Valkyrie, Public Safety Bureau Office.
"Haha! I was planning to put on a good show, but I got taken out by a sniper round before I even got close! Total failure, total failure!"
Sitting beside me, the gray-haired girl with a bandage on her forehead casually slapped me on the shoulder as though we'd known each other forever.
"But thanks to you, Sensei, we finally got to vent some frustration. Everyone's really grateful! After work, let me treat you to some tonkotsu ramen! What do you think?"
I couldn't tell whether she genuinely wanted to thank me or was simply using it as an excuse to seize an opportunity.
"Hey, Deputy Director, don't monopolize Sensei."
At that moment, Kanna walked over carrying a file.
The gray-haired girl grinned.
"You're worrying too much, Boss Kanna. Sensei and I are getting along just fine, aren't we?"
As I recalled it, though, she'd been the one talking to herself the entire time.
Still, faced with that bright, cheerful smile, I couldn't bring myself to deny it.
Shima Konoka was the Deputy Director of Valkyrie's Public Safety Bureau, and Kanna's second-in-command. She was primarily responsible for field operations, complementing Kanna, who mainly handled paperwork. Their personalities were just as contrasting as their duties.
You could tell at a glance from their appearances.
Despite being a public security officer, aside from the jacket identifying her as one, Konoka looked every bit like a carefree gyaru.
Her necktie hung loosely over a floral shirt, her miniskirt barely covered what it needed to, the laces on her sneakers weren't tied at all, and she was even wearing mismatched socks, one long and one short.
Kanna, by contrast, was impeccably dressed from head to toe, every detail neat and precise, the very image of a consummate professional.
Even so, despite how different they appeared, the two seemed to get along quite well.
Faced with Konoka's lack of seriousness, Kanna merely clicked her tongue helplessly.
"Sensei, if the Deputy Director has done anything foolish to offend you, please allow me to offer my sincerest apologies on her behalf."
"Eh? Hold on, Boss!"
Konoka looked flustered.
"I'm not the kind of person who can't read the room, you know!?"
"I understand."
I nodded solemnly.
"Although nothing has happened yet, if something like that ever does happen in the future, I'll let it slide for your sake, Kanna."
"Huh? Huh?"
Konoka wore an awkward expression.
"Wait a second... Am I supposed to thank you and apologize in advance for something that hasn't even happened?"
I wouldn't mind.
"Hehe, who knows?"
The smile on Kanna's face vanished as quickly as it appeared, her expression returning to its usual icy composure.
"Sensei, the interrogation room is ready. Would you like to review the interrogation records from the other squad members first, or would you prefer to personally interrogate the RABBIT Squad's leader?"
As the one who had truly resolved the incident, and arguably led the operation, participating in, or even directing, the interrogation of the RABBIT Squad was a privilege I was naturally entitled to.
I smiled lightly.
"It won't be too late to review the records afterward. Let's not keep Miyako waiting."
"Understood. Please follow me."
After saying a brief goodbye to Konoka, I followed Kanna toward the interrogation room.
Along the way, Valkyrie students occasionally glanced at me with admiration. Perhaps because of the intimidating aura surrounding Kanna, not a single one dared approach to speak with me.
Kanna herself also remained silent the entire way, behaving as though we were complete strangers.
Yet I'd personally confirmed with my fingertips before that, despite her cold demeanor, her lips were every bit as warm and soft.
The thought brought back memories of sharing donuts with her.
I'd never forgotten the unspoken promise we'd made back then.
I wondered whether she still remembered it too.
Only after leading me to an iron door did Kanna finally stop and politely remind me,
"Sensei, this is the interrogation room. Please be careful. Under no circumstances should you get too close to the subject. Although the room is monitored, and the SRT students aren't dangerous criminals, if something unexpected happens, it'll be difficult for us to respond in time."
I couldn't tell whether she was hinting at something or merely speaking out of caution.
"Don't worry. I understand."
I hadn't intended to do anything inappropriate to the RABBIT Squad here in the first place.
Like recruiting them into my ranks.
After all, with SRT abolished, they no longer had a home.
If possible, why not reunite them with their seniors and have them work toward the same goal once more?
I thought it was a good idea, though whether it was actually feasible remained to be seen.
Before coming here, I'd already contacted the FOX Squad and spoken with them briefly, confirming how they felt about the RABBIT Squad.
Just as I'd expected, the FOX Squad regarded the RABBIT Squad as capable juniors, but that was all.
After all, even the members of the RABBIT Squad themselves weren't especially close to one another, much less with seniors they had even less interaction with.
The FOX Squad did acknowledge their juniors' determination to fight for the sake of preventing the academy from being abolished.
However, they knew virtually nothing about the RABBIT Squad's original motivations or the personalities of its members. They also hadn't reached a consensus on whether to bring these inexperienced juniors into their fold, deciding instead to observe them further before making that decision.
In other words, my visit today was merely a preliminary assessment.
As Kanna opened the door for me, a narrow, airtight room came into view.
Aside from a table, two chairs, and a single lamp, it contained nothing else.
Seated across from me was a white-haired girl wearing handcuffs.
The moment she realized it was me, obvious surprise appeared on her previously calm face.
"Didn't expect to see me?"
I sat down in the empty chair. Its cold, rigid surface wasn't particularly comfortable.
"...I really didn't. I never imagined Sensei would be here."
Miyako quickly regained her composure.
"So, you're the one interrogating me, Sensei. Well, it doesn't matter who it is. No matter who asks, my answers won't change. If you have questions, go ahead."
"Hmm... Where should I start..."
I pondered for a moment before smiling gently.
"Don't be so tense. I told you before, I'm not your enemy."
Hearing that only made Miyako more guarded.
"I see. So you're trying the soft approach? Next you're going to offer me some kind of deal, aren't you? It won't work, so you should give up. Our devotion to SRT will never waver, no matter what."
The way she said it almost made me want to pull out the selfie.
Still, I suppose that was only natural. If I wanted these adorable little rabbits to lower their guard, I couldn't rush things.
"In that case, let's begin with some questions."