Under the scorching afternoon sun, the air felt so hot it was almost suffocating.
Since stepping into July, while there were exceptions like Red Winter, which had just officially held the Ivan Kupala Festival yet remained blanketed in snow, in most areas of Kivotos the temperature had risen significantly.
After finishing prayers and cooling off a bit in the Grand Cathedral, I wandered through the Trinity campus, casually unbuttoning the top button of my shirt, quietly reflecting in my heart...
Summer had truly arrived.
Earlier today, when I had observed Mashiro of the Justice Task Force during sniper training, I had already noticed hints of it.
Wearing the committee's standard black sailor uniform and training on a rooftop thirty floors high, perhaps combined with her physical constitution, Mashiro was soon drenched in sweat, her body exuding the fresh fragrance of youthful energy.
At that time, I didn't pay particular attention to it, but felt an almost tragic sentiment...
Mashiro complained about the heat, the mosquitoes, and how maintaining her sniper stance was easily disturbed, and sternly rejected my suggestion to swat them away by hand.
In the end, she asked me to pretend to be the insects, tickling her while she held her position, to help her train her endurance…
Was this really training!? It was clearly just an excuse to satisfy her own selfish desires!
Even Mashiro, who I thought was serious to the point of rigidity, was seeking closeness with me.
Even knowing this is human nature, I couldn't help but feel a wave of sorrow.
Damn it, can Kivotos ever get its act together? How should I teach students so they're satisfied? Tears betrayed me, sliding down the corners of my mouth. This city was full of pressures on Sensei, when would Sensei truly be able to stand tall?
Forced by the authority of the Justice Task Force, I could only accept with tears in my eyes. And yet, barely two touches on Mashiro, she feigned displeasure and demanded I coax her for a long while before she relented.
Hah, once her physical desire was satisfied, she simply pursued psychological comfort next.
With my keen insight, I had already seen through it all!
In any case, now was also the time to change into the new summer uniform of Schale.
The General Student Council's workload was immense, but so were its benefits like clothing, food, lodging, and all necessities were provided. It was truly comprehensive.
Even Chief Administrator Nanakami Rin often took time out of her busy schedule to personally show concern for me...
"Are you handling work more smoothly recently? Would you like to take on more responsibility for Kivotos? Are you quickly addressing special incidents in the area? Still want to check out black stockings?"
And so on.
In any case, my heart was full of gratitude.
Setting aside the labor exploitation, Rin-chan treated me well, and I was willing to deepen my friendship with her.
Speaking of which, after recently fulfilling my appointment with Nonomi, aside from my work uniform, I could also wear carefully chosen casual clothes by this heiress during work breaks, which complemented my appearance.
It's worth noting that that day, contrary to my anxious expectations, no other members of the Foreclosure Club barged in. It was just Nonomi and me shopping in the mall, her secrecy measures were clearly thorough.
Of course, from another perspective, it could also simply be that the others rarely had the means to go shopping.
I hope Abydos can be revived soon.
Bringing my attention back to the present, having just come out from the convent, I found myself torn over one question:
On such a hot day, should I return straight to Schale to rest, or, since I was already out, find a place to pass the time?
Perhaps because summer vacation was approaching and it wasn't unbearably hot, many students were more restless than usual. Workloads for the Justice Task Force, the Vigilante Crew, and the Remedial Knights had all increased, making it unwise to disturb them abruptly.
The Library Committee would be a good choice. It's the largest library in Trinity, and in all of Kivotos, perfect for reading or cooling off. The resident librarians were also quite charming.
Or perhaps later, after school, I could meet up with the After-School Sweets Club and enjoy a shaved ice treat. That was also suitable.
As for the tea party…
Nagisa was busy with work, Seia had no sign of waking up, and Mika still refused to see me.
I'd been too busy myself to check on Mika, but I arranged for the guards who admired me and were responsible for her to occasionally pass along fake news of my visit, so the pink-haired girl wouldn't feel upset.
At this point, the only Trinity club I was familiar with left was one last one or perhaps, at this hour, it even deserved the name "club"…
Just as I thought this, my gaze caught a familiar figure, who seemed a bit down.
The dejected girl noticed me and said in surprise:
"Ah… Sensei? Why are you at Trinity?"
"I had some work matters," I replied, then asked, "But Hifumi, didn't you say you were going out with friends today?"
Hifumi gave a polite yet embarrassed smile. "Ah… haha… everyone seemed to remember their plans and left, so I ended up alone."
…Isn't this really just bullying?
I stayed silent for a moment, thinking perhaps I was overreacting.
Even in Trinity, who could bear to bully a pure, adorable, well-connected girl like Hifumi?
Only someone paranoid, seeing everyone as a traitor and holding a high position themselves or being part of Hifumi's influential background would do something like this, right, Kirifuji?
It was probably just plain bad luck.
Still, just in case, I reminded her, "If anything troubling comes up, be sure to talk to me, okay?"
"Ah… now that you mention it, I'm a bit worried about what to do next…"
At this, Hifumi's eyes lit up. "Ah, right! If Sensei has time, could you accompany me for a little while?"
The rest of the afternoon… spent with Hifumi?
"Even if it's just a light walk together, that's fine…" The blonde girl clasped her hands, looking pitiful. "Please."
My heart leapt, and I exclaimed, "I couldn't wish for more!"
"Wow! Thank you, Sensei!"
Hifumi's face lit up with a smile brighter than the sun.
She briskly approached, tilting her face up. "Then let's go! I'll show Sensei around here!"