"Sensei, please listen carefully. The students of Arius have undergone rigorous training."
Azusa spoke with absolute certainty: "No matter what temptation is placed before them, they will not be swayed in the slightest. As elite squad members, each possesses a will as strong as steel."
Really?
I thought of a certain squad member who cries loudly at the slightest scare and can't walk past magazines or snacks in a supermarket without stopping. I remained cautiously skeptical.
"Especially the captain… Saori." Azusa's expression showed caution. "She's a dangerous person. If you ever meet her, please make sure to run away immediately."
I, however, found Saori quite cute.
Although she appears cold on the surface, she has a strong interest in cosmetics in private, just like any ordinary girl who loves to be pretty.
Perhaps noticing my lack of concern, Azusa sighed again: "You're too careless, Sensei. You have neither awareness of emergency situations nor a corresponding system… but don't worry, because I'm here for that."
"Huh? Isn't it because you're here to hear something I need to say…"
"That's only part of it," Azusa said calmly. "I had already planned to come see you today."
In other words, she had intended from the start not to bring Hifumi along.
So typical of Kivotos.
"By the way, Sensei, did you have something to tell me?"
Hearing that, I cleared my throat and said seriously, "Congratulations, Azusa. From now on, you are officially a student of Trinity."
"…I see." Azusa closed her eyes for a moment in thought, then nodded. She didn't look particularly happy, merely speaking in a calm tone: "Well. Now that's the case, I should do my utmost to protect Sensei."
The causal connection there… eludes me.
Azusa straightened her chest, full of confidence: "I'm an expert in this area, so leave it to me. I'll set up enough traps and mines that not even an ant could get through."
"No!"
Startled, I shouted in protest.
I couldn't have more innocent victims like Mary… Even if the students are under halo protection, what if it's me?
Azusa looked puzzled, trying to convince me: "Sensei, didn't you hear me just now? Without doing this, I can't prevent possible attacks or guarantee your safety…"
Regardless of whether I would actually be attacked at Schale, if Azusa implemented what she was suggesting, I felt I would instead face a more direct and inevitable threat.
"Rather than laying countless traps…" I tried to reason with her, "wouldn't it be better to create a safe house for emergency refuge?"
"Umm…"
After hesitating for a long moment, still slightly reluctant, Azusa finally nodded: "I understand. Though I'm not entirely comfortable with it, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since we're here, I'll follow the rules."
With that, the delicate, silver-haired girl lifted her face, gazing at me with innocent eyes, and asked seriously: "Then… where shall we do it?"
Instantly, my mouth went dry, and I felt an urge to ask if she wanted to come to my bedroom to take a look.
Fortunately, my principles prevented me from acting so impolitely.
I politely asked, "Let's exclude my bedroom for now."
Azusa considered briefly: "Hmm, can I still take a look?"
"Of course! I'll guide you!"
This wasn't my invitation, it was Azusa herself wanting to see, and I was merely accommodating her request.
I've always been willing to follow an expert's advice, just like a few nights ago when I discussed academic matters with Utahara on Momotalk.
Soon, I led Azusa to my room in the living area. Once inside, she looked around, left and right, and evaluated:
"Sensei's room is very spacious. You could hide a lot of people here."
I was shocked! True to her expertise, her judgment was incredibly precise!
I couldn't help but ask: "Azusa, anything else?"
"This bed too. Even considering comfort, five or six people could sleep here without issue. In extreme cases, probably even more."
…Ah? Five or six?
I quickly counted the number of people in the make-up club and Arius squad, plus one extra.
Was she hinting at something? Should I ask if she wants to lie down and try it?
Just as I hesitated, Azusa, after a moment's thought, shook her head and said regretfully: "Even if you actually ambush this many people, it wouldn't work, they wouldn't be able to perform properly. And as a safe house, it could be easily attacked from front or back, while sealing the balcony would be too conspicuous. Sensei, do you have any other options?"
Better to quietly dismiss her thought.
With that in mind, I smiled: "Of course, follow me."
I led Azusa to the lounge, using the excuse that we would work on it together, asking her to calm down first. I then returned to the office to continue handling business.
I understood that Azusa was currently in a heightened state of alert, which was why she was overly concerned for my safety, which had become increasingly important to her.
Still, Schale really was very safe before any incident.
If one day I couldn't even stay safely at Schale, then Kivotos itself would have no safe place for me, making any emergency measures meaningless.
Or rather, the only things that could truly give me a sense of security had always been the cards and the Shittim Chest.
About an hour later, while I was engrossed in paperwork, I received a Momotalk message.
Chihiro: Sensei, sorry to bother you when you're busy.
Chihiro: I wonder if you're free right now?
Glancing at the pile of documents, I typed back.
Me: I'm actually quite free.
Me: What can I help you with?
Chihiro: Just as I mentioned a few days ago.
Chihiro: I want to thank Sensei for helping our Maki.
Chihiro: Also, when I come to Schale for duty in the future, I'll likely need to use the computers there.
Chihiro: If possible, I'd like to come now to check for any security issues on Schale's servers.
She just wants some private time with me? Such a simple way to show gratitude…
Wait a second!
I suddenly realized the crucial point, and my eyes narrowed.
Chihiro is a hacker and a hacker from Veritas, and the head at that.
If I let her access Schale's servers…
Me: Sure, anytime.
Me: I'll send you the password first.
Chihiro: Stop.
Chihiro: You must never send passwords over unencrypted communication.
I see. Even a few precious seconds of time with me are not to be wasted.
Me: Got it, I'll wait for you.
Chihiro: Okay, I'll be there soon.
Two minutes later, the doorbell rang.