As the true crisis faded away, everything seemed to arrive at a good ending, and we were once again able to return to our calm, precious everyday lives.
Although the Game Development Department was still facing the trouble of being disbanded, I believed that as long as they worked together and trusted each other, they would surely overcome this hurdle and successfully create a game that everyone could acknowledge.
As for me, I could finally rest a little…
After finishing the backlog of work from yesterday.
In the afternoon, having concluded my trip to Millennium, I was busy in Schale's office.
I quickly skimmed through the paper documents, then held a pen and rapidly signed and wrote comments on them, while in my mind I pondered an important issue closely tied to the future of all Kivotos...
Just when exactly would the General Student Council implement a paperless office system?
With my charm and confidence, persuading the section chiefs I knew would not be difficult, but the real issue lay in the many problems that would come along with it.
For example, whether it would make them think I was closer to others and feel jealous or something like that…
After finishing the documents in my hands, I briefly browsed the contents of the next one and handed it to the petite girl sitting obediently on the office chair beside me, gazing at me with eager eyes:
"Arisu, can you help me calculate these figures?"
"Okay, Arisu will do her best."
She showed a sweet smile and nodded happily, then took the papers and buried herself in calculations.
As for why Arisu was here, she said that her profession for today was still on-duty hero, and she had voluntarily offered to help me with my work.
However, I strongly suspected that Arisu had awakened some kind of Millennium public trait, to take advantage of the moment, as when Arisu's companions debuffed from fear by hearing about Yuuka's inquiry about their progress, instead of rushing back to the club to work overtime, Arisu ran over to spend time alone with me.
The evidence was that when I did not assign her any tasks, she did not even play games. She simply propped her cheeks with both hands and stared at me from the side, completely absorbed in admiring my focused, handsome profile while I worked.
Sigh, it was all my fault, saving a gamer girl.
After working on official matters for a while longer, a phone call temporarily interrupted my train of thought.
I quickly walked out into the hallway and answered it:
"Hello? How are things now?"
"So as long as you participate in the temporary club formed for the tea party and pass the make-up exam, that's enough?"
"That's really great. Do your best, Hifumi, I'll support you with everything I've got."
"But this time, don't forget the exam time again."
"Hahaha, just kidding. I believe in you too, that time must have just been a coincidence."
"Alright then, I'll hang up for now. See you next time."
After ending the call with Hifumi, I unconsciously smiled, feeling genuinely happy for her.
Thankfully, Hifumi had not lost her chance at redemption because she was so captivated by my looks that she only thought about dating me.
If that had really happened, I would have been gravely at fault.
But speaking of which.
Despite her airheaded personality, Hifumi was also extremely serious. Did she really forget the date?
Very soon, I laughed it off and threw this absurd suspicion out of my mind.
Not to mention that Hifumi was just an ordinary student aside from her plain beauty, even if Trinity was currently full of undercurrents, how could a failure in an exam that, while important, only determined whether one would repeat a year, be tied to some kind of conspiracy?
Moreover, as long as she passed the make-up exam, Hifumi would not need to repeat a year at all.
And just as Seia had said, there was no need for me to worry too much right now. All I needed to do was wait patiently.
Returning to the office, I continued working together with Arisu.
The workload over these two days was far greater than I had imagined. We stayed busy until evening before finally reaching a stopping point.
During that time, I had asked Arisu whether she wanted to return to Millennium on her own first, but she firmly opposed it:
"Arisu, as a hero, will not abandon people who need help and leave alone. Since Arisu has already accepted the quest, Arisu will do her best to help Sensei finish all the work, and then as a reward, Arisu hopes Sensei can play games with Arisu~"
At the time, she even used her ultimate move of looking up at me with watery eyes, pitiful and pleading.
After she went that far, how could I bear to refuse such an adorable Arisu?
"Thank you for your hard work, Arisu."
After glancing at the pitch-black night outside the window and asking about whether she was hungry, I took her out to take care of dinner first.
Then, I tentatively asked whether we could issue the reward next time. Seeing Arisu pout as if she was about to be unhappy, I quickly changed my words before she could speak.
