"Whoa, who is that older sister? So beautiful... She looks like Teacher Himeko..."
"Could she be Teacher Himeko's younger sister?"
"Wow! What a stunner! I'm going to get her contact info!"
"Class is about to start, so be quick about it, and then share it with me."
The students of St. Freya Academy buzzed with discussion as they watched Himeko in the school corridor. The Himeko of today wore her hair in a high ponytail, brimming with youthful energy. Her delicate, fair face was unadorned with makeup, yet it was exquisite and captivating, her golden eyes filled with a carefree leisure.
Ah This nostalgic feeling
However...
"Ahem, what are you all doing here?"
Looking at the students captivated by her beauty, Himeko decisively furrowed her brow, crossed her arms, and spoke in a stern, loud voice to those still lingering in the hallway.
"Ahhh! She spoke! Her voice is so nice!"
"Stop swooning! Listen to that voice... it's Teacher Himeko!"
"Teacher Himeko! We were wrong! We're heading to class right now!"
"How did Teacher Himeko suddenly become so beautiful?"
"What are you talking about? Teacher Himeko has always been beautiful!"
Watching the students scramble to their classrooms, Himeko nodded in satisfaction.
That was more like it. Just because she looked younger now didn't mean they could ignore her authority as a teacher.
---o---
"Out of the way!! We're gonna be late! We're gonna be late!"
"Idiot Kiana, don't run so fast."
"Kiana! Slow down, you're going to crash into that lady!"
Spotting Himeko standing in the middle of the hallway, Mei hurriedly shouted at the sprinting Kiana up ahead.
"Waaahhh! Get out of the way! I can't stop!!"
Kiana yelled at Himeko in front of her. She... she couldn't control herself!
"Heh heh..."
Himeko smiled faintly, raised her wrist, and glanced at the time.
Hmm, eight o'clock. Not a minute more, not a minute less. Time for class...
"Move it!"
Kiana stumbled, her body hurtling uncontrollably towards Himeko.
"Wuaaah!"
"Kiana!"
Just as Kiana's head was about to collide with Himeko's back, Himeko spun around and caught the airborne Kiana in her arms. Kiana was hit by an exceptionally pleasant fragrance, followed by a warm, soft sensation pressing against her face.
Himeko had turned to absorb the force, and Kiana now lay in her embrace like a princess dipping in a ballet, with Himeko as the dashing prince who had come to her rescue.
Precise, and elegant.
"!"
Watching Himeko's alluring red lips slowly curve into a smile, Kiana couldn't help but blush...
But then, Himeko's lips parted, and the words that followed sent a chill down Kiana's spine.
"Kiana... this is the fourth time you've been late this month."
Himeko smiled at the Kiana cradled in her arms.
"T-Teacher Himeko!" x3
The three little ones stared at the drastically changed Himeko, their voices united in disbelief.
"What's wrong? You can't recognize me after just two days?"
Himeko pulled Kiana to her feet, placed her hands on her hips, and spoke with great confidence.
---o---
"What? That Dr. Wende just gave Himeko a massage and it was like she was completely reborn? Does he have any methods for growing taller?!"
Having just learned of Wende's miraculous massage technique, a shocked Theresa stood up on her chair to be at eye level with the high-school-student-like Himeko, her face a picture of astonishment.
"Well... I don't think you need to bother asking, Principal."
Himeko shrugged helplessly and smiled.
"Why? Did you already ask for me?"
Theresa tilted her head, a look of confusion on her face.
"No, I just think that with the Principal's genetics... you've basically bid farewell to the whole 'getting taller' thing, haven't you?"
Himeko waved her hand dismissively, sighing with mock sympathy.
"Himeko!! Hmph!!"
Theresa plopped back down into her chair and, in one smooth motion, spun it around to face the back. The large chair back completely hid her small frame, making her look just like a child sulking at a grown-up.
"Hehe, alright, alright. You're the Principal now, why are you still getting sulky with me? How about I help you send him a text and ask later, okay?"
Seeing the pouting Theresa, Himeko quickly began to soothe her.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Fine."
Theresa spun her chair back around. Looking at the tall and slender Himeko, another wave of frustration welled up inside her.
"Alright, what did you need me for? It's class time right now, and I remember you have a full schedule today."
Seeing Theresa get straight to the point, Himeko stopped teasing her, her expression turning serious.
"Theresa, what I'm about to say..."
Himeko's eyes darted around the room, seemingly signaling something to Theresa.
"I understand."
Theresa nodded slightly, then opened a nearby drawer and took out a small signal-jamming device.
Vmmmm...
The device activated. Theresa nodded at Himeko, indicating that it was safe to speak.
"Phew... I'll make it quick. It's such a pain to do this every time."
Himeko sat down on the office sofa, her beautiful eyes looking at Theresa with a hint of complaint.
"Grandpa is always listening in on this place, what can I do... And the budget overruns for this month are still..."
Himeko cut her off before she could finish.
"Okay, okay, I'll just say it."
Himeko's expression became incredibly solemn. Then, right in front of Theresa, she unbuttoned her jacket and took off her shirt.
"W-Wait! Himeko! What are you doing! I... I'm not that kind of person!"
Seeing this, Theresa's face instantly flushed red. She quickly covered her eyes with her hands, but her gaze peeked through the gaps between her fingers, secretly watching Himeko.
"Hah, who'd want to make a move on a little bean sprout like you? Besides, this big sister is into..."
As she said this, Himeko couldn't help but think of the warmth of Wende's hands from the day before...
No, stop it, now is not the time to think about that.
Shaking her head, Himeko tossed the last piece of clothing onto the sofa. Then, to Theresa's utter shock, she turned around, lifted her ponytail, and revealed her smooth, bare back to her.
"H-Himeko! And you say you don't have any ideas! I'm doomed! I'm going to get a stye! Ahhh! My... my... my bitter melon pudding that I just ordered for tonight! I won't be able to eat it!"
"?"
"Who told you to look at that! Get your mind on what's important!"
Himeko shouted at Theresa, her face blushing. This Principal... how was she getting more and more unreliable?
"O-Okay, let me see."
Lowering the hands that had already parted to reveal her eyes, Theresa carefully stared at Himeko's beautiful back.
"Hmm... Your artificial Stigma... where did it go?"
Theresa's brow suddenly furrowed as she spoke.