...
The day after napping the afternoon away with Hoshino, I finished some paperwork I started earlier. Some of this pile was started a week ago.
Sighing, I resign myself to my fate of bringing this crap to the Sanctum Tower to give to Rin.
Stepping inside, I'm blasted by the cool air-conditioned air as I enter the Sanctum Tower's entrance hall. Thankfully, Rin was in the room, speaking to someone else, another girl. Clearly employed by the GSC, judging by her uniform.
The unknown girl has long, wavy blonde hair and green eyes with a blue crystal on her forehead. She wears a white and blue uniform dress which hugs her shapely frame quite well. The dress ends at her ankles, but splits near her knee on one side, allowing movement. Over her dress is a similarly colored 'jacket' which covers her arms and upper back. She has on white gloves and high heels and has black wings protruding from her lower back. Her halo is comprised of two, golden rings which are split in two. Each halo has a sort of 'star trail' on it, making it look like the half-circles are chasing one another endlessly.
Rin's blue eyes move to the side as I approach. Does she have good hearing, or spatial awareness? "Ah, Sensei. What brings you here?" She asks.
"This." I say, lifting the stack of papers a bit to point them out.
"Ugh, another stack." The tired stand-in president groans. "Well, at least they're done. Ayumu, could you?"
The blonde girl, Ayumu, has been staring at me since our conversation began, but seems to snap out of it with Rin addressing her. "O-On it, Ma'am!" She says with an airy voice.
Ayumu then, with surprising ease, takes the large stack of papers from me, the stack shifting a bit from her large chest. "We haven't met before, have we, Sensei?" She asks.
"I don't think we have. Joshua Birkin, Sensei of Schale." I introduce with a smile.
"I'm Iwabitsu Ayumu, Madam Rin's assistant and the director of the Arbitration Office." She introduces.
"You do both of that? And I thought I was busy." I joke. Thankfully, it lands as Ayumu giggles softly.
Rin clears her throat, causing the blonde to freeze. "Ayumu, please deliver these to my office."
"Yes, ma'am!" Ayumu dutifully says, leaving the room.
"Though it was unnecessary, thank you for bringing these all this way, Sensei." Rin adds, a small smile gracing her features.
"Eh, no problem. I haven't been by here in a while, anyway." I shrug, before pausing, noticing the bags under her blue eyes. "Been pullin' all-nighters?"
Rin merely sighs. "Unfortunately."
"Even if you're getting busy, you need to pace yourself, Rin." I say, a tone of finality to my words.
"I am aware of that, Sensei." She retorts, adjusting her glasses, the light reflecting off them to give her a menacing look. "But my duties take precedence."
"No, your health takes precedence. There aren't many people who could do your job if ya get sick." I say, seriously, before cracking a smile. "Besides, those eye bags are killin' ya, Rinny."
Rin freezes at my address of her. For a moment, I think she's pissed, but anger doesn't appear on her face, just a strange, nostalgic look, before it disappears as she lets out yet another sigh. "...Very well. I suppose it would be awful if I set a bad example for my peers. I'll take it a bit easier, Sensei."
"That's all I ask." I smile, happy she ain't gonna work herself to the bone as much. "Well, good luck with all that stuff, Rin."
"You as well, Sensei." She says, as we part ways.
As I go to leave the building, my phone dings as I get a text. Oh, from Cherino?
You should be happy, Comrade.
To commend a fellow comrade's efforts, the Red Winter Federal Academy has decided to award you the Special Student Friendship Medal!
Didn't you get that medal during the Ivan Kupala Festival?
What are you talking about? Last time it was the Special Student Cordiality Medal.
The names of these medals are so confusing...
Sounds like it. How many are there, anyway?
The Red Winter Federal Academy has a total of 247 different medals to award students who contribute greatly to the advancement of our academy.
Oh, how many have you got?
What a foolish question, Comrade!
I've been awarded al 247 medals!
I should've seen that one coming.
Indeed. Now come by Red Winter today for your medal!
