Even with Hoshino pointing a gun at , I didn't feel alard. On the contrary, I felt almost eager.
Years of CQC skill refined to instinct let assess the situation instantly. Hoshino's stance carried only intimidation, not intent to shoot, and the distance between us was close enough.
I could try to disarm her.
But judging by the speed she had just displayed, the chances of success were low.
And no matter the outco, it would only deepen the misunderstanding between us.
With so regret, I suppressed the urge to test the effect of my Infinite Martial Training.
I raised my hands and explained, "I don't know why this happened either. All I did was hire Kaiser Corporation to airlift supplies."
"Is that sooo~? ☆ Uhee, guess I'm just a suspicious old man. Sorry, Sensei."
Hoshino laughed, but she didn't lower her gun.
Clearly, she hadn't lowered her guard against either.
Fortunately, the fight ended quickly.
---
OST: Blue Archive OST 15. Honey Jam
---
The helted delinquents lasted only a short while before being completely routed. Shouting lines like "We'll be back!" straight out of a third-rate villain script, they fled in disgrace.
Serika, still seething, ran off after them. Shiroko glanced back at , her expression conflicted, then hurried after Serika.
Nonomi climbed aboard the helicopter to check, then returned to Hoshino's side.
"Hoshino-chan, it really is a Kaiser Corporation transport chopper. There are still a few crates of ammo and supplies inside. If we ration carefully, it'll last about two weeks."
"Thanks~"
Hoshino finally lowered her gun and, calm as ever, turned to . "Sensei~ would you mind helping us carry the heavy stuff~?"
Surprised, I nevertheless agreed.
To make such a simple request right after a standoff caused by misunderstanding, and to do so without a trace of malice, was a clear signal of reconciliation.
Takanashi Hoshino. Small in stature, yet far more mature inside than she appeared. As chairwoman of the Foreclosure Task Force, perhaps her lazy, carefree deanor was just an act.
I could still clearly recall the cold detachnt in her eyes when she had aid her gun at .
But before we moved the supplies, there was one thing I needed to confirm.
I snapped photos of the helicopter's interior, then called Kaiser Corporation' custor service, putting it on speaker so the girls could hear.
"I'm terribly sorry, valued custor. Our transport helicopter was hijacked by unknown ard individuals, and we failed to notify you in ti…
"However, since you did not purchase cargo insurance, the company is not liable for any damages! We deeply regret the inconvenience, and out of humanitarian goodwill, we'd like to offer you a 1% discount coupon!
"A friendly reminder: the unmanned helicopter will return at the scheduled ti. Please unload your cargo as soon as possible. Thank you for choosing Kaiser Corporation! Is there anything else we can help you with today?"
Kaiser Corporation, you are asking for a beating!
This grudge is written down. Rest assured, repaynt will co.
I took several deep breaths to calm myself, then told Hoshino, Nonomi, and the newly arrived Ayane:
"I'll have Schale mbers procure more supplies through other channels and deliver them on our own helicopter. As for these, we'll just have to make do."
Before the chopper lifted off, we managed to unload nearly everything, though it was barely a tenth of what I had originally ordered, and moved it into Abydos's warehouse.
Pressed for ti, we did overlook one item.
A tid bomb.
Powerful enough to destroy the helicopter. No doubt rigged by those vile helt punks, the countdown likely set to detonate just as it reached its hangar.
I trust this little gift will properly convey my heartfelt support for Kaiser Corporation.
When we returned to the clubroom, Shiroko and Serika also ca back.
The mont she saw , Serika bristled like an angry cat. "Sensei! I can't believe you were colluding with the Helt Gang! I was wrong to trust you!"
Clearly, she hadn't kept up with the situation.
Nonomi quickly held her back. "Serika-chan, you've misunderstood. Sensei was a victim too…"
After Nonomi explained, Shiroko sighed in relief and clutched her chest, convinced of my innocence. Serika, however, still frowned, half in doubt.
"But this is too much of a coincidence. How could the Helt Gang just happen to hijack the helicopter carrying supplies for our school? Maybe it was the intel you gave them, Sensei?"
And what exactly would I gain from that?
Before I could answer, Ayane spoke up.
"Serika, Sensei ca here only because he received our request for help. If he bore us any ill will, he could have just ignored it. We'd soon run out of ammo and food on our own."
Nonomi added, "Besides, there wasn't any outside attack tid with the ambush. Those few Helt Gang mbers aren't strong enough to threaten us, even with a sneak attack."
Serika's eyes widened in realization, and she apologized to .
But then Hoshino offered another angle.
"Buuut~ what if Sensei actually has so grand plan~? Like trying to play the hero and win over my cute kids~ Maybe even this old man here is a target too~? Just the thought is scary~"
Her words froze the room.
And I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. In a way, she wasn't entirely wrong.
Serika's face went red as she glared at .
Ayane too blushed furiously. "P-please, Hoshino-senpai, don't joke about such things…"
"Haha, sorry, sorry. Sensei bought these supplies before even eting us, so of course he isn't so creep lusting after young students."
I stared at the ceiling, finding the cobwebs in the corner unusually captivating.
"Wait…"
Serika's eyes widened again, as if struck by another thought. "Sensei, haven't we run into each other sowhere before? Could it be that… no way, don't tell … wah!"
From behind, Shiroko grabbed Serika's cheeks, rcilessly shutting down her imagination. "No could be."
And so, for the ti being, my identity as a possible traitor was cleared.
Serika could be a bit scatterbrained, but the suspicions she raised were valuable, at least from my standpoint as soone who knew he was innocent.
How had the Helt Gang gotten wind of the shipnt, and even managed to hijack the transport helicopter?
We could rule out them having skilled coders.
If not , then the source of the leak could only be one place...
Kaiser Corporation.
What I had thought was just a simple job against delinquents had spiraled into sothing involving a major corporation.
It seed Abydos's problems were far deeper than I had imagined.
After their playful banter, the girls noted how late it was and decided to disband for the night, planning to regroup tomorrow.
"Sensei, there are no hotels left operating in Abydos."
Shiroko looked at with concern. "The nearest one is two hours away on foot. And since the Helt Gang saw your face just now, it's dangerous to walk alone at night. So…"
Was she about to offer to escort ? What a kindhearted child.
"Please stay at my house tonight. Ah, I don't an only tonight. If you don't mind, Sensei, you're welco to stay for several days."
…Huh?
"Shiroko-senpai?! What are you saying?!"
"My my~ Shiroko-chan, you're bolder than you look~" Nonomi leaned in, eyes sparkling. "But Sensei, my place is an option too. My house is pretty spacious~"
"Not you too, Nonomi-senpai?!"
Serika was dumbstruck. Ayane fell into awkward silence.
I began to question whether my sense of common sense still applied in Kivotos.
In the end, Hoshino stepped in to smooth things over.
"Alright, alright, let's stop with the weird jokes~ Can't you see Sensei's already flustered~?"
Serika snapped, "That's exactly what I told you earlier!"
"Don't sweat the details~ Anyway~"
Hoshino laid a small hand on my shoulder, her laid-back tone carrying a quiet firmness.
"Tonight, Sensei, you'll sleep with this Oji-san~."
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