Chapter 138

After a series of unexpected events, Takanashi came up with an idea.

"Investigate enemy intelligence?"

Yes, an investigation.

Takanashi nodded.

In her view, they might need to actually try to investigate and learn about the enemy.

"For example, this time, four Monster suddenly appeared all at once, right? This has never happened before, but we are completely baffled as to what happened."

In reality, they have been far too passive so far.

It's always been about dealing with Monster who appear.

Although such battles almost never resulted in any surprises, the timing of the battles was always determined by the enemy, and they knew absolutely nothing about the enemy's specifics.

"So far, apart from the Demon King, we haven't had any contact with any of the Black Death Cult's executives, have we?"

"We don't know what the Black Death Cult is doing right now."

"And these few Monster from many years ago have appeared so frequently; I wonder what kind of conspiracy they're plotting this time."

These doubts are indeed the sore points they have been fighting to this day.

Although every Magic girl has done this.

Ultimately, there are only three or four Magic girls in each generation, and what they have to deal with are various Villain Organization, which are dangerous criminals who have been rooted in the city for decades.

But Takanashi felt that they could still give it a try, at least to some extent.

"Indeed... it's worth trying."

Kirishima Ai pinched her chin.

For example, those Monster about "a few years ago," but what exactly happened a few years ago?

Why did the Magic girl Phantom Wind suddenly and mysteriously disappear after defeating them? And why did the Black Death Cult organization temporarily vanish for so long, only resuming normal activities after the reappearance of Magic girls?

Ultimately, where are those Magic girl predecessors now, and where are they active?

Also, where did the Magical Girl Dark Feather and that Witch shrouded in black mist come from?

It is foreseeable that the Monster they face will become increasingly powerful.

However, it is unlikely that the three of them will make significant progress in their current abilities in the short term.

As for Takanashi, she is now eager to know more information.

Especially information about what exactly happened three years ago.

"I previously... while investigating in the academy library, I obtained information about one of my senior Magic girls."

"Her Magic name is Color Feather, and she used to attend Kaedehara High School disguised as an ordinary high school student."

This is the only senior Magic girl whose true identity she currently knows.

Although the whereabouts of this Magic girl named Color Feather are currently unknown.

"What was her name when she went to school?"

"I remember her name was Kurosaki Asuka."

Once we know the name, everything will be much easier.

You can find out which class this senior was in by asking the upperclassmen, and you can also learn about this Magic girl from her classmates.

More importantly, if they knew that one of the Magic girls was a student, they might also gain clues about other former Magic girls.

Just like they are now.

Phantom Wind and Color Feather are very likely classmates as well.

"But... going to find upperclassmen sounds a little scary."

After Sakaki Chika cautiously uttered those words, Kirishima Ai and Takanashi Shiori also fell silent.

Although the idea was appealing, in reality, going to the upperclassmen's buildings and striking up conversations with them was quite difficult for them.

They didn't know any upperclassmen, and they were all from the homebody club.

While it's not something impossible, awkwardness is unavoidable.

It would be great if there were senior students who were easier to talk to...

Just as they were thinking this, footsteps came from the other end of the corridor. They looked up and saw an elegant and poised black-haired girl walking towards them. Judging from the direction she was heading, she was probably going to... Teacher Haihara's office?

They had just seen this girl, who looked a few years older than them, this morning.

To be precise, they were looking down from the audience into the hall at her, who was giving a speech on the stage.

This wasn't the first time they'd seen President Kazama here.

It seems that every so often, less than a week apart, they would see the Student Council going to Teacher Haihara's office.

According to the students' analysis, it's possible that the high absenteeism rate in Teacher Haihara's class led the principal to inform the Student Council about Teacher Haihara.

At times like these, Kirishima Ai would feel guilty.

But...

"It's the Student Council," Kirishima Ai said suddenly, looking at her.

"Yes, Student Council." Takanashi nodded.

They seemed to have found a suitable senior to strike up a conversation with.

For Haihara, there was nothing to look forward to about the start of the school year.

No office worker likes their job, especially one that's a headache in every sense of the word.

But to be honest, there is a little bit.

After school starts, Haihara will be able to see Ms. Suzuki every day.

Ms. Suzuki is Haihara's type; she's gentle, intelligent, young, and beautiful. Compared to the other teachers she works with, Ms. Suzuki is wonderful in every way, making her the goddess in the eyes of many single male teachers.

Faced with such an outstanding woman, Haihara inevitably developed feelings for Ms. Suzuki. Furthermore, due to certain circumstances, she even considered working hard to get a promotion and a raise so she could use the money to confess her feelings to Ms. Suzuki.

