Valkyrie's temporary operations base.
Watching the RABBIT Squad, who had all been captured and were now squatting beside police vehicles awaiting transport back to Valkyrie within barely ten minutes of my departure, Kanna looked at me in disbelief.
"You didn't even need reinforcements. You led just two students from the Public Safety Bureau and managed to suppress SRT students..."
In truth, Kirino and Fubuki had only been responsible for putting handcuffs on the little rabbits after they were no longer capable of fighting.
So when Kanna expressed her amazement, Fubuki remained as composed as ever, even excitedly daydreaming about receiving commendation and extra vacation time, while Kirino couldn't help looking a little embarrassed.
Naturally, both of them had followed my instructions and wouldn't reveal exactly what had happened.
As for me, I smiled modestly.
"Not at all. They just happened to run out of ammunition. Otherwise, charging in so recklessly like I did could have ended in a very embarrassing mess."
Once the excitement of a successful experiment faded, I honestly began regretting how rash I'd been.
Not only had I burned through nearly half a day's worth of my lifespan, I'd even gotten dust all over my clothes, something that could have been avoided entirely.
It simply wasn't worth it for such a small achievement.
Thinking that, my mindset subtly shifted, and I put on a serious expression.
"If you ask me, the greatest credit still belongs to the Peace Bureau and the Public Safety Bureau. Besides, the Public Safety Bureau has always been an indispensable part of Valkyrie. I only played a tiny, insignificant role in this incident."
The cool, blonde-haired girl fell silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"No. You're being far too modest. Even if the SRT students had truly exhausted their supplies, we were already at our limits ourselves. We were on the verge of having no choice but to request assistance from the security forces of other academies. It was thanks to your help, Sensei, that we were able to suppress them successfully."
She then bowed to me.
"On behalf of every student at the academy, thank you very much."
She really knew how to read the situation. Despite carrying the nickname "Mad Dog," she was far more perceptive than her appearance suggested.
Since that was the case, I'd have to leave Valkyrie with a bit more dignity in my report.
Still, there really were honest people who took my polite humility at face value.
"Moe!"
Thanks to the constitution of Kivotos students, the short-haired girl had already recovered from the injuries that had knocked her unconscious, with only a bit of swelling left on her chin as she accused her teammate.
"Did you hear that? It's all your fault! You had to do something as brainless as using up all our ammunition in one go, and that's why we ended up like this!"
"Huh? What are you talking about, Saki?"
Moe shot back unhappily.
"If it's for that one brilliant moment, then there's nothing to regret, even if this is how it ends!"
While the two argued, the girl named Miyu muttered dejectedly.
"It's all over... SRT, RABBIT Squad, me... Everything's been taken away. So this is how I'm destined to fade away alone..."
As for the squad leader, Miyako, she kept staring at me.
Perhaps she'd been overwhelmed by my strength and simply couldn't take her eyes off me anymore.
Somehow, it felt similar to being admired for my appearance alone, yet also completely different.
After thinking for a moment, I decided to go over and greet them.
They were, after all, the outstanding juniors of my adorable foxes. There was every chance we'd cross paths again in the future, so it wouldn't be good for our relationship to become too strained.
"Hello."
I strolled over and crouched in front of them, meeting gazes filled with hostility and caution.
"Hmm... Sorry about that. I probably hit a little too hard without realizing it. Are you all okay? Should I call a doctor?"
Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, the goodwill I was trying to show probably felt more like mockery to the RABBIT Squad.
Saki and Moe, who had been bickering moments ago, immediately turned their hostility toward me.
"We've got nothing to say to you! Stop pretending to be the good guy!"
"What? Did you come here just to gloat? Or to make fun of us?"
"Nothing like that."
I answered gently.
"I don't think I'm your enemy."
Yet those truthful words only made them more wary, leaving me feeling genuinely regretful.
Even if ninety-nine percent of me wanted to enjoy watching the little rabbits sulk after losing, couldn't there at least be one percent that was sincerely concerned about them?
To misunderstand me like this would only end up hurting them in the long run.
Still, compared to Saki and Moe's cold remarks, which somehow sounded almost like pouting to my ears, Miyu trembling as she quietly muttered, "So scary..." left me with far more complicated feelings.
"...Schale's Sensei."
At that moment, Miyako spoke.
"The adult who has solved the troubles of so many students, earned their trust, possesses investigative authority beyond ordinary regulations, someone whose deeds even we in SRT have heard about... I never imagined you were also skilled in hand-to-hand combat. SRT-style hand-to-hand combat, at that."
The moment she said that, the rest of the RABBIT Squad looked shocked. Except for Miyu, they all seemed to recall exactly how I'd defeated them.
I answered casually.
"When it comes to martial arts, they all lead to the same destination in the end. Besides, my position was appointed by the General Student Council President."
Miyako stared deeply into my eyes. After a long silence, she finally continued.
"So the rumors weren't entirely accurate. But no matter."
She paused.
"Sensei."
"Hm? Is there something I can help you with?"
"We..."
Miyako enunciated every word.
"We hate adults like you the most."
For a moment, I froze.
Those words sounded strangely familiar.
Then Saki and Moe's anger followed immediately afterward.
"Go to hell."
"If I never see you again, I'll still be too soon."
SAUCE
Only then did I come back to my senses.
I couldn't help smiling.
That only made the girls' expressions grow colder and more furious. They looked ready to say more, but Kanna called over several Valkyrie students, who promptly escorted them into the police vehicles.
Afterward, Kanna said considerately,
"Please don't take it to heart. They're only upset because they lost."
Having personally defeated them, I displayed the composure expected of both an adult and the victor.
"I know. It's good to have spirit."
"You're very magnanimous."
"You're too kind."
Accepting the praise without hesitation, I slipped a hand into my pocket and stopped the recorder.
"Oh, right."
With genuine curiosity, I asked,
"What will happen to them next?"
I had to admit, those little rabbits had indeed piqued my interest.
Besides.
It would be a waste to let something so difficult to obtain go unused.