After all that buildup, we were finally reaching the main event.
Keeping Kayoko's warning firmly in mind, I addressed the lady before me, one of the most dangerous individuals even in the land of outstanding talents that is Gehenna, and asked:
"So, Kasumi, what's the price?"
"Wahaha! Don't look so serious."
Kasumi laughed, patting my back. "I really want to get along well with you, sensei. Although it's a bit troublesome for me and does require a little favor from you to convince me… I won't ask you to do anything too difficult, I promise."
I understood it immediately. Kasumi was totally crushing on me so hard. Her repeated emphasis on how difficult it would be was just her way of seeking more of my favor. After all, she was still at that age where feelings like this come easily.
"I see. So, specifically, what do you want me to do?"
I nodded, lowered my gaze, and put on a serious expression hiding my anticipation. "Could it be… that you want me to kneel and lick your feet?"
SAUCE
At that, Kasumi went suddenly silent.
After a long pause, she stammered, "…T-That… for sensei… this is still within the range of not being too troublesome…? Could it be that rumor…"
I quickly interrupted her: "For the sake of my important students, I don't mind taking a little discomfort myself."
"…Huh? I see… so sensei's words just now were your resolution? Hmm, that sounds impressive."
"It's what I should do." I paused, then added, "Of course, Kasumi, you're also an important student to me."
Kasumi raised an eyebrow and resumed her confident, all-in-control smile. "Oh? We just met, yet sensei, you're quite smooth with your words. Or maybe it just proves we might actually get along well? Wahaha! That makes things easier. Anyway, let me first explain the situation to you."
I readied myself, expecting this fugitive girly to lay out her conditions.
The previous joking remark had just been a way to gauge her attitude. So far, she seemed to know her limits.
But her next words gave me the heebie-jeebies.
"As I said before, my members are my like-minded partners. Even I can't force them to go against their nature. So the only way is to find an excuse to buy time. But that means suppressing my own desires, risking being stopped, and most importantly, bearing the guilt of betraying my friends…"
After a moment of thought, I probed: "So… you mean?"
Kasumi said bluntly: "I need extra compensation."
"…So, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Huh? Sensei, you're still stuck here? I thought we already understood each other."
Shaking her head regretfully, Kasumi stopped teasing. "Since you want me to give up, then help me choose a better hot spring spot."
Why did that actually sound reasonable?
I thought for a moment but hesitated. "You want to choose it now?"
"No, no, no. I said I won't make things too difficult. You have more important things to do right now, don't you?"
She was unexpectedly reasonable in this regard.
"But just so you know, I'm not very knowledgeable about this kind of thing."
"Hahaha, that's fine," Kasumi laughed cheerfully. "I just need you as my advisor! Occasionally, I like to get other people's opinions too."
I had to admit, her request was surprisingly generous.
Even more, I could somewhat guide the Hot Spring Department Club's activities toward safer, harmless areas?
Thinking that, I smiled and nodded. "Looks like I have no reason to refuse."
"Hahaha! Then it's settled!"
Kasumi laughed, pulling out her phone. "Let's exchange contact info. When we both have free time, we can meet again."
After adding this not-so-intimidating fugitive girl as a Momotalk friend, we chatted a bit more. It wasn't until we were close to the exam site that she took the initiative to say goodbye.
Before leaving, she reminded me that the excuse she had given couldn't delay things for too long, so we should wrap up quickly.
After that, I was once again alone.
And I could finally confirm something I'd been thinking about since agreeing to Kasumi's condition.
I took out the card from my chest pocket, which radiated warmth, focused on it, and a light screen appeared with new content:
——
Conversion Authority: [Illusory Catastrophe]
Description: The holder can expend stamina to create the illusion of roaring, rushing water-like noise.
Source: Successfully captured Kinugawa Kasumi
——
…Kasumi truly was an unpredictable character.
In the end, it had boiled down to exchanging names, adding each other as friends, and even this strict card acknowledging Kasumi's feelings for me.
After reflecting on that, I looked at the ability's name and description, slightly speechless, though with a faint sense of luck.
I tried using it on myself and confirmed a fact:
This was another ability whose actual effect was underwhelming compared to its flashy name, almost useless.
Sure, it might disrupt enemies slightly, but it consumed so much stamina that it felt like sprinting 100 meters, even more taxing than the more practical [Lion's Dignity].
At least for now, I couldn't think of any special practical use for it.
So I put it aside and focused on rushing toward the exam site's ruins.
As soon as I reached the entrance, I saw two familiar figures and rushed over in relief:
"Hifumi, Koharu, are you two okay?"
"Ah, sensei!" Koharu looked relieved.
"Sen… sensei, you're fine…" Hifumi, pushing the moped, spoke with lingering fear. "Thank goodness. When Fuuka's car sank, I thought sensei…"
What was this child saying?
I changed the topic: "By the way, have you seen Hanako and Azusa?"
Before they could answer, I heard a familiar, cheerful female voice from behind:
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
I turned and saw Hanako in a swimsuit and Azusa wearing a gas mask walking toward us.
Judging from their attire, they had faced quite a few obstacles themselves.
But there was no need to investigate that further for now.
After all, after so much hardship, everyone had finally arrived outside the exam site before it began.
And what remained was clear:
To take the exam properly, with dignity!