Part 35

It's been a couple more days with a little training in parenting. And I've been trying to watch how they behave sometimes to avoid a canonical outcome and it seems like they're not going to do that, at least because they're afraid to get close to each other, or rather Mahiro and her friend to Natsumi and Hajime who seem to have found common ground and started to get along a bit, which surprised me, Natsumi is incredibly difficult to get along with. So, I think things have calmed down.

(From the author: there was supposed to be a moment now because of Natsumi's death and that moment is supposed to be a turning point in Hajime's decision, so I can't take it away. So, I'd try to justify it by saying that Hajime just got screwed. Whereas in canon his decision was at least somehow brought down by Chiaki, that didn't happen here, so the tension built up in him from that choice, and he got sharper and ran into Juzo).

So today seemed like a good time to look for Juzo and Chisa again. And... I'd rather not find them since I found them in a not-so-decent moment, there's nothing romantic but rather the opposite. And there was Hajime involved again, but this time he seemed to be actively involved judging by the blood that flowed from his lip and the tense ridiculous posture ready to fight, and the rage that distorted his whole face. Chisa stood in front of him with her arms out to her sides in a defensive gesture with a completely calm face, but in front of them with her arm raised, which stopped a centimeter from Chisa face, stood Juzo, whose face looked even more fierce than Hajime's.

And at that moment Chisa turned to Hajime pulling a handkerchief from somewhere under her apron to wipe the blood from his face, but Hajime didn't seem to appreciate the gesture of goodwill and pushed Chisa hand away with force, and then turned and began to walk away slowly, but again noticed me when I got in front of him.

"Hajime are you getting into something again?" - At this point the other two men also noticed me. "Or do you really want to get involved in a human millipede?"

"Back off!" - he shouted in my face and tried to push me away, but I didn't even budge. Which caused a look of shock to appear on his face.

"Or does it bother you that a man who's trained his whole life in fighting could beat you?" - Not knowing exactly what had him so freaked out, so I decided to try to guess. "Or did Juzo say something bad to you? It happens sometimes, no offense to him, he tried to beat me up the first time we met too, and now look! We're best friends!"

"Hrzrz..." - to this he just growled and walked around me without answering.

And I didn't stop him, though, because I didn't think it would make any difference, since I could already see the dark determination in his eyes. And it was clearly not aimed at a good target.

Walking forward, I picked up the handkerchief that Hajime had knocked out of Chisa hands and gave it to her and with a look that said, "Are you a downer?" I looked at Juzo, who, unlike his usual appearance, was dressed in a guard's uniform. He met my gaze with all his stubbornness, but after a couple of dozen seconds, he began to get nervous, and at the end of the minute he had already completely abruptly turned his head to the side with an exhale that accepted his defeat.

"Okay." - I exhaled dolefully. "I don't think it's all your fault there, but I realize your brain has been rotted away for a long time and even I can't repair it, but maybe it will do something...that borders on human morality to yourself or to others."

"Tz." - he chickened out. "He just went where he shouldn't have, so he freaked out a little bit."

"He's been in the wrong places for a long time, and your actions probably pushed him in completely." - I said, and they looked at each other.

"You know something." - Chisa didn't even suggest it, she said it outright.

"Yes." - I was more secretive. "Even taking part in the final stage. I don't think they can be stopped. They... or rather not even they, but the whole Hope Peak Academy has been going at it for too long, and you can't stop her at the very end anymore."

"Fuck!" - exclaimed Juzo and punched the wall with rage. He was well aware that I wasn't messing around and that I'd already told them too much and realized the enormity of it.

"And there's no way to stop it now?" - Chisa said with unaccustomed seriousness to herself, sitting down on the ground and leaning against the wall.

"If I become director, I can try to change things, but in about a week or so it'll be the final stage and there's nothing I can do." - I could of course kill Hajime in surgery, but then the experiments would continue even more diligently. "Well, or maybe the world will plunge into the Apocalypse and all the leaders will die and then a new nation can be built on the ashes of the old nation, but don't get your hopes up for that."

