Longing

“Boss, are you displeased?”

Though I didn’t know what reaction she expected from me, Jane looked at me with slight unease.

But I couldn’t even register Jane’s reaction, standing there dumbfounded with my mouth agape.

…Is this really our home? Seriously?

“You didn’t steal this, right? Did you threaten someone?”

“What nonsense are you spouting, Boss-kka! Steal? We purchased this legitimately-kka!”

“…This mansion?”

“Of course! What do you take us for-kka? We paid full price for it-sumda! We’re legitimate merchants now-sumda!”

Jane straightened her back proudly as she declared.

That they’d bought the land at fair market value.

But I couldn’t believe it.

Because the organization I knew lived in ruins-like abandoned houses, children with hollow eyes quietly staring at the floor.

Not… a mansion with a fountain.

“How?”

“Well, that’s a long, long story…”

“We robbed some bad guys’ money.”

“Hey, Colin! Why would you say that?!”

“Should I lie then? You think Boss wouldn’t notice? Does she look like she’s asking because she genuinely doesn’t know?”

“Tch…”

Watching Jane bite her lip and lower her head at Colin’s words, I wanted to say something.

How the hell would I know that? I really was asking because I didn’t know.

…But the atmosphere didn’t allow it, so I stayed quiet as a boy approached and extended his hand.

“Long time no see, Boss. I’m glad you came back.”

“…Yeah. You’ve grown beyond recognition since I last saw you.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

That wasn’t a compliment.

Strange. I remember this kid being pure and kind before…

What could he have experienced in such a short time to become so worldly-wise?

“…About robbing bad guys’ money – could you explain in detail?”

“Of course.”

Colin’s explanation was concise and brief.

After I left, guys appeared thinking our suddenly expanded organization must have vulnerabilities.

Then, after dealing with them, we took all their assets.

“…Legally?”

“Of course-sumda! We paid the former owner proper compensation for this mansion-sumda! We still have plenty of money to cover taxes-sumda!”

“Oh, right…”

“Those guys were loaded with gems and gold-kka! They were real Treasure Goblins-kka!”

Could using money from wiping out an illegal organization’s leaders to buy property really be considered legal?

I briefly entertained the thought before dismissing it.

What’s done is done, and the house is already bought. What can I do?

If the kids are happy, isn’t that enough?

Yes, exactly. Definitely…

I absolutely didn’t give up thinking about it because I didn’t want to.

Anyway, no.

“I’ve been curious – what are you holding? Bringing something useless.”

“Useless?! Are you crazy?! This is the gift Boss gives the kids!”

“…! My apologies!”

“Ah, no… It’s fine…”

Where does this loyalty toward me come from?

I don’t think I did that much for them.

Though I wanted to ask why, I decided against it.

Last time I subtly asked, I got trapped for nearly three hours.

I didn’t want to relive that experience.

“Ah, it’s Boss!”

“What? Really? Don’t lie!”

“No, really! Look over there!”

“…It really is! Boooossss!”

Rumble.

As voices calling for me came from inside the mansion, children began swarming toward me from who knows where.

The quiet garden instantly filled with noisy children.

“Have you all been well?”

“Of course, Boss! We’ve been studying every day like you told us!”

“Praise me, praise me!”

I hugged the children reaching up for praise.

So cute.

I used to dislike kids in my previous world.

Seeing these children changed that.

They don’t cause trouble, they listen well, they’re cute…

Who could dislike kids like these?

That bastard who exploited them clearly had no human heart.

Though he’s no longer part of this world, he brought it upon himself.

By the way, I had one question for the kids.

“Why do you call me Boss?”

“Jane noona told us to call you Boss!”

“Yeah, yeah! Boss is Boss!”

“…Jane?”

“Eeep.”

So you were the culprit. No wonder they call me Boss.

Seeing Jane’s face pale as if anticipating her fate, I declared:

“We’ll talk later.”

“…Yes.”

“Here, this is your present. A whale plush toy. How is it?”

