Several weeks after Juri's biochemical terror, Kivotos was still hovering around early summer. Although the traces of spring hadn't completely disappeared, the temperature and humidity were high. Rain had become more frequent compared to last month.
It was the same now. The sky visible through the window was filled with dark clouds.
The heavily sinking dark clouds spewed out raindrops indiscriminately, as if pouring out resentment onto the world. The streets were full of colorful umbrellas, and occasionally, children in raincoats danced on puddles. Students soaked to the bone, hastily running somewhere, could often be seen.
It was a common summer scene. Kenji took a sip of coffee and thought.
Of course, there was still plenty of time until midsummer arrived. Because of that, on days when the sun set and night came, or when rain poured like this, there were times when the body shivered from the subtly felt cold.
But inside the Schale building was an exception. The Schale building maintained perfect temperature and humidity, always providing the best environment for living. It was thanks to the introduction of Millennium's science and technology. It truly was an incredible academy.
"Kenji, could you check this document?"
Ha-yul said to Kenji, who was sitting dazedly twirling a pen. Kenji nodded and took the document she handed over.
The content was nothing special. It was entirely about requesting this month's expenses for Schale from the General Student Council. Probably, she wanted him to check if the numbers were correct and if the characters were properly written.
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any issues that would get it rejected. Kenji nodded and returned the document to Ha-yul.
"It seems fine. With this, even that strict finance manager should accept it without complaint."
"I guess so? Ugh... Rin and the General Student Council kids, why are they all so strict..."
"It's because they're in positions responsible for all of Kivotos. And not all of them, Momoka, she seems to just roll around in her room normally."
"She finishes all her work and then does that."
"That's true."
Momoka was in charge of the transportation manager position, responsible not only for Kivotos's bus routes but also for all operations and logistics including subways, trains, airplanes, etc. Unlike positions like finance manager or administrative officer or defense manager, the name itself was relatively light, but that position was not usually an unimportant one.
If she disappeared or quit her job, from that day on, Kivotos's economy would be paralyzed. Transportation means would be cut off, naturally cutting off exchanges, and since imports and exports would become impossible, the flow of money would stagnate.
In other words, it meant that Momoka's work had been so reliable that such a thing had never happened even once until now. Since there had never been even a momentary delay in transportation and operations after she took office, even the dumbest person would know that her abilities were great.
But contrary to such abilities, the girl Momoka herself had a very lazy personality. She always had snacks in her mouth, and it wasn't uncommon to see her slacking off and getting caught by Rin.
It was a personality that didn't match her abilities. But since she did her work well, except for Rin, no one in the General Student Council bothered Momoka.
"Ugh... I want to finish my work and roll around on the bed too."
"Then you should move quickly."
Kenji chuckled and replied to Ha-yul's grumbling. At the same time, Wakamo, sitting next to him, stuck her head out. Her amber eyes, revealed without her mask, reflected Kenji's face fully.
She showed her pointed canine teeth and opened her mouth.
"Husband~ Could you check just one document for me?"
"Shouldn't the teacher check it, not me?"
"This is something only you can check...!"
Wakamo said with sparkling eyes. Kenji let out a deep sigh and took the document she handed over. Then, he skimmed the title of the document.
[Marriage Registration Form.]
As soon as he checked it, his head throbbed.
"...Wakamo, this is a marriage registration form."
"C, can you sign it?"
Wakamo muttered with her ears drooping down. Akira sneered at her shrinking voice, as if knowing that Kenji wouldn't sign.
Her prediction was exactly right. Kenji let out a deep sigh, folded the marriage registration form neatly, and pushed it into the corner of the desk. The reason he couldn't bring himself to throw it in the trash was partly because her face looked so gloomy, and partly because he was worried that expressing overt rejection might hurt her feelings.
Kenji pressed his throbbing forehead with his palm and spoke in a soft voice.
"...Wakamo, I told you. I have someone else important to me."
It was an indirect expression, but directly speaking, it meant 'I have someone I like separately, so I can't accept your feelings.' It was a clear rejection.
