A bowl of ramen, side dishes, and toppings stood tall against gravity. As four sets of eyes gazed forth completely awestruck by the gargantuan ramen they had ordered, one of them voiced reason due to the blatant conflict between the sample dish picture and the actual dish's shape and… well, portion.
It couldn't be helped for one of them to wonder aloud. "Errm, excuse me… isn't this a…"
"Regular Shiba Ramen, yes?! It's exactly what it says on the menu!"
There was a deeply persuasive power riding behind the waitress's proud smile. Backing her up was the restaurant owner himself, preventing any opposing argument from coming to fruition with their dazzling auras. It was almost too bright, and being honest, Onikata Kayoko didn't dare to doubt their sincerity. At this point, accepting this uncalled gift would be way better for everyone involved… except for the tiny triangular logo adorning the waitress' uniform, and those rowdy group a couple of tables away from theirs. The white and black-haired girl exchanged glances with Asagi Mutsuki, the two of them quietly communicating their shared recognition of what appeared to be their targets.
What even was their luck? In the meanwhile, oblivious to such a visible landmark was—
"T-truly?! Are you a god?! A saint…?!" Aru cried out, joy and shock intermixed behind her golden eyes. She sounded so utterly dumbstruck she had forgotten her character.
And next to her, the rapid eek and yeep caused Haruka to drop her jaw. "This is a miracle…! It's far too much for someone like me, but isn't it great, Aru-sama!?"
"Y-yeah…! Now you know it, Haruka…!"
Kayoko let out a sigh inwardly. Problem Solver 68 was an unofficial club led by none other than their illustrious leader, Rikuhachima Aru. However, the golden-eyed girl coated in red had already lost her facade of "wicked dignity," whatever that meant according to her skewed standards, by showing off the blatantly soft side to her true personality in full-force. In a way, they had already lost their face as a so-called elite outlaw organization, but Kayoko was too hungry to even comment on this fact.
They were broke, anyway. They had gone out to hire extra hands due to Aru's excessive paranoia, but well. After a brief check…
"Yeah, I guess that much should be expected." Against a group led by the mad guardian of Abydos, we can hardly expect an easy victory, much less a winning fight. Kayoko could already paint a bleak picture in the near future, but Aru had never once backed down from a commission she had decided to undertake. No matter the cost, no matter the circumstances and happenstances. Well, she was weak to pressures, but her partner-in-crime likely would never let her swallow back her promises. What a troublesome bunch, and I'm the same for falling in line with them.
Kayoko had no complaints about that. She might sigh. She might grunt in annoyance. She might also harshly criticize her leader's actions. But well… this was her place, now.
"Shall we, then?" Kayoko clapped her hands together. Her friends followed in suite, and all four of them bowed their heads lightly. "Ittadakimasu."
And so a fierce fight broke out on their table.
"A-ha! The coast's clear…!" Thundering on, Mutsuki's chopsticks cleaved a solid chunk from the top of the ramen pile. "This thick-cut chasu is mine!"
Hmph, not bad, but…! "Don't look down on me…! It's all about portion!"
With a skillful twist and flick to her wrist, Kayoko shoveled a mouthful yarn of ramen and meaty toppings. The oil was just right, the noodle texture slightly firm but easily broken down upon a bite, and the toppings had cooled down just right for the umami to juice out once they touched her tongue. What was important, however, was the way the noodle, side-dishes, toppings and garnishes mixed together to detonate in her palate; an addictive sensation that could only be tasted through greedy devouring, indeed…
"We sure eat like pigs," and then there came the fatal comment of Mutsuki. The white-haired devil smiled smugly even as she continued her attempts on stealing only the best parts without consideration to others. "Well, at least we can get ready for the… eh, it's getting late out there, though. What do we do if it turns into night ambush?"
"It wouldn't be a bad idea, but it's rather pointless if we were to attack an empty parking lot since the objective is to take out the targets."
"Would be a waste of extra firepower, true~. Well, what say you, Aru-chan?"
"That's "boss" to you." Aru replied with a puff. Expectedly, she took the bait and pulled back her chopsticks because it was in poor manners to eat while talking."Refer to me not as anything but my title while at work, Staff Chief Mutsuki."
"We're off the clock, though." And as expected, Mutsuki's needling managed to hit where it hurt the most for their boss lady. The way Aru's gaze wandered was enough of a tell.
