With the arrival of the Foreclosure Task Force, along with Wakamo and C&C, the disturbance caused by Kei finally came to a complete end.
And the reason why the reinforcements had arrived so late, with some even injured, was finally revealed.
I had already harbored doubts earlier. With the total combat power of the reinforcements I arranged, how could they possibly have been held back for so long by a sea of fodder enemies? It was only because the situation had been urgent that I had not asked at the time, and for the same reason, Himari had not explained the true circumstances to me.
In reality, aside from the Followers and mass produced dolls, they had encountered other entities obstructing them.
To us, they were not unfamiliar at all. Shiro and Kuro.
However, what Hoshino and the others encountered was countless times stronger than what we had faced.
Not only had their physical toughness increased dramatically, they had also gained powerful new moves. The key point was that the bombs used by Shiro had become a special new model capable of dealing additional damage. Caught off guard, Nonomi, Serika, Akane, and Karin all suffered fairly serious injuries, and even Wakamo took a hit.
In short, if Shiro and Kuro had not joined the battle, the reinforcements might have arrived much earlier.
Himari initially suspected that they might be different individuals, but judging from certain characteristics, they were indeed the same two dolls that had fought us before. The only conclusion was that they had not gone all out previously.
Hearing this, I could not help recalling the two headed puppet I had once spoken with, my expression sinking slightly.
Why did this sound like some grand master had discovered something, or misunderstood something on their own?
In any case, it had to be Gematria again.
After briefly confirming everyone's condition, Ayane took charge of piloting the Water Cloud (Ayane's Helicopter) to send the injured, including Saori, who urgently needed treatment, to a nearby public hospital. The rest escorted Arisu and me on foot as we left Slumpia.
More precisely, they walked, and I was carried on Shiroko's back.
Although it was a bit embarrassing, after such a grueling battle, plus maintaining the divine name for a long time, my entire body was so sore that I could not walk anymore.
Sensing my need with her sharp instincts, Shiroko took the initiative to offer to carry me.
Hoshino, who still had some sense of pride, did not compete this time with her junior, whose relationship with me was practically like that of parent and child, so harmonious and close.
Among the three from the Game Development Department, aside from Momoi who seemed completely unaware, the other two appeared tempted, but due to physical exhaustion and inner shyness, neither spoke up.
Neru was an exemplar among tsundere loser heroines, requiring no further elaboration.
Only the sunny and cheerful Asuna openly expressed her desire to try, but was sternly rejected by Shiroko.
Although it should have been completely different, I suddenly felt I could imagine how Shiroko and Wakamo had ended up arguing.
I strongly suspected that Asuna might have hidden her ears and tail.
Asuna showed a bit of regret, then ran off with Neru to look after Arisu.
As for Arisu, next, Neru and Asuna, along with Hoshino who had joined in to help as a friend, would temporarily take her back to Millennium Science School under Himari's guidance.
First, they would seek help from the Engineering Department to see if Arisu's body could be repaired more quickly. Then they would go to the Veritas Department to check whether Arisu's mind had deviated, and whether Kei still existed within her.
Arisu herself did not object. Rather, after confirming things with me, she obediently followed her seniors' arrangements.
The remaining three from the Game Development Department, after some discussion, were still more worried about their companion's condition, and decided to return to school together to accompany her.
I felt quite relieved, both for the friendship between the girls, and for the fact that I would soon be able to enjoy a bit of rest that belonged solely to me.
Tonight, I was truly exhausted, and did not plan to intervene further in Arisu's affairs. I intended to return to Schale alone, leaving matters and worries to be dealt with the next day.
I believed that during this time, the others would take good care of her.
And if something unexpected really happened again, well, we would deal with it when the time came.
"Well then, Sensei, Shiroko, bye bye."
After successfully leaving the gates of the Slumpia and departing from this desolate, remote, and rarely visited area, we reached the station. After seeing the others, whose destination was Millennium, board the conveniently waiting unmanned bus, I declined Shiroko's offer to accompany me back to Schale.
Hearing this, Shiroko immediately lowered her wolf ears, looking quite dejected, but she still expressed her understanding. She told me that in that case, she planned to go to the hospital to visit Nonomi and Serika, and reminded me to be sure to message her once I arrived safely at Schale.
For a moment, I found it rather amusing, not knowing who was supposed to be the older one here.
Of course, I was still quite moved. I patted Shiroko's head and gently agreed.
Soon, the bus heading for Schale arrived at the platform.
"Then I'll be going."
"Mm, Sensei, have a safe trip."
Shiroko waved at me reluctantly.
