While Sensei and the rest were trying to calm a berserk Otogi, Niko finally returned to her senses.

"It seems I still have a lot to learn," she said with a smile before she noticed the ruckus that Otogi was doing. "Ah, she also ate Sensei's food, didn't she?"

"Niko, you're finally back!" Even Yukino was taken aback by how her squadmate was acting after eating Sensei's food, which got so bad that the entirety of RABBIT Squad, even Moe, was helping, so she asked what was in it.

"Hmmm? Just normal ingredients," Niko replied.

"Normal ingredients caused Otogi to go crazy?" Yukino was puzzled.

"Remember what happened when Otogi ate my inarizushi for the first time?"

"Ah." Yukino giggled as she remembered that time. "So Sensei's lunch is as good as your inarizushi huh?"

"Even better than mine, if I were to be honest. I had been feeling that my cooking had plateaued for a while now, but his food also gave me some inspiration on how to further improve my cooking and not just inarizushi. I would really like to talk to Sensei about cooking sometime in the future," Niko said with a smile as she looked at Sensei, who was trying to calm Otogi down by feeding her more of his lunch.

But her smile eventually faltered. "About our meeting with Director Kaya later…"

"Niko, be honest," Yukino looked at Niko straight in the eyes. "What do you think of it?"

"This is surprising…For you to ask me like this," Niko said. "But if you're giving me permission to speak in as plain words as possible, then I have to say that I don't like it. What Director Kaya is asking of us is just unacceptable. With that said, Kurumi, and Otogi, and I are willing to follow you even to hell if that's what you order us to do. Both as your squadmates and as your friends."

"I see…" Yukino closed her eyes, frowning a little. When she opened it next, she had made her decision. "Cancel it."

"Oh?" Niko was surprised, though deep down she welcomed it. She knew how stubborn her squad leader and friend was, so the fact that she somehow changed her mind after meeting Sensei was more of a testament to Sensei's ability than anything.

Or perhaps it was merely good timing that Yukino met Sensei while she was still undecided on a course of action.

"What did Sensei tell you?" Niko asked.

"That he understood how hard it was to pursue Justice, and really meant it," Yukino said. "Also…"

Sometime before Sensei, Yukino, and Miyako arrived at the mess hall…

Sensei, Yukino, and Miyako decided to take a small break from the tour.

"Without the GSC President to head SRT Special Academy, the role falls to you to lead, correct?" Sensei asked as he and Yukino were sitting on a bench. Miyako was currently away to get them some drinks from the nearest vending machine.

"…Yes, that's correct," Yukino said, who showed some hesitation in a moment of weakness.

"You're worried, aren't you? Whether you can handle the responsibilities that come with it."

"What about you, Sensei? What do you think about your new responsibilities? "

"Funnily enough, this is my first ever teaching role, or even being in a position of authority," Sensei chuckled. "At least I have some help this time."

Yukino was surprised. "So you understand where I'm coming from."

"In a way," Sensei said with a smile. "I've only ever had to look out for myself, and the people I'm protecting from while in the field. To suddenly be thrust into a position where I have to teach an entire city of impressionable teenagers is…daunting. I still question why the GSC President chose me if she knew how reckless I was."

"Reckless…? Yes, Somehow I can see that," Yukino said with a small smile. "What other kind of person would willingly step into a battlefield by himself otherwise?"

"I know. I'll have to rein that habit of mine now that I've become a teacher." Sensei made a dry laugh. "So, have you decided on a course of action?"

Yukino was about to say yes, but her earlier discussion with Sensei put into question whether she really was willing to commit to whatever it was Director Kaya had to offer. She…had a feeling that she was going to regret it.

"So if you're ever having trouble deciding on what to do in the future, please do approach me…" She remembered Sensei's words.

She looked around and saw that Miyako hadn't returned yet. Perhaps taking it as a sign, she decided to take the plunge. It wasn't as if she had anything to lose by asking for some guidance from someone further along the path of Justice.

"Someone approached me with a plan to allow SRT's continued existence, but…" Yukino trailed off.

"But you're not entirely sure whether this is the right decision or not, correct?"

"That's right," Yukino replied. "Have you ever had to make hard decisions, Sensei?"

"Many times. As far back as I could remember," Sensei said with a grave tone. He hesitated on his next words, but decided to continue after taking a deep breath. "When I was a boy, disaster struck where I lived, forcing me to keep choosing myself over trying to help anyone nearby. I…deeply regret not trying to help anyone back then."

"Sensei, you were but a boy," Yukino's voice was nearly inaudible. She couldn't blame the boy that Sensei was for choosing to save himself over others. And the fact that he later grew to pursue Justice and tried to save others to make up for it was noble in itself.

We all have a different reason for pursuing Justice, Yukino thought. Sensei's reason is fueled by his guilt, at least in part, but it doesn't change the good he's done as a result.

"Yes, but I'm not telling you this to feel sorry for me," Sensei smiled, "but rather to make you realize that unlike the boy that I was then, you still have time to think about the next course of action. Both for yourself, and for SRT. That, and you have other people to lean into for help when needed."

Sensei was likely referring to her squadmates, her juniors, and himself.

"Of course, we don't always have the luxury of time to choose the best course of action, but at the very least, I don't think you have to decide quickly."

"What if I feel that I don't have enough time, Sensei?" Yukino asked. "Even you should have noticed by now that the campus is nearly deserted. Many have taken some time off. If things continue like this, then I'm afraid SRT will close down before the General Student Council makes a decision. And the President left very big shoes to fill. Can…you do it, Sensei? "

This was the crux of the issue Yukino was facing. The President was a reliable leader in her mind. Too reliable in fact. It was to the point that she relied on her for many of the harder decisions. It had given her comfort that she had someone who could take responsibility for her actions.

