Several days have passed since the midterm exams concluded without incident. Cedric had made no contact so far.
“Still, the lack of any contact is terrifying in a different way.”
“Is that so? I, for one, feel refreshed that no unpleasant individuals have appeared.”
After finishing her morning work at the bakery, Kent, Josette, Caro, and Rachel were walking towards the academy. Patty had already parted ways with Kent and his companions and was acting with her entourage. Cedric had not appeared before Kent and the others since the test results were announced. Kent mentioned this fact, finding it strange, but Josette clearly disliked him and was pleased not to see him.
“Josette, you really hate him, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Caro, you don’t feel the same way?”
“I hate him too.”
Rachel teased Josette, who then asked Caro the same question. She received a similar answer.
“It’s unusual for Caro to clearly state she hates someone.”
“I have feelings like that too, you know. If I hate something, I hate it!”
Kent commented, and Caro expressed her feelings.
“By the way, Older Brother, haven’t you realized about Teacher Arnet yet? Wasn’t her teaching practice supposed to end today?”
“Realized what?”
“Your denseness, Older Brother.”
Rachel asked Kent, and upon hearing his reply, she looked exasperated.
“Didn’t Rachel-san suggest keeping it a secret in the first place?”
“That’s true… I didn’t expect you to not realize even after all that. Won’t she be hurt?”
Josette said, and Rachel replied with a troubled expression.
“Since today is the last day, how about inviting her for lunch?”
“That’s a great idea! Well then, I’ll contact her.”
“Then I will… no, I’ll leave it to you, Rachel-san. Please take care of it.”
“Then Rachel, I’m counting on you.”
While Kent remained out of the conversation, it was decided to invite Arnet for lunch that day.
“Well then, today marks the end of Teacher Arnet’s teaching practice period. While it’s sad to part ways, we still have today left, so everyone, please make some good memories.”
During the morning homeroom, Tia announced that Arnet’s teaching practice would conclude that day.
“Everyone, today is the last day, but I’ll do my best until the end. Please treat me well.”
Arnet gave a brief greeting.
“Teacher Arnet, today’s your last day. That’s a shame.”
When homeroom ended, Bobby came to Kent’s seat and said regretfully,
“Oh? Bobby-san, were you perhaps interested in Teacher Arnet?”
“T-that’s not true! I have Prim, my girlfriend, you know.”
Patty said playfully upon seeing Bobby’s genuinely disappointed expression, and he replied flusteredly.
“You hit it off, I see…”
“But Teacher, she can’t, because she has a fiancé, you know?”
“Both of you?”
When Kent spoke, Patty cut in as a warning. Kent and Bobby exclaimed in shock at the revelation.
“Alright, alright, let’s drop the subject. Class is starting soon, so go back to your seats.”
Realizing she had said too much, Patty urged them back to their seats to dismiss the topic.
“Yes, yes! Today, we have a special guest, Teacher Arnet.”
“Thank you for inviting me for lunch today. So this is where you always eat. I understand why I could never find you.”
Rachel introduced Arnet, who responded with her usual cheerful expression.
“Since this is my last day, I’ll offer you my spot. Please sit here.”
“Oh, thank you. In that case, I’ll gratefully accept your offer.”
Josette moved to the adjacent bench, making room for Arnet next to Kent, where she usually sat.
“Honestly, I wanted to have lunch like this every day. Here, open your mouth.”
“Huh?”
Arnet suddenly leaned towards Kent and brought the bread she was holding in front of his mouth. Startled, Kent shifted slightly away, creating distance between them.
“Hee, to be avoided. Do you hate me that much?”
“It’s not that I hate you, Teacher, but we’re not in that kind of relationship…”
“When you say things like that, it hurts.”
Arnet said regretfully, having been put off by Kent.
“Older Sister, isn’t it about time to reveal the truth?”
“Indeed. I wanted Kent to realize, but it’s a shame.”
“Huh?”
Kent was surprised as Josette suddenly changed her tone. The tone was one he was very familiar with.
“Elnet?”
“Ah, that’s right. It’s Elnet. I changed my way of speaking, but I didn’t think I changed my appearance enough to be considered disguised.”
“No, no, you look completely different. Now that you mention it, it does sound like Elnet. I really didn’t realize.”
