It had been two weeks since Shiriku's last mission with Ayaka. The classroom of 1-A was alive with chatter and the rustling of papers, with students catching up on homework or discussing weekend plans. Shiriku at his chair at the back near the window, half-listening to Junichi , Sachi and Fuyumi talking about some stuff. While his thoughts were elsewhere, perhaps on the missions he'd completed with Ayaka, or on what Aoi might have planned next.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the classroom door, jolting everyone from their conversations. The noise rippled through the room, silencing the chatter as heads turned toward the source. The door swung open, and Aoi stood in the doorway, her presence commanding immediate attention.
Aoi stepped into the classroom, her presence commanding attention. "Excuse me, everyone, has Shiriku-sama arrived yet?" she asked, her voice polite yet carrying an undercurrent of urgency.
Heads turned, and Shiriku rose from his desk, curiosity lighting up his eyes. "Oh, Aoi, what brings you here? Is there a new mission?" he asked, stepping toward her.
Aoi nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, please follow me," she replied, her demeanor suggesting that this was not a casual visit.
Shiriku agreed, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "Ahh, sure," he said, turning to follow her. However, before they could leave the classroom, Fuyumi, Junichi, and Sachi rose from their seats, each with the clear intention of accompanying him. They had grown accustomed to Shiriku's occasional missions and were curious to learn what this one might entail.
Aoi, noticing their movements, quickly intervened, her stern gaze directed at Fuyumi, Junichi, and Sachi. "Fuyumi-sama, Junichi, and Sachi, please. This matter is between Shiriku-sama and a new mission. Ayaka-sama instructed me to bring only Shiriku-sama, so please stay here," she said, her tone firm and leaving no room for discussion.
Fuyumi hesitated, looking to her friends for a cue. Sachi sighed, then offered a resigned smile. "Well, it can't be helped," she said, her voice light but acknowledging the seriousness of Aoi's words.
Junichi, standing beside Sachi, shrugged and added, "Oh well," his tone one of mild disappointment mixed with a touch of curiosity. He'd always been intrigued by Shiriku's assignments, but it seemed this one would remain a mystery, at least for now.
Aoi gave a brief nod, satisfied that the others wouldn't press the issue further. She turned back to Shiriku, her eyes still sharp with focus. "Shiriku-sama, let's go," she said, gesturing toward the hallway. Shiriku shot a quick glance back at his friends, offering a slight wave before following Aoi out of the classroom.
Aoi turned her attention to Shiriku, her eyes locking onto his. "Shiriku-sama, we must go and discuss the mission while we walk," she said, her tone leaving little room for debate. The usual lightness in her voice was replaced with an air of urgency.
Shiriku felt a flutter of nerves at the seriousness in Aoi's expression. It wasn't every day she carried herself with such gravity. He glanced back at his friends, who were still watching with curiosity. "Ahh, yeah, bye, guys," he said, offering them a casual wave before turning to follow Aoi.
As Aoi led Shiriku down the hallway, Sachi turned to Fuyumi, her smile carrying a hint of weariness. "I think I'm gonna head to the girls' room. I need to freshen up," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Fuyumi nodded, her voice soft and almost hesitant. "Yeah, let's go. I need to freshen up too," she replied, a small smile crossing her lips. The two girls then walked away, their footsteps echoing off the linoleum floor as they made their way toward the girls' bathroom.
Junichi remained near the classroom door, his posture relaxed but attentive. He had a natural knack for greeting classmates, offering high-fives and friendly nods as they filtered into the classroom. He kept his eyes on Shiriku and Aoi as they disappeared down the corridor, his brows furrowing slightly in thought. What could be so important to warrant Aoi's sudden appearance in their classroom? He'd never seen her so serious.
Fuyumi's eyes widened, her expression filled with shock. "Ayaka said she only wants Shiriku to go?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Her reaction was echoed by the puzzled looks on Junichi and Sachi's faces. The suddenness of Aoi's instruction left them all in silent confusion.
Meanwhile, Shiriku followed Aoi through the corridor, the noise of the classroom fading behind them. Curiosity tugged at him, and he couldn't hold back his questions. "What's the new mission? Is it a challenging one?" he asked, his voice a mixture of eagerness and uncertainty. He was used to Aoi's cryptic ways, but her expression seemed even more serious than usual.
Aoi's reply threw Shiriku off balance. "No, Shiriku-sama, it appears that today's mission will be the last," she said, her voice low and grave. The words felt heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the corridor.
Shiriku halted, his steps freezing in place. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, his brow furrowing with confusion. His usual calm demeanor cracked, revealing the bewilderment beneath. The abrupt announcement left him with more questions than answers.
Aoi's expression remained somber, her eyes meeting Shiriku's with a seriousness that hinted at something deeper. "I can only tell you what I know," she replied, her tone carrying an undertone of uncertainty. "But it seems this mission marks the end of something... important."
The weight of Aoi's words settled heavily on Shiriku's shoulders. He stood there for a moment, processing the unexpected turn of events. His mind raced through a whirlwind of possibilities, each one as perplexing as the last. What did it mean for this to be the last mission? Why was it happening now, after everything he'd been through?
Shiriku's inner turmoil was evident in the way he clenched his fists and bit his lower lip. His contemplative gaze never left Aoi, seeking answers that she seemed hesitant to give. The gravity of her words left him on edge, uncertain about what lay ahead. It wasn't like any mission he'd undertaken before, and that realization sent a shiver of unease down his spine.