"Good morning∼"
Mutsuki, as usual with her side ponytail and gothic dress, wearing that little devil smile she seemed to have at all times, skipped into the office.
However, when she saw Kayoko and me sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, a clear look of surprise appeared on her face. Then she narrowed her sparkling pink purple, beastlike eyes and put on an even brighter smile.
"Huh? Sensei∼ Why do you have time to visit our office today? Honestly! You did not even tell us in advance∼"
She deliberately raised her pitch, her voice sweet to the point of being almost unsettling. Then she trotted over to the sofa, naturally sat between Kayoko and me, and hugged my arm.
Kayoko froze for a moment, a hint of displeasure crossing her face. She put away the headphones she had not fully managed to stow due to the sudden situation and stood up.
"I will go prepare tea for Sensei."
"Hehe∼ Then we will leave it to you∼"
Mutsuki answered in my place. Kayoko, who had already turned her back, did not respond.
At that moment, Aru and Haruka, who had followed closely behind her, appeared at the doorway.
Aru blinked, her mouth opening wide in surprise. "Sensei! It really is you!"
Seeing her after so long, I actually felt a bit nostalgic.
Aru was good. Being around her did not require me to think too much. Just look at that smile of hers, so silly… so adorably simple.
"S-Sensei." Haruka, shy and timid to the point of being heart wrenching, also gave me a cautious smile. "Hello."
"Aru, Haruka, good morning. Long time no see."
I raised my free hand to greet them, only to feel the other arm tighten.
"Honestly∼ Sensei, you have not even spoken to me yet∼ Are you playing favorites?"
Mutsuki complained in dissatisfaction.
But when someone pounces on you the moment they walk in, is there really any need for formal greetings?
I do not think so.
"Mutsuki! What are you doing!" Aru panicked when Mutsuki pressed even closer to me and hurried over to pull her away. "You cannot be that close to Sensei… Th-that would… right, it would damage the image of Problem Solver 68!"
"Hehe∼ Aru chan, you are such a killjoy. Can you not see that Sensei is enjoying it∼"
"That is clearly a troubled expression!?"
In any case, Aru managed to pull the not very resistant Mutsuki away from me.
Then the president of Problem Solver 68 put on what she believed to be a dignified and imposing smile befitting her.
"Ahem… Sensei, welcome to our new office. This is your first time here…"
But before Aru could finish, a calm voice cut in.
"Here, Sensei, tea. Careful, it is hot."
Kayoko placed the steaming cup on the coffee table in front of me.
I replied instinctively, "Ah, thank you."
"W-wait, Kayoko," Aru flustered again. "I was talking to Sensei!"
"Yes, I know. But tea should be enjoyed while it is hot."
Kayoko stood with her hands in her pockets, expression calm. "We cannot neglect proper manners in front of a guest."
Personally, I felt that the moment these girls, who were usually as close as sisters and could share hardships together, began subtly clashing over me, manners had already left the building.
Stop! Do not fight over me anymore! This will not bring happiness to everyone!
After that, however, Kayoko simply stood to the side. Mutsuki and Haruka did the same.
…So they really stopped?
With no more interruptions, Aru cleared her throat and continued.
"Then, Sensei, since you have specially come to visit Problem Solver 68 today, could it be that you have a commission for us?"
"No," I said frankly. "I just happened to have time today, so I wanted to come see you."
"Really?"
For a brief moment, Aru smiled innocently again, but she quickly noticed and restrained herself.
"Ahem… I see. Thank you for your concern. As you can see, we have been doing quite well lately."
At that, Aru waved her hand grandly and declared proudly, "Look! Hidden away in such a rarely visited place, yet possessing such a magnificent office. This is the perfect symbol of us as outlaws!"
Mutsuki added with a grin, "And it is very close to the apartment we are renting now, so it is convenient for going to school and other places∼"
Haruka's small face flushed red with excitement as she sincerely praised, "As expected of Lady Aru…!"
Kayoko simply sighed and said nothing.
"Hmph hmph∼" Aru smirked smugly. "Besides that, our business is now flourishing! We do not even bother with ordinary commissions anymore."
How should I put it.
If Kayoko had not previously complained to me that they had recently been surviving on the cheapest bean sprout bentos from the supermarket, I might actually have believed her.
I began to consider whether I should change my story slightly, say that I did have a commission for them, and make up something simple as an excuse to help out these students troubled by poverty. Maybe even treat Problem Solver 68 to a better dinner.
"Well then, Sensei, as our chief business advi…"
Aru's bold declaration was interrupted midway by the ringing of the phone.
She paused for a moment, then smiled even wider. "Perfect timing! Let me show you how we handle commissions!"
With that, Aru strode over to the retro styled landline phone, leaned back in the wide and comfortable office chair, picked up the receiver, and spoke clearly.
"Hello, this is Rikuhachima Aru of Problem Solver 68."
I had to admit, she did look somewhat like a business elite. But she was Aru.
"Hehe∼ Do you not think Aru chan looks especially funny when she is serious∼" Mutsuki whispered with a laugh.
That was true. I nodded slightly in agreement.
"…What? Looking for a lost cat?" Aru's expression cooled. "Unfortunately, Problem Solver 68 does not accept that kind of commission."
This was not the time to act tough. Maybe start with small, practical jobs first. At least escape the predicament of surviving on bean sprout bentos.
As if hearing my thoughts, Aru froze again in the next moment.
"What!? The reward is actually…"
Remembering that I was present, Aru's exclamation stopped abruptly. She then forced herself to appear calm.
"I see, I see. Since it is actually such an important commission, there is no reason for Problem Solver 68 to refuse. Yes."
After talking a bit longer, exchanging information with the client and agreeing on the method of payment, Aru finally hung up the phone.