I Hope You Can Realize Your Dreams Someday

After Hino left, the Sakura Pavilion was once again left with just the three of them.

Shinichi and Itsuki ended their quarrel, first exchanging glances, then looking at Mafuyu, whose expression had calmed down.

She returned the phone to Shinichi and looked into Itsuki's eyes.

"Is this the third step?"

Itsuki was momentarily stunned before realizing they were discussing a plan.

"Yes! Asada-kun will contact Hino-senpai and discuss the timing of his appearance, then ask him to deliver a strong blow to Kirisu-sensei, who is bound by the past, truly kicking Sensei out of the shadows and facing the present again…"

"The above is the basic concept and action plan for this step. Report completed!"

Shinichi sighed with complicated emotions.

"It would be great if he could memorize the lines well…"

"Me too!" Itsuki almost cried.

Mafuyu looked back and forth between them, showing a deeply touched smile.

"Bound by the past and trapped in shadows… Indeed, before Hino-san appeared, no matter how much you said, I might not have been able to listen, and I might not have been able to face the current situation. Isn't it difficult to let go?"

"It's all thanks to you that I could move on from the past."

"Asada-kun, Itsuki-san... Thank you."

Her voice was very gentle but filled with the weight of her heart.

"You're welcome." Shinichi and Itsuki said in unison.

"You're our teacher, even though you blame us, we can't just sit still!"

"…"

Mafuyu was momentarily surprised, then turned her head away, with a slight blush on her face.

"Embarrassing. I'll be worried by students up to this point. It seems that as a teacher, my learning is still lacking…"

Shinichi nodded in agreement. After all, learning is endless. Mafuyu was very good in his eyes. If needed, he could come for private tutoring sessions. He wouldn't charge a penny and would provide free labor.

Itsuki pinched his waist and asked him to speak with a friendly smile, then comforted Mafuyu.

"Tsk…"

Seeing her like that, Shinichi could only purse his lips.

He increasingly felt that Itsuki, who was initially honest, cute, simple, and loved food, seemed to gradually approach Fumino's personality, like that of a housewife.

It was impossible to determine whether her condition was getting worse or better… But, was this what she meant by "wanting to inherit her mother's responsibility"?

A bold idea flashed through Shinichi's mind, but he didn't show it, and no one knew.

"In the blink of an eye. Time is almost up."

Mafuyu raised her head and looked at the sky.

The December sky darkened very quickly, but at 5 o'clock in the evening, she didn't even see the sunset, and dusk began to cover the sky.

"So, is the fourth step the final step?"

She lowered her gaze and asked with a slight smile on her lips.

Itsuki shook his head. "Of course not."

"Kirisu-sensei, do you still remember that question?"

In the corridor, there was a question about change and perseverance, dreams and aspirations.

"Of course." Mafuyu replied seriously.

"Itsuki-san, let me ask you one last time, are you sure you want to ask such an important question to me?"

Shinichi looked puzzled and asked, "What's the matter? Why don't I know?"

They both ignored him, treating the only male present as if he were air.

"Yes. Now I want to ask the current Sensei."

"Even if the answer I give you will make you regret it later?"

"Even so, I still want to discuss my life!"

Itsuki said firmly, "I'll give the answer, and I'll decide whether to implement it or not. As long as my future decisions are made, then whatever happens, I won't regret the choices I made now!"

"How should I put it? It's like losing weight."

"If you want to overcome difficulties alone, you'll always encounter obstacles everywhere. Although you can't do it alone, although you can overcome difficulties alone if you work harder, it's precisely because of the support behind you. The word "human" can truly stand on the ground, no matter how many times you fall, you will never give up, no matter how many wounds you receive, you will never rise again."

"I'm very lucky to be raised by my mother and accompanied by my siblings. I met Asada-kun, Kirisu-sensei, and friends like Fumino..."

Placing her palm on her chest, Itsuki showed a cheerful smile.

"Because of your presence, Itsuki became Itsuki. I am my true self."

"In the midst of confusion, I also want to get answers from important people to support me moving forward."

"So, Kirisu-sensei."

"Can you accept this negotiation of life?"

"…"

After a few moments, Mafuyu still didn't speak, she unconsciously glanced at Shinichi.

Receiving her gaze, Shinichi tilted his head and asked strangely, "See what I'm doing? Haven't you come out of the shadows of the past yet?"

"You…"

Mafuyu's head was covered with black lines, and she was about to scold him for his suspicious behavior, but she saw him speak casually.

"No matter what the outcome, whether it's you or Itsuki... No matter how many times you fall, I'll help you get up."

He said it seriously from the bottom of his heart:

"Don't underestimate me, I'm a man who will do great things in the future!"

Three years in Hedong and three years in Hexi. Don't oppress poor youth and want to open a harem!

Of course, Shinichi wouldn't say vulgar words like that, he just didn't want Mafuyu to underestimate him.

"…Really?" Mafuyu looked at him in surprise for a few seconds before sighing helplessly.

"In that case, I look forward to it."

As she turned her face away, there seemed to be a smile on her lips.

"Itsuki-san, please ask that question again."

Itsuki nodded and said, "I have my own dream, and I think I can sustain it. However, even though I know this, I'm still shaken by my new aspirations, and I don't know how to make a choice."

"So I want to ask you, if it were you, would you choose to change or stay the same?"

After her words fell, she stood tall, waiting for the other party's response earnestly.

As if already considering her answer, Mafuyu didn't think too much but looked directly into her eyes.

She smiled and uttered her answer word by word.

"Please go on and keep dreaming."

"Even though I may not have talent, I'm still very proud to be a teacher."

"That's why it's my dream."

On this questionnaire, Mafuyu wrote her answer.

"I hope you can realize your dream someday."