^So, this isn't what we talked about the other day, but it is something I may (or may not have?) spoken about earlier. Talking about the math drama that Reina and Sayu star in, I got to thinking, just who would play her sister. The answer seemed obvious, (Ai-chan) which brought about another question; doesn't Risa's character seem a little too familiar with one of the students? I mean, she supposed to be, what, the nurse?(counselor?) Come on, now, plot devices. But I got to thinking some more, if Ai-chan was Reina's sister, how could I fit some Takagaki into this storyline? (Cuz I'm a loser, that's why...)
Fate of the Math Boss
Nagisa chewed on the end of her pen, lost in thought when she should be hard at work. This inattention was unlike her, but she couldn’t help it as worry gnawed at her mind. Her head was filled with thoughts of Machida Aki, oldest daughter of the Machida family and someone whom she had grown very close to over her three years at this school.
Recently, the girl had been reported missing, gone with hardly a trace. Nagisa felt responsible for it in some way, as she’d been unable to prevent this, even being so close to the younger girl. Finally pushing her work aside, she reached into her bag and pulled out an ever present envelope, containing Aki’s last message to her. She’d been given it the day after the missing person’s report had been filed.
Opening up the paper, she read over that familiar handwriting as she had a hundred times before, “Sensei, I hope you never have to read this, but if you are, then I’m no longer around. I can’t really explain what’s happened, as I’m not sure I know myself, but I have to account for all possibilities. I’ve asked Nina to deliver this to you for a reason as well, because I’ve instructions regarding my beloved younger sister.”
“Take care of her for me while I’m away. Guide her with your good sense the way you’ve always guided me. Watch over her through the tough times ahead.”
“That’s the first part of my wishes; the second is for you. Don’t beat yourself up about this. If I’m gone, then I promise you, there was nothing you could have done to prevent it. In fact, I fear if you had tried to step in, things might have turned out badly for you. That is not something I could live with. Take care of yourself in my absence. I know we’ll meet again.
“Wherever we are in the world, remember, Nagisa, you are always in my heart, the way I’m in your’s.
Love always, Aki.”
Giving up on keeping her composure, the young sensei removed her glasses and wept silently. She never meant to feel such things for another woman, much less one of her students, but she’d never felt joy the way she’d had in Aki’s arms.
She couldn’t help but wonder just how much the girl had known about her own eventual disappearance, her mind wandered back to their last meeting. She’d seen that something was off about Aki, but the younger girl had reassured her that she was fine, chalking up any lethargy to late night study sessions, “And maybe you’ve been wearing me out a bit too,” she’d joked, grinning at Nagisa’s blush, “Keeping me up all night two days in a row. I’m surprised you’re not tired as well.”
The older woman had always found that crease in her upper lip when she smiled endearing, “You were the one that insisted we go back to my place for ‘coffee’ at ten o’clock at night.” she’d murmured back good naturedly, feeling the girl shift closer to her. They had taken the whole day as a date, now they were walking through a beautiful park in the chilly afternoon, going to get some time in shopping.
Nagisa looked over at her companion when her hand was suddenly seized, but Aki was just looking straight ahead. It wasn’t like the girl to show her affection in public like this, although it was something the sensei enjoyed greatly, “Hey, let’s go get matching necklaces!” The younger girl suddenly exclaimed, dragging Nagisa forward with a jerk. Laughing, the sensei tried to keep up, gently chiding her lover along the way.
Touching the shiny metal at her throat, Nagisa sighed, a sad smile coming unbidden to her face. They’d played all day and at night, they’d made sweet, tender love. It was as if Aki’s been trying to leave her with a good memory of them so she could weather the coming storm. With a sigh, she pulled out her compact and began to fix her make-up, she may have been alone, but the school day wasn’t over yet.
No sooner had she made herself presentable did the door to the workroom slide open to admit a small familiar figure. “Sensei.” The girl announced herself quietly and Nagisa was surprised, face contorting naturally.
“Machida-chan.” She greeted, getting her eyebrows under control, “What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be in your own school?”