All right, all right. I'll be there.
But, just as I went to pocket my phone, another text came. This one from Shigure.
Sensei.
I heard you're visiting Red Winter soon, is that true?
Eh? Did Cherino tell everyone about that medal?
Maybe.
But yeah, I'm coming by that way later, why?
No reason. I just thought it'd be nice to see you again.
Fufu~
If you have time, I'd be happy if you stop by classroom No.227.
I'll squeeze in some time.
Dammit, Cherino. She really likes to talk, huh? I wouldn't be surprised if the Abydos girls, on the other side of the city, found out about the medal before I did.
I guess I oughta grab my big coat and stuff...
—————
The Red Winter district is cold.
This is nothing new, but most of the city is temperate, save for here and Abydos' desert, so it's a bit odd. Though, not so bad every now and again.
As I enter the Great Cherino's office, I find her at her desk, muttering to herself with an annoyed expression. "Hmm... No matter how much I think about it, I can't come up with a good name. A slightly more honorable and noble name... Something that suits me..."
"Knock knock." I say, catching her attention.
The mustached loli looks up at me, before her eyes brighten. "Oh, you're here, Comrade! I've been waiting for you!' She happily says, getting up from her desk to greet me. "I summoned you because I have an important task that I need your wisdom for."
"I thought it was so I could be given the medal." I point out.
"Ah? Oh, right." She says, like it's an afterthought. Reaching into one of her desk's drawers, she tosses me a small, golden medal with great speed. I catch it, easily, with one hand. "The Red Winter Federal Academy awards you this medal, and so-on and so-forth." She says, moving her hand in a circle, clearly uncaring about the medal. "Now onto my more important problem."
I have to suppress a chuckle at her.
"As you know, I've been working tirelessly on the development of the Red Winter academy over the past few months." Cherino explains, proudly. "I ate pudding all day to control the quality of the food service facility, took a nap to preserve my stamina before inspecting the school, disposed of a cursed chain letter, and... and..." She pauses, struggling to think of something else that she's done recently. "Anyway! I'm very tired from doing so much. I deserve to be rewarded!"
"Lemme guess, you're gonna give yourself a medal?" I say.
"Correct!" She declares. "I decided to bestow upon myself the most prestigious medal of the Red Winter Academy. Unlike sweets, such a pudding, medals don't disappear. They're recorded in the history books as soon as they're awarded, forever changing the Red Winter Academy. This is the perfect prize for me, considering I worked so hard for such a long time! There's one problem, though... I've already received all the medals that the Red Winter Academy has to offer, so there are no new medals left to receive!"
"...Aren't you the Student Council President?" I ask. "Can't you just make a new medal?"
"I guess so." Cherino admits. "But I can't think of a new name for a good medal... Comrade, can you think of a name that is honorable, noble, elegant, and best describes my achievements?"
Lazy, idle, slothful, negligent, slow, lackadaisical, do-nothing, otiose, bratty.
"Think of a cool word that makes sense to go in front of the medal name." She reiterates.
"...Ultra." I say, thinking of the first 'amazing' adjective that comes to mind.
"Oh, what a wonderful word!" Cherino chirps, moving back to her desk and wiriting it down. "I'm sure it'll help us create a cool medal name! Another word, give me another word!"
"Super." I suggest, mentally shrugging off any concerns. "It'll give another word a stronger impression if it's in front of it."
"Really? Good, I'll take that too!" She says, before scribbling furiously. "And... and..."
Turns out, she didn't really need my help at all. She finished the new medal's name after a short while.
"All right! I've made my decision!" The military loli declares. "The name of the Red Winter's new highest medal of honor is...!" She prepares to read it off. "The Super Hyper Ultra Mega Valorous Effort Medal of Honor!"
Geez, I should've just got her to name it after the Super Nenechi copypasta.
"The students will be blown away just hearing the name of this medal, don't you think?" Cherino asks, giggling happily.
A thought occurs, and a devilish one at that.
