Before it even got dark, Shichen and Nanjou Natuki returned to the apartment.
At this time, the izakaya was indeed a bit quiet, with no atmosphere for chatting at all. The three of them were busy eating and only had one glass of sake.
Sasasaki Misaki still wanted to follow Shichen and Nanjou Natuki to their home for a visit, but Nanjou Natuki just wouldn't agree.
There was nothing she could do but find another opportunity in the future.
On the way back, Shichen and Nanjou Natuki walked side by side. One was tall and the other short. If Shichen hadn't looked too young, they might have been mistaken for father and daughter.
But they were definitely brother and sister.
However, in reality, it was the other way around, but since there were no outsiders present, Shichen would never admit she was his older sister.
"Natuki-chan, why didn't you just teleport back today?"
"What? You don't want me to accompany you?" Nanjou Natuki frowned and looked at him.
"No… I'm just a little curious."
"Hmph, can't I just want to walk around and digest?"
"You still want to digest?" Shichen looked her up and down, blinking.
"You, you know quite a lot… Forget it, I don't care. I have something to ask you."
Why not ask when we get home… Shichen wouldn't be so foolish as to ask that question. It was a rare chance to walk with Nanjou Natuki, and he couldn't miss this opportunity to improve their relationship.
"What is it?"
"Did you encounter any problems in class today?"
"Natuki-chan is worried about me?" Shichen smiled as he looked at her.
Nanjou Natuki sneered, "Heh~ Don't overthink it. I'm just worried you'll have ulterior motives towards female students."
"…What do you take me for?" Shichen's mouth twitched.
"Is there a problem? You can be interested in me, so isn't it normal to be interested in young girls?"
"Please, you're different from them."
"How are we different? Aren't we all pretty much the same?"
"You're legal." Shichen said with a serious expression.
"…" Nanjou Natuki was speechless.
"I'm a law-abiding good man, Natuki-chan, can you please stop misunderstanding me all the time?" Shichen asked sadly.
"…Are you really not interested in those young girls?"
"Really not interested. They haven't even developed properly, what's there to be interested in?"
"…" Nanjou Natuki couldn't help but look down at herself, then glared at Shichen.
"Cough! The development I'm talking about isn't that kind of development. I like flat ones too." Shichen immediately said.
"Shut up!" Nanjou Natuki angrily reprimanded, her fan almost flying towards him.
"Oh." Shichen obediently shut up.
"I'll believe you for now… Did you encounter any other problems?" Nanjou Natuki changed the subject and asked.
"What problems?"
"Problems with teaching."
"What problems could there be in physical education class? Students can't possibly get into a fight, right?"
"Isn't it still possible for students at this age?"
"Just relax, trust me, okay?"
"Alright, I'll just see how things go." Nanjou Natuki nodded, "Then I'll head back first…"
"Wait a moment!" Shichen quickly called out to her.
"What else is it?"
"I have something I need to report to you."
"Speak."
"I might have to go out for a trip recently."
"Go out? Where?" Nanjou Natuki asked indifferently.
"I'm not just running around. I met a student whose mother seems to be seriously ill, and the hospital can't cure her, so I need to help out."
"Her?" Nanjou Natuki caught the key point.
"Cough cough, it's a female student."
"What did you just say? Not interested in young girls?" Nanjou Natuki looked at him expressionlessly.
"I'm really not interested in young girls. It's just that she looked so lifeless that I couldn't help but ask."
"And then she told you everything? You're quite impressive, easily getting a young girl to open up." Nanjou Natuki chuckled softly, her laugh a bit cold.
"Young girls, they need someone to confide in, and I'm a teacher." Shichen explained.
"But you're a physical education teacher!"
"What difference does it make what kind of teacher? As long as you're an adult, it's fine."
"…What does that girl look like? What's her name?" Nanjou Natuki asked expressionlessly.
"Natuki-chan, why are you asking for so many details? Are you perhaps jealous?" Shichen tried to muddle through.
But Nanjou Natuki was unmoved: "Tell me quickly!"
