It was clearly late spring, close to early summer, yet what met my eyes was a vast expanse of white snow.
I raised my head to look at the deep blue sky, lifted my hand to block the dazzling sunlight, and for some reason felt as if I were living in another world.
"Comrade!" A voice came from behind me, one that felt like a gust of icy wind to my ears, making me shiver. "Are you really not staying for dinner?"
"Sorry, Cherino. Schale's official duties are far too busy, I really cannot spare the time. For the peace of Kivotos, I have to hurry back."
I rattled off the entire set of excuses quickly, apologetic yet still polite.
"I see…"
That voice sounded a little regretful, but soon perked up again and said proudly, "Hmph, that is understandable! After all, Comrade, you are just like me, an amazing person capable of bearing great responsibility!"
Like you in what way!?
Do not slander me! If I really spent all day eating snacks and taking naps, Rin-chan would have shown me a disgusted face instead of black stockings!
…Wait, would that actually not be bad?
"Then, next time Comrade comes, you must let me properly entertain you! Even the specially supplied pudding, I can treat you to!"
How should I put it…
Even an overbearing, unreasonable brat has her redeeming points, right?
For example, having a crush on me.
Without turning my head, I waved to Cherino and the accompanying Tomoe, then hurriedly boarded the vehicle for the return trip.
Only after sitting in the car and feeling the warmth of the heater did I gradually recover.
Looking back at the Red Winter Federal Academy growing smaller and smaller as the distance increased, I made a decision in my heart—
From now on, any formal invitation from the Red Winter Office absolutely could not be accepted so casually anymore.
This day could be called a grand and turbulent experience. The soreness in my legs from walking too many mountain paths, and the Shittim Chest having consumed more than half its battery, were more than enough to serve as painful lessons.
Red Winter Federal Academy truly was, just as I had initially thought, a terrifying place…
I never should have been momentarily bewitched, thinking that perhaps I had misunderstood something, and accepted this invitation from the their office with the idea of changing my perception.
Although the students here were also quite cute, still… it felt like I should try my best to interact with them somewhere outside their school.
For example, calling them to Schale as duty students or something like that.
That said, this trip also came with an unexpected gain.
Thinking of that, I took out a card and confirmed the newly acquired Authority.
—
Conversion Authority: [Observer of the Stars]
Description: The holder can consume focus to greatly enhance eyesight.
Source: Amami Nodoka successfully captured
—
Recalling that petite girl, dressed in thick clothing suitable for Red Winter's environment, carrying a large astronomical telescope on her back, with blonde hair and red eyes and an adorable appearance…
Yet who, upon meeting me for the first time, excitedly blurted out something like "Are you the Sensei I have been secretly peeping on all this time," proving that appearances can be deceiving, and then, after only a few lines of conversation with my bewildered self, directly contributed a new Authority.
I could not help but sigh while touching my own cheek.
Although I had long expected that a day like this would come, I never imagined that in places beyond my awareness, such a fervent fan had already appeared. She had even been discovered by the personal guard of that Cherino, the Marina of the Red Winter Office, while committing the crime of peeping on me, and was punished with suspension, being sent off to such a remote and poorly conditioned old school building.
All because of my damned charm.
And Nodoka had also successfully surpassed Wakamo, leaping into second place after Serina as the student who was captured in the shortest time counted from our first official meeting.
Her type was the same as Serina's as well, an information-gathering type Authority, which happened to complement it to some extent. Even the naming format was identical.
How strange. What common point did these two have?
I dared not think too deeply about it.
In any case, I quickly left Red Winter, which had given me a tremendous shock, and when I returned to Schale, it was just evening.
I bought some odds and ends at the convenience store, casually greeted Sora, who was working part-time, and after being healed by her sweet, adorable smile, I returned to the Schale residential area.
Seeing the girl sitting on the floor, focused on maintaining her firearm, I smiled gently.
"Good evening, Saori."
Saori raised her head at my words and replied in a low voice, "Good evening, Sensei."
And Wakamo, having removed her mask, heard my voice and hurried out of the kitchen, saying softly, "Welcome back."
"Yeah, I'm back"
Looking at these two girls, my expression softened even more.
The reason they were at Schale today was very simple...
To celebrate Saori's successful discharge from the hospital.
It had already been more than a week since the crisis in the Slumpia.
At that time, Saori, who had fired a near full-power light cannon that left both herself and Kei seriously injured, had actually already mostly recovered after only three or four days of hospitalization.
That was the magical healing ability of Kivotos residents.
However, right after being discharged, she was brimming with passion and said she wanted to begin rehabilitation training, dragging Wakamo along to take missions at the black market, showing a side of herself that was rather unexpected.
I just so happened to be busy with work, commissions, and flirting with other girls, so I left this evening free.
Who would have thought that Red Winter would be so dangerous, I nearly did not make it back.
After greeting Saori and Wakamo, I sat on the sofa, browsed through the newly added momotalk friends from Red Winter today, sent and replied to a few messages, and soon the dinner that Wakamo had single-handedly prepared was finished.
The three of us sat around the dining table. Looking at the table full of lavish Hyakkiyako-style dishes, after saying "I'm digging in" in unison, we officially began dinner.
Wakamo's cooking was quite good. According to her own words, it was "infused with full love for my dear."
As for her way of speaking, I had learned to just accept it.
It was worth mentioning that ever since learning the reason behind Saori's injury, Wakamo's attitude toward Saori had become noticeably friendlier than before.
The feeling it gave me was like that of a self-proclaimed main wife treating a concubine she had acknowledged.
On top of that, today was also Saori's recovery banquet after leaving the hospital. Although she herself was still somewhat taciturn, overall the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Especially after I took out the high-end cosmetics I had specially bought in Red Winter, said to be a local specialty, and gave them to Saori.
This was actually one of the reasons I had gone to Red Winter.
"…This is a gift for me?"
Saori seemed a little incredulous and hesitated. "But I have never used these… and this must be very expensive… is it really okay to give it to someone like me?"
In response, my attitude was quite simple and clear:
"If you don't take it, I'll throw it away."
After a long silence.
For the first time, I saw a faint yet unmistakable smile on Saori's face.
"Thank you," she said. "I will treasure it."
Wakamo, at the side, simply watched this scene quietly, well-behaved and sensible.
My relationship with Saori seemed to have made progress.