Volume 1, Ch. 3 – Besna's Reprieve

Everyone was in good spirits as we returned, victorious, into the Task Force Club Room. The Helmet Gang's base was rather ad-hoc, but it would have held against an infantry attack. With Abydos as strapped for resources as it was, any assault to take the base would have been a protracted affair.

That was, if it weren't for the fact that I could produce a medium mortar on demand and a half minute of concentration. The image still shattered after the third shot, but three shots was all that was needed to breach and throw the entire defending force in disarray. I still wasn't quite sure how it would interact with a Student's protection, but it certainly did its job in giving everyone the opening to storm the base.

If the supplies I brought were able to let Abydos keep fighting for a few more days, then the materiel taken from the Helmet Gang would keep them in for a few more weeks. Weapons, ammo, sandbags, and food.

"Welcome back, everyone." Ayane called out from her station in the corner of the room, waving as I entered last. "Great work today."

The rest of the Task Force greeted her back, with my own "Thank you for the excellent support Ms. Okusora." thrown in for extra measure.

"We finally took down the Helmet Gang." Nonomi said as she eased herself into one of the chairs around the Club Room's central table. "It should be smooth sailing from here."

"More like we can finally get back to more important matters." Shiroko said as she and the others followed Nonomi's lead and made themselves comfortable around the table. I took one look at the folding pipe and plastic chair, and elected to lean against one of the walls instead.

Serika laughed cheerfully, leaning back in her chair. "All we have to focus on now is paying back the debt!"

"Debt?" The confusion in my voice was palpable. There was some information on what had happened in Abydos in the Council reports, but this was the first time a debt was mentioned.

The cheer dropped immediately, my question a decided shock to the system. I watched them look at each other nervously, conversations carried in silence glances and subtle shifts of expression. I didn't need my Crew's Memories of unhelpful examples to know that I overstepped.

"I apologize, I meant no offense." I started, bowing slightly, "I simply wished to better understand your situation."

Ayane looked around nervously at the rest of her friends before she started "W-well, the thing is-"

"Stop right there!" Serika interrupted with a shout, slamming both hands into the table as she shot up from her seat. "Not another word, Ayane!"

A quiet "Eep!" was all Ayane could say in response as she was immediately cowed. Hoshino, however, was apparently not so easily corralled. "Why not, Serika?" The pinkette asked, turning her stare at the catgirl, "It's not like it's a secret."

"That doesn't mean we should go telling everyone!" Serika replied, slamming her hands into the table again for emphasis.

Hoshino's sleepy stare became just a bit sharper at Serika's outburst. Still, she kept an even tone as she spoke. "It's not like we've done anything wrong. Besides, Nelson-Sensei is one of us now."

"Hoshino is right, Serika." Shiroko added, her voice quiet but firm. "Sensei is responsible – trustworthy, even. She fought with us to fight back the Helmet Gang."

"I know, but…" Serika started to say something only to trail off, looking between her friends and myself.

Hoshino was looking more awake than I had seen her so far outside of a fight as she spoke. "Look, I'm not saying she can solve this problem for us, but maybe she can help us come up with a solution if we ask her."

"I know, but she's still an outsider! She just showed up out of nowhere! Why would an Adult care about our problems now, anyways? We've always taken care of ourselves! Why do we suddenly need to be supervised?!" Serika ranted, shouting at the rest of the room, before her eyes settled on me. I could see something set in her eyes. "I don't want any part of this!"

With that, Serika spun on her heels and ran out the door, leaving the rest of us to watch her retreating form.

Nonomi had left shortly after, running after Serika to try to calm her down. That left Hoshino, Shiroko, Ayane and myself to stew in the aftermath of the storm we had just weathered. I was the first to break the silence, bowing my head at the rest of the room. "I apologize, I did not realize it was such a sore matter for Ms. Kuromi."

Hoshino stared at me with her inscrutable gaze before looking to the side and sighing. "There's nothing to apologize for. Nonomi will try to see what's up. But, back to your question… Our school owes quite a bit of money to a loan company. It's a challenge, but not an uncommon problem either. The real issue is…" Hoshino trailed off, pausing to find the words for a few moments before finally saying, in a subdued voice, "that it's over 900 million yen."

