Mio Takamiya's Return

"Isn't your progress way too slow?"

"Didn't you previously think of him as family, or perhaps an elder?"

"Haven't things progressed at all during this time?"

"Progress?"

Itsori wore a thoughtful expression.

After going through so much together, it seemed only natural for feelings to deepen.

Perhaps... their relationship really should move forward a little?

Wait.

Why hadn't she developed any stronger feelings of affection or closeness?

A strange sensation rose within her heart.

That was right!!

She had seen her mother's true face, learned of her true identity, and been entrusted with an important mission...

Why had her feelings seemed to go only from anger to determination?

She suddenly fell silent.

When she had been revealed as Mio Takamiya's daughter, she had seemed depressed and despairing.

But...

That degree of depression had only seemed slightly greater than when Kotori had kept things from her.

Was that reasonable?

Her heart suddenly trembled.

When had her emotions last become abnormal?

It seemed...

It had been when she felt upset because of Kotori.

To protect her mental health, he had taken away her sorrow.

And now...

Her emotions had gone astray once more...

She suddenly felt as though she couldn't breathe.

Everyone thought she was strong, but she knew herself best.

She had encountered something so devastating.

How could she have merely gotten angry, then entered the battlefield to prepare for a fight against Mio Takamiya without even a trace of gloom?

Only her teacher could have done that.

He had protected her emotions, keeping them in a positive state and preventing her from falling into the abyss.

A sudden urge to embrace someone rose in her chest.

But—

"...Could I ask you to keep this a secret?"

She made the request of Miss Kurumi.

It would be like becoming the teacher's