Author's notes

Side storiesare my side projects that focus on daily life. This one, however, isextra special. Unlike my usual side stories, this is astandalone story—longer, more in-depth, and crafted to feel like its own major arc. Think of it as a "main interlude," with its own unique plot, extensive world-building, and character development. It's designed to stand on its own, much like LB6 or Salem in FGO.

This side storytakes place after Hyakkaryouran Chapter 1(the main story hasn't caught up to that yet) and after the events ofGame Development DepartmentandThe Hero Party(another side story). It also containsspoilers for the 'A Visitor from Beyond' arc, so keep that in mind!

ENJOY!

Fate/Grand Order: Where All Miracles Begin, SCHALE

Side Story: Love Unlocked, The Treasurer's Priceless Treasure (3/9)

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The start of a new day came with the soft glow of morning sunlight streaming through the windows.

A cool breeze swept through the streets of Kivotos, carrying the distant hum of activity that hadn't yet reached its peak. The clear skies above made it a perfect weekend morning-peaceful, calm, and promising.

And here we were again-me and Noa-sitting in the SCHALE office.

However, today felt different. We weren't in our usual school uniforms. Both of us were dressed casually, the kind of outfit we'd wear to hang out rather than work. It was Saturday, after all.

"Noa..." I muttered, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

"Hmm? Yuuka-chan?"

"Are you sure this plan will work?" Still, as I glanced nervously at the clock, I couldn't help but question if the new plan would go well...

My trustworthy friend, Noa, sipped her tea calmly, her amethyst eyes sparkling with mischief. "Trust me, Yuuka-chan. It'll work perfectly."

Ah... sure, you're making that face again...

As much as I wanted to argue, but before I could, the sound of slow, lazy footsteps echoed from the staircase leading to the upper floors. Then came a soft yawn.

My heart skipped a beat as my eyes instinctively locked onto the source of the sound. It was Sensei-Ritsuka Sensei-walking down the stairs. But this wasn't the Sensei I was used to seeing.

His messy bedhead was the first thing that caught my attention. Strands of his dark hair stuck out in all directions, some framing his face in a way that made him look surprisingly... approachable. He wore a simple cotton shirt paired with long pajama pants, his entire demeanor radiating a relaxed energy I'd never associated with him before.

A sudden urge erupted in me- was it I couldn't stand the sight of messy hair or was the morning look of him too-adorable?Ahhhh! Hayase Yuuka! STOP!

"Hm? You two?" he said, his voice slightly hoarse from just waking up. He rubbed his eyes and yawned again. "Why are you here so early in the morning? Got nothing to do on the weekend?"

I swallowed nervously, my eyes lingering on his casual appearance longer than they should have. "W-Well... yes." I stammered, trying to ignore the warmth rising to my cheeks.

Noa, ever the composed one, greeted him with her usual smile. "Ara, Sensei, you just woke up?"

"Mhmm... yeah." he replied, his voice trailing off as he stretched lazily.

Noa leaned forward slightly, her teasing nature shining through. "Do you want to continue sleeping? My lap is available... or maybe you'd prefer Yuuka-chan's?"

"Noa!" I exclaimed, feeling my face heat up again.

Sensei chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You two are lively this early," he said before tilting his head curiously. "So, what brings you here today?"

Then, as if realizing something, his gaze shifted to our outfits. A soft smile spread across his face. "Oh, by the way, both of you look really cute today."

I froze for a moment, my heart racing.Cute?! He thinks I look cute?!My face turned a deeper shade of red, and I could barely manage a shy. "T-Thank you."

Noa chuckled beside me, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She nudged me gently, signaling that it was time to execute the plan.

I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves. "Well... since it's the weekend..." I hesitated, clutching the movie tickets in my hand tightly. "We happened to get three tickets for a movie." My voice wavered slightly, but I forced myself to continue. "Sensei, would you... go with us?"

Sensei blinked, a hint of surprise crossing his face before he smiled warmly. "Sure, why not? Sounds like fun."

A wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but glance at Noa, who gave me an encouraging nod. My heart swelled with happiness.He said yes!

As for why? Let's recall what happened earlier.

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It was two nights before.

"Yuuka-chan?"

"..."

"Yuu-ka-chan?"

"..."

"Just a few more minutes, please..."

