"Wah..."

Cecilia Xuelian burst into tears.

"Xuelian... ah... hey... stop crying for now..."

Sharkai Bai instantly panicked.

Dealing with a crying girl was his absolute weakness.

"Idiot... darling, you idiot...!"

Xuelian stood frozen, sobbing freely.

Helpless before her, Sharkai Bai flashed back to two years ago—when he’d snapped, "What? You’re so annoying."

That girl had been Qian Nami Shizuru.

He wanted to comfort Xuelian, but his feet felt leaden.

"Stupid darling! I never want to see you again!"

Clad in a tripping-prone kimono, Xuelian whirled away, wiping tears, and fled past Sharkai Bai.

Bai didn’t chase her. He only shuffled forward a few steps.

Fireworks erupted again over the playground, bursting brilliantly in the night sky.

"...Big Brother?"

Hesna behind him felt a nameless ache.

Her small hands clenched slightly at her chest.

"It’s fine..."

Turning to Hesna’s tense, guilty face, Sharkai Bai crouched and stroked her black hair.

Two years ago, he’d have vanished into some empty corner by now.

No more running.

But even without fleeing,

Sharkai Bai still didn’t know how to face this.

"...What do I do... about stuff like this?"

Gazing at the fading embers of fireworks, Bai murmured softly.

Kami Miraishi, arriving at the playground, was shoved aside by Cecilia Xuelian.

"Move."

Wiping her cheeks, Cecilia Xuelian dodged Kami Miraishi and sprinted off.

Bewildered and annoyed at the unprovoked insult, Kami Miraishi frowned.

"Well~~ the answer’s obvious, isn’t it? Look there."

Following Shinji Sanmi’s pointed finger, Kami Miraishi spotted the white-haired boy nearby.

"Ahhh, Sharkai-kun. Causing trouble again, I see."

"Since you know I’ve got a headache, Pastor, don’t make it worse."

Picking up Cecilia Xuelian’s dropped gift, Sharkai Bai offered a weary smile.

He walked on with Hesna through the academy, the mood thick and heavy.

Near midnight, the campus grew quiet and cold.

"Hey, pervert Bai. Let’s go. Xuelian’s gone."

Sitting with Hesna on a dorm bench, Xia Feina appeared before Bai.

Her tone stayed flat, as always.

After hearing Xuelian’s tearful rant, Xia Feina had burned with fury—ready to thrash him.

But seeing Bai slumped on the bench, head back, eyes hollow and exhausted, her anger faded.

Don’t add to his burdens.

That’s what Xia Feina thought.

"Come. Stay in my dorm tonight."

"...Okay. Sorry for the trouble."

Sharkai Bai stood and headed upstairs.

Hesna bowed her head to Xia Feina.

Giving Hesna the room, Sharkai Bai lay alone on the living room sofa.

Time ticked by as Bai pondered inwardly.

The clock tick-tocked steadily.

Then—the door creaked open.

Hesna tiptoed out.

Sharkai Bai shut his eyes, feigning sleep.

She bent close to him, whispering softly.

"Thank you... for saving me and taking me in."

She slipped on her shoes at the door and closed it gently behind her.

Time to end this.

Leaning against the door, Hesna stared at the blue bracelet on her wrist and wiped her tears.

Finally, she stepped forward.

"Hmm? Chasing her?"

The moment Hesna left, Xia Feina emerged, eyeing Bai on the sofa.

Sharkai Bai sat up, ruffling his messy white hair.

"Seriously, you all are so annoying..."

Just grumbling, though.

On the icy night, the academy lay deserted—nothing like daytime bustle.

A small girl wandered the paths.

Hesna clutched one thought: "I can’t trouble Big Brother anymore."

"Oh dear. Finally out, little mouse?"

Ahead, a purple-haired youth stepped from shadows, cigarette dangling, a giant longsword strapped to his back.

Losing his target had earned him harsh scoldings back at HQ.

"...Akiyama Chinatsu."

Hesna’s gaze sharpened. Her pursuer.

"I’m no brute~~ Come quietly, and no harm done."

"I won’t go with you."

Knowing his goal, Hesna backed away.

After escaping that hell, she’d never return willingly.

"Is that so?"

Akiyama Chinatsu blurred—blocking her retreat.

Hesna stumbled, falling hard.

"Oh? Healed fast. Guess I didn’t hit hard enough."

His hand gripped the sword hilt.

He’d take her by force.

But as his blade neared Hesna—

a danger spike flashed in his mind.

Bang!

The giant sword slammed into the ground—crushed under the foot of a white-haired boy who’d appeared like lightning.

"Big Brother..."

Through tear-blurred eyes, Hesna saw that familiar back.

Sharkai Bai flashed her a gentle smile over his shoulder—then his eyes turned icy with killing intent.

"Hey. I’m dying to crack your skull open and see what’s inside."

"Oh dear~~ such spirit! I’m terrified~~"

No mercy for bullies targeting helpless girls.

Sharkai Bai stomped the sword deeper, then swung a fist at that smug face.

(Strong bastard!)

Trapped, Akiyama Chinatsu released his sword and leaped back.

"Trash. Take it back."

"Hmph. Brute."

Catching the sword kicked at him.

Akiyama Chinatsu knew—this was trouble.

"Noise over there! Check it out!"

Patrol voices echoed nearby.

(Tch! Damn it! More scoldings!)

Done playing, Akiyama Chinatsu glared at Sharkai Bai.

"Brat. You’ll regret this."

"I’ll wait."

Watching him dissolve into black smoke, Sharkai Bai turned to Hesna first.

"You okay?"

"Yeah..."

He helped her up.

Silence hung thick as they walked back.

"...Haaah! Listen—if you’re being hunted, stop wandering off! I’ve got no time to worry about you, seriously!"

Rubbing his head, Sharkai Bai had clearly wrestled with those words.

Seeing Big Brother’s exasperated face, Hesna beamed back.

"Yeah!"

Next morning, Xia Feina yanked Sharkai Bai off the sofa mid-sleep.

"This is for you!"

She thrust a letter at the groggy Bai.

"Yaaawn— what? Only the old man writes to me..."

He pulled out the letter—then froze.

Sleep vanished.

The paper slipped from his fingers.

The words glared up:

———— A Letter of Annulment.