After finishing my meeting with Kirifuji Nagisa, I returned to Schale carrying a trace of displeasure and confusion.
To be honest, on a rational level, I could understand her choice. In the end, it was the same as Rin's.
Both were about sacrificing a small number of potentially dangerous individuals for the safety of the majority.
But as I have said before, emotionally, I could not accept it so easily.
When the critical moment comes, I will not hesitate. But now, without even having evidence in hand, to move against innocent students?
I could not do that. Even if only for the sake of eventually winning them over, I could not just stand by.
Perhaps, if this continues, one day I will pay the price for my greed.
But even if that day truly comes, I think I still would not regret my choice.
At least, I hope not.
In any case, if some student really betrays my trust, then in the end, the one who regrets it will probably be her.
Anyway, in order to try to persuade Nagisa, I planned to meet Seia again to exchange information, though not tonight.
Before the training camp begins, the Tea Party had kindly given us two days as a buffer. Partly because activating the annex required certain procedures, and partly to give both me and the Remedial Club members time to handle miscellaneous matters.
Of course, it was not as if I, the advisor, would be placed under any personal restrictions during the camp. It was just that the annex was relatively remote, making travel somewhat inconvenient.
To be safe, I planned to spend tomorrow "loafing around" on field work all day, visiting other places along the way and taking the opportunity to stop by Seia's hiding place.
That reminded me of a prior appointment.
After confirming that the other party was free, I submitted a leave request to Nanagami Rin.
As everyone knows, Chief Administrative Officer Nanagami Rin is a very reasonable person.
After learning of my situation, she took it quite seriously and insisted on resolving my difficulties even if it meant she had to work overtime herself, no matter how much I tried to refuse.
…And then Rin worked overtime to send over an entire week's worth of Schale's tasks in one go.
Staring at the fax machine that was still churning away, and the mountain of documents piling up beside it, I was left speechless.
Was that not just a little cruel to me?
I had originally planned to complain and ask Rin to reduce the workload a bit. But after seeing the photo she sent, I suddenly felt that I could try a little harder.
So that during the training camp I could freely frolic with cute girls and thus better contribute my share to Kivotos, while also searching for solid evidence to persuade Nagisa, I worked diligently until late into the night.
The next morning, I got up early and prepared to head out. Thinking of the massive stack of unfinished documents still in the office, I hesitated about whether I should push myself a little more first.
But then I realized that I had already worked ahead on today's portion last night, so I left with a clear conscience.
Not long after getting off the train, I wandered through an empty district and eventually arrived in front of an unremarkable building that even looked a bit run down from the outside.
After confirming the address, I stepped inside. Just as I climbed a few steps up the stairs, I heard a faint rustling sound.
I frowned slightly and deliberately softened my footsteps.
When I reached the second floor and looked through the open door, the sight inside made my furrowed brows relax, and a smile formed on my face without me realizing it.
Inside the office, decorated in a way that felt very familiar, with a plaque on the wall that read "One Evil a Day," a girl with sharp white hair, dyed black only at her bangs and ponytail, dressed in her beloved black hoodie, was wearing headphones. She hummed softly along to the music while sweeping the floor.
"…Hm?"
The next moment, she paused and looked sharply in my direction. The instant she recognized me, the sharpness in her eyes softened.
Onikata Kayoko removed her headphones and greeted me.
"Sensei. You came earlier than I expected. If I had known you would arrive this early, I would have scheduled the office cleaning for another time…"
"Sorry, it's my fault for not telling you in advance." I looked around and sighed. "This is almost exactly the same as the office in Abydos."
Kayoko shrugged. "It suits the President's taste."
It seemed Aru was someone who cherished the past. I thought I was too.
I nodded thoughtfully and looked at the wall. "By the way, I remember that this was not…?"
Several months ago, following a car accident caused by nighttime driving without glasses, along with someone noticing something suspicious yet choosing to watch the fun instead of acting, half of Problem Solver 68's assets had been reduced to ashes in a fire.
That included the calligraphy piece Aru had been so proud of, the one she fantasized would one day be auctioned for a sky high price after she became a legendary figure in Kivotos' underworld.
