With the help of Problem Solver 68, the Make-Up Work Club girls and I moved unhindered through the slums along the Gehenna border.
Most delinquent students immediately stepped aside after hearing Aru's name, the few who relied on their brute strength couldn't withstand even a few rounds against Problem Solver 68 and were quickly defeated.
Even the heavily modified "Helmet Gang" armored vehicles couldn't survive a single shot from Aru after she amplified her firepower with mysterious means.
"These people are really impressive," Azusa, who had been instructed to conserve her strength and watch silently, commented. "Especially the one claiming to be the president. Even in guerrilla warfare, I wouldn't be confident I could defeat her."
That said, Azusa seemed strangely eager to test herself.
I, however, recalled Hina's words from a few days ago and began to suspect that Aru might really be a master who leveraged her natural intelligence to conceal her true strength from me.
"Hehe∼ Didn't expect Hifumi knows such a strong Gehenna student∼"
At this, Hanako chuckled as if she noticed something, hinting at it.
Hifumi forced an awkward smile: "Ah… ahaha… we've only met a few times, that's all…"
In short, thanks to Problem Solver 68's assistance, we quickly left the lawless zone dominated by delinquent children and entered the Gehenna area under the Prefect Team's control.
Estimating the number and strength of enemies encountered along the way, I felt confident that even without Problem Solver 68, the Make-Up Work Club, with my guidance and support, wouldn't have been delayed too long. The main difference was the amount of energy we could conserve.
No matter what, once we reached this point, it was time to part ways.
"Hehe, sensei," Aru said with a light laugh. "You should know that even if you're our business advisor, our help isn't free. This time, you owe us a favor… Hm… let me kindly remind you, our favors aren't cheap to repay."
I froze, not expecting Aru to say something like this at our farewell.
Is she trying to take advantage of the favor and force me to do something strange to her?
No, maybe it was someone else's idea. Perhaps all of Problem Solver 68 secretly had ulterior motives toward me!
"Ku-fufu∼ Aru-chan means that because this favor is so valuable, it doesn't matter if Sensei and Hifumi make us do more, right?"
Aru's expression instantly panicked: "W-wait!? Mutsuki!?"
I see… of course, that's the real Aru.
Hanako watched with amusement: "Ah? How interesting∼"
In the end, I politely declined Aru's generosity, waved goodbye to Problem Solver 68, and continued toward the exam site with the Make-Up Work Club girls.
Though it was late at night, there were surprisingly few pedestrians on the streets. In the distance, the faint sounds of gunfire suggested something was happening.
"Hmm…" Hanako checked the map on her phone. "The only way to the destination is along this road… let's go take a look first."
At this point, there was no other choice.
Just then, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out, frowned, then put it away with a neutral expression and said to the watching girls:
"Wait for me a moment."
"Is something wrong?" Koharu asked sleepily.
The other Make-Up Work Club members were considerate enough not to ask; only this little scatterbrain would ask such a thing.
"Just taking care of a biological need," I paused, then added before she could scold me: "I'm going to the bathroom."
With that, I briskly walked back the way we came, rounded a corner, and saw Kayoko leaning against a wall, wearing a hoodie with her white-and-black hair partially covering her face.
"Kayoko, is there something wrong?"
I knew that in such a relatively urgent situation, if Kayoko sought me out, it must be important.
Kayoko nodded: "Sensei, I'll keep it brief. On the way to the destination, even if the Prefect Team chases you, do not deviate toward the city center."
After a moment of thought, I asked: "May I ask why?"
"Mm. In short, there might be a dangerous person active there… the president of the Hot Springs Department. It's possible this is false intel, of course. But if sensei gets targeted by her, it will be difficult to reach the destination within the time limit."
"The president of the Hot Springs Department…?"
I had already heard of them and even witnessed them conducting targeted explosions under the guise of "developing hot springs" in busy streets.
Even in talented Gehenna, this club could be called one of the most dangerous. Their president, I knew, was a wanted criminal.
Kayoko continued her warning: "She's an unpredictable, willful, almost 'embodiment of chaos' kind of dangerous person. Sensei will encounter her eventually… but if you're careless, something bad could happen."
Even just the club's goals and the fact they were wanted in Gehenna were enough to prove how dangerous they were.
I didn't ask Kayoko how she obtained this information. As the most mysterious member of Problem Solver 68, she naturally had her own sources.
However, I still have one question: "Wouldn't it have been better to discuss this on momotalk?"
"Well…" Kayoko mumbled, "Should I call this part of my experience so far? Let's just call it a reflex, that it happened to be this way, I guess..."
I see… she just wanted a chance to be alone with me!
…Hmm, though she still knows how to gauge priorities.
"I understand," I said with a smile. "Thank you, Kayoko. I appreciate your concern."
"Don't misunderstand, okay? I just want to repay the favor I owe you."
After saying this, Kayoko paused, sighed: "But I do hope you can return safely. Well, it's not to the point where I absolutely insist you must return… Alright, I've already delayed you enough, that's all I have to say."
For some reason, today she was speaking more ambiguously than usual, more tsundere than normal.
Perhaps because the Hot Springs Department president was so unpredictable?
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
After parting with Kayoko, I quickly rejoined the Make-Up Work Club girls and pressed forward along the only available road.
As we reached a bridge, we saw a group of Prefect Team members setting up a roadblock at the far end.
"Is that… an inspection…?" Hifumi murmured.