Kent was surprised by Elnet, who had revealed her true identity.
“I can’t believe you didn’t realize until the last day. I thought you’d figure it out sooner.”
Rachel was dismayed by the turn of events, which differed from her expectations.
“Is it possible that I was the only one who didn’t know about this?”
Nodding vigorously.
When Kent asked, everyone nodded in unison.
“Well, actually, I intended to tell you early on. But Rachel said you’d surely realize it, so we all decided to keep it a secret until then.”
Elnet said apologetically.
“So, why did Elnet become a trainee teacher under a different name?”
“Regarding that matter, there are some things that cannot be discussed here. Later, as a report to everyone, let’s go to Marie’s Bakery. Can you wait until then?”
“Understood. I’ll be waiting.”
Kent asked why Elnet was at the academy as a trainee teacher, but it seemed she couldn’t answer at the moment.
“However, I never thought I’d be able to have a meal with Kent like this at the academy.”
“My dear Sister, today is the first and last day. For today, I will also yield my mealtime with Kent-san to you. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content.”
“That’s right. We’ll be watching from here, so please take your time.”
Seeing Elnet happy to be able to eat with Kent, Josette and Caro decided to warmly watch over the two of them.
“Older Brother, Elnet-san, it’s almost time.”
“Huh? Is it that time already?”
“You’re right. It’s almost time for the afternoon classes to start.”
Rachel informed Kent and Elnet that the break time was nearing its end. After finishing their meal, the two had been spending time chatting closely together. Occasionally, Rachel, Josette, and Caro would join their conversation, and they had a pleasant time, at times laughing.
“Well then, Older Sister. Please switch your mindset and do your best for a while longer.”
“I know. I’ll be teaching the last class, so listen carefully. Thank you everyone. I have preparations to make, so I’ll be going ahead.”
As Josette spoke, Arnet, having switched her mindset, left first.
“Well then, shall we go too?”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
When Caro said this, Kent agreed, and they headed back to their respective classrooms.
“So, this becomes like this… Yes, Kent-kun, answer this. … Correct.”
Arnet was in charge of the last class of the day, which served as a final assessment. Many other teachers lined up at the back of the classroom, observing the lesson.
“Now, Kent-kun, answer this question. … Yes, correct. Then, this part is, um, Kent-kun, answer. … Yes, that’s correct.”
Elnet—or rather, Arnet—conducted the class with more enjoyment than ever before.
(Why is he the only one I’m calling on?)
Arnet occasionally called on students to answer during the lesson, but today she only pointed to Kent. The number of times was quite high, and Kent felt it was unreasonable.
“Alright, we’ve reached the allotted time, so that concludes my lesson. Thank you all for listening until the end.”
The moment Arnet bowed deeply, the bell signaling the end of the class rang. Warm applause erupted from the students who had been listening.
“Next, we will begin homeroom. Please take your seats, everyone.”
Tia took the podium, replacing Arnet, and addressed the students. At the same time, the teachers who had been observing Arnet’s class from the back exited the classroom.
“As I mentioned this morning, today is our last day with Teacher Arnet. She has a few final words. Ma’am, please.”
Saying this, Tia stepped aside, and Arnet took the podium.
“My teaching practice period, which felt long yet was short, has ended. I will no longer be your teacher from tomorrow, but I hope to make use of the experiences I’ve gained during this practice in the future. Thank you all for everything. I pray that you all continue to live with energy. … Right?”
“Hahaha.”
The students were surprised to hear Arnet speaking in her normal voice, not her usual distinctive tone, but with a sudden, unexpected suffix at the end, a burst of laughter filled the classroom.
“That’s right. That’s right. After all, smiles are important. Well then, have sweet dreams. Goodbye!”
Arnet winked and left the classroom.
“Ah, wait a moment! Homeroom isn’t over yet…”
As it was still homeroom, Tia, flustered, couldn’t chase after Arnet, who had just left.
“Um, there are no other announcements, so homeroom is dismissed. … Wait up!!”
Tia said quickly, bowed, and ran out of the classroom.
“What a busy teacher.”
“That class was quite interesting. No one would believe it if you told them it was an act.”
“Indeed…”
Kent said, and Patty, seated next to him, replied. Kent felt he had gained a little something by seeing a completely different side of her.
