*This is ported by Wattpad, feel free to come by as I've focused on making stories there rather here*
So onto the next chapter, with this pace, rest assure, this Volume 1 will end within around Chapter 10 or 12. Short but at least you'll recognize and enjoy this story in nice and paced story without more than 20 chapters.
Let's begin.
Trapped in the darkness, Serika still remains in her sadden state. Feeling all has given up in her mind. That is until the next scene occurred.
She heard an explosion. A loud one. The next thing she hears is gunshots, rapid firing along with a couple of explosions smaller than the previous one.
"Wha, what's going on!?" She exclaimed. Just then, a bright light emitted. She looks away from the strong light, and now sees none other than Sensei along with Nonomi, Shiroko, and Hoshino.
"There you are!" Nonomi smiled in relief.
"Everyone...? Sensei!?" Serika exclaimed, at seeing her classmates and Sensei himself.
Sensei proceeds to free her cuffs and bonds. "Good to see you, Serika!" Hoshino smirked, "And you seemed a bit teary, did you truly miss us?" She teased.
"I-" Serika stuttered for the first time, then a red blush occurred, once Sensei freed her arms. "I am not crying!" She swings her arms quickly.
"Nn, false, I saw tear marks on your cheeks." Shiroko pointed out.
"Ugh! You are so annoying!" Serika shouted in anger. She paused for a moment seeing her classmates smile at her, she sighed before asking. "...What just happened?"
Ayane's hologram speaks, "Well, Sensei has found you with a location beacon he installed on you." She explains.
"Hah? When?" She asked.
To which, Sensei then proceeds to touch her shoulder, pulling a small beacon which is thinner than a piece of paper. Serika looks shocked at the fact it was placed here, trying to recall... The moment he placed his hand on her shoulder...
"Yeah, to my surprise, Sensei's suit has some buncha tricks on his sleeves." Hoshino teased.
"So you're a stalker!" Serika pointed and accused Sensei.
"Come on Serika..." Nonomi assured me. "Sensei is the reason we found you. Without him, you could be lost."
Hearing this, Serika remains silent before she huffs, crossing her arms. "Fine... Guess you're not a bad person, Sensei..." She muttered.
"Ahem, is this a bad time...?" A different voice gained their attention, as they all turned to see Aru and her gang, Problem Solver 68.
"...HEY!" Serika yelled in rage, getting up and was about to charge... Luckily she's restrained by Shiroko and Nonomi, "What are you doing?! These girls attacked me!" She angrily shouted.
"Wait, Serika, now's not the time to act irrational..." Nonomi tries to calm her down with the same smile she has.
"Yes, Serika..." Sensei spoke up, gaining her attention. "Allow me to explain what has happened..."
Previously from Serika's rescue, Aru is shocked to hear this demand. Along the same reaction to the Problem Solver 68. "Eh!? You want to make a bargain with us?" Aru questioned.
"Correct." Sensei nodded.
"Sensei?" Shiroko wondered about his actions.
"Oh, looks like the Schale Sensei is giving an offer, Aru." Mutsuki giggled. "What choice will you go for?" She asked.
"Erm... I don't know if you are doing this out of a desperate attempt to save your associate!" Aru accused Sensei. "We the Problem Solver 68 won't back down our deal!" She pointed at him.
"We managed to take down your hired squad. Surely the result won't be favored for you and your associates." Sensei responded.
"...Eh..." Aru stammered in his words. It's proven true, that the hired help she paid for was knocked down like flies when they came in. And it's only five members... "Um... What do you need?" She asked.
"An alliance. How much are they paying you, I can double it." Sensei stated.
"EH!? D-double!?" Aru exclaimed.
"Oh ho! Sensei! You're sure to get bold to win over us students." Mutsuki teased him.
"Sensei?" Shiroko questioned this move.
"At ease Shiroko, this is my choice to make, and not yours to effect." Sensei assured her, patting her shoulder.
"..." Shiroko remains silent but nods along.
Sensei turned back to Aru, "It's a simple request. The helmet gang was hired by a similar contract, by attacking Abydos. Your action tells me you have a similar contract only with a different method." He explained his bargain. "And if you accept my contract, I can provide you a haven from the likes of those who gave your commission."
"Wow, you're smart to understand Sensei!" Mutsuki admits his intelligence while she remains a mischievous smile.
"Aru... What do we do?..." Haruka asked, with a tone of worry.