Noa chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my flustered state. "Yuuka-chan, are you planning to stare at Sensei's picture forever?"

"W-What?! No!" I snapped, quickly averting my gaze. "It's just... male physiques are so different from ours! I-It's not my fault I got curious. It's purely for research purposes!"

"Of course it is," Noa teased, her voice dripping with amusement.

Yes, that was what I was doing. My eyes were glued to the screen of her phone. The image of Sensei in that bathrobe was etched into my mind...

"If you're done staring at Sensei's body, shall we get back to planning?"

"Ahh-Noa!" I pouted, crossing my arms as she laughed. "Mhm! And if you're done teasing me, let's start."

"Fufu, alright, alright..." Noa chuckled. "We'll move on to the second strategy now."

I blinked. "The second strategy? What about the first one? Do I still need to visit him from time to time?"

"Yes." Noa replied with a small smile. "We'll be using both strategies at the same time. Multiple approaches and consistency are key to success."

I nodded slowly, though my nerves were already on edge. "What's the second plan?"

Noa's smile widened. "You'll have to go see him on the weekend. Not about work, but just to hang out."

"W-W-Wait, what?!" I stammered, my mind racing. "You want me to visit him on the weekend? And hang out?!"

"Yes," she said simply. "It's important to establish yourself as someone special to him. Not just a student or a coworker, but someone he can relax and spend time with. Casual time together can create emotional closeness."

I swallowed hard, my thoughts spiraling.The weekend... I'll get to spend more time with Sensei? See him in casual clothes?

"Yuuka-chan?" Noa's voice snapped me out of my daydream.

"N-Nothing! I'm listening!"

She chuckled softly, clearly entertained by my flustered state. "Good. Because this weekend, we're executing the plan."

"Mhm!"

"Are you ready, Yuuka-chan?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Where is the spirit? Are you ready, Yuuka-chan?!"

"Y-YES!"

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Back to the present moment.

And this-this was why Noa and I were here-

For my date with Sensei.

Yes-a date. I still couldn't quite believe it myself.

And here I was, dressed in what I hoped was the perfect outfit for today. A short white t-shirt that showed just a sliver of my belly, paired with blue jeans, and a simple handbag slung over my shoulder. I nervously adjusted the strap, my thoughts spinning.

Will Sensei like it? Is this too casual?I bit my lip, my cheeks already flushing at the possibility of him thinking it was underwhelming.But it's not like I have any dating experience! I don't even know what I'm supposed to wear for something like this!

Still... hedidsay I looked cute earlier, didn't he? I smiled faintly at the thought, feeling a flutter of hope in my chest.

Beside me, Noa looked effortlessly elegant in a white dress topped with a jean jacket. Her amethyst eyes gleamed with her usual composure. To be honest, we probably looked like a couple sitting here together.

Sensei stretched as he stood by the office door, yawning softly. "Alright, I'll just go get ready. It won't take long."

As he disappeared upstairs, I turned to Noa, who gave me a knowing smile. "All according to plan."

I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Yuuka-chan, do you still remember the plan?"

"Mhm!"

"Good. Let's go over it one more time just to be sure."

I straightened up, repeating the outline of the day as confidently as I could. "First, we go to the café to grab breakfast..."

"And then?" Noa prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"Then you'll leave." I said, my voice a little quieter at the end.

Yes,thatwas the plan. Noa had insisted on starting the day with us to make it seem more casual and natural, especially since I wasn't confident about being alone with him just yet. But once we finished breakfast, she'd bail out, leaving me and Sensei alone for the rest of the day.

Noa smiled. "Good. And after that?"

I nodded, continuing. "Then we'll go to the movie, have lunch together, and after that... shopping."

"Exactly." Noa said, her tone triumphant. "When you go shopping, make sure to ask for his opinions. Let him help you choose outfits. It's the perfect opportunity to show off different looks and figure out what he likes. Plus, it's an easy way to make memories."

I gulped nervously, nodding along.Right, I can do this...At least IthoughtI could. As long as Noa was here, I felt secure, but I couldn't help worrying about how I'd fare once she left.

Ever since I'd admitted my feelings, it was like my entire perception of Sensei had changed. It was as if my eyes saw him through a lens that made everything about him more charming, more... lovable.

