Although we had set the primary target for our operation, there was still plenty of preparation to do before officially heading to the Abydos Desert.
Take Schale's side, for example. In theory, just Eimi and I could handle the subordinates of the Decagrammaton. But to guard against possible interference from Binah or Kaiser PMC, we'd need to recruit additional forces.
Moreover, the next two days happened to be rest days, and most students had already made their own plans in advance.
Like Eimi.
"Ah, I'm going out with friends, so I won't be able to participate in club activities these two days."
Himari, slightly displeased, remarked.
"Ah, Eimi, couldn't you just cancel your prior plans, put in a little effort, and take advantage of the rest days to gather some intelligence first?"
This girl, deeply interested in supernatural phenomena, was brimming with enthusiasm, eager to get some of the Decagrammaton data early so she could begin analysis sooner.
Eimi, a bit confused, replied.
"Why? If I'm forced to work overtime, efficiency will drop drastically, right? And that tone 'it's not a big deal to postpone plans with friends.' Doesn't that mean, Himari, you don't have many friends?"
There it is! The healthy-route beauty hitting a home run against the shut-in who hates inconvenient outings!
For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd also been caught in the crossfire…
What's going on? I've only ever felt gratitude toward Rin-chan. Maybe next time she should try white stockings?
Seemingly struck by the remark, Himari's enthusiasm instantly deflated. After muttering contradictory thoughts like, "I'm popular too" and "a high-altitude flower is naturally hard to approach," she finally relented.
In short, the first intelligence-gathering operation on the Decagrammaton was tentatively scheduled for the afternoon three days later.
Unfortunately, most superiors unlike Himari aren't open-minded enough to consider the feelings of their subordinates.
Thus, even on rest days, some unlucky mid-level managers are forced into low-efficiency overtime, just like Eimi mentioned.
At the same time, some people's overtime seemed entirely self-inflicted in my eyes.
"Ugh… so hot, so troublesome, so tired… I just want to go home…"
A girl trudged beside me, looking utterly unmotivated, complaining.
"I just want this over with, to get back to the cool office and enjoy donuts and coffee…"
I, having come to help, shook my head helplessly.
"Fubuki, then finish the patrol quickly."
Nemugaki Fubuki, a first-year student of the Valkyrie Police Academy.
Petite and cute, she tied a few streaks of light-blue into twin tails, but her deep-blue eyes had unsettling pink pupils.
In fact, within the Public Safety Bureau, Fubuki was undoubtedly one of the two major problem children, alongside Kirino.
As for why she was assigned patrol duty on the weekend, it was purely because her boss caught her slacking during work hours.
Not only that, she shamelessly tried to make me share the punishment—
Patrolling with someone as handsome as me? That's not punishment at all, but a reward that would make all other students envious!
If it weren't for maintaining good relations with the Valkyrie and my slight… interest in Fubuki's body, I would have refused such an improper request outright.
Moreover, helping Fubuki now would surely win her heart, earning her admiration and trust in me.
Anyway, that was my reasoning to justify it.
"Ugh… Kivotos is basically peaceful, so why do we have to patrol?"
As the girl complained, continuous gunfire echoed in the distance.
Fubuki thought for a moment, her expression serious.
"Even if something happens, it's probably just a student gunfight or a shop getting blown up… nothing unusual."
Having spent a lot of time in Kivotos, I had to admit, she had a point.
"Alright," I said, encouragingly, "isn't handling these incidents the job of the Public Safety Bureau?"
"But this area is huge, with roads like a maze. Checking every corner takes half a day…"
Exactly, the inefficiency serves as a punishment, I thought.
I put on a warm smile.
"So, I came to help. I don't know how much I can do, but I'll share the workload as much as possible."
"…Really?" Fubuki's eyes lit up with hope. "Then, can I ask you for something, sensei?"
I had a bad feeling. "What is it?"
The suddenly energetic Fubuki waved her hand.
"Could you patrol blocks 1 through 5 of this street?"
That's roughly half the workload…
Just as I was calculating, the lazy Valkyrie girl added.
"Ah, and the other side too, please!"
All of it?
"I'll ask first." I took a deep breath, keeping calm. "Fubuki, what do you plan to do during this time?"
"Eh, me? I'll…"
Apparently she hadn't thought about it. Her eyes brightened as she looked around.
"I'll stay in that café, sipping coffee and watching for suspicious people!"
I couldn't take it. I grabbed her smooth little face, kneading and pulling it to vent my frustration.
Although Fubuki mumbled something about "assaulting an officer, help!" she didn't resist, showing she had no objections.
After I was done, Fubuki rubbed her cheeks half from my hands, half from embarrassment, red and tearful.
"Ugh… I didn't expect sensei to do such a beastly thing to an innocent girl…"
"Is this why you're so happy you could cry?" I asked gently.
Fubuki froze for a moment, mumbling.
"Guh, I don't understand your nonsense, but since you came to help me, I'll forgive it this time… alright, let's get this over with quickly."
"If you work hard, I'll treat you to donuts afterward."
A soft-and-hard strategy.
"…Wooah! Smart move! So what are you waiting for?"
Fubuki was urging me on instead.
But just before we officially set out, I heard her whisper quietly.
"I hope nothing troublesome happens around here today…"