong, Muyagura-sensei? You haven't spoken to me in months, and now you suddenly come to talk?"
His words stabbed straight through me. All the confidence I built on the way here crumbled instantly.
My eyes darted nervously— while his remained frighteningly calm.
Still… I forced myself to speak again.
"About back then… I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I wasn't thinking about it anymore."
He said without even looking at me. Then he grabbed his bag and headed toward the door.
As he passed me, still frozen in shock—
"…Goodbye, sensei."
That icy, hollow farewell flipped a switch inside me.
Before he could take one more step out of the room, I lunged forward and grabbed his arm.
"W–what now, sensei? Could you let go? That hurts…"
"This time… I'm not letting go of you!!!"
My shout startled him so much he froze in place. I tightened my grip, refusing to release him.
My voice shook, but not from fear anymore—from resolve.
"If I let you walk out of this room… there's a chance I'll never see you again!!!"
My eyes burned. Tears blurred my vision. But I didn't look away.
"You can't tell me you weren't thinking anything…!
I know exactly how awful my words were that day!"
"I told you, I wasn't thinking about it."
"Don't lie!! I've watched your eyes this whole time!! You used to have a spark—a goal you always chased!!!"
Her voice cracked with desperation.
"No matter how many duels you won or lost, that look never disappeared! But now it's gone… Why!? What happened to that Ao!?"
"What… are you even talking about, sensei…"
Their eyes met—slowly.
Muyagura's gaze was firm, unwavering. Ao's eyes were dull, lifeless—nothing like the boy he used to be.
He was moving forward without a destination.
A hollow shell.
"…If you walk out of this room, you're not coming back.
So please… let me ask you one thing."
Silence.
Ao looked away.
"Before you leave…
Before you disappear from this world… please tell me your dream. Just one more time."
"What's with you…? Disappear from this world? I never said anything like that…"
His voice wavered despite himself.
"You're underestimating me, Onishima-kun. I've watched you for years—I know you better than you think."
Ao swallowed hard, his gaze glued to the floor.
"You were planning to do it, weren't you?"
"…What are you talking about… I just want to go home."
"Then what's that letter in your bag?"
Ao instantly clutched his schoolbag tight.
Inside it was a white envelope, clearly labeled:
"Goodbye."
Placed right on top—so it would be the first thing found.
"You were going to kill yourself, weren't you!?"
Ao didn't answer. He didn't even turn toward her.
But she could already see the truth in the tremble of his shoulders.
"…This isn't your business, sensei.
So please let go already."
"It is my business. A teacher is responsible for her students' lives. If I know you're about to throw yours away, the last thing I'm going to do is let go!"
"I'm not going to do anything like that."
He still refused to look back.
"When you lie, you always avoid eye contact…
your body stiffens…
and then you swallow your breath…"
"Shut up already!!! You're just an outsider!! What could you possibly know!?"
His shout carried no anger—just exhaustion.
"I'm not an outsider!!! I'm your teacher, Onishima-kun!!!
My job is to push my students toward their dreams!! So please—"
Ao tried to yank his arm free, but she held on even tighter—even as her nails bent painfully backward.
She wouldn't let go.
"…Please.
Tell me your dream."
Silence swallowed the room.
Ao's body trembled violently.
His hands shook. Sweat dripped from his chin. His breathing grew ragged.
Damn it… I already decided to give up…
So why…
Why does it feel so hard to fall now…?
No matter how many times I fight…
I can't win against magic.
My body has reached its limit.
I can't outrun lightning. I can't break a barrier. I can't withstand fire.
There's nothing left. No way forward.
Renzo—my father— I'll never find him.
He's been listed as dead for years.
My goal… is already ashes.
Then— his eyes finally lifted.
Muyagura's gaze met his—bright, fierce, unwavering.
"…
I want to be a mage."
His voice cracked as he spoke.
Barely more than a whisper.