"Maybe I should get a medal for helpin' come up with such a great name." I suggest.
"Uh..." Suddenly, she looks very nervous. "But the Super Hyper Ultra Mega Valorous Effort Medal of Honor is the most honorable medal the Red Winter Academy has to offer, so it can't just be given to anyone..."
"It doesn't have to be the best medal, y'know?" I point out, only jesting about this all, really.
"Oh, well. Comrade, it may not be the highest honor, but I will award you something befitting of your efforts: The Hyper Ultra Mega Valorous Effort Medal of Honor. You should be honored, Comrade!" She says, proud.
She just nicked 'Super' from the name... I have to hold my laugh back from that one too.
Afterwards, we spent a while coming up with medal designs. It was kinda fun, all things considered.
—————
After finishing my 'work', I made way for the Spec. Ops No.227 building. It's quite a trek, but nothing for me to be worried about.
As I entered the decrepit building, I found Shigure there, standing around. The mint haired girl perks up upon noticing me. "Ah, Sensei! You came!"
"I said I would." I say, closing the door behind me. It's still quite cold in here, but nowhere near as bad as outside.
"Admittedly, even though I asked you to come, I didn't think you'd actually show up. I'm a bit surprised." Shigure says. "Unfortunately for her, Nodoka isn't here today."
"She lookin' forward to seeing me again?" I ask, getting a nod from the girl. "Geez, she knows she can come by Schale anytime, right?"
Shigure just giggles at my words.
"So, what were you up to?" I ask.
"Well, I had just gotten back from getting firewood." She explains.
"Cherino still hasn't let y'all back?" I groan.
"Unfortunately, no." She explains, her ears and tail drooping. "We even get Minori to write us a letter, pleading for us to get back, but we never got a response."
"When did y'all send it?" I ask.
"A few days after the Ivan Kupala." She says.
"I swear, I'm gonna pinch the fuck outta her cheeks when I see her again." I growl, eliciting another giggle from the mint haired girl. "I mean, despite all the living problems, it's gotta be pretty boring here, yeah?"
"Well, I'd be lying if I said no... but at least Sensei is here now, right?" She says, causing me to blink.
"That's a sweet thing to say, Shigure." I praise.
"Well, all jokes aside, I'm sorry I don't have anything to welcome you with." Shigure says.
"Bah, you don't need to do that." I say, understanding their dire straits out here.
"Then, how about a drink? I'm sure you're thirsty." She offers.
I merely sigh, but smile. "If you insist."
Shigure then pulls out a clear flask from her back. Reluctantly, I take it and take a sip of the beverage, feeling it's cool-
"...Shigure." I say, lowering the bottle, having swallowed some of the beverage.
"Yes, Sensei?" She asks, innocently, albeit a tad surprised. That's likely due to me not reacting violently to the tough drink on my throat.
"Why have you given me vodka...?" I ask slowly, my eyes narrow. Water doesn't burn the throat like this.
"Well, y'know... They say the etymology behind vodka originates from water right?" She asks, my stare making her a tad nervous. "Plus, Sensei can drink no problem, right?"
"I hate alcohol, it brings back bad memories." I seethe. "And why do you have this, anyway? Can't you just give me some water?"
"Well, right now all the electricity's been cut off. So, the fridge isn't running." She explains. "All of my drinks are frozen solid. Most liquids are out of the question, but a certain 'highly alcoholic drink' was just fine."
"So just boil some snow and make water." I point out, deadpan.
"Oh, come on, it's not so bad." Shigure argues. "It can quench thirst, raise your body temperature in the cold, and even disinfect wounds. It's an all-purpose drink that can even be used to fuel a fire in emergencies."
"Fair points, except the warming thing. It just makes your skin warm by taking heat from your far more vital parts, like your organs." I point out.
"Ah. Well, anyway, all this talk is making me thirsty. You can't eat ice here, or you'll get cold burns, so that leaves..." She says, reaching for the flask.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah." I say, pulling the flask away from her.
