(Fourth update...)
(The bonus chapter for the red donation will have to wait until tomorrow. Of course, that depends on whether there's electricity tonight. But don't worry, everyone—if Ru Qing promised an update, she'll definitely deliver it. So, seeing how hard Ru Qing is working, remember to support Ru Qing...)
"Bzzzt..."
Just as everyone was agonizing over Nagisa's situation, a hazy spatial fluctuation spread through the hall. Immediately afterward, Natsuki appeared from within it, her face carrying an inexplicable gravity as she entered everyone's sight...
"Natsuki!"
"Nangong-sensei!"
Other than Wu Yan and Kotori, who silently watched Natsuki, Nagisa, Natsuoto, Yukina, and the others all called out. Kojo even addressed Natsuki by the name she hated as usual. Under normal circumstances, he would have already suffered Natsuki's retaliation, but from the moment she appeared, she had kept her gaze fixed on Wu Yan, unable to spare anyone else a glance.
Seeing this, everyone exchanged looks and fell silent...
The two stared at each other, neither speaking immediately. Instead, through the meeting of their eyes, they conveyed their thoughts to one another. They simply stood there in silence, facing each other as an unusual heaviness spread through the quiet hall...
"Kotori!"
At some point, Wu Yan suddenly spoke. "Take everyone away for a while..."
Kotori did not hesitate, as though she knew what Wu Yan intended to do next. She nodded directly, took Nagisa and Natsuoto by the hand, and headed outside while speaking without looking back.
"Akatsuki Yukina, you come too!"
"Wait, Itsuka..." Kojo seemed to have something to say, but Yukina stopped him. Shaking her head at him, she followed Kotori and the others out with her guitar case on her back...
Kojo looked at the two people still present, then at Kotori's group about to leave through the door.