Himari was not in a particularly good mood.
Even after standing on my side and urging Hare to go get some rest, she had continued to frown and sigh.
"Perhaps... I've really become the tragic heroine after all. Sob, sob..."
Personally, I thought the real reason she was sulking was simply that the person I had been "bullying" wasn't her.
So I put on a stern face.
"If we're not going to talk business, I'm heading home."
Himari instantly stopped fake crying and huffed,
"Sensei! Is that really how you're going to respond to a one-of-a-kind beautiful girl wallowing in self-pity? A heartless adult who doesn't know how to cherish delicate flowers is bound to become the public enemy of all women, you know?"
I looked at her strangely, unable to understand how she'd come to such a conclusion.
Heartless? With my appearance, wasn't I obviously the cool, abstinent, aloof heartthrob type?
"So, Himari, what exactly did you want to see me about today?"
I asked.
"Is there some new progress regarding the research on the Decagrammaton?"
During the Eden Treaty incident not long ago, the Decagrammaton had suddenly intervened, seized control of the Sanctum Council, then just as suddenly withdrawn. Their methods and motives remained a complete mystery.
The only thing that was certain was that the Decagrammaton and their Prophet possessed the ability to pose an enormous threat to Kivotos.
The problem was that the Prophet's whereabouts had always been impossible to trace, and the previous battle had yielded very little useful information. As a result, research into the Decagrammaton had made no new progress.
"What are you talking about? How could it possibly be that fast? We haven't even finished building the new Super Phenomenon Task Force yet..."
As she spoke, Himari's expression darkened, and she muttered,
"Honestly. The moment the crisis was over, Trinity and Gehenna immediately cut off their funding. Even the 'Oparts' they promised to lend me for free have all become a choice between paying rental fees or returning them. Their vision is worse than sewer sludge!"
(TL/N: Oparts wiki[1])
Actually, I could understand that. Trinity had to rebuild the Arius Autonomous District and the Old Cathedral, while in Gehenna... Makoto simply didn't like Himari very much.
"So if it isn't about the Decagrammaton..."
I raised an eyebrow and couldn't help smiling teasingly.
"Could it be you just wanted to see me for personal reasons, Himari?"
"Eep."
The girl's cheeks immediately flushed a faint pink.
"S-Sensei, what are you suddenly saying...? H-haha... You really do love joking around. Of course I asked to meet you because it's something important."
Her reaction was so flustered that I couldn't hold back a laugh.
Seeing that she looked a little embarrassed, I quickly said,
"Even if it is something personal, that's perfectly fine, you know? Didn't I promise you last time we met in that place?"
In her secret hideout.
I clearly remembered Himari saying that nearly every corner of Millennium, including the Veritas clubroom, was under Chihiro's surveillance.
I continued,
"When you're feeling lonely by yourself, I can always keep you company and chat once in a while..."
"W-wait! Sensei! Normally, once you've established that kind of relationship, you don't keep bringing it up afterward!"
Himari hurriedly cut me off.
She quickly regained her composure, looking even happier than usual as she gently touched her cheek with a smile.
"Hehe. But after seeing how you feel about this genius beautiful girl, Sensei... Fufu, I think I understand now. Sorry, I was just worrying over nothing."
...Why was it that seeing her wear such a smug expression while saying something so embarrassing actually irritated me a little?
Wasn't she the one who'd fallen for my looks, chased after me relentlessly, and only after I couldn't take it anymore had I reluctantly accepted her feelings?
"Of course, what I wanted to talk to you about today isn't something that requires going to a private place just for the two of us... Hehe. If anything, it's actually better discussed here in the clubroom."
I suddenly became alert.
Did Himari mean that she didn't mind Rio finding out... or was she deliberately hoping Rio would?
That was a little too exciting.
I asked expectantly,
"So what is it?"
"...Before we get to the main topic, Sensei, I'd like to ask you something."
After I nodded, Himari looked at me seriously.
"Do you happen to have some kind of prejudice against Monster MAX?"
What?
"Admittedly, scientific research has shown that drinking excessive amounts of energy drinks over a long period can easily lead to dependency and have negative effects on one's health. But as you know, Millennium Science School is famous throughout Kivotos for its scientific research."
She continued rambling,
"Don't you think making sacrifices like that for the advancement of science is something truly admirable? Especially for white-hat hackers like us who work hard every day to maintain cybersecurity, Monster MAX is practically our source of motivation."
What?