"Oh, come on, Sensei. One sip can't hurt." Shigure whines, before moving closer to me with a pleading expression. "Come on~"
"You can use this for fires and disinfectants and such, but if I catch ya drinking this, I'm throwing it out. Got it?" I ask, leaving no room for argument. "Just use this to light a fire and melt snow to drink."
The mint haired girl pouts, but ultimately relents. "...Fine, fine."
Afterwards, the two of us sat around a small fire, fueled by the vodka, and had an enjoyable time talking for a while.
—————
Regrettably, since Red Winter is so far away, it was nighttime when I got back, leaving me with nothing to do but make some dinner for Arona and I.
The next morning, while checking the inventory in Schale, I got a text from Hibiki.
I was asked to create a fireworks machine.
If it's okay with you, can you come to Millennium and help me out?
I'm not sure how much help I'll be...
But sure, I'd be glad to help.
Thanks, Sensei.
I'll swing by after I finish doing this inventory stuff.
Fireworks, eh? Wonder if Hyakkiyako got them to do this. They're always having festivals and stuff.
Though, before I could get to work, Nodoka texted me.
Are you going to stay at Schale today, Sensei?
I've got plans later, but I'll be here for a while. Need something?
No, nothing.
I just felt like asking. Hehe.
Okay?
Well, that was...
I suddenly freeze, feeling someone watching me.
Goddammit, Nodoka. I'll deal with her after I finish this crap.
—————
After finishing the inventory, I snuck out from Schale and made my way to a nearby rooftop.
That Nodoka... She just had to watch me do all that, huh? I hate that feeling of being watched. Those five years on the run certainly didn't help, either. My 'sensing' skills have only gotten better and better.
Which made doing the inventory all the harder.
Sure enough, there Nodoka is, her heavier clothes to the side, as she stares through her big telescope right at Schale.
Specifically, right at my office.
"Did Sensei go to the restroom?" She asks, sounding annoyed.
I walk up to her silently.
"Who are you looking for?" I ask, nonchalant.
"I'm looking for Sensei. He must have..." She pauses, before looking at me.
"Yo." I greet.
"S-Sensei?!" She shrieks, taking a fearful step back. "Wh-When did you get here?! You were in Schale just a minute ago..."
"I am very fast." I say simply. "Plus I had the nagging feeling I was being watched."
"B-But how could you tell? This roof is half a kilometer away from Schale." She asks.
"I have a sixth sense for this kinda stuff." I shrug. "Besides, your text kinda tipped me off."
"Ugh, if I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have sent that..." Nodoka groans.
"Anyway, why were you watching me, anyway?" I ask, curious about her motivations for this. It ain't the first time I've had a stalker, but she's certainly the first one I've had that was reasonably sane.
"Uh, so... I wasn't watching you through the telescope, per se..." She stutters, attempting to give an excuse. "But I can't help it. I need my daily dose of Sensei to be motivated! This is all because it's so hard to see you, Sensei!"
"For fuck's sake, Nodoka. Just video call me." I groan.
"E-Eh?" The blonde stutters, her brain rebooting. "Th-Thank you, but... I'd rather not do that. Your face shines brighter when I'm spying through a telescope than when I'm looking straight at you!" She declares, causing my brain to start rebooting. "I love watching you from afar as you go about your day..." She sighs, a dreamy expression on her face, before she catches herself.
"Ah! That was kind of messed up... F-Forget what you just heard!" Nodoka shouts, quickly grabbing her clothes and telescope and running away.
I can only stare, dumbfounded as she disappears down the stairs.
...What the fuck?
—————
Ignoring that, I proceeded to run over to Millennium, my work done.
BOOOOOOM
Getting closer to the Engineering Club room, I'm stopped by the sound of an explosion within. Quickly, I race inside to find the room filled with smoke.
Hibiki muses to herself from within the fumes. "Maybe I used too much gunpowder? I never claimed to be an expert in chemistry."
I race towards the dog girl. "Hibiki!"