“Wow! It’s huge!”

“Can we really keep this?!”

“Of course.”

Amid the lively scene, thoughts of the students briefly dampened my mood.

…When Orca made a scene, it felt similar.

“Boss?”

“It’s nothing. Now, shall I tour your home? Will you guide me?”

“Leave it to us-sio!”

***

“…Haah, fuck.”

Orca trudged down the hallway.

The fire-damaged sections had been repaired, and with classes resuming as usual, the halls were filled with stillness.

But Orca didn’t attend class. She no longer saw value in being there.

“Orca.”

“…What do you want?”

“You seemed to be attending classes well lately… Please come back. The teacher is looking for you.”

“Go alone. I’m not going.”

Tsk.

Orca loudly clicked her tongue for emphasis.

Old memories surfaced.

The Class President was always like this.

Whenever she tried to skip class, he’d appear out of nowhere nagging her to return.

She used to brush him off as annoying, but…

After briefly attending classes due to the teacher’s request, he stopped bothering her… Damn it.

Orca’s face twisted into a scowl.

Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher.

Everywhere in the Academy reminded her of the teacher.

“Get lost. Not in the mood for class today.”

“But Orca. Even if you hate it, you should attend…”

“I said fuck off. Can’t you hear?”

If he persisted, she wouldn’t stay quiet.

Emphasizing this, she threateningly swung her ominous arm.

The Class President sighed and stopped persuading her.

“I thought you’d changed a bit, but you’re back to your old self. Orca.”

“I’ve always been like this?”

“Yes, you have. If the Counselor teacher were here, she would have cared for…”

“Don’t mention her unless you want to die for real.”

“…My apologies. Then.”

Orca flipped off the Class President’s retreating back.

Hmph. Who’d attend those boring classes again?

If not for the teacher’s request, those incomprehensibly dull classes weren’t worth attending.

…Yes, if not for the teacher’s request.

“…”

Unable to contain her rising anger, Orca violently punched the wall.

Everywhere in the Academy evoked memories and traces of that teacher.

Had she relied on the Counselor teacher this much?

Though she tried mocking herself for showing such weakness, even mocking felt difficult.

“…Where should I go?”

Though she’d chased away the Class President, she couldn’t wander the halls forever.

Orca searched her mind for destinations, but only one place came up.

The Counseling Room.

The place that always welcomed her when the teacher was there.

“Damn it.”

Frankly, it was the best place.

Few people visited, it was familiar, and the facilities were comfortable for resting.

After much deliberation, Orca finally moved her feet.

There was no ulterior motive. Just to rest. Lying to herself like that.

It didn’t take long to reach the Counseling Room.

Pushing open the door, Orca blankly stared at the empty room.

There – where she played chess with the teacher. There – where the incense always burned during naps.

As expected, the teacher’s absence felt even more pronounced here than elsewhere in the Academy.

…It felt lonely. Honestly, she wanted her to return.

She’d gotten quite, no – very angry about the hypnosis thing.

But, but…

Could that really be true? Was the teacher she’d known really that kind of person?

Thinking carefully, she probably wasn’t.

Though she’d wondered if her thoughts were manipulated by hypnosis or something, looking back now, she couldn’t tell.

She was just an uneducated fool possessed by a demon.

The only certainty was her current desire to see that woman again.

Though she never knew why the teacher was kind, she’d been grateful for that kindness.

So she missed that absence.

She wanted to see that slightly dorky, laughter-inducing smile again.

This place always welcomed her before.

She hadn’t realized how big the void left by the first person who accepted her would be.

Orca blankly lit the incense that marked her first meeting with the teacher.

As the luxurious fragrance spread, longing washed over her.

Along with inexplicable chest pains.

Without a word, Orca went to the bed and pulled the blanket over her head.

She missed the teacher.

Even if cursed at, it would be fine.

Even if truly hated, it would be okay. Even if it was all an act. She’d apologize if needed.

She just wanted to see that smiling face once more.