When I woke up, it was already night.
As I washed my face, I stared at the mirror, at the pale reflection staring back at , with two heavy dark circles hanging under my eyes. The sight left shocked.
"I've been wounded by feminine charm, to the point of such exhaustion?!"
You couldn't really tell after pulling an all-nighter, but after a proper sleep, the fatigue and weakness truly settled into my body.
Determined to learn from my mistakes, I decided that from now on, I would—cough* maintain a proper sleep schedule and sufficient rest. Unless, of course, it was truly unavoidable.
After all, it is a Sensei's duty to et the needs of their students.
Surely there isn't a more responsible teacher in all of Kivotos than .
Once I filled my empty stomach with the bento I'd bought at noon, I connected to Shittim digi-space. The mont I entered the classroom, I couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation, how is Arona still asleep at this hour?
At your age, how can you possibly sleep this much?
I stood before the peacefully sleeping Arona, speechless for a long while. But when I saw the gentle smile resting on her face, I couldn't bring myself to wake her.
After disconnecting, I began sorting through the new requests in the Schale inbox.
Lately, rumors about Schale had been spreading widely across the network, and each day brought a flood of new requests to the official email.
Most of them were trivial, things like lost-and-found cases, tedious and trivial, the kind of work even the Public Safety Bureau wouldn't accept.
As the old saying goes, "A thousand miles begin with a single step," but requests like these are ti-consuming, yield no results, and bring no benefit. I had no plans to take them.
Another category I refused to accept were those too absurd to be real.
For instance, the email I was currently reading ca from the Red Winter Academy.
It was the fourth plea for help I'd received from the forr president of Red Winter, Cherino. Out of curiosity, I had looked into Red Winter Academy's situation, only to discover that Cherino wasn't persistently sending letters during a single coup. Rather, she sent one every ti she was overthrown.
At my ager level of intellect, I doubted I could ever comprehend the inner workings of Red Winter. Best not to get involved.
After so quick sorting, only two emails remained, the ones I'd saved for last.
Both ca from Hyakkiyako Alliance Academy, the school without a student council. I'd heard they were preparing for a grand festival soon. Perhaps I could invite soone to join when the ti ca.
Before that, though, I could use these requests as an excuse to visit, to experience the atmosphere and culture firsthand.
Opening the first email, I frowned deeply.
In short, the sender dread of becoming an exceptional ninja and wanted Schale's assistance with her training. The sender's na: Kuda Izuna.
Ninja training? Completely incomprehensible. Even in a bizarre place like Kivotos, "ninja" should only exist in fiction.
At least, that's what the data suggested.
Even if ninjas did exist, Schale was hardly in a position to assist with such training.
Still, out of courtesy, I replied to request more details.
When no response ca, I opened the second email, sent on behalf of a club.
The Inner Discipline Club. The na sounded... delicate, but thankfully the request wasn't another training-related one. They simply wanted help filming a promotional video for their club.
A promotional video for a girls' high school club...
Oh.
After letting my imagination wander for a few seconds, I quickly pulled myself together and drafted a perfectly polite, professional reply. Naturally, I accepted the job.
After all, guiding young students in need is a Sensei's duty.
Though, for the sake of accuracy, I couldn't help but wonder, would the Inner Discipline Club be wearing cheerleader uniforms during the shoot? With an earnest, scientific curiosity, I found myself rather looking forward to it.
After confirming the filming schedule with the club representative, Kuda Izuna finally replied. It was only a brief apology, asking to forget her request. Any follow-up ssages from went unanswered.
Strange. I'd have to check on her personally once I reached Hyakkiyako.
I made a ntal note and added the Inner Discipline Club visit to my schedule, reviewing my plans for the coming days.
That's when I realized, tomorrow was a day off.
Damn it, Hoshino. You've turned my sleep cycle upside down. No wonder my brain's a ss. So, what should I do with this rare day of rest?