"Huh? Sensei?" She asks, a tad surprised by my entrance.
"Are you okay?" I ask, looking all around her. She doesn't appear hurt, these Kivotos girls are tough, after all.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine..." Hibiki says, her eyes wide and face a bit red. The smoke begins to dissipate.
"Thank goodness. You had me worried there." I say, relieved.
"I-It was no big deal, Sensei." She says, a bit embarrassed. "This is what I texted you about." She says, pointing at the contraption, broken and burned. "I'm putting together a fireworks machine! Hyakkiyako is famous for its fireworks shows and Millennium is lending a hand with the night festival's prep."
"I figured it was for Hyakkiyako." I muse.
"This is where my work comes in. I'm making a machine that will make the fireworks show one to remember. The explosion was... just a little setback. I asked you to come over because there's something I wanted to show you."
"Oh?" I ask, intrigued.
"I'm working on something that can create fireworks with pure science and technology, rather than old-fashioned chemistry. Or rather, upgrading it." She says, cryptically.
"Hang on, didn't that festival I ended up going to have hologram fireworks? Was that y'all who made it?" I ask.
"Y-Yes, that was us." Hibiki says, a bit surprised. "I didn't know you attended that one."
"I was there on work." I shrug. "Still, y'all did an amazing job on that." I compliment, causing her face to redden.
"Th-Thank you." She says, her face red. "A-Anyway, this iteration will be much better than the last. It should be able to fire off more 'fireworks' for less power."
"Meaning bigger and longer shows." I surmise.
"Exactly." The dog girl says, nodding. "Though I DO have more. I didn't put as many hours into this one as I did the hologram projector-" She says, pointing at what looks like a small, yellow bomb. "-, but it emits light, has colored smoke, and has a really nice grand finale explosion built in. It's the closest solution I have to the real thing." She says, proud.
"Impressive. Though, it DOES look at tad dangerous." I observe.
"Well, it did once burn down a crime syndicate's hideout." She admits, averting her gaze. People were yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs when that happened... That's kind of like a fireworks show, right?"
"If you're trying to ease my worries, it ain't working." I say, deadpan.
"Well... I guess I could always recreate the explosion I set off earlier and count that as fireworks, but that would be way to easy to do! Where's the fun in that?" She asks, making me realize her intent.
These girls are always trying something new, huh? It's pretty admirable.
Hibiki just sighs. "I just wanted to impress you with something cool."
"You kidding?" I ask, a bit stunned. "Everything I've seen the Engineering Club make has been nothing but cool."
"Wha?!" She shrieks, taken aback a bit.
"I mean, honestly, when I first got here you girls had a railgun. A RAILGUN!" I point out. "That was one hell of a first impression, and y'all haven't let me down since. Hell, dangerous as it is, even this little thing is pretty cool." I say, pointing at the yellow bomb thing.
Hibiki is stunned to silence, her blue-grey eyes wide and face red. Funnily enough, her tail began to wag.
Oh, that is just precious.
After a moment, she lets out a happy giggle. "Thanks."
Hibiki and I spoke at length about this and that for the rest of the morning.
—————
After stopping to get some lunch in Millennium, Shizuko texted me just as I had finished my food.
Sensei...
I... I...
I can't stand it anymore...
The hell are you talking about?
Hey, you can't talk to the mascot of Momoyodou like that!
You're the one that started saying that stuff.
Geez...
Want to start over?
Ugh... Fine.
As president of the Festival Operations Department, I would like to make a request!
Please help us come prepare for the upcoming festival!
Dare I ask what you meant by 'I can't stand it anymore'?
End of conversation! It's too embarrassing! Let's talk about something else when you get here!
What the heck goes through her head? I swear, sometimes women are a goddamn mystery to me.
Getting the check and paying for the meal, I begin to make my way over to Hyakkiyako.
—————
Strangely, I found a massive crowd gathered around where Shizuko and I agreed to meet.
"Wow! Take a photo with me, Shizuko!" A student asks. Goddammit...