"I must tell Kyosuke about this." - Chisa said earnestly.

"Of course." - I said and sat down next to Chisa.

It didn't take long before Juzo sat down on the other side of Chisa. We sat there for a couple of hours, each thinking about his own thing.

"Okay." - I said, jumping up from my seat to get to my feet. "Stop being sad, I was actually looking for you for a reason."

"What is it?" - Chisa said, taking my hand to get up and then shaking off the dust.

"Here." - I said, taking a jar of pills out of my "pocket." "You've been looking so tired lately, so I've decided to give you some vitamins. Take after meals, once a day, one pill."

"Thank you Yasuke." - The smile finally returned to Chisa face.

"Yes, thank you." - Juzo confirmed.

"Don't worry so much and leave it to your eldest!" - I said, giving them a thumbs up.

"We're older than you." - They both said at the same time.

"Not by development." - I said calmly. "That's it, I have to go. Don't disappear."

After that, I turned and walked without a second thought, taking my farewells in my back.

(Time Skip.)

Sitting in the teachers' lounge, I looked at the materials for the practical exams. And I must say my eyes were not looking at the materials, but wandered across my desk which was filled with all sorts of junk, toys, drawings on the table which I made when I was bored and also the picture of 77-B class with me in the center which stood in the middle of all the junk on the table, also I must note that exactly the same one hangs in my home, but a little larger, together with the other pictures which have already managed to completely cover the wall. Some were from excursions we went on, others were simple photos to immortalize the moment, when just funny or interesting.

And something has come over me with memories from the last year. Yeah. It's even hard to believe that it's been a whole school year and I really didn't know I was going to enjoy it so much. And it wasn't as awful as the other teachers usually describe it, I don't know exactly what it was about, whether it was that I was already thick-skinned, or whether it was that we became friends, which erased, between us, the teacher-student line.

But I think even the good moments in life had to end, they, of course, will be repeated later in the future or may even be even better or not as good, but they will not be so that there will be no need to be sad about it. Yes, and I'm not saying goodbye forever, I will literally be ten minutes away from them, and they will come to me and I certainly will not forget about them.

And it's not very comfortable to look Jin-san in the eye, with whom I thought we had an agreement that I wouldn't be a teacher for long, but he and Tengan-san just smiled affectionately and understood what this was all about. And of course, the most uncomfortable part was that my place was to be taken by Chisa, who had been teaching a reserve course all this time, which dragged on for an extra eight months.

Once more I exhaled sadly and picked up the stack of papers with the Peak Hope sign on them, I headed to my classroom, which should be full of students by now since I was running a little late.

After entering the classroom and saying hello to everyone, and getting a response, I gave the stack of papers to Chiaki to distribute to everyone. Which she immediately, began to do, so after waiting a couple of minutes for a copy to be on each desk, I began to speak, watching as some had already begun to open the papers and read them with a wry face.

"This is the schedule for the practice exams that will take place tomorrow. If you need to prepare, do it today." - I looked at the unhappy faces of the students. "As you know there are no quarter exams in the core course, instead we have practice exams once a year. If your results are bad, you can't stay in school." - I pretended to think about it. "I remember like I took the exams yesterday...No wait, I didn't take anything, though. But that's not the point, I'm sure you'll all pass, because I was your teacher. This will be a chance to use your talent and show people what you can do. Do your best!"

My little speech didn't seem to lift their spirits one bit. Well, I guess that's understandable, because they're used to exams and they don't know how they're going to be at this academy and it's all going to be new to them, well no schoolboy ever wants to go to exams on their own volition. So yes, they looked sad and confused.

"Questions?" - I decided to say something.

"Teacher." - Nagito stood up from his seat to which I nodded, giving him permission to speak. "What does a talentless man like me have to show?"

