After the playful chaos ended, everyone settled into a relaxed mood, chatting together in a wonderfully pleasant atmosphere.
Hanako, knowledgeable and socially adept, naturally assumed the role of sparking new topics in the conversation.
"By the way, there's a rare fish called the Golden Tuna currently on display at the Trinity Aquarium," she said.
Hifumi immediately caught the thread: "Ah, I saw that in the pamphlet too! It's called the Dream Fish, right?"
Hanako nodded: "Yes, apparently it was discovered in nearby waters. I'd love to go see it, but the tickets aren't cheap, so…"
I suddenly felt a little stir in my wallet.
"The sea, huh…" Azusa murmured. "I've never been there even once."
Hifumi was stunned: "R-Really!? You've never gone…!?"
For an ordinary student in Kivotos… well, assuming Hifumi is an ordinary student, it's probably hard to imagine how strict and privileged Arius's environment must be.
After a moment's thought, I spoke: "In that case, once everyone passes the evaluation exams, I'll take you all together—first to the aquarium, then to the beach to have some fun."
Hoshino also loves the ocean.
There's been no chance before, and with midsummer approaching, maybe it's finally time for another outing with Hoshino.
As I was thinking this, Hanako suddenly frowned slightly: "Ah… wouldn't that cost you too much?"
"Don't worry about it!" I said proudly, patting my chest. "I usually scrimp and save just for times like this! If it brings smiles to everyone's faces, a little expense like this is nothing!"
At worst, I can come up with a reasonable excuse and have Aoi reimburse me.
"You pervert! Y-You've finally revealed your true nature!" Koharu suddenly blurted out, her face red. "You're doing this just to see us in swimsuits at the beach, aren't you!?"
I felt a pang of sorrow, thinking this girl must have misunderstood my noble intentions.
I wanted to deny it sternly, but then I thought, wouldn't that embarrass Koharu?
So, I spoke sincerely: "I do want to see it."
Koharu choked: "…Y-You actually admitted it."
Even though I was being glared at with disgust, I inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
Why is that? Could it be because of her hair color?
I found myself lost in thought.
"By the way," Hifumi said excitedly, "if we're going to the beach, we'll need new swimsuits!"
Azusa looked puzzled: "Why? Wouldn't school swimsuits be fine?"
Hifumi's gaze suddenly sharpened to a piercing intensity, and her tone was decisive: "No! Absolutely not! Summer and the sea are the battlefield for showing off charms you normally don't display… Wearing a school swimsuit to the beach is like going to battle without bullets! Totally unacceptable!"
The room fell silent.
"Huh? Did I say something wrong?" Hifumi asked, shrinking her neck in doubt. "Why are you all staring at me like that?"
I withdrew my slightly surprised gaze and thought: as expected of Hifumi, she always manages to say the most unexpected things.
"Ahaha~" Hanako laughed. "Nothing really, just that Hifumi-chan makes a very good point~"
Azusa nodded thoughtfully: "Going to battle without bullets… I see. That's actually an important matter. Thank you, Hifumi. I've learned something new."
Koharu, who had been silent with a flushed face, muttered: "It's not that important…"
But from her tone, she seemed to somewhat agree with Hifumi's point.
"By the way," Azusa continued, "I don't have any swimsuits besides the school ones either."
"Ah, in that case, we can go to the mall together sometime!"
Azusa readily agreed: "Sure, of course. I think it's also a good chance to learn more."
"I see…" Hifumi thought for a moment, then suddenly looked at me. "If possible, Sensei, could you help us pick them out?"
I immediately straightened my face.
Since it was a request from Faust-sama, whom I am committed to serve, I must give it my all!
"Out of the question!"
But before I could speak, the usual rebel of the Make-Up Work Club shouted: "Why would you have him help!? Learning new things my foot… he's obviously planning something perverted! Pervert! Death penalty! All death penalty!"
After calming down the inexplicably flustered and probably jealous Koharu, we moved on to the next topic.
"And also, I heard that in an amusement park that closed long ago, strange noises can be heard at night…"
Hanako said in a mysterious tone.
This urban legend was quite well-known in Kivotos; otherwise, it wouldn't have caught the attention of the General Student Council.
Hearing about the rumors of the Slumpia, Koharu shivered: "N-No way! That can't be true! You must be mistaken!"
"Well, I've only heard rumors," Hanako said lightly.
"I don't care! It's definitely fake! Someone must be pranking people!"
Koharu insisted, clearly a little scared. In some sense, she was accidentally correct...
If one considers the playground of Gematria as a "prank."
That said, during the previous exploration, we did encounter moving dolls and were attacked. But after receiving a report with certain secretive parts omitted and evaluating the Game Development Club's approximate strength, Momoka optimistically concluded there was no need to worry.
As for why the amusement park attracted so many followers, it remains a mystery.
Perhaps Slumpia was always a special place, chosen as a testing ground for Gematria.
After that disastrous night, Kei never appeared again. Arisu and the others were fully preparing for the Millennium Club Awards, with relevant intelligence left to Himari and Rio to research in old texts.
Once Make-Up Work Club matters are settled, I should be able to head over and assist with the final testing.
As my mind wandered, Hanako was already starting a new topic:
"Walking around the streets or school in a swimsuit isn't really that strange, right?"
Hanako said this as if it were perfectly natural.