The day was soon coming to an end. Orange and reddish hue dyed the faculty office, all thanks to an entire side of the room dedicated for panoramic view overseeing the city.
As twilight ushered in, the first chills of the evening seeped across the floors. Vash heaved a deep sigh and took off his shades, absolutely feeling the migraine from what his brain had been put through. He was more or less an outdoor person, so sitting still had never suited him. Vash paused and looked away slightly. Well... it could also be that he wasn't really the type to have enough patience; he sure had a ton of bad habits to mow down lately.
"Hm! That was productive, yes!" Meanwhile, his own student looked utterly glowing, which scared him outright. Where did that endless, overflowing energy even come from? The ring on top of her head? Workaholic tendency? Could it be youthful foolishness—no, that didn't sound right… "I didn't think it'd take the whole day. Shame as there's still so much work to do back at school, but since there weren't many hiccups…"
"Was it a learning experience?" Vash put his elbow on the desk and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. He was getting a fair bit sleepy, already. I didn't even eat much beyond convenience store food for lunch… "This adult over here sure feels winded."
"A healthy lifestyle begins with a healthy diet and regular exercises, sensei." Yuuka wrapped her hands around a stack of papers and tidied any pages that stuck out at angles. After putting them away, she reorganized her belongings next; the right time to go back home, he believed. "If you'd like it, I can give you the contact numbers of a professional in sports and dietary fields."
"Hrrm… nah, it's probably because I'm getting real old." Vash scratched the back of his head, feeling lame over his excuse to skip more work, but well! He wanted to go at this job at his own pace, okay? "Don't think I need to flip my whole life schedule over it."
"Hah… I can't say that's an admirable attitude." Yuuka walked off to the corner of the office, retrieving a pair of submachine guns from a wall-mounted firearm racks and attaching the metallic black guns to the holsters on the small of her back. "I will be coming over again in the near future. There's still much paperwork to organize in Schale, like reimbursement for collateral damage in various districts. I do hope that you will already be done with your share by then, sensei."
"Homework, huh…? You sound like a proper teacher, there." Vash chuckled upon seeing Yuuka's stunned looks. "It's a praise. Don't mind it too much. I mean, I'm still a beginner on this whole teaching job, after all."
"How is it that you could be so easygoing…? Aren't you the one directly summoned by the missing president of GSC…?"
Hrmm, that's a fair point, but well… "I guess? It's not like I've ever met her… her?"
Vash craned his head and rubbed his chin. Once again, he felt like he was remembering something fairly important. The rustic scent of blood in the air. The warm sunlight that streamed down unceasingly. A translucent veil of whitish blue hair… not good. He could only remember little glimpses. There was absolutely nothing useful he could glean from scattered bits detached from each other…
"Sensei…? Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, nothing? I'm not sure if I could even call it a concern." Vash gently shook his head before letting out a dry laughter. "Either way, I'm playing catch-up with work since I've never done this gig before. Never managed to stick around in one place, you see."
Yeah, how should I put it…? Back in No-man's Land, he had this big bounty for his head, issued straight by the federal government. So much money to the point that no sane mind could have an idea how to actually empty the reward money out even if they actually managed to capture him. His arrival was also oftentimes not welcomed, forcing him to flee into the wasteland. Furthermore, his brother had been constantly on the move, and where he went, people disappeared as if spirited away. Combined together, he could hardly settle down. I did pick up a bunch of skills along the way, but 150 years is a long time, almost too long for legal systems to remain the same…
"I guess it's because I came from a very secluded place? Everything here is fresh, new, innovated and refined from any excesses." A modern civilization that had outgrown the basic needs for survival would of course be far ahead and more complex than even his homeland at its best state. In that sense, Vash in his infinite wisdom had a good grasp that he could provide only so much to enrich this academy city. "From my standing, you all have a good life going already. Do you even need me?"
He sent a dry gaze to his assistant, but he instead received the unexpected. The dark-haired girl stared back, completely nonplussed with her lips pursed taut. The way she gazed at him was… oddly familiar in a horrible way.
"Eh? What? What's with that glare that seems to say "is this pathetic dung beetle with a uselessly high ego to stroke being serious" in a very disgusted way!?"
"Well, you're the one who said that, Vash-sensei."
She even addressed me by name! "What did I say wrong!?"
Rather than reassuring him with a clear-cut answer, the student from Millennium Science School merely pinched the bridge of her nose. She seemed completely done and wanted nothing to do with this particular subject, but the cruelly dismissive gesture did a bunch of damage to Vash's self-esteem as a result. Vash groaned inwardly, covering his face with both hands as he felt the impulse to jump into the nearby hole.
