"T-T-Teacher Fisher? You... you haven't even looked at the letter I gave you yet... why did you..."
Fisher took a breath and stepped back. Looking at the blushing Renee before him, he couldn't help but feel that she looked incredibly cute like this.
If only the Renee from back then didn't possess the ability to phase out and dodge at will, perhaps they wouldn't have gone back and forth for so long, and would have confessed their feelings to each other much sooner.
"There's no need to look, Renee. The things you want to say, perhaps I already understand. And perhaps, you've already told long ago, just that you've forgotten them now."
"I... I... have I?"
Hearing this, Renee opened her mouth, her expression turning bewildered, seemingly genuinely trying to recall in her mind when she had said those things. Of course, no matter how hard she racked her brains, she probably couldn't recall a single relevant detail inside Jasmine's dreamscape.
Fisher didn't remind her either. From the corner of his eye, he suddenly glanced at the calendar on his desk. He still rembered the year, month, and day when he first arrived here. Looking at it now, several weeks had unknowingly passed...
And during these few weeks, there had been no news from Helaire, and Fisher had been dragged in by Jasmine's dreamscape, almost completely imrsing himself in playing the role of Teacher Fisher.
Fisher frowned, quickly realizing that this dreamscape's erosion of him could, to a certain extent, bypass the protection of the "Un" property within him.
He looked down at his fingers, montarily seeming to see extrely faint strands of scarlet mist seeping out from his fingertips, as if there was sothing within his body that the scarlet mist couldn't swallow no matter what. Yet even so, the dense scarlet mist seed intended to thoroughly dye the soul wrapped around that property, making him forget everything outside.
But with another blink, the scarlet mist circulating in his hands seed to completely disappear, looking more like bright morning light.
Fisher turned his head to look out the office window. Between the towering skyscrapers in the distance, a red sun had already raised its head, piercing through the air that had remained silent all night.
And right beneath that sunshine, a "creak" seemingly caused by the breeze suddenly emitted from the slightly grimy glass of the office.
Fisher cast his gaze over, surprisingly finding a brief line of text written out of thin air on it. Furthermore, it was written in Naris text, which only existed where he lived,
[Hurry up]
Looking at that ssage, Fisher finally understood why the dreamscape just now experienced such a series of fluctuations.
The timid and shrinking "defeated dog Renee" in the dream suddenly beca brave, bringing a confession letter to Fisher's office; the imrsed Fisher suddenly blurted out the na he used to call Renee; Fisher actually faintly saw the reality of this dreamscape, the Scarlet Mist...
All of this pointed to the fact that the entire dreamscape had undergone violent fluctuations just now.
Coupled with the ssage transmitted through supernatural ans within the dream right now, the only possible reason could be that Ramastia and Anabatos on the outside were attempting to intervene in the dreamscape itself using divine power...
Which also proved that the inside and outside of the dreamscape weren't completely isolated. At least the deities outside could convey ssages through interfering with the red mist, though it must be incredibly difficult, otherwise they wouldn't have just sent this extrely brief line of text.
And with him having been stagnant in the dreamscape for several whole weeks, the situation outside couldn't be optimistic.
"..."
He was already out of ti.
Looking at the text on the window sill, Fisher was lost in thought, but the Renee behind him saw nothing. She instead shot a strange look at Fisher, who had remained silent after speaking those easily misunderstood words. So she had to clutch the hem of her skirt and tentatively said,
"Teacher Fisher?"
Fisher took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, turned to look at Renee, and spoke,
"Renee, go back first. Wait until I handle everything."
"Go back?" Our Classmate Renee opened her mouth, her face turning crimson as she gripped her skirt tighter. "Wait a minute, Teacher Fisher! You haven't... haven't explained the aning behind hugging and saying those things to just now... Suddenly asking to go back now, could it be... could it be that everything just now was... was just a joke?"
As she spoke, the corners of Renee's eyes couldn't help but grow moist, questioning Fisher,
"Teacher Fisher, please... please explain this clearly. What exactly are your feelings for ?!"