"A-hem! E-hem! E-enough prattling! I'll take you girls out for sukiyaki once we cleared this important mission!"
So we've got no other move except for frontal assault, then… It was not any different to what your typical outlaws would do. Anarchy, violence, and senseless brutality were the common language of the back streets, but something always set apart the true elites from the common rabbles. Whether it be here or there, it was hard to imagine this Problem Solver group of theirs to ascend as an industrial titan in the underworld. But I wouldn't have even bothered had these girls decided to act like the snakes and vultures ruling over the black markets.
Such a complicated affair. And perhaps because of that, Kayoko ended up noticing the waitress walking back to their table… and handing out another mountain of a ramen bowl.
"Hmm? Did any of you order an extra?" The perplexed question tinged with panic came from a pale-faced Aru… why was she this fast only when it came to expecting the worst case scenario?
"Oh, don't worry! Don't worry…! This is a treat… well, not from us." The twintailed waitress leaned down before throwing a side-glance. "That softie noticed you, so better not think anything good will come from him."
Softie…? Just as one of them were about to level a question, an incredibly tall figure entered Kayoko's field of sight. She looked up, and up, and she felt her neck straining as he turned to be somewhere above 175 centimeters, clearly. A broad shoulder, dark hairs that stood on ends, and an old-fashioned orange shade covered his eyes. The stranger who was clearly an adult grinned—and he planted his left hand on the waitress' head, ruffling her hair with a rough sense of vigor to it. Aah, that coat and the insignia emblazoned on it belong to—
"Argh! Sensei, stop! How dare you…!" The waitress jumped and hopped away from his headpatting range… wait, were those cat ears?
"Sheesh, you sure prattle like I'm some night prowler with a white van. Even I've got my limits for endurance, Serika." The adult male put his hands on his waist, pouting even though it didn't suit the impressively menacing impression his appearance would have given off to others. It became even more surprising when he turned his head to look on their table, revealing the few ear piercings on his left ear. "Oh, don't mind me. I just feel like you girls need to eat more."
"Eeeh~! What's that, you sound like a mom!" Mutsuki was the first to respond. The talkative imp crinkled her eyebrows, but it wasn't hard for Kayoko to pick up on her genuine surprise and confusion. "We're all ladies in our own right, you know? What does mister busybody would want from feeding us to the point of bursting? Don't tell me…"
Ah, for the love of…! "Pardon her. We can accept your kindness, but don't think we have ever met before, though… sensei of Schale?"
"Oh, man. Didn't think even total strangers have already heard of me." The dark-haired man rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look written plainly on his face. "I sure hope there's nothing but good stuff told about me…"
...did he notice my wariness? Kayoko wasn't exactly an expert when it came to reading thoughts and emotions. Though she had earned her infamy for her murderous look, it wasn't as if she enjoyed the attentions and negative receptions which came from it. On top of that, there was also her Mystic, but well… This adult is definitely worth more than the salt the rumors suggested him to be, then…
"Aww, poor kids. You've gotta stop intimidating them with your brutish height, sensei~…"
As the so-called teacher groaned in pain, he was unilaterally shoved aside. Kayoko could only blink at the row of colorful students in deep blue blazers and checkered skirts coming into view, but at the forefront is a well-endowed girl with long and smooth dirty blonde hair, and following in her wake was a veil of shocking pink hair and a bright eye-like tiered halo. The name tags hanging off their breast pockets proudly displayed the triangular school logo shared with that cat-eared waitress.
"...oh, wow."
Yes, I also want to say that, Mutsuki. There was no helping it, however. As chatters exploded on their table, now joined by four peculiar students and one adult, Kayoko looked back to the two ramen bowls. One was already halfway from empty, and the other needed to be eaten fast before the noodles turned cold and soggy. Seeing that the last of their team members was fidgeting uncomfortably, poor Haruka likely would blow up at any second, now. We can't have that, so…
"Haruka, you should have this bowl."
"E-eh!? B-but I didn't do anything…! I'm unworthy of such wonderful gift, and…!"
"If you still want more, just ask. Don't worry about repaying or anything." The teacher of Schale chimed in. As all four of them looked up to him, the man behind orange sunglasses chuckled like a pile of white fluffs. "Children needs to eat well to grow up well. No need to hesitate. You all still have a long road waiting ahead of you."