At least until this holiday, Haihara was still working hard towards this goal.

During summer vacation, Haihara and her childhood friend went back to their hometown.

After a day and a night of in-depth conversation, Haihara and Kougami Kage roughly established a relationship that could be described as lovers.

Later, Kougami Kage to Haihara's house to "stay" for many nights, and Haihara never refused.

Since then, Haihara has been unsure how to deal with her feelings for Ms. Suzuki.

Although she played with high school girls, slept with her childhood friend, had some ambiguous intimate contact with her boss, and even spanked Black Magical Girl, she believed she still had some basic sense of shame.

After all, she is still a teacher.

How should a woman who already has a girlfriend deal with her feelings for another woman?

"Teacher Haihara."

Even today, from the moment we met in the morning until noon, Ms. Suzuki, unlike her usual gentle demeanor, stared at Haihara with a hint of coldness and dissatisfaction.

Haihara felt a little uncomfortable under Ms. Suzuki's gaze.

"... good afternoon?"

Right now, the two of them are having tea in Haihara's office.

Haihara rarely saw Ms. Suzuki like this, and while she found it refreshing, she also found Ms. Suzuki's slightly angry side unexpectedly charming.

Ms. Suzuki invited her for drinks several times during the holiday, but she didn't go, so Ms. Suzuki is a little angry now.

After taking a bite of food, feeling like she was still being watched, Haihara looked up:

"Is Ms. Suzuki's child starting school soon?"

Upon hearing this topic, Ms. Suzuki's expression softened slightly.

"Well, if possible, it's best to come to school as early as possible."

The child Haihara was referring to was the one from Teacher Suzuki's sister's family. If all goes as expected, that child will be transferring to this school in a few days.

The conversation naturally shifted to the semester's teaching and what people did during the holidays.

During the regular classes, Haihara primarily conducts the lectures, while during the holidays, Ms. Suzuki takes over.

Recently, Ms. Suzuki seems to have stopped going on blind dates.

Women often experience emotional instability as they approach thirty, and frequently feel anxious and confused.

That's how Ms. Suzuki is now.

After going on so many blind dates without finding her ideal or satisfactory relationship, she was bound to feel somewhat exhausted.

"I'm thinking, like you, Haihara, adopting a child and staying single forever might not be so bad..."

Ms. Suzuki held her teacup and sighed softly.

Even so, her gaze was somewhat dim, and she seemed more concerned about being single than one might expect.

Unfortunately, Haihara may not be single anymore.

Looking at Ms. Suzuki like this, Haihara suddenly realized that her unrequited love for Ms. Suzuki would probably just end without a trace.

I never confessed my feelings, and perhaps I will never have the chance to let Ms. Suzuki know that I once liked her.

"Speaking of which, Haihara, your hair has grown so much!"

If Haihara's hair was considered short for a woman when she first started high school, it's now long and very feminine, roughly shoulder-length.

Suzuki curiously reached out and touched a strand of hair near Haihara's neck. It was cool, soft, and smooth, and she felt a little envious.

And the taste is also...

For some reason, Suzuki thought Haihara's hair smelled really good.

She subconsciously moved a little closer.

"Suzuki... teacher?"

The gloomy woman in front of him spoke with an unusual hint of nervousness.

Suzuki then realized that she might have been a bit too close to her friends. While it was understandable for close girlfriends to do this, they were still closer to their colleagues.

When she looked up, Ms. Suzuki saw a faint blush on Haihara's pale face.

Although his expression remained indifferent, there was a certain urge to bully him.

"... Huh."

Looking at it this way, Teacher Haihara's skin is unbelievably beautiful; it's a pale, cool-toned color, delicate and soft.

At this distance, the face of the woman she had previously thought was quite ordinary seemed rather cute.

"What's wrong?"

Teacher Haihara asked, somewhat awkwardly.

Upon hearing this question, Ms. Suzuki snapped out of her daze, her expression momentarily flustered.

"N-nothing..."

Ms. Suzuki concealed her panic and withdrew her hand.

What is she thinking...?

Teacher Haihara is a woman just like her.

After calming herself down, she appropriately changed the subject;

"Don't you want to get your hair cut?"

Suzuki remembered that Haihara didn't really like long hair because it was difficult to manage and also troublesome to wash.

Upon hearing Haihara smoothed her hair, pondered for a moment, and said:

"I plan to wait until after the Maple Plain Festival to cut my hair. After all, it's a festival, and it will be easier to dress up if I have long hair."

What kind of braid should I create then?