"..."
Fisher froze slightly, then massaged his brow, muttering,
"If only you were this honest and straightforward outside the dream, Renee..."
"Huh? Outside what dream, how could I..."
"What exactly are my feelings for you..."
Fisher pondered for a mont, then walked quickly toward Renee. Amidst her astonished gaze, he reached out and cupped her rosy face, lifting it in her unbelievable gaze, and decisively leaned down.
He pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes gently.
Renee's eyes widened instantly, freezing in place as if turning into a statue unable to control herself.
After a long mont, Fisher pulled back slightly, narrowed his eyes, reached out to pat her head, and said softly,
"Do you understand now?"
"...I..."
Renee remained in that brief mont with Fisher, not even realizing he had stepped back, as if her brain was still stuck in the point in ti a few seconds ago.
"Go back now, alright, Renee? Wait until I handle everything..."
"Y-yes, Teacher Fisher..."
Made dizzy and confused by this interaction, how could Renee still distinguish North from South? Right now, whatever Fisher said went.
Easily handled, Renee walked out of Fisher's office in a daze. Behind her, Fisher, with folded arms watching her departing figure, couldn't help but chuckle softly. But as Renee completely disappeared from sight, his expression inevitably turned serious again.
That fellow Helaire hadn't shown up for weeks consecutively. If, as she originally stated, her purpose was to shatter Jasmine's sweet dream, yet there was no follow-up after so long, either she was also affected by the dreamscape like him, or she was holding back sothing big waiting for him.
And considering Helaire's character...
Would you believe she did absolutely nothing during this ti and was willing to believe Fisher maintained his integrity and reford?
Fisher clicked his tongue, pondered for a mont, and looking at the skyscrapers outside the window, an absolutely unprecedented idea suddenly flooded his mind.
Did this dreamscape have boundaries or not?
If this school and this city were the core of Jasmine's dream, then what would the scenery be outside this city?
What would happen if he left this school with Jasmine right now?
Fisher stroked his chin, increasingly feeling this idea was feasible.
This thought might be a bit impulsive, but logically it was absolutely feasible.
Firstly, suddenly skipping school and leaving with Jasmine now might make her feel a sense of incongruity, but it wouldn't contradict her wishes. Let alone for the her in the dream, it wasn't leaving forever; if this action was packaged as an impromptu trip, it wouldn't temporarily exceed the threshold Jasmine couldn't accept.
He couldn't let Jasmine continue to dream as she pleased. Otherwise, if it continued like this, ignoring the situation within the dreamscape, the outside wouldn't be able to hold on.
And only by leaving to be alone with Jasmine would he have more opportunities to try finding a breakthrough from her, the master of this dreamscape.
Secondly, Helaire definitely wasn't planning anything good by hiding. Staying away from this school, which was like the center of a whirlpool, would also an staying away from her.
If he didn't stay away from Helaire, he would beco unfortunate!
Making up his mind, Fisher took a few breaths, quickly walked back to his desk, grabbed so belongings like his wallet and whatnot, and then, while pondering where to take Jasmine, put on his teacher's coat.
Just before leaving the office, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly glimpsed a map placed on the geography teacher's desk. He hesitated briefly, then reached out and grabbed that "Map of Japan" in his hand.
"Ring, ring, ring~"
The class bell rang, and the students in Class B who were conversing front and back earlier coincided without prior agreent to control their voices.
Jasmine pursed her lips, opened her math textbook, and rather distressedly scanned the seemingly extrely obscure formulas above.
On the podium, just as the math teacher stood still, and Jasmine had just picked up her pencil, the classroom door was suddenly opened again, revealing Fisher holding a map of Japan outside.
"Teacher Fisher, is there sothing you need?"
The math teacher's call from the podium pulled Jasmine's attention back. She froze slightly, raising her head just in ti to see Fisher walking silently to her desk. Looking down at her, he asked,
"Jasmine, would you like to go on a trip with ?"
