Compared to cafés, students of Shanhaijing tend to prefer going to teahouses after meals.
So, a little past three, under Shun's guidance, I arrived at one of the most famous teahouses in Shanhaijing, Peach Blossom Spring.
"The tea here is not only fragrant and delicious, but it also helps cut through grease," Shun said enthusiastically as she introduced the place. "Even though it's not as famous as Hyakkiyako's Momoyo Hall, when it comes to flavor and aroma, it's absolutely no worse than theirs. It's top-tier even across all of Kivotos. And besides tea, they also have delicious pastries!"
After pulling me down to sit, Shun suddenly seemed to remember something. "Ah, let's enjoy some tea and pastries while we wait. Maybe Shun-nee will show up later?"
If you ask me, she just wanted to take advantage of being small to cling to me and go on a date!
She was even using herself as an excuse. I really didn't expect that gentle, kind, motherly Shun to have this kind of side.
I liked her even more.
Just as we were about to order, a girl in a Public Safety Bureau uniform walked in and immediately spotted me, shining among the crowd like a star in the night sky.
"Hm? Sensei? I didn't expect to see you here! What a coincidence!"
"Kirino?"
I called out in surprise to the white-haired, blue-eyed girl with a bright expression. "What brings you to Shanhaijing?"
At that moment, from the corner of my eye, I noticed Shun puffing her cheeks, looking displeased at Kirino's appearance.
She must have felt that this rare chance to spend time alone with me kept getting interrupted.
"Ah, well, you could say I'm here on personal business today."
Kirino lowered her voice mysteriously. "Actually… I heard a rather concerning rumor from the Security Bureau."
"A rumor?"
"You know about Shanhaijing's student council, Genryumon, and the merchant alliance, Black Tortoise Promenade, right?"
"I've heard a bit," I replied, glancing at Shun beside me before asking curiously, "So this is about those two organizations?"
"Exactly. While both represent Shanhaijing as major groups, they also see each other as obstacles in certain aspects, each believing the other is hindering the development of Shanhaijing. So they've long been waiting for a chance to take the other down. And according to top-secret information I recently got from a colleague in the Security Bureau…"
At this point, Kirino lowered her voice and grew serious.
"A large number of unidentified firearms have flowed into the Shanhaijing autonomous district…! In other words, it may not be long before a large-scale conflict breaks out between Genryumon and Black Tortoise Promenade."
"…Is it really okay for you to tell me something like that?"
"Ah, well…" Clearly not having thought about that, Kirino looked a little embarrassed and said pitifully, "Please keep it a secret for me!"
"No problem."
I would certainly keep it a secret, but that didn't mean Shun, who was sitting beside me glaring at Kirino with her big green eyes, would do the same.
If the two major factions of Shanhaijing were really about to clash, Shun, as an instructor at Plum Blossom Garden, might be able to mediate.
But the reliability of this information was still hard to judge.
Valkyrie Academy under Kanna wasn't the Public Security Bureau, but the Security Bureau. Did they really have the ability to obtain intelligence about Shanhaijing, a place that had long maintained a closed policy outside of D.U.?
"In any case!" Kirino cleared her throat and put on a serious smile again. "If there's a chance of large-scale violence breaking out in such a busy district, how could I, as a student of Valkyrie Police Academy, just stand by and do nothing! And besides…"
Her eyes filled with determination and admiration. "If I can single-handedly stop the conflict between Genryumon and Black Tortoise Promenade, my superiors will surely recognize my abilities! And then maybe I can transfer to the Security Bureau…!"
Wait, Kirino taking on all of Shanhaijing by herself…? Seriously?
If she could really do that, aiming for just a transfer to the Security Bureau would be too modest.
In District of D.U., isn't there a Sanctum Tower? Kirino, just go upstairs, find the defense office, there should be a pink-haired girl with closed eyes drinking coffee and slacking off. Drag her out of the chair and sit there yourself.
Honestly, unlike Fubuki, who just wants to slack off, the main reason Kirino, full of passion, ended up in the Public Safety Bureau was her disastrously poor aim.
I genuinely couldn't imagine how incompetent someone would have to be to lose to her without some kind of accident.
Even so, I still encouraged her. "Good luck. I hope you succeed."
"Hehe, actually, it's thanks to you, sensei, that I've become even more determined!"
"Hm? Ah, did Fubuki's commendation come through?"
"Yep!" Kirino said with emotion. "I never expected quiet, unassuming Fubuki to be secretly working hard and achieve something so amazing. A few days ago, she was even held up as a model in the Public Safety Bureau. I want to learn from her too!"
Fate really worked in strange ways. The diligent one had limited ability and no chance to shine, while the lazy one accidentally became a role model.
Hopefully, Fubuki would reveal her true nature soon, otherwise she might actually get promoted and lose her carefree window-seat lifestyle.
"Anyway, sensei, are you here to drink tea?"
"Ah, yeah…"
I was about to nod, but suddenly remembered that, from Shun's perspective, I didn't know her real identity.
My purpose here wasn't just to drink tea, but to wait for the nonexistent "Instructor Shun."
If I said I was just here for tea and Shun realized I was playing along with her act, she'd probably be so embarrassed that this rare date would be ruined.