"Uh… she looks alright, her name is Aiba Asagi."
"Aiba… are you really just helping her?" Nanjou Natuki stared at him seriously.
"Don't worry, I swear, I'm absolutely just going to help her!" Shichen raised his hand.
"You also have healing abilities?"
"More or less, but they're quite limited."
"Then suit yourself… I hope you don't lie to me." Nanjou Natuki didn't ask any more questions, turned her head, and walked forward.
"How could I lie to you? I'm even thinking of rescuing you and eloping with you."
Nanjou Natuki's steps paused, and then a magic circle appeared in front of her, swallowing her whole.
In an instant, she vanished, leaving only a single sentence behind.
"Don't say unrealistic things."
"How can it be unrealistic? I'm very serious." Shichen looked at the spot where Nanjou Natuki disappeared and replied with a smile.
Two days later, on Friday, when he was teaching physical education to Akatsuki Kojou's class again, Aiba Asagi, taking advantage of everyone going to get equipment, found Shichen to tell him that he could go and save her mother.
"Did your father say anything?" Shichen asked curiously.
"My father didn't believe it at first, but when I told him that Teacher Shi was Teacher Nanjou's younger brother, he agreed."
"Alright…" Shichen shook his head and chuckled bitterly.
It seemed he could only rely on Nanjou Natuki to guarantee his credibility now.
This was not the situation an excellent man should be in. He had to find a way to rely on himself, but for now, he couldn't find a method.
"Teacher Shi, when are you free?" Aiba Asagi asked expectantly.
If possible, her mother could be saved tomorrow.
"I can go today… but let's go tomorrow. Saturday has plenty of time."
"I understand. How about I pick you up tomorrow morning, Teacher Shi?"
"You need to pick me up?" Shichen couldn't help but flick her forehead.
"Ugh… If I don't pick you up, Teacher, you won't be able to get in." Aiba Asagi covered her forehead and pouted in protest.
"You're right… Then I'll wait for you at the school gate tomorrow morning."
"Okay!" Aiba Asagi nodded happily.
"Teacher Shi, come quickly, let's play ball!"
"We'll definitely win against you today, Teacher!"
"You two… haven't learned your lesson yet." Shichen turned and ran towards the two of them.
Aiba Asagi slowly followed, then joined the girls in her class, silently cheering for Shichen.
...
The next day, after preparing black tea for Nanjou Natuki, Shichen left the apartment and headed to the school gate.
To his surprise, a discreet black car was already parked at the school gate.
"Teacher Shi." The back window opened, and Aiba Asagi waved at him.
Shichen got into the car from the other side.
"You came so early?"
"Yes, I couldn't wait." Aiba Asagi pursed her lips and nodded.
"Don't worry." Shichen smiled and reached out, pressing his hand on her head and ruffling her hair.
"I will cure your mother."
"I believe you, Teacher." Aiba Asagi nodded earnestly.
"Then let's go."
"Okay, driver, let's go."
"Yes."
The car slowly started, heading in a direction Shichen wasn't familiar with, but once they reached their destination, he knew where it was.
MAR Research Institute, a famous magical industry complex, selling everything from military weapons to general food, and also having a medical research institute and its affiliated hospital.
This place was quite familiar to Shichen because Akatsuki Nagisa, Akatsuki Kojou's younger sister, would often stay here in the future.
It wasn't because their family was rich, but because their mother, Akatsuki Mimori, worked here, and as family members, they naturally received preferential treatment.
This was the best medical research institute, so it was normal for Aiba Asagi's mother to be treated here.
After Shichen and Aiba Asagi got out of the car, he followed her, passed through the gate guard's inspection, and then walked for a while before arriving at the medical area.
Then they wound their way through, passing many places that looked incredibly important, and finally reached Aiba Asagi's mother's private room.
"Teacher Shi, we're here." Aiba Asagi stood at the door, holding the doorknob, and couldn't help but look at him.
"Okay, go in."
"Alright."
Aiba Asagi didn't hesitate and opened the door.