"...hmph. For being an adult, you're so difficult to handle. I'll leave that for later, since it's getting late." Her voice walked past by him. Her heels clicked against the floor tiles and rang clear and vibrantly. Peeking through the gaps between his fingers, he saw the long dark hair trailing after Yuuka. When he spun the wheeled office chair around, the girl was already at the doorway… then she paused, turned around on her heels and tilted her head cutely. A smile bloomed on her face. "Well then. Thank you for your hard work, sensei. See you next time…!"
Without waiting for him, the door was closed on him.
…he brought that on to himself, hadn't he? Vash sighed and slumped over, feeling weirdly drained even though he barely left the office for the whole day. Was he just that easy to tease, to make fun of? Well, maybe he really was. He never learned, as many people who had stuck around him long enough would point out. However, there was no heat in Yuuka's gaze; she was indeed the picture of spritely, innocent youth.
"...it really isn't bad, huh." It wasn't a question. He acknowledged the words and intent behind them as he rapped his fingers against the arms of the office chair. Staring into the ceiling dyed in darkening red shades, memories came unbidden only to dissolve away with the passing of time. "Yeah. This isn't so bad at all."
A ping came from the desk behind him. Spinning the office chair once more, he saw the enlarged head shot of one virtual assistant that inhabited the Shittim Chest.
"Hey, Arona." Vash slowly left his chair, pacing forth to pick up the smart tablet. "How was your all-day nap?"
[Muuu~…! I've been awake since hours ago, sensei!] Well, now. Did she not say anything since there was nothing she could help with, then? [You never asked, and all the work was done conventionally, so this great Arona never got a chance to shine, today!]
"My bad, my bad… computer work doesn't sit well with my eyes," Vash said. He held back on commenting at the slight change to the virtual background, the half-destroyed classroom Arona was occupying similarly painted in a soft orange shade. It was as if the Shittim Chest was replicating the passing of time, which seemed mundane for someone who had known the heights of technology for space-faring humankind. But still. There was a deep appreciation in him over this feature. "Well, work is done for now."
[...another patrol? This is already close to evening, sensei…]
Patrol might be a bit stiff for what I'm planning to do. "I'm just sighstseeing. Besides, I really am falling in love with Kivotos."
[O-oohh…! That's quite a bold word to say out of the blue, but I think I get it!] Arona's ring of light turned heart-shaped and colored in pink. Briefly, he noticed the red dusting her cheeks, but soon the girl in blue's mood changed again. This time, flashing sparkles flew from her uncovered eye, while the ring hovering above her head morphed into wild green waves and star-like dots. [Let's go out then, Vash-sensei! Don't forget your wallet this time, okay!?]
Ouch, she still remembered that one time, huh? Scratching his cheek, the adult man laughed awkwardly.
The skyline lit up from the bright, artificial lights. Colorful too, though he could hardly see the stars as a result. Students who were simply going home or in a night outing wandered around, some recognizing him and some passing by him none-the-wiser.
"Ah, sensei of Schale!" "Good evening! Are you patrolling?" "That's the rumored adult… and that white coat!" "So he really is part of the federal organization..." "Wow, what should I eat daily to be that tall…" "But not as big as vice-president Hasumi…" "I heard he kicked a tank shell, how?" "Adults are said to be weaker than us, but that must be fake rumors… he's a menace, for sure." "Oh no! Quick, let's scram!"
Vash spilled a smile. He waved, gave a greeting here and there, and resumed walking. He wasn't planning to stay still, since the goal of tonight's outing was to get a feel of the city at night time. Still, though… to think that he ended up melding in with the crowds just like this was quite a surprise.
[That's just how it goes, sensei.] Through the tiny device attached to his ear, Arona's voice delivered an answer to his idle pondering. Arona called it an earbud, but it sure didn't feel like one since it functioned like miniaturized headphone. [It's no longer school hours, so most students don't need to put up appearances. Even thugs still do part-time works and hurry along when submission deadline is right around the corner.]
Well, he definitely could see that. Amid the colorful styles and schemes, there were out-of-place folks wearing full-face helmets, overly long skirts, and those that wrapped bandages around themselves. Nevertheless, whether it be regular students, academy board members, law-abiding citizens, or even robots armed like special forces, everyone only cared about their respective business; going about at their leisure.
...not a single face among them was dyed in embittered resignation—much less that of maddening desperation. Though I should ask Arona for the failing students' contact list.
[Ah, sensei! That street vendor over there! Look. Look!]
Hmm, that's… fried snack bar? "Sure has a strong scent for the sauce… What about it?"
[That vendor randomly appears and sells at certain hour! It's recently rated five-stars by the terrorist gourmets of Gehenna, at that!]