So the words that came out of my mouth changed at the last second. "Actually, I'm looking for Instructor Shun from Plum Blossom Garden. Have you seen—"
"Hm? You mean that tall instructor? Sorry, I haven't seen her nearby…"
Only then did Kirino seem to notice the childlike Shun beside me. "Ah, I forgot to greet this little one… Hello, nice to meet you. Sensei, are you looking for Instructor Shun because of this child?"
With no other choice, I vaguely explained the situation.
But with Kirino's enthusiasm as an aspiring police officer, she immediately volunteered.
"I see. In that case, please let me help! I was planning to patrol nearby anyway, so I can take this Shunling back to Plum Blossom Garden! Taking care of lost children is an important duty of the Public Safety Bureau!"
I was touched by her sense of duty.
But I wished she would notice Shunling's puffed cheeks and clearly resistant eyes.
So now, what excuse could I use to deal with both Kirino and Shun?
Just as I was thinking, Shun, who had been silent until now, suddenly pointed outside.
"Ah!? There's a Genryumon officer heavily armed with firearms over there!?"
"What? A heavily armed Genryumon officer!?"
Kirino was shocked. "Has the conflict already started? Sorry, sensei, stopping the conflict is more important! Please excuse me! Kirino, moving out!"
With that, the reckless officer dashed out of the teahouse, her braid swinging behind her.
"Phew," the outwardly cute Shun smiled smugly. "The nuisance is finally gone."
She just said it outright!?
So she really was lying.
After turning into a child, she couldn't hide her thoughts at all.
After a moment's hesitation, although I felt a bit sorry for Kirino, I decided to pretend I hadn't heard anything.
"Alright, sensei," the girl in the black qipao said leisurely, "let's reset our mood and enjoy some tea."
Of course, I agreed happily.
But less than ten minutes later, Kirino returned, her steps much heavier than before.
Frowning, she stared at "Shunling," who was calmly drinking tea.
"…Was I tricked?"
"Oh my, that was fast," Shun said lightly. "Or rather, police big sister. No, I guess it should be police school big sister, right?"
Calling someone younger than herself "big sister" without hesitation… in a way, it reminded me of a certain pink-haired girl who called even older people "little sister."
A faint chuckle echoed in my mind.
"You little Shunling, why did you lie!?" Kirino demanded. "I asked a lot of people! There were no Genryumon officers, not even armed civilians! Lying to the police is obstruction of justice, it's a crime!"
In response, Shun immediately put on a pitiful expression.
"But… I really saw a big sister from Genryumon walking over there… If I was mistaken, I'm sorry… will I become a criminal?"
Her acting was so flawless that Kirino's momentum instantly collapsed.
Seeing that Kirino was no match for her, I stepped in to help.
"She's just a child."
"…You're right. I was rude."
Kirino said apologetically, "Anyone can make mistakes. Getting angry at a child over something like this isn't right…"
After composing herself, she said, "Anyway, since it was a misunderstanding, I'll take you back to Plum Blossom Garden now—"
"Ah!" Shun cried out again, repeating the trick. "This time it's people from Black Tortoise Promenade with weapons—!?"
Kirino stiffened. "What? Has the conflict really started this time? Kirino, moving out!"
Without the slightest doubt, she rushed out again.
"What a forgetful police big sister," Shun muttered.
Lying and then talking behind her back like that, I couldn't help but speak more sternly.
"Sh… Shunling, don't go too far teasing people."
"Hehe, got it∼" Shun stuck out her tongue. "Even though you knew I was lying, you still helped cover for me. You're so kind, sensei. I love you the most∼"
I couldn't help taking a deep breath.
She's actually an adult! She just said she likes me! Why am I not 'reacting'!?
"Here, sensei, this bean cake is really good. Especially with tea. Come, I'll feed... no, wait."
She suddenly hesitated, as if struggling internally. After a while, she spoke again.
"Um… sensei, could you feed me instead?"
Being fed was nice, but feeding someone had its own appeal too.
"Of course."
"Th-thank you!"
Her face flushed as she successfully acted spoiled. "Then… I won't hold back. Ah—"
She closed her eyes and opened her mouth wide, waiting.
So I picked up a piece of bean cake and brought it to her lips.
"Ahm∼" She bit down, chewing happily, swallowing, then sipping tea with a satisfied sigh. The whole scene was pleasing to watch, unbearably cute.
"It's so good∼ sensei, I want more∼ feed me∼"
"Alright, alright."
Completely charmed, I indulged her. "I'll feed you."
I fed her several more pieces, and just as we were about to continue, we were interrupted again.
A moment later, the white-haired officer returned, looking like she was about to cry.
"Wah… I got tricked again…"
Standing by the table, she glared angrily. "There's no way it was a mistake twice! Even if you're a child, I can't forgive this!"
"Um, police big sister."
"…What now?"
"There are some bad big sisters over there bullying a shop assistant…"
"What…!" Kirino reacted, about to move, but forced herself to stop. "N-No…! No matter what, I won't be tricked three times in a row!"
"Kirino."
"Hm? Sensei, are you asking me to let her off? But—"
I shook my head. "This time, it's real."
"Huh?"
Kirino immediately turned.
Two delinquent girls were indeed harassing a shop clerk.
"Hey! You two, stop right there!" Kirino rushed forward. "I will not allow any act that threatens public safety!"
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