"We'll be working outside today."
The head custodian said it the same way someone might comment on the weather.
Casual.
Inevitable.
"What!?"
"Why!?"
"The academy is already huge! We spend all day cleaning and never finish, and there aren't even that many of us!"
"That's the spirit."
The chief cut them off without raising his voice.
"Our job is to clean."
He paused.
"Not to clean everything in twenty-four hours."
"When you understand that..."
"The work becomes much lighter."
Haru smiled faintly.
He'd figured that out days ago.
Clean one area.
Rest.
Continue.
The secret wasn't speed.
It was rhythm.
"Anyway," the chief continued, "it's not exactly cleaning."
"We're buying materials."
"Buying materials!?"
"A veteran blew up a corridor yesterday."
His gaze drifted toward Haru.
The expression of a man who knew exactly who had blown up that corridor.
"Technically, repairs should fall under whatever department that veteran belongs to."
He shrugged.
