Reemployment

How long had the silence lingered around us?

My single remark finally shattered Orca’s composure, her face contorting as she exploded.

“I… I truly believed in you!”

“Is that so? What a pity.”

I knew Orca relied on me deeply.

Hurting her like this pained me too.

…But I had no choice.

Orca was quicker to anger than the others.

“Wait, Orca. Shouldn’t we hear more-“

“Hear what?! She admitted it herself! She’s been toying with us!”

“Still…”

As expected.

Orca shook off Anastasia’s restraining hand, spewing fury. Unlike Anastasia and Stella-who sought intent behind actions after meeting many two-faced people-Orca had survived back alleys.

She took words at face value. Her emotions were raw and immediate.

By provoking fiery-tempered Orca, I’d heated the atmosphere. With only four people present, one outburst would inevitably sway the others.

“Get lost! I never want to see you again!”

“Ahaha. Seems I’m hated now.”

…Though I’d deliberately provoked Orca to draw hostility, hearing those words still stung.

Contradictory desires clashed-wanting her hatred yet dreading it. I’d aimed for this rejection, but my chest ached when it came.

“If you don’t disappear right now, I’ll kill you myself!”

“C-calm down! Damn it, Anya! Help me!”

“Y-yes…!”

Stella and Anastasia lunged to restrain Orca as she nearly charged at me. Their movements seemed sluggish, likely from our earlier battle-slow enough even my stiff body could dodge.

“…Teacher. Can I ask one thing…?”

“Of course. A final service. Ask anything.”

As I memorized my students’ faces one last time, Eileen-who’d silently observed-finally spoke.

“…Were you really deceiving us all along?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

I couldn’t see Eileen’s face-her head hung low.

…But her trembling, tear-choked voice revealed everything.

“Then… then what if… what if you lied? Could you stay with us?”

“Hey, Eileen! What’re you-?!”

“You promised… promised to always be here. Remember? Teacher? I’ll listen. I’ll do anything you say.”

Her wavering voice invoked that promise-the one her father had broken. Was she desperately clinging to me with those words?

“That’s impossible now.”

“…!”

But circumstances had voided that promise. Though I wanted to stay, events forced my hand.

Breaking the promise pained me, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Feel free to use the Counseling Room. Give my regards to Leo.”

Her loneliness would be fleeting. With friends around, she’d be fine.

Leaving crumbling Eileen behind, I departed the Academy.

***

“Well then. What now…?”

I wandered aimlessly, like when I first opened my eyes in this world. Home would be the first place pursuers checked, so returning was impossible.

I couldn’t retrieve the gems Principal Veronica gifted me, safely stored there. Withdrawing bank funds would tighten investigative nets, so I left them untouched.

“Became penniless overnight.”

When I learned this world mirrored my favorite game’s pre-main story era, I had clear purpose-crafting happy endings for students. That goal anchored my wandering, leading me straight to the Academy.

But now? Utterly lost.

No game console, phone, wallet, or bankbook-all left in the Counseling Room. I’d abandoned them fearing loss during battle…

Should’ve at least grabbed the console.

“Sigh…”

Already missed them. Did I speak too harshly? Eileen was sobbing terribly.

Hope she wasn’t too hurt. Hope she recovers quickly, making happy memories with friends.

How long had I roamed the capital outskirts with these thoughts when-

Grrrooowl.

“…Hungry.”

Hadn’t eaten all day. Maybe from standing in battle’s epicenter? Or maintaining acting skills to avoid detection?

Apparently, tension drained more energy than expected-my stomach protested the moment I relaxed.

Scanning instinctively, several restaurants caught my eye.

…No money. What now?

The sight conjured phantom delicious aromas.

“Hey, you. What’re you doing here?”

Hypnotize them? Guilt twinged, but survival justified it, right? Could repay secretly later…

“Ophelia. I said what’re you doing?”

“Eep?! Wh-who?!”

“Even after months at the Academy, you forgot me? I’ll cry.”

Startled by a shoulder tap, I whirled around-eyes wide as lanterns.

A once-daily familiar face beamed back.

“Owner-nim?!”

“Long time no see.”

“Y-you too! What brings you-“

“Ran out of lime and lemon. Just shopping. You? Shouldn’t you be at the Academy? It’s broad daylight.”

I hesitated, watching fruit-laden hands. No need for full explanations.

As Owner-nim tilted her head curiously, I spoke.

“I quit.”

“…What?”

“Circumstances forced it.”

“You quit? That Veronica bitch didn’t tell me.”

“W-well…”

Mumbling through excuses, I answered weakly.

“Caused some trouble. Principal Veronica doesn’t know yet.”

“What?! How big’s this ‘trouble’?”

“…Big enough to get expelled?”

“Good grief.”

My timid delivery sold the lie-Owner-nim sighed like I’d truly fled scandal.

“…Say, why not come to my bar? Seems you’ve nowhere to go.”

“Huh? B-but…”

Grrrooowl.

My stomach’s encore made Owner-nim smile warmly.

“Join me for lunch. Haven’t eaten either. My treat.”

“If you insist…”

“Follow. Remember where it is?”

“Of course.”

“Then visit more often, got it?”

“S-sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for.”

I trailed behind like a scolded puppy. A growling stomach overrides pride.

***

“Delicious as ever, Owner-nim.”

“Right?”

Slouching contentedly after devouring the meal, I noticed urgent news on the bar’s TV.

[Breaking News: Academy attacked by terrorist organization Bright Light Society…]

“Ugh. Those bastards got nothing better? Resorting to terrorism.”

“Y-yeah…”

“Lucky you? Dodged that mess by quitting.”

“…”

Couldn’t admit it was my doing. Floundering for words, Owner-nim changed subjects.

“Got plans now?”

“…No.”

“Money? …Nevermind-obviously not, since you skipped meals.”

“Urk…”

Jobless. Homeless. Penniless. Deserved every criticism for my Academy tenure.

Ignoring that, Owner-nim muttered.

“Aah, business is exhausting lately…”

“…?”

“Can’t find part-timers, customers keep coming… Really need one more helper.”

“Um, Owner-nim…?”

“Training newbies is tough. Wish someone experienced would apply-preferably someone pretty to attract customers.”

Owner-nim pretended to muse aloud while winking one eye repeatedly at me.

“Know any good candidates?”

“…Would you rehire someone who quit once?”

“With open arms.”