Azure Files, the starting point of all miracles

Looking at the dazzling array of dresses around her, Xiyu's thoughts gradually returned to a few minutes ago.

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"This is... the legendary department store..."

Hiyori's eyes sparkled a little as she looked at the scene in front of her expectantly, "Is it really okay for someone like me to come here?"

"Will my life come to an end after today?"

"Woo woo~ As expected, life is full of all kinds of pain - ouch!"

After tapping Hiyori's head gently to interrupt her usual discouraging words, Misaki sighed helplessly.

"Stop talking nonsense...be a better teacher and behave yourself."

"Alright, alright, Misaki, it's rare for everyone to come out and play together, so you should relax a little bit now."

At this time, Xiyu also came to Misaki's side: "Misaki, you can also act happier."

"Is there anything you want? Please tell me, teacher~"

"Well……"

Being stared at by the teacher with gentle eyes, Misaki felt her heartbeat inexplicably slow down. She took a deep breath, and after she came to her senses, she shifted her gaze to the side.

"Teacher, I don't want anything."

"Rather, this level is enough now—"

"Ah~ I see, you want a big doll, right~"

"I still remember that you really like dolls, Misaki."

"teacher--"

The teacher held Misaki's hand and dragged her to the doll shop. Before Misaki could come to her senses, Xiyu stuffed a life-size stuffed teddy bear into her arms.

Feeling the soft and comfortable touch in her arms, Misaki's pupils couldn't help but shrink slightly.

Just as she was about to put the doll back, the teacher's voice came from the front.

"You can't put it back. Misaki is my bodyguard now, right?"

"In that case, you must obey the orders of the person you are protecting~"

Misaki: “…”

Looking at the teacher who started to choose dolls for other children, Misaki pursed her lips, pondered for a moment, and murmured softly.

"Teacher... you actually bought something for someone like me... what on earth are you thinking..."

"What a strange person."

"But...thank you..."

Misaki said this and couldn't help but hug the doll in her arms tightly.

Although the dolls in this store are all well-made, because the other children were not very enthusiastic about this, Xiyu bought a large plush teddy bear for Misaki and then went to the next store.

During this process, as the communication between them gradually deepened, the children's emotions gradually became more relaxed from the initial restrained state.

Faced with the teacher's kindness, they gradually began to accept it calmly.

Hiyori: "Teacher, is it really okay to buy me so many books? Is it really not going to cost me anything?"

S: "I've already said it's not necessary, but - Hiyori, you have to promise me that you can't read while walking, or you'll damage your eyes."

Hiyori: "Hehehe... since that's what the teacher said, then I'll agree."

S: "And you, Atsuko—I told you not to read while walking."

Atsuko: "Hmm~ In that case, when we get back, I'll let the teacher teach me all kinds of knowledge."

Mika: "What? Private lessons from the teacher? So cunning, I want to take them too!"

Hinata: "Um, teacher, can I do that too?"

S: "Of course~"

Atsuko: “…”

Along the way, we chatted casually with the students, and before we knew it, we came to a clothing store.

At this moment, Xiyu keenly noticed that Saori's gaze paused for a moment on a certain piece of clothing.

This is very rare for Saori, who has not had many emotional fluctuations along the way.

However, this is a good start.

After taking a look at the outfit not far away, Xiyu smiled slightly and came to Saori's side.

Saori: “…”

"Why don't you give it a try?"

Saori: “——!”

Saori was caught off guard and was startled by the teacher, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

After realizing that the person next to her was her teacher, Saori quickly recovered.

"Teacher, you mean——"

"The dress."

Xiyu pointed to the white dress not far away and said with a smile, "What do you think of Saori?"

"Teacher, I——"

"Saori likes that very much, don't suppress yourself."

As Xiyu spoke, she held Sazhi's hand, using her own warmth to dispel the coldness that enveloped the girl's hand.

"I told you that I would make you happy."

"Those unpleasant past events have become the past. Now just live generously in the sunshine."

"I and everyone else will be with you, Saori~"

"teacher……"

Looking at the boy in front of her, Saori inexplicably felt a warm current surge in her heart, and along with it came a sour feeling in her nose.

Is it crying?

When was the last time you shed tears?

Teacher... Am I really worthy of your gentle treatment?

Even though Saori really wanted to ask this question, she knew very well what answer she would get from the teacher.

Therefore, the only thing I can do now is to bury this kindness deep in my heart.

Then, use everything you have to protect the teacher.

Even if it means sacrificing one's life, it is worth it.

*This is...the only thing I can do now...

Looking at the dress that the clerk handed to her at the teacher's request, Saori murmured in her heart and subconsciously hugged it tightly in her arms.

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Now, several minutes have passed since Saori entered the locker room.

During this period, Misaki and Hiyori were also encouraged by Xiyu to find a dress that suits them respectively.

After all the children entered the locker room, Xiyu's surroundings suddenly became much quieter.

This feeling seems to have not come for a long time.

Alone.

Thinking so, Xiyu began to hum a gentle melody intentionally or unintentionally.

It is clearly a melody full of tenderness and blessings, but somehow it gives people a feeling of loneliness.

It seems that with the end of this melody, we will say goodbye to each other.

"We can't stop time, we can only leave the tracks behind us - eh?"

Suddenly, the boy's song stopped.

It wasn’t because he forgot the follow-up.

Instead, he felt someone hugging him tightly from behind.

Just as Xiyu was about to turn around, she heard a familiar and helpless voice.

"Teacher... don't leave..."

"Saori?"

Looking at the girl who behaved in a completely different way from her usual style, Xiyu blinked in surprise.

Oops...it seems...

If I am not careful, I will cause the child to misunderstand.

Chapter 148: Saori's personal opinion

"Teacher... please don't leave us..."

"That... Saori..."

Feeling the heartbeat coming from behind, Xiyu felt inexplicably embarrassed for a moment.

Oops……

It seemed like the child had misunderstood something.

We must clear up this misunderstanding before other students come out.

Xiyu thought so and quickly said to Saori: "No, I won't leave."

"With such lovely students here, how could I bear to leave?"

"Saori, did you hear the song I hummed just now?"

Saori: “…Yeah.”

"Actually, that song wasn't sung for me. It was dedicated to one of my former classmates? My subordinates? My comrades? My bad friends? There are so many identities, it's hard to describe them all at once."

"But that song isn't for me."

"Is...is that so?"

Saori murmured, and after confirming that the teacher was not being perfunctory or lying, she slowly let go of the other person.

After being released by Saori, Xiyu was able to turn around and look at the girl behind him.

It was just this one glance that made Xiyu stunned.

"Old...teacher?"

Perhaps noticing Xiyu's strangeness, Saori folded her hands in front of her belly somewhat unnaturally.

"Um, is there anything strange about this?"

"Strange? How is that possible!"

After realizing what was happening, Xiyu quickly shook her head: "Saori is not strange at all!"