Blue Archive is a mobile RPG gacha game developed by NAT Games and published by Yostar. It is currently only available in Japanese so I had to rely on machine translations and whatever info I could gather online to make sense of lore and characters. Special thanks to the people in the unofficial Blue Archive discord for being the source as well as providing useful links to most of my information (even tho I just lurk there like 99% of the time lol)
Wallet? Check.
SCHALE Identification Card? Check.
Documents and grants to be submitted to the Millennium Seminar? Check.
Water and snacks? Check.
Beretta 92 handgun? Check.
Everything seems to be in order and the bag is now organized. Sensei prepares himself for departure.
"Sensei, are you sure that's everything packed in there?" A feminine voice echoed from behind.
Turning around, Sensei saw the figure of a young, light-blue haired girl clad in a blue and white sailor uniform emanating from a tablet. Sporting a look of disappointment, she gestured for Sensei to look around the office.
"You might want to double-check your things, Sensei," the girl requested.
Sensei gave the office a quick look-around before proceeding to open his bag to check the contents again. There's the wallet, ID card, documents, water and snacks, and the handgun. Upon inspection, he noticed that the handgun feels a bit lighter. Upon pressing the magazine release, an empty magazine dropped out.
"Ah, thanks for that, Arona."
Sensei walked over to his ammo case and replaced the empty magazine with a loaded one. Now, he's prepared to go to—
"Nooooo! That's not it Sensei! I mean, that too but there's something else as well!" The girl from the tablet, now known as Arona, suddenly shouted.
Startled by her sudden outburst, Sensei decided to look around a bit more seriously, unsure of what exactly had he forgotten. His gaze eventually landed on the papers on his desk. More specifically, the object buried underneath those papers.
"My phone!"
It would have been bad if he left his phone right now especially since there will be a period of nothing to do in between meetings and it would be the perfect time to farm for the new event in Pero—
"Sensei!" an unamused Arona interjected. "Maybe you should read your messages in Momo again." She hinted to Sensei.
Taking her hint, Sensei opened his phone and went into Momotalk. Among his recent conversations, one, in particular, stood out. That conversation being with a certain Yuuka Hayase.
-Sensei, since you were late three consecutive times before, I expect that you'll buy me some pastries from the newly-opened café on your next visit to Millennium as punishment.
-Of course, I expect that you will not be late again on the next visit.
-Also, I will not do your accounting of expenses. Please learn to be more responsible.
Sensei face-palmed himself for forgetting this out of all things. Fortunately, he already bought pastries and sweets from there yesterday and stored them in the refrigerator. He quickly took them and packed them in his bag. With everything now ready, this time for real, Sensei walked towards the exit.
"I'll be going now." He waved to Arona as he walked away.
Arona merely waved back as she saw him off, waiting for his return.
Sensei now stood in front of the gate of the Millennium Science School. He barely managed to reach the subway train in time so he heaved a sigh of relief knowing he is not late this time. Looking at his phone, he has about ten minutes until classes will be on break. The Seminar will be meeting with him at that time. Normally, no students can be seen around the gate at this time. Classes are still in session after all. However, a lone student can be seen on the pathway, sitting on the pavement. With the spray paints attached to her bag and the distinctive hair buns, anyone who has met Maki before could recognize her at a glance. She noticed Sensei looking at her and gave him a wave.
"Sensei! Hehehe… I kinda got late so I have to wait until the next period before I can go to class." She gave a rather sheepish reply.
"Why were you late though?"
"Ah, here's the thing, Sensei," she suddenly stood up and faced him, "I took a different path today for a change when I came across this sad, pitiful wall that looked like it was neglected for a long time. It was so plain and dull and I can't just accept that so the next thing I knew, I was beautifying the wall."
She pointed towards somewhere, probably the wall she mentioned. "You should have seen how beautiful it is now, Sensei! I'm pretty proud of myself for making that place a more colorful and happier place even if only a little at a time." Her eyes dazzled as she narrated her story.
As much as Sensei couldn't help but smile at her bright expression, there's still something he needed to ask.
"Is that why you're late today?"
Her expression turned into a frown, "It's not my fault! A police robot saw me as I was just finishing up and I had to run and get away from it. Stupid police and their laws. What's wrong with beautifying a place?" She said while pouting and kicking nothing in particular.
A part of Sensei wanted to scold Maki. She may end up being quite the troublemaker if left unchecked. Still, he understands her passion and he doesn't want to take it away from her.
"The thing is…"
At Sensei's tone, Maki looked up towards him.
"Those are still the property of other people. They wouldn't want their property to be disturbed without permission."
"I know… I'm sorry, Sensei. I don't want you to get angry." Maki apologized as she looked down towards the ground with a sad expression.
"So…"
Sensei pulled out his phone. He browsed for something in it before tapping Maki on her shoulder, getting her attention.
"Here, take a look at this."
Confused yet curious, Maki accepted his phone and looked at the screen. Seeing what is shown on the screen, Maki's eyes suddenly brightened from her previously somber expression.
-Neighborhood Beautification Project for the local preschool. Looking for volunteers and passionate artists! Come join us during the following dates:
"Sensei!" Maki exclaimed with surprise. "This is…"
"That's why…"
Sensei gently placed his hand on her head and gave it a light ruffle.
"If you want to beautify the world, doing it with others and for others is the best way for you."
He gave her hair a bit more of her ruffle before pulling away his hand all the while watching her reaction. Her attention alternating between the phone and his face. She eventually settled on his face, flashing Sensei a bright smile.
"Yeah, you're right. Thank you, Sensei," she said as she gave Sensei a hug. Sensei didn't mind the hug as he gave her another headpat as she's clinging onto him.
"Sensei? Maki?" a voice sounded from behind Sensei.
Maki immediately pulled herself away from Sensei then Sensei and Maki looked towards the speaker.
"Ah, Hare?"
"Yes, Sensei? What are you two doing?" Hare, sporting her usual black hoodie and white Millennium jacket, questioned Sensei.
"Ah, Sensei was showing me something that I could do in the future. I was just thanking him for it," Maki replied in his stead, pointing at his phone, still in her hand. "Ah, here's your phone back, Sensei. Thank you again" She said as she handed his phone back.
As Sensei received his phone back, he noticed that there are now other students out and about, a few of whom are looking in their direction. Probably because of his interaction with Maki earlier. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind.
"Hare"
"What is it, Sensei? If you're asking if someone took a picture or recording of your moment with Maki, don't worry. Even if no one did, the security camera over there definitely did." She gave a nonchalant reply as she points to a rather discrete security camera.
"No, not that. Is it already your break time?"
"Yes."
Sensei stood frozen for a second, now realizing that he is still outside and nowhere near the Seminar room where Yuuka should be waiting now.
"Oh no! Sorry, got to go! Don't forget about what I showed you, Maki!"
Maki cheerfully bid Sensei farewell while Hare merely waved in Sensei's direction.
Needless to say, Sensei arrived at the meeting room three minutes later than the appointed time. A disappointed Yuuka was waiting by the doorway who then immediately berated Sensei for his tardiness. At least he remembered to give her the pastries afterward.