After a refreshing shower and a quick breakfast, I settled into my office chair, set the alarm, and closed my eyes. I just wanted a short rest before the day officially began.
The battle with Hoshino had ended in my favor, but it definitely took its toll. I was out of ammo, and both my strength and energy were nearly spent. The enemy's early attacks came in waves, relentless and fierce. Even after several setbacks, their determination never faded. With clever traps and sudden ambushes, it turned into quite the ordeal.
Honestly, if Hoshino hadn't been so physically gifted and exceptionally keen senses, things might have gone very differently.
Of course, my own skills played a part, but I owed a lot to one dedicated assistant...
Arona! Let me see your limits! Cancel out the impact for me!
Even though Arona never exactly agreed, her support and determination came through when I needed it most. Without her, I probably would've ended up in the hospital with a pelvic fracture halfway through the fight, long before the match was decided.
The Shittim Chest had burned through more power overnight than it usually did in several full-scale operations, stray bullets and explosions included.
When I connected to the charging Shittim Chest, a twinge of guilt hit me. What I saw made me stop in my tracks.
There was Arona, a petite girl with pale blue hair, lying motionless on the desk. Her hands were stretched out in front of her, face pressed flat against the tabletop. She didn't look asleep; she looked more like a doll that had been left behind.
I walked over and gently poked her cheek with my finger.
Suddenly, Arona lifted her head and, with a dramatic flair, bit down on my finger. It wasn't hard but just enough to make a point, more playful than anything.
Her teeth barely pressed against my skin. When I pressed a little, I felt something soft, moist, and warm. The sensation brought back flashes of last night's intense struggle.
Kivotos' technology really was something else. To think even an AI could feel so real.
For a moment, a risky thought crossed my mind, but I quickly pushed it away. Some things are better left alone.
Startled by my reaction, Arona let go and pulled back, glaring at me. She tried to look fierce, but honestly, it just made her look even cuter.
"Sensei, after what you did last night, you still have the nerve to show your face to me?"
"Ahaha." I scratched my head, laughing awkwardly and steering clear of that topic.
"Arona, I'm going to take a quick nap here. When the students on duty arrive, can you wake me up?"
The Shittim Chest had one flaw as it couldn't affect things outside its own space. I needed someone I could trust to wake me before the duty students came in. I had to keep up the image of a responsible adult and avoid any awkward surprises.
Sure, I could set an alarm or have Arona shout at me, but that didn't seem reliable enough.
Then it hit me, why not just sleep inside the Shittim Chest? It felt just like the real world, and Arona was there too. It seemed like the perfect solution: I could rest, and she could wake me up.
"…And why exactly should I agree to that?" Arona pouted. "I stayed up all night keeping track of you and Hoshino! You completely overworked your poor AI! Give me one good reason why I should help you now!"
Petty Arona! If you keep this up, you'll lose my affection!
"Because I believe in you. Just like you believe in me. We'll stick together, no matter what comes."
I said it with a straight face and sat down at the desk beside her. "So I know you won't hold a grudge over something so small. I'm just going to take a quick nap. Don't forget to wake me, okay?"
Arona didn't reply. She just watched as I rested my head on the desk. Before long, my breathing slowed and deepened, I was out.
Arona stood up and walked to the open window, gazing out at the ocean sparkling in the morning sun.
A gentle breeze lifted the fringe covering her left eye, revealing a blue iris with a pink pupil.
Holding her umbrella-gun, Arona whispered softly, "Can a human inside a cyberspace and a robot in the real world... Dream of the same scenery?"
No answer came.
Shaking her head, Arona turned back to her seat to do as I'd asked. But as she sat, she rested her head on the desk too. Just a little nap, she thought and before she knew it, she was asleep as well.
Her quiet question drifted away on the morning breeze, replaced by the gentle sound of her dreaming voice.
"Hehe~ Sensei's… Swiss roll…"
Half an Hour Later
The girls on duty gathered around me, still fast asleep in my office chair with my tablet in hand. They spoke in hushed voices.
"Sensei looks really tired. He must've overworked himself last night, right?"
"Hehe∼ but his sleeping face is kinda cute~ I'm taking a picture!"
"Wait, Mutsuki, that's not appropriate!"
"Relax, Aru-chan, I'll just send it to the group later."
"Ahem. As Kivotos' future greatest outlaw, I say this! Never underestimate the joy of small mischief."
"Um… Aru-sama… what should we do now? Should we wake Sensei? He doesn't look like he'll wake up anytime soon…"
"Hmm…"
The self-proclaimed genius outlaw thought for a moment, then smirked.
"Hehe∼ no need. Let's just let Sensei rest for now. This is the perfect chance for our business consultant to see how reliable our company really is~"
Her loyal subordinates quickly agreed. "As expected of Aru-sama!"
The others grinned, clearly enjoying the mischief. "Heh∼ sounds like fun~"
As the three reached their cheerful agreement, the last girl, who had been silent, sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
Her expression was cool and sharp, but after a moment, she didn't object. After all, with her keeping watch, what could possibly go wrong?
"…So, that's how it all happened?"
When I finally woke up, I looked at the embarrassed faces of the girls from Problem Solver 68 and let out a sigh, unable to hide my disbelief.