Their Light, I Want You To See It

　　Shinichi turned his head and saw Mafuyu standing behind him in a clean teacher's uniform with her hands clenched.

　　Her long straight pink hair fluttered behind her, and a pair of blue eyes like ice crystals exuded a chill, as if the air that should be warm here had suddenly dropped a bit.

　　"I heard what you said to them just now."

　　Before Shinichi could answer, Mafuyu got straight to the point, with a cold even indifferent face without the slightest tolerance, and her words fell like sharp knives.

　　"As a second year student, you shouldn't cheer them on like that, it will damage them."

　　Before Shinichi could react, he was spat out a few words by this ruthless. Even though there was no mistake in her words, calm as he was, he still frowned, full of confusion.

　　Taking a deep breath, he put down the book, stood up, looked at Mafuyu who was about the same height as him after putting on high heels, and asked politely.

　　"I'm sorry for being rude, don't you think you're causing too much fuss? Could it be that this academy doesn't even give those who work hard a little encouragement?"

　　Mafuyu's eyes were cold, her expression seemed to become more serious, and her tone was calm without warmth.

　　"Stupid. You weren't the one involved, so naturally you would think that, and I won't blame you for that. But please don't misunderstand what I mean, it's fine to encourage them, but if you give them unfounded hope and let them drift on a road with no future, can you bear this kind of sin?"

　　Shinichi wanted to continue to maintain respect and courtesy because of teacher, but when he heard Mafuyu being prejudiced like that, he still couldn't help but sarcastically open his mouth.

　　"Hah? Hope? No future? To be honest, Kirisu sensei, I really respect you. It's just that in your class, I don't read my extracurricular books, and I think that the history of the world that you teach is easy to understand. Even among the outstanding and uncommon Sensei in Suchi'in Academy, you can be considered the best Sensei."

　　Suddenly flattered like this, Mafuyu was suddenly shocked, her hands around her chest tightened, and she looked away embarrassedly: "Is that so... Thank you..."

　　"But!"

　　Shinichi sighed heavily, only disappointment remained in his eyes.

　　"Restricting a student's future, obliterating her dreams, and extinguishing her hopes. Instead of giving friendly advice, they are like farmers who raise cattle and put them in pasture which they think is right… You say sin? I think this is the greatest sin, the original sin called pride, and the worst sin a Sensei should have!"

　　After Shinichi finished speaking pointedly, he began to reflect on himself— was it too much to say on impulse?

　　"..."

　　Mafuyu was so shocked by the words that she was speechless, and it took her a while to come back to her senses.

　　As if she was brewing emotions, she slowly closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, those pure blue eyes had already been ignited by silent anger, her thin, sharp eyebrows were raised high, and her expression of absolute zero exuded a piercing coldness.

　　"Not polite. Asada-san, apart from being a student, you have violated the school rules by questioning and insulting Sensei in such a tone—"

　　At first, Mafuyu was still able to speak steadily, but as emotion poured into her words, her initial extremely cold temperament began to crumble, her tone gradually became agitated, and her voice grew extremely high.

　　"Raising cattle? Captive? What do you know about them? What do you know about me? You know nothing and only talk about it with so-called freedom. This kind of self-righteous thinking, you have it, and they have it too, but it just shows that you completely ignore reality Sensei's job is to stop you before you make fun of the future as a bet, is this also wrong? Going against one's own talent and wasting one's brilliance, that ridiculous practice is the most arrogant sin!"

Facing Mafuyu's counterattack, Shinichi only found it funny.

　　"Stupid? If saying that overcoming one's own shortcomings and working hard to improve oneself is a joke, then most of the great men in the world are all jokes!"

　　"Wrong. You secretly changed the concept. They do not overcome their shortcomings, but ignore their own strengths and take advantage of their shortcomings! No matter how hard you try, you will make no progress, but will only sink downwards to failure. This is called a joke!"

　　Mafuyu answered without hesitation, just this one sentence completely negated the efforts of the two people so far.

