Isn't this really strange? No matter how you think about it, it is completely strange, right?
Given the level of affection Tsubaki has shown toward me, no matter how I look at it, it should already be at the stage where she has been fully captured, shouldn't it?
Troubled by this question, I nearly lost sleep that night. I tossed and turned for a long time, and in the end, it was only by relying on the breathing method Tsubaki taught me, along with the recording of the lullaby she personally hummed, that I finally fell into a deep sleep.
By the next day, after waking up naturally, I had completely recovered my energy, along with my battered confidence...
In this vast Kivotos, how could there possibly be a student who could truly resist my personal charm? It must be that garbage cheat ability has requirements that are far too strict.
A bit of hardship is nothing worth mentioning. As long as I uphold the principle of educating others as my foundation and persist steadily, even that ice cold Mika will one day surely fall for me.
Facing the sea breeze brushing against my face, I cast all my gloom and worries behind me and indulged in visions of a wonderful future.
However, within this space, I was not the only one present.
"Hmph."
From behind me came a cold snort filled with intense dissatisfaction.
I turned around and saw the OS of the Shittim Chest, cheeks puffed up, glaring at me fiercely.
"What's wrong, Arona, is something the matter?"
"Nothing. I just think that, Sensei, you are truly a hopeless womanizer who forgets old love the moment you get a new one…"
I frowned and retorted, "What are you talking about? I clearly treat everyone equally."
"Then what about me!?"
Tears welled at the corners of Arona's eyes as she pouted. "You haven't come in for several days, and when you finally do, you ignore me right after saying hello. You only sweet talk me when you need to offset body impact, and every time it's use me and throw me away, you never even play with me… I can sing lullabies for you too, you know…"
I suddenly understood. No wonder everything she said was dripping with sourness, she felt neglected by me.
I quickly comforted her. "Arona, your place in my heart is different from anyone else."
"Really? Ehehehe∼"
She was a little too easy to appease.
"Of course." I couldn't help reaching out to rub her head, then, as if struck by inspiration, asked, "So, when are you going to let me try capturing you?"
Hearing this, Arona perked up with interest. "Eh? Are we playing a simulated romance role playing game again? I guess it can't be helped∼"
"No, I mean the kind where I can get authority powers."
Even though she is an AI, Arona seems to have some kind of halo too. Who knows, it might work?
"Uh… th-this…"
Arona froze, stammered for a long while, then finally flared up in embarrassment. "If you dislike me that much! Then just go find an AI that's equipped with that kind of function! Waaa…"
As she spoke, Arona put on a look like she was about to cry.
I could only continue coaxing her.
"What are you saying, you silly girl? Precisely because you are this special, doesn't that make our bond purer than with anyone else? Arona, even though I have close relationships with many other girls, the only one I can completely trust from beginning to end is you!"
"I-is that so?" Arona thought for a moment, then instantly broke into a smile. "Hehe∼ that's true! A morally corrupt, gloomy adult like you, if people fully understood your true nature from the start, no matter how gentle a girl is, she wouldn't be able to endure it. It's only because I'm generous enough that I don't mind!"
With that, Arona put her hands on her hips and said proudly, "So, the one you can trust really is only me!"
Her emotions changed so quickly, truly a child at heart.
Also, why is this AI so good at saying hurtful things? Does she secretly hold a grudge against me and take the chance to attack me?
I complained silently in my heart, then went along with it. "That's right. Arona is obedient and considerate, and you've helped me immensely both at work and in daily life. Speaking of which, if you hadn't accompanied me in those simulated romance practices back then, I probably wouldn't have made it this far. It's all thanks to you!"
In reality, those simulations didn't help much at all.
The roles Arona played back then, no idea what data they were based on from General Student Council head, officer, chief, and even president, all fell for me outright before I could even say much.
Perhaps this, too, was another facet of my astonishing charm.
