A month passed since then. It was that time of the year, where students began to crowd a stadium of a chosen school. What was the event?

The Kivotos Halo Festival.

The occasion was planned altogether 3 months ago, with Kivotos district representatives, all asking, wondering, questioning where the next one should take place. Millennium opted out, of course. They had theirs the year before.

By the end of the discussion, Arius was chosen. Arius Squad, naturally, was confused. They never had a stadium built in the Arius district. And by that point, Arius's second reconstruction of its whole district was 80% complete.

Granted, it was an improvement over the one Kize provided, which provided them a library and Arius Satellite School. But the other buildings were left as they were, simply because they couldn't think of what use they'd have for it.

But they do now.

In a collective effort of the masses, with Gehenna's propensity of demolition and Millennium's Engineering Department returning to fix their district one more time amongst others, a stadium, built on the lands where old ruptured buildings once stood upon. Abandoned schools, apartment complexes that left no purpose in its standing, all demolished.

While it was a clearing of history, they were noted of its significance by Arius. They always do.

The stadium itself was large, retrofitted with various seats in an oval shape to accommodate students all across Kivotos. In the stadium itself were track and field implements, the running track encircling a grassy field meant for other activities of the track and field.

Arius, a school known for their gritty training of hand to hand combat, were in unfamiliar territory when they were told to throw javelins or discs in practice. But their expressions showed the joy they had in their new discovery of a sport they never had the privilege of joining.

And then, the day of the event.

Arius's Marching Squad blared their trumpets and trombones, with drums rattling in celebration to the cheering stadium of students. Students of Millennium, Red Winter, Trinity, Gehenna, Hyakkiyako, Shanhaijing, all made their appearance here for this momentous occasion.

Abydos was the odd one out, but for good reason. They didn't have enough students. Yet. So for now, there they were, a part of the crowd that watched the performance by the marching band.

"Hoeeeeh~ they're pretty good at this, don't cha think?" Hoshino commented.

"They're doing so well. I'm really joyful for them!" Nonomi assured.

"Well... It's nice. To see them like this," Serika admitted. Especially after knowing their own history when she was walked through it those months ago.

"I'm glad we could help them get here, too," Ayane stated, clutching the small brooch resembling a butterfly that she was gifted by one of the Arius students in their visit.

Tachiki Maia. It was a name she wouldn't forget.

"Nn." That was Shiroko's sole response. Shiroko Terror was busy stuffing her face with popcorn.

When the trumpets finally came to a crescendo, and finally, a stop, Saori emerged upon the podium, tapping the microphone carefully. The sound of the impact echoed in the stadium.

Well, it worked.

She heaved a sigh.

"Welcome, everyone, to Kivotos's annual Halo Festival."

Cheers blared immediately, and Saori slowly pulled her hat down in a flustered instinct, before slowly raising it back up.

"Truth is, we didn't plan on having a stadium. We... Simply thought that it could've been anyone else. But you chose us. You chose Arius to represent this prestigious event. And as its representative, and I cannot stress this enough, thank you."

Louder cheers came in full support for Saori's speech. She also felt like she could burst in the moment, before she spoke again.

"I will leave the rest to the Vice President."

She backed away, and soon, Atsuko stood on the podium. A throat clear later, and she began.

"Hello, Kivotos. It is an honor to be the host of Kivotos's Halo Festival. However, this was not our sole effort. We would like to recognize all of you in your contribution in making this come true. Our good friends from the Engineering Department, Tea Party, Hyakkaryouran, Plum Blossom Garden, and so many more volunteers from every district. I am delighted to see that... That everyone can now befriend us for what we define ourselves as."

She breathed in.

"And for that... Thank you... So much."

It was like a pop. Cheers combined together with claps of inspiration that erupted in the stadium.

"Up next, a speech from Sensei."

And then, there he was.

No, not Kize. Sensei stood upright, a feat he accomplished 3 months ago as he smiled and waved to the crowd.

"Well, I've never thought of the day I had to give a speech but... I'm here I guess, haha..."

He cleared his throat.

"Well, this is a celebration. A cause for celebration like no other kind. And I trust that everyone would have fun here, won't they?"

The noises they made were one of agreement.

"Good good! That's what I like to hear!"

In another part of the stadium, close to the podium, a certain individual limped closer and closer up the stairs, as Sensei's voice echoed. Beside him was a woman in black hair in a braid, holding him close so that he wouldn't fall. The individual held a cane, propped ever so closely to him before stopping.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Shun told him that. And he took it to heart.

"However, there's one more thing!! I'd like to welcome you someone you might be familiar with."

Murmurs immediately came about. Someone familiar? Who could it be?

"Come on out. Even for a ghost, you should stop haunting."

A dead giveaway. Arius Squad stood still hearing that declaration. And then, they saw from the stairs.

