After confirming that Schale's bomb disposal work would still take some time, I wandered alone around Millennium's autonomous district and found a well-reviewed café to rest for a bit.
I sat there, sipping a cup of coffee that was rich and aromatic. Just the way I liked it, sweet and creamy with only the tiniest hint of bitterness. As I drank, I wondered what to do with the rest of my free time. Should I just chill here by myself, or maybe see if someone wanted to hang out?
It was an oddly delicate hour. Some people were still working, others were tied up with their clubs. I didn't know who might be free. If I suddenly bothered someone, and with my accursed charm accidentally tempted some innocent girl into skipping her duties just to see me, that wouldn't be good.
Maybe I should just stay here, play some mobile games, watch a few videos, and soothe my soul still wounded by Myth·Legend·Chronicle.
But before that, I wanted to test the Authority I obtained from Yuuka.
—
Conversion Authority: [Geometry]
Description: Allows transmission of "Geometry.pdf" to electronic devices
Source: Successfully completed Hayase Yuuka's route
—
How should I put this?
At first glance, it seemed kind of useless. But then again, maybe it could be handy in electronic warfare? Like, if I repeatedly sent files to overload a system, could it work like a DDoS attack?
I aimed my phone and activated the [Geometry] Authority.
After several seconds passed with no response, I began to suspect it had failed, then a prompt popped up:
[Download 'Geometry.pdf'?]
…So this thing not only has insane lag, it even needs manual confirmation?
A bad feeling grew in my chest, but clinging to a sliver of hope, I tapped "Confirm."
Once the download was done, I opened it and carefully skimmed from start to finish. In the end, the PDF contained nothing but geometry lessons and practice problems.
This…
Unlike [Infinite Martial Arts], which simultaneously instilled both mental and muscle memory, this Authority offered only raw knowledge. I'd have to study it the old-fashioned way.
If I really wanted to learn geometry, couldn't I just look up a free textbook online? Kivotos is a digital world, after all.
Honestly, I couldn't decide if this Authority was just plain useless or what.
Oh well. The important thing was that I'd managed to win Yuuka over; the reward was just a bonus. Now that I thought about it, Ayane's Authority wasn't exactly practical either.
That thought gave me a bit of comfort. I settled back into my seat and launched a mobile game.
About ten minutes later, I got a Momotalk message.
Hoshino: Sensei, are you free today?
Me: What's up?
Whether I was free or not depended on what she wanted from me. Especially coming from Hoshino, who was supposed to be keeping her distance.
Hoshino: Well, remember how you went to my house before and helped keep some of my stuff safe for a while?
Hoshino: Like that photo I took with my senpai, the Desert Festival poster I had on my bedroom wall, and the whale plushie you gave me... The one I can't sleep without hugging every night. They're all in the school's storage room, right?
Every night, huh… I was a little touched that she still cherished a gift from me now that things between us had eased up.
But if I remembered correctly, when I last visited Hoshino's house, that plushie was shoved under her blanket, wasn't it?
Meaning, even when she disliked me, she still hugged the whale plushie I gave her to sleep every night?
That's kind of weird… but also, honestly, a little cute.
At the same time, I realized what Hoshino was really getting at.
Hoshino: But, Oji-san that I am, I turned that storage room upside down and still couldn't find the marine life encyclopedia you gave me.
Hoshino: Is it still with you, Sensei?
Me: I don't deserve happiness.
Hoshino: ?!
Hoshino: Waaaah! You peeked at it, didn't you?!
Me: I looked fair and square.
Hoshino: Sensei, how could you! It's bad enough you looked, but saying stuff like that too... my poor heart, boohoo~
Hoshino: I'm mad now, you know! The consequences will be dire! You won't calm me down unless you hug me, Sensei!
I suddenly found myself missing the old Hoshino, the one who was distant and aloof or even the one who was cold and arrogant afterward. This clingy, constantly teasing Hoshino was… a bit much.
Seriously, where did she learn this behavior? Couldn't she take me as an example?
I sighed and typed my reply, maintaining an air of moral uprightness.
Me: Send me your location. I'll come hug you right away.
Me: And after that, want to grab dinner together? I'll take you back to Schale afterward to get the encyclopedia.
Perfect. My response reflected the healthy teacher-student distance characteristic of Kivotos.