"Eh?"
Jasmine opened her mouth, failing to understand Fisher's words for a mont. Only when the gazes of the entire class and the teacher projected over did she snap back to reality. She blinked, sowhat at a loss, but facing Fisher's request, she still nodded and agreed first, before asking for the specific reason later,
"Of course... If it's this weekend, we can go. Let's discuss it with Mom and Dad when we get back..."
"Not this weekend... now, we're leaving right now."
"Now?"
"Teacher Fisher?"
The math teacher's expression behind him grew increasingly perplexed. Just as he was about to walk over, Fisher had already reached out to grab Jasmine's hand. Looking only at her, he asked word by word,
"Let's leave right now. Anywhere is fine. Just the two of us... can we, Jasmine?"
"E-eh?"
Jasmine's eyes widened. At this mont, the math teacher behind her had already placed a hand on Fisher's shoulder, causing Jasmine's gaze to shift away bit by bit.
In the sky outside the window, wind and clouds surged silently, as if symbolizing a certain emotional change.
"Teacher Fisher, I must remind you, I still have a class to teach. Even if there's an issue, please wait until after class to speak with Classmate Jasmine..."
"A-alright."
Just as the math teacher frowned and spoke from behind, Jasmine, whose arm was held by Fisher, suddenly opened her mouth and gave an answer.
Fisher wasn't surprised by this answer...
Perhaps he knew Jasmine wouldn't refuse even before he ca to the classroom and made the request. Because whether it was Jasmine or Asuka, neither was good at refusing. Regarding Fisher's requests, they would try their utmost to fulfill them no matter what, even if it ant wronging themselves.
This ti was no exception.
The reason? Still unclear...
But in short, she would always agree first.
Hearing Jasmine's answer, Fisher revealed an "as expected" expression, though this expression couldn't be described as hitting the mark or expected joy, but rather appeared complicated.
But he still exerted a slight force, pulling Jasmine up to stand. With a jerk of his shoulder, the math teacher holding his shoulder behind him uncontrollably stumbled backward, bumping away desks and chairs, staggering to sit on the floor.
"Whoosh, whoosh~"
The surging wind and clouds in the sky above beca more pronounced, but since Jasmine had already stood up, Fisher led her running out of the classroom.
Supported by the students, the teacher looked with astonishnt at Fisher and Jasmine leaving toward the door. The math teacher even clutched his behind and started shouting loudly,
"Ouch! I'm going to tell Jasmine's parents!! Their daughter is eloping during class with that Teacher Fisher!!"
Hearing this at the door, Jasmine turned her head to glance inside the classroom, but still followed Fisher, running out of the classroom alongside him.
"Hmm, hmm, hmm~"
If you ask how Renee was feeling at this mont?
Great, of course! Absolutely unprecedentedly great!
Currently standing at the entrance to the won's restroom, our Classmate Renee was humming a song while washing her hands under the tap.
Clearly, Renee's mind was no longer here, but wandering off above the highest clouds. Even though the class bell had rung a good while ago, she was leisurely standing there, showing no intention of returning to class.
Honestly, just now when Teacher Fisher was close to her, she had even decided on the nas for their future children.
Hmm...
Truly distressing...
Renee chuckled foolishly while shaking off the water from her hands, stepping into the corridor and walking toward her own classroom.
Right at this mont, an angry shout suddenly erupted from the adjacent Class B classroom, catching Renee's attention,
"Ouch! I'm going to tell Jasmine's parents!! Their daughter is eloping during class with that Teacher Fisher!!"
Eloping?
What eloping?
Renee blinked, subconsciously stopping her steps, and looked toward the Class B classroom, unexpectedly bumping right into Fisher, who had just burst out the classroom door...
"Teacher Fish..."
Just as the expression on Renee's face was about to turn to a smile, before she could even voice her intimate and lovable greeting, her expression stiffened slightly, freezing abruptly.
