The moment she saw me, the white-haired girl's natural smile shone so gently, yet so brilliantly.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and immediately reflected on my own actions.
When I was alone with Kasumi, had I truly spent the whole time thinking only of Hina, without being tempted by the beauty so close at hand?
But then, as the thought came, something felt off.
If I were truly devoted by nature, would Hina even get a chance?
Realizing the crux of the matter, I felt a sense of clarity and renewed my resolve. staying faithful wasn't just about avoiding temptation, it was about being true to Hina, to everyone in Kivotos, and to the GSC President of Kivotos.
"Sensei," Hina said, smoothing her smile, "are you feeling better now?"
"Mm." I pressed my stomach theatrically, offering a wry smile. "Sorry, I ate too much seafood at lunch and ended up with an upset stomach."
Hina studied me for a moment, then spoke calmly.
"I thought so. You went to deal with Kasumi, didn't you? I knew she wouldn't behave so quietly. Sigh… sensei, it's my fault for giving you trouble."
I paused for a moment, puzzled. "How did you figure that out?"
Could it be that she hadn't stayed in her room at all, but secretly followed me, maybe even checked every bathroom in the hotel?
No… Hina wasn't the obsessive type.
Her deduction wasn't as supernatural as I had imagined.
"If someone were stuck in the bathroom for two hours with a stomachache, their complexion wouldn't look as good as yours does now," she explained.
"But I was also wondering if maybe you went to help with everyone's tactical training, or perhaps I was just overthinking. But now, it seems you really were caught up by Kasumi."
Damn, miscalculated!
"Could there be another possibility?" I tried to argue. "Maybe I'm naturally charming, so even while exhausted, my allure remains undiminished?"
"…Uh." Hina choked slightly on my words, embarrassed, and let the matter slide. "I know you didn't want me to worry, so you made an excuse. That must have been tough for you."
Her willingness to think well of me despite the circumstances touched me more than I expected.
At this point, there was only one answer I could give.
"Sorry. In the hour before walking training starts, I'll stay with you properly."
"Mm." Hina smiled and nodded. "I'm feeling a bit hot. If possible, could you come with me to get some ice cream?"
Parched as I was, I nodded vigorously. "Of course! Perfect timing!"
The rest of the time, Hina and I went to the hotel restaurant and enjoyed ice cream that seemed ordinary but tasted unusually delicious for some reason.
During this time, although Hina seemed slightly concerned, unaware of the full situation, naturally, we didn't run into the other Prefect Team members.
After all, after an entire afternoon of fighting, most of them were in their rooms, trying to recover their strength.
In fact, when the "walking training" apparently aimed at letting Hina enjoy her walk officially began, the prefect members' condition was still far from ideal.
Even just walking, they groaned continuously, completely exhausted.
In the end, Ako's plan for the walk nearly ended in interruption.
"…It's kind of strange."
After dinner, Hina had invited me to the beach, her brow slightly furrowed. "I've been in my room, so I don't know exactly what happened, but everyone looked exhausted just now. Was tactical training really supposed to be that intense?"
Hina was lazy, not stupid.
Besides, in the past, she had handled most of the training herself; if she didn't notice anything unusual, that would be the odd thing.
I mumbled. "Well… everyone's spirits were high… after all, we're at the beach."
At that, the white-haired girl suddenly smiled slyly. "So the so-called 'Schale tasks' at the start… were really just sensei running around for our Prefect Team, weren't they?"
I looked at Hina in surprise, she was trying to get me to admit it.
Noticing my gaze, the usually serious and reserved Prefect Team president flushed slightly and lightly scolded me.
"What's wrong? Even someone as boring as me can joke with sensei sometimes. Is that so strange?"
"No, it's just uncommon," I said, pausing. "And Hina isn't boring at all, who said that?"
"Hehe, thank you. Well… maybe it's because of the sea."
The ocean breeze ruffled her hair across her cheek, which she tucked behind her ear, murmuring. "Since I agreed to leave everything to Ako, I won't easily go back on it, but when I'm alone in my room, thinking about everyone working hard… it feels a little unsettling…"
"Do you mean it feels even more tiring?" I asked.
"Not exactly…" Hina considered carefully. "It's just… hmm. I'm not trying to complain… but maybe because there's usually so much to do, suddenly having free time, though sensei has been with me for many things, when you're not around, it feels a bit… what should I say… boring?"
I blurted out. "You mean 'lonely,' right?"
So it wasn't a complaint, it was a little act of affection.
Hina was silent for a moment. "…Well, I guess I am… a little lonely."
Looking at her side profile tinged with gentle sadness, I felt it was necessary to show proper attentiveness.
"Sorry, I broke my promise today. Even if I can't fully make it up to you, Hina, is there anything you'd like me to do with you?"
"Something you want sensei to do with me…"
The Prefect Team president repeated, thinking for a long time. "If I have to say now, there's only one thing."
I asked eagerly, yet nervously. "What is it?"
Would she quickly coerce me into a romantic situation?
But Hina said shyly. "…I want you to teach me how to swim."
"Swim?"
That keyword instantly reminded me of a certain wish list, and I became alert.
"I… I've hardly ever swum before," Hina explained, barely having been to the beach. "I'm really unskilled as a skill… so I thought I could use this chance to practice. Ako's schedule says I'll be in the room all morning tomorrow…"
The white-haired girl took two quick steps forward, placing herself before me with a smile.
"Tomorrow morning, can you teach me to swim?"
My heart jumped. "Of course! Leave it to me!"
At my words, her smile grew even more radiant.
"Thank you… then tomorrow, I'll be counting on you."