"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Katou. As an apology for my earlier rudeness, here's my contact info. Call me anytime you need."
"Ugh, this attitude doesn't scream 'sorry' at all!"
Katou Megumi reluctantly accepted the call, saving the number.
"Any plans, Miss Katou? Need a dashing escort?"
"No thanks, idle Chief Officer."
Katou slipped under Samuel's arm with a helpless expression, though given their height difference, it was more like a slight duck.
"Hey, 'idle' is a bit harsh! I'm always working to keep Academy City safe!"
"With time to banter like this, you should take notes from him…"
Katou opened her phone, pulling up a forum. The top post: "Academy City's Top Ten Urban Legends."
Legend number three…
"The night hero 'Justiciar,' protector of Academy City's safety after dark."
Hundreds of comments omitted.
"Hey, who came up with 'Justiciar'? That's an awful name!"
Samuel grumbled, clearly displeased.
"Sigh, your focus is so weird, idle Chief Officer. I'm saying he's the one protecting Academy City, and you're hung up on the nickname?"
Katou's face was a mask of exasperation as she shook her head, as if giving up on "fixing" him.
To her jab, Samuel smirked, almost mockingly. "There's no such thing as a selfless hero. This dashing, gallant, insert eight hundred words of praise Justiciar must have motives and reasons."
"Tch, you're just jealous of his fame, idle Chief Officer. What reasons? Boredom?"
"…You're not wrong."
Indeed, the Justiciar was Samuel himself. Boredom was part of it, but he also protected his businesses and saved wayward girls, among other things.
"Alright, idle Chief Officer, don't try to copy him. You seem like you'd get along too well with street punks."
"…Fair point."
Katou was right again. Samuel had already struck deals with Skill-Out groups: behave, don't go overboard, and avoid a full crackdown.
"Anyway, idle Chief Officer, I'm off. Don't forget to sort out my stipend increase!"
Seeing Samuel "speechless" from her teasing, Katou felt a rare moment of victory, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Heh, that's not our department—it's finance. They won't backpay, but you'll get the increase next month."
Chatting with a charming girl was always pleasant, but pleasant times were fleeting. Samuel had business to attend to.
One day later, District 2, Judgment Headquarters.
Samuel and Shinomiya Kaguya were heading to the meeting room for an impromptu conference.
"Look, it's Chief Samuel and Deputy Chief Shinomiya…"
Judgment, alongside Anti-Skill, was a key part of Academy City's system, a student-led organization maintaining order, akin to auxiliary police.
Most Judgment officers were espers, many above Level 3. While they didn't carry regulated weapons, their combat strength rivaled Anti-Skill's.
They were an indispensable part of Academy City's structure, one of its key forces deterring external threats.
Naturally, their leaders were no ordinary people.
First, Shinomiya Kaguya. A year ago, she was appointed to Judgment, later elected deputy chief for her prowess.
She was widely known: the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya Group, with assets exceeding 200 trillion yen across industries, countless awards, and prodigious talents. A Level 4 esper, she was undeniably exceptional.
As for the Chief… well, he was less famous. Only branch leaders knew much about him.
Level 5—that alone sufficed. One of only eight in a city teeming with espers, and he was number one.
Other traits—upright, resolute, empathetic, shameless—were beside the point.
"Wow, they look perfect together!"
"Someone ask if they're dating!"
"Ugh, even approaching them feels bold—how could I ask that?"
Amid such chatter, the two entered the meeting room.
All branch leaders were present, seated neatly on both sides.
"Hm?"
Samuel glanced at the "Garden of Learning West Branch." Iino Miko and Konori Mii sat together, thankfully on chairs spacious enough to avoid a squeeze.
"Everyone! I'm here to discuss—no, to announce something!"
Samuel sat, his voice firm and commanding.
Judgment's council was a council in name, but when Samuel got serious, it was his word alone.
"We must prioritize and ensure the personal safety of our Judgment officers. For specifics… Miko, please share what happened yesterday."
Samuel had already briefed Iino Miko.
"Yes… um…"
But as Iino stood, words failed her. Samuel saw her hands trembling, sweat beading on her face.
…Nervous? Scared of all these eyes?
Samuel understood but didn't console her or switch speakers. Instead, he said, "Miko, think of Konori-senpai, Shirai, and Uiharu from yesterday. If you falter now, others might get hurt. You don't want that, do you?"
The other branch leaders said nothing, only smiling encouragingly at her.
"No need to be nervous. Please, go ahead."
Shinomiya Kaguya offered a gentle smile, soothing Iino's nerves.
"Phew…"
Iino scanned the room. Instead of the mocking stares she'd once known, she saw supportive, patient gazes. Gathering her courage, she began, "Here's what happened…"
***
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