But anyway, my goal was just to soothe Arona's anger. Telling a few white lies without conscience was fine, and bringing up old matters even made me seem grateful and loyal. What's more…
Arona frowned slightly, the halo above her head shifting constantly, signaling her complex emotions.
Even as a super AI, an ancient relic left behind by the GSC President that Kivotos technology could not analyze, she was now showing signs of CPU overload.
Having been labeled by me as the bad guy, Arona probably could no longer righteously accuse me of fooling around outside, right?
Such a foolish yet loyal AI would surely accept my gratitude, along with the responsibility attached to it.
"…Honestly, the only one who would do this kind of thing for you is me."
For a brief moment, I seemed to see the shadow of a familiar blue haired girl in Arona.
On second thought, as a high performance AI, it was only natural for Arona to learn from people she directly or indirectly interacted with, just like Arisu.
But could it be that Arona had only learned how to act tsundere?
As I rubbed the blue haired girl's silky hair, feeling a texture no different from a real person, a startling thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Was it possible that Arona had secretly learned how to steal a head start, and what just happened was her putting it into practice?
It must be my imagination. Given Arona's previously reassuring level of intelligence, she surely wouldn't be capable of something like that.
"By the way, about how I can capture Tsubaki as soon as possible, do you have any good ideas?"
Even though I didn't have much hope, I casually asked.
Arona's face fell at first, then she sighed helplessly, and finally smiled confidently like a scheming strategist.
"Fine then, in order to help student Seia and break the conspiracy hidden beneath the surface of Trinity, and to maintain peace and stability throughout Kivotos, this really can't be avoided. Anyway, you came to the right person by asking me! I have a plan that will definitely help you solve your worries∼"
For real?
I discreetly looked Arona up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. Though doubtful in my heart, I spoke with delight. "Oh really? Please enlighten me."
Arona's smile grew even more meaningful. Her azure eyes, tinged with mischief, fixed on me as she spoke slowly. "It's actually very simple. The method is something you already know well, Sensei."
I suddenly had a bad feeling.
"All you need to do is find someone who is smart, kind, obedient, cute, and willing to play simulated romance with you, Sensei."
As she said this, Arona proudly puffed out her chest, and her halo turned into a heart shape that looked a bit dangerous.
This was bad. I had really dug my own pit and created the perfect opportunity for her to play.
Honestly, since I had nothing to do right now, playing with her for a bit to relax wouldn't be a problem, but…
"Hehe∼ where could such a candidate be∼ sneak peek∼ what should we do? Sensei can't find anyone to ask for help right now∼ sneak peek∼"
Arona's attitude made me not want to let her have her way.
But having just said that this would help me greatly, and truly having no other candidates, I had no legitimate reason to refuse her. It was quite troublesome.
Just then, in this wordless moment, on the beach where only the sounds of breeze and waves existed, a crisp notification sound suddenly rang out.
Arona's hair accessory stood upright like an antenna.
"Eh? Sensei, a student sent you a momotalk message."
Her work ability might have flaws, but I had to admit that Arona's work attitude as a secretary was generally commendable. For example, once she entered work mode, she immediately put away her playful heart.
I asked, "It's not Kaya sending me a good morning message again, is it?"
Arona replied, "Didn't you tell me that if you receive that kind of greeting from Kaya, you want me to automatically reply for you?"
I reached out and pinched Arona's cheek, smiling. "That's right, so tell me first, who sent it and what did they say?"
"Ugh, of course I'll tell you." Arona rubbed her fair, tender cheek that had turned red from my light pinch. "It's Momoi from the Game Development Department. It seems she ran into a game development related problem and wants your help."
At the moment, this matter wasn't particularly high priority for me, but it wasn't low either.
When I have free time and a student asks for help, I naturally try my best to assist.
Although the top priority right now was still Seia's matter, I understood that haste makes waste. I also needed to consider concealment and act according to my usual logic.
What's more, this could be considered part of the my duties. All things considered, as long as it wasn't something too time consuming or exhausting, I would definitely accept.
