In a remote corner of D.U.'s outskirts stood a base that no detector could discover.
It was also where I found myself after, under the Deputy Director of Valkyrie's relentless recommendation, forcibly finishing a bowl of rich tonkotsu ramen with extra vegetables, extra garlic, and extra oil.
"...And that's what happened. Those girls completely misunderstood me."
After finishing my complaint, I let out a sigh.
Even now, recalling the discussion filled with suspicion, one I couldn't even get a word into, still left me feeling rather stifled.
I understood them not trusting my character. We'd only just met, and under rather awkward circumstances.
I also understood them rejecting my proposal. Considering how stubborn they'd been, that decision wasn't surprising.
But they actually suspected me of trying to take the opportunity to do something strange to them!
Putting aside the fact that I had always believed in pure romance and hadn't entertained a single improper thought, even if I did have those kinds of needs, I had more than enough ways to ease my loneliness.
There were already plenty of girls much closer to me eagerly waiting in line.
For example, there just so happened to be four of them sitting in front of me right now.
Yet when I looked up, I found the fox-eared girls seated around the small round table all wearing rather peculiar expressions.
Unable to help myself, I frowned and asked kindly,
"You must be laughing at how tactless those girls were, right? But we should at least show a little tolerance toward our juniors..."
Before I could finish, Kurumi burst out laughing.
Otogi, who had already been struggling to hold it in, laughed even harder.
Even Yukino and Niko, seemingly swept up by the atmosphere, covered their mouths as they giggled.
I alone was unable to share in the cheerful mood.
I'd come here looking for sympathy.
Could they at least try to restrain themselves a little? Was this really how they treated the master they'd chosen?
"I'm sorry, Sensei."
Once the laughter finally settled, Yukino spoke gently.
"Everyone's been under a lot of stress lately... That joke of yours at the end was very well delivered."
What joke?
I twitched the corner of my mouth.
"As long as you're all happy."
One must endure small things to accomplish great ones.
In order to win their loyalty, I decided to let this one go.
Wiping away tears of laughter with the back of her hand, Otogi grinned.
"Haha, I didn't expect Sensei to be this kind of person. I guess all our earlier worries were unnecessary, don't you think?"
Kurumi, however, replied with typical tsundere stubbornness.
"I-I'm not going to acknowledge you that easily. I'm only following you because of Yukino."
It felt like I'd made some progress with the FOX Squad.
At this rate, I'd definitely win them all over!
...But the card didn't react.
I angrily picked up a piece of inarizushi from the plate and stuffed it into my mouth.
Then I grabbed another.
"Sensei."
Niko asked in a voice so gentle it could heal the heart.
"Do you like the sushi I made?"
"It's absolutely delicious."
I answered sincerely.
It was so good that I was willing to eat until my already eighty-percent-full stomach was completely stuffed, just for the flavor and the happiness that came with it.
Niko narrowed her eyes as her fox ears twitched.
"That's wonderful. Even though we're in such a remote place, our food supplies are plentiful. Sensei, you can eat as much as you'd like."
She was inviting me to visit more often.
That made sense.
Whether it was a loyal retainer or a beloved partner, those kinds of relationships could only truly be built over time.
If I didn't spend more time with the FOX Squad, then just as Kurumi had said, we'd only remain outwardly friendly while inwardly distant, relying entirely on Yukino to keep us together. That could never last.
I couldn't help blaming myself.
It was all because I was simply too outstanding. Too many students admired me, leaving me unable to give everyone equal attention.
"By the way, Sensei."
At that moment, as though something had just occurred to her, Niko asked with a hint of concern,
"After those girls turned down your proposal, where did they go?"
Only then did I remember I hadn't finished explaining the important part.
"They're planning to stay at Rabbit Park for the time being, the same place where they held their protest. I checked beforehand, and camping there is already permitted for both students and civilians, so it more or less matches what they were hoping for."
That meant they could continue exercising self-discipline while freely using heavy weaponry.
And continue protesting the General Student Council.
At the same time, they would also fulfill their punishment by volunteering in Rabbit Park's reconstruction project.
Yukino nodded.
"That is the basic standard expected of a true member of SRT. However, whether it's their methods, mindset, or resolve, they still fall far short."
Niko gently reminded her,
"Yukino-chan, Sensei also said we should be a little more tolerant toward our juniors."
The fact that she'd remembered something I'd said so clearly moved me for some reason.
Hearing that, Yukino fell silent for a moment before explaining to me,
"...I'm sorry. I was evaluating them on the assumption that they might eventually join us."
Seeing that, Niko smiled helplessly and let out a soft sigh.
"Honestly. I wonder where the careful Yukino-chan I know disappeared to."
For some reason, Yukino looked slightly irritated as she turned toward her friend.
"Isn't this precisely what being cautious looks like? I've said it over and over. We've gathered here prepared to do whatever it takes to revive SRT. We're not playing house."
Niko didn't answer.
She merely met Yukino's gaze with her clear eyes, and the atmosphere between them suddenly became tense.
"Alright, alright."
Otogi quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"There's really no need to rush something like this. Even if they're our juniors from the same academy, we don't actually know them that well. Personally, I think both of you have valid points. What do you think, Sensei?"
I naturally shared the same opinion, allowing Otogi to borrow my authority like the fox borrowing the tiger's might.
And so, the disagreement, whose cause I didn't fully understand and could only attribute to everyone being overly sensitive, quietly dissolved on its own.
"Hehe. Sorry, I spoke carelessly."
Niko smiled as she took a step back.
"No."
Yukino shook her head.
"I was the one who got too emotional. I'll reflect on it."
Only then did Kurumi finally relax, complaining,
"What was with suddenly making everything so serious? Let's get back to talking about our juniors."
Niko nodded.
"You're right... Ah, come to think of it, the academy was suddenly shut down, and now they're immediately starting a life of camping. Do you think our juniors might be short on necessities?"
Otogi thought about it.
"That's possible. They're first-years, after all. They probably never expected something like this to happen, so it's only natural they weren't fully prepared."
"They don't have support from a Defense Office Chief like we do, either."
Kurumi added.
"Hmm..."
After thinking for a while, Niko looked at me.
"Sensei, I have a favor to ask..."
It happened to align perfectly with what I'd been thinking.
"Of course. Leave it to me."
"Hehe. Thank you very much."
Seemingly relieved by my answer, she smiled as she stood up.
"I'll go prepare some more inarizushi. Ah, if possible, I'd like you to deliver some of it to those girls for me."
After spending a long and peaceful time with the FOX Squad, I returned to Schale under the cover of night, carrying a large bag of inarizushi as a gift, along with a faint sense of suspicion.