Left with no choice, I brought Arisu back to Schale and played the two-player cooperative game she wanted.
I had to admit that this game was quite fun, and with Arisu's combination of cuteness and superb gaming skills, the experience was elevated even further. Without realizing it, I became completely immersed.
Although the game itself was not very large, when the two of us pushed through in one go all the way to the credits, I suddenly realized it was already deep into the night.
Arisu timed it perfectly and yawned, rubbing her teary eyes, looking drowsy and half-asleep.
Because of that, I gave up the idea of sending her back to Millennium and decided to let Arisu stay overnight at Schale again.
Right after that, I hurriedly had the sleepy Arisu go wash up.
After helping Arisu dry her damp hair and seeing her to the guest room, I also quickly finished washing up and returned to my bedroom to rest.
Before sleeping, I downloaded the Authority from Arisu onto my phone as bedtime reading, planning to take a look out of curiosity.
But when I saw the file size and clearly saw the directory, I immediately understood why this Authority was called "Ultimate".
It was practically an encyclopedia.
Based on my speculation about this series of Authorities, I could only say, as expected of Arisu.
What kind of person would she grow into in the future? It was truly something to look forward to.
While quietly reflecting on this in my heart, I was just about to start reading.
Knock knock, two knocks on the door.
I raised an eyebrow, got up, and opened it, only to see Arisu in her pajamas, hugging a pillow, standing outside in a reserved and well-behaved manner.
"What's wrong, Arisu?"
"Sensei, Arisu can't fall asleep… may I ask if you can help Arisu sleep?"
The petite, adorable girl asked carefully.
I smiled helplessly. No matter what kind of potential Arisu might have in the future, right now she really was still a child who had not grown up yet.
Even though, theoretically speaking, her true age might exceed mine by several orders of magnitude.
"Of course, then…"
I was just about to say we could go to the guest room when Arisu cheered, rushed into my room, and climbed onto my bed.
Looking at Arisu sitting on my bed with the covers lifted, I suddenly felt a hint of doubt.
This girl could not possibly be…
No, I had already decided to trust Arisu. Besides, Arisu was so well-behaved and so innocent. How could she possibly lie to me? It had to just be my imagination.
Even though I vaguely sensed something unusual and recalled a few suspicious points, driven by a certain excited sense of anticipation, I deliberately ignored all of it, pretended to notice nothing, walked over to the bed, thought for a moment, and sat down beside Arisu:
"Arisu, how would you like me to help you fall asleep?"
However, she did not answer directly. Instead, she gazed at me affectionately and suddenly asked an unrelated, strange question:
"Sensei, do you believe that magic exists in Kivotos?"
"Well…" I thought for a moment, then smiled and answered, "As long as you believe in it, it will surely exist."
"Mm!"
Arisu nodded, her eyes smiling. "So Arisu believes. Arisu believes that magic definitely exists in Kivotos, because right now, Sensei is making Arisu feel happy."
As she spoke, my hand felt a familiar cool, soft touch. Without needing to look down, I knew it was the girl holding my hand.
"Games, cats, friends, and you… there are many wonderful things in this world. You are the one who taught Arisu that."
"And everyone else?"
Arisu nodded firmly. "Yes! But mainly Sensei."
Why did it feel like someone was so casually saying something like forgetting friends for love?
Then Arisu lowered her gaze and hugged her knees. "After watching the videos played by Key… Kei, Arisu kept thinking. Why are you so gentle to me, Sensei?"
While I was still thinking about what reason to give, Arisu continued on her own:
"Actually, from the very beginning, Arisu could feel that Sensei was different from everyone in the Game Development Department. Even though you did not like Arisu, you always accommodated Arisu… Even after Kei, who controlled Arisu's body, hurt and betrayed you, you were still so kind to Arisu."
I gave a bitter smile. "That is just an adult's hypocrisy. Sorry, Arisu, I am not as gentle a person as you imagine."
But Arisu shook her head and refuted seriously:
"Sensei, Arisu knows. This is your kindness."
I wanted to argue back, but after weighing it, I chose to give up. "If you are willing to think of it that way, then that's fine."