"It's nine-hundred sixty-two million, three hundred and fifty thousand yen, to be exact." Ayane clarified quietly. "That's the amount that Abydos – no, that the Foreclosure Task Force has taken upon itself to pay back. The loan company will foreclose on the school and shutter it permanently if we don't pay them."

I had gotten used to using the currency in Kivotos since my arrival. It was a decimalized standard like any reasonable system, although the lack of any coinage beyond the singular Yen was strange to me. But even with my practice, it took more than a few moments for me to process the sheer scale of the amount owed.

"How do they expect you to pay that back?" I asked, the disquiet I felt audible even to me.

Ayane shook her head sadly. "The chances of us paying it back are practically zero. That's why most of the students left."

"Except for us, that is." Shiroko muttered, sounding just as tired as the others.

"The debt is the source of everything that's wrong." Ayane said bitterly, hands gripping her skirt tightly in frustration, "It's why the school is on the brink of closure, why the students left, and why the town is so desolate…"

"Is this because of the sandstorms?" I asked, recalling details from the reports, "The Council mentioned them being a problem for the district but they failed to detail any of… well, any of this."

Ayane, Shiroko, and Hoshino all nodded in response but only Ayane spoke. "Not just any sandstorm. A few years ago, a massive sandstorm hit Abydos. Parts of the district were completely buried so Abydos had to raise a lot of funds for disaster relief…"

"And nobody was willing to lend funds but loan sharks?"

Ayane nodded again. "It wasn't supposed to be a problem and the school should have been able to pay them back quickly. But the sandstorms have only worsened as the years went on."

"So, the School borrowed more money? Before paying off the current loan?"

"Nn." Shiroko intoned with a nod. "Half of Abydos is buried under the sand now."

"And the debt just keeps growing…" Ayane finished off quietly. "We're barely able to pay the interest each month, and now the only ammunition and supplies are the ones you brought with you, Sensei, and the ones from the Helmet Gang."

The four of us stayed there in silence for a moment, staring at everything but each other. Finally, Shiroko turned to me and spoke. "I can sympathize with Serika's frustrations. No one has ever cared enough to ask about our situation before, let alone reach out to help."

"That's the long and short of it." Hoshino said with a tired smile. "Now that you've helped us scare the Helmet Gang away, we can return our focus on paying off the debt. Even if we appoint you as our club's advisor, you don't have to trouble yourself with our debt. Just the fact that you've heard our story is enough."

"But what if I wish to be troubled?" I asked, my question echoing in the empty room. Yuuka might have handled the funds for Schale, but even I knew Schale didn't exactly have the funds to help cover a balance of that size. But if there was one thing I knew, it was of financial difficulty. I, who was born on the eve of the Great Depression and torn apart to keep Post-War Britain alive, knew it very well. The pain of that alone would have spurred me to action. But beyond that…

"As it stands, Abydos faces collapse." I said aloud, pushing myself off the wall and bringing myself to my full height. None of the Task Force denied it. "With it, the collapse of the district, potential harm being brought to its denizens, and, most importantly, the spurning of your efforts."

I walked as I spoke, wandering the room without intent, and found myself in front of the window. I paused, looking out at the track yard in front of the school. The late evening sun cast it in twilight colours but I could still see the telltale signs of use and maintenance. The city beyond it was quiet, but I could still spot the signs of life in traveling families and lit windows. It was a harsh land, but one which people still called home and fought on nonetheless. I turned to face the Foreclosure Task Force, seeing their gazes on me.

"This cannot be allowed to pass. I,Nelson, will not allow it to pass. Until a solution has been found, we of Schale will stand with you." I smiled, projecting my confidence best I could, "If you will have me, of course."

The Students were quiet, silent in the face of my declaration, before Ayane finally found her voice. "You don't have to say all that…" She looked up and matched my gaze with a smile of her own. "But thank you for doing so anyway, Sensei."

"Listen to you acting so noble." Hoshino said with a sleepy nostalgic gaze, "Well, if you're really going to insist on helping…"

Ayane leaned back in her computer chair, her smile still on her face. "That's a relief though. There's still some hope if we have Schale's support."

Shiroko looked at me, giving a tiny smile of her own. "True, things are looking up, at least."

