time never stops.

        there’s no doubt in sun’s mind that both of them could pull this off. the longer he distracted the booth attendant, the more tries she had to eventually knock the cans over. it all makes sense in theory, all that’s left is to actually execute the plan. on her cue, he slides in front of the booth attendant with a raised arm, making sure to pull his attention from his partner-in-crime.

        ❛ oh hey. isn’t it sooo hot today? a dip in the ocean sounds amazing right about now. ❜

        the booth attendant rolls his eyes, sighing with annoyance. ❛ it does, but i’m on the clock so i can’t. ❜  his gaze trails back towards megumi’s direction but sun catches it immediately, hand slamming on the booth counter to bring his attention back on him.

        ❛ i bet you’ve seen tons of people on their first dates here, huh? the boardwalk sure is a popular place for those. i’m also betting that you have some juicy stories to tell. c’mon, there’s gotta be some really embarrassing ones. ❜ 

         ❛ well… ❜  the booth attendant begins.

Amazing... He really is charismatic. She was right to put her trust in him- the timid Megumi would never be able to pull something like that off. His energy fills her with confidence. 

She closes her eyes and lets out a small sigh as she readies her aim. And, with an intensity that she thought was unfamiliar to herself, she knocks the cans down in a single go. 

“I did it!” 

She calls out to the attendant- luckily, the coconut knocked back to her and she was able to let it roll away by her feet- unnoticed. 

She’s still being cared for, in the end–though being taken care of her teacher is perhaps less embarrassing than the girls who all, in her opinion, were in far worse positions than she was. Perhaps it’s really what she needs right now, what she’s needed ever since the world essentially combusted…but she can’t help but feel embarrassed. Even if it’s for something as simple as a cup of tea and a pastry. Oh, God, she can have a pastry, for the first time in…a tear escapes her eyes, but she’s done with the majority of her sobbing.

“Thank you, Sakura-sensei.” As they walk through the streets, she can’t help but look around. All these people, living their normal lives…where had they been taken from? Her worries that she had died linger with her, but…the people here don’t seem particularly haunted. How many of them are from this city, in the first place? She has a lot of questions, truly, but her worry overrides most of them.

“Oh…that’s nice.” She smiles, because she’s glad–Megumi had truly seemed to enjoy teaching, and that she’s getting to do it again in a place that seems safe enough is warming to hear. “This place…wherever it is, it was completely unaffected, huh?”

“No, no, it’s okay–my education did get cut off at a certain point, after all. And…I don’t know if I could go to a university quite yet. A real one, anyway. When we were staying at one…the club, I mean…we all slept together in the same dorm room. It was too empty without the others.” She smiles, the first time it feels like she’s done so since she arrived in this city.

“Even if I’ve ‘graduated,’ you’re still my beloved teacher, Sakura-sensei. I don’t think I could ever not think of you as such.”

Even though she tried hard not to forget what the world looked like for Yuki’s sake, she had begun to forget what it was like when she wasn’t fearing for her life every day. This world made her remember what it was like to teach normally... But she still couldn’t be happy. 

Was she only trying to recreate those days? Could she successfully teach after all she’s been through?

But... Yuuri is here, and she’s happy. So... Maybe she is a good teacher, after all.

“Yes, from what I’ve seen... Everyone here is completely healthy. There are a few odd happenings, but I don’t think it’s even possible to die in this world.”

In other words, she didn’t have to worry anymore. There were no strange files given to her. It was... Safe.

“Hm... You haven’t been studying at all? Not even reading a few pages of a textbook?” She gave Yuuri a teasingly scolding look. “There’s a university, too. Wherever you decide to enroll, I’ll support you.”

She would support Yuuri even if she decided not to go to school- but Yuuri has always been studious, so she sees no need to say it.

⚡ Oh. Well, this is embarrassing in more than one way now. Not just does she seem to be older than he thought, which still isn’t much of an issue here anyway, but she’s not new here, either. His initial excitement is deflating a little. He really thought he could boast here with his knowledge and playing tour guide. But alas…

“Eeh? Yes, that’s right. You have access now to Wi-Fi.” How did she survive here one whole month like this… “Anyway, uh… you’re alright then? Or do you need help with anything more?”

The two were both flustered for two different reasons. Megumi had always been lost in her own little world- hence why details about this place could slip her mind. She supposed it was because she was so focused on becoming a teacher again- reigniting that passion became more important than eating and sleeping.