No other reason than she suddenly saw Jasmine, who was being pulled by Fisher and was about to rush out of the classroom with him.
From the corner of his eye, Fisher also saw Renee beside them witnessing all of this. He couldn't help but reveal an apologetic expression, but he also knew it was impossible to take Renee and run together at this mont. Otherwise, looking at the changing weather in the sky above, plus Renee, they'd probably not even be out of the campus before the whole dream turned into an extrely dangerous Scene of Fierce Conflict...
Sorry, Renee, wait for to return!
Fisher withdrew his gaze, holding Jasmine as they grew further away in Renee's widened eyes.
Watching him and Jasmine leave, Renee subconsciously raised her hand, seemingly wanting to urge them to stay, but before she could say anything, Fisher and Jasmine had already walked very far away, leaving her standing alone in place turning into a statue.
But didn't we just share a close mont?
Wasn't my wonderful romantic life just about to begin?
Didn't I just defeat Jasmine?
Didn't I...
Renee gaped, watching Fisher lead Jasmine rushing out of the classroom. They quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor, running toward the outside of the school without looking back.
And the gazes of the entire Class B students inside the classroom all turned over, watching Renee at the doorway, extending her hand wanting to try and beg them to stay, wanting to say sothing but failing to do anything, failing to utter anything. They all stood dumbfounded in place watching her, like watching a joke...
Renee's mouth hung wide open, the moisture in her eyes intensifying,
"This kind of thing... I don't want this kind of thing!!"
Feeling incredibly wronged, she abruptly fell to her knees, shouting out in incompetent rage, unable to accept it.
"Step, step, step..."
At this mont at the school gates, Fisher led Jasmine sprinting out without stopping. They quickly passed through the still-open fence gate at the entrance, sprinting toward the farther outside. Then they hailed a taxi passing by at the street corner, opened the door, and got in the back seat.
"Teacher Fisher, taxis are very expensive... and we don't even know where we're going yet..."
"Get in first."
"O-okay..."
Their conversation ca intermittently, causing a figure who had just reached the gates carrying a paper bag to pause slightly.
The figure wore a trench coat. Turning to look at the street corner, she only saw the taxi driving further away, its destination unknown.
Upon closer inspection, the strands of blond hair falling from the high collar of the trench coat and that angelic female face all revealed her identity...
Watching the taxi gradually leaving, Helaire, who had disappeared for two weeks and suddenly shown up at the school gates today, opened her mouth, and then revealed a smile. She said softly,
"Exactly is it being smart, or having good luck, darling...?"
"Guglu, guglu..."
Following her soft words, the darkness hidden within the paper bag she was holding— darkness seemingly impenetrable by the entire world— squird slowly, emitting an extrely ominous aura.
Helaire sighed, looking down at the paper bag,
"It was originally supposed to end today... Your mind was clearly already affected by the dreamscape, yet you woke up at the very last mont?"
"...Guglu, guglu..."
After a mont of silence, the squirming sound from the paper bag persisted, as if another body of Helaire was conversing with herself,
"Indeed... but there's no rush. I will win this ga."
Watching the taxi leave for an unknown destination, Helaire didn't imdiately pursue. Instead, she walked into the school as if she didn't care at all.
As a result, she hadn't taken many steps before she saw Renee rushing toward the school gates with a wronged expression on her face.
It would have been fine if she hadn't seen Helaire; upon seeing Helaire, the level of Renee's grievance directly doubled. Tears instantly flowed like a geyser,
"Teacher Helaire!! Wuwuwu! You... you... you finally ca back!"
Helaire froze slightly. Looking at the incredibly wronged Renee, she gently opened her arms, embracing her forward-running body into her arms,
"What's wrong?"
"Wuwuwu... Teacher Fisher, he... he... Waaahh! Hurry and help ... being snatched away by Jasmine right after we had a mont together... I don't want this kind of thing to happen!"
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'm here..."
Helaire smiled helplessly, reaching out to pat Renee's back, speaking so patiently and amicably.
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