I, the spiritual mentor of beautiful girls from all over the world

He spoke softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Follow my rhythm, one step, two steps... 13."

"Treat this room as if it were empty; you're just practicing."

Goto Doku's body remained as stiff as a piece of wood, and his dance steps were completely wrong.

Lynn awkwardly led her around in a circle, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Yui Yuigahama not far away.

She was surrounded by her friends, a signature bright smile on her face, saying things like, "No, I don't care."

But Lynn saw it clearly: for a moment, those eyes, which were always as bright as a puppy's, completely lost their focus.

Behind that forced, energetic smile lay a deep sense of grievance and bitterness that almost overflowed from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry! I stepped on you again!"

Goto apologized in a panic, his voice barely audible, and he lowered his head even further.

“It’s alright,” Lynn’s voice remained steady, carrying an undeniable warmth.

"It's better to step on me than to step on yourself."

He didn't go to see it.

But he could clearly "feel" the other gazes, like knives with heat.

He could imagine that Eriri must be clenching her fists tightly at this moment, her golden eyes burning with proud anger, as if silently accusing, "Why not me?"

Beneath Kasumigaoka Utaha's perfectly professional smile, there probably lies a hint of uncontrollable coldness, a mixture of admiration and resentment.

As for Yukino... she had probably already turned away, using her refusal to watch this "illogical" scene to mask the disorder in her heart.

Their pride, calculation, and rationality all transformed into the same emotion called "bitterness" at this moment, intertwining in the air.

Above all these emotions, a cold, almost tangible gaze, like an invisible chain, was precisely cast from a corner of the playground.

Lynn didn't even need to use [Emotion Sensing].

He knew that it was the firmament.

Her "bitterness" was different from others.

It wasn't a momentary disappointment, but a cold, icy anger that felt like "my things have been dirtied."

All of this became the backdrop for this clumsy dance.

The steady power emanating from Lynn's palm seemed to truly form a barrier around Goto, isolating him from the world.

For the first time, her chaotic mind found a sliver of focus.

(The teacher's... rhythm...)

She tried to stop thinking about anything else and just feel the force that was guiding her.

step.

Two steps.

Although she was still clumsy, her body seemed less stiff.

She raised her head, mustered all the courage she had ever had, and for the first time in reality, looked directly into the man's eyes.

At that moment, what she saw was neither a manipulative demon nor a lofty deity.

Instead, it was a... calm, profound, gentle starry sky, as if it could embrace all her unease and fear.

……

The music slowly faded to its last note.

The dance stopped.

Lynn released her hand.

Goto stood there alone, her body still swaying slightly, but this time, she didn't immediately hug her guitar case and curl up into a ball.

She just looked down at the tips of her shoes, as if savoring something.

“Well done.” Lynn smiled gently at her.

Goto Doku's body trembled violently. She quickly raised her head, glanced at Lynn, and then immediately lowered it again, but uttered a barely audible, complete, and unbroken sound:

"……Um."

A simple syllable, yet it represented the greatest courage she had mustered for herself that night.

Lynn's smile deepened.

He didn't say anything more, but simply turned around and gently escorted Goto Doku back to the other members of the "Unity Band".

Kita Ikuyo, Nijika, and the others are still in a dazed state of mental lapse.

"Please take good care of her."

……

The bonfire party was slowly coming to an end.

The towering flames gradually subsided, leaving only the last stubborn core pulsating, casting an uncertain glow on the scattered embers.

The revelers had dispersed, and the playground was much emptier, with only a few students chatting quietly, still reluctant to leave.

But the atmosphere on this battlefield, which was gradually cooling down, had not truly calmed down.

Several girls, each with their own worries, did not leave, as if by unspoken agreement.

They seemed to be protecting something, or waiting for something.

Each person occupied a corner of the space, maintaining a subtle distance from one another, creating a silent yet tense domain.

Lynn ended her conversation with the "Unity Band," turned around, and calmly faced the storm woven from the complex emotions of the girls.

He took a step.

Walking towards her was Yui Yuigahama, who was surrounded by her friends and trying her best to put on a bright smile.

"Yui, it's okay! Teacher Lynn must have her own reasons!"

"Exactly, don't overthink it!"

Her friends' comfort was like looking through frosted glass, unable to truly touch her heart, which was already half empty.

Lynn walked up to her and, amidst the surprised gazes of those around them, gently placed a still-steaming can of cocoa into her hand.

