What Ayumu reported to Rin was indeed about the closure of SRT Special Academy.
Apparently, a very small number of students had strongly opposed the school's closure. They had occupied a park and were holding a demonstration.
The force dispatched by the General Student Council to suppress them seemed to have run into trouble.
Hearing the report, Rin's expression grew solemn once more, and Ayumu looked equally worried.
Looks like it's my time to shine again.
"Excuse me."
I spoke politely.
"I happened to overhear a little. Did something happen? Do you need my help?"
Whether it was taking command or gathering elite students from the other academies, as long as I stepped in, I could surely resolve the situation with ease, just as I had countless times before.
"Eh? Really?"
Ayumu's face lit up.
"That would be wonderful! If it's convenient for you, Sensei, we'd be incredibly grateful!"
Just as expected.
Now all that remained was for Rin to formally ask for my assistance.
However, after a brief moment of thought, Rin shook her head.
"For now, we won't trouble you with this matter, Sensei."
That caught me by surprise. Thinking she might still be upset with me, I kindly reminded her,
"The ones causing trouble are students from SRT Special Academy. They're not easy opponents."
As the special forces personally selected and carefully trained by the missing General Student Council President, leaving aside their tactical abilities, their equipment alone was on an entirely different level from the General Student Council's regular security forces.
"There's no need to worry. Ever since the General Student Council President disappeared, situations like this have become routine for us. While they are students from the elite SRT..."
She turned toward Ayumu.
"Only a small number are participating in the demonstration, correct?"
Ayumu hurriedly nodded.
"Yes. Judging by the numbers, it's only about a single squad..."
Just four or so SRT students. As long as it wasn't the already-defected FOX Squad, their trump card, there was nothing to worry about.
"Then there won't be a problem."
Rin looked back at me.
"Sensei, thank you for your kindness. However, if Schale gets involved, it could very well escalate the situation... After all, this is an internal matter of the General Student Council."
Since she put it that way, there wasn't much I could say.
"I understand."
"Ayumu, contact Valkyrie's Public Safety Bureau."
"Y-Yes! Excuse us, Sensei."
The blonde, emerald-eyed Mediation Office Chief hurried away just as quickly as she had arrived.
Now that only Rin and I remained in the office, I heard the black-haired girl let out a heavy sigh, and immediately asked with concern,
"Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Rin looked at me in surprise for a few moments before revealing a relieved smile.
"Sensei, you've grown too. That's wonderful."
...
I couldn't help wondering what kind of impression Rin-chan actually had of me. My feelings became rather complicated.
"So you're volunteering for even more work."
Rin smiled.
"I'll gladly accept that sentiment. Since you're being so proactive, when the time comes, I'll be sure to work you to the... Ahem, ask for your help as much as necessary."
She made it sound as though that wasn't already the case.
"No problem, no problem."
While grumbling inwardly, I readily agreed. My gaze gradually drifted downward.
"Then, as a reward for my enthusiasm..."
Although the desk separated us, Rin seemed to feel the heat of my gaze. After realizing where I was looking, her face first turned red, then immediately darkened.
"Sensei, was this your real goal all along?"
Embarrassment and irritation flashed across her face. She adjusted her glasses and forced a smile.
"Hehe. You still have the leisure to think about things like that? It seems you haven't taken your embezzlement of public funds to heart at all."
"That's not true! Wanting to help ease Rin-chan's burden comes completely from the bottom of my heart!"
At the end of the day, I just wanted to get along better with the adorable Rin-chan.
But Rin paid no attention to my explanation and continued,
"I've been far too lenient with you. Since you're so concerned about it, as punishment, your share for this week is canceled."
"No!"
I paled in horror.
"Rin-chan, that's way too cruel! I'm going to be so lonely at night!"
"What exactly are you doing with other people's photos!?"
I looked at Rin in confusion.
That was a rather strange question.
When she agreed to it, she should have anticipated the possibility and prepared herself mentally.
Just like how, after giving selfies as rewards to students such as Hanako or Koharu, I never asked them what they intended to use them for.
At most, I secretly hoped that one day I'd obtain an Authority related to the sense of smell, so I could further improve my intelligence-gathering abilities.
In any case, with her face now completely dark, Rin declared that she had important official business to handle and promptly threw me out of her office.
The moment I was pushed into the hallway, I heard a loud bang.
When I turned around, all I saw was the tightly shut door.
What a troublesome woman.
Perhaps only someone as broad-minded as me could embrace that seemingly willful bashfulness of hers.
But just as I was thinking that, a smiling voice suddenly came from beside me.
"Did something happen between you and Administrator Rin?"
I immediately had a bad feeling.
Turning to the side, sure enough, not far away stood a slender pink-haired girl with perpetually smiling eyes, looking at me with a cheerful grin.
As the Director of the Defense Office, Kaya oversaw nearly all of the General Student Council's armed forces, naturally including Valkyrie Police Academy.
Since Rin had ordered Ayumu to mobilize the Public Safety Bureau, it wasn't surprising that Kaya had learned I was visiting the General Student Council.
Still, I hadn't expected her to abandon her work and come see me in person.
Just where had she learned such blatant dereliction of duty?
"Administrator Rin can seem a little cold sometimes."
Kaya continued.
"But Administrator Rin is carrying responsibilities far beyond what anyone should be expected to bear, so she's accumulated a great deal of stress. If she offended you in any way, please allow me to apologize on her behalf. I hope you'll be generous enough to forgive her, Sensei."
With that, she gave me a slight bow.
If I hadn't already known Kaya's true nature, I might really have thought she was a considerate colleague.
As things stood now, however, all I could hear was the subtle attempt to drive a wedge between us hidden beneath her words.
"It's fine. Rin... Nanagami-san and I just had a small misunderstanding."
I brushed it off and asked,
"What brings you here, Kaya?"
"I just happened to be passing by. Oh, right, Sensei. I recently got some new coffee. If you don't have anything scheduled afterward, would you like to come to my office for a cup?"
Kaya, leisurely enjoying afternoon tea.
Rin, buried in paperwork, working overtime until late every night.
The contrast was so striking that it almost made me laugh bitterly.
But precisely because of that...
"I'd be delighted."
Smiling, I accepted Kaya's warm invitation.