Early in the morning, having slept terribly, I sat at my desk, looked at the pile of useless draft plans I had made last night, and yawned.
After returning to Schale from Seia's hideout, I had scratched my head and pondered for a long time. In the end, I could only helplessly decide to respond to change by remaining unchanged.
The wisdom of a mere mortal like me was, after all, no match for Seia's cheat-like prophetic dreams.
Moreover, according to Seia herself, what she saw should be an ending where justice ultimately triumphs over evil, and everyone attains happiness.
If that was the case, there was no need for me to exhaust myself too much. I just needed to follow Seia's instructions and proceed step by step, right?
Being overly eager for quick results not only made it easy to achieve half the results with twice the effort, it could even backfire.
Just like right now.
I shook my head hard, but my mind still felt slightly foggy. On top of that, Seia, whom I had thought was already securely handled, still had not triggered the "Conquered" prompt, which made my mood even worse.
The card must be bugged. What a garbage cheat ability, seriously.
After I told Saya about my symptoms, she inferred that it was probably a side effect caused by taking medication repeatedly in a short period of time, combined with possible late nights and excessive mental exertion. She suggested that I rest for a day first and see whether things improved tomorrow.
Out of concern for my own life, just to be safe, I deliberately asked a few more questions. The answer I got, however, made me suck in a sharp breath—
"Why are you worried about that! I already checked your body last night while you were asleep!"
Seeing this message from the white-haired, red-eyed, beast-eared girl, a deep surge of exci… grief and indignation rose within me.
I trusted Saya so much, and she actually did something so outrageous to me in secret! Wuwu, my body is no longer pure…
Sigh, well, fine. It is my fault. Knowing full well that to a passionate young girl, someone as peerlessly handsome and completely defenseless as me would hold such irresistible temptation.
Yes, when all is said and done, it was still me who passively seduced Saya. This is not her fault.
Saya merely made the kind of mistake every student would make.
And so, with tears in my eyes, I accepted the fact that, without my knowledge, my entire body had been thoroughly examined by a genius, beautiful young pharmacist.
In any case, according to Saya's examination, although my physical constitution was weak to a shocking degree, overall I was actually very healthy. Especially certain internal organ functions, which were so outstanding they hardly seemed human.
This was a gift from humanity's best friend.
However, even though there was nothing seriously wrong with my body, the side effects could not be eliminated right away.
There was no choice but to obediently follow the doctor's advice. Today, I would happily set work aside and rest properly, with the goal of balancing work and rest.
After feeding all the useless drafts into the shredder, I planned to return to my bedroom and take another nap.
However, just as I lay down on the soft, comfortable bed and was about to pull up the blanket to sleep soundly, my phone rang with a momotalk notification.
When I opened my phone and took a look, my spirits lifted, and I immediately got out of bed.
Rest? What rest?
Striving diligently for the peace and stability of Kivotos has always been a mission I willingly embrace!
Another notification sound rang out. When I looked at the screen again, several more messages had already come in.
Hifumi: Sensei! Sensei!
Hifumi: There is a surprise Peroro-sama performance today!
Hifumi: If you are free, could you go with me?
Me: There is no helping it then, since it is a date invitation proposed by Lord Faust, whom I have resolved to follow for my entire life.
Hifumi: Eh? A d-date?
Hifumi: Uu… Sensei, you are making that kind of joke again.
Hifumi: It is just that I heard this surprise performance has couple-only commemorative goods, so I wanted to ask Sensei to come with me.
…What a devious woman, trying to use such an excuse to directly cement our relationship?
But as expected of Lord Faust! To take advantage of my covetous heart and devise such an irresistible poisonous scheme, it is truly admirable. This is the true worth of the leader of the Masked Swimsuit Gang!
Hifumi: Also, please do not use that title, it is very embarrassing…
Me: Ahaha, sorry, sorry. It is because Hifumi is too cute.
Hifumi: Uu! That is exactly what I mean!
Me: But lately, does your school not have exams coming up?
If I remember correctly, that exam is quite important.
Hifumi: It is fine. My grades are not particularly good, but I always stay around the average.
Hifumi: I also reviewed properly a few days ago!
Seriously speaking, Hifumi really is a diligent, honest, and reliable child.
Aside from occasionally showing a slightly airheaded side when momofriends, especially Peroro, comes up.
Me: Mm, I just happen to be free.
The doctor said I need to rest well. And going out on a date with a cute, youthful girl is the highest form of relaxation, and also part of my job!
To be able to balance work and rest like this, even I have to admire my own astonishing creativity.
Hifumi: That is great.
Hifumi: Then, let us meet here.
Immediately after, Hifumi sent an address.
Before heading out, I glanced at the calendar and asked one last question.
Me: By the way, when is the exam?
Hifumi: Ah, I have checked repeatedly, it is definitely tomorrow!
On the day before an important exam, still having the mood to watch a performance… but since it is Hifumi and Peroro, it is hardly surprising.
No more wasting time.
Hurrying along, it did not take long before I arrived at the meeting place, a plaza in front of the station.
Since the crowd was not dense, or perhaps because the girl stood out too much in my eyes, I quickly spotted Hifumi, whom I had not seen for a while. She was wearing her Trinity uniform, carrying a Peroro backpack, holding the straps with both hands obediently, and standing prettily at the center of the plaza.
How nostalgic. Those days of stirring up trouble in the black market banks together with the leader and the other accomplices…
The wanted notice for the Masked Swimsuit Gang should still be hanging in the black market, right?
Who could have imagined that in the dark world of Kivotos, a criminal giant who, with only a single crime, already showed signs of rivaling the Smiling Professor, Faust, would on the surface be nothing more than a Trinity student, an ordinary young lady whose only standout trait was how cute she looked?
Thinking these idle thoughts, I smiled and walked toward Hifumi.
"Ah, Sensei!"
When she caught sight of me from the corner of her eye, the morning light fell on the girl's profile, complementing her angelically gentle and warm smile.
Watching Hifumi walk toward me, I found myself momentarily dazed.
I think I probably, creamed.
"Ehehe~" Hifumi stopped in front of me and lifted her delicate, adorable face. "Sensei, Peroro-sama's performance is about to start. Let us hurry."