"That's a good question Nagito, and you're not a runaway." - I pondered a little. "Each of you will have to show what you're good at, like you just have to play the lottery and win at it or play Russian roulette. You have a bunch of options, but like I said, don't worry about it. Just be yourself and you'll be fine. Got it?"

"Yes, thank you Matsuda-sensei." - Nagito sat back in his seat.

"And one last thing." - I coughed into my fist. "You dare embarrass me and you'll eat through your anus. And as a reward, if you succeed, we'll throw you a graduation party for your first year at the academy."

Looking at them again, I saw that they had lifted their spirits a little, a little, but still.

"Then you're all dismissed for the day, you can go get ready." - I let everyone go and sat back in my seat.

Watching everyone leave while saying goodbye to me I watched as Chiaki stared at her console again and had no intention of leaving. Some people called for her to come with them, but she just rocked from side to side. And so, it was just the two of us left in class, so as I got up from my seat I walked over to her seat.

"What's Chiaki?" - I asked.

"Let's go eat..." - she said quietly, moving even closer to the console.

"О..." - I was surprised at her initiative. "I have some more paperwork to fill out, so wait half an hour."

"Okay." - She nodded, furtively looking at me.

Not letting myself waste any more time, I sat down to fill out the paperwork. There wasn't anything special or important, I was just afraid I'd forget to fill them out later, and some papers had to be turned in by tomorrow and I didn't want to fill them out before turning them in, or I'd done it a couple times before and didn't like it.

"That's it." - I put the last folder aside. "Let's go."

"Uh-huh." - she nodded and tucked the simpleton into her cat-shaped backpack.

We walked through the corridors of the academy, as well as its grounds, in complete silence. I'd sort of mentioned this before, but I felt comfortable with Chiaki. We could just sit in silence together all night without saying a word and still not feel any discomfort.

Suddenly I felt my hand being grabbed by the other hand, and the thin maiden's fingers began to intertwine with mine. Looking down with my slightly embarrassed face, I saw the completely red face of Chiaki who was examining the ground with incredible care, and her other hand was rubbing the edge of her skirt.

"You're warm." - she said something unintelligible. "May I also..."

Watching the way, she hesitated not knowing how to continue I was left with nothing else to do.

"Sure." - I squeezed her hands harder to feel the response.

"Warm... It's a little scary." - she said very quietly.

"But that warmth is one of the best things you can have." - I said the first thing that came to mind.

"Yeah." - she said the last word of the day.

We arrived at the café, where we ordered portions while still holding hands. It's not very usual to eat with my left hand, but that's okay, and afterwards we walked around town for a few hours, still without saying a word. And I swear I saw some places ------. Fucking Yasuhiro!!! If I see him, I'll gut him!

After that, we went back to my lab and settled into the break room for another sleepless night of games. Sitting in my favorite chair another unexpected moment awaited me, namely Chiaki who sat on my wheel and leaned her back against my chest and with a seemingly impossible, but even more red face. Fucking Yasuhiro!!!

We sat in that pose all night, until morning. And probably would have gone on sitting, but Chiaki had to go to the practice exam, which she did, and all I had to do was sit and wait for my entire class results to come back to me. But of course, I had one last and very important thing to do before I left. So I went looking for him and found him surprisingly quickly, he was standing alone in the middle of the hallway looking out the window.

"Nagito." - I addressed him.

"Yes Matsuda-sensei?" - He turned to me with his smile.

"We should talk." - Without further ado, I turned and walked in a direction only I could understand, hearing footsteps behind me.

Finding an empty office, I went inside and sat down in one of the empty seats, nodding my head at the empty seat in front of me. As Nagito sat down I looked over at the office, which was completely painted yellow because of the setting sun.

"Speak." - I didn't elaborate since this conversation should have happened a long time ago.

"Useful and worthless." - Nagito was a smart guy despite his obsession with Hope. "The moment we're born, we split into two groups. No matter how hard a good-for-nothing try, he'll never be useful. Talent is everything, I want to help those talents shine even brighter, I want to see Ultimate Hope born through it! When Hope collides with Hope, I want to see them shine brightly. I want to see you shine even more brightly!"

