Inside the Game Development Department activity room.
"So what exactly do you think you're doing!"
Momoi stood in front of me, one hand on her hip and the other pointing straight at me as she angrily interrogated me.
Meanwhile, I sat seiza on the hard floor, being lectured by students, my expression awkward, unable to utter a word.
Not far away was Yuzu, still sobbing quietly. Midori was comforting Yuzu while occasionally casting cold glances my way, and Arisu, who still did not quite understand the situation.
In short, Yuzu and I had indeed gotten stuck inside the locker because of our overly forceful posture.
No matter how hard we tried, we could not reach the locker handle, and instead only made the situation more and more embarrassing.
I felt that Ako should bear at least ninety nine percent of the responsibility.
Fortunately, the other members of the Game Development Department had only gone out to eat lunch, and also took on the task of bringing food back for Yuzu. Worried about their still hungry club president, they rushed back as fast as possible after finishing their meal.
After being trapped inside for about ten minutes, we were finally freed.
And thus, this was the current situation.
"Seriously!"
Momoi puffed out her cheeks. "You're already an adult, and you still bully Yuzu like this. That's just too much!"
Honestly, I felt that, theoretically speaking, everyone probably liked being bullied by me…
For example, the reason Midori was looking at me with such a resentful gaze was likely because she was thinking, why didn't I do something like that to her…
Of course, those kinds of excuses were something I could only think about in my head. Right now, I did not dare say them out loud at all, and could only lower my head and accept Momoi's scolding.
"It's… it's okay…"
A weak voice came from nearby.
After finally calming down, Yuzu instead spoke up on my behalf.
"Sensei didn't do it on purpose… I was the one who agreed first… that's why it turned out like that…"
Although hearing Yuzu say that did move me.
But did not the way she phrased it sound a bit strange?!
It was hard not to develop all sorts of inappropriate associations.
Momoi said unhappily, "Yuzu, you can't spoil the Sensei like this. If someone does something wrong, they should be punished."
I felt that the truth might be the opposite, that I had been spoiling all of you too much this whole time.
Especially you, Momoi. Have you forgotten who it was that helped plead with Yuuka on your behalf when you messed up?
Just because you think you have some unspeakable little secrets with me, your attitude has become way too arrogant!
With the actual victim Yuzu having forgiven me, I straightened my back once more.
Midori sighed. "It was just an accident to begin with. While the Sensei did do something wrong, sis, you shouldn't cling to it so stubbornly."
Arisu followed up. "Arisu knows! Whenever conflicts happen within the hero's party, that's when the Demon King's army is most likely to take advantage! Momoi, please hurry up and make peace with the Sensei!"
See that? This is the will of the people! The Game Development Department has long since become my future harem reserve!
"No!"
However, Momoi's attitude was unexpectedly firm. "Sensei must receive a severe punishment!"
The girls could not help but frown, probably all feeling that Momoi was being far too unforgiving today.
"So! I hereby announce!"
As if she had not noticed her companions' undisguised expressions, Momoi crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and announced the details of the punishment on her own.
"Sensei must stay in the Game Development Department today and accompany all of us until we're satisfied!"
…Huh?
The girls were first confused, then looked at one another, and finally reached a unanimous conclusion.
Midori kept a straight face, but could not hide her delight. "I, I guess it can't be helped. The Sensei really did do something wrong. This time I agree with sis."
"I, I thought about it carefully…"
Yuzu touched her index fingers together, her gaze wandering, her voice as thin as a mosquito's. "I feel like… I haven't completely forgiven the Sensei yet… ugh…"
As for Arisu, her reaction was the most straightforward.
"Wow!" The android girl beamed with joy and said sweetly, "Arisu wants to play with Sensei~"
I never expected that, driven by self interest, everyone would switch sides so quickly. It truly filled me with grief and indignation.
"Heh heh." Momoi looked at me smugly. "Sensei, this is what the people want, so stop struggling and obediently play games with us!"
The other three girls nodded in agreement and anticipation.
"You all, honestly…"
I let out a long sigh toward the ceiling, my face full of solitude. "Sigh, Momoi, you've really done me in…"
"Huh?" Momoi froze for a moment, then asked me anxiously, "Sensei, do you still have work to do? I thought you were free today… umm, if you're really busy today, then we can wait until you're free to make up for it!"
Don't ruin my plans!
I immediately stood up from the floor and firmly denied it.
"Don't spout nonsense, Momoi! When did I ever say I wasn't free? Hmph, playing with you until late at night, right? Come on!"
In an instant, the small game club room was filled with cheerful energy.
Momoi, Midori, and Yuzu, upon receiving the good news, all got busy in their own ways. Turning on computers, grabbing seat cushions, pouring black tea, each doing something different.
Only Arisu, after looking around, cheered and leapt straight into my arms.
"Yay~!"
Thanks to Arona's selfless contribution, I did not fall or break any bones, and I indulgently ran my hand through Arisu's thick, smooth hair.
Judging by the touch alone, she was no different from an ordinary student.
It was a pity, though.
Even with that halo, Arisu, perhaps just like Arona, could not become the stepping stone for me to climb higher.
As my fingers brushed against the warm, soft, elastic artificial protein skin at Arisu's neck, and I looked at her pure and adorable smile, I found myself thinking such inappropriate thoughts.
Soon, everyone else finished their preparations, and Arisu was reluctantly pulled away to the side by Midori.
"Let's start with this MMORPG~" Momoi stuffed a laptop along with a keyboard and mouse set into my hands. "Sensei, the client is already downloaded on this computer. Go ahead and create your character and choose your starting class! Once you're done, we'll come pick you up in the corresponding main city."
"Alright, got it."
While adjusting my character's appearance, I casually asked, "By the way, about the game development work…"
"Don't worry, it's progressing in an orderly fashion. The script framework has already been set, Midori is drawing the basic art assets, Yuzu is designing classes and monsters, and Arisu has started learning to write game programs using the Jaba language… Playing this game today is also to gather inspiration!"
Hearing Momoi say that put me at ease, and I focused on enjoying the leisurely time of adventuring in the game world together with these beautiful girls.
Punishment? A reward! For both sides!
And just like that, time quickly reached late night.