Kayoko followed my gaze. "Yes. Although the original was burned to ashes, Aru found time to write another one."
Such resilience was clearly learned from me.
"By the way, where are the other members?" I asked. "Are they not staying at the office like before?"
"Well, since the area was recently cleaned out by the Prefect Team, and it was originally something like a slum district, rent nearby has become unusually cheap. So the President rented another apartment in the vicinity. According to her calculations, it leaves just enough food money to last until the next commission."
At this point, Kayoko sighed, a trace of wistfulness in her eyes.
"After paying this month's utilities, though, we have been living on the cheapest bean sprout bentos from the supermarket. At least we do not have to split one between four people anymore."
…As expected of Aru.
I could only hope that when she did something foolish outside, she would not mention having learned anything from me.
"By the way, the other members were out handling a commission until midnight last night, so they have not come in yet."
Hearing that, my gaze sharpened.
Could it be that Kayoko had sacrificed her own sleep just to have time alone with me? Or more darkly, had she concealed the fact that I was coming and casually pushed work onto her companions so they would naturally be absent?
Had my charm finally driven someone down the path of secret scheming… even Kayoko…
Heh, though it would be annoying if frequent, if it only happened occasionally, it would not be a bad spice in life.
I cleared my throat and asked with concern, "Kayoko, what about you?"
"…Me? I am fine. I am not the type who likes to sleep in."
Kayoko lifted the broom. "So when I come in alone, I clean the office like this first."
Choosing today specifically must have been so that I could see the neat and tidy office, offer polite praise, and then she could casually mention she had done it all alone, presenting herself as diligent and tidy to earn my favor and outshine her companions.
As expected of Kayoko.
With that thought in mind, I deliberately asked, "Then why clean alone?"
"Well, that is true…" Kayoko said calmly. "But I think deliberately asking others to clean together feels too formal… and more importantly, troublesome. Besides, Aru and Haruka sometimes tidy up the messes they make, so there is not actually that much to clean."
It was a watertight answer, very much in Kayoko's style, almost enough to make me doubt whether I was overthinking things.
"Rather than asking others for help, it is easier to handle troublesome things alone."
Unfortunately, she had revealed a flaw right there.
As an adult, how could I calmly sit by while a student worked alone?
Kayoko must have said that deliberately, hinting for me to offer help and clean together with her.
Since I had noticed her subtle and awkward maidenly feelings, how could I not respond to her expectations?
"If you do not mind, let me help you."
I spoke sincerely.
Kayoko sighed as if exasperated, then raised her brows with a fierce expression and said coldly,
"…Sensei, were you not listening to what I just said? This is our matter. It has nothing to do with you. Or do you want me to keep feeling indebted to you?"
At moments like this, I truly wanted to answer honestly, yes.
How could I not want to see Kayoko, who usually wore a cold face yet was actually so adorable, show a troubled expression?
But if I really admitted that, it would probably earn me a vicious glare or even genuine anger.
After all, I knew that beneath Kayoko's indifferent exterior, she wasn't truly someone who didn't care about anything. She had her own small emotions and thoughts.
So I offered a gentle smile. "The sooner we finish cleaning, the sooner you can entertain me, right?"
"But then that would…" Kayoko hesitated, then suddenly sighed. "No, arguing over something this trivial is ridiculous."
I smiled. "Exactly. So stop refusing."
Kayoko nodded lightly. "Although I don't like getting entangled with others, if someone reaches out first, I will not deliberately avoid them. Just like with this office's work, hehe."
With that, she seemed to be in a good mood as she moved closer. "Then I will leave the heavy lifting to you, Sensei."
"…How about we switch?"
I recalled that just yesterday, merely shaking hands during prayer had drained several bars from the Shittim Chest's battery, giving me a deeper understanding of my position in Kivotos.
"Hm? I do not mind either way. Let us get started."
Under our combined efforts, the not particularly large office soon looked refreshed and clean.
Just as we settled down on the sofa together to listen to music.
From the direction of the stairs came the sound of several hurried footsteps.