As my mind spiraled, a sudden thought struck me. I hesitated for a moment before turning to Noa. "Hey, Noa... Do you think other girls-whether his students or his servants-have been on dates with him before?"

Noa closed her eyes thoughtfully. "It's possible," she admitted. "You may not be his first date, Yuuka-chan."

Her words stung a little, but before I could dwell on it, she added with a gentle smile, "But the important thing isn't how many dates he's been on. It's who he's happiest with."

I blinked, processing her words.

"Even if he's gone to the same place before..." Noa continued. "The person who accompanies him makes all the difference. A new memory is created every time. That's why you shouldn't compare yourself to others, Yuuka-chan. Don't focus on his past. What's important is that right now, he's withyou."

Her words filled me with a newfound confidence. "You're right..." I said softly, nodding.

But a nagging worry lingered in my mind. "Still... don't you think he looked a little tired? Will he really enjoy himself today?"

Noa tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Well... yes, he did seem a bit tired." She admitted, glancing toward the stairs where he'd gone. "I noticed a hint of panda eyes, but let's not dwell on that. He agreed to go, didn't he? That means he's willing to dedicate his time to you today. Respect his effort and make the most of it. (ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ)"

I nodded firmly, her words giving me the reassurance I needed. As the minutes ticked by, anticipation and nerves mingled in my chest. I found myself glancing at the clock repeatedly, my heart racing with every second that passed.

Sensei... hurry up and come back.

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"Thanks for the waiting!"

"( ㅁ) !"

"Ara, Sensei."

Sensei returned to the office, now fully dressed, and as he walked in, my heart skipped a beat. He wore a crisp white T-shirt, a denim jacket, and jeans that fit him perfectly-not too loose, not too tight-just enough to emphasize his lean, balanced physique.

What a boyfriend material-

Hold on... I couldn't help but notice something odd, though. His outfit... wasn't it a combination of mine and Noa's? The white T-shirt and jeans matched mine, while the denim jacket was just like Noa's.

What is this? A pairing outfit with both of us?My face flushed at the thought. No, no, no-Yuuka, don't overthink it! This is just a coincidence. Atotally normal coincidence!

Still, my cheeks burned as I tried to force my thoughts elsewhere.

"Oh, Sensei, you look great." Noa complimented him with her usual smile. Then, with a playful glint in her amethyst eyes, she added. "But why did you pick this outfit? It almost looks like you're matching with us."

"Hmm?" He blinked, looking down at his clothes as if he hadn't realized it himself. "Oh, well... I noticed both of you were wearing something in the same theme-white and denim-so I figured I'd just go along with it. That's all."

That's all?!My mind reeled. I couldn't tell if I was embarrassed or... happy. Hedidchoose his outfit to match ours, right? No, wait, Yuuka, stop overanalyzing this!

While I was still processing his words, Noa chuckled softly. "How considerate of you, Sensei. Now we all look like we're going on a planned outing together."

He scratched the back of his head, offering a sheepish smile. "I mean, wearegoing out together, right?"

"Yes. (ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ)" Noa replied smoothly. "And we're starting with breakfast. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Sensei shook his head. "Nope. This is still pretty early for me. I just woke up, so I didn't get a chance to eat yet."

However, something crossed my mind. I frowned, folding my arms. "But don't you have apersonal maidfor that?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, and I glanced away, trying to appear nonchalant.Or does Toki not work on weekend? Or perhaps... she isn't really his personal maid?

His eyes widened slightly, and he let out a dry laugh, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Well, yeah, but... she's not here right now."

Noa chuckled again, though her expression was unreadable. "Let's not dwell on that, Yuuka-chan. Besides, isn't it better this way? Now we get to treat Sensei to breakfast ourselves."

I let out a soft huff, still feeling a little annoyed for reasons I couldn't quite explain. "Fine. Let's go then."

Noa smiled and gestured toward the door. "Shall we, Sensei?"

As we headed out, my heart thumped loudly in my chest. Today wasn't just about spending time with him-it was my chance to show him a different side of me. To make him see me as more than just another student.

No pressure, Yuuka. You've got this. Probably.

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Breakfast went well. We had settled into a cozy café, the kind with warm wooden interiors, soft background jazz, and an aroma of freshly brewed coffee that lingered in the air. Sensei, being the person he is, naturally tried to pay for everything, but both Noa and I quickly stopped him.

Because, today was-Ahem, a bit special.

