After leaving the convenience store, I looked up at the tower.
The sunlight bounced off the glass so brightly I couldn't tell if the office lights were on.
Hah… working overtime that late yesterday probably meant the teacher would be late today too.
But… when would the sensei head to Abydos?
I wasn't sure—but probably soon.
Perfect timing for a part-time job trip—and maybe a little reconnaissance while I'm at it.
Wasn't the original purpose of the part-time job to observe students anyway?
Then yes. Flawless plan.
"Ready!" I whispered to myself.
I packed plenty of water, mapped the job location in advance, and marked my route. Printed out the posting too, just in case—bonus points, right?
No way I was getting lost like the teacher in the game—falling and running into Sirocco messy and scary was a nightmare I wasn't repeating.
If you don't know, ask. If you need help, ask. Otherwise… you'll end up like a tangled earphone cord—knotted beyond repair.
With a little help from robot citizens and oddly dressed students, I finally reached Abydos High School.
The street was empty. A sandstorm whipped around me, stinging my eyes.
Through the haze, I spotted a student with pink hair and bangs just like mine.
Takanashi Hoshino.
A kid with a slightly odd way of speaking—and a past that was… unusual.
I ducked behind some discarded electronics before the storm swallowed the street.
"There. Come out," she muttered.
Teacher—and Hoshino too—if they stayed at Kivotos, would their senses sharpen? I didn't have that yet. Weird.
Nothing I could do now.
Part-timer secret trick number two: sneak without being noticed.
I tried slipping out while the guests were distracted… no luck.
"Come out. If you don't—"
"Oh! Hello."
"B-baby…?"
I pulled out my student ID—magically converted to Abydos affiliation. Always amazing to see it work.
"I'm actually… a new student…" I whispered, trying to sound casual. Heart pounding.
Hoshino snatched the ID.
"Huh. If you're going to lie, at least prep properly."
"Eh?"
"Nineteen-year-old looking like that? That's where it falls apart."
she twisted the ID, then flicked it back.
"Other than that, very convincing. Where'd you get it made?"
"It's… mine…?" I stammered.
"Hm? Now that we're out, don't try bluffing me any further," she muttered, glancing at the sky.
Then softly, almost inaudible:
"If you want to enroll at Abydos High later, you're welcome… I just don't know if I'll be able to throw it away by then."
Her faint, cold whisper made me flinch. I slid the ID back into my wallet. No fooling Hoshino anymore.
"W-well… actually, I came for work and just got lost."
"Working here? In Abydos? A kid like you?" he raised an eyebrow.
I pulled out the printed posting. "Here."
"…This is…"
"How is it?"
"Don't," she said sharply.
"Huh?"
"Stop right now."
"No other places…" I tried to laugh it off. Cafés had height and career restrictions I couldn't meet.
"You don't need to worry about me. I'm pretty strong."
"Who cares about you?" she snatched the paper, crumpled it, and tossed it.
"I'll find somewhere else for you. Don't even think about coming here."
…Seriously?
It had been the perfect "honey" job for my strong body. Now slipping away.
"Follow me. I'm out of time," he ordered.
"Go… where?"
"School. Our school."
Could I really arrive before the sensei? Would it mess up the main story?
I hesitated, but at the school gate, Hoshino's eyes cut back at me whenever I slowed. No choice—I trailed obediently.
I didn't want to fight Hoshino. No way. Even trying wouldn't do anything but bruise her pride. Pointless.
"Hello!" I chirped, following her into the clubroom.
"Huh?! Senior Hoshino kidnapped some tiny kid?!" someone squealed.
"I only brought them for a bit," Hoshino muttered.
"Brought them here? Why suddenly?"
"Because it looked like they had nowhere to go."
"That's why you shouldn't just drag them here!"
The greeting was chaotic—friendly, memey, and awkward all at once.
Ayane appeared with warm tea and cookies. "Want some?"
"Yes, please," I said.
"I'll make a separate cup for Senior Shiroko," she added, placing a tray in front of Shiroko.
"Eat. I'm not hungry," Shiroko said, but took a cookie anyway.
"I drank too much water on the way," I mumbled.
"Good kid," she said, patting my head.
"I'm Shiroko Sunaookami. Your name?"
"It's Praline."
"Last name?"
"Just Praline," I said, sliding my student ID across.
"Huh? Abydos student ID…?"
"Poem, freshman?"
"Serika-chan… that can't be real, right?"
Only Serika seemed to believe me. "It's well made," she murmured.
"Kids love decorating secrets," she shrugged.
"But… where's the gun?"
Serika dug through the water bottle bag. "Not here."
"There isn't one? Should there be…?"
"I don't need one."
A teacher with a gun? Too hard-boiled. sensei handles it if needed; I promised to avoid fighting.
"So… what will you do for security?"
"With my body!"
"What?"
"I'm strong. Probably."
"'Probably'?"
"I've never really fought properly," I admitted.
"Want to fight me…?"
I glanced at Serika. "Why are you looking at me?! I'm not fighting!"
Shiroko: "I don't want to fight with Praline."
Nonomi and Ayane? Same.
"It must be tough for me," I muttered.
"Me too," someone nodded.
Finally, Hoshino. Everyone's gaze shifted; silence.
"Uh… weird for everyone to stare like that?" she whispered.
Hoshino flustered, looked into space.
Suddenly, a loud crash outside. Everyone leaned out.
"Those helmeted guys…!"
"How many times this week?"
"Ammo's low…"
"Schales documents haven't arrived yet…"
Helmet Corps. Enemy force from Abydos episode.
Chance to prove myself—or at least help without fighting.
"I'll take care of it!"
"Wait?!" But the kids bolted out.
Outside the school gate—helmeted students firing guns toward the school.
"Stop!" I shouted, hands over mouth.
"What are you?"
"Baby…?"
"Get out of there!" I waved empty hands.
"Stop fighting!"
"Step back! We can solve this without fighting! I—"
Pain exploded in my eye. A bullet hit.
"Ouch?!"
Surprisingly… not hurt.
Drama mode: ON.
Part 4 of Praline's Secret: Hollywood-style diversion.
I clutched my eye, groaning thinly.
"Ahhh…" Perfect.
"Hey…" muttered a helmeted Girl.
"Spot on…"
"Beating up a child's too much," whispered another.
"See it?!"
"Back tomorrow?"
"Yeah, yeah," they muttered, retreating.
"I'm sorry! Didn't mean it!"
Flawless. Praline's ten-year strategy worked.
I strutted into the office. "Okay! I solved it!"
"Huh…?" Didn't hear me? Fine."
"I SOLVED IT!"
Hoshino remained expressionless.
Did they think I was hurt?
Lifted eyelid: "Oh… that? Didn't hurt. Pretended."
"See? Totally fine."
"I'm fine…"
Silence stretched.