...this person… I can't believe this is the rumored adult expressly recruited by that General Student Council. Though there were already plenty running theories on how he ended up in such a highly privileged position, Kayoko now had to question the wisdom behind that decision. He was easy with smiles, gentle and caring for no reason, and he had a rather weak presence as his voice drowned in the gaggle of conversations between their group and the Abydos students. It's hard to get an accurate reading on him, but there's at least one thing I can be sure of—
The so-called adult was a big pushover. No way the bill for these extra large ramen bowls would be counted as special promos if he was the one paying for them.
"Alright, that's ultra deluxe mega Shiba ramen on the double! Also a soft drink, chilled barley tea, plain water, and strawberry smoothie." The clinical sounds of printing bill and ca-ching of the cashier machine echoed like a death knell. The harbinger of disaster, however, smiled with a tremendous amount of smug to it that this might be the first time Kuromi Serika had ever been in such a good mood. "Plus the other table's bill, that totals for exactly seven-thousand yen! Tax included!"
Vash almost dropped his wallet. His smile froze, and his shoulders turned rigid. If there was any consolation, he wasn't about to run out of the establishment, but well…
"Errm, h-how is it that high?" He needed to know. Where did he go wrong? A Regular Shiba Ramen cost 600 yen, tax included.
"Well, sensei…" At this, Serika narrowed her gaze. "Nobody around here drinks alcohol, so a can of beer is pricier than juice or soft drink."
Oooohhh, so that's why. Now that he thought about it, Kivotos was a city comprised of thousands of academies. In this sense, the majority would of course be students, and there was no way you could sell alcohol to minors. Even if you counted the regular citizens, economy likely relied on consumption by the younger demographics. In other words, most products were aimed at kids. Teens. School girls. The supply and demand is all over the place, so this couldn't be helped… it couldn't be, helped… right…?
…
"...not my fault."
"Pardon?" Serika tilted her head.
"...it's not my fault the beer is so damn good…!" Vash groaned, much to the look of utter dismay and exasperation directed to him from behind the counter. "I mean, come on, a cold beer in the hot desert! Fine whiskey! Wine! They've got all the best stuff here…!"
The currency, pricing, and quality of goods in Kivotos vastly outstripped No-Man's Land by miles and then some more. Of course, there were downsides here and there, and it got a little bit problematic when he was trying to look for the right bar, but still! It was already unfair how many dishes complemented beer or sake, but the price and quality were way too competitive for him not to stock them up! It was past office hours too, so he couldn't help it! He had the right for some levity!
"Whatever you say, the bills don't lie." Serika looked too done at this point. "So, what's the payment will be? Cash or credit? We do support Perocode scan, just in case."
Uhh… I did bring my card, right? "Hang on, gimme a sec… not here. Is it here? Back, down below? Ah… good. Here you go."
"Thank you for your patronage~…!"
Damn it, can't even protest against a blinding smile like that. His wallet didn't have many papers or coins, but now it felt way lighter than before. Vash quietly wept as he made a quick calculation in his head… and now he felt a tug from behind. What is it… hm?
"Sensei, you dropped this~." The pinkish halo resembling an eye in Egyptian hieroglyph bounced up and down. As Hoshino raised her hand that wasn't holding onto his coat, there he saw some sort of thin slip paper. "This looks peculiar… and kind of archaic, from the tacky layout. Some sort of travel ticket?"
That… does look like it. It wasn't punched, and the degraded lines and letters written on the paper slip had an old-school feeling to it. A train ticket, but blank. There was no set destination on it, and there were no date or seating position typed anywhere. It neither had a logo nor name to it, making it even more questionable how did he recognize it as a train trip ticket out of all things. Well, it's probably just for novelty sake, right?
"Thanks for picking it up, Hoshino."
"Naw, it's okay. Sensei sure do have the habit of spacing out, so even ojisan is worried about your long-term well-being, yeah?"
Was she, now? Vash didn't feel like there had been much of a close-call, lately. At worst, he had to take charge because otherwise other people would get hurt from his inaction, and that'd be unforgivable. He didn't get this far just by running away, and it was hard to kill his habits considering how much they had become ingrained traits. Self-control tended to play a huge part on his daily conducts, as a result. At least he could trust in his own abilities and judgment to get by, so…
"Sensei~? You're doing that face again."
Vash blinked. Chuckling while feeling hapless, he rubbed the back of his head. He glanced to the side just in case, and it seemed like the others were still having a final chatter with the quartet from Gehenna. Even Serika was going back to wash dishes. It seemed there was a reason why Hoshino decided to stick around, then.
