After finishing my conversation with Hanako, since she had other matters to attend to, the task of delivering this good news to Azusa naturally fell to me.
After leaving the Great Cathedral, I opened Momotalk.
Me: Azusa, where are you now?
Azusa: Idiot!
I paused, a bit confused. Why was she so sudden and angry, even calling the person she liked an "idiot"?
Could it be that in the past few days I hadn't contacted her, and her hidden feelings for me had grown so intense that she could no longer hold them in, resorting to speaking harshly to the person she likes…?
Well, I guess it's my accomplishment, helping Azusa learn a new kind of emotion!
But Azusa quickly clarified the real reason.
Azusa: I told you to use the code!
Only then did I realize a small oversight on my part...
Perhaps because of her Arius background, combined with her meticulous personality and subtle sense of propriety, Azusa had, from long ago, required that we use code names for each other on Momotalk.
While it was only a minor slip-up on my end, for a girl sensitive to emotions, it might have raised worries that I hadn't taken our agreement seriously.
Thinking this way, her dissatisfaction was completely understandable.
Me: Sorry, Penguin.
Azusa: Hmph…
Azusa: Regularly updating code names is also an important measure for overall safety.
Azusa: So today, call me Squirrel.
Azusa: Sen—
Azusa: No, Flying Squirrel. (Momonga)
…Did she almost just slip and call me Sensei?
Suddenly I wondered if Azusa, more than worrying about "being monitored during communication," might actually just want to play some kind of game with me, though I had no concrete proof.
Azusa: Flying Squirrel, do you have business with me?
Me: Yeah, if possible, I'd like to talk to you in person.
Azusa: Understood.
Azusa: Currently heading toward the Flying Squirrel's nest.
Azusa: Is the Flying Squirrel at the nest?
From the context, Azusa was asking whether I was at Schale.
Me: The Flying Squirrel is near the Squirrel's nest.
Azusa: Squirrel received. Changing plan to return to nest.
Me: Wait, aren't you at school now?
Azusa: Currently at D.U., attending Hippo's touring performance with Hamster. Should be one to two hours until it ends.
The "Hippo" she mentioned must be Peroro. And the fact that "Hamster" is taking Azusa to see Peroro's performance made it obvious who she was referring to.
A silly but sincere smile, slightly chubby and adorable, immediately came to my mind.
Honestly, thinking carefully, it really fit.
Me: In that case, why don't we meet at Schale?
Me: No need to rush, take it slow.
Azusa: Squirrel received. Will deliver the message upon arrival.
Azusa: Penguin, over.
Azusa: …
Azusa: Correction.
Azusa: Squirrel, over. Communication ended.
With the meeting arranged, I quickly returned to Schale, juggling work while waiting for Azusa to arrive.
Even though the past few days were spent working part-time with Serika, compressing my rest time, I had accumulated many files that needed processing.
The reason for this, besides wanting to get closer to the adorable Serika, was also to help Yuzu with a favor...
As everyone knows, game development requires significant financial support.
The Game Development Club, already lacking results, had little funding, which was further strained by the wasteful habits of certain people. With Arisu joining recently, the club's budget was stretched to the limit. With the completion of Mythos·Legend·Chronicles 2, the funds finally ran dry.
Even though the game received positive feedback, it would take time to recoup the costs. Until then, only Momoi, Midori, and even Arisu working part-time outside could barely keep things going.
Momoi was expected, but Arisu had learned to work part-time too?
When I first heard this, I was quite pleased.
However, learning that Arisu's recent work involved moving bricks at a construction site made me feel strangely conflicted.
Well… as long as she's happy, that's what matters.
In short, Yuzu, who had made progress with her social anxiety, wanted to take on more responsibilities as club president, helping everyone rather than relying on them.
In other words, Yuzu had decided to start working part-time to support herself.
For now, she didn't plan to tell others. Not wanting to worry anyone, wanting to surprise them, and also because she lacked confidence.
So she came to me, hoping I could help introduce her to a suitable job that even someone with social anxiety could manage.
I thought this might be a good opportunity to help improve Yuzu's mental state, though the job needed careful selection to avoid backfiring.
For the past few days, I had been following Serika, the strongest part-time worker in my social circle, experiencing different jobs, learning advanced skills, and scouting beginner-friendly opportunities.
Still, this couldn't be dragged out too long. Otherwise, it might be better to wait until Karin finished preparing Schale's café on the first floor, and then have Yuzu work as a server.
The decision for Yuzu's part-time job had to be made within these few days.
Time flew, and after lunch, the doorbell rang.
Moments later, Azusa entered my office, looking somewhat displeased.
I glanced behind her, seeing she was alone, and asked, "Hifumi?"
Could it be… did they argue?
As I pondered, Azusa looked at me oddly. "Of course she returned to Trinity."
From her tone, there had been no argument, but it seemed she hadn't told Hifumi she was coming to see me. Intentional or not, I didn't know.
"Sigh…" Azusa suddenly sighed. "Just as I thought…"
"What's wrong?"
"From the moment I arrived at this building to the moment I appeared before Sensei, it was exactly 6 minutes and 17 seconds. The only obstruction was the main entrance of Schale, and Sensei opened the door quickly. The elevator security didn't activate, and the office door was as usual."
Azusa looked at me seriously. "But if it wasn't me who came, but someone else, say a squad member pretending to be me… what would you do?"
"Well…"
I hesitated, then tentatively answered, "How about… treat them to a meal first?"
Unsurprisingly, Azusa glared at me with that puzzling yet adorable look of hers.