Paranormal Investigation Club's Holiday Break - Day 2
"—And with that, we'll wrap up today's lecture."
I announced the end of class like that. Right on cue, the clear bell rang out, signaling break time.
After finishing, I stood at the podium and watched the students file out of the classroom. I'd been so focused on resolving ghost stories lately, but even amid all that, I'd been diligently teaching my Fundamentals of Gift Understanding course as a proper academy instructor. It was only natural, since I was a teacher.
Once class ended, the students started leaving in groups, chatting away. Naturally, the Paranormal Investigation Club members were mixed in among them. The course wasn't required, but virtually every student with a Gift took it as a must. So, of course, my club members were attending too.
The only exception might have been Rozalia Soline, who hadn't even realized she had a Gift until joining the club.
The club members, despite being in the same club, all left separately after class. Neither Elaine nor Aurora were the type to cling to friends, so they quietly slipped out, keeping their distance from the others. It would've been nice if they'd at least hung out together. But human relationships were their business, not mine to meddle in.
In stark contrast, I spotted Rone heading out with her friends the moment class ended.
I had no urgent tasks left after today's lecture, and I'd grown a bit closer to Elaine during yesterday's shopping trip. So maybe today was a good day to spend some time with Rone.
With that in mind, I left the classroom and followed behind her.
"Ro…"
I tried calling out to her but hesitated and stopped short. Students were swarming around her.
What I witnessed next far exceeded my expectations.
"Rone! It's been forever since you skipped club activities, right? Wanna go shopping this weekend?"
"Rone, thanks again for helping us move props for the drama club last time! I baked some cookies as a thank-you—want some?"
"Rone's amazing! She's so tiny, but…"
"Size doesn't matter!"
"Hahaha!"
It was this incredibly warm, lively atmosphere centered around Rone. She was the academy's star.
They adored her cuteness while relying on her strength—a perfect mix.
"Last time, you caught that falling flowerpot on the dorm roof with your bare hands! I was shocked!"
"Yeah! At our literature club event, no one could move the heavy equipment, but you handled it all alone! The event would've been ruined without you!"
"You always jump in first to help clean classrooms after class, and you even righted that collapsed bookshelf in the hallway by yourself!"
"And she's so small! It's impressive!"
"I said size doesn't matter!"
The students poured out story after story of how Rone had helped countless people in her spare time between club activities—feats that sounded almost unbelievable.
Surprisingly, Rone took the praise in stride without overreacting. She'd respond humbly with things like, "It was nothing," or "It was just the right thing to do."
Her mature, level-headed attitude only made her seem more reliable.
Surrounded by students, she handled the social catch-up she'd put off for club work—sometimes relaxed, sometimes dependable, but mostly just adorably herself—blending seamlessly into the crowd.
I felt a twinge of surprise at her composure. Back at the start of the semester, she hadn't been like this. She'd seemed desperate for attention and respect, flailing to get it. No, it had gone so far that her deep-seated desire for recognition had even manifested as the Recognition Craving Monster ghost story.
But now, there was no anxiety—just poise and maturity.
Early on, her eagerness to become "special" had felt overly intense, almost unreliable. Yet now, without obsessing over fame, she'd become a celebrity among the students. It felt like a lesson in itself.
I kept trailing her from afar. But unlike with Elaine, this wasn't intentional stalking. I'd thought I'd get a chance to talk soon, but students kept flocking to her nonstop, making it impossible to find an opening.
After hours of following, I gave up, figuring it was hopeless today, and turned to leave—only to find Rone right in front of me.
"Whoa! What the—!?"
I yelped in surprise, and Rone gave a small smile.
"I have something to say, Teacher. You've been following me all day, haven't you?"
"Oh, you knew?"
"I sensed your presence."
"Presence? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Huh? You can't feel it, Teacher?"
Rone blinked, puzzled that I couldn't sense it.
"Most normal people probably can't."
"So, what's up?"
She skipped the debate and got to the point.
"It's nothing big, but… I've realized I know all about your Gifts and how to use them against ghost stories, but not much about you guys yourselves. Like how students normally spend their days here, what they like. With the club on break, I figured we could chat, but you were always surrounded."