　　Shinichi clenched his fist subconsciously.

　　"So you forced them to surrender? " As if his nerves were deeply touched, Shinichi suddenly remembered Furuhashi's math book full of formulas, and the gentleness that forced a smile on her face even though she was tired, and he couldn't contain his anger.

"Furuhashi Fumino's liberal arts is damn good, and Ogata Rizu's science is still crushing me for a year. While maintaining their grades, they still want to learn things they are not good at. As a Sensei, what qualifications do you have to stop you? How confident are you in stopping them!?"

　　"I just don't want them to regret it in the future!" Mafuyu gritted her teeth tightly, facing Shinichi's unyielding stare, "Having such talent but not putting it to good use instead, wasting time on unnecessary things, such willpower will lead them down a disadvantageous path. If I don't stop them before it's too late, then the culprit will be me as Sensei, do you understand this truth."

　　Mafuyu's indifference gradually collapsed, the light in her eyes fluctuated violently, and her beautiful face flushed with anger.

　　Unprecedented, Mafuyu was so excited, like a hedgehog pierced by a knife, she spread her spikes towards the enemy in front of her to defend her gentle self.

　　But Shinichi had no mercy, but continued to ask aggressively, even if the other party was a teacher, his words did not soften in the least.

　　It's not for himself, or for reason, it's just that he doesn't want to admit that it's the right of people trying to chase their dreams to compromise reality.

　　Perhaps from the point of view of a student, the argument is very weak. But after experiencing pain memory for more than ten years, he can't get over the reluctance to pursue something difficult, but can only wait for death.

　　That's why he shouted so excitedly.

　　"Listen to me clearly, they are in misfortune now! And this misfortune was caused by those who opposed them, namely Sensei, it's you who doesn't understand!"

　　"So what! I've made up my mind a long time ago. Rather than letting them hate me for doing nothing in the unfortunate future, it's better to become the villain who breaks their stupid illusions now! The lesser of the two evils, this is an excuse that even elementary school students understand!"

　　"You think it's right to make sacrifices without authorization? Then you are great." Shinichi raised the corner of his mouth mockingly, and tried his best to attack the "enemy" in front of him, "Misfortune, grudge? Who determines this? Always you say that they will regret it in the future, how do you know—"

　　"I know it!!!"

　　A loud scream pierced the sky.

　　Mafuyu patted the back of the bench hard, looked at Shinichi with red eyes, as if holding back her emotions, she took a deep breath, her voice was trembling and genuine.

　　"Because... I am the same..."

　　The atmosphere suddenly froze.

　　Shinichi opened his mouth blankly, the anger in his heart subsided.

　　Because at this moment, on Mafuyu's always serious and indifferent face, two lines of sparkling and translucent tears suddenly appeared, and then the tears fell lightly and dripped onto the ground.

　　"Kirisu Sensei...?"

　　Mafuyu actually cried in the middle of talking?

　—No, the point isn't here! He actually made the teacher cry? !

　　As if a bowl of cold water was flowing over his head, Shinichi suddenly panicked.

　　Seeing his expression, Mafuyu immediately noticed the wetness on her face, she quickly looked away, took out a handkerchief and wiped her face: "…I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

　　After drying her face, she didn't look back, but turned her back, and after adjusting her breathing and emotions, she spoke dryly.

　　"The conclusion. All in all, Asada-san, I hope you don't encourage them to study subjects they are not good at. It was no longer something that could be improved by studying. You guys are second year students, and your words are convincing compared to mine, they are more willing to believe what you say. No matter how much I cajoled them, they would still be excited and throw themselves into futility with no future. Even if your reasoning is correct, but… You shouldn't let them waste their talents.. For their own good, count them as Sensei… Please count me."

　　Her back which had removed its indifferent camouflage, looked extremely thin and frail at the moment.

　　The fingertips of the slender hand attached to the straight thigh trembled slightly, and Mafuyu secretly clenched to maintain calm.