Sensei was confused at our actions since he always treated us during SCHALE duties. But today was different. Yesterday, Noa had drilled it into me:If you want to stand beside him, you can't just act like a student anymore. You have to meet him as an equal.

And so, for the first time, I firmly declined his offer to pay. But SCHALE duties? Oh, those are fair game. Let's call it "compensation" for all the voluntary work, which I'm more than happy to accept.

After breakfast, things went according to Noa's plan. She "bailed out," saying she had "other plans," leaving me and Sensei alone. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this, but it was too late to back out now.

We made our way to the theater. With three tickets in hand, Sensei sat next to a stranger, leaving me with the empty seat where Noa would have been.

The movie Noa had chosen for us was...Saber Wars?What even was this movie? The poster alone looked like a knock-off, with two characters locked in an intense pose, both claiming to be the "Mysterious Heroine X." The tagline read:"A rivalry that spans dimensions, fueled by dark rounds and even darker humor!"

I couldn't make heads or tails of the plot, but Sensei seemed invested-at first. That is, until halfway through the movie when I heard a soft, rhythmic sound beside me.

Zzz... zZzZ... Zzz...

( ㅁ) o o o

Zzz... zZzZ... Zzz...

"..."

He was sound asleep.

I glanced at him, utterly dumbfounded.

My mind raced as I recalled what I'd read in a forum-Isn't it rude to fall asleep during a date?Was the movie too boring? Was it not that interesting?

But then another thought struck me:What if he's just really tired?

Should I wake him up? Or should I let him rest?

Before I could decide, he shifted slightly in his seat-and then, his head gently fell onto my shoulder.

I froze. Every coherent thought I had earlier vanished into thin air.

His head is on my shoulder. HIS HEAD IS ON MY SHOULDER!

My heart raced, thundering so loudly in my chest I was sure the whole theater could hear it. His soft breathing tickled my skin, and the warmth of his presence was making me feel lightheaded.

Although it wasn't our first time- but today, it felt really different... Maybe because we were on a date? Some people might think it was rude, but for me now, no- He was comfortable around me right? Or else he wouldn't drop his act or force himself to stay awake.

As for what should I do next?

My earlier frustration about the movie?Gone.

My worries about whether I was doing enough to impress him?Vanished.

Maybe this is the best.I thought to myself, biting my lip to hold back a giddy smile.

I couldn't focus on the movie anymore-not with him so close. For a fleeting moment, I let myself enjoy this tiny victory, my heart fluttering in ways I couldn't even describe.

In the end, I couldn't even tell what the movie was about. Instead of focusing on the story, my mind was entirely consumed by the man sleeping on my shoulder. Every little detail-his calm breathing, the subtle warmth radiating from him-played on repeat in my head like a broken record.

And before I knew it, the credits rolled. The theater lights dimmed, signaling the end ofSaber Wars.

The surrounding noise of rustling popcorn bags and murmuring voices must've finally reached him, because Sensei finally stirred awake. I glanced at him just in time to see his head lift from my shoulder, his eyes blinking groggily.

He looked around for a moment, confused, then turned to me. "Huh? Did it finish?" he asked, his voice still a little raspy from sleep.

"Yes, Sensei, it's over."

I mean, he didn't even try to hide it at all...

"Ah-sorry," he said immediately, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to doze off like that."

I couldn't help but notice the faint dark circles under his eyes. It was clear he'd been pushing himself too hard lately. Just seeing that made my chest tighten a little.

But still-why did he apologize so quickly?! Did he think I was going to nag him? I opened my mouth to say something, and he immediately jumped to "I'm sorry"?! I was angry at all! I was even happy!

I waved my hands quickly. "It's okay! I'm not mad or anything! But-" My voice faltered for a moment before I found my courage. "Sensei, you need to make it up to me! N-N-Next time, let's watch a movie together again!"

There. I said it. Noa, you'd better be proud of me right now!

Sensei blinked at me for a moment, surprised, before smiling softly. "Alright, next time, I'll make sure to stay awake. I promise."

Ah~ I felt like I was melting. My heart was pounding so loudly that I thought it might burst.

And then, to make things even better, he added. "But for now, how about I treat you to lunch? To make up for this time."

I froze for a second, caught between delight and panic. "N-No, that's not necessary!" I said, shaking my head. "I mean-it's fine, you don't have to."

