When I pushed open the door to the Prefect Team President's office again, the scene that greeted me was almost unchanged from a few hours ago.
Aside from the reduced pile of unprocessed documents and the increased fatigue on Hina's face, the white-haired girl was still mechanically handling her heavy workload alone.
Just as Ako had whispered her worries into my ear during the breaks between our work.
And I had promised her that with my world-shaking charm, I would at least allow Hina, who was bound by responsibility, to catch her breath. That was my duty.
…Why is it that when I recall that scene, instead of feeling a sense of responsibility that only I can bear, I feel an inexplicable guilt, like I'm doing something wrong?
"Eh? Sensei?" Hina looked surprised. "Why is it you again?"
"Hello, Hina." I waved calmly. "I'm here to help. After dealing with Ako."
Whether it was mostly psychological suggestion or not, the authority Aru gave me was really quite useful.
Besides, I feel like this counts as a subtle form of honesty. Even if Hina does not understand the deeper meaning right now, I believe she will someday.
"Eh, but… it's already this late?"
Hina hesitated for a moment and said awkwardly, "…I'm very grateful that you came, but just like I told Ako, this work can only be done by me… There probably isn't anything sensei can help with."
I nodded, since I already knew that. "Then, even if I can't help much, at least allow me to stay by your side. Is that okay?"
Clearly not expecting such an answer, the white-haired girl's eyes widened as she stared at me blankly.
After quite a while, she seemed to snap out of it, quickly looking away, her cheeks faintly red as she said softly,
"…If it's just that, then it's fine."
With her permission, I smiled slightly, walked over, and sat down in Ako's usual seat, silently watching Hina work.
I'm sure that the administrative officer who decided to stay overnight at Schale tonight will also gain a strong sense of participation from this.
Under the gaze of her secret admirer, Hina, who had initially tried to ignore me and focus on her work, gradually became restless.
After handling several documents with noticeably lower efficiency than usual, the irritated girl finally could not hold back and spoke.
"…I really can't help but feel conscious of it. With sensei sitting there staring at me, I can't concentrate."
"Eh?" I deliberately acted uneasy. "Am I… causing trouble for you, Hina…?"
It was a little nauseating for me personally, but for pure-hearted Hina, it was just right.
She hurriedly said, "No, it's nothing like that. Please don't overthink it."
After saying that, she shyly withdrew her gaze and murmured, "By the way, why does it feel so hot…"
Although it was summer, the air conditioning in the President's office was running strongly. The temperature was cool and comfortable.
If the Abydos Foreclosure Task Force saw this, they would fall silent. If the Arius Squad saw it, they would probably cry.
Since environmental factors were ruled out, the cause could only be internal.
Looking at the girl's flushed cheeks, I directly reached out and placed my hand on her forehead, saying with concern,
"Do you have a fever? Let me check your temperature."
"W-wait!?" Hina panicked. "What are you doing!?"
However, she did not dodge. Perhaps she was too exhausted to react, or perhaps she wanted to be treated this way.
In any case, the increasingly warm temperature caused by her shyness transmitted to my palm, making me inappropriately nostalgic for the afternoon's card.
"Your forehead is really hot," I said, sliding my hand down to gently touch her cheek. "And your face too."
"T-that can't be helped…" Hina tried to explain. "I haven't slept properly for several days…"
I knowingly asked, "When you want to sleep, does your body heat up?"
What kind of sleep would that be?
"…It's just a physiological reaction! When you're sleepy, your body temperature rises!"
When she said that, her heartbeat seemed noticeably faster. She was definitely lying.
But I did not expose her. Instead, I continued along that line. "If that's the case, then it's even more proof that it's time for you to rest properly."
"I know, but my work still… E-enough!"
Hina's eyes suddenly regained clarity. She abruptly stood up and took half a step back, shaking her head hard, as if trying to calm her surging emotions and retrieve her fading rationality.
"Because the work isn't finished yet," she seemed to be explaining to me. "When you gently touch me like that, I feel a sense of relief… It feels like I might just fall asleep…"
"Hina, listen to me."
I met her slightly dazed gaze and took a deep breath. "Listen to me. Even if you really fall asleep, it's okay."
"…But," Hina hesitated, "if I just go rest on my own, what about the work…"
"There will always be a way," I said. "Later on, if there's work that doesn't have to be handled by the Prefect Team President, it's fine to give some of it to me."
"That's not necessary. After all, there's also Ako and Chinatsu…"
What about Iori?
"…Hehe."
After pondering for a moment, Hina seemed to think of something and suddenly smiled with relief. "Now that I think about it… this really is a strange night. At this hour, being alone in the office with sensei. It feels like even if I just lie down like this… nothing bad would really happen."
I spoke gently, "Then lie down."
"Hehe… Mm. That seems… not so bad."
The white-haired girl retreated step by step, murmuring dreamily, "So sleepy… and I feel so safe… sensei…"
Having reached the very edge, she closed her eyes. Her small, slender figure swayed, then she fell backward and lay down by the windowsill.
Then Hina slowly opened her eyes. "Sensei, if you keep looking at me like that, I'll get shy too."
"Ah, sorry…"
"Don't apologize…" Hina looked at me and suddenly smiled. "It's really strange. When I'm with sensei, I feel an inexplicable sense of security."
Actually, in that regard, I'm probably the same.
Hina's usual reliability makes my heart sway. And the vulnerability she occasionally reveals makes me want to cherish her.
Either one truly gives me that inexplicable sense of reassurance.
I think I've probably fallen for Hina.
"Actually… I kind of like that expression of yours, sensei."
At this moment, as if she had shed all her disguises, she murmured to herself, "Ah… I don't want to think about anything…"
Her voice grew softer and softer, and by the last few syllables, it was barely audible.
As her breathing gradually steadied, Hina fell into a deep sleep.
I placed her coat over her body, then quietly left.
I hope she has a good dream.