　　Shinichi can't understand what kind of tenacity Mafuyu has to go against Furuhashi and Ogata, who are aiming for opposite paths of talent.

　　But even if he couldn't understand her, the gentleness and persistence of not wanting to see the students regret in the future and looking back with great reluctance, so even if Mafuyu was accused, she still fulfilled she responsibilities as a teacher, but it flashed in Shinichi's heart..

　　He realized it again.

　　This is a teacher, a good teacher, but a little stupid.

　　And he was simply an arrogant person who impudently denied the beliefs of others because of his own selfishness.

　　He became what he called the greatest of sinners.

　　After calming down and introspecting, Shinichi released his aura and lowered his head guiltily.

　　"Sorry, I..."

　　"It is nothing. This has nothing to do with teachers and students. You and I just disagree. Don't take the fight to heart, I won't report it to the school."

　　Mafuyu interrupted Shinichi's words very simply, and walked towards the teaching building.

　　"Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with your philosophy. I still think that for gifted people it is a sin of educators not to provide them with an environment in which they can exert their full strength."

　　"What you want to do is your freedom, and I will not change my code of conduct. I just hope that you can have deeper considerations than supporting it."

　　"You and I can take care of ourselves. See you in class, Asada-san."

　　Her pink hair was long behind her back, and her figure was as firm as ever.

　　Mafuyu turned her back on Shinichi, and slowly walked away.

　　Suddenly, Shinichi's eyes became firm, and he stopped her.

　　"Kirisu Sensei!"

　　Mafuyu stopped and turned her head slightly, the tear stains from the light makeup faintly visible.

　　"Any other?"

　　"Let's bet."

　　Shinichi looked at her seriously and said word by word.

　　Mafuyu frowned.

　　"Nonsense. Asking me to bet with students? What nonsense are you talking…"

　　Ignoring her, Shinichi continued alone: "Next week, I will let Furuhashi and Ogata pass your test, that is, get a score of over 40 points."

　　Mafuyu's eyes widened, and her red lips parted in amazement.

　　"You mean-"

　　Shinichi nodded: "That's right, I want to be their 'educator'!"

　　"This..."

　　"If I succeed, please watch over them from now on. Even if you don't agree, please don't underestimate their persistence."

　　"If I fail, I will sincerely apologize to you and try my best to persuade them, whether it is from the theory of talent or efficiency, I will persuade them to focus on their own talents."

　　"If I can't do it, I will voluntarily drop out of school."

　　Shinichi said his vow clearly but sincerely.

　　Mafuyu forgot to breathe for a moment, only stared blankly at his unchanging expression, as easy as saying "Today's dinner is bento", confirming this fact without any weight whatsoever.

　　"... You are kidding?"

　　Shinichi silently responded to her look of disbelief: "I've never been as serious as I am now."

　　"Then why do you want to do this?"

　　Obviously that had nothing to do with him.

　　Mafuyu doesn't understand at all, is this kid crazy? Or is he just talking big? Did he think he could change anything by saying such stupid words?

　　Not guilty. How naive!

　　"Just like I can't understand you, you can't understand me either, right?" Shinichi smiled indifferently, with nostalgia in his eyes, "The obsession with learning, the obsession with exploring the unknown, and the stupid urges of outsiders. Not understanding many things, and the determination to devote your entire life to them... You don't understand me, and you don't understand them either. So, please wait for the next."

　　He picked up his book, turned his back on Mafuyu, and walked casually in the opposite direction.

　　"If it's talent that makes us unleash all our possibilities, then I will show you the magic of hard work."

　　"There's nothing that can't be achieved by studying, even if there is, it's just the wrong way of learning."

Shinichi turned his head, facing Mafuyu who was still looking back, slightly raised the corners of his mouth, showing a confident and bright smile.

　　"The most important thing is the belief you reject, and the brilliant light it emits, I also want you to see it."

　　And from now on, Shinichi will do his best for this reason