Chapter 36: The Confession and the Church

His identity being exposed was an unexpected turn of events.

To reveal a secret that should have remained hidden while drinking… this, above all else, Lin Han wished to keep from everyone.

Even though he knew He Yao had become a Magical Girl, a mutual exchange of secrets should have included He Yao. Yet, he had withheld this information from him.

After all, Magical Girls were embodiments of love and justice, a convergence of peaceful power and positive energy in the world. But did a creature like Kamen Rider truly exist?

No—as Kamen Rider himself, he knew clearly that such a being was nonexistent.

It was he who acted under the guise of Kamen Rider.

Why wear a mask? Was it not precisely to conceal his identity? Unlike Magical Girls, he had no means of creating a cognitive barrier.

Yet, he had been exposed.

Perhaps, from the very first day he embarked on this path, he had known his identity would eventually be revealed. However, he never imagined that the first to uncover his secret would be the very girl standing before him.

And between him and her…

“Teacher Lin, why do you remain silent?” Liu Xingyue asked, her gaze fixed on Lin Han.

Lin Han remained silent for a long moment.

Finally, he let out a helpless sigh.

“You are right,” he admitted. “Kamen Rider Great Aum is me.” He then asked, “Are you going to make a move?”

“Teacher, why would you say that?”

Lin Han spoke with a resigned air. “Hasn’t Amethyst already made her judgment? She believes I am a monster. In truth, based on past events, I am indeed a creation of a certain monster organization. I fit the definition of a monster. As Magical Girl Emerald, if you intend to defeat me, I will not resist.”

Liu Xingyue shook her head. “I won’t do that. I uphold the duties and mission of a Magical Girl, but that doesn’t mean I am rigid. Kamen Rider Great Aum aided Magical Girl Ink Crystal in a previous battle. This indicates that you are not hostile towards us.

“There is no need for us to be enemies. I also know that some monsters don’t willingly become such; they are forced into it by monster organizations. I have encountered enemies like that before. While there are those like Rainbow Jade who believe all monsters deserve death… I don’t care about identity; I care about actions.

“Magical Girls who do wrong should be punished, and monsters who do good should be rewarded. This has nothing to do with identity. Protecting world peace is the mission of Magical Girls, but destroying the world is not necessarily the mission of monsters.”

Magical Girl Emerald was a broad-minded individual. After understanding Kamen Rider Great Aum’s identity, she no longer saw it as a problem.

“Thank you,”

Lin Han expressed his gratitude.

“However, Teacher, you almost did something truly terrible just now, and I nearly became a victim!”

“I’m sorry!”

“Well then~ knowing your identity, Teacher, puts my mind at ease. Why were you by Ink Crystal’s side those two times before?”

‘You don’t know Ink Crystal’s identity?’

But then again, He Yao would certainly not reveal his identity so easily either.

Lin Han could only say, “It was merely a coincidence.”

“Alright, such coincidences do happen in the world sometimes. But moving forward, if I find myself in a disadvantageous battle, will you come to my aid, Teacher?”

Lin Han nodded. “Of course! As long as I can get there, I will intervene in any situation.”

“That’s settled then~”

Liu Xingyue leaned closer to Lin Han. “Then, Teacher, let’s keep this a secret just between the two of us, alright? It would be troublesome for both of us if it got out, wouldn’t it?”

“…Alright.”

“Now that you’ve sobered up, Teacher, I’ll go say goodbye to He Yao and head home.”

The girl, with her long, graceful legs, departed from the room.

Lin Han collapsed onto the bed as if his bones had been removed. He had genuinely feared what might happen—Liu Xingyue truly was a good girl!

If it had been Ink Crystal, upon learning his secret, she would surely have used it to tempt and tease him, perhaps saying something like, ‘Teacher, you wouldn’t want your identity to be exposed, would you?’

He couldn’t imagine the extent of her teasing.

In comparison, Liu Xingyue was far more reasonable.

****

“Teacher Lin has woken up. He’s resting, so I’ll be heading home now.”

He Yao removed his headphones and looked at Liu Xingyue. “Thank you for all your trouble. I didn’t expect Teacher Lin to get so drunk. Won’t you stay a little longer? My place has everything; you can play whatever you like.”

“No, thank you, I have things to do at home.” Liu Xingyue recalled the recent events, a blush rising to her cheeks, tinged with guilt. Although her relationship with He Yao wasn’t a true romance, he was, after all, her boyfriend. Had what she just done… counted as cheating?

‘It shouldn’t, right?’

She hadn’t had any overly intimate contact with Teacher Lin.

Teacher Lin had been unconscious when he pinned her down, essentially like a dead person, or an object—a large, human-shaped body pillow. So there was no issue.

Moreover… she had previously promised He Yao she would help investigate Kamen Rider. Now, she couldn’t tell him, as she had already vowed secrecy with Teacher Lin. She couldn’t reveal too much to Ink Crystal either.