Yuuri’s frantic at this point–every single thing she’s been through since her beloved teacher passed is racing in her mind, and it’s overwhelming. Her guilt over forgetting Ruu. Her inability to do much of anything as time went on. She’d been nothing but a dead weight, for so long–her trembling has become full-on shaking, only stopped when Megumi’s gentle hand brings her back down into reality.

“Yeah. …sorry.” That’s all she can manage as she tries to regain her composure. If she doesn’t order her thoughts, there’s no way she could begin to share them all. For the first time in months, Yuuri knows she can be vulnerable, but she’s not too sure she’s ready for anyone to see her truest state.

She tries to steady herself with a deep breath, but it hitches, and she winces.

“It’s…been so long, since…” Going to a coffee shop was something that had been nothing but a mere dream to her at this point. But of course–this place had escaped the virus (bacteria, rather), and so of course simple things like that would remain.

“That would be…very nice. Thank you, Sakura-sensei.”

After spending so much time practically trapped in the school together, Megumi had gained a strong sense for the feelings and needs of her students. Whatever Yuuri was going through, it was putting a heavy weight on her mind.

Yuuri was a smart girl, and Megumi trusted that she would be able to adjust to living in this new place- and that she took good care of Yuki and Kurumi in her absence... But getting her to see that was a different story. 

“Of course... I’ll pay for everything, don’t worry.” With her usual unwavering smile, Megumi leads Yuuri through the streets. “Um... There’s been a lot I’ve wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh! There’s a high school here, you know? I recently got a job teaching Japanese and Literature. Maybe you should consider enrolling?”

But that’s impossible- Yuuri is a high school graduate now.

         with her approval, sun shoots two finger guns in her direction. ❛ that prize is as good as yours! and that corndog – mine! alright! ❜ looking over his shoulder to make sure the booth attendant isn’t within whisper distance or looking too suspiciously at him, he continues, ❛ it’s simple. i’m going to distract the guy over there and you can throw – ❜ he looks around the ground for something bigger than the booth balls. eyes land on a discarded coconut drink on the ground, and the faunus picks it up to offer to the other. ❛ this! as hard as you can. it’s an easy win. ready? ❜

Awkwardly, she returns the finger guns. Though with a lot less enthusiasm and a lot more timidness. 

“This is... A bit risky, isn’t it?” She asks, holding the coconut close to her- shielding it from the booth attendants view. “... You are very charismatic, though. It should be easy for you to distract him.”

She was more so worried about her weak throwing arm. Now isn’t the time to worry, though- at least the two are having fun with their little scheme. She gently pinches her cheek to push those unnecessary thoughts from her mind. 

⚡ Wallet? Adorable. She must be new. What confuses him is her comment. He looks still young? She doesn’t really look much older than him if he were honest. Looks are truly deceiving. But that’s doing her credit, right?

“Don’t worry about it. These drinks aren’t very expensive. Besides, they take our wallets away when we come here. You pay through the cellphone they gave us.” That said, he pulls his phone to pay the ordered drinks and gives one of them to her.  “Sooo… since when are you here?”

Is that... Really true? Megumi felt embarrassment rise to her cheeks. She must have been so used to having her wallet that she just assumed she was carrying it on her, and it bit her back when she needed to pay for something.

How sad. She had a pretty cute teddy bear charm attached to the zipper, too...

“Ahaha...” She laughs off her embarrassment- as a rookie teacher, she’s used to these fumbles. “... I guess I really do look like a newbie, don’t I? I’ve been here for a bit over a month, so this is the first time I’ve been able to buy something outside.” 

So it seemed as if her teacher didn’t remember the things she had done once she had turned. To a certain extent, Yuuri was glad–glad she wasn’t living with that pain and guilt, glad that the people they had had to kill were no longer people. How long did it take, after immediate exposure? At what point did the mind become nothing but a shell, the actions nothing but repetitive motions? Perhaps someone like Aosoi would have the answers to that, but–

There were other things to talk about, in the moment.

“So…so much happened, Sakura-sensei. I don’t even know…where to start with it all. But…I think we found the cure. The Randall Corporation–they were mentioned in that pamphlet–they were going to just, wipe Megurigaoka off the map, but, the water in the creek by the school–” She’s rambling, at this point, and she shakes her head. “Kurumi proved that people could survive. And then…I woke up here.” The worry she feels for Yuki, Kurumi, and Miki is smothering, and she trembles, just a bit.

“Is there…anywhere we can go? So I can try to…I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I know you want to know what happened to us.”

Megumi’s eyes widened- in her absence, her students had gone through so much. She feels like she should be apologizing for her inability to stay and protect them. But she wouldn’t be granted any more tries in that world- you can only offer up your life once.