Gehenna's terror gourme—wha? Vash had so many questions, but he decided to push them back for later date. It'd be rude to gawk without buying, so he checked for the meatier menu and strong spice for toppings. His purse got out of the deal a whole lot lighter than before, but well. These are good stuff, but that's hot…!
[It's good, right?!]
"Hawff! Huff! Hegh…!" Vash fanned his mouth with his hand. He got a bit too eager there, but piping hot comfort food in a cold night wasn't such a bad idea. Especially while surrounded by festivity like this. Swallowing the sweet and spicy roasted chicken thigh, Vash patted his chest a few times before sighing. "Ooh… yeah, that's the stuff. Nice recommendation, Arona."
He heard her proud giggles through the earbud. And with the mood boosted, the teacher pushed forward, ever further into the night. He spent his time with students and civilians alike, asking questions and answering curious inquiries. Before he knew it, the streets had begun to empty out, store lights turning off with their gates shuttered down with locks on. Late night had arrived. It seemed like there was nothing else he could do now, but when he was about to return—a familiar figure walked out of an alley.
"Oh?" Red eyes blinked. A lovely, small white wing fluttered out and away from a mop of silvery white hair. Morizuki Suzumi blinked twice as if she questioned what she just saw, realization as well as recognition slowly dawning on her. "Ah… if it's not sensei."
"Yo. Fancy meeting you here, Suzumi." Vash raised his right hand to eye level. "Isn't it past the curfew for Trinity's dormitory rule?"
"...I am rather surprised that you'd know the curfew hour, even though I've yet to see you at our school grounds," Suzumi replied. Shifting the hand in her skirts pocket, she rolled her shoulder which carried a grayish white assault rifle. There she stood face-to-face with him. "As for your question, sensei… when it's this late out, not even Valkyrie students patrol around. Kivotos is not lawless, but it certainly has times and places where the presence of authority could hardly be felt."
Huh… now that I think about it… Vash hummed in thoughts at that revelation. He did notice even the most diligent students of Valkyrie only patrolled when it was still bright outside. He had a feeling they served as first transponders to incidents and accidents, but if the equivalent of local sheriffs functioned only in daytime, wouldn't that mean the city spawned a bunch of crimes at night? That could spell… some really bad stuff.
"Be that as it may, large-scale incidents would still draw the attraction of Valkyrie or Disciplinary Board, even at ungodly hour as this. With the capacity of our club in mind, we know our limits to not push our luck." Completely ignorant to his internal musings, Suzumi went on. The adult reflexively followed after her. "Aside from that, my main concern during evening patrol is to look for truants who have yet to return home. Missing person cases truly do not sit well with me, so…"
"Ah, so you're escorting them?" That certainly eased my concerns. It also made a lot of sense, knowing that Suzumi's main priority was the well-being of her fellow students. It brought to mind her reason for visiting the nearest branch office of GSC before. It had to do with assaults on her schoolmates on the way to their school… hm. "Is it tough?"
"Hmm? You mean my work?" At his nod, Suzumi bobbed her head. "I cannot say that it's always smooth-sailing. Kivotos comes in diverse kinds of folks. In the past week, I'm sure that even you can attest to that, sensei."
Well… that's true. Sometimes, misunderstandings , arguments turned into a brawl. Sometimes, a shootout even happened and sometimes, tanks or armored vehicles equipped rolled in. Crazy how impulsive could these teenagers be, but the more he observed, the more he realized that this sentiment extended to the ordinary citizens, as well. The ones who'd make a huge fuss among the last group tended to be the sentient robots with angular frames, though.
"But is it burdening you?" Vash redirected the question back to Suzumi. There were times and places to think of the bigger picture. "I don't mind what you're doing, Suzumi. It's nice to see a hard worker with a kind heart like you, but if it's stressing you out, just take off from work for a day or two. Anyone deserves a vacation after diligently working hard for others' sake."
…
"...hello? Suzumi?"
"Hah!? Ahh…? Ahhh… um, yeah. Well…" The girl suddenly walked ahead of him, widening the space between the two of them. She walked in a slightly unsteady gait, yet it was in a controlled manner that it would have been difficult to notice. Too bad that Vash was not a regular person you could find anywhere. Plus, the white wing sticking out from the side of her head was flapping about like crazy; that would be impossible not to notice, even for the densest fool. "Err… It's not really something I've ever thought about. Me joining the Vigilante Corps is, after all, because it's something that I could do…"
Huh, so it's a conscious choice. It did make him wonder, though—
"What about school life? You doing alright with your study?" Vash probed further.
"Yes… fortunately, my fellow club members are good people. I also have a class schedule that allows me to take on this task without it interfering with my study."
"I see, I see. Guess I got myself worried over nothing, then." The teacher chuckled, feeling up his chin with his two fingers. "But I was serious about my earlier words."