"Nah, I'm fine. Just getting side-tracked." Vash pumped his right arm, clenching his hand all the while. "How about you? You're the only third-year. Got some woes for me to console you over? Are you keeping up with your study? Not sleeping in late, or doing something naughty, hopefully?"
At that, the mismatched eyes blinked owlishly. She tapped the floor twice and hummed in thoughts, seemingly drawing out a response.
"Ehh, it's so-so. You get used to it whether you want to or not." Takanashi Hoshino shrugged exaggeratedly at that. To say that she was disinterested on the matter would be a lie, but it also didn't seem like she was particularly keen on elaborating further. Like meeting a stray cat who had been living in the back alley for years, she understood the way in conducting herself before strangers. "Also, is that really how you want this silly talk to get going? Come on, sensei. You're not going anywhere by avoiding questions."
"Drat. You didn't buy it at all, huh?" Vash huffed. What a tough customer, but he was not Vash for shows. It took a lot more for him to be dispirited! "Are you that worried?"
"Yeah, well… I mean, you don't look like you've got a deep pocket despite being affiliated to that General Student Council."
True. Harsh, but true. He was more or less paid the same as any random civil office worker out there. What was her point, though? Just a childish and mild diss?
"I mean… you're being way too kind on others for no reason at all. Gotta say, isn't living like that just making it hard for you, sensei?" Hoshino nudged with a glance to the front entrance, seeing how the red-haired girl waved goodbye at Shiroko and Nonomi. They all wore smiles on their faces, the very picture of sunny atmosphere between them as the students of two schools bade farewell to each other. It was then that the girl bearing the radiant light of sun and the cool embrace of the moon returned her gaze to meet him face to face. "You also did the same thing with those hooligans who kidnapped and beat you up. Ojisan here worries you're going to do something even weirder next time."
What do you mean weirder, hey… "Don't make it sound as if I'm the type to dunk myself headfirst into troubles. That's an extreme prejudice you're holding there, brat."
"You've been getting dragged to troubles since day one, right~?"
...this cheeky girl sure runs her mouth well. Vash heaved a sigh, unable finding the will to deny that blatant accusation. He didn't even bother going on about the stark difference between his office life and the few outing trip's random encounter episodes. Not that planting a hand on his face will erase the fact, but what mattered was that he at least tried instead of not doing it and then regretting afterwards. In any case…
"Well, I have a work income. So! There's no problem with me doing whatever I want with my hard-earned money…!" Yes, there was nothing wrong with spending that on innocuous things like paying for food bills. It wasn't like he'd go broke tomorrow, and he was the type to survive even with the toughest jerky and a lemon juice for company on a rough trip across the endless desert of No-Man's Land. Just like before, he would always manage somehow, because he was Vash the Stampede! "As for the delinquents from yesterday… well, it's just…"
...if he were to tell a story, only a few tales came to mind. If he were to talk about ideals, only memories could smile back at him. However—
"You can always start over." Vash curved his lips, lightly leaning against the edge of the counter. In his hand was the blank ticket, and a faint figure flickered in the darkness behind his eyelids. "I thought they needed to hear that, to know at least that much."
"...but there's no guarantee they'll turn over a new leaf, sensei."
"That may be the case." The man reopened his eyes, gazing gently at the lost child standing before him. "But, we don't know what tomorrow will bring. It's hard to tell for certain, so why not do it anyway? Right, Hoshino?"
Maybe it would prove to be the wrong choice. Maybe it wouldn't. The spiral of choices and consequences, along with the responsibility needed to bear their burdens. And yet, it was still infinitely better than being stuck at a complete standstill. Whether it be in the past, the present, or the future. Whether it be here, on Earth, or even the far-flung remote planet in deep space…
No need to think so seriously about it.
"Look into the recess of your heart." Vash gazed sidelong at the approaches of three girls, led by a seemingly expressionless girl. Naturally, he smiled at them. Warm and welcoming, but at a distance comfortable for a mere guiding post. His students. He was starting to embrace this role unfamiliar to him. It felt right. "You know it to be true. So make it count when it matters the most."
All of us have the ability to grab hold of our dreamed future, after all.
