Early in the morning, on the train, I could not help but ask:
"Hoshino, are you really planning to go through everyone one by one?"
Even though I put it vaguely, the pink-haired girl beside me, who had unusually gotten up early, understood almost instantly what I meant.
"Uhee∼ What are you talking about?" Hoshino narrowed her eyes, her tone relaxed. "I just want everyone who agreed to advance and retreat together, yet doesn't intend to properly keep that promise, to understand how I feel. In other words, as long as no one sneaks ahead, this kind of situation will not happen again."
So she admitted it was intentional, not accidental.
For it to happen so coincidentally every time only showed how strict her vigilance was.
"Then we are doomed," I sighed. "I am this handsome, and Nonomi has had a crush on me for so long, sooner or later she will not be able to hold back."
Hoshino lazily yawned. "Then that cannot be helped, can it?"
From that unyielding attitude, it was clear that Hoshino still held a grudge about our date being interrupted.
Yet, she was the one who first proposed the non-aggression pact where no one was allowed to sneak ahead. She was also the first to break the promise and do so. And now, after her own attempt caused trouble, she was the one making things difficult for everyone else.
It could only be said that, as Abydos's only third-year student, Takanashi Hoshino had set a fine example for her juniors through her actions.
"But no matter what," Hoshino smiled faintly, her gaze clear, "they are all my important juniors. This kind of jealousy is just a bit of seasoning in life. My care for them, and their respect for me, will not easily change."
With the way you act, they had better still respect you.
Just as I was thinking that, Hoshino suddenly added:
"Just like the affection we have for you."
"…Do not ambush me like that."
"Uhee∼ You are blushing∼ Let me see∼"
Amid the teasing, we arrived smoothly at our first destination of the day.
"Whoa, as expected of Millennium Science School."
After looking around, Hoshino exclaimed, "There is high-tech stuff everywhere that I cannot even understand. A country bumpkin like me is getting dazzled… Whoa, the students of Millennium dress so boldly. Is this what they call fashion?"
"Thank you for the compliment." Eimi, dressed lightly, walked over. "Good morning, sensei. This must be Takanashi Hoshino-san, right? The department head is already waiting for you both."
"Oh, so you are Eimi-chan? I heard from sensei that although you are only a first-year, your strength is quite… huh, a first-year…?"
For some reason, Hoshino, who had tried to meet her at eye level, suddenly fell silent.
On the way, she even whispered to me:
"Feels less approachable than Neru-chan…"
Does she misunderstand what "approachable" means?
Soon, we arrived at the server room used by the Department of Supernatural Phenomena Investigation and met Himari, who had been waiting there.
Unlike Eimi, Himari had already met Hoshino before during the exploration of the Kei Raid, where she had been invited as support.
Through that operation, they had gained a certain understanding of each other's strength.
So as soon as they met, the two engaged in a round of polite mutual praise.
"My, with Hoshino-san's strength and familiarity with the Abydos desert, this operation can practically be declared a success in advance∼"
"Uhe∼ With Himari-chan personally handling intelligence support, I feel completely at ease as well∼"
After a brief exchange, they moved on to the main topic.
"Today's objective is the subordinates of the Decagrammaton in the Abydos desert."
Himari explained concisely, "I will send you their general activity range and appearance now. You just need to defeat them."
"Oh, so these are the ones." Hoshino glanced at the data and thought for a moment. "When I crossed the desert on foot before, I ran into robots that looked like this midway. They are a bit troublesome, but not too difficult to deal with."
"Crossed the desert on foot?" Eimi checked the distance and looked shocked. "That is impressive. Even the nearest operational railway is over a hundred kilometers away, right? If it is a round trip…"
"Not exactly a round trip… Well, that was quite an unbearable memory… in many ways."
I looked at the sighing Hoshino suspiciously and could not help recalling a question I had once been curious about.
After parting with the Foreclosure Task Force, how exactly did Hoshino make her way back from deep within the desert to the city over two hundred kilometers away?
So, could it be that, without supplies, after handing me her shotgun, and carrying only a riot shield and a backup pistol with barely any bullets inside it, she actually walked out of a desert filled with rogue robots, automated dolls, and armed drones purely on her own two legs?
From what I knew of Hoshino's strength, the same strength that even Hina found troublesome, it might actually be possible.
…But even so, being capable of doing it is one thing. Actually doing something like that feels a bit too fitting for her hair color.
Still, considering the astonishing brilliance she displayed back then, which still makes my blood pressure rise when I think about it, I might have unintentionally uncovered the truth.
While I was lost in thought, Hoshino, Himari, and Eimi had already settled on a rough plan.
"Defeating ordinary subordinates of the Decagrammaton is not difficult. However, please do not let your guard down."
Himari said seriously, "The third Prophet of the Decagrammaton, Binah, may intervene and launch a surprise attack at any time. Moreover, according to reports, it seems to harbor an inexplicable hostility toward sensei."
"Binah…" Hoshino repeated the name, then looked at me with a gentle smile. "That is the mechanical serpent that attacked sensei while I was not around, right?"
What do you mean, while you were not around?
Takanashi-san, you were locked in the underground laboratory of the Gematria waiting for me to rescue you at the time. Are you really thinking clearly when you say that?
Himari nodded. "That is correct. Also, there is a record of it using guided missiles to accurately hit and shoot down Schale's helicopter. We need to be cautious about that as well."
"Hehe∼ I see… In that case, I really do hope I get the chance to have a proper talk with it."
At first glance, Hoshino was smiling, but her eyes were cold to the bone.
It seemed that the way she intended to "talk" with Binah would not be very friendly.
Once everything was prepared, Hoshino, Eimi, and I, two pink-haired girls with exceptional strength and unique skills, boarded Schale's new helicopter and set off for the Abydos desert.