"Nagito..." - I muttered, not knowing what to say to that, but I realized a simple thing. Everyone on the reserve course or the people outside, they all think the same way. "You're wrong. Talent is not something we get at birth. Yes, one may have more aptitude for something than another, but without many years of training, thousands of sleepless nights and many hours invested in something, talent can never come. Me, including your entire class, and you, too."

And that "Luck" is also a talent I have no doubt. First, of course, the system, it literally marked it as a talent, and also Izuru also somehow got "Ultimate Luck" which means that it can somehow be passed on. Perhaps because of my confidence in these words, Nagito didn't ask me about his luck, so it was up to me to continue, lest he start talking about how he was nothing again.

"You might be surprised, but you train your luck, too." - My words caused a look of surprise to appear on Nagito face. "When you flip a coin and get the side you want, when you win the lottery, when you survive an absurd situation again, when something falls a little away from you. This and many other instances train your luck. That's where your talent lies, in being able to train it."

"You know from Matsuda-sensei's own experiences?" - Nagito said his trump card.

"Noticed it. Yes?" - I asked and got a slight nod. "Well, my case is a little different than yours, if I may say so, I had the highest level of luck you can get at birth, but yeah. If you accept that, I have as much talent as you do."

"Just as I thought! Matsuda-sensei is even more incredible than he seems." - Nagito said with his happy smile, but this time he opened his eyes a little to get an even better look at me.

"But even though we have the same talents, we just have a huge difference in how we use them." - I continued. "Since I had the highest level from the beginning, I never learned how to use it, and of my own free will I was only able to use it once as a child. Unlike you who can use your own luck whenever you want. That said, unlike me, you trained your talent and learned to use it."

"Я..." - he fell silent, staring at his hand as he pondered something.

"And don't tell anyone about this." - I said seriously. "Only you know about it... Well, and maybe ------, but she hasn't talked about it, I don't think she cares at all."

"I think --------san doesn't care much about anything but you. And you don't have to worry about that secret dying with me." - he put his hand over his heart as a sign of his words.

"And I still don't agree with what you said. To me every person is equal to one another. Whether there is talent or not, to me that doesn't make different people. So, if I could sacrifice my life for another, I would do so without a doubt." - For me, of course, this situation would not be fatal in any case, but there is no need to talk about it.

"Matsuda-sensei... now I understand." - He fell silent, and I didn't interrupt him, giving him time to collect his thoughts. "You may not remember, but a couple of years ago you jumped out in front of a truck that was coming at a man. And as you may have realized, that person was me."

I closed my eyes, trying to remember it...and there really was that moment. There was a kid with a shocked look on his face and brown-red hair, looking at some paper he had in his hand.

"You surprised me so much. This is the first time someone has ever stood up for me, which amazes me. That despite the mortal danger in front of your face you tried to protect someone like me without the slightest thought for your own safety, and then you checked my condition and made sure I was all right and went to help other people." - he was silent again. "And you know, that moment was the worst moment of my life as I was diagnosed with a terminal illness and wouldn't live even six months, but then you came along and for me at that moment you were the 'Ultimate Hope' and I wanted to see you shine even brighter. As you realized, it's been a few years and I'm still alive and only my hair has turned white."

"Nagito..." - I fell silent, not knowing what to say. "Are you a fuckhead?"

"What...?" - his face expressed no understanding.

"I said, are you a motherfucker?" - I asked again. "You're terminally ill and instead of coming up to me and asking for a vaccine that can take away any disease. That you knew about, I want to point out. You didn't say a word to me and just wanted to die in silence?"

"Ahahahahaha." - he laughed lightly. "I'm not worthy of..."

"Motherfucker?" - I interrupted him and kicked him in the knee, causing him to crouch. "I already told you I don't see the difference between people. And not enough of it. Since you're not just a person and not one of the 'Ultimate' students, you're personally my student, I'm your class teacher, but you're also my friend. So quickly get your ass up and run to Miaya or Seiko for the vaccine and God forbid I find out you didn't take it."