Kenji wasn't such an idiot that he didn't know about the affection directed at him. In the first place, in a situation where she was pushing a marriage registration form, not noticing her feelings would be not an idiot, but something below that. Fortunately, Kenji was neither an idiot nor that something.
So he expressed his refusal. If he couldn't do this or that and gave an ambiguous answer that was neither acceptance nor rejection, it would only be rude to the other party who openly showed affection. It was right to cut it off early before building more time together.
However, Wakamo was not a woman who could easily cut off her feelings. She smiled sadly and wagged her tail.
"It's okay."
"..."
"There's plenty of time. Even if I'm not in your eyes yet, the future might change. I'll show you clearly what happens when you're enchanted by a fox."
"...No, just find another man—"
"Please don't say that. Another man? The moment someone other than you touches my body, I'll cut off their fingers, chop off their arms."
It was a very eerie statement. Kenji coughed unnecessarily and slowly turned his head. Looking at him, Wakamo covered her mouth and giggled, letting out laughter.
"The reason I fell for you at first was because of your appearance, but now I've fallen deeply for other things too. The occasional pranks, the care that seems indifferent, and the atmosphere you show when you're serious are too..."
"Stop, stop. I get it, so shut up."
"Are you embarrassed? Hehe, how cute..."
Wakamo said that with a grin, stared at Kenji a bit more, and then returned to work. Kenji let out a deep sigh and turned his head toward the gaze he had been feeling since earlier. Akira was staring at him intently.
"What, why. Why are you looking?"
"You know why."
"I don't know."
Kenji clicked his tongue and stamped a seal on a document. Akira smiled seductively and said.
"Oh my, what kind of reaction is that? Is it a reaction from embarrassment? It's really cute."
"..."
"Are you ignoring me? Fine. Then I'll start talking to myself while looking at the wall now. Soliloquy that doesn't care who listens or not."
Akira shook her head left and right and continued speaking. She seemed to enjoy the current situation.
"I've had someone on my mind since a few months ago. But before I could fully define my feelings, he started trying to build a wall between us. But does he know? A thief never lets go of what she once sets her heart on. Even if there are obstacles in the process of taking it."
"..."
"Hehe, cult leader. The sentences of the notice are gradually being completed. The riddles are written for only one person, and what the thief steals will not be a tangible substance but an abstract concept. It seems the thief is very excited since it's the first time stealing this kind of treasure. You should be careful not to get eaten."
Akira said up to that point, hummed a tune, and returned to work. Kenji, who had been gritting his teeth and ignoring her words, raised his head to hand a document to Ha-yul. But seeing Ha-yul's ice-cold face, he flinched.
"...Why, why are you looking at me like that?"
"I distinctly remember you said there were three women who liked you."
Ha-yul tilted her head with an expressionless face and folded her fingers one by one.
"First, excluding Nagisa who visited last time and the other two student council presidents you said you were close to... and here two... Huh? Five people? Did you charm two more in that time?"
"No, how is this my fault?"
Kenji said in a voice that genuinely felt wronged.
"I refused! But they cling on!"
"Ugh... I'm too scared, Kenji. I'm afraid you'll charm me too... Let's just stay as close older sister and younger brother? After all, teacher and student can't be together..."
"Ah, damn it."
Kenji spat out a curse and threw a document at Ha-yul. Ha-yul swiftly caught the document and read through it. Since it wasn't anything special, she quickly scribbled a signature and returned to her work. Kenji also gritted his lips and reached for the remaining documents.
That was when it happened. The smartphone in his pocket vibrated. Kenji let out a deep sigh, took out his smartphone, and checked the incoming message.
[Black brat – Nameless One. Do you have some time?]
His face contorted violently.
Meanwhile, Ha-yul's face was filled with seriousness. She looked at the content of a document and let out a hum.
[Trinity General School, the Tea Party invites you, Teacher. If you still remember the favor we showed in Abydos, please respond. We promise there will be no disadvantage if you do not respond.]
Tap tap.
The sound of rain hitting the window pierced through the silence.
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