Besides Chihiro, there was actually a second white-hat hacker in Veritas?
I answered tactfully,
"With your condition, Himari, isn't it rather inconvenient for you to drink energy drinks in the first place?"
"What are you talking about, Sensei? Even I can have a small amount of caffeine once in a while without any problem."
For some reason, the white-haired girl suddenly looked pleased again.
"Hehe. Of course, I'm a genius, delicate beautiful girl hacker, after all. So even without Monster MAX, I can still stand proudly atop the snowy mountain, all the more lovable and worthy of admiration."
So... what exactly was she trying to say?
Perhaps realizing she'd gone off-topic too much, Himari finally became a little more serious.
"In any case, I hope you'll understand just how important Monster MAX is to hackers."
"...Don't tell me you're hoping I won't keep persuading Hare to cut back on her energy drinks?"
"What are you talking about?"
Himari frowned.
"I know perfectly well that her caffeine dependency has become rather severe. If you really can help her quit, I'd only be grateful."
That was reassuring.
It also left me even more confused, waiting for Himari to explain herself.
"So, after everything I've told you, you should understand that Monster MAX isn't anything strange... and you've probably become interested in trying it yourself, haven't you?"
Meeting her hopeful gaze, I found myself at a loss for words.
"Uh... the thing is... I never had any prejudice against energy drinks in the first place. I even drank a can before coming to Veritas."
"...Huh?"
Himari froze.
She immediately summoned a holographic screen and rapidly tapped away for several seconds before falling into stunned silence.
A moment later, she calmly put on a smile as though everything had been under her control all along.
"Hehe. I see. So you're a fellow Monster MAX enthusiast after all, Sensei."
No, I didn't have any particular fondness or dislike for the brand whatsoever.
Even now, I still had no idea what Himari was really getting at.
"Hehe, pardon me. Let's get to the main point."
The white-haired girl cleared her throat and lowered her voice mysteriously.
"The truth is... I managed to obtain an incredibly precious treasure. Hehe. A legendary item every hacker dreams of... Can you imagine what kind of treasure it is?"
As absurd as it sounded, after all the buildup she'd given it, I couldn't help asking,
"Don't tell me... it's Monster MAX?"
Himari's smile instantly brightened.
"Correct. Hehe. Sensei and I really are on the same wavelength."
It really was?
She reached into a hidden compartment in a nearby cabinet and solemnly took out a canned drink, unable to hide a hint of pride.
"This is it! Hehe. Try not to be too surprised."
I really was surprised.
"I'm sure you've already noticed, as a fellow Monster MAX lover."
Having arbitrarily lumped me into her own group, Himari continued,
"This isn't an ordinary Monster MAX. It's the special limited edition Monster MAX, the highest-grade Monster MAX that's said to taste one hundred times better than the regular ones sold in stores."
No matter how many prefixes she added... wasn't it still Monster MAX?
Although I had no idea why she was so excited, I played along.
"Wow! That sounds incredible!"
"Exactly. The other children in Veritas kept saying things like, 'Just let us try it once,' and making such a fuss. So... I managed to get hold of some."
Himari smiled proudly.
"After all, as the club president, I have to occasionally demonstrate my authority in front of those children."
Watching her, an overwhelming sense of pity quietly welled up inside me.
Why, though?
It felt like watching someone who was desperately trying to connect with the younger generation despite an obvious generation gap between them.
Even though she was only a third-year student, had she already reached that stage in life...?
"Ahem... That's about it."
Completely unaware of my thoughts, Himari stole glances at me as she quietly said,
"Especially this can of 'Passionate Mixed Fruit Flavor.' I wanted to save it no matter what so that Sensei and I could taste it together."
Wait.
Could it be...
Thinking back to how hard she'd tried to eliminate my supposed "prejudice" against Monster MAX, was that misunderstanding the real reason she'd seemed so dejected earlier?
At that moment, every question I'd had was finally answered.
So I was the oblivious one.
"Himari."
I spoke from the bottom of my heart.
"How are you this adorable?"
"Hm? Fufu... Are you really that excited? Just as this super innocent genius beautiful girl predicted. Today's victory belongs to Celebrity Himari!"
The white-haired girl, overflowing with emotion, smiled shyly, her delicate face tinged with red.
"Just don't fall too deeply in love with me, okay?"
At that moment, my heart began beating faster despite itself.
I had to admit it.
She had truly won this round.
[1] https://bluearchive.wiki/wiki/Ooparts