At first, it was just sandy orange hair, then, pale skin, followed by icy blue eyes that gazed in a different kind of life. His clothes, now a bright red jacket with a grey vest and black, thin fabric turtleneck. In his hand was a wooden cane and right beside him was one of SCHALE's part time officer, Miharu Yoshikawa, holding him so that his ascend wasn't a grueling one.

"......"

No one believed their eyes nor their ears. For 5 months they didn't hear anything about the ghost waking up or anything.

He took the initiative and had Trinity's Tea Party and SCHALE keep it a secret that he woke up.

Once he stood on the podium, Sensei stepped aside, slowly patting the man on the back with a smile.

"Glad to meet you," Sensei stated. All he got was a scoff.

But the smallest twitch on the corner of his lips was there, as Miharu squeezed his arm before letting go to let him speak for himself.

He took a deep breath.

"Hello, everyone." He began. "My name is Kize Seikato. As you all may have been informed 5 to 8 months ago, I was temporarily your Sensei. And for those three months, I endured every single one of your nonsense, and for what? Just to be crippled like the way I am now."

He slowly leaned towards the cane.

"This is why, effective today, I am resigning my role as the temporary Sensei of Kivotos."

There were boos. There were jeers. There were disagreements. Understandable reactions.

This was a man who shaped Kivotos into what it is now and suddenly he doesn't want to be a part of it? How could he?

"Also effective today."

Suddenly, it was quiet again.

"I have officially accepted... That I will stay in Kivotos. As per SCHALE's agreement, I have been given my options. And my option..."

He let the suspense hang in the air for a while. And then...

He dropped the bomb.

"Is to be your Sensei as well."

The stadium exploded. Raucous joy of an unprecedented rate, with Arius Squad seemingly about to burst into tears at the very sight and declaration from Kize.

Their Sensei. Staying. The one man who made them be seen. The one who shaped Arius.

The man who made them who they were.

No sooner the announcement was made did Hiyori break apart, running and then clinging onto Kize as she sobbed onto his clothes. This was followed by Atsuko, and then Saori.

Kize and Misaki's eyes met. She looked away, but then glanced at him. All he gave out were open arms.

That was enough for her to stride towards him and join Arius Squad in their appreciation of their ghost.

227, standing close to the podium, cheered loudly for this. To them, knowing that he was now awake, meant that he could finally visit 227's dormitory and how much it flourished.

Hyakkaryouran, and in general Hyakkiyako, couldn't wait to have him participate in another festival dedicated to him yet again.

Abydos's Foreclosure Task Force, with their own preparation of a festival upon a discovery of an oasis in the desert, looked forward to have him sand surfing. Shiroko Terror herself began to cry out of relief and joy, for it seemed like the cycle had finally been broken.

Millennium, specifically Rio, prepared to send Kize another drone, but then decided to save it for a better occasion. For in this moment, Arius needed him.

Prefect Team couldn't help but shed tears at the reunion of Arius and their ghost. Two broken figures ending up fixing themselves because of each other. A beautiful story through and through.

SRT Platoons saluted to the podium, even as tears strewn down their faces as their commander had chosen to stay.

Shanhaijing finally had their spectre, and they were ready to bring him to his second home when the time was right. And for Shun, who sat there with the same warm smile she had for him, was content. For the children can now find him anytime.

And Arius? This was the greatest gift they could ever receive in their history. A life of strife, struggle, destruction, now a life of purpose, peace, joy... Happiness.

And for Kize? He found his purpose. And all of that because he was kidnapped to be a stopgap.

It was nothing short of a miracle. But in Kivotos? It's where all miracles begin. And Kize's miracle was a blessing like no other.

When all was said and done, with Arius Squad slowly parting away from Kize, Sensei approached Kize, a tablet in hand. Kize stared at it, before looking back at him.

"Sensei, it's your Shittim Chest."

"This is just another Shittim Chest, the original one's still right here." Sensei patted the side of his pocket, and Kize noticed the rather thick outline.

With a breath, he took hold of the Shittim Chest, and switched it on.

No sooner did he do that did Arona and Plana immediately invade the screen with their faces.

"Kize-Sensei!!!!!"

"Welcome back, Kize-Sensei."

Kize almost smirked. They never changed.

"Hey Arona, Plana... I'm home."

A/N: And so ends this beautiful, messy fanfiction I never thought I actually could finish.

Thank you, to each and every one of you for being in this ride with me, and to get me to reach to this end that I never thought I could write.

And to you, dear readers, regardless if you came here to read, to comment (especially if you're not a bot asking if you want me to draw something out for you, yeah naw I'm broke mate), to simply leave a vote, thank you. This fanfic would never be the same without you.

But just because this is the end of the fanfic doesn't mean it's the end of Kize's story. Maybe I'll continue, have it be more of a slice of life situation with Sensei and his new role as Co-Sensei. It'd be fun.

But I'm rambling here too much, because... I'm happy. I'm happy that I finally, finally managed to write an ending that I'm personally satisfied with.

To cap it all off, thank you again. Bless your souls, and stay safe.