Looking into the distance at the airship engulfed in blazing flames, emitting a mournful roar as it tilted downward and fell from the sky.
Saori, still riding the elevator attached to the tower crane, could not help but frown. Then she cast a sharp glance to the side.
The black-haired girl wearing a mask was also looking at her with an indifferent gaze. The hand she had tucked into her pocket naturally withdrew as she spoke in a calm tone:
"I pressed the button. The target had already entered the designated area anyway. It wouldn't have made any difference whether it happened sooner or later."
"...Misaki, I'm the Squad leader again now. Next time you take action, remember to tell me first."
After saying that in an even tone, Saori continued watching the burning airship. Only when the elevator stopped at the top floor did she press the button to go back down.
"Since Sensei, who was considered the greatest obstacle standing in our way... has already been dealt with."
As she spoke, Saori closed her eyes and slipped a hand into her pocket, gripping a small glass bottle. She took a long breath, as though trying to fill her lungs with icy air.
Then she opened her eyes, now filled with determination, and murmured almost to herself:
"Next comes the cruise missile."
Misaki replied,
"Princess and Hiyori are making preparations. The various teams are already standing by."
"Mm. We'll join up with them now, then each lead our respective squads according to the original plan."
The elevator reached the ground floor.
Saori stepped out and removed her mask. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she muttered:
"Trinity, and Gehenna..."
"The hatred that has flowed through our blood for countless years. The time has come to repay it. We of Arius shall, in the name of paradise..."
"Pass judgment upon you."
Beside her, Misaki said nothing.
She merely glanced back at the airship, now mostly hidden behind the surrounding buildings, with only its tail still visible.
She withdrew her hand from her empty pocket and pulled her mask up slightly.
Her expression never changed.
When the gondola door of an airship is opened, it naturally extends outward into a staircase equipped with handrails.
After the explosion, we moved from the smoke-filled interior of the gondola out onto that staircase.
"Everyone, please allow me to explain. Actually... one of the bombs couldn't endure my superior cramming-style education and exploded out of sheer indignation."
At that point, I could not help but sigh.
"The path of education is vast and profound. This story teaches us that possessing excellent teaching skills alone is not enough. One must also tailor instruction to the qualities of the individual. It seems I still have much to learn..."
Of all things, why did this particular bomb explode while the others didn't?
I could only conclude that Arius bomb quality control was wildly inconsistent.
Unfortunately, nobody paid any attention to me.
Satsuki was whispering about something with Iroha. Makoto was freaking out over the explosive afro that had somehow resulted from the fire. Chiaki was busy photographing her senior's ridiculous moment.
Well...
Maybe they were all busy. Maybe they were holding a bit of a grudge against me. Or maybe the howling wind and the continuous sounds of explosions were simply too loud.
Of course, the main reason was probably that I hadn't actually said any of it out loud.
"Sensei."
Apparently having confirmed something with Iroha, Satsuki's eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked:
"Can you really communicate with bombs through the power of your mind?"
"Fake."
I gave her a strange look and answered honestly.
"It's actually technology. I used advanced technology."
Upon hearing that, Satsuki looked even more radiant.
Just as she was about to continue, a voice suddenly called out from nearby:
"We're only about a hundred meters above the lake now!"
Chiaki, who was sitting by the doorway with one hand gripping the frame, said this before glancing behind her and lowering the brim of her hat.
"The flames are almost licking our backsides too. The rescue boats have been waiting below for ages. Isn't it about time we jumped?"
Then she raised her camera and casually snapped several photos of the burning gondola and the airbag above it.
I thought for a moment.
Then my phone suddenly vibrated.
"Give me another second. I'll be done soon."
Opening MomoTalk, I saw that after sending a mass message informing everyone except Saori that I was safe, I had already received a flood of replies.
Ignoring the others for the moment, I opened one specific chat.
Wakamo: Sensei, are you alright?
Me: Yeah. Don't worry. At least for now, I'm fine.
Wakamo: Just who would do something like this to attack Sensei...
Me: Most likely someone from Arius Academy. The one I mentioned to you before.
Wakamo: ...I see. Arius Academy.
Wakamo: So Joumae Saori has betrayed us. Hah. That ungrateful bitch.
At that point, the corner of my mouth twitched.
I immediately understood that the person currently using Wakamo's account was indeed not Wakamo herself.
That fox-eared girl who was overflowing with affection for me would never speak in such an ordinary tone.
Besides, I had never told Wakamo about Saori's true background.
In that case, the identity of the person on the other side of the phone wasn't difficult to guess.
Being able to insult herself this viciously was, in its own way, pretty impressive.
Wakamo: It's truly unforgivable. I absolutely won't let the mastermind behind the attack on Sensei get away with it.
Wakamo: I'm going to deal with Joumae Saori right now.
Wakamo: By the way, Sensei, what are your plans from here?
Me: Let's leave my situation aside for now. Don't attack Saori.
Wakamo: ...What?
Wakamo: ...Why?
Me: Saori is only acting against her own wishes. Both of you are important students of mine. I don't want either of you fighting pointless battles.
Me: If she wants to leave, then let her leave.
Wakamo: Why didn't you tell me sooner?
Obviously because I was busy figuring out how to deal with the bombs and had no time to spare.
Besides, if it had been the real Wakamo earlier, why would I have said any of this?
My first priority would naturally have been making sure Wakamo stayed safe.
Me: Did something happen? Have you already started fighting?
Wakamo: No.
Wakamo: Saori has already left.
Wakamo: ...Please stay safe.
Wakamo: Be careful. Don't run into her again.
In the back seat of a battered car, the girl wearing a baseball cap took a deep breath and returned to the phone's home screen.
The wallpaper was an intimate photo of the phone's owner together with a certain adult.
Subconsciously covering Wakamo's face with her finger, Saori stared at the picture for a while.
Then she put away that phone and took out her own, whose screen was covered in several cracks.
Its wallpaper was a photo from her childhood, showing herself together with her four companions.
SAUCE
"No message."
Saori suddenly spoke.
"Sensei probably isn't capable of stopping us anymore."
Misaki, who was driving, nodded.
She said nothing, but the pressure she applied to the accelerator increased slightly.
And so the car accelerated and drove off into the distance.