As the vehicle started moving, I sat by the window and looked out through the glass, only to find that the wolf eared girl was still gazing at me, eyes full of affection, until her figure shrank in my view and could no longer be seen clearly.
I turned my head back, and suddenly felt a bit of regret, wondering if I should have brought Shiroko back to Schale after all.
But when I pressed on the sore muscles at my waist and thought it through carefully, I no longer felt any regret at all.
With this battered body, inviting a wolf into the house was absolutely not advisable.
After returning safely to Schale, I reported my safety to Shiroko and the other girls, replied to a few instant messages, and was struggling with whether to go straight to sleep or take a bath first when—
"Ah, Sensei, you've worked hard."
A gentle, melodious voice like a clear spring suddenly rang out, almost startling me.
I looked awkwardly at the projection rising beside me. "If it's about photos, can it wait until tomorrow?"
Himari's eye twitched. "…Hehe, a genius, elegant, beautiful frail girl would not be so rude."
I thought that suddenly appearing in someone else's home was already quite rude.
"What is it?" I asked seriously. "Is it about Arisu?"
"Mm hm. It seems that in Arisu's mental space, you and that child have completely made up. How nice, how nice."
As Himari spoke with emotion, she gazed at me. After seeing me nod and then return her look with confusion, quite some time passed before she lowered her voice.
"…"
I saw the girl's lips moving in the projection, as if she had said something, but I could not hear anything at all. Confused, I asked, "What did you say?"
Himari suddenly became agitated. "Isn't this far too rude? Do you really need a reserved lady to spell everything out for you to understand?"
Then what else was I supposed to do?
Speaking such unreasonable words, Himari grew even more embarrassed and annoyed, and directly cut the connection.
When I sent her messages afterward to ask what had happened, she did not reply at all, leaving me utterly baffled.
But I did not have the energy to think too much right now, so it was better to rest early.
It was not until an hour later, after I finished bathing and was about to go to bed, that I received a momotalk from her.
Himari: Sigh, I'm really sorry about earlier.
Himari: I shouldn't have scolded you like that.
Himari: Please make up with me too.
So it was just over something like this?
Thinking about Himari's troublesome and awkward personality, it suddenly seemed reasonable.
Rather, for her to come and apologize at all probably meant she had mustered all her courage and overcome her psychological barriers.
That showed she really did care about me quite a bit.
I had originally planned to generously reply that it was fine, but halfway through typing, I had a new idea.
Me: Let me see a selfie.
Himari: Huh?
After a moment of silence, Himari sent another message.
Himari: …Hehe, so that's how it is. I see now.
That tone gave me a bad premonition.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Himari truly erupted.
Himari: Oh my oh my, even Sensei has unconsciously fallen for the charm of the super genius, pure type, beautiful girl hacker. What should I do now?
So shameless. It seemed I had no choice but to state the obvious and refute her hard.
Me: What? Isn't it you who fell for the charm of this super upright, healing type, handsome young Sensei?
Himari: ?
Me: ?
Himari: Hehe, you're quite humorous.
Me: Haha, likewise.
After sending the message, the corners of my mouth curved up unconsciously.
It felt as though the subtle barrier between Himari and me had completely vanished within just these few exchanges.
Of course, ultimately, it was because of my reckless action of saving Arisu that Himari's impression of me had changed again.
Himari: [Image]
Himari: Then please enjoy it. The treasure of Millennium, even of all Kivotos. A photo personally taken by me, as pure and flawless as a white lotus blooming atop a snowy mountain.
Opening the selfie she sent, my gaze immediately sharpened.
Such terrible composition, such a stiff expression.
But fortunately, Himari was indeed naturally beautiful. Her darting eyes, awkward expression, and outdated pose instead made her especially cute, more than worthy of entering my collection.
Satisfied, I accepted this apology gift and continued typing.
Me: One photo is not enough. Who do you think you're looking down on?
Me: Send more.
Himari: Eh, eh?
Himari: …Oh no, I have to get busy now. Let's talk about it next time.
Did someone just chicken out?
Himari: Anyway, I'm going with Eimi and the others to prepare for Arisu's physical examination.
Me: Mm, do your best. Rest early.
Himari: Hehe, you too. Just leave everything to me without worry.
Himari: Oh right, and don't forget what you promised me.
It was all because my body was too alluring and made her crave like this. My fault, my fault.
After ending the pleasant conversation with Himari, and incidentally replying good night to Kaya while ignoring the subsequent message bombardment, I took out the credit card and glanced at it, thinking to myself that it still seemed to be missing some kind of trigger.
How much longer would it take? Probably not too long now.
Pulling the blanket over myself, I soon drifted into a wonderful dream.