Ayumi sighed as she looked around her empty classroom.
The setting sunlight filled the area, tinging everything a nostalgic orange. Seeing that reminded Ayumi of her younger days. Of the happy and busy times with her classmates and friends helping them chase their dreams.
Remembering that brought a faint smile to her face. But then she realized just how fast time was passing.
Even now, there were only a few days left with her precious students before everything was over.
Today was Tuesday. Because of that, there were only three days left were her cute students.
The rambunctious Ren who always asked silly questions and seemed to take a few times to understand things.
The diligent Sen who listened to her with absolute focus and always chimed in when asked.
The calm and attentive Celes who politely asked questions whenever she didn't understand.
Teaching those three had been fun. Ayumi could confidently say that.
...While she wasn't sure how much help she actually was, Ayumi hoped that the three at least enjoyed their time together.
"...Hah." Ayumi walked back to the front of the room and slumped over her desk. Turning her face to the side, she muttered, "How did it end up like this?"
Now that the students were gone, she could let herself relax. For a short bit, she didn't have to be the cheerful and optimistic teacher.
"Three days..."
That was how long she had left of this lifestyle. Of how long she had left to be a teacher.
...Technically, there were five. Since this was cram school, she could hold lessons on the weekend as well. But Ayumi had already decided to let her students enjoy the weekend before school started back up.
So there were three. Three days until she went back to her hometown in the boonies. Back to the rural areas and a life managing the rustic onsen.
...How did it end up like this again?
All she ever wanted to do was help people. And that was what she did. All throughout high school and university, she did her best to help everyone around her. She gave and gave and gave, and now the only thing she had left to show for her efforts were her three cute students. The three cute students who showed up and left with a smile every day.
But even that would be gone soon.
"...I wish things turned out differently."
If she managed to get a job, things would be different. While the tuition fees from her students helped a bit, she was still draining funds. Between the living expenses and student loans... she didn't have anything left.
Ayumi had tried her best to find another job the past month- No, the past year. But there wasn't a single place in the city that would accept a university dropout. At least, no legitimate place.
There were a few places that offered to give her a job as a hostess or bartender, but...
"Hah..." Ayumi sighed and turned her head, staring at the phone laying next to her head. "Guess my time's up..."
It was already a miracle that even one student agreed to attend her cram school, let alone three. And then there was the fact that a friend of her university friend was letting her stay in the old building rent free... If Ayumi was shameless, it would be fine for her to stay longer. But she couldn't do that.
*Bzzzt*
Ayumi flinched and quickly sat up.
It was her phone. Glancing at it, Ayumi saw a text from her father. A brief line asking when they could expect her return.
Ayumi sighed. "...Maybe I should just go back after all."
Mom and Dad needed help, and there wasn't anyone else to run the onsen. If she went back, she could help them out there and not have to worry about anything. Then, maybe when she saved up enough and got back on her feet-
"...Who am I kidding?" Ayumi placed her head back down. "...That won't happen."
This was already the second time. The second time she tried to do something on her own. And in the end, there was still nothing to show for it.
So she should just give up. Go home like her parents asked, find a man and just settle down. She was already getting old, so-
*Bzzzzt*
Another vibration.
Ayumi ignored it. She was too tired to think about reading another text from her parents.
But the vibration didn't stop.
Ayumi frowned and looked at her phone. And then she gasped and sat up. "Right! The meeting!"
The vibration wasn't a text message, but an alarm. A reminder for her to meet Mister Mura at 5 PM. To meet the friend that Sen-kun thought could use her help.
Ayumi stood up and reached out to her phone to turn off her alarm. After that, she started to head upstairs to change. But then she paused.
"...Should I bother?"
What if she couldn't help? Sen-kun said that his friend could use her help, but what if she met the man and he decided she wasn't useful?
How could she face her students tomorrow then? If she placed her hopes on this and they were dashed again-
Another vibration. A message from Sen-kun.
[Sorry to text you so late, Sensei. But remember that we're here for you if you want to talk. You might be our Sensei, but we're also your students, you know?]
Reading that message, Ayumi let out a faint smile. "It seems like my cute students have noticed. Well then..." She took a deep breath and patted her cheeks. "Okay! Let's do this, Ayumi!"
One last try. This was a chance that her student worked hard to get for her. She couldn't just let it slip past. And if this didn't work out... No. She couldn't think like that.
"You can do this, Ayumi. For your students... Let's go!"
-VI|IV-
"This is weird." I looked at the sleeves of my suit and frowned. "...And I hope Dad doesn't get mad at me for borrowing a suit."
'You'll be fine, Sennie!'
"Don't call me that." I muttered and then looked up.
I was in the bathroom, changing and getting ready to meet with Sensei.