"Me too! Me too! Can I get a picture too?" Another girl asks.
A nasally voice sounds out from the crowds center, giggling. "I would love to!"
The tiny 'idol' moves back and forth, taking pictures and such with people.
"Popular even outside Momoyodou, huh?" I muse, crossing my arms and smiling.
Seems I was loud enough, as Shizuko seems to hear me. "Sensei! Over here!"
The other students take notice of me. "Holy crap, it's Sensei!" "Wow, it really is!" "He's so hot!"
...Goddamn teenagers. I say that, but I don't hide my smile as I shake my head at the many girls' antics.
"Um, there's something I have to go take care of. Excuse me!" Shizuko declares, escaping the crowd quickly and running over to me.
"Aw..." One student whines. "Maybe next time..."
"Impressive work there, Miss Idol." I joke. "I figured you were popular, but damn."
"I've been waiting for you, Sensei!" The idol says with a smile, before turning around to make sure the crowd's left. After seeing everyone's gone, she whirls around and closes in on me, standing on her tip toes to pinch my cheek.
"Ah! The hekk?" I exclaim, Shizuko tugging on my cheek and pulling my head down so she isn't on tiptoes anymore.
"Sensei..." Shizuko growls. "Don't say stuff like that!"
"Like hwhat?" I ask.
"Geez." She complains, letting me go. "Anyway, you're ten minutes late."
"I was in Millennium when you texted me." I point out, rubbing my cheeks. This district is pretty far from there. "Plus, it seemed like you were preoccupied anyway."
Shizuko merely huffs and crosses her arms.
"I thought you were busy planning for the festival, though." I point out.
"Heh heh heh." Shizuko laughs, slowly and smugly, reminding me of a certain war-criminal rabbit, especially since they both have nasally voices. "Sensei, do you know who I am?"
"Momoyodou's star scatterbrain?" I ask with a smirk, remembering the last time we met.
"No! The stuff for Momoyodou is just an act!" She defends, suddenly looking very worried. "I do that job so I can make money for club activities."
"Wait, really? I suppose not all the festivals would be funded by the district itself like the Cherry Blossom one a while back..." I muse.
"There's more to me, you know?" She asks, indignant. "Anyway, I called you here today because I have a request from the Festival Operations Department. There will be a small festival held at Hyakkiyako's twenty-third shopping district this weekend."
"Right, Hibiki mentioned that. She was workin' on the fireworks for it when I saw her earlier." I point out.
"Good, then I don't have to explain as much." Shizuko says, content. "The shopping district sent over an official request asking the Festival Operations Department to manage the festival. As you know, Hyakkiyako is an academy district that specializes in tourism, similarly to Shanhaijing. And the most important tourist attractions here are the festivals."
"I knew all that." I point out. "Still, you asked for my help again, so tell me what you need."
"Thanks, Sensei." She says, flashing me an elegant smile.
—————
Thus, I followed Shizuko around, helping her with various things.
"Hello!" The brown haired idol greets a robotic man in a mall.
"Yes? How can I help you?" The man asks.
"We'll be holding a festival at the twenty-third shopping district." She explains. "I'd like to borrow some equipment for it."
Shizuko then goes full business mode and begins chatting with the man about what they need and various other specifications.
"Sure. We'll deliver the equipment based on your requirements." The man agrees.
"Thanks for choosing us." Shizuko says in a sing-song voice. The man bows slightly and walks away.
"That was quick." I observe, impressed.
"That was nothing! I'm the president, after all." The idol says, smugly.
"Okay, where to next?" I ask.
"Well, now that we've rented the performance equipment, all we need is a group to use it." She explains.
"Lemme guess, you know just the one?" I ask, to which Shizuko merely responds with a nod as we walk to our next destination.
—————
The two of us end up meeting with a small dog man this time.
"Pardon me!" Shizuko greets him.
"Is there something I can help you with?" He asks.