As the girls talked amongst themselves, I looked past and behind them to the door. I spotted a single black cat ear over the edge of the frame. Moments later it vanished. I would need to talk to her and clear the air. Hopefully it was something we could just talk through.

The last few days had been an emotionally turbulent time for Serika. The Helmet Gang was gone. Whether they were licking their wounds or not, the thugs had been driven out of what was left of the district. Her and the rest of the Foreclosure Task Force were free to focus on the debt again instead of dealing with their harassment. She should be happy. But yet…

"Good morning, Ms. Kuromi. Are you doing well today?"

That damned Teacher was still around. From what everyone else had told her, Nelson had taken up occupancy in one of the unused rooms in the school. "Just until she figures out how to help us." was what she was told. Ridiculous. As if it wasn't enough that the Adult was stepping into their lives, she also decided to impose on them as well?

"It is a surprise to see you here, Ms. Kuromi. Do take care on your way."

She couldn't stand how everyone just accepted the Teacher's presence, how nobody questioned why exactly Nelson was there. They were doing fine before, so why did she have to stick her nose where it didn't belong? Abydos could stand on its own two feet, thank you very much.

"Leaving so soon? I hope you are taking the time to rest."

But even if nobody else questioned the Teacher about her motives, she had to give the Adult at least one credit. She kept running into Nelson doing something. She was always doing something. She never seemed to stop working. Over the course of the last few days, Serika had seen the enigmatic Adult helping out in all sorts of ways. She had seen Nelson help an elderly couple bring their groceries home. She watched from a distance as the tall Adult helped repair failing air conditioners. Heck, one time on her way home, she ran across Nelson fortifying a long-abandoned house.

It was as if the Adult abhorred idleness. Or maybe she was just a workaholic. She wasn't even sure why exactly Nelson asked for a place to rest. Hoshino had a weird sleeping schedule and even the tiny president admitted that Nelson didn't really seem to spend much time sleeping. She was always awake before anyone made it back to school in the morning, and nobody had seen her falling asleep so far.

But Serika did notice one pattern just from asking when and where people saw the Teacher. Whatever Nelson was up to, it orbited her vicinity. That's why Serika kept running into her, and her damned smile. Only staying around long enough to give a greeting and let her go. Never long enough to explain what exactly she was doing or planning. It pissed her off that this was the person the rest of Abydos was pinning their hopes on.

"Good morning, Ms. Kuro-"

"Can you stop that?! Stop acting like we're friends!" Serika finally snapped back at Nelson. Days of running into the Teacher built to a crescendo as frustration bled into her voice. She could stand being in proximity to the Adult when she was supposed to be at school, but bumping into her on the street during her day off was just the worst-case scenario.

Nelson's smile faltered for just a second. Serika felt a small amount of vindication from finally knocking the meddlesome Adult off balance. Still, it didn't stop Nelson from answering. "It is manners, Ms. Kuromi. You are a Student and I am a Teacher. Greeting you is the polite thing to do."

"Hmph. Whatever." Serika huffed, dismissing the Adult's platitudes. "Don't you have a cat to save or some other stupid thing anybody can do? I hope I'll never be as pointless as you when I grow up."

The smile actually dropped from Nelson's face and, for a brief moment, Serika could see it replaced by a troubled frown. She squashed the twin pangs of vicious joy and guilt she felt. She was just doing this to get the Adult to leave them alone.

"Nevertheless," Nelson continued, smoothing her expression, "As your Teacher, I would like to know where you are going. I understand classes are not scheduled today."

"Tch, why do you want to know? I don't need you following me around."

Nelson sighed and ran her hand through her hair at Serika's response. The Adult wasn't quite exasperated, but Serika could tell she was definitely pushing buttons. "Ms. Kuromi, I ask for safety's sake. I just wish to know where you may be if there is an emergency. I have already checked with your friends."

Serika stared at the Adult, who returned her look with a stare of her own. Finally, she broke the stare down with a huff. "Fine! I'm going to my part-time job. I don't have the freedom to do whatever I want like you do. I have money to make. There, happy now?"

Nelson kept staring at her for a moment longer before turning away with a sigh. "I presume you will simply tell me off if I were to ask the rough location that your job is at."

"You presume right! So don't follow me! I don't need you stalking me." With that one last angry barb, Serika turned away and stormed off. The faster she could figure out how to get the Adult to leave, they could get back to their regular life.