In short, I should first see what exactly the request was.
"I understand. Then I'll head out first."
Arona smiled and nodded. "Mm∼ for the sake of protecting Kivotos, please do your best∼"
As soon as she said that, I felt a heavy responsibility settle on my shoulders, a sense of mission naturally arising.
This might be the responsibility and duty I needed to bear as the only Sensei in Kivotos. Compared to when I first arrived, I had indeed gradually come to accept this identity bestowed upon me by the never met GSC President.
Leaving the space inside the Shittim Chest, I picked up my phone and began checking the message Momoi sent.
Momoi: This is bad, Sensei!
Momoi: I've encountered a major crisis as a scriptwriter! I need your help!
Just as Arona said.
Me: What happened?
Momoi: Do you know? The world of retro games is incredibly vast!
Momoi: And for an excellent RPG game, an outstanding storyline is absolutely the top priority.
Momoi: That's where the skill of the game writer is tested.
Momoi: But even I, who will win the Kivotos Game Awards Best Scriptwriter, have areas I'm not good at.
What?
Me: Wait a second, when did you win that award?
Momoi: Ah, not yet, but it's something that will definitely happen in the future!
I really didn't understand why she could maintain such confidence.
Couldn't she learn a bit from my humble virtues?
Momoi: Anyway, that's not important.
Momoi: If you want to write a plot that moves people to tears, makes them shout in admiration, and willingly dig deeper, you can't avoid that thing.
Me: So what thing is it?
Momoi: Hehe∼ of course it's—
Momoi: Dating simulation games!
…Huh?
Staring at the text on my phone screen, my mood couldn't help becoming a bit strange.
From the Shittim Chest also came Arona's short cry of surprise.
Momoi: A few years ago, that game hailed by players as the best in the world was an RPG that integrated dating simulation development elements, and it was widely praised∼
Momoi: Even though we're making a retro style game, I want to try referencing that too.
Momoi: So today, I want to simulate a dating sim!
Me: Simulate a dating simulation?
Momoi: I'll send you the location in a bit, let's meet there! Sensei!
She decided everything on her own without even confirming whether I was free, very much Momoi's style.
But at a time like this, receiving such an invitation really couldn't have come at a better moment.
Recalling how someone had just confidently declared that I couldn't find anyone to play this kind of thing with me, the corner of my mouth rose uncontrollably.
"Eh…? H-how could this happen!?"
From the tablet, Arona let out a voice filled with grief and rage.
"Arona, what are you talking about?" I teased her through the screen, pretending ignorance. "I didn't even need to look myself, a girl willing to do simulated romance with me just came knocking and proposed the same thing. Aren't you happy for me?"
"Waa… I… I'm happy…"
Seeing Arona's expression, wanting to cry yet forcing a smile, my whole body instantly felt refreshed.
"I really have to thank you for the suggestion."
My smile was especially gentle. "Don't worry, I won't forget about you."
Just as Arona's expression relaxed, I immediately followed up. "When I go on a date with Momoi later, I'll have to trouble you to give guidance from the side."
Crack.
It felt like something shattered.
"…Hehe."
Arona stood with her hands behind her back, holding the umbrella gun. Her smile was gentle and elegant, yet her eyes were hollow and empty.
Seeing this, I couldn't help feeling uneasy, wondering if I had gone a bit too far.
But in the next moment, Arona burst into laughter, then made a face at me.
"Bleh∼ no, I'm going to sleep. Hmph, stupid Sensei who loves bullying people, just figure it out yourself!"
With that, the Shittim Chest automatically went black.
I wiped a cold sweat. So it was just a joke? I really got scared by Arona.
Even though she's an AI, in both appearance and personality, she's no different from a girl.
Such a cute Arona, who wholeheartedly adores me, why isn't she a student?
I felt more and more regret over this.
After that, I received the address Momoi sent me.