"Fine, fine," he replied with a chuckle. "Why are you so stubborn today, Yuuka?"

I pouted slightly, but before I could reply, he continued, "Okay, how about something small, then? Like ice cream?"

Ice cream? That was... casual enough, right? "O-Okay, fine. Ice cream," I agreed, trying to sound composed, though my heart was still racing.

As we left the theater together, I couldn't stop the little voice in my head from cheering.A second date! I just scheduled a second date!

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The day had gone exactly as planned-almost.

After lunch and dessert, we moved on to the shopping portion of the day. But somehow, the dynamic shifted along the way...

Instead of him choosing outfits for me, I ended up choosing clothes forhim.

"Sensei, try this one next!" I said, handing over a navy-blue button-up shirt and a sleek gray jacket.

His brow arched slightly, but he took the items without complaint. "Alright, Yuuka. You're really into this, huh?"

I crossed my arms, trying to hide my growing excitement. "Well, someone has to make sure you don't walk around looking plain all the time. Now, go! Let's see how these look!"

"Alright, alright..."

"Mhm!"

As he disappeared into the dressing room, I couldn't help but smile to myself. I never realized how fun it was to pick clothes for him.

Well... To be fair, this was the first time I see him in other outfits other than his go-to suit and white shirt with folded sleeves. Moreover, even if he had done a great job wearing appropriate outfit for work, he only wore the same! White T-shirt and black pants! Even though I knew he had many, many clothes- closets full of clothes- he only wore those two in front of me!

Now, this was the perfect opportunity to change!

Formal office clothes have different colors other than white right?

Coordinating colors, imagining which pieces paired well-it was surprisingly satisfying. Maybe it was because everything I chose seemed to suit him perfectly. Or maybe it was because... well, because it washim.

Black, light blue, pinstripes, gray, charcoal... Ah! Why do they all look good on him! I've spent almost two hours just dressing him for work!- Maybe because I spent time working with him most of the time? Ahh- anyway! There are still fashion clothes yet to try too!( oo) !

But wait-how did it turn out like this? This was supposed to bemytime to shine! He was supposed to pick outfits for me and admire how I looked in them. Yet here I was, turning into his personal stylist.

The sound of the dressing room door opening snapped me out of my thoughts. Sensei stepped out, adjusting the jacket I'd chosen for him. "What do you think?" He asked, looking at me expectantly.

I stared, blinking a few times. "It... really suits you." I said softly. It wasn't a lie. The dark tones complemented his features so well it was almost unfair.

He glanced down at himself, then back at me. "Should I go with this one, then?"

"Yes, of course! I chose it, didn't I?" I said proudly.

He smirked slightly, leaning against the frame of the dressing room. "I thought you were going to scold me for spending money again."

My heart skipped a beat.

He wasn't wrong-Ididnag him all the time about his expenses, especially when it came to unnecessary things. Clothing often fell into that category. But... but this wasn't unnecessary, right? Clothes were one of the four essentials! And these ones suited him so well.

Besides, wasn't he wearing them formeright now? For this date, and maybe future ones too?

"I-I don't know! It's up to you-it's your money anyway!" I stammered, feeling my face heat up.

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "But aren't you the one managing my budget? Shouldn't you decide if it's okay?"

"Ahhh-Mou! Then just buy them!" I huffed, crossing my arms and looking away to hide my flustered expression.

He laughed again, teasingly asking, "Alright, alright. So, what should I wear next time? This one? Or maybe this other one? No, wait-what about that one? You seemed to like it the most earlier."

"Sensei!" I protested, my cheeks burning.

What was with that teasing?! It's not like he's flirtatious, but sometimes I couldn't shake the feeling that he knew exactly what actions would make me blush. Is this what they call 'natural charm'?

Wait a minute-now that I think about it, his closet full of clothes, his monthly clothing bills... Did he buy them himself? Or... who made him buy those?

"By the way, Yuuka-"

"...?"

"-about the other night... when you fainted."

My heart skipped a beat, and I froze. "W-What about it?" I stammered, trying to maintain my composure. Why did he bring that up here again?!

He rubbed the back of his neck, his faint smile showing a hint of guilt. "I wanted to apologize. I was careless, walking down like that. I didn't think about how you or Noa would feel."