"Nelson-Sensei, are you ok?"

Shiroko's question broke me out of my musing as I walked with the rest of the Abydos girls down the street. Hoshino had called for everyone to follow her for lunch. She was leading the group from the front, with Nonomi and Ayane walking behind her and chatting with each other. Shiroko seemed to have pulled away from her friends to where I was in the back.

I gave Shiroko a smile. "Nothing for you to worry about, Ms. Sunaōkami. Just thinking about matters."

"Is it about Serika?" Shiroko asked with an inscrutable look, mismatched pupils watching me curiously.

"Is it that obvious?"

Shiroko nodded, ears twitching.

I hummed noncommittally, thinking of how to best discuss the subject. My efforts over the past few days to try to get the prickly catgirl a chance to get used to my presence had not been working. I doubted charging in would make matters better either. Finally, I just settled with the truth. "I had hoped that Ms. Kuromi's resistance to my presence was a temporary thing, but it seems she is set on being antagonistic."

"Serika is slow to trust new people. She needs more time to calm down." Shiroko tried to assure me before turning to watch the street ahead of us. The two of us walked quietly for a few moments as I ruminated on what she said.

"Is there a reason why you're so worried about Serika, Sensei?" The familiar crackle of Arona's radio echoed in the back of my mind.

'A few reasons,' I admitted to the computer girl, 'While criminals and militaries bear little in similarities, neither would let our offensive go unanswered. I expect them to respond and strike back like a wounded beast. We would need to respond in force when that happens. As for why Serika…'

As my silence dragged, I could hear the crackle and pop of Arona's raido. Finally, she asked a simple "And…?"

I sighed aloud in response. I could see Shiroko look at me out of the corner of my eye, watching but unspeaking. After a few more moments, I answered Arona. 'I have seen what happens when discord is among the ranks. I would rather avoid it this time.'

"We're here!" Hoshino announced with a proud huff as we came to a stop in front of a restaurant.

"Shiba-Seki Ramen?" I muttered to myself, reading the sign hanging above the awning. It was an oddly traditional Japanese façade, with visible wood framing and white walls. Facsimiles of paper doors and windows covered the exterior. It made for a charmingly anachronistic store that didn't quite fit the modern buildings around it or the desert of the district, but it certainly stood out.

The doors slid open as Hoshino walked up and she entered, the rest of Abydos following suit behind her. I was part way through ducking under the door when a very familiar voice called out with a cheerful "Welcome to Shiba Seki-!" that immediately cut to a surprised "What the…?!".

With some slight trepidation, I looked up and locked eyes with a very shocked Serika. Before either of us could say anything, Nonomi pushed herself to the front of the group. She waved at Serika and, with a voice full of cheer, said "Hello! Table for five!"

Ayane laughed nervously as she greeted Serika with a simple "Hello, Serika…"

"Hey." Shiroko was entirely nonchalant as I expected.

Serika's face was several shades of pink brighter than when we entered, almost as bright as the magenta of her halo. "What are you guys doing here?" She asked, voice squeaking in embarrassment.

Hoshino chuckled as she puffed her chest out, smugness radiating from her sleepy grin. "We came to visit since we knew you'd be here."

Serika stared at the tiny president with a vacant mortified look as she slowly looked up at me. I gave her the best smile I could muster, but even I could feel it was shaky. "I doubt you would believe me, but this was not my idea."

My words seemed to snap Serika out of her stunned horror as the vacant look was immediately replaced with annoyance. "I told you not to follow me!"

"Ms. Kuromi, I promise you I am doing no such thing."

"That's just your excuse!"

Hoshino took a step between us before we could go any further, the smile on her face strained. "Don't blame Sensei," She said, waving off the catgirl's heated glare. "It was us who figured this was the only place you might work, so we came by."

Serika kept staring at me for a second, before the heat faded out of her glare and she turned to face the pinkette between us. "So this was your scheme, Hoshino?"

"Are these your Abydos Classmates, Serika?" A deep bassy voice asked from behind the counter of the store. I looked over the group in front of me and spotted its Owner: one of the man-sized animals that populated Kivotos. This one in particular had a pair of distinct scars; a cross over one check and a slash across an eye on the other side of the face. He paid no heed to the attention from myself or the rest of Abydos as he continued to speak. "Stop with the chit-chat and take their order."