Maybe I could pick up a few of the simpler requests I'd just filtered out, ones that could be completed in a day. Or perhaps visit the Great Chapel at Trinity to confess my sins before the lovely Sister Mari?
Speaking of Trinity…
Just as my inner workaholic was awakening, I rembered that I still hadn't picked a thank-you gift for Nagisa. Sothing vintage, elegant, and cute would be perfect. Maybe I could go shopping with Kaya while I was at it.
I just wasn't sure if Kaya would be free tomorrow.
With that thought, I opened MomoTalk and ssaged her.
: You there?
Kaya: I'm here, Sensei. What's up?
: Are you free tomorrow? Want to hang out?
Kaya: Tomorrow, huh…
About a minute later.
Kaya: I'm free! When and where shall we et?
This bureaucratic parasite from the General Student Council probably just gave herself a day off, didn't she?
And she didn't even suggest a ti or place. What exactly is she planning?
Pondering Kaya's motives, I sent her the details. She agreed imdiately. In just a few short ssages, the date was set.
And yet, I suddenly found myself uneasy.
At that mont, another ssage arrived from a girl I hadn't heard from in a while.
Yukino: Sensei, this is Shichido Yukino.
Yukino: Do you have ti tomorrow?
: What's wrong? I can make ti.
Yukino: The combat training scheduled for tomorrow was canceled, so I have the whole day off.
Yukino: May I see you? I want to see you.
: Of course. In that case, let's go on a date!
Yukino: Okay.
Without hesitation, I abandoned Kaya and chose Yukino.
After all, Kaya is easy to invite anyti, but Yukino's schedule is far stricter. Besides, it's not like I can't pick out Nagi's gift during the date with Yukino.
But truthfully, in my heart, there was no comparison between the two.
Every student is equally important to , of course, but so are… slightly less equal. Especially a certain scheming Defense Office Chief.
So I sent Kaya a ssage.
: Sorry, an urgent mission ca up. I might have to cancel tomorrow.
Kaya: Eh? Really…?
: I'm truly sorry. I'll make it up to you later.
Kaya: …Alright then.
Monts later~
Yukino: …Sensei, Chief Shiranui just inford the training has been reinstated.
I blinked, piecing things together. So that's how it is...
The training Yukino was supposed to attend was originally Kaya's responsibility. But Kaya, shirking her duty for our date, canceled it. Yukino got her day off as a result.
Then the mont I canceled on Kaya, she reinstated it, thus ruining my date with Yukino!
Damn you, Kaya. To go back on your word and ruin my plans!
Left with no choice, I ssaged her again~ mission canceled, date back on. Sure enough, Yukino got her day off again. My theory confird.
Still, the fact that the Defense Office Chief is now ddling in SRT Special Academy's affairs… it seems SRT's situation is becoming dire.
Not that it mattered at the mont.
Looking at my screen, where Yukino was no doubt waiting quietly and hopefully, I decided to be honest with her.
: The cancellation might have been because I asked Kaya out.
Yukino: …You? With her?
: It was just for show. You have to trust .
Yukino: Okay.
From that brief reply, I could feel her deep trust in , and I was both touched and uneasy.
Could it be that Yukino, who should have been marked as "route complete" had pinned all her hopes of rebuilding her academy and achieving justice on ?
Was that really love? I didn't know.
But before I could stop myself, I sent another ssage.
: Want to co along tomorrow?
Yukino: …Huh?
Of course, I didn't an a "threeso." My relationship with Yukino was still a secret. And bringing her along as a third wheel while on a date with Kaya? That would be torture.
No, this was strategic. I didn't trust Kaya or her intentions. She'd sched against once before, so she was clearly up to sothing.
Inviting Yukino was purely for tactical backup. Should Kaya have any hidden plans, Yukino would be there to intervene. With her skills, Kaya would never notice.