But now, she could at least protect Yuuri in this world. That alone brings a smile to her face.

“Please, you don’t have to force yourself.” She gently grabs Yuuri’s shoulder. “It sounds like you’ve been through a lot... You shouldn’t have to explain everything all at once.” 

Of course she wants to know what happened to everyone. But Yuuri’s mental being is the most important thing to Megumi in that moment. She could bear not knowing if it gave Yuuri any peace.

         ❛ i wouldn’t exactly call it cheating – more like, getting even. ❜ the mischievous glint in his eyes is a sign he’s up to no good. with his words leading a thought, he nods to her, expecting her to catch his drift – or at least the ball he tosses towards her. ❛ standing your ground, being flexible, creative – logical. aren’t those the kind of things that make a good role model? ❜

         unlike her, sun often stole and cheated. those skills were means of survival and even now, they were hard to unlearn. though with every other person telling him how ‘ illegal ’ his actions were, you’d think he’d get the point. accompanying a successful loot or escape is a rush of adrenaline, and for this faunus, he finds himself constantly seeking that feeling.

         ❛ ‘sides, i already have an idea. so? are you game or what? ❜

Megumi took a second to think over it.

He was right... Especially in her world, out of box thinking was a necessity. She imagined the same standard applied in this world. Besides, if anyone was cheating- wouldn’t be these games, which were secretly unfair?

She put her finger to her chin, and nodded in approval.

“Roger! Let’s get even! As thanks, I’ll buy you a corndog after this, okay?”

The normal moment–the scene of a teacher correcting her student as said student acts a little too casual–is all too much for Yuuri, really. Those normal days, of her walking in the hallways, greeting her favorite teacher, and thinking the worst thing she had to worry about was the state of the plants on the roof–they’d been gone for so long, and she’d all but accepted they would be gone.

Perhaps this place, as strange and foreign as it was, could hold some goodness.

She wipes her tears away, though they continue to fall without any seeming end. “So–so much happened, since–” Even with Megumi standing in front of her now, the memory of her teacher’s death was agonizing. It was the first time since the incident had started that she’d felt true despair, and it was at that time she realized she would have to take the helm. “Kurumi…” What could she say? Oh, yeah, you bit Kurumi, and she nearly died multiple times, but she might be fine. That would cause the poor woman nothing but worry–even as she was vulnerable and small, she knew she had to be careful with her words.

“Yuki-chan…is fine. She…managed to keep us all going.” And as time had worn on, the pink-haired girl hadn’t been the only one to fall into the depths of delusion. “I…she saved us, many times. And even she was able to face the truth, at times.”

“I don’t…even know where to begin, really. But…we ruined your car. I’m sorry.” She doubted her teacher would care, but it was only polite to let her know. “We graduated, too. And we gained a new member for the club…we found…other survivors.”

Megumi noticed the way she trailed off when talking about Kurumi, and she knew that something bad had happened. Certainly Kurumi hadn’t turned as well, had she? She was always bold when patrolling, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t careful. Maybe... She had just gotten a minor injury.

“That sounds just like our Yuki-san. I’m glad... She was able to help you all. I’m truly impressed with the way you’ve all grown up. You were even able to leave the school.”

Megumi knew the area of the city well, even without the emergency protocol sheets in her hands. They had probably found it, and were able to find another place to live. Somewhere more fortified than a high school.

“So... it sounds like you’ve made a lot of new friends. Ah, I wish I could be there to meet our newest member.”

        oops.

  okay, so maybe she had assumed that the other wasn’t a teacher and more of, say, a college student or something. but definitely not a teacher and even if she remains still smiling on the outside, inside, she’s mentally scolding herself for jumping to conclusions. now that she has a moment to get a better look at the other, she did kind of give of a bit of a ‘teacher’ vibe– nothing like Ms. Toriumi, though. can’t say she’s ever seen a teacher chase as after a puppy, either, but she isn’t going to judge that.

      “ No, no, it’s alright! I get it, when it comes to cute animals, everything else just comes second. “    

   after all, how many nights did she spend playing with Koromaru? brushing his fur, staying up late to watch whatever was on the television that night, taking him for walks. the momentary sight of the animal has a nostalgic feeling popping into her heart and for a moment, her features softening. she missed him. he was the fiercest and most energetic dog she’s ever known.

    turning her attention back to the other, Minako straightens before bowing slightly towards the woman. “ I’m sorry if I offended you in anyway. “ a genuine apology as she stands up, hands clasped together in front of her. the woman did seem a bit embarrassed at her comment…

Megumi lets out a sigh of relief- if it was one of her students, she probably would have gotten made fun of for her clumsiness. She supposes that she must only have herself to blame, she really does seem more like a big sister than a tutor. 

