The next morning, the sun was just right.
The beach was still quiet after yesterday's chaos, with hardly any visitors, making it perfect for instruction.
Before heading to the agreed meeting spot to wait for Hina, I first gathered with the other Prefect Team members.
"Our summer training camp for the Prefect Team ends at 4 PM today. After that, return promptly. The schedule you reported to President Hina is participation in the afternoon's all-member shooting training,"
Ako, who had rushed back from school early this morning and was remotely directing from the temporary operations room, continued in a modulated, dramatic tone.
"However, before that training, President Hina personally set aside time, saying she wants to swim in the sea! That is… the president wants to enjoy her vacation herself!"
Clearly, she wasn't thinking about spending time alone with me, her understanding still needs work.
Also, I've always wanted to complain that even if Ako were the one I was going to teach to swim, she probably wouldn't get this excited.
"So today's task is simple!" Ako adopted a solemn expression. "Fully support Committee President Hina's summer vacation! Until she returns to school, it's all vacation!"
In other words, to prevent yesterday's unexpected events from happening again, and to let Hina enjoy her time alone with me without concern, the Prefect Team would be on high alert, eliminating any potential disruptions.
"Sensei, remember this!"
At that moment, Ako suddenly called to me. Even through the screen, I could feel her serious gaze.
"The most crucial responsibility of this mission of teaching President Hina to swim rests with you! You absolutely cannot make a mistake! Even you sensei must approach this with proper seriousness and give it your all!"
…What's that tone for?
Ako was being intolerable again, makes me want to correct her on the spot!
Given her personality, could it be that she's trying to irritate me with this arrogant attitude, hoping that after I let Hina enjoy her vacation, she can offer rewards while I administer a proper punishment?
Understanding this, I generously forgave her. "No problem. Leave it all to me!"
"Hmph," Ako said, lifting her chin proudly. "Don't disappoint me!"
Don't worry... once I deploy a few secret weapons, Ako will get an unexpected surprise.
"Sigh… Ako…"
Iori let out a resigned sigh. Perhaps she felt Ako was unnecessarily harsh toward me, but given their friendship, she didn't say much, adding.
"By the way, it's surprising. President Hina, who wields so much authority, isn't very skilled at swimming… She gives the impression she can do anything."
Indeed, Hina's reliability seems almost mythic in the eyes of others.
Fortunately, I mainly see Hina as my future wife.
It's also why I can be the one she instinctively wants to rely on.
I thought for a moment and asked, "Speaking of which, Iori, you can't swim either, right?"
"I just haven't had time to practice… Eh? Could it be…" Iori hesitated, blushing and secretly pleased. "You still think I'm pretty capable?"
I was speechless.
Such comprehension skills clearly belonged at Ako's table.
"…I think sensei means that President Hina is even busier than you, so naturally she hasn't had time to practice swimming."
"…Ahaha, I guess that makes sense."
Having her comment cooled Iori's excitement a bit, though her face turned even redder.
"Enough chit-chat! Focus on the task at hand!" Ako said. "President Hina has finished her warm-up and left the room! Everyone, get ready!"
With my help, the Prefect Team quickly completed their patrol.
"Nothing unusual by the beach," Iori reported.
"The surrounding area is also fine," Chinatsu added, then turned to me. "Sensei, the president's side is in your hands now."
I smiled and nodded. "Understood. I'll go ahead. Contact me if anything happens."
"Well, that kind of thing shouldn't happen," Iori muttered, prompting both Chinatsu and me to shoot her a complex glance.
"Iori," Chinatsu said, "maybe it's better if you don't say strange things."
"Huh? I'm not a jinx!" the tanned girl defended herself. "Those ruffians from yesterday have been driven off. This morning, Gehenna's social media is calm, no news of any new battles. Nothing like yesterday should happen again…"
However, before her jinxing could finish, a sudden alarm blared.
A bad feeling rose in my chest as I looked at the girl frozen in place—
Iori, and you still claim you're not a jinx!?
Thanks to the Prefect Team's intelligence network operating at full speed, we quickly learned the current situation.
In short, yesterday's Helmet Gang and their subs, somehow learning that President Hina wasn't present, decided to unite and seek revenge against the prefect members that had driven them off.
At this moment, the combined ruffians had gathered in the slums behind the hotel, preparing for a full-scale assault.
"What…!" Ako gritted her teeth. "Damn it! They're just a bunch of low-level thugs!"
"Ako-chan, even if they're low-level thugs, this is bad," I said.
"Doesn't matter if they're low-level! Hold them off! They absolutely must not ruin the president's vacation!"
"Well… maybe we should report this to Hina…"
"Rejected! We absolutely cannot give up here!"
"Should we call for reinforcements from the prefect members staying at the academy…"
"That's impossible! The president might notice! We have to rely on the forces here at the camp… wait!"
Ako, in a frenzy, dismissed Chinatsu and Iori's suggestions repeatedly, then turned to me urgently, phone in hand.
"Sensei! It's time for you to be useful! Hot Springs Development Club, Gourmet Research Society, Problem Solver 68… anyone! Call them all over immediately!"
"That's easier said than done… it takes time to get them here."
"I don't care!" Ako cried, throwing a tantrum. "Can't you try for me and the president? Think of a way!"
Not everything can be solved just by trying.
Unless…
"Report, Administrative Officer! Several armed units are approaching the hotel! Their identities aren't clear yet, but they're the School Lunch Club's vehicles and carrying lots of bags…"
Ako was first shocked, then ecstatic. "The Gourmet Research Society? They're here so fast? Sensei! I really love you!"
This is exactly what she said the first time I heard her from under the bed.
I replied politely. "Thanks, but don't get ahead of yourself. I didn't call the Gourmet Research Society."
"…Huh?"
Ako froze.