This truly was a secret just between her and Teacher Lin.

She suddenly felt a pang of guilt towards Teacher Liu.

But Teacher Liu said she would take action tomorrow… it shouldn’t, it shouldn’t affect anything, right?

She sighed. There was nothing she could do about it.

As long as He Yao and Teacher Liu didn’t know, it should be fine, right?

Neither she nor Teacher Lin had acted intentionally. Ultimately, wasn’t this terrible idea He Yao’s own doing? ‘What a brilliant strategy, Zhou Yu,’ she mused, ‘to lose both the wife and the army!’

As for Teacher Liu… if only she hadn’t refused so righteously today, wouldn’t things have worked out?

‘She couldn’t blame herself, couldn’t blame herself.’

“Why is your face so red?”

“Perhaps I was just affected by the alcohol fumes. Anyway, I’m heading back now! See you at school on Monday!”

Liu Xingyue fled in disarray.

‘He Yao was a little confused…’

Before long, Lin Han also came to take his leave.

He, too, looked somewhat strange, but He Yao was busy raiding a dungeon at the moment and didn’t have the time to pay much attention, so he didn’t ask further.

****

Liu Yun had made her preparations.

She had spent the entire afternoon meticulously planning their date.

She had actually wondered if following Liu Xingyue and He Yao’s plan would have worked, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing.

Speaking of which, it felt ridiculous to talk about romance for someone nearing thirty. Her parents, back in her hometown, frequently called to pressure her into marriage, even wanting her to go on blind dates. Fortunately, as a teacher, she could always use the excuse of being too busy with work or needing to tutor students.

She sent Lin Han a message.

[Are you free tomorrow?]

[Yes.]

[Could you accompany me?]

After a long pause, Lin Han replied, [Alright.]

Liu Yun then began to look forward to their date.

Lin Han, meanwhile, was pondering if Liu Yun had also discovered his identity. ‘Surely not? Would Liu Xingyue betray him? But that made no sense! If she exposed him as Kamen Rider, he could expose her as a Magical Girl… there was no benefit in that.’

Regardless, he would only know the full situation after meeting Liu Yun.

It was best to be mentally prepared.

****

The following morning.

Liu Yun wore a pale purple long dress, exuding an aura of elegance.

Lin Han, in contrast, was dressed in a simple white casual shirt and jeans.

“Teacher Lin!”

“Teacher Liu!”

The two exchanged greetings.

Lin Han, somewhat impatiently, asked, “Teacher Liu, is there something specific you wanted to do by inviting me today?”

“Hmm… just follow me!”

Liu Yun was not in a hurry. After her conversation with Liu Xingyue, she knew exactly what she needed to do.

All arrangements had been made.

The two walked through the streets of Clear Sky City, eventually turning onto a more secluded road.

They finally stopped before a church.

“This is?”

“The only church in Clear Sky City,” Liu Yun said with a smile. “Shall we go in together?”

‘Could it be that Teacher Liu was religious? This wasn’t a good sign. If such a thing were known about a teacher, it could easily cause problems.’

Of course, Lin Han wouldn’t report her.

The two entered the church.

Lin Han noticed the church appeared rather desolate. In the very center, a girl shrouded entirely in a black robe stood.

“Sister, I’m here!”

The girl turned around.

What caught his eye was the long, silver hair beneath her dark attire.

‘Was her hair dyed? She clearly had the appearance of a Xia Kingdom native… were churches nowadays so unconventional?’

“Miss Liu Yun, welcome. Is this the gentleman you mentioned yesterday? He’s truly tall and handsome.”

Being addressed this way amused Lin Han slightly. He scratched the back of his head. “Hello, Sister.”

The Sister nodded in acknowledgment. “Please follow me!”

‘What exactly was happening?’

Led by the Sister, the two arrived at a room behind the church. There, the Sister retrieved a thick ledger from a cabinet.

“This is the ledger of Miss Liu Yun’s donations over the years. Every charitable contribution, its receipt, and its use are clearly recorded. Please take a look.”

Lin Han froze.

He looked at Liu Yun with a puzzled expression.

“Teacher Liu, what is this about?”

Liu Yun smiled. “Just look at the ledger first~ it’s fine.”

Lin Han, still confused, opened the ledger. He quickly noticed something amiss.

Liu Yun’s income… was extremely high!

It was even higher than his own, despite him having two sources of income!

‘What was going on?’

“Teacher Liu, this is…”

Liu Yun and the Sister exchanged a knowing smile, seeing that he had detected the anomaly.

“Magical Girl Amethyst! Transform!”

“Magical Girl Ethereal Gem! Transform!”

Reflected in Lin Han’s wide eyes were a crystalline purple girl and a pure white, sky-like girl.

‘You two are Magical Girls too?!’

“Huh?”