“Yes... I was hoping that I could take him in if he didn’t have a home. It looks like he’s able to fend for herself pretty well, though.”

Maybe she was trying to repent for her past sins. What happened to Taroumaru wasn’t anybodies fault, but suddenly losing him caused everyone pain. Ah... She wished something could have been done. Maybe taking in a new dog would help her overcome that pain.

“No... You don’t need to apologize. I only became a teacher this last year, so I guess I haven’t developed the right attitude yet. You didn’t offend me at all.”

Her arm is grasped, her reality affirmed–her beloved teacher, Megumi Sakura, did, in fact exist. She was not a ghost, not a delusion imparted upon her by her gradually deteriorating mind. She was real, she was breathing, she wasn’t nearly a corpse, re-animated by a bacterium none of them could’ve ever understood, at the time…

And she was apologizing. Of course. After all, she had learned of the truth–or at least, part of it–long before Yuuri and her friends had. It only takes this moment for her to begin to tear up, though she refuses to truly start crying–not yet. If she would let anyone see her weakness, it would certainly be her beloved teacher, but if she started crying now, there wouldn’t be any way for her to even try to explain everything that had happened.

“Sakura-sensei…please, you don’t have to apologize.” She’s really trying to keep it together here, but oh, the desperate, agonized thought that her teacher might not be the only ghost she could encounter in this strange city has already begun to sink its grip into her. “It’s…okay. It was all…okay. We made it. We…so much, happened, and if–”

Her voice cracks, and a tear rolls down her cheek. If Kurumi hadn’t been the one to try and scout the emergency shelter out, becoming paralyzed upon seeing her beloved teacher in such a pitiful state, then they would’ve never come close to finding the cure. But did Megumi remember her time as a zombie? Had every part of her teacher died on that day but instinct? She didn’t want to ask. She didn’t want to put her through that.

“Megu-nee, you saved us. You saved us, and you saved…everyone.”

Megumi wants to start crying along with Yuuri- the more she sees her precious student in such a terrible state, the more she feels like tears could start pouring out of her eyes. Ah, but... Now isn’t the time for that. As a teacher, now is the time for her to take care of her student.

She pats Yuuri on the head, gently stroking her hair. Just like a teacher. 

“Geez...”

“... That’s Sakura-sensei to you, you know?” 

She doesn’t seem that upset about it, since she manages to let out a sad sounding giggle. 

“That’s all I wanted to do... Was to protect everyone. That’s why, even though it was scary, I was happy. Because I love you all so much.”

As she was surrounded by those monsters, she was terrified. Even now, she knew that her time back in her world is over. But she doesn’t feel despair. Now that Yuuri is here- alive and well.

“I’m even happier to see you okay. You don’t have to tell me everything, but... Is Kurumi-san well?”

She pauses for a moment- remembering the other member of their club. If something bad happened to Yuki, it would have been Megumi’s responsibility for making her time stop.

She frowned; the woman died, too, like Oriko herself. Of what, perhaps it wasn’t the best to ask now. Perhaps she was murdered, perhaps she wasn’t. “Is death a requirement to end up…here? I have my doubts but…” a shook of the head. “Couldn’t be.”

— Akemi Homura shot me, her mind says, but at the very least I accomplished something. But I’m not at peace –

“I died, too, before I came here. It’s all so strange, isn’t it? I’d have thought the afterlife was much more different. That’s why something isn’t quite right here. I’m also getting the feeling we’re the only ones here.”

This girl looks so gloomy... Megumi wishes she could be able to see her smile. Even though she’s powerless like this, she should at least put on a reliable expression for Oriko’s sake.

“I’m merely speculating, of course,” if, in the case she was wrong, and it was indeed the afterlife, then it was nowhere as comforting as stories made it out to be. “But I propose we investigate a little more, just to make sure. Letting our guards down would be a bad course of action.”

“How did you arrive here, if you don’t mind me asking?” she turned around at Megumi, arms crossed. “I don’t have a good feeling about this all, to be honest.”

“Of course. There wouldn’t be any consequences to being cautious, after all.”

She nods along- albeit a bit hesitantly. She’s the adult here... And yet it seems like she’s being lead by Oriko. Shouldn’t she step up as a teacher?

Her expression darkens at the question, remembering what had happened moments before her sudden arrival. Ah... It really was a terrifying scene- all of those stumbling bodies surrounding her.