Hoshino: Hehe∼ what's that supposed to mean~
Hoshino: I'm at school right now. It's rare that no one else is around today, so this Oji-san can nap anywhere he wants~
Hoshino: So come find me in the clubroom, okay~
Hoshino: And since you're boldly offering dinner, I'll be sure to eat you dry tonight, Sensei~
I blinked and scrolled up through the chat. Wait, did I ever say I was paying? Oh well. If Hoshino was happy, that was enough.
I finished the rest of my coffee in one gulp, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and headed to the train station bound for D.U.
Given how remote and barren Abydos was, it would've been faster to take Schale's helicopter.
Just before arriving back at Schale, I received a message from the Engineering Department saying they had finished their work. I told them I'd be there shortly and asked them to wait a bit.
Soon, I spotted three girls standing by Schale's office building entrance, all covered in dust and grime, waiting eagerly.
I quickened my pace toward them. "The explosives are all disarmed now, right? Good work."
Utaha smiled. "Making necessary adjustments to meet requirements is part of the Engineering Department's duty."
Hibiki murmured, "And it was my turn on cleaning duty too…"
Kotori adjusted her glasses proudly. "Hehe∼ Looks like it's my time to shine! Sensei, you must be curious about all the new upgrades we installed at Schale, right? Let me explain each one to you, starting with the door—"
"Sorry, as much as I'd like to hear about it, I've got work to do soon."
I regretfully cut her off.
Kotori puffed up her cheeks but nodded. "Then next time you're free, I'll give you a full rundown!"
To be honest, I didn't think it was that important. I completely trusted their work. But since Kotori was so enthusiastic, I couldn't bring myself to refuse, so I agreed.
"Also, there's something I need to tell you all."
I spoke frankly. "The White Wolf, which I promised to lend you for research, was accidentally destroyed during a mission."
Utaha's eyes widened. "Destroyed? With the White Wolf's durability, did it take a direct hit from a high-yield explosion?"
"Pretty much."
She frowned in thought. "Hmm… were there any remains? Did you recover anything? Or can you at least tell us roughly where it happened?"
Seeing her still intent on salvaging it and remembering the heavy forces stationed by Kaiser PMC, along with that mysterious mechanical serpent lurking in the desert, I had no choice but to dissuade her.
"The site's on private land owned by a major corporation. When I left, the wreck was buried under rubble. Most likely they've cleared it by now. Even if it's still there, removing all the debris would take time, and doing so without alerting their private security would be nearly impossible. It's too dangerous. Let's drop it."
"Still, even though it was an accident, I feel bad for going back on my word. As compensation, I'll grant you one request as long as it doesn't go against my principles or exceed my capabilities."
I felt I was being sincere enough.
"Do you have any other similar creations on hand?"
"Not at the moment."
The three exchanged glances, then nodded.
"In that case, it can't be helped. We already gained plenty of data from the previous research. It's a bit disappointing, but that's fine. As for the request… we'll state it now, if that's alright."
"Of course. What is it you want?"
I braced myself, wondering what kind of demand the Engineering Department would make. My best guess was that they wanted me to promise to lend them any other special artifacts I obtained in the future.
But Utaha took a deep breath and gave an answer I never expected.
"Sensei, can we borrow Schale's bathroom?"
…Huh?
"Just the bathroom?"
I asked uncertainly.
Kotori nodded rapidly, like a woodpecker. "We're girls, you know! After work, we're all sticky and gross! There's nowhere nearby to wash up, so we've been holding out until we get back to school!"
"You could've told me that earlier."
Hibiki mumbled, "We just… didn't want to trouble you before…"
"It's no trouble at all." I rubbed my temples. "Alright, that doesn't count as your request. Think of something else. You can use Schale's bathroom anytime you need."
Utaha smiled softly. "Then we'll change our request. From now on, whenever we're on duty at Schale, please allow us to use the bathroom. No refusing, Sensei... for the sake of our pleasant cooperation."
Fair enough. For the sake of pleasant cooperation.
"The laundry room has a dryer. I'll be gone for about two hours. Don't forget to turn off the lights and lock up."
"Understood."
After a few parting reminders, I didn't linger. I headed to Abydos to meet Hoshino.
By the time I arrived at the clubroom, the sun had already begun to set.
"Sorry I'm late," I said as I opened the door.
"Took you long enough. I waited so hard, you know."
The small girl with pink hair and mismatched blue-and-gold eyes sat on the table's edge, puffing out her cheeks in mock annoyance.
Then she hopped down lightly, her steps soft and quick, and finally leapt into my arms, her voice gentle and sweet.
"But~ I forgive you~"
Today, Hoshino had decided to be the absolute cutest version of herself and honestly, I didn't stand a chance.