"Yasuke-san..." - Nagito addressed me by name for the first time.

"Not what 'Yasuke-san'." - I interrupted him again, though he didn't seem to have anything else to say. "RUN!!!"

After escorting him out of the room with kicks, I sat back in my seat with a slightly shaky state. Judging by the game, he might be able to survive and even live at least a few more years, but who knows. I hope that the timeline has already changed and things won't be at least as bad and something could have happened and changed with Nagito because of this. So, it would be better to be reassured.

Okay. What am I supposed to do for another hour before the class is assembled? The results have already come in and everyone turned in fine, after I report this and my leaving, we will go home where they can already be cheered on by ------ who I have already reported leaving and are already preparing for a party that not only my students will join, but also the others who are or were studying at the academy.

(Time Skip.)

As I walked through the hallways of the Academy, pleasant moments that had happened during this year flashed through my mind. Perhaps they were just starting to pop into my head because of the fact that these were my last hours as a teacher. I had already had time to call Chisa to come in to meet the class, after that I would of course have to tell her a little bit about everything that happens in class and what needs to be done, but it's not a particularly difficult thing to do.

With all these memories, I didn't even notice how I reached the classroom. I exhaled tensely, which is not usual for me, and with full confidence in my actions, I opened the door.

Only to see my class in a tense atmosphere and with their heads down from excitement. Even the guys like Ibuki, Akane, and Teruteru looked tense, which was not very characteristic of their personalities. There was also Nagito who, looked just as tense, but unlike the others, you could see more serious thoughts on his face. As Seiko informed me, she had made Nagito a vaccine, so his health should get better over time. And the vaccine that Nagito was given was definitely better than the one that was given almost a year ago to Kenshiro, who had already started to show the first signs of recovery, so Nagito should have results in six months.

He made a serious face in order to build up some tension and with the same serious face walked to his seat in order to sit in it and look at everyone with a serious look on his face. This only caused the class to shrink more, and those who were weaker in character lowered their gaze into their desks. Our class stayed like that for a couple of minutes until I spoke.

"I won't bother you too much and hold you up, after all, some of you here have plans for the vacations." - I continued to build up the atmosphere, which made them even more frightened. "I have good news, bad news, and good news for you. In what order should I start?"

After that there was an atmosphere in the classroom again, but this time of incomprehension. They began to look at each other, trying to figure out the best thing to do.

"Let's start with the good ones, and then the bad ones." - took the lead from Fuyuhiko, who had most likely already realized that I was just setting the atmosphere so they wouldn't relax.

"No." - In a stern and calm voice, I said.

"Bad then good?" - Again, he picked the wrong order.

"No." - I said in an even more serious voice, causing Fuyuhiko face to twist in anger.

"Good, bad, good?" - Sunny Sonya made an attempt this time.

"Good choice!" - Albeit the last one. "The first news will be good. You all did fine on your exams."

After that there was a moment of silence in the room, which was immediately replaced by happy shouts and all the oppressive atmosphere that had been in the classroom instantly disappeared and was replaced by happiness. Some started jumping and dancing happily, others had a happy smile on their face, after a relaxed exhale of course. Watching all of this, my face also stopped being serious and was replaced by a slight smile.

"Yes, I want to officially congratulate you all on passing, in the best possible way at that. I even got some respectful feedback on my work." - I said with warmth in my voice already. "So, you can spend this vacation in complete peace without worrying about anything. Also, I've already talked to ------, so after class we're going to my place to celebrate."

After that there were even happier cheers and started talking among each other about how they would spend this vacation and who would go where, and some were already inviting the whole class to their place or to meet at the vacation. And I got the feeling that they had forgotten about two other pieces of news. And I just heard some kind of stirring outside the door that said someone was standing there.