And now she was more or less asking Sensei whether he would be willing to accept such a role.

"Then I'll take responsibility and give you more time to think," Sensei said resolutely. "Until you feel that you are ready to fully take on the role to guide your juniors. And even then you could still rely on me if you feel unsure of your decisions."

"It's not even three days since you took the job, and you're already willing to burden yourself with such a responsibility?"

"While I already have some great help, I admittedly I could use some more," Sensei said. "That, and I just want to lend you a helping hand as a senior on chasing Justice as an ideal."

"Are you sure you've outgrown your recklessness if you're still willing to burden yourself with the fate of an entire school, not even a week in your new job? " Yukino asked with a giggle

"I do believe I've come far since my days as a teenager," Sensei said as he scratched the back of his head. "Though admittedly my friends back home think I'm still just as bad at times…Yeah, I really do need to get my act together and act like a proper adult or that guy will get a kick from beyond the throne."

Yukino was slightly confused with the wording Sensei used, but got the meaning more or less.

Some bushes nearby moving made her eyes turn serious as she glanced at it before returning her attention to Sensei. "Do you have a course of action in mind?"

"One moment, I'll have to consult with my assistant." Sensei pressed into his earpiece, talking to someone about a plan to save SRT. Eventually, he seemed to have drawn up a plan and shared it with Yukino.

"For now, we could have some volunteers from SRT, preferably two squads, to continue SRT's role while borrowing SCHALE's authority, while the remaining students continue their education," Sensei started.

Sensei explained that the volunteers were still free to operate under the banner of SRT. This was to accumulate merits in favor of SRT's continued existence while the GSC is still undecided. If need be, Sensei could also vouch for SRT's continued existence.

"Vouching for the school is within my prerogative as the Sensei of SCHALE, though my assistant not to use it immediately and only when needed," Sensei said. "I agree with her assessment. Overuse of my authority will only weaken it, especially when I'm still new to the position."

Best case scenario is that SRT eventually continues to operate as a separate entity, which was great according to Sensei as there was only so much he could do for Kivotos by himself and he couldn't be in two places at once. Worst case scenario is that SCHALE absorbs SRT, with the latter continuing to act as it already did. Sensei explained that in the latter case he'd probably fall under scrutiny for a while due to him abusing the power granted to his station, but Sensei shrugged it off as there are many other scenarios that are somewhere between the best and worst outcomes.

"And the complete closure of SRT isn't the worst option because…?"

"Because I will guarantee that this happens. I'll make sure of it even if I have to stake my life on it if my authority isn't enough," Sensei said with a smirk. "We're done talking, so it's okay to come out now, Miyako."

Miyako came out from a nearby bush while still holding onto the drinks she bought. "Ahahaha…I noticed that the two of you were talking about something serious so I didn't want to interrupt, but…"

"I was wondering when you were planning to reveal yourself," Yukino noted, as she noticed Miyako hid herself while she was busy talking to Sensei.

Admittedly she would have noticed her presence sooner had she been more alert, but it seems that Sensei knew the entire time that she was nearby, if his occasional glances to a certain direction were of any indication.

"Provisional Squad Leader Tsukiyuki, how much have you heard?" Yukino asked after Miyako handed the drinks to her and Sensei.

"I only got close enough to hear in detail about Sensei's plan for the continued existence of SRT. Of how SRT could borrow SCHALE's authority to continue its operations for a while, and the best and worst case scenarios." Miyako admitted. "So the rumors were true after all…"

"The rumors about SRT's closure are just that, rumors," Yukino said. "But it is true that the GSC is having trouble deciding what to do with us right now. Sensei merely offered a way for SRT to continue its operations while the GSC remains undecided, and for its continued existence should it come to that.

"That's great then!" Miyako exclaimed with a smile. "Um, I could go and tell my squadmates about this, right?"

Yukino looked at Sensei, who merely said, "It's your call, not mine."

"RABBIT Squad Provisional Leader Tsukiyuki. Attention." Miyako quickly stood at attention as she was formally addressed. "I hereby instate you as the official leader of RABBIT Squad. This designation will be officially announced at a later date. Your first order is to disseminate Sensei's plan to the rest of your squad ASAP and to prepare for deployment within the next few days. Is that clear?"

Miyako widened her eyes in surprise. "Yes, ma'am!"

"Sensei is willing to stake his own life for students not even two days into his job…" Niko said. "He really is reckless, isn't he?"

"I'm honestly worried if we'll be fine with him as Sensei, but he also needs time to grow into his new position like I do. Also… " Yukino made a smile that Niko hadn't seen in a while. "Much like with the President, we'll be there to help him if necessary."

"Is that your opinion as our squad leader, or as a girl?"

Yukino looked at her questioningly. "What are you trying to say?"

"Oh, nothing much."

"Honestly, you…" Yukino placed a hand on her temple as she shook her head with a smile. "Sometimes I don't get what you're thinking, Niko."

On the contrary, I think you're merely in denial, Niko thought as she giggled. She remembered Yukino once talking about what kind of person she would like to have as a partner as she looked at Sensei.

Someone good-looking with a strong sense of justice and also responsible. Maybe sometimes to the point of recklessness. She remembered Yukino's words.

"Yukino, have you tried Sensei's cooking yet?"

"No, and I don't think I could even if I want to right now," Yukino replied as Otogi ate the last of Sensei's lunch.

"Well that's a pity."

Oh, and it'd be great if he can cook well too since I'm terrible in the kitchen.

If you can find someone that matches all of those criterias, then hats off to you because he must be an incredible catch. Niko remembered teasing her right after this. Because you can only find that kind of guy in your dreams~

H-Hey…!

"Oh well, there's always a next time," Niko said with a smile.

It seems SRT would be fine for the foreseeable future, after all.