"It's fine!" I quickly replied, shaking my head. "It wasn't your fault anyway. If anything, it's... it's our fault for showing up at that hour unannounced."

His smile widened slightly, and I could feel my chest tighten. But then, his next words caught me completely off guard. "Still... I didn't expect you'd faint like that. It was kind of... unexpected."

"Wha-!" My face burned instantly, and without thinking, I smacked his arm lightly. "D-Don't bring that up again!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction. "Alright, alright. I won't mention it anymore."

Before I could come up with a retort, my phone suddenly rang, cutting through the air.

Riiiiinnnnngggg! Riiiiiiiinnnnng!

"Hmm?"

"-?"

I quickly pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

The caller ID readSeminar Office.

"Hello?"

A panicked voice greeted me on the other end. "Yuuka-san! There's an emergency-it's about the security guard robots for the festival! They've all gone out of control!"

"What?!" I nearly dropped the phone. "The Engineering Department? Didn't they already test those robots?"

"They did, but..." The voice hesitated before continuing, "The Engineering Department installed a last-minute software update, and right after that, the robots started acting up! Noa-san was just informed as well. Please hurry back to the office!"

I clenched my fist, frustration bubbling inside me. "Understood. I'll head back immediately."

As I hung up the call, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. I couldn't believe it-our date, interrupted just like that! I had barely picked out a few clothes, and I hadn't even had the chance to explore more options for him. We hadn't even brought the clothes we chose to the cashier yet! Today's shopping...a total failure.

But this wasn't the time to worry about that.

"Sensei, we need to hurry back. Something's gone wrong with the security robots for the festival. It's serious!"

He nodded immediately, his playful demeanor replaced by a calm and focused one. "Got it. Let's move."

As we rushed out of the store, my heart sank. I could already feel the disappointment weighing on me.My date... goodbye.

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Several hours had passed since we were first alerted to the chaos.

I slumped back in my chair at the SCHALE office, feeling both physically drained and emotionally wrung out. It was hard not to feel displeased; our entire day had been thrown into disarray. The weekend we'd spent weeks planning for-ruined by a mess of rogue guard robots. But then again, it was an emergency, and emergencies waited for no one.

As for what happened?

Well- It all started with the Engineering Department's brilliant idea to install a modified AI program for the upcoming Millennium Festival. Supposedly, it was meant to make the guard robots more efficient, giving them better judgment when it came to dealing with festival troublemakers. But instead, what they installed was... my AI logic. Yes-myAI. A creation designed to mimic my personality.

I groaned just thinking about it. Somehow, my strictness as the Seminar treasurer had been codified into these robots. And much like the Halo Festival incident, they labeled almost everyone as delinquents. Students wearing slightly revealing outfits, those carrying props or tools for their booths, even those loudly singing along to their preparations-all were considered offenders.

I had to wonder...am I really this strict?

When Sensei and I rushed back from the center mall, I barely had time to change into my combat gear. Fighting in casual clothes was just... unthinkable. But even with my change of attire, the situation wasn't easy. Those robots weren't just any machines-they were the very ones we used as standard security throughout the school. And since the festival was fast approaching, most of them had already been programmed for festival-specific tasks. In short, we were up againstthe entire school's active guard units.

Thankfully, we managed to contain the situation with help from some unaffected backup bots and a handful of students. It became a bizarre battle of robots versus robots, with us caught in the middle.

Still, the aftermath loomed like a storm cloud. Damaged booths, injured students, and mounting repair costs-it was all my responsibility to account for. Just thinking about it made my head throb.

"Yuuka, are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine..." I replied, though my tone probably betrayed just how tired I was. "It's just... everything. Today's been exhausting." Yes, I was that tired, I couldn't even arrange my thoughts in order- much less expressed any more reactions and emotions...

Ah- Physical and mental exhaustion at the same time...

However, his question wasn't finished yet.

Tilting his head curiously, he asked. "Then why'd you follow me back to SCHALE? You should've gone home to rest."

I hesitated, nervously fiddling with my gloves. "I... uh... I guess I wasn't thinking straight?" I offered a weak excuse, even though the real reason sat heavily in my chest.Today was supposed to be our date. Even if most of it had gone wrong, I wanted to make the most of what time we had left.

It was already evening, and from his perspective, my presence here probably seemed odd. But how could I tell him I didn't want the day to end?