"Ahem." - I cleared my throat for attention and as if they remembered two more pieces of news, they began to calm down. "It's been a very enjoyable year for me, in which I've learned a lot, learned a lot, and most trivially had a good time with all of you. Even though I wasn't going to stay in this position for more than a couple of months, it was able to last a whole year. And all those memories that I gained during that year will be held in my heart for the rest of my days."

Watching the students' faces and the way they become confused and some even sad. Including Chiaki, who out of confusion even dropped her console, which hit the floor of the classroom too loudly in complete silence. They had already figured out that this was goodbye.

"Yes. This is my last day as your teacher. But don't be sad about it. I'm just leaving my position, I'll still be in the lab and my residence won't change, so you can always come and see me, or I'll come and see you."

"Master." - Sonja spoke through her tears.

And I must say her condition was no different from the rest of the class. Almost all of the girls' eyes moistened a little, even Mahiru and Hiyoko showed their weaknesses despite their temper and only Peko with the same serious look as always, since we have been friends for years and at this time I also often disappeared. Akane who lowered her head and clenched her fists, I don't know if there were tears in her eyes, but regret because despite multiple attempts she couldn't beat me. And the one who reacted the strongest, of course, was Chiaki looking at me with a blank stare and a trail of tears. To this I was left with a warm smile of encouragement, to which she wiped her eyes with her sleeve and smiled at me in the same way.

There was less emotion on the male side, of course. They all looked upset, not counting the crying Soda and the calm Fuyuhiko with the same situation as Peko. But Nagito was the hardest hit, after what I said in the afternoon, it probably hit him harder than it should have. But surprisingly, I think he's strong, so he can handle it.

"Stop overplaying it." - I tried to dispel the atmosphere of sadness. "Said not much will change, you just won't see me as much. And it's not like I'm going to die here or move to another country. I'll literally be a half-hour walk from you. Besides, it's your lucky day not to be sad."

After waiting a few more minutes for them to calm down and come to their senses, I continued.

"If you haven't already forgotten and cried your brains out." - I began to say, and everyone turned their attention to me. "I have one more piece of news that I personally think is good, and that is that your next teacher in my place has already been chosen, and it is a good friend of mine with whom I studied at this academy. So let me introduce you, Chisa Yukizome."

After my words, the door opened and a short woman with lush forms and wavy red hair walked into the room. Wearing a blue dress and an apron that was already all too familiar to me.

"Good afternoon, my name is Chisa Yukizome. It's a pleasure to meet you all." - She began, standing up in front of the class. "As Yasuke told me, I'll be your homeroom teacher starting next school year. Yasuke has told me a lot about you, but I would like to get to know you all better."

"As I said Chisa is a good friend of mine, so treat her well. Or I'll come back, but not as a teacher and you won't like it." - The main thing is to put in more of an aura of fear.

Which, to my deepest regret, practically did not work, because they were all already accustomed to it and got used to it. So, it was more of a cosmetic effect.

"No matter how clichéd it sounds, but I want you to continue to be classmates and look only forward despite my leaving, and to protect each other, no matter what. And to always remember who you are. You are my students. So, God forbid you embarrass yourselves." - After that, without looking back, I left the office and returned thirty seconds later to see the sad atmosphere. "Stop being sad and sitting there. I thought we agreed on a party. So come on, you'll get to know Chisa better there."

The whole sad atmosphere was blown away like the wind and replaced by a cheerful mood. So, all the way back to my house was filled with endless talking and, to my delight, cheerful conversation. When we got home, we were greeted by ------ wearing clothes that weren't much different than the ones in the original story.

(From the author: this is a moment just for description, you might consider it erased, too.)

A white shirt under a black cardigan, unbuttoned to the point where her dark red bra was visible. A white tie was worn around her neck. A red miniskirt and black platform boots with red laces. Her ------------ hair was tied up in two protruding ponytails that were tied in too long ago with gift pins.

The only thing I didn't like about her today was her too wide smile. It indicated that she was up to something, and judging by her shooting glance in my direction, she was up to something to do with me.