"Mmh. Sensei, you can be such a mean adult." A pause followed. "I do take a break here and there… I also have my own day off where I can recharge at my leisure."
Then, the girl in white and gray canvas turned her head around. A polite smile graced her face, briefly making him wonder if his words truly got through to her. Perhaps that was just how Morizuki Suzumi came off as to other people. Diligent, polite, but sometimes a bit of an aloof character. However—all Vash needed to do was to look her properly in the eyes. He could tell; he recognized the fluctuating emotions deep inside her red eyes, and so he softly smiled.
"I may not sound like it, but I can tell the sincerity in your words." Suzumi lowered her eyelids, her gaze warm and accepting. "So, thank you. I'm doing alright, sensei."
"Hm… right, I believe in you." Vash pushed forward and reached out. Resting his hand—right hand—on the girl's head, he felt the soft texture of his student's hair. It was a completely different feeling to those who grew up under the baking rays of the desert planet's twin suns. "Well, can I tag along, then? I've still got some free time before I turn in for today."
Before he could hear an answer, sounds that cut through the tranquil night abruptly appeared, echoing through the empty street. It was growing louder and louder, and he instantly whipped his head to a dark alley—
"BAAM! SUSPICIOUS PERSON DETECTED!"
He saw a triangular white patch slamming to his face. He felt the impact, the weight behind the blow hammering his nose in. As air escaped his lungs, he lost his footing and flew before the sudden attack brought his head down to the hard pavement.
"Gubeh!?"
And then sweet darkness dragged his mind down into the abyss.
Morizuki Suzumi wasn't the type to be easily shaken, but she came close to that point today. Her fellow Vigilante Corps member sat in formal posture with a white board raised high above her head with words "I am a bad kid who jumps to conclusions" written with black markers. Towering before her was an adult the girl had knocked the lights out with a body blow at breakneck speed followed with a centrifugal force-boosted head slam to the pavement.
Honestly, it was a miracle that the only injury the teacher had incurred merely ended up as a big, angry red bump growing from the back of his head.
It's not good that it happened in the first place, however. With a hand covering one side to her face, Suzumi loosened out a tired sigh. It seemed she had no choice but to cut her evening patrol short. For now, she had to make amends as best she could for failing to anticipate this inevitable outcome. I really should have known that this would happen one day, but it arrived far earlier than scheduled.
"I deeply apologize for this reckless girl's conduct, sensei. This happened because of my failure in educating her." Suzumi deeply bowed to the adult. She could feel the gaze set on her, but she refused to lift herself from this position as she hardly deserved the right to regain her dignity just yet. Respect was never gifted, but earned. "She doesn't mean malice, so please—"
"Waaaah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I didn't know you were the rumored teacher!" And then the shrill voice of Uzawa Reisa rang out. From the corner of her vision, Suzumi saw the pale-haired girl bawling her eyes out, all the while both of her hands extended out to the sky trying to keep the white board in place. It had been five minutes ever since the brash girl maintained that posture… "I thought some creepy pervert was strong-arming Suzumi-senpai to the vile darkness of beyond!"
"Who are you calling a creep!?"
"Meep! I'm so sorry, sunglasses-wearing old codger…!"
"Ol—I ain't looking that wrinkled! And what did you say about my glasses, pipsqueak!?"
"Wh—I'm not tiny?!"
"Yes you are…!"
"Am not! Am not…!"
"Yes, yes you are…!"
As the byplay grew both in volume and length, Suzumi suddenly felt as if something terrible was about to happen. Though she didn't want to, she pulled herself back and stood upright. Gradually, gradually, she moved her gaze to the side, and there was the sight she wasn't really looking forward to seeing.
The dim street regained some bright lights to it. Shutters were raised, windows were opened, and doors creaked out. One by one, the civilians who had been trying to get some sleep were woken up by a surprise disturbance. Suzumi felt a chill running down her spine as lights turned back on among the buildings scattered all over this street.
Aaah… this isn't looking good.
For the first time in a long while, Suzumi choked up from having her self-esteem drowned in embarrassment bordering on humiliation. The fact that the reason to that had to do with an adult she had acknowledged and a team member she got along to some extent really hurt.
"STOP YAPPING, WRETCHES! I NEED SOME GODDAMN SLEEP!"
Before Suzumi could remove this event from her memories, an empty canned drink soared above her. It drew a graceful parabolic line in the air and struck the teacher of Schale in the back of his head. He dropped to the floor with a yelp cut short… right in front of the petrified Reisa. Something white and round leaked out from the corner of the adult's mouth…
"W-waaah!? A dead body!"
Suzumi pressed both of her hands to her face. I want to go home…
A/N: Comedy is hard.