"What about you, Sensei?" I asked, trying to shift the focus off myself. "You look exhausted too. Are you okay?"

He smiled faintly. "Yeah, I am... probably because I didn't get much sleep last night. That's why I dozed off during the movie."

"Do you want to take a nap?" I asked hesitantly. "There's still some time before dinner."

To my surprise, he accepted without hesitation. "That sounds great." He said, already moving toward the couch.

But before I could say more, he collapsed onto the cushions like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

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"..."

zZzzZzzZz...

"Eh?"

zZzzzZz... zZzzZZZzz...

I sighed, crouching next to the couch to check on him. "Sensei?" I called softly.

"zZzz... zZZzzz..."

I couldn't help but chuckle. His breathing had already settled into the steady rhythm of sleep.That was fast.This was probably the quickest I'd ever seen him fall asleep.

Leaning in closer, I studied his face. His features looked so peaceful, even angelic, as the tension from the day melted away. His chest rose and fell in a soothing rhythm, and his hair was slightly messy from the day's activity. Without realizing it, a soft smile crept onto my lips.

He really does work too hard for us,I thought. And for a moment, I let myself get lost in the sight of him.

At first, I had imagined that, by the end of the day, there might be some grand romantic moment-maybe even a confession. But looking at him now, sound asleep and completely vulnerable, I realized it could wait.

The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the SCHALE office in a warm, ethereal glow. The evening sky outside the wide windows was a stunning gradient, fading from deep orange to soft lavender- even dust particles danced lazily in the amber light, giving the room a surreal and dreamlike quality.

After a while, I noticed his pillow had shifted awkwardly under his head, leaving his neck at an uncomfortable angle. Remembering how often he complained about neck pain, I gently removed the pillow and sat down in its place. Carefully, I lowered his head onto my lap.

The sunlight kissed his face. His hair, though slightly messy from the day's chaos, gleamed under the evening glow. It almost looked golden, strands catching the light as if the sun itself couldn't resist him.

I sat there for what felt like an eternity, though time had become meaningless. My fingers absentmindedly combed through his soft hair, savoring the rare quietness of the moment. My heart fluttered, and I couldn't help but wonder if he knew just how much this moment meant to me.

.

.

Maybe this isn't the perfect ending for a date.

But it's still perfect in its own way.

The warmth of the sun lingered on my skin, a mirror to the warmth that filled my chest. I wasn't sure how long I stayed there, letting the minutes stretch on in the golden glow of the evening. All I knew was that I didn't want to move, didn't want to disturb this fleeting, precious moment.

I whispered softly, more to myself than to him.

"If only this moment could last forever."

And so, as the city lights began to twinkle in the distance, I stayed there, unmoving, cherishing every second of this rare and beautiful stillness.

.

.

.

.

.

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END.

Author's notes

Like the last chapter, It ended up around 6000 again. But oh gooooood, I know it's weird to say this but daaaammmmnnnnn, I like Yuuka (in this chapter) so much! ( ̀_́)ᕤ

This is my take on writing a Tsundere's romcom. It's very challenging and fun to shift her back and forth between Tsun and Dere (Although we all know Yuuka is more of a dere, she just nags...). Another challenge is probably narrating a clueless and inexperienced girl in (first) love ⸜(｡ ᵕ )⸝ꕤ*.ﾟ

As for why Ritsuka was tired and didn't get enough sleep? Feel free to imagine it yourself, maybe he solved singularity... perhaps?

Stay tuned for the next update! Let me say it beforehand that it's probably gonna be a very short one (maybe 2000-3000 words? Maybe lower? It's a transitional chapter just to build up for 5th and 6th that are going the be LONG!)

PS. Around Part 4 onwards some arts may feel a bit older, I fixed them as much as I could already. Thank you. Part 4 will come around next Tuesday!

PPS. Hope you aren't bored with these filler side-stories. I know this one will be long and has slightly(?) different genre from the main stories. I still believe these side-stories act as 'Interlude', 'Event', 'My room', or 'Relationship story' and they are necessary for overall completeness of this fanfiction.

Announcement:There will be little information dumps for each arc in my 'conversation'. They are for adding (little) extra details that add elements to the stories (They were left our since they're too trivial ꉂ૮(')ა). Follow me if interested!