“I asked for the day off.” The girl said seriously, “I wasn’t going to learn anything today anyway. I’ve decided to conduct my own investigation.” She didn’t have to specify of what.
“And so you came to me?” Nagisa asked curiously, “I would have thought her friends would be more helpful.”
“They have been. They told me that Nee-chan had been seeing someone, but they didn’t know who. Whoever he was, though, she seemed to be deeply enough in love with him that they had no problem covering for her when she wanted to spend the night at his house.” Nina hopped up on the desk across from Nagisa.
“You mean that they…?” The sensei questioned gently, wanting to find out how much was known.
“Yes, they said she wouldn’t give them any of the juicy details, but they knew that Nee-chan and her boyfriend were intimate.” The younger girl sighed, “That’s why it’s so important for me to find him. If Nee-chan would let him get that close, then he might have some information regarding her disappearance. Even if she hadn’t told him directly, maybe he noticed people around her acting suspiciously. Anything that could give me a lead.”
“What if he doesn’t know? Would you be angry at him?” Nagisa pressed, “What will you do?”
“I don’t know, but I have to try until I’ve exhausted every resource I have. She’s my only sister…” Nina looked down at her lap and frowned.
“So why do you think I’ll be any more helpful than her friends?”
“Well, because you’re older, more mature than we are. And she was so close to you, if she would have gone to anyone for advice on this kind of thing, it would have been the adult she respected the most. She definitely didn’t go to her younger sister…”
Nagisa stared intently at the girl for a while, trying to gage her heart. Even after their few brief meetings, she could tell Nina was very different from Aki. The girl adored her sister, obviously, so how would she feel about her lover?
“Please, if you have anything, anything at all! Please tell me.” Nina begged, climbing off the desk to come in closer to convey her sincerity, “Any small thing she’s mentioned that might lead me to this guy. He may be all I need to find her…”
Moved by the look in her eyes, Nagisa reached into her bag and pulled out the familiar envelope, “I’m going to warn you now, though,” she said seriously before handing it to the girl, “You may be disappointed by what you find.”
Nina took the paper almost reverently, “Isn’t this what Nee-chan left for you? The only note she left behind…” this was said a bit bitterly, but she eagerly opened the letter anyway.
The sensei studied her as she read, watching her face change to match what she was feeling, like a silent film. She wore her heart out there for everyone to see, unlike Aki who was very guarded and calm. Nagisa smiled sadly at the thought of her lover.
“It’s you?” Nina mumbled, eyes glued to the bottom of the page, rereading one line, “You’re the one my sister was seeing?”
“Un.” Nagisa responded quietly, watching the girl slowly look up and begin to stare at her with new eyes. The sensei could see the wheels turning in her head, watching the girl mull over this information along with what was probably any memories she had of seeing Aki and Nagisa interact.
Finally, the appropriate response clicked visibly in her brain and Nina let out a breath, “Do you know anything?”
“Not really. I suspect that she had an idea of what might happen, though. She had been fatigued, quieter than usual. Maybe even a little bit jumpy. …It all started not long after she became the Math Boss…” Nagisa mused.
“Math Boss…” Nina repeated quietly, sharp mind working overtime with all the information she already had. A determined look settled over her face again. “Well, if her disappearance has to do with that, as indicated by what others have told me, then it seems the best solution is to become the Math Boss myself.”
“Does that mean you’ll be transferring to this school next year?? Nagisa inquired gently, getting a firm nod in response.
Every one in school strived to be the Math Boss, so it wasn’t the first time someone had made such a vow. Nina had never seemed to be the type to do anything half heartedly, though, and if she was anything like her sister, then becoming the Math Boss would be almost a sure thing, especially since she seemed so determined.
And if it would get her one step closer to finding her lover, well, then Nagisa would do everything in her power to support the youngest Machida sibling. Nina met her eyes fiercely and Nagisa smiled, “Well, then I’ll be behind you every step of the way., Machida-chan.” She held out her hand and Nina shook it firmly.
“Call me Nina.” The girl replied, reminded the sensei yet again of her absent lover. A renewed sense of resolution settling over the both of them; it seemed like the beginning of something great.