The final bell had come and gone, and with it, Mitakihara High School’s first official day back. Yosuke had once again made an attempt to speak with Koharu, and once again, he had no luck. Dejected, he left the building, past Hanako and Ueno, walking side by side in the opposite direction. 

Hanako: Are you sure I can’t talk you into the Newspaper Club, Ueno-chan? 

Ueno: Hmm… I dunno… it seems like Shirahara-san would be super strict about the writing! And I thought it was “would of” instead of “would have” until this year! 

Hanako: Ehe… well, yeah, Koharu’s standards are really high. But I don’t mind. I know the paper is better off with someone so attentive to detail in charge. But what will you do, then?

Ueno: I was thinking about the cooking club! Y’know, I only ever did it a little before, um, before I met Aoi… I was always busy on my phone. But after I came back, I started doing it a lot more, baking cookies and stuff for everyone… and I think I really enjoy it. It’s a lot better than scrollin’ and pulling and pulling on gacha… 

Hanako: Oh! That suits you perfectly! Those cookies you make are better than any I’ve ever had!

Ueno: The question is… (Ueno raises her finger) Were those my magical cookies or my regular baked cookies? 

Hanako: Ah? I-I don’t know, actually! Every batch was good in their own way! (She stifles a giggle as they walk)

Ueno: It’s a trick question ‘cause even when I’m not using my powers, my baking is still magical! 

Hanako: (Hanako takes considerable effort to keep from descending into a giggling fit) Ueno~!

Ueno: Hee hee! I was thinking of showin’ the cooking club my stuff and getting better too. 

Hanako: Well, I think it’s perfect! Let’s just hope no one asks about the secret ingredient!

As the two pass the corner, a door opens to their left, and a tall woman carrying a large box filled with all sorts of art supplies comes out, her immaculately bleached hair tied into a stylish bunch, and her clothing just as striking. She mutters something as she puts the box back down and closes the door, locking it with one of the keys on her key ring.

Hanako: (Hanako immediately froze at the familiar sight, speaking just under her breath) …D… Director Nagano…

Anisa: (as she turns and recognizes Hanako, she pauses for a few seconds, occasionally glancing at Ueno as well) … Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time… (she chuckles) No, I’m afraid you’re quite mistaken. Director Nagano is dead, isn’t she?

Ueno: (Ueno steps back, pale as a ghost) … Anisa… 

Hanako: (The air around them goes still) …”Director Nagano” is standing right here. …What… what are you doing here…?

Anisa: I lost my job, in case you forgot. Luckily, a friend of mine told me your school was looking for an art teacher, so here I am.

Ueno: (quietly) So… you’re still here to keep monitoring all of us. 

Hanako: That’s it… isn’t it?

Anisa: No, technically, Kanamin is here to monitor you. I’m honestly just here to pay the bills. I have nothing to do with the Bureau anymore. All I’ve got going for me is my experience… So I’m always willing to lend a hand if you need me, of course.

Hanako: …I wish Yui was here. I have no way to know if you’re being honest or not. (She’s quiet for a long time, then just sighs.) …If you did mean us harm, we have options. No… somehow… somehow I… I think she’s being honest, Ueno-chan.

Ueno: C… couldn’t you have picked anywhere else? Every time everyone sees you, they’re gonna remember what happened… 

Anisa: I’m afraid the only people here who remember are you two. And for a person with the knowledge and experience that I have to keep away from you? Live a normal life, in a normal job, pretending your struggle doesn’t exist? Would that be ethical, Miss Asaharu? Noblesse oblige.

Ueno: Th-there are Puellae in other schools and other cities, too! Why do you keep coming after us, instead of people like those Balancers?

Anisa: I understand how you feel, but I am not “coming after” anyone. It may be hard to believe, but I am no longer in any position to hurt you anymore, even if I wanted to.

Ueno: You just took a teaching position at our school!

Hanako: Ueno-chan… I-I think it’s okay. If she does anything shady, we… we can call on Yui or the others at New Eden. Besides, I’m not as… weak as I once was. …I’m keeping my eyes open, Dir— …Anisa. I don’t trust you. But… I have no reason to try and impede you, either.

Anisa: Thank you, Miss Sasaki. I know I haven’t always been fair to you — far from it — and, as much as it disappoints me to hear you appear to think teachers are out to abuse the power they have over their students, you certainly have a point, Miss Asaharu… It will seem… unfathomable why I continue to insist on being a part of your lives. But… It is my duty. (she greets the two before taking off, though not without turning around when she is about to turn the corner) Oh, and art is an elective, just so you know. I insisted on that.

Hanako: (Hanako, eyes never leaving Anisa, gives a polite nod before she rounds the corner.) …If she displays her power as a Malefica, we can fight, and I can enlist Yui’s aid. If she abuses her power as a teacher… my mother can fight this fight. I am… not too terribly worried.

Ueno: Mmnnrrggh… it’s hard enough to catch up with all my schoolwork, now I gotta worry about this, too… did you hear how she twisted it around like I was saying all teachers do bad stuff? If she goes around telling the other teachers I said that… 

Hanako: Oh, um… wh-while you were gone, teachers here were, um… not good to Koharu. Mother had to get involved, in fact.

Ueno: Oh, geeeeze… maybe there are more bad teachers than I thought… 

Hanako: I-I never told you that story. You see…