Lesson Twenty Seven: Happy Ending

Maria barely had time to finish explaining the next steps when the shrine bells rang. It was time for the portals to be opened. When it hit a third time, overlapping voices followed close behind.

‘They’re early,’ she sighed as she rose from her seat.

Mutsuki was still processing the word graduation when the sliding doors opened. The Torii Heart Parents stepped in quietly, one by one.

Rin had intercepted the kids outside with alarming efficiency, producing snacks, games, and a loud promise of “something fun that absolutely does not involve adults talking about boring things.” The children vanished down the garden path instantly, arguing over rules and prizes.

Inside, the air changed. The parents bowed deeply. Mutsuki panicked and bowed back with shaking hands.

A kappa mother stepped forward first.

‘Please allow me to speak.’ she said emotionally.

Maria inclined her head and stepped aside. The woman turned fully to Mutsuki.

‘My daughter used to believe strength meant control over others. She came home from your class saying strength was knowing when not to use it. That didn’t come from us. That came from you.’

Before Mutsuki could respond, an oni father stepped forward.

‘I was afraid for my son,’ he admitted.

‘Because he was scared and easy to make sad. I was afraid what kind of future does an Oni have if he’s not proud. He’s a changed child now. He stands tall and doesn’t cry at all now. He laughs.’ His voice broke. ‘Thank you.’

A tanuki elder followed, then a kitsune parent, then another, then another. Each story different, each outcome the same.

Their children slept better. Their children apologized less for existing. Their children spoke about the future without fear.

One mother confessed she had expected Torii Heart to fail and bowed again. Ashamed and grateful all at once.

‘We will not hold you back anymore,’ she said. ‘You have given more than enough.’

Another parent nodded. ‘Whatever you choose next, you have our blessing.’

‘You deserve a future that belongs to you.’

‘We’ve asked the impossible from you during the last parent-teachers meeting. Things that us parents should’ve been the ones to teach them.’

‘Yeah! And you’ve done them all. You’re not even a yokai. You’re a human.’

The words stacked gently and relentlessly, until Mutsuki could no longer hold himself together.

He bowed deeply. Tears fell to the tatami.

‘It was my honor,’ he said hoarsely. ‘Every day.’

‘Thank you for entrusting your children with me. They’ve helped me grow just as much.’

Youchan and Shigure started crying on the side. Maria had to use a spell on herself just so her tears won’t show.

Behind the closed doors, pressed far too close for plausible deniability, nine children were listening and absolutely spiraling. The door slid open with emotional violence.

‘NO,’ Akashi declared, pointing straight at Mutsuki. ‘That’s not happening.’

‘You cannot leave,’ Sumire added, arms crossed. ‘No other teacher has demonstrated acceptable balance of power and elegance.’

‘I tried hugging other adults,’ Honey said solemnly. ‘They broke like furniture. Only Sensei is structurally sound.’

Kishin nodded fiercely. ‘He lets me be strong without yelling.’

‘And he doesn’t flinch when any of us have any power anomaly,’ Honey added. ‘That’s very important.’

Meow stepped forward. ‘Only Sensei doesn’t treat my luck like it’s dangerous. He never asks me to stand farther away.’

Mon slapped the doorframe. ‘Also, legally, we live here now.’

Gon nodded. ‘Emotionally adopted.’

Kojiro spoke last. ‘No one else has earned our trust.’ He said with total clarity.

Chaos erupted. Parents cried. Maria closed her eyes as a final attempt to stay composed.

‘This,’ she said calmly, ‘is why paperwork exists.’

Youchan, who had been silent asked. ‘Where is Rin?’

The room went very quiet. Youchan stepped out. She returned thirty seconds later, serene as ever.

‘Rin is tied up,’ she reported. ‘Safely.’

Maria stared. ‘Define safely.’

‘Cushions. Tea. The knots are secure but comfortable. But they’re magical ties.’

From the hallway, Rin’s muffled voice drifted in. ‘They asked nicely!’

Maria sighed. The children nodded proudly. Some parent face palmed, some parents started pinching their children’s ears. Some gave disapproving looks.

‘We can untie her later,’ Mon said reasonably.

Parents turned to Mutsuki. ‘Some behavioral issues are still there sensei.’

Mutsuki laughed weakly through his tears. ‘I… might need to teach them longer.’

‘We agree!’ the children shouted. ‘Teach us more!’

Maria folded her arms. ‘The decision is yours.’

Mutsuki wiped his face slowly. He looked at the parents. At the children. At Youchan.

‘I want to see them through the year,’ he said. ‘At least until the end of term.’

The room exploded. Cheers and hugs were exchanged. A lot of the children and parents cried ‘openly. Honey tried to lift Mutsuki and failed gloriously. Akashi tried and almost got it.

‘Do I really have to do everything in this household?’ Only Sumire managed to lift Mutsuki.

‘Is this what you have to go through everyday?’ The parents all started laughing. ‘Sensei, you’re an extraordinary human, so you were able to survive this, but we’re afraid normal humans won’t stand a chance.’

Mutsuki nodded. ‘Un. I’ll have to teach them how to touch and interact with humans some more.’

Kojiro turned away in the corner, pretending to inspect the wall very intently as he hid his sad yet relieved face. Outside, Rin was untied and compensated with snacks and apologies.

The future of Torii Hearts didn’t feel like a closed ending at all. Mutsuki had long forgotten that it was meant to be a punishment. It felt more like a promise of a happy future now.