P-01s began dusting outside the entrance of the shop "Blue Thunder", when a figure suddenly fainted nearby. The automaton turned to see the face of the fallen student before setting the broom against the wall and heading inside.
"Excuse me master, it looks like Masazumi Honda-sama is dying of hunger…"
"Thank you for the food…"
The owner of the shop came to Masazumi with a glass of water while sighing.
"Geez, starving yourself to death isn't funny you know. You should probably get a better part-time job to feed yourself."
She chugged the water into her throat before replying.
"Sorry about this."
"It's fine, you're welcome to come over anytime…"
The owner took away the plates and started walking towards the storage room.
"So, do you have any work for the Student Council today?"
"Yes, as Vice President, I need to accompany President Sakai to Mikawa's checkpoint." The student's face turned slightly sad. "But before that, I'd like to go see my mother's grave…"
"I see…"
The owner returned with a couple small sacks of food and sat down across Masazumi.
"Speaking of the student council, didn't you want to run for President instead?"
"Well, I thought it would've been better if Aoi went ahead and took the position. I've only been here for about a year since we moved from Mikawa, so I thought he would be more understanding towards everyone since he was born here."
The owner smiled. "But he's always been an idiot."
"Even so…"
A lunch sack was handed over to Masazumi. "Take this; I used to give these to the kids back when they would come by every day after class."
"Huh? Everyone?"
"Yes, although Tori wouldn't come for almost a decade, until last year. It was around the same time I picked up that automaton with a citizen ID." She pointed to P-01s who continued sweeping the entrance. "To be honest, I think he's in love…"
"He's in love with that automaton?! Doesn't he know there are limits…."
"Don't you hate Tori? Why would you care about his interests?"
"Well, it's not that I hate him…"
"Then are you in love?"
The usually calm vice president's face turned slightly pink from the sudden question.
"N-No! Of course not! I'm not interested in that kind of thing anymore!"
The owner gave an interested look. "Oh, so you used to?"
The student blushed at the reply. "W-Well, I used to date someone, but i-it didn't really work out." Out of embarrassment, the subject was quickly changed. "Uh, w-what's that other sack for?"
"Hm? Oh this one. Well, someone else also seemed interested in that automaton..."
Before she could finish, another student came from the back room while taking off a pair of gloves.
"Ok, I've finished setting everything in the storage room….Masazumi?"
The vice-president was slightly shocked. "Shirokage? " She shook her head with a disappointed look. "I thought you were better than this…"
Tsukasa gave a confused look. "What are you talking about? Is it a problem that I work here?"
"Oh! I thought….um….n-nevermind…"
He sighed before setting the gloves on the counter and walked over towards a seat next to the window to rest.
"He's been coming by every day before, but recently he has been asking for a part-time job here, so I went ahead and hired him. He's been staring at her every once in a while, but I'm pretty sure he's not attracted to her in anyway."
"Is there something strange about P-01s?" the politician-in-training thought while watching.
"Anyways, if you want to get closer to everyone else in class, you should probably go through Remorse Way. You might find the truth that's been hidden from you."
"Remorse Way…"
The two stood up before heading out the door.
"Oh, Shirokage, can you tell everyone that I'm sorry about missing class today?"
Tsukasa lazily raised his hand without turning his head. "Judge…"
As she left, Masazumi began thinking about what she just heard.
"You might find the truth that's been hidden from you…"
"But the truth to what exactly?"