Lesson Learned

You've learned so much

"Dad?" she mumbled, trying to reach out.

His expression was closed off again. "You should go help your mother." He turned away from her and placed the photo on the desk. "I have a lot of work I need to do."

****

There was a heaviness in the air that was suffocating as the invisible clock ticked down.

"So, are we ready?" Sugaya said, trying to smile when he looked around, but not managing it.

Fuwa checked the time on her phone. "Not long until Midnight."

Mitsuko swallowed a lump in her throat. "Then why are we standing here like idiots?" her voice wavered, stepping forward along with some of the others. "Let's go say goodbye."

The glow of the shield made her wince when she stepped through it along with her friends, climbing the final steps up the mountain to the Old Campus building until—

Mitsuko's throat constricted when the first thing she and everyone else saw was Koro-sensei standing at the top of the steps waiting for them.

They all stopped and stared at him like they couldn't believe he was actually still there.

"Even from listening from afar, I could ascertain that you just defeated a formidable enemy." His voice was proud and warm. "You've all grown, each and every one of you."

Mitsuko's eyes pricked with tears as she took in a sharp breath.

"KORO-SENSEI!" They yelled, running towards him.

Koro-sensei chuckled when they rushed forward with knives and hugs.

Mitsuko barrelled into his side and embraced him tight, his stomach feeling like a squishy cushion.

Everyone was laughing around her, shooting near him playfully and trying to stab him while he leapt them away with his tentacles.

She rubbed her eyes quickly when she felt a few tears threaten to come out.

"Mitsuko?" Koro-sensei chuckled, patting her on the head. "Did you have fun getting here?"

Mitsuko gave a broken laugh, smiling up at him. "Yeah, besides the bullets and homicidal mercenaries."

"That's good to hear," he replied warmly. "I hope you all enjoyed proving your skill."

Kurahashi grinned. "They had no idea what they were up against!"

"I even ended up using up all my spices! Karma chimed, earning a concerned look from Koro-sensei.

"Sir, we have to hurry," Isogai said, looking worried. "The lazer strikes just before midnight!"

"We don't have much time!" Kataoka said.

Mitsuko gripped Koro-sensei's robes tight when their teacher looked unconcerned.

"I see." Koro-sensei looked up at the sky. "So the lazer will be fired just before Midnight." He hummed. "Judging by the intensity of this light, even transforming into my absolute defence form would do me no good."

Mitsuko sighed, loosening her hold as she started to feel sick.

Kurahashi rushed to speak. "You can take us, hostage!" She started rambling about negotiating with the government.

Koro-sensei looked at them fondly. "No matter how influential of a hostage I take, I doubt the officials will hold off on the firing of the laser any longer," he reminded them. "After all, the life of your entire planer is on the line."