"And also, Arisu heard from Himari-senpai that you were willing to risk your life back then just to take Arisu back from Kei."
That Himari, why does she tell everything to everyone?
I felt a little embarrassed.
Sighing, I gave an explanation. "It was just greed."
Arisu's eyes lit up as she smiled. "Yes, that is what makes Arisu happiest!"
"Stop… stop that…"
The more strange things were said, the heavier the strange atmosphere became.
"You said that you hoped Arisu would change jobs into the profession she wanted to become. If you are the brave hero who saved Arisu, then Arisu wants to become your princess, but Arisu thinks that you are simply you. So…"
She looked up, closed her eyes. "Arisu now wants to become something that belongs only to you. Arisu, who was taught what happiness is by you, wants you to feel happiness too."
Listening to words that sounded like a confession and looking at the girl's utterly defenseless, beautiful face, I suddenly felt my mouth go dry.
Looking at her now, where was Arisu's earlier sleepiness?
My earlier suspicion seemed about to become reality.
But I really had always thought she was just future wife material!
"…Arisu, you are still young," I persuaded softly with all my strength. "This kind of thing is still too early for you."
"Please do not underestimate Arisu," Arisu said, puffing out her cheeks as she opened her eyes. "Arisu has already learned from the game Momoi hid that Arisu's affection level with you has reached MAX, and the cap must be unlocked through a bond event to change jobs and become your possession."
Momoi! Why is it you again!
And from Arisu's description, was this theme not a bit too bold?
I swallowed with difficulty, restraining my body that had been corrupted by Ako, and made one last attempt: "Even if you are going to become lovers, you don't immediately do this kind of thing…"
Arisu wrinkled her delicate nose in dissatisfaction. "Based on changes in your physical parameters, it has been detected that you are saying things you do not mean. Please do not lie to Arisu."
This was a high-performance android.
Seeing that I was still hesitant, Arisu blinked, suddenly realized something, and then laughed:
"Arisu understands now! It must be because you lack experience. It's okay, Arisu will guide you!"
"Wait!"
Seeing Arisu so determined, my hair stood on end.
How could I let Arisu, whose grip strength was measured in tons and who had only learned some theoretical knowledge from games, touch things carelessly?
"I'll do it."
I let out a long sigh, pulled open the drawer of the bedside table, having already overcome the psychological barrier—
Just think about Arisu's true age.
"Then," I glanced at the remaining battery of the Shittim Chest, turned back, and gazed into Arisu's clear blue eyes, smiling proudly, "as the price for pretending to be very sleepy in order to stay overnight at Schale and deceive an adult, be prepared to stay up late tonight."
Arisu nodded blankly and puffed out her chest in assurance. "Arisu will do her best!"
Her bright smile was like sunlight, making me feel a sense of guilt.
But soon, I became immersed in amazement at the realism of android craftsmanship, teaching Arisu many things that even games could not fully teach.
And Arisu, maintaining her curiosity and desire to explore new things, studied diligently until the latter half of the night, when she finally showed signs of fatigue and closed her eyes as if she had fallen asleep.
(T/N: Inspired from 440766)
It seemed she really was sleepy.
Just as I was about to end tonight's lesson, the girl suddenly opened her eyes as if startled awake.
Meeting those purplish-red pupils, I froze for a moment, forgetting to move, until Kei, whose expression was shifting unpredictably, let out a low growl:
"Get out of the princess's body right now!"
Then Kei suddenly froze, and immediately turned pale in shock:
"Wait! Why has it become even more…"
"Kei, shut up!"
Remembering Himari's words, I instantly lost all fear. "The one who should get out of Arisu's body is clearly you!"
"Who is Kei… wait!? What are you doing!? Ahh—!"
Kei's face flushed red as she let out a shrill scream like a little girl.
In the next instant, purple-red returned to blue. Arisu rubbed her eyes, saw me clearly, reached out with both hands, and all the confusion on her face turned into a look of affectionate attachment as she murmured softly:
"My king."
And so, I held Arisu tightly in my arms.