Chapter 37 - "Gift"
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I sat on the edge of my bed—legs dangling, staring at the ceiling like it was about to give me life advice.
Things were… peaceful.
No alarms. No monsters. No deadlines blinking red in my face.
I yawned—long, lazy.
*This feels nice. I could get used to this.*
Just one thing is missing.
My phone ringtone.
Back in 2025, it was "Show" by Ado. That raw, chaotic energy. That voice that sounded like it was tearing through the speakers.
I closed my eyes. Tried to conjure it.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat… I hummed the melody—low, scratchy.
"Ready for the show…?"
The beat echoed in my head, but the air in 2257 stayed silent. No digital chime. No vibrating desk. Just the hum of the academy's vents.
Did that song even exist anymore? Or was it just another forgotten thing—like our origin, buried under two hundred years of mana and dust?
I'm a walking museum of dead hits.
I sighed.
The door slid open.
Akane stepped in.
But something was off.
Her cheeks were pink—actually pink. She kept her eyes on the floor, fingers twisting the hem of her jacket like she'd forgotten how to stand still.
She cleared her throat—twice.
Hardened her voice. Tried to.
"Kaito. Have you attended your classes?"
I blinked.
"Ahh… it's only been two days. Feels like forever. Let's go."
We walked side by side to the classroom.
Quiet.
Awkward quiet.
I kept glancing at her.
She kept looking straight ahead—face still red.
Inside the room, Aya-sensei stood at the front as always—holographic screen glowing behind her, braid over one shoulder, gentle smile ready.
I slipped into my seat.
Aya turned.
Saw me.
Her eyes widened.
She dropped the pointer.
Ran straight over.
"Kaito-kun! Are you okay? Did you get injured?!"
Before I could answer—she hugged me.
Full force.
Her big boobs pressed right into my face.
Soft. Warm. Smothering.
Nothing else existed for three full seconds.
I flailed—muffled.
"Mmph—!"
I pushed her back—gently.
"I'm alright! Really!"
She sat on the desk beside me—close.
Worried eyes scanning me like I might vanish.
"You don't need to worry about anything. You can be free. Without worry. Around me."
She smiled—soft, warm, motherly.
I laughed—awkward.
"I'm always without worry. If I ever worried… I'd be top of the class."
She giggled.
"Let's begin."
I nodded.
She started teaching—something about mana flow stabilization.
I tried to focus.
But her boobs bounced every time she gestured at the hologram.
Up. Down. Up. Down.
*I'm the worst.*
I looked at my book.
Mind wandered.
Back to high school.
Me—alone at my desk.
Imagining terrorists bursting in.
Me—saving everyone.
Becoming cool.
Girls confessing.
Me—rejecting them mysteriously.
*"Sorry… I have to keep moving."*
I sighed.
A tear fell onto the page.
Aya noticed.
She stopped.
Came over.
Knelt beside me.
"Kaito-kun… you're young. I know you'll only like girls your age. An old woman like me… can't survive in your world."
I looked up—surprised.
"I thought you were younger."
She laughed—bright, surprised.
"No… but whatever happened in the past stays there."
She touched my cheek.
"You look back at those memories—you cry, laugh, feel nostalgic. But it's also important to focus on the present."
She leaned in.
Kissed my cheek—soft, warm.
I blushed—hard.
Surprised.
She pulled back—smiling.
"It's a gift. From me."
Class ended.
Akane appeared at the door.
We started walking.
I glanced at her.
"Do you like me?"
Akane froze.
Face exploded red.
"W-what?!"
I laughed.
"Well… nothing."
I walked faster.
"Now what—combat practice? But Rei's injured."
Akane caught up.
"It doesn't mean you get a day off. I'll teach you."
I laughed.
"You and combat?"
She narrowed her eyes—playful.
"What? You don't believe me?"
We kept walking—side by side.
Sunlight slanted through the windows.
Everything felt… light.
For once.
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*End*