"We need a band to perform at Hyakkiyako's twenty-third shipping district." She explains, handing him some papers. "Here is the schedule and other conditions."
He takes the paper, but reluctantly says, "Hmm, but we'll need a bit more than that..."
"Then how about something like this?" She asks. "You can record at the festival and stream it online. As for the revenue from selling the festival version of the song..." She continues, handing him another paper. "I can guarantee a sales channel through this. The same goes for the contracts of any future concerts."
"I-In that case, we can sign right away!" The dog man chirps, ecstatic.
"Thank you!" Shizuko chirps.
Soon, they finish up and the man leaves.
"Damn, you're good at this." I praise the idol.
"I told you, I'm the president." She preens.
—————
I followed Shizuko with her as she completed errand after errand for the festival at record speed. She quickly set up contracts for street stalls to be set up for said festival, traffic control consultations for the day of, planning impromptu events linked to nearby shops in relation to the festival, and so on, and so forth. Shizuko alone took care of literally everything about the festival's set up without breaking a sweat.
"Okay! I think that about wraps things up!" The idol of Momoyodou cheers late in the afternoon, the world slowly being bathed in an orange hue from the setting sun. "It went pretty well, don't you think?"
" 'Well' is a goddamn understatement, Shizuko. That was perfect." I praise, eliciting a faint blush from Shizuko. "Though, there certainly was a lot to do."
"This is just for a small festival." She brags. "What took me an afternoon today took me, and the rest of the Festival Operations Department a full week for the Cherry Blossom Festival."
I blink, wide eyed at the nugget of info. "Huh."
"Quite a lot goes into making these festivals happen." She explains. "It takes the dedication of a lot of people, not to mention funds. Working at Momoyodou every day is just one way I raise money for festivals. It's a lot of work."
I smile and nod, praising the girl. "I'm mighty proud you, doin' all this work."
"Well, I don't see it as work that much." She shrugs, her face a bit red. "Even if it does keep me a little too busy. It's fun working at Momoyodou. The customers love me, and I like all of my co-workers. Better yet, when the festival finally begins, and I see the guests' faces light up, all of the work I went through becomes worth it." She beams, smiling happily. "Besides, you were with me today. I'm really happy that I was able to show you this side of me. So, what did you think?" She asks, getting closer to me. "You got to see the Festival Operations Department president do what she does best!"
"I think you're damn good at what you do." I praise, patting the short girl's head.
"That's all I needed to hear!" She chirps, giggling.
—————
Soon after, we parted ways as the sun set. Back home, I got a text from Hibiki.
Thanks for coming by today, Sensei.
I feel so excited... whenever I'm with you.
How was your day, Sensei?
It's been kinda like all the days in Kivotos. A bid odd, a bit dangerous, but all fun.
I'm happy to hear that.
I'll show you something even more amazing next time. Just watch.
She's so sweet.
Soon after, I get a text from Cherino.
Look here, Comrade!
This is the newest medal, designed by yours truly.
With the text, she sent a picture of a medal, somewhat crudely drawn.
Hehehe! Isn't it the most incredible design you've ever seen?
Impressive, Cherino. Impressive.
Hehehe! I might just be a genius designer.
Oh right, while I'm here.
You didn't forget to let the Spec Ops girl back in the school, did you?
...
W-Well...
Cherino...
Oh, fine! Fine! I'll allow the Spec. Ops No.339 back into the school!
No.227.
Yes, that!
The Great Cherino always fulfills her promises!
Even if she forgot about them...
Well, you're owning up to your mistake. That's something to take pride in. More pride than any medal could give.
Heh, thanks for that, Comrade.
I stifle a chuckle, happy to see I got through to her, even if only a little.
Unfortunately, those girls would never make it back to the school. Not because of Cherino, or them getting hurt or anything, but because of the actions of who I would know as the stupidest gaggle of girls in all of Kivotos.
Gehenna's Hot Springs Development Department.
—————
AN
Next time, it's event time! Which event? You'll just have to see~!
Though, you can probably guess already.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next!