First, I don’t get why your mind went *there*! But don’t muster up all that courage just to say something so terrifying! Second, *eating* someone? There’s no way I’d ever do that—I’m not a monster like those Apostles. Besides...

*I have a girlfriend.*

Too mortifying to say aloud—and who knew what weird misunderstandings it might cause? Kong deliberately twisted her meaning of "eating."

"But... but... you already touched my chest, Teacher! You even... kneaded it freely... and then brought me to this deserted place after class... so... so..."

*Guess I totally misjudged Estia. A truly shy person wouldn’t say stuff like this!*

*Touched? Kneaded freely?! And wasn’t this place our mutual decision?* Technically, Kong had walked ahead while Estia followed, neither specifying a destination...

But these frantic inner monologues stayed locked inside.

Kong cleared his throat twice, watching the girl whose face burned crimson. "N-no... I just wanted to check how you’re doing. And I’m not some pervert, okay? Don’t misunderstand me."

"Eh?"

Estia froze mid-motion, her hand still covering her blushing lips.

"You mean... you’re not going to eat me?"

"Mhm. And, uh—try not to phrase things like that, okay? It’s not very ladylike."

"So... everything before was just my delusion?"

"Sorry, but yeah. It was."

Instantly, Estia slumped like a deflated kitten. *Wait—more like a deflated dairy cow girl.*

After entering the equipment room, Kong had decided against the dusty interior. He grabbed two clean stools, placing them by the doorway for their talk.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Huh?"

Estia couldn’t meet his eyes. Her wild fantasies had spiraled completely out of control—and she’d blurted them out like a lovesick fool. Mortifying.

"Your... period. It’s settled down, right?"

"Mhm. Thanks to you, even the chest soreness is gone." Her voice lifted briefly, then dipped again as yesterday’s memory resurfaced.

*What kind of girl is Estia, really?*

Shy or bold? Kong only knew her from yesterday—her face perpetually flushed from period woes, then later from the infirmary incident. He’d never seen her "normal" self.

*Probably not the ultra-shy type,* he thought, recalling her earlier boldness.

"Glad to hear it. If anything comes up again, just tell me."

"Mhm... Teacher..."

"Yeah?"

"Can you... help me through next month’s period too?"

"Eh?! No way! You’ve gotta learn to handle it yourself. I can’t just... touch you whenever. It’s inappropriate. Even if... it did feel nice."

Estia blinked, stunned—then burst into giggles at his last words.

"Teacher’s so cute."

"That’s usually for girls. Wait—were you serious just now?"

"Hehe. Of course not! Next time, I’ll handle it myself. Though... your hands *were* really soothing." She flashed a sly grin.

*Hey! Don’t say stuff that makes people suspicious! "Soothing"? You’re basically screaming "huge—"* Kong cut off his own thought.

At least the awkwardness had faded. They could actually chat normally now.

"Yeah, yeah. You win. But since you’re fine now... no more hiding from me, okay? I’m still your teacher. A simple ‘hello, Teacher’ wouldn’t kill you."

"Hehe. I’m just... still flustered. But I know you genuinely wanted to help. No ulterior motives."

"Why’s that? Makes me sound like I’ve got no sex drive..."

"If you *did* want that," she countered smoothly, "you’d have agreed just now."

*She set a trap without me even noticing.* Kong sighed inwardly. His estimation of Estia rose another notch. Her predicting his position yesterday wasn’t luck—she truly thought things through.

*Not just talented... but sharp too.*

Somewhere, a silver-haired girl in a library sneezed, wondering where she’d caught a chill.

Though Estia still avoided his gaze, shifting nervously, Kong sensed she’d move past yesterday’s embarrassment—given time.

*But... that other person? Not so sure.*

"Um..."

"Yeah?"

"Don’t you... fear me, Teacher?"

Her chest-fluster was just one reason for avoiding him. The heavier weight was her identity.

*Not human. "Monster girl" fits close enough.*

Unproven rumors painted them as terrifying beings that shouldn’t exist. No evidence, yet after the Apostle Invasion... people preferred to believe the worst.

"No. I won’t even listen to that nonsense. And as your teacher? I choose to trust you."

"...Th-thank you."

She’d expected this answer—but hearing it still made her throat tighten. *If he weren’t here, I’d be crying.* Memories surged like a tide.

*No. Don’t cry in front of Teacher.*

"Hey... Teacher? If... *if* my identity ever gets exposed someday... what would you do?"

Her fingers twisted her hem, trembling. Afraid he’d reject her? Say something cruel? Kong had no intention of abandoning her.

Those rumors were flimsy. Besides—Night Zero was the same.

"What would I do?" He paused, then spoke his truth. "Make anyone who badmouths you disappear from my sight."

He’d meant it. If this happened to Night Zero, he’d kill them without hesitation. Estia deserved no less.

"Ah..." A soft gasp escaped her. Her trembling hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.

*Whether he meant it as comfort or a promise...*

This moment alone made her heart ache.

*Definitely don’t cry in front of Teacher.*

"Then... see you this afternoon, Teacher! Give me some time—I’ll probably overcome yesterday’s... hurdle!"

"O-okay."

Assured Estia was emotionally stable, Kong parted ways with her.

*Though we’re both hiding our real thoughts,* he mused.

.....

"*‘Felt nice’?!"*

A voice dripping with murderous intent cut through the hallway as Kong turned a corner.

Night Zero’s narrowed eyes pinned him in place, forcing him to step back.

"You... heard that?"

"Mhm. Every word."

Kong had explained yesterday’s infirmary incident to Night Zero—he’d even revealed Estia’s Dairy Maiden identity, trusting her completely. But he never imagined *this* conversation got leaked!

"Why were you even here?!"

"Afternoon. Sneaking off with yesterday’s chest-rubbing student to this ‘wilderness’? Planning a repeat performance?"

"Impossible! And you saw I didn’t do anything!"

Night Zero wasn’t giving him an inch.

"But you *did* say ‘felt nice’."

"I was lightening the mood!"

"Oh-ho?!"

This time, she cut him off completely.

*Crack!*

Her fist exploded toward his face. Kong didn’t even try to dodge.

"Hmph! Cheater! Two-timer!" She dusted off her knuckles like wiping filth away, flicked her hair, and strode off.

Leaving Kong sprawled on the floor, tears welling up.