"Y-yes, sir." Serika said, apparently abashed at the rebuke from the Owner. Lighter tints of embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she bowed in apology. "Follow me. I'll take you to your table."

Shiroko and Nonomi both had tried to get me to sit next to them on the benches at their table. That had lasted until the bench groaned and pitched ominously when I tried to sit next to Shiroko. After that display, the Owner fetched a sturdier looking metal stool for me to use.

"Are you comfortable, Sensei?" Shiroko asked from my port side, watching as I wiggled slightly to test the seat. It still shifted slightly, but it was certainly a lot less precarious than the wooden bench.

When it didn't feel like it was going to collapse, I nodded and answered. "It shall do."

"I don't think I've ever seen someone bend a wooden bench from sitting on it," Serika muttered quietly, staring at me with shock.

Hoshino turned to me, a smug grin on her face. I matched her gaze and, as she began to speak, I moved to grab one of the menus. "Perhaps we should turn our attention to why we are here?"

With that deflection, everyone turned their attention back to the menu and, by extension, our waitress. Serika finally managed to corral her rowdy schoolmates into ordering after a brief round of teasing from Hoshino; along with half-serious threats to sell pictures of Serika in her uniform.

"I'll have the chashu ramen, please!" Nonomi said, smiling at her embarrassed underclassman/waitress.

"One shio ramen." Shiroko added.

Ayane hummed in thought before pointing to something on her menu. "I'd like the miso ramen."

"I want the special miso!" Hoshino called out. "With extra chashu!"

Hoshino turned to me, spotted the menu still in my hands, and gave me a sleepy smile. "Order whatever you want, Sensei. Shiba Seki Ramen is one of the best remaining restaurants in Abydos!"

"Well, if it comes at such a high recommendation" I said as I placed the menu back down, matching her sleepy smile with a beaming smile at Serika. "Could I please have a spinach salad to start, and the jiro-style ramen with a large order of noodles, light garlic, and with double toppings." I paused, glancing over at the list of drinks pasted on the side of our booth. "Ah, and a can of Principal Coffee as well. Thank you."

The table was silent. Serika was silent. The few other customers in the shop were silent. Finally, the Owner turned from his station at the counter to stare at me. His voice was grave as he spoke. "You're a brave one, aren't you."

"Nothing of the sort," I answered easily, smile still present, "I have eaten quite lightly since my arrival in Abydos so a larger meal is quite overdue."

Shiroko slowly turned her head to look at me. Her expression was unreadable as she spoke. "Sensei, the backpacking meals you've been eating every meal are at least 900 calories each. That's not including any snacks."

"It is quite fortunate that I have only stuck with light duty." I replied with a serious nod. "I may yet need to find a way for Schale to provide additional supplies if we were to increase our activity."

"Over 3000 calories a day is what you call light?" Ayane asked aloud, her voice ghastly quiet.

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you. Just so you know, there's no refund if you can't finish it." The Owner finally responded, before turning back to his workstation to prepare his craft.

The declaration seemed to snap Serika back to the fact she was working. She glared at the rest of the table as she wrote down our orders. "Did you all bring your own money? You're not just going to make Nonomi pay again, are you?"

"It's not like I mind. I'm still way under my card's credit limit." Nonomi said with a brilliant smile.

Hoshino laughed, waving off Nonomi's offer, "Nah, we can't make you do that. Sensei is going to pick the tab up today!" She turned to stare at me, her smile sleepy but eyes sharp, "Right?"

"Of course," I answered easily, "You have enough difficulties as is without adding this meal to it."

Hoshino was quiet and the stare lasted a moment longer before her expression relaxed into an easy grin. "There we go! Wallet-flexing opportunities like this don't come around every day."

"Nothing of the sort," I said with a cocked brow, "I plan to expense this later. After all, building camaraderie with you is a part of my station."

I could hear Yuuka tearing her hair out already. I said a silent prayer for forgiveness, and hoped she wouldn't spot this receipt amongst the others.

"Suzumi-san?"

"Yes?"

"I get the feeling that Nelson-Sensei is about to do something stupid. Monumentally so."

"… I'll check on the helicopters."

