Suspicions and Questions

Taro enters the main hallway of the school, immediately noticing a new group of people looking around. His eyes are visibly surprised to see Hope Protectors standing by at every corner and wall of the building.

“Huh, it must be a big problem if these guys are here.” He mutters to himself.

He passes by an elf and fairy standing by, keeping watch of all the students. However, they look at Taro with a piercing stare.

“Excuse me, can you come over for a minute?” The female fairy asks.

Taro looks around and points to himself.

“Yeah you, come over here for a second.” The fairy adds.

Taro’s tail tucks down, with his ears flattening themselves. He slowly walks towards them nervously.

“Is there a problem ma’am?”

“Just something I want to ask you about your hope. I sense a big spike in you, what caused it?” She says while glaring at Taro.

“Oh that, my friends helped me with some things and they’ve become my main source of hope.”

Floating towards him, the small fairy circles around Taro. The elf besides them notices her odd behavior.

“What’s wrong Jurina?” The elf Hope Protector asks.

“It’s strange Jun. His hope is unlike anyone I sensed. It also seems he’s been in contact with something or someone with unbelievable amounts of hope.”

Taro’s pupils dilate, hearing her claims

“L…like I said. My friends are my main source of hope. In fact, we all have big sources of it now because of each other.” Taro rebuffs nervously.

Jun walks towards Taro and checks his attire.

“I don’t see anything wrong with this student. Besides, he’s telling the truth. His eyes don’t lie.” Jun says while staring straight through Taro.

“Okay, answer this next. Who is your friend with unbelievable amounts of hope?” Jurina coldly asks.

Taro takes a few seconds to clear his throat.

“Her name is Mia. She’s a wonderful friend and possibly the kindest girl I have seen.”

Jun looks at him as Taro’s eyes strikingly gaze towards the fairy and her companion.

“Hmm, he’s telling the truth. Whoever this girl is, you certainly have massive care for her.”

Taro’s nervousness fades away, now visibly determined.

“Not only for her, but for my other friends too. Look, I have to go okay. Bother someone else.”

Taro walks away, angering the fairy.

“Hey! We’re not done talking…” Her shouts are cut off as Jun grabs her entirely with his hand. Letting go, she is fuming with rage.

“What did you do that for?!” She yells.

“First of all, you shouldn’t be talking to the students that way. Secondly, he is telling the truth. I looked at his eyes and his friendship with that girl is his main source of hope.”

Jurina straightens her uniform as her demeanor cools down.

“You don’t understand Jun. I felt something so strong that no friendship could even be capable of. It’s like he came into contact with someone that was nothing but pure hope.” She adds.

“Why would that be a problem then? We need more students with powerful hope nowadays. Just let him be with his friends.” Jun rebuffs.

Taro strolls out of sight from his interrogators and makes his way to Lila’s room. Meanwhile, Mia walks out of a pathway looking happily at the elixir she made. Looking around, she notices all of the Hope Protectors standing guard.

She walks by numerous students either relaxing or being questioned by the new guards.

“Look Jun, I know we’re working but can you please not embarrass me like that anymore?” Jurina pouts.

“I’m not trying to do that. Jurina, you have to be in control of your temper. Look, we can talk after work about this.”

Jurina eyes open as she glances at Mia in the distance.

“Wait, I sense another powerful spike.” Jurina says as she flies towards Mia.

Mia jumps as she feels Jurina landing on her shoulder.

“Excuse me young lady, please step to the side so my colleague and I can question you for a bit.”

Knowing she has no say in the matter, Mia complies.

Jun rubs his eyes the moment Mia is beside him and Jurina floats in front of her.

“Sorry for pulling you aside, I noticed you have a massive spike in hope in you. What do you use to power it?”

“My love for my mom and my friends. Especially a sweet guy that has got my nerves more relaxed.” Mia says while lightly brushing her hair covering her left eye.

Jun notices her behavior and immediately puts two and two together.

“Your friend doesn’t happen to be a kitsune right?”

Mia’s eyes are visibly shocked hearing his accurate claim.

“Yes? Why? Is something wrong with Taro?” Mia worriedly asks.

“No, there’s nothing wrong with your boyfriend. We just questioned him earlier about his hope being higher than anyone else, just like you.” Jurina says.

Mia is taken back by her comment.

“First of all, he’s not my boyfriend. Also, our friendship has helped me improve my academics. So, leave us alone please.” Mia answers back sharply.

Mia guides herself to Lila’s room while Jun and Jurina are surprised by Mia’s answer earlier.

“Jurina, let’s stop bothering the students like this. We only question if we see something out of the ordinary.”

“Well, did she tell us the truth?”

Jun nods.

“Yes. I have to say though, she does have complex feelings for her friend.”

“I can’t let it go, Jun. The thing is, I don’t believe their friendship is that strong enough to make it spike so much. We have seen other students with their friends, and no one came close to what I sensed from that Kitsune and elf girl.” Jurina scratches her head.

“Maybe they have other friends. Besides, let them be. We don’t need anymore students using despair anymore.” Jun adds.

Mia walks towards Lila’s room and knocks on her door. The door opens and Lila is seen holding Haruto while Taro lays on her bed.

“You’re all not going to believe what happened on the way here.” Mia says while entering.

“Same here, this annoying elf guy and this fairy stopped me because they sensed I had more hope than anyone.” Taro massages his own head.

Lila and Haruto glance at each other's eyes.

“Could it be because of us hanging out with Haruto.?”

Mia and Taro shrug.

“I don’t know. But I refuse to stop hanging out with you two. Especially with Taro.” Mia says.

“You three are the only ones that truly understand. I would never want to be separate from anyone here.” Taro gets up and pats Mia on her head, making her blush.

Haruto’s eyes glimmer with happiness. With nothing in their way, the four begin to discuss what has happened in their recent classes, along with improvements they have done to their spell casting and activities.