Once I explained everything, Yukino agreed imdiately. I promised that afterward, if we had ti, we'd go on our own date. Even through the screen, I could almost see her fox ears and tail twitching in excitent.
Her short replies were just a few "Mm"s and "Ah"s, couldn't hide the truth. My instincts were never wrong.
Any doubts I'd had vanished. Yukino must already be deeply in love with .
Sleepiness washed over again. Setting the alarm, I went back to my room and fell asleep.
When morning ca, I arrived at the station early, only to find that soone had beaten there.
Standing at our eting spot was Kaya, no longer in her usual General Student Council uniform, but in a white dress. She'd gone with a natural look, deliberately styled, of course. Her already cute face looked even softer, her finger twirling a strand of hair as she waited absentmindedly.
So, you've dressed up to make drop my guard? Too bad, I won't be swayed by beauty alone.
I hid the sharpness in my eyes, smiled, and waved. Ti to play along with this scher.
—By afternoon—
"Sensei, I had so much fun today~"
Kaya lifted her skirt slightly in a graceful curtsy, her smile radiant. "Well then~ I'll look forward to next ti∼"
With that, she picked up her shopping bags and left, light on her feet, clearly in high spirits.
I watched her go, frowning slightly. Kaya… what happened to your grand plan?
Rembering the genuine smile she'd shown throughout the day, I faltered.
Surely soone like Kaya couldn't act that well, could she?
Don't tell … could it be that she's actually been moved by my charm?
I sighed, brushing a hand along my cheek, mourning how my brilliance was once again overshadowed by my looks.
Then Yukino appeared silently beside . "Sensei, Chief Shiranui has boarded the train. Please issue further instructions."
Today, Yukino was in casual wear. Her slender legs, wrapped in black stockings, drew the eye imdiately.
Already part of my secret collection.
"Good work, Yukino." I reached out to pat her fox ears, unconsciously comparing them to Wakamo's.
Yukino's were softer, with thicker inner fur. Though Wakamo's were smoother, both had their charm.
"Now then, let's just enjoy our date."
Yukino's usually blank expression softened into a faint smile. "Understood."
We spent the rest of the day together until the sun began to set.
On a bench in a quiet park, Yukino straightened up, wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand, and said, a little flustered, "Please… excuse . It's almost curfew."
I licked the sweetness lingering on my lips, watching her leave with faint regret. Even the air seed to hold her scent.
"Fresh, fragrant, try our inari sushi~"
A food cart, carrying three students, wobbled past.
One of them, a pink-haired fox girl, t my gaze. She quickly stopped the cart and called out cheerfully, "Hey there! Haven't had dinner yet? Want to give ours a try?"
I froze.
Feigning casual hunger, I approached and confird the faces of the three fox-eared girls: a soft-faced pink-haired one, a gray-haired one with braided pigtails and drooping eyes, and a proud-looking blonde with her arms crossed.
Yes. Yukino's Fox Platoon teammates. I couldn't rember their nas, but seriously... what were they doing here? Had they forgotten they made the news once?
Wait! How long had they been watching? Did they see Yukino and together? No, impossible. With Yukino's awareness, they must have tailed us from far away.
The pink-haired one bead, still pitching enthusiastically. "Not gonna lie, these are my finest creations today! Freshly made, at peak flavor right now!"
The aroma was tempting, and I was hungry anyway. I bought two.
"Thank you kindly~" she said, handing the change. "By the way, what brings you here alone at this hour? It's not really safe around here lately!"
"I'm with a friend. She just left ahead of ."
"Ohh? Just the two of you? Out here?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Don't tell ... it was a date?"
So that's it. You ca just to pry into your captain's private life, didn't you?
I bit into the inari sushi. It was delicious beyond expectation.
"The sushi's great. Goodbye."
Leaving her surprised, I turned and walked away.
There's no rule saying I have to answer random strangers' questions, is there? You want to know? Then you'll just have to edge for now.
Such is the unspoken privilege of adulthood.
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