The table stared at me. Serika stared at me. The customers in the restaurant stared at me. The Owner stared at me. I clapped my hands together, as customary, and stated my judgment. "Thank you for the meal. It was delicious."

The reactions were instant.

Nonomi smiled, and clapped cheerfully at my declaration. "I'm glad you liked it!"

"Th-that was almost two-thousand calories in ten minutes." Serika stammered, voice faint.

Hoshino blinked; the first time I've seen honest surprise cross her face. "I didn't think you could actually eat all that. Lil ol' me just thought you ordered it to impress us."

"Nn." Shiroko intoned, the faintest smile on her face, "I knew Sensei could do it."

"How did she eat all that without getting a drop on her clothes…" Ayane muttered.

The Owner walked over and looked at the empty bowl, looked up at me, back at the bowl, and then whistled, impressed. "Well, I'll be damned. It's been years since I've seen anyone finish one of these off."

"It was quite excellent. I have not had the chance to enjoy this type of cuisine, but your execution was a capital introduction."

"Well, you don't have to praise me that much," The Owner replied with a chuckle. "Maybe I should look at hanging your picture on the challenger wall or something."

With that he wandered back to his counter to tend to his other customers. As he wandered away, the gathered Students turned their attention to me.

"So, Sensei," Hoshino drawled, looking at me with a curious glint in her eyes, "Since we're looking at building 'camaraderie'," and I could almost hear the air quotes around that "how about you tell us about yourself? You're the only new person at this table after all."

"Oh? And what would my illustrious seniors wish to know?" I asked with an easy smile.

Hoshino stared at me for a second before she broke out into laughter. "Don't say that, you make me sound older than I am!"

"Did you not just set yourself as my senior? I must have you know that you must be past 24 if that is the case."

Hoshino gasped at my banter with the dramatic skill of a first-year theater student. "Lil ol' me must be getting senile in my twilight years!"

"What the hell does that make me then?" The Owner grumbled from across the room, apparently unheard by all.

There was a spackle of giggling at Hoshino's overacting and I let the girls calm down before I settled myself into my seat and smiled at the group. "I am quite serious though; please ask the questions you are curious about."

Ayane was the first to voice her curiosity. "Nelson-Sensei, what did you do before coming to Kivotos? I tried looking it up with the General Student Council but your files aren't public."

I expected that. Rin had made it clear to me that she didn't want the whole 'I might not even be Human' fact becoming common knowledge. I understood she wanted things to stabilize, and having an absolutely insane sounding backstory as mine would, frankly, not lend well to stability. But I wasn't about to begin lying to Students for her sake.

"I was the commander of a naval fleet. I had just finished my final tour of duty when the President offered me a new position here." I answered truthfully. It was better to just be vague on the details here, especially given what exactly I had served through.

Ayane blinked. "You were the commander of a naval fleet at 24?"

"There was a war. Commands were changing quite frequently at the time."

"The world outside of Kivotos is still pretty bad, huh…" Ayane muttered. My ears perked at that. The details on the state of the world beyond Kivotos were quite sparse, but I got the sense things were doing quite poorly. It would seem my hunch was correct. Except now I was left to question how bad it was that a super city-state run by heavily armed children with superpowers was seen as the safe option.

Shiroko tilted her head, looking at me with curiosity clear in her eyes. I nodded in response, and she smiled before asking, "Is that why you know how to fight?"

"Somewhat. I learned by watching the training of the personnel aboard. I would hesitate to call myself superior to them, but I am certainly a peer."

My answer seemed to satisfy something the wolf-girl was curious about. She nodded and fell quiet. Meanwhile, Nonomi's hand shot-up as a cheerful smile lit up her face. "Oh! I have a question!"

"Please, ask away."

"If you're a bigshot in the military, does that mean you're royalty too?"

I blinked at Nonomi's question. So did Hoshino, Shiroko, Ayane, and Serika, who was trying very hard to hide the fact she was eavesdropping. After a second, I could only say "I beg your pardon?"

"Well," Nonomi continued unabashedly, "You talk like an old-fashioned noble, you became a bigshot while you were young, and you're super polite. So I thought maybe you were like a queen, or a prince-"

My vision and hearing blanked. I wasn't sure for how long, but a hand touching my arm brought me back. I blinked and saw the table looking at me with concern.

