It was another busy day at SCHALE.

Between the paperwork, helping students, dealing with the everyday chaos, and investigating the mysteries surrounding Kivotos, Sensei's schedule was packed to the brim.

Thankfully, a rotating roster of student assistants was established shortly after he became the Sensei of SCHALE, which allowed him some time off to work in the restaurant's kitchen downstairs, or any other activity that he happened to have in his itinerary.

Some argue that he's going to work himself to the ground by also helping in the kitchen, but to Sensei cooking has always been a relaxing hobby for him. Whether he's cooking for himself, or for a horde of hungry students, he always feels a certain sense of satisfaction when seeing other people enjoy his food.

"Sensei, you really should take a break now," Serina said. "Please, I insist. Or else I might be forced to drag you into bed."

"Just a bit more, Serina."

"Sensei, you said that to Yuuka an hour ago." Someone tugged at Sensei's sleeve, causing him to look up to find Yuuka staring at him with a pout.

"Sensei! You need to take a break! You've been working nonstop for days!" Yuuka exclaimed. "Noa and I will deal with the remaining paperwork, so you need to go and take a break! And working in the kitchen doesn't count!"

Sensei turned his attention to that of a certain white-haired girl, who noticed his gaze and waved at him before returning to her work.

Ushio Noa, the secretary of Seminar and Yuuka's best friend. With her amazing memory, she's able to recall almost anything she's seen or heard before. He first met her when she tagged along with Yuuka to oversee the finishing touches of SCHALE's new restaurant.

Being the kind of person he was, Sensei offered to cook a meal for the two of them, and Nanagami, who was also there to check the restaurant she previously approved. Noa started frequenting the SCHALE office and the restaurant soon after that, saying that Sensei "cursed" her to be unable to be satisfied with food that wasn't on his level. All while saying it with a smile.

He still wasn't sure whether she was joking or being truthful.

As for Nanagami…he would like to address her by her first name like he did to students that he knows well, but it was still hard to disassociate her name from an old friend of his when they have the same name.

That doesn't mean that he doesn't call Rin by her given name when the situation seems right. Or amusing.

And so, after being thrown out of SCHALE's office by an exasperated Yuuka, Sensei decided to take a break while under the watchful eye of Serina, who was only a few steps behind so she could quickly move to his side when needed.

His first stop was the restaurant.

"Sensei, Yuuka just said…" Serina began.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to cook," Sensei said. "I realize that I haven't eaten anything yet. Care to join me, Serina?"

"Okay."

Stepping into the restaurant's entrance, they were greeted by the busy sight of robot waiters moving up and down the many aisles while carrying trays. He was greeted by many students both familiar and new, to which he returned with a smile before approaching the counter and placed an order for Serina and himself.

Peeking into the kitchen, he saw a few of the kitchen staff working under the instructions of Aris, who was wearing a full chef outfit. She noticed his gaze and waved while smiling before returning to her work.

Sensei didn't actually ask Aris to help out in the restaurant. She just showed up one day and requested to become Sensei's apprentice in the ways of the cooking, having been inspired by the meal she ate that one time and a cooking game to seek a tutelage under him.

When asked whether it would eat into her time from being a Hero, Aris answered, "Not to worry, Sensei! Learning how to cook is but one of the many ways one can be a hero! You taught me that one can become a Hero and a Chef at the same time! Yes, a Cooking Hero!"

Apparently, she heard from Yuuka the story of how the restaurant came to be.

And so, Sensei indulged her with her request, only to find out how quickly she acclimated to the kitchen like fish to water. Perhaps it's because of her nature as a robot, or maybe it was due to her earnest attitude, or perhaps even both, but Aris quickly reached the point where she could rival his own cooking and thus began to set off on her own culinary adventure, as she called it.

She also got acquainted with Haruna and the rest of the Gourmet Research Society as a result, who took her, and the rest of the GDD who were not about to pass up the opportunity for getting new material for their game and eating good food, on a road trip every now and then, much to Yuuka's consternation due to the GRS' infamy. He heard they went all the way to Shanhaijing last time and got to know the Black Tortoise's president.

It's good to know that they're having fun at least.

Speaking of which, he should probably visit Rumi next time. It's been a while since he saw her, after all. He sincerely hoped, albeit unlikely, that the situation between Black Tortoise and Genryumon had improved since he was last there.

While he was placing an order, it seems that Serina found a vacant table for them as she called Sensei over. Grabbing their number, Sensei joined Serina.

They didn't wait too long, as the order eventually arrived. Being the owner and head chef of the establishment, Sensei knew what dishes can be cooked quickly, and ordered those so as to not burden the kitchen staff.

Though when their order came, a few extra dishes came with it.

"It seems there are a few extras. Did you make a mistake?" Sensei asked the waiter, who replied, "It seems that Chef Aris insisted we add a few more dishes, as she found what you ordered to be somewhat lacking after all your hard work."

"She really didn't have to," Sensei said. "But still, tell her I said thanks."

Sensei and Serina started eating, talking about a variety of things, ranging from the chaotic, but ultimately fun and successful Abydos Desert Festival, to the upcoming Kivotos Halo Festival.

"The schools chosen to do the introduction for the Halo Games' entrance are Abydos and Trinity."

"Did you already choose the speakers?" Sensei asked.

"Yes," Serina replied. "For Abydos, it's Okosora Ayane, and for Trinity it's—"

Good pick. The start of the games will be fine if she's one of the emcees, Sensei thought.

"—Urawa Hanako."

Sensei nearly spat out his food.

"Sensei, are you okay?!" Serina said as she handed him a glass of water.

"Sorry, I was just a little surprised," Sensei said after drinking from the glass. "Ayane, I get. But why Hanako?"

"From what I heard, Hanako is still the best Trinity can offer even with all her eccentricities," Serina said with a smile. "There are a few people voicing their doubts, but the Tea Party, Sisterhood, and Remedial Knights all decided to choose her."

Oh boy…This is not going to end well… Sensei thought, but wisely kept his mouth shut. Knowing Hanako, she would relish at the chance to address such a huge crowd and display her…tendencies to the entirety of Kivotos.

He should probably stop this since he already knew what was going to happen but…

"I'm glad Hanako's having fun," Sensei said.

If she goes too far, he'll just have to reprimand her. Otherwise, he'll let her have her fun.

…

…

…

"I should have stopped her." Sensei facepalmed as he watched Hanako continue saying salacious terms one after the other that even poor Ayane was about to lose her consciousness.

"W-Well...At least this Halo Festival will surely be unforgettable. Right, Sensei?" Arona's voice was heard from his earpiece.

The one saving grace was that Hanako was truly having the time of her life. A stark contrast to how she was when he first met her.