"Does Teacher Ayanokouji want to see him? We can help look for him. If he used to work in the government, we just need to investigate a little."
Wish.
For some reason, Hikigaya didn't speak. Horikita Suzune spoke with a nervous expression.
When a man is about to die, his words are kind.
Perhaps this was Ayanokouji Atsuomi's final wish.
Although she was not well acquainted with Ayanokouji Atsuomi, as long as it wasn't too difficult, she wanted to help him fulfill this last wish.
Facing a dying person.
Anyone would be somewhat moved.
Besides sympathy, Horikita Suzune felt more of a sense of fear.
Her past methods were similar to Ayanokouji's; she couldn't help but project it onto herself.
Once.
She had more or less thought about death-related issues or faced questions in that regard.
Nothing more than thoughts of sleeping pills or jumping off buildings; in short, not fearing death. Indeed, some people can be fearless of life and death.
But in reality.
There is great terror between life and death.
Until the final moment, no one can know their true thoughts.
Without experiencing the fear of death.
Fearlessness is merely a verbal boast.
Perhaps fearless, perhaps powerful, perhaps wealthy, perhaps dying decently enough.
But even so.
Horikita Suzune did not want her own departure to be so desolate.
Facing death.
A normal person's heart would inevitably be moved.
"No need..."
"Wh—"
Hikigaya grabbed Horikita Suzune's small hand, preventing her from continuing.
This was probably how Teacher Ayanokouji was.
Even if he felt some regret deep down, he probably wouldn't show it; he would never admit defeat. It was best to just follow the old man's thoughts.
"That's a shame then..."
"Sakayanagi, no, Hikigaya..."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi turned to look at Hikigaya, and a hint of plea finally appeared in his sharp gaze.
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course, whatever you need me to do, Teacher Ayanokouji."
"When he leaves."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi's tone carried a slight bitterness.
"I hope you can go and visit him for a bit~."
Horikita Suzune and Hikigaya were stunned for a moment.
They didn't expect that at the final moment, Ayanokouji Atsuomi still showed his side as a father.
As for who it was, it naturally went without saying.
Ayanokouji would likely face the same ending as him.
Although Ayanokouji Atsuomi felt a faint regret, he also knew very well.
There was the possibility of education during childhood, but now they were all adults; wanting to teach anything now was already far, far too late.
"Understood, I will definitely go."
Although I don't know if I'll still be around at that time...
"Alright, you guys go back first, don't let this delay your work."
"There's still some time..."
"No need."
"I still have many questions I'd like to ask Teacher Ayanokouji."
Hikigaya said humbly.
Even a great figure like this couldn't escape the stubbornness of the elderly.
Until night approached.
The sky outside was already completely dark.
After the three finished eating, Hikigaya finally stood up.
"Then Teacher Ayanokouji, I'll be heading back today; I'll come to see you again in a few days."
"Mhm."
Saying that.
Hikigaya closed the door.
Through the crack.
Horikita Suzune watched Ayanokouji Atsuomi gazing out the window.
The bright moonlight fell upon this old man, still making one feel a sense of loneliness.
The two left the hospital.
Seeing Horikita Suzune lowering her head and her body involuntarily trembling.
Hikigaya couldn't help but grab her arm, his thumb gently stroking to comfort her.
"What's wrong? You've been a bit strange since a moment ago."
Feeling the warmth coming from her arm, Horikita Suzune couldn't help but relax slightly, but she still kept her small head down.
"Will I... be the same as Teacher Ayanokouji in the future?"
"..."
Since a long time ago.
She had a hint of admiration for Ayanokouji's strength, and at the same time felt she had parts very similar to Ayanokouji.
Even if it meant making the same choice as Ayanokouji.
It wasn't impossible.
From a work perspective.
Paying to find someone who comes when called, doesn't cause any trouble, and doesn't interfere with one's work.
It was indeed very rational and the most efficient choice.
If it were a choice she made herself, it wouldn't be much.
But it wasn't until she saw Ayanokouji Atsuomi that Horikita Suzune felt a sense of fear, worrying whether she would also be like that in the future.
"What are you thinking about..."
Hikigaya took Horikita Suzune into his arms, feeling the coldness of her body and whispering:
"Don't you still have me? Besides, Honami and Kaka and the others have long since accepted you; you are different from the Teacher."
Feeling the warmth of Hikigaya's embrace, Horikita Suzune immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, people still need warmth between human beings.
Thinking of this.
Horikita Suzune felt a flicker of throbbing from her lower abdomen.
Raising both hands, passing between the two of them, circling Hikigaya's neck, a smile couldn't help but rise at the corner of her mouth.
"Hey, I want a child now?"
"Huh? What are you saying so suddenly? No... why so sudden."
Hikigaya was suddenly dumbfounded.
Horikita Suzune was a complete workaholic; she hadn't considered having children at all before.
Just a moment ago she was fine; this was really quite sudden.
And there's a lot of work recently; Horikita Suzune is leading a class, making it really hard to handle.
"...It's just that sudden, is it not okay?"
Horikita Suzune lowered her head somewhat embarrassed, also understanding the current difficulties.
If she got pregnant now and changed the homeroom teacher.
The students in the class would likely have big objections, feeling it was extremely unfair.
However.
It was just that one moment.
As if she understood the true meaning of life.
A heat ignited in her lower abdomen, exceptionally longing for Hikigaya's seed, wanting to give birth to an heir for him.
"This..."
Hikigaya was in a difficult position.
Even if they were to have a child.
It would definitely be better to wait until this batch of students graduated.
But thinking carefully, this seemed to be the first time in all these years that Horikita Suzune made a somewhat willful request.
Thinking of this, Hikigaya gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Alright, I'll think of a way for the rest." (Good luck)
"Thank you."
Horikita Suzune was full of joy, standing on her tiptoes, putting her arms around Hikigaya's neck and kissing him.
"I will work hard and try to give birth to a healthy and cute baby for you."
"Wu..."
In the hallway.
The two embraced tightly and kissed each other, still looking like a young couple in love.
All these years.
Environment.
Horikita Suzune's performance was seen by everyone, and she gradually gained everyone's recognition. The most important thing was indeed the educational environment.
After a long time.
The two separated, and Horikita Suzune lowered her gaze with a flushed face.
"Hey, it's already this time, let's not go back today, okay?"
"Hmm? You mean we're going to spend the night in the car?"
"Really... your personality is still as nasty as before."
Horikita Suzune's face turned red, and she nodded without hesitation.
It didn't matter where they spent the night; now she just wanted to stay with Hikigaya and that was enough.
Horikita Suzune linked her arm with Hikigaya's and walked toward the parking lot.