The sky was turning a tad bit pale and yellow. There wasn't much time left before dusk arrived, and by then…
"Aru-chan, Aru-chan! Hey, are you listening~…?" Mutsuki shook her friend's shoulders, finding them stiff and unmoving. She hopped to the front and even waved before her eyes, but it was no good. "Wow, the moment we told her those kids were Abydos students and she's completely frozen solid."
"I guess that does make us be the bad guys, huh…" The Section Chief lady groaned, both hands in the pocket of her hoodie. "Actually, wait. How is it that only half of us figured out their identities? Is the school debt and logo not good enough?"
"I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Sorry! I'm such a filthy dung beetle that doesn't deserve a single shred of intelligence…!"
"No, not you, Haruka. Argh, this is getting nowhere…"
But getting nowhere is our forte. Mutsuki didn't really need much justification beyond it being fun and thrilling. There was joy in all things in the world. It just so happened that her idea of fun involved love, violence, and fireworks. In that sense, she was a true Gehenna student to the core. The white-haired girl didn't feel the need to boast about it, though. More importantly…
"Wait…! What is this!? What do you mean by that, Kayoko!?" Aru's sudden snap made Mutsuki jump back by a step and half. "Are you sure? Are you serious?! T-those… those girls… they were from… Aby—"
"Yeah? Abydos students. Sun over the triangle. Neat blue blazer like the ocean, and bright white canvas underneath." Also two pairs of glasses. "Hmhmhmm~? Oh my, you really don't know, huh? But we gotta get to work, now!"
"Aba… abababa… W-why is fate such a cruel mistress…"
Yeap, that's Aru-chan for you. Big ambitions, weird lens to see the world through. With or without glasses, the taller girl whose slanted halo already started to shake uncontrollably had an amazing luck that could bend things around to unexpected directions, most of them fun stuff. This was why she never got tired of her, and personally speaking, the confrontation felt like threads of destiny pulled together. Now, time to push a liiitle bit furtheeer~…!
"Aww. Come on, Aru-chan. What happened to doing the crime as long as the client pays the dime? Isn't Problem Solver 68 supposed to be professional?" Mutsuki grinned, slowly peeking into Aru's corner of vision. "Don't let your emotions get in the way. Do one bad thing everyday, like you wrote. Our business is not for the faint-hearted… oh?"
Aru gulped. She visibly gulped. Somehow or some other, the consistently inconsistent girl that was Aru swallowed down and refocused her gaze. Mutsuki once again was in awe at the quick shift to her mood, but she knew better than most. Undoubtedly, there was a lovely hamster in the wheel running at full speed inside Aru's head. The adorable critter hidden deep behind her villainous facade was a little bit easy to influence, a little bit impulsive, and a little bit prone to flying off the handle.
But she was dedicated. Props to her, Aru knew better than to back down after forming a club aiming to thrive in the underworld. Mostly because of guilt, but still—
"Staff Chief Mutsuki," the boss lady called out. "Let's do it! Round up the muscle!"
Yep, classic Aru-chan! "A-ha! Looks like it's decided!"
"Oh, goodness. Here we go again…" Kayoko sighed in doom and gloom. She followed after them without missing a beat while the one black wing poking out from below her skirts flapped readily.
"O-oh! I-I won't let you down, Aru-sama!" And sweet Haruka, ever the loyal scared puppy.
And off they went. The meeting spot took a bit of time, and time was a wasting. It was, however, filled with bad silence, so somebody proposed an icebreaker.
"I think we should go for a blitz." That suggestion, spoken without reservation, cut through the silence adorned with distant hustle and bustle. Everyone looked to the ponytailed Kayoko. "What do you say, boss?"
"Wow, you sure is raring to go, there."Mutsuki happily giggled. It was a bit of a surprise for Kayoko to be this serious, but since their stomachs were full, now… "I have to agree with Section Chief here, though. How about it, Aru-chan?"
"O-ooh… It's honestly moving to see both of you this motivated," their leader turned around, readjusting the strap carrying her sniper rifle. "Well… it is only right for an executive to hear out her subordinate's logical advice. Is there a reason why, though?"
"They have an adult with them. We do not."
"...the adult was with them?"
"E-eeh!? You mean, that menacingly tall person…!?"
At this point, Mutsuki could only cackle. This fight was definitely going to be a total riot from start to end, that she had no doubt about.It's gonna be full of mayhem, then!