Aru remains silent, hearing the details of the bargain... Though her willingness to not betray the client's need... But, if they accept it, those promises can be beneficial for their crisis...
"We... Accept." Aru answered.
Sensei nodded, "Now, tell us where Serika is, the hostage you took." He requested the location.
The four of the Problem Solver 68 responded by pointing behind them, a large container where Serika is caged in.
After the explanation, Serika still glares at the Problem Solver, "Hmph, well, I am not going to work with them for a while." She huffed.
"For a while, that's something." Hoshino gives a thumbs up to the group. "Good news you four, you'll be on Serika's good terms for a while."
"Tehe, that's alright!" Mustuki smirked. "This already feels much better than our previous commissions. Ain't that right, Aru?" She poke her elbow on Aru.
"Ahem." Aru coughs, "As I was saying, we should be going..." She said with slight worry.
"Why's that?" Serika questioned her.
Then the next thing she hears a stomach growl. Coming right from Aru, and not just her... The Problem Solver 68 are growling in hunger.
"Eheh... Guess that answers why..." Hoshino wondered with Aru blushing in embarrassment. "Well, I know a place..." She suggested.
At the Shiba Seki, Serika is back in her work uniform for this day. She isn't happy to serve the Problem Solver 68, her kidnappers. At least she's happy to have her classmates here, who also decided to stay here to eat.
Sensei is here as well, and sees him with the Abydos group. She may recall her lashing out to him. But now, she hopes for a private moment with him to at least say thanks.
After serving her classmates with food, she goes to the other table, expecting who it is.
"So... What can I order for you?" Serika asked, she waited for the Problem Solver's orders.
"Um, do you have the cheapest meal here?" Aru questioned.
"...The regular Shiba Seki Ramen costs 500 yen." Serika replied, though she is curious why she ordered the cheapest one.
"Okay, just one bowl, please." Aru requested.
"Just one...? For the four of you?" Serika perked up.
Haruka stammers after hearing this, "So sorry about this! We're broke and poor, we can't even afford anything!" She quickly shakes up.
"Wha?" Serika blurted out, hearing this. "You're... Broke and poor?" She asked, her stern tone went from slight sympathy.
"We never should've come here... We're just a waste of air..." Haruka keeps murmuring on.
"Haruka, please don't make a scene." Kayoko sighed. "And you've gotten the wrong idea." She tries to explain their situation.
"Yeah, it's our boss Aru having a poor thing of spending money." Mutsuki giggled.
"Hey!" Aru yelled in embarrassment. "I was just being careful and covering our bases!"
"Well... I'd understand the money situation..." Serika muttered, feeling a bit conflicted about her kidnappers. After all, she can recall and relate due to the debt...
"You do...?" Haruka perked up.
"Nah, let's not get too deep. Like the department head herself stated, it's nothing a big deal to over with." Mutsuki remarked with a chuckle from herself.
"Please, don't call me that again." Kayoko shook her head, closing her eyes.
"...Very well, I'll take your order..." She nodded and headed off, while the group was waiting for the meal. But she's not going to the counter, but to another table where Sensei and others are here.
"Eh, Serika you here?" Nonomi noticed her arrival, odd, given that she's doing her job and they already got their orders.
"Did you hear about their situation?" Serika mentioned the Problem Solver conversation.
"Yep." Hoshino nodded as she rubbed her ear with her thumb. "It was loud enough for this old-timer to even hear it."
"Nn. They too have a money problem." Shiroko noted.
"No wonder the payment is high..." Ayane recalled the deal Sensei made with them. "Sensei, are you sure you can afford the one million yen double bill?" She was worried.
"Your concerns are unnecessary Ayane." Sensei insisted. "I will fulfill their deal while also supporting your debt."
"..." Ayane went quiet, but she slowly nodded.
"Um, Sensei?" Serika called out, gaining his attention. "If it's okay, they..." She goes closer, whispering to his side.
With a silent moment, he nodded. "Very well..." Sensei stood up and went up to the counter to meet up with Serika's boss. From a distance, they are speaking quietly.
Later on, Serika delivered their orders for the Problem Solver... Only to see four large bowls of ramen, right in front of their eyes.
"What is this...?" Haruka exclaimed.
"That's a big bowl..." Mutsuki is surprised as well.
"Hang on, we didn't order this..." Aru started with a stammer.
"Actually, Sensei paid the meals for you, considering his way of being thankful you've joined his offer." Serika explained, giving a small smile.
