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

12

It was already late. The sun would soon set. It was cold. The street lights were starting to come on. Sensei had nothing more to do in the black market so before leaving, he invited his two students to eat. They went to a restaurant near the edge of the black market. The educator opened the door of the place for the ladies. They sat down and took the menu. He told them to order whatever they wanted. Nodoka said she was not hungry. Her stomach said something different. Sensei gave her the menu and let her know that if she didn't choose, he would order for her. The food was taking longer than expected to arrive. When it finally arrived, they were served a feast. Nodoka was drooling just watching. Coming to her senses, she said that was not what they had ordered. Sensei agreed with her. The waitress told sensei in his ear that someone else was paying for it. That all he was asking for was a moment with him. Sensei stood up saying he would be back soon. The waitress led him to the V.I.P. area of the restaurant. Each table was like a cubicle illuminated by a yellowish light. The waitress indicated the table where he was expected.

''Sensei, I think it's been a while since we last met...'' She glanced at him from head to toe, ''You look good.''

''I'm really starting to doubt it.''

Black Suit invited him to sit down. In the middle of the table was a plate of wagyu loin with morel mushroom risotto. On Black Suit's side, a glass of wine and on Sensei's side, nothing.

''Feel free to eat it if you like?''

''No, thanks...''

''Then, order whatever you like,'' the waitress offered the menu to Sensei, ''No strings attached.''

With a wave of his hand, he refused it. Looking at the eternally smiling man at the socket of his possibly single eye, he said:

''Bring me a glass of water.''

''Are you sure you don't want anything else?''

''I'm fine with water.''

The waitress left, bringing the order.

''And what do you want?''

''I've been told a couple of things. I wanted to make sure they were true.''

The waitress came back with the glass of water for Sensei. They put it on the table on a cup holder.

''Since yesterday, I have been hearing that the dear Sensei from Kivotos disappeared. I wanted to know how he was.''

''I didn't know he cared about me,'' he said unsympathetically.

''What kind of a rival would I be if I didn't?'' They replied with a mischievous laugh.

''About my disappearance, it seems my students are too spoiled...'' Sensei picked up the glass and swung it in circles, ''I can't be away for a little while without the city going up in flames.''

''They are naive creatures.''

''That's why I'm their teacher... Excuse me, can I have some ice?''

''Sin of naivety just like them... That unconditional support can be like a drug.''

''Unconditional support... You're not wrong and it's funny... I couldn't educate them if it wasn't, but... I'd say I couldn't approve of everything they want to do.''

The waitress returned with a container. She took a couple of ice cubes and poured them into the water. The cubes went to the bottom and then floated up.

''I see that you can't completely trust them?''

Sensei's eyebrows furrowed as he took a sip of the water.