He looked into her forced smile and spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of intimacy and helplessness that only she could understand.

"At a time when everyone is watching, how could I bear to let you become the target of everyone's envy and jealousy?"

These words, like a direct surge of warmth, instantly shattered the strength she had forced herself to maintain all night.

Then, Lynn's gaze became even more serious, as if he were stating an undeniable truth.

"Your gentleness should not be used to endure those things."

Just two sentences, only two sentences.

The first sentence is a gesture of thoughtfulness, while the second sentence is an affirmation of the essence.

Yui Yuigahama felt that she was completely seen through and cherished, both inside and out.

That thoughtful gesture, which perfectly disguised "rejection" as "protection," was like an irresistible warm current, instantly filling all the grievances, disappointments, and confusion in her heart.

Her eyes instantly welled up with tears, and all her defenses crumbled.

But Lynn's words were not yet finished.

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze fixed on the still-shaken pink figure in the distance, and added in an unquestionable tone, as if stating a universal truth:

"Moreover, sometimes, the most dazzling light is not meant to illuminate itself."

"But it's so that... the person hiding in the darkest corner won't be completely swallowed up by the darkness."

boom!

If the first two sentences were the "gentleness" that made her completely fall for him, then the last sentence was the "thunder" that made her admire him!

It instantly found a great, correct, and irrefutable logical fulcrum for that private and heartwarming tenderness!

(So...it turns out...the teacher...was not only concerned about me and affirming me, but also...saving her!)

At this moment, thoughtful actions, essential affirmation, and rational sublimity combined to deliver a fatal blow.

All the grievances, disappointments, and confusion in Yui Yuigahama's heart were purified and sublimated in an instant.

The sourness faded, leaving only an overflowing sweetness and admiration that almost overwhelmed her.

She could no longer say things like "I'm fine" to show her strength. She could only hug the warm cocoa and nod heavily, her cheeks as red as ripe apples.

……

On the other side of the playground, a blonde girl with pigtails was standing alone with her arms crossed, forcefully grinding the grass with the tips of her shoes, exuding an aura of "don't mess with me" that said strangers should stay away.

Eriri Sawamura Spencer.

She's sulking.

Lynn walked straight over without saying anything to comfort her, but spoke in a flat tone, as if stating a fact.

"I know you're angry."

"Huh? What do you mean?!"

Eriri reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with anger.

Lynn shook his head at her anger and said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“I don’t think your pride should be proven with a dance.”

These words of approval instantly extinguished Eriri's anger.

Then, Lynn launched a fatal blow in an even more authoritative tone, as if she were planning her future.

"Your stage is not here."

He pointed to the noisy playground and commented.

"Too young. A brilliant genius like you should be standing at the center of the world, not here, feeling saddened by someone else's choice."

(He...he's not rejecting me...)

(He's using this method to protect my pride as a genius! He thinks I'm not even worthy of participating in this game?!)

First, appease her anger, then elevate her value.

The breakdown of both her emotions and reason transformed all her anger into a burning blush of joy.

"Hmph! Who, who asked you to define it?!"

She instinctively retorted, then, as if to prove she really didn't care, puffed out her small chest and added in a louder voice:

"I...I don't care how big the stage is! I...I never intended to dance with you! Don't get me wrong!!"

She shouted it all out in one breath, as if she had used up all her strength, and her fair cheeks turned bright red with excitement and embarrassment.

Finally, as if to forcefully conclude her flawed declaration, she stomped her foot and shouted with all her might at Lynn's retreating figure the "perfect" retort that had been swirling in her mind for so long:

"You foolish, self-deluded teacher!"

After saying those words, she could no longer maintain her haughty demeanor. She crossed her arms and ran away as if fleeing, her retreating figure revealing a secret joy in her hasty escape.

Lynn watched her retreating figure and smiled.

……

Kasumigaoka Utaha was leaning against the railing by the stage, arms crossed, with a playful smile on her face, as if she were enjoying a wonderful drama.

Seeing Lynn approaching, she even went to greet her, a perfect smile on her lips, her breath sweet as orchids. 877

"Teacher, what a wonderful 'anti-hero' drama! It's truly an eye-opener."

She took the initiative by positioning herself as a superior "theatre critic".

Lynn did not refute her; instead, she looked at her with interest, smiled and nodded, as if she completely agreed with her statement.

"Oh? A play?" he asked casually.

"That's a very interesting analogy, Ms. Kasumi Shiko."