"Haha!" Serika's boss, Master Shiba, laughs in a deep rough voice. "You students are glad to have a kind gentleman around!"
"Sensei..." Kayoko muttered.
"I will give you details later on, but first, enjoy your meals." Sensei nodded, showing his gesture due to his expression hidden by his helmet.
"T-thank you, Sensei!" Aru responded with a blush, she along with others are thankful for these meals. They start eating...
Meanwhile, the Abydos Task Force watches the Problem Solver 68, they admire the look on their blissful state while eating their bowls.
"Aw Serika, you're so mature and kind." Nonomi praised her.
"Thought you'd still be mad at them." Hoshino smugly remarked.
"Hmph, I'm a bit less mad..." Serika sighed. "But... I wouldn't let Sensei have this moment ruined because of me... Erm..." She feels shy for a moment, when gazing at Sensei. "Sensei... I thank you for helping me... And sorry about being rude to you..." She apologized.
"Your forgiveness is accepted." Sensei replied.
"So Sensei... You better be here for the next meeting to help settle our debt!" Serika pointed at Sensei with a determined voice.
There are smiles from her classmates, as she accepts Sensei's invitation to help their debt. Ayane spoke, "Okay, once Sensei has exchanged tomorrow's pay. The next meeting we should focus on more decorum than usual..." She stated.
"You're saying we aren't serious from previous meetings?" Hoshino questioned, raising her tired eyebrow.
"Erm, we have Sensei with us, I think it's best to speak about this topic seriously if he can find a way to settle our school debt." Ayane mentioned.
"Eh, you're right. Glad we're having you Sensei." Hoshino gives a small bump on Sensei's arm. "Alright, by tomorrow, let's have some ideas, serious ones this time." She announced.
Serika nodded, as she thought of some ideas, just then...
"Nn. I already got one." Shiroko gives a thumbs up.
"That quick?" Ayane is surprised and doubted by her immediate response.
"Hm... I have suggestions..." Nonomi suggested.
"Well, let's discuss this tomorrow then. Let's just have a nice meal." Hoshino smiled, raising her cup of water. They agreed and continued eating their meals.
Outside the Shiba Seki, everyone has gotten their fill. They go in their separate ways, however Sensei will be guiding the Problem Solver 68 to somewhere else. With a small farewell, now Sensei leads them off.
While walking, Aru has some curiosity lurking out, "Eh, Sensei... We have our own establishment..." She mentioned.
"It's for a different reason." Sensei replied. "This is because your client will not be happy from your change of side and potentially be sabotaging or hiring another hand to deal with betrayal."
"Ah, yes, it's reasonable." Aru nodded and noted.
"In that case, tell me, Aru, what troubles are you dealing with that your client can potentially expose you?" Sensei asked.
"Well, we're from Gehenna Academy!" Mutsuki replied with a grin. "You heard of that, right Sensei?"
"Yes, I am familiar with the academy, notably I've met one of the students, Chinatsu." Sensei recalled.
"EH!?" Aru exclaimed. "You've met the members of the Perfect Team!?"
"I assume your reaction means they are trouble to you..." Sensei noticed her panicked tone.
"The Perfect Team are enforcers for keeping order within the Gehenna Academy." Kayoko stated.
"And... If you are wondering, the Gehenna Academy is very chaotic..." Mutsuki said with a teasing tone. "I recall the Gourmet Research Society always kidnaps the food chef." She giggled at that memory.
"Hm... And I assume a group who takes fixer contracts are also on their list to enforce..." Sensei suggested.
"Bingo, Sensei!" Mutsuki snaps her fingers as being correct on his assumption. "We are just like outlaws on the run. Isn't that great Aru?" She calls her out.
"R-right! B-but, not when the Perfect Team is trying to get us..." Aru adjusts her wording. Sensei hears it, she wants to be some kind of outlaw...
Hm. He gives his mind a thought before he speaks out, "Then you have my word, that I will keep you safe." Sensei affirmed.
"T-thank you Sensei... You are too kind..." Haruka muttered softly. She keeps bowing, while tugging her shotgun like a teddy bear.
"I feel like a VIP here." Mutsuki smirked, liking his kind words.
Aru meanwhile sees Sensei, hearing his words, she suddenly feels a huge admiration towards him...
Ever since, the news flash of Kivotos of Sensei's first fight. She got intimidated from hearing his actions told by the announcer... Now in person, she sees him as a calm, collected person, willing to help... And even managing to give promises...