Rone nodded.
"You should've just said something."
"Nah, didn't want to interrupt your time with friends after so long."
I answered honestly.
"That would've been fine."
We strolled slowly down the academy hallway. Rone shared stories from her classes and recent little academy episodes. With her energetic tone, she recounted experiences and friends from outside the club—things I hadn't known.
I listened closely, asking questions now and then, letting the conversation flow naturally.
Once it warmed up, I voiced my honest admiration again.
"You're seriously popular, huh? Half treat you like a mascot, sure—but that means the other half genuinely rely on you. You're at the center of it all."
"Hehe, what can I say?"
"When did you get so famous?"
Rone laughed shyly, fiddling with her hair.
"Back at the start of the semester, I was such a kid—heart way ahead of my head."
"…It's all thanks to you, Teacher."
Her answer caught me completely off guard.
"…Me?"
I pointed at myself, stunned.
But she wasn't joking or flattering.
"Yeah. You promised to make me special, remember? When you scouted me for the club."
"I did promise, but… I haven't done anything that impressive yet."
Her perspective differed.
"So I stopped being impatient. Because even without rushing, you'll make me special."
Her smiling face looked more grown-up than usual. Or maybe I just hadn't noticed how much she'd already grown beyond what I thought.
"Haha. Dropping the impatience actually got you more attention. Kinda ironic."
A sudden question popped into my head.
"Rone, why do you stick with the Paranormal Investigation Club?"
She'd just been gazing at me maturely with a smile, but now she looked baffled.
"You asking me that, Teacher? After you invited me?"
Her reaction was fair, but I thought it was a valid question. Sure, the club appealed to her desire to be special, but was that enough to risk her life repeatedly, nearly dying multiple times? Especially since she had a physical enhancement Gift—the one that made club activities the hardest for her among the members. It took serious mental fortitude.
As if reading my mind, Rone chuckled through her nose.
"Heh. No need to worry. I actually enjoy the club activities. Sure, it's tough sometimes, but you always look out for me before I hit my limit."
"Glad to hear that."
"Hehe. See how precious I am now?"
I chuckled.
"I've always known you were precious."
"Wh-what?"
Embarrassment flashed across her face.
"Not just you—all the students."
"Oh. Right."
She slumped for a second, disappointed, then perked up and stated firmly.
"Anyway, you have to take responsibility, Teacher. You promised to make me special. I'm devoting myself to the club because I believe that promise, so you have to devote yourself to me too."
"…Aren't you already plenty special? Famous among students, and a secret world-saving member of the Paranormal Investigation Club."
"Hmm… Sure, but… I want to be more special."
She pouted, nibbling her lower lip.
"Haha, greedy."
"…Maybe."
Rone grinned briefly.
Just then, a group of girls approached her.
"Rone! Sorry, but could you help us out? The bookshelf for our club room is too heavy—we can't move it. We figured you could do it in one go…"
One girl pleaded desperately, sweating.
Rone accepted cheerfully.
"Sure! Leave it to me!"
She beamed at me.
"Talking with you was fun, Teacher! See you later!"
With practiced ease, she hoisted the bookshelf despite her small frame.
But I didn't let her go alone—I stuck by her side.
Her eyes widened.
"Teacher? Why are you following? I don't need help."
I shrugged.
"If someone's helping others, who helps the helper? I'll tag along."
Her wide eyes shook intensely. She stared blankly for a moment, then sighed softly.
"…If you insist."
She turned away, grumbling shyly, but a smile crept onto her face.
And so, I spent the day with Rone roaming the academy, helping other students in need—from hauling heavy loads and retrieving high-up items to even fetching a handkerchief snagged on a tree branch by the wind.
Rone used her Gift freely, and though I lacked one, I did my best to assist her.
The grateful students showered her with "Thanks, Rone!", "You're the best, Rone!"—even handing over homemade snacks or small gifts as thanks.
She blushed at the attention and praise but clearly enjoyed it.
It was a day to discover a new side of Rone I hadn't known, and to understand why she was so beloved among the students.
Thus, the second day of our holiday break passed helping students in distress alongside Rone.