"Sensei?" Shiroko asked, her hand still resting on my arm. "Are you OK?"

I shook the fuzziness out of my head, letting my hand run through my hair as I tried to refocus. "My apologies, I must be more tired than I thought. But to answer your question Ms. Izayoi, no. I am afraid I am quite mundane in that regard. I have hosted royalty before, but I make no claim of being such."

Nonomi seemed satisfied with the answer. I wasn't sure if she had any other questions or was being respectful of whatever just happened to me. I turned to look at the last member of the table, who was quietly watching us. Hoshino opened an eye as my gaze fell on her, even as she met my look with a look of her own.

After a second, Hoshino finally asked "Sensei, you're not a normal person, are you?"

I chuckled at her question and she smiled in response, the mirth not quite reaching either of our eyes. "It is quite obvious, is it not?"

"I've seen and heard a lot of things," Hoshino admitted, neither of us breaking our stares as she spoke, "but everything I've heard says an Adult Human without a Halo that looks normal shouldn't be able to do anything like you do."

"And you would be correct." I answered. "I can only speculate, but I believe the President wanted someone who could stand with their Students. Someone who could weather the storms Kivotos can bring. I assure you that I am quite capable in that regard."

Hoshino continued her stare unbending and I matched it. There was a brief moment of silence before she closed an eye and gave me a sleepy smile. "Well, maybe lil ol' me hasn't heard quite as much as I thought. We're happy to have your help, Sensei."

The tension vanished immediately. The girls chattered amongst themselves for a bit, although I did catch Hoshino and Shiroko glancing at me when they weren't speaking. However, any further questions were cut-off by Serika angrily demanding we pay and leave before interrupting business any further.

I received the receipt with a "Thanks" from the paws of the owner. I couldn't quite determine the exact breed he must have been descended from, but it was certainly some sort of east-Asian breed. Any musing I had was broken by the Owner suddenly speaking.

"I hope Serika isn't giving you too much trouble." His voice was gruff, but apologetic.

I answered, voice soft so as not to be overheard, "It has not been easy, but I hope we will come to an understanding soon."

"Just keep at it," he said, looking past me, "That girl and her friends have been asked to burden something no child should. She'll understand why you're doing what you do with time."

I turned to look at what he was watching. I could see Serika surrounded by her friends, all fussing over her. Hoshino was actually taking pictures of the catgirl while Ayane tried to stop the tiny president. Nonomi seemed to be questioning Serika about her work, while Shiroko seemed content to bask in their presence.

Serika was flipping between confusion, embarrassment, and exasperation at the attention. Then she noticed I was watching her and annoyance was quickly added. I turned away before I could make her any more uncomfortable.

The Owner's look was understanding as I sighed, running my hand through my hair in thought. "I wish I could do more." I admitted to him honestly.

"I think you're doing enough."

There was a brief moment of silence between us, before I decided to push ahead with what I wanted to ask. "I mean no harm but there is one thing I wished to know."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"When does Serika depart from work?"

It was selfish, perhaps. But try as I would, I couldn't help but be worried that the event in Trinity could repeat again.

Serika waved goodbye as she left Shiba Seki Ramen. The Owner waved back before stepping back in to finish closing up. She sighed as she walked away. What an exhausting day. First, she had that run in with Nelson and then the Adult and her friends crashed her workplace. After all this, she was looking forward to her nice comfortable bed.

She wasn't even half a block away from the restaurant when her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice cutting through the night.

"Good evening, Ms. Kuromi." Like a phantom, Nelson walked out of the night and into the illumination of a streetlight in front of her. "How are you this evening?"

AN: We're building to the first high point of Abydos. In some ways, from how I understand it, Serika is rather literally cat-like. Trust is hard to come to her, and takes time. Forcing it doesn't help. And, well, Nelson doesn't really have a lot of tools in her box that don't involve directly addressing the situation.

I mentioned before, but Suzumi's interlude taking place before Abydos was going to come up again. I'm sure some people could see when it was going to come up, but being present for a robbery was always going to colour an opinion about how safe Kivotos is at night.

Thanks again to my friend for Betaing this, despite the uptick in business. Both of us are a bit busier than when I started but I have a buffer of chapters and I hope I don't run to the end of it.