Maybe she'll need to speak to him, teach her how to be a much better leader... All to become a great outlaw of Kivotos... Just one thing she's curious about.
Is he a good outlaw?
"We're here." Sensei's voice snapped out her thoughts, as they witnessed a bar-like building.
Inside, the neon lights glow around the large room. Aru, Mutsuki, Kayoko, and Haruka look around the place.
It feels mysterious yet vintage, then what's noticeable is the Helmet Gang Students. Nearly all of them are seated with their tables besides having some kind of drinks. Much to their surprise by the sudden amount.
Sensei came to the counter table. He rings the small bell. "Coming!" A male voice calls out. The students then see another figure.
He has similar armor like Sensei's and the same dark gray color design, only being a bit more bulky all around, notably his shoulder plating. And unlike Sensei's helmet showing only the small fins, he has bull horns on the front part of his helmet. Lastly his visor is much a bit bigger, making it more visible.
"It's been a while... Sensei of Schale." The 'bartender' spoke with a happy tone in his voice and if it weren't for the helmet he might be smirking.
Sensei nodded, before turning to the Problem Solver 68, "Everyone, meet 'W', he's a bar owner and rest assured he only makes juices and smoothies." He introduced the figure. "He's also my associate, and will provide you safe refuge here..."
"Those Helmet Gang members..." Kayoko mentioned them. "They are our targets by our contract."
"Eh!? There was someone after us?" One of the members fretted by the sudden reveal.
"Ah, rest assured your good old Sensei has taken refuge here." W assured, "I can assume they are also taking a deal off. You're fine girls, all of you..." He stated, as they settled down seeing that Sensei is here.
"Yep! It's all good!" Mutsuki gleamed, "Speaking of... Do you have any drinks that we could try?" She requests refreshments towards W.
"Sure! I can wipe out fruit smoothies, I got strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, cloudberry, boysenberry, gooseberry..." W listed.
"Why so many berry options?" Aru perked.
"Eh, go with it ladies." W shrugged, not giving a clear response nor answer to her question.
"Before that, Aru, you said you got the contract from your client. Do you know who they are?" Sensei asked.
Aru turned, "Um, no, the client remains secret about who they are, only that they want us to take down the Abydos School." She explained her situation.
"Eh? Just like us!" The Helmet Gang member calls out. "We got a call from some stranger wanting us to take down the school as well!"
"Hm, what's this random determination to take down a school...?" We wondered.
"...Everyone, I may need a private conversation with W." Sensei announced.
"You heard him, go to the underground bunker. Grown-ups are speaking." We pointed to the stairways.
The Helmet Gang immediately proceeds to go down, with the Problem Solver 68 perked up by the mention of a bunker.
"Oooo... I'm curious to see what's down there! Mutsuki wondered.
Kayoko then speaks up, "Sensei... You're going find someone responsible for this." She assumed.
"I sensed that all of you are brought upon, for something. A certain figure pulling these strings onto Abydos, I've yet to know why and all of you could be in potential danger if this plan has not gone smoothly." Sensei explained. "As a duty of a teacher, it is my duty to make sure to solve it."
Hearing this, Aru speaks up, "Then we can help Sensei..." She affirmed. "And... As the leader of Problem Solver 68, I believe we have a proposal for you!" She huffed, looking determined.
"Then I accept your service." Sensei replied. "Remain hidden till tomorrow, I have a task for you. I shall communicate to you with this device." He hands a small phone-like device to Aru. "Wait out when afternoon shines. Then you hear my response." He instructed.
"Of course Sensei!" Aru nodded with a slight glint of happiness. "We'll provide your results!"
"Our boss Aru is getting admiration for Sensei..." Mutsuki whispers to Kayoko with a short laugh.
Sensei nodded back to Aru who she went down stairs, followed by her members as Mutsuki waved to him. And once he and W remain alone...
"War, I have something to request as well. However, in the current circumstances I cannot give you details yet." Sensei spoke to W, whose letter revealed his title.
"Sure, Sensei. That sounds like you have a plan but just brainstorming." War remarked. "Also, since you're starting to call me my real title, should I...?"
"No. Until the time may come. The students must think of us as... Adults." Sensei stated.
"Sure. Waiting for your command." War pulls out his fist. Sensei looks at it, before he raises his fists, as they both fist pump.
"You seem to know him a lot, Sensei, and why is he called War?" Arona calls out, as Sensei walks outside the bar. She sits on a digital chair while hanging around his Hud.
"Classified Arona." Sense replied, which Arona pouted.