The first star of the evening shone bright. Birds crowed, the shadows deepened, and it was about time to bid farewell. See you tomorrow, let's meet again, study hard, don't forget your homework, sweet dreams… those words have a nice ring to them.
Because tomorrow would come, they decided to have expectations. Because time would pass and the world would turn, they looked forward to the end of the night by wishing for dawn's arrival. Izayoi Nonomi didn't dislike this kind of stuff, as it had become a part of her daily life. The simple curiosity that drove her feet to this school had become the trigger to her transformation. Even though it had been cloudy, cold, and snowy—her meeting with her senior emboldened her first steps into becoming her own person.
That was why. Even as she waved at Shiroko and Ayane who intended to lock the doors of the clubroom as well as the school. Even when she warmly watched over Serika who grumpily stepped away to the rear gates, accompanied by the teacher. Even after she lost sight of her friends and club advisor—she didn't turn around until she was completely sure of no chances for eavesdropping.
"Hoshino-senpai," Nonomi then called out. "Senpai. Hoshino-senpai. Are you… alright?"
There wasn't a response, not a proper one. She heard a muffled sound only after a dozen of seconds which felt like eternity.
"...oh… is that you, Nonomi-chan…?" The lethargic, borderline past exhausted tone in Hoshino's voice hardly possessed a shred of attempt in faking it. "What's wrong? You're looking pale as white sheet there, aha…"
"...senpai," Nonomi breathed out. She wasn't quite sure what to think of the situation, but at least her senior wasn't completely out of it. She chided the part of herself that whispered "not just yet" and threw it into the abyss of her conscience."...is something, on your mind?"
"...oh… right. Yeah… right. Right. You saw through me, huh…?" The pale-faced pink-haired girl scratched the back of her head. Though she attempted to smile, it was only a shoddy attempt as it lacked all the necessary elements. "Yeah… sorry, I just. Uhmm, a bit tired, I guess. Need to get back my bearing a little. Maybe I ate too much…?"
"I see… if you say so, then." Nonomi held back from coming off strongly. Though she still uneasy about it, the third-year was a stronger person than her. Her own knowledge amounted for only so much, even with the tidbits handed out by Hoshino herself. "I get that feeling, but don't shoulder all of the burden by yourself, okay? We're all going to protect our school together. We even have sensei around as club advisor!"
Not that our club has ever been officially recognized… The girl knew that she was simplifying everything too much. Even so, there was no reason for her to reaffirm all the bad things that had happened. Tomorrow would arrive, and everyone was still here to witness the next daybreak. The place the Foreclosure members belonged to had yet to change, and they would never allow it to fall apart. Not just yet, not when we still aren't done struggling with everything that we have—
"Uhehe… geez, you girls sure are growing up fast while I wasn't paying attention." The pink-haired senior spread her smiling lips a little wider than earlier. "I'm starting to feel my age, you know…?"
"Come on, senpai… you're only one year older than me." Nonomi puffed her cheeks, a bit exaggeration put in the gesture while she placed a hand on her waist. And then, the blonde raised an index finger up in the air. "How about we start on closing the front gates, already? We're the only ones who haven't done our task at all."
Of course, the threat of incurring Ayane's wrath was better left unsaid. Even Hoshino surely wouldn't be so slow as to imagine such a thing happening, what with today having been spent unproductively. The strategy meeting was a bust, they only practiced shooting by themselves, and then they had fun eating meals while bugging Serika. Now that she thought about it, tomorrow likely would be booked from morning assembly to afterschool period…
"Right… alright then," the petite older girl sighed, seemingly out of exasperation. The dull light haunting her mismatched eyes was now restored with the usual, carefree luster that Hoshino often showed. "Come to think of it, where are the others and sen—"
And then.
And then, Nonomi heard gunshots. Gunfire. The rattling sounds of guns firing at full-automatic, detonations of explosives, with angry cries and grunts. It broke through the cool dusk air, penetrating and striking. It all resounded everywhere, to the point that Nonomi could hardly dismiss it. The girl winced as her intercom blared to life, and from the other side of the channel was the shrill voice of Ayane—
[I'm sorry, senpai! I failed to detect the unidentified assailants from busting through the rear school gates…! We've got more than a dozen bandits, incoming…!]
Ah, the second-year realized. As she recognized the jolt running through Hoshino's shoulders, her heart sank a little. I guess we're still not out of troubles just yet…
A/N: We're about to step on the gas pedal from hereon.