Well, 'Zenki Mura' was getting ready to meet with Sensei. And as for that guy...
I looked into the mirror and stared at my reflection. "So this is the ideal male form I've got, huh?"
A lean body with rippling muscles that filled out a perfectly tailored suit. Lightly touseled brown hair. An attractive and perfectly sculpted face with sharp brown eyes. But eyes that softened when I smiled.
It was an appearance that could make people double-take, and one that could pass for a K-Drama male lead.
It was also familiar.
After all, other than a few softer features and the fact that I didn't have a perpetual condescending look on my face, I looked exactly like my dad.
"Dang it." I scowled and then flinched at my reflection. "...I need to make sure he never finds out."
If Dad knew that I thought he was the 'ideal male form' I had, he'd never let me live it down. And he'd also never stop bragging.
Dang it. Why did my transformation have to be to a guy who looked like my Dad...?
'Huh? Your dad looks like this?'
I purposefully put on a smile and then adjusted my tie in the mirror.
Better. The face staring back didn't seem so much like Dad when I was smiling.
While I was adjusting my tie, I muttered, "You haven't seen him? Haven't you always been with me?"
'I've been cooped up inside a box until recently, so no.'
"A box?"
That was weird. Was she actually like a caged AI then?
Oh god. Did I just uncage a rogue AI? Was she going to spread to other things? Was she going to try and take over the world and eliminate humans like Skynet?!
'Sheesh, have a little faith. At most I just want to spread the joy of beautiful and cute girls... and traps. Well, I guess a few hunks would be good too, but most guys like that are dicks.'
...At least you're clear in what you want.
'A girl knows what she wants.'
Uh-huh.
"Sen-sama?" Celes's voice echoed from outside. "It's almost time for your meeting with Sensei."
I grabbed my phone and bag... Well, actually a spare briefcase that my dad used, and then walked towards the door.
'You know that he's probably going to find out, right?'
And how would you know that if you haven't seen him?
'I don't have your memories, but I can read them like a book, you know? And that guy seems pretty petty.'
Stop it. Or do you want another round of All-Stars?
'Fine! Sheesh! I'll just go read some more doujins or something... Meanie.'
I sighed and opened the door.
As expected, Celes was standing there. Since it was evening, she was dressed in a comfy blue pajama set that I ordered from Amazon the other day.
'OMG! She's so cute!'
I ignored the obnoxious commentator in my head and smiled. "Thanks for the reminder, Celes."
"N-No problem!" Celes quickly nodded. But then she started giving me a once over, her blue eyes slowly tracing my body. "S-So this is what Sen-sama will look like when you grow up...?"
I coughed. "Maybe."
'Definitely. Well, if you work hard? Though I still think that you'd look better if you-'
Again. I am NOT becoming a trap.
'But you'd look so cuuute! And you have the voice for it and everything!'
"Anyway..." I stared at Celes and said, "You don't seem surprised though?"
My appearance was different. My voice was deeper. I was even a lot taller.
But Celes didn't look taken aback at all. In fact, it looked liked she was expecting something like this.
"Hm?" Celes tilted her head. "Why would I be? Even if you look and sound a bit different, Sen-sama is Sen-sama. Right?"
A matter of fact response, paired with a sincere look of pure faith and devotion. No, of unconditional love and trust.
"..." I turned around and took a deep breath, trying to calm down my heating face.
'Ooh~ So you can be cute too, Sennie-pooh.'
Stop that.
"Sen-sama?"
I cleared my throat and turned back around. "Nothing, Celes. Anyway, I'll be off now. Stay alert, alright? You can stream if you want, but keep yourself safe."
Celes let out a soft smile and nodded. "I will."
"Good. Then... I'm off." Saying that, I nodded and walked past her, heading towards the entrance.
Celes watched me leave and waved. "See you soon, Sen-sama! I love you!"
[System Message: CG -
A flash covered my vision before an image popped up. A picture of Celes's lovely smile and tender gaze. Her left hand over her chest, with her right waving.
'OMG! I'm saving this!'
Don't you dare!
'Don't be jealous! You're the one who gets to cuddle with the cutie!'
I grumbled and then walked out the front door, closing it behind me.
Now then... time to play up the role of a confident, suave, and competent young entrepreneur.
Should be easy. Right?
'Just try not to start an accidental harem.'
Don't jinx it!
'I'm just saying-'
System. Play a random song from my Siivagunner playlist.
[System Message: Now playing - Bad Apple!! (Promotional Version) - Touhou 4: Lotus Land Story]
'Noooooo! Why are you like this?!'
Yeah. See how it feels now, Miss System Troll.
Anyway, time to break Sensei's bad end flag...