"I don't like how you're hiding this from me Sensei..." Arona muttered.
"You don't need to know, it's for your own good." Sensei assured me. "But I will tell you when the time is right."
"You promise! In fact, you better make a pinky promise!" Arona pointed at him.
"...Promise." Sensei raised his pinky finger near her hologram. The virtual girl smiled before seemingly holding his finger with her smaller one.
Arona beamed and nodded to him, then she realized something needed to be addressed...
"Right! Sensei, since you proceed to help pay the Abydos' part of the debt and the Problem Solver 68. Your budget has shortened to 10 percent!" She exclaimed, mentioning that Sensei's finances had drastically decreased.
"...Contact Yuuka." Sensei requested.
"Eh?" Arona perked up by the mention of her. "Oh... Okay!" She realized and opened a screen on his Hud, showing a 'Momo Talk' and contacting Yuuka's phone number. The call buzzes, waiting for a response...
"Eh!? Sensei!?" Yuuka's voice is heard as if he is panicking. Then a moment passed as she recollected herself, "...Um, why are you calling me this hour Sensei?" She asked.
"This will be short as I am currently on duty, I need support and maintenance on the Schale building. And I trust you enough to handle it." Sensei stated.
"Oh! Of course Sensei. I will be there by tomorrow." Yuuka assured me.
"Thank you, Yuuka." Sensei replied, finishing the call.
"Sensei... You're not going to tell her the budget?" Arona wondered.
"I said the call will be short." He replied calmly.
"Hm, okay!" Arona said, accepting the reason. Sensei continues walking through the dark streets. "...Sensei, is there something that you like...? I love strawberry milk, they taste delicious!" She gleamed as she tried to make a conversation with him.
Hearing this, Sensei recalled the time... When the GSC President comforts him... Back when they first met... The smile and questions are similar to Arona's...
"...They are good." He agreed. So far, he's been liking this A.I. assistant, more and more...
Arona's eye beams bright, her halo changes from pink and shapes into a heart. "Then what about sweets? I've heard of many kinds of them in my dreams, like chocolate, banana, and..."
She continues to speak about sweets as Sensei listens whilst returning back to Abydos Academy...
"What do you mean they are also gone!?" A fist slammed on the desk in anger, the voice is frustrated as the robot in a suit grows worried.
"The Problem Solver 68 has seemingly disappeared after their capture of one of the Abydos students..." The robot explains as the fist clenches. "But... We have surveillance footage on the warehouse where the Abydos group attacks, they have someone associating with them during when they attack the warehouse..."
"...Show me." The figure demanded. The robot hands him a tablet, showcasing the footage of the attack. The Abydos students and none other than... "Sensei..."
"..." The robot remained silent, awaiting his next response. Tension occurs when the figure gazes at the screen.
The figure appears from the shadows, a bulky robot in a black suit and orange tie, along with orange glowing visor eyes. "Contact the Perfect Team at Gehenna Academy, the Problem Solver will soon learn not to mess with the Kaiser Corporation."
"Yes sir." The robot bowed before leaving the office.
...Quiet lurks in the office, "You think that will be enough to solve your problems, Director?" Another voice spoke in, a male figure, wearing a black suit entered.
His appearance notably his head is pure black, showing like an eerie presence. On his face, cracks and deformations occur, forming an eye and mouth where the blue glow emits, as black smoke comes out from the top.
"This 'Sensei' cannot handle what comes next." The Director rebuked. "It seems we may have to get our hands dirty if he keeps on interrupting my process."
"Hm... Maybe..." The Black Suit figure pondered the Director's words. He gazes at Sensei within the footage while seeing him and the Abydos rescues Serika, joined by the Problem Solver, right as the camera suddenly shuts down upon Sensei's glance at the camera...
Perhaps, this Sensei is more... Then meets the eye... He wishes to know more about him...
What's his secret? Who is he...?
Word Count - 3891
Already 3 chapters ahead, and (potentially) 7 more chapters left till Volume 1 is finished.
Thoughts on the story ahead? I try to make Sensei have more role in this series. But along having the students being the main focus, which will come soon on the next chapter.
May I talk about the new character in the room, W or War, is the name. Rest assure you won't see much focus on him. But he is a prominent figure for Sensei himself.
If you're curious about Sensei's origins... Unfortunately it won't be fully explored on this story. Until there will be an origin story dedicated on how he became Sensei and how did he arrive to Kivotos...
But for now, enjoy this chapter!