Blue Archive - M.O.T.H.E.R. (Volume 1)

3

The sun was about 15 minutes away from setting. Arona was welcoming Sensei who was back at the S.C.H.A.L.E. tower after his visit to the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau. He went straight to his place to sit down. His mind was busy. A call came in on his cell phone. It was Himari.

''Sensei, your favorite student is calling you. Couldn't you respond with a little more cheerfulness?''

''I'm sorry, Himari... I'm not feeling very cheerful.''

''I guess you already have some more information.''

''Right... And I'm afraid it's worse than I imagine.''

''What did they tell you?''

''What did they say? I couldn't talk to Kanna, Kirino couldn't give me an answer, as she has no idea what is going on and Fubuki tries to do as little as possible, as usual... It was thanks to some ex-gang members who joined the Valkyrie forces that I learned that members of their former gang have been falling ill... Are you able to tell me how serious it is?''

''It matches what I have here... Rio has been sending mails to the council presidents of other schools and they are having the same problem... The main ones affected have been the gang members of several schools, secondly the girls who are in charge of guarding or fighting against them....''

''Do you have any information on the symptoms? The girls only said that they fall weak to bed?''

''Sensei... Are you sat down?'' The flower of the paranormal affairs club took a deep breath, ''Do you know what's floating above our heads?''

''A halo, isn't it?''

''Of course, but according to the studies that have been done, it is the very manifestation of our life. Our body can be damaged at different levels, however, as long as our halo is intact, we have life...'' Sensei didn't like where Himari was going, ''What has been happening with the gang girls is that they start with tiredness and little by little they lose strength until they fall into bed... The normal thing would be that, even if they were sick or very weak, the state of the halo would not vary...'' The sun went down, ''The reports indicate that the halos have been fading as they lose strength... Sensei?...'' She couldn't hear anything, ''Sensei?... Sensei?!... Eimi, soon...

''Excuse, I'm sorry... I'm right here. I'm sorry I scared you...''

''Are you all right?''

''Yes... I am...''

''You should go get some rest. If I find out anything else, I'll tell you tomorrow.''

''I still have a few more things to do... I appreciate the information... Talk you later...''

Sensei disconnected the call. The office was dark. Nothing could be heard. Arona's hologram appeared. It illuminated Sensei who was sitting and had his face against his hands. Arona tried to touch him. Her hand fell apart on contact. The student counselor straightened up. He wiped his eyes and patted his face. He noticed that Arona was there.

''Sensei...''

''Arona... There is work to be done... Cancel anything you may have scheduled for the next few days until further notice....''

That night, the last thing Sensei did was to send the photos of the reports to Yuuka. After that, he disappeared.