It was a relatively quiet afternoon at Hyakkiyako, Momoyo Hall .
"Sensei! Even though I didn't help yesterday because of training, I caught a huge beetle on my outing! Look, look∼ I even took a proper photo before releasing it∼"
After showing me a picture of herself with a rhinoceros beetle almost the size of a palm, Kaede from the Inner Discipline Club spoke in a tone seeking praise: "Hehe∼ With this, I've gotten even closer to being the perfect lady∼ Right∼?"
I casually complimented her: "Mm, yes, that's true."
Mimori, sitting beside us, covered her mouth and chuckled softly at the scene.
It felt just like coaxing a mischievous child to be happy with a gentle, dutiful wife.
Suddenly, Mimori's cheeks flushed, and she gave me a scolding glare.
I quickly controlled my thoughts, stopping myself from wandering further into "first eat, first bathe, or first do this or that" scenarios between newlyweds.
"Sorry for the wait∼" A distinctly high, sharp, and deliberately cute voice came from the side. "Here's the strawberry red bean paste and jelly you ordered∼ Please enjoy, meow meow∼"
Today, Shizuko was also intentionally acting cute. Not that she needed to, she was adorable even without it.
Kaede's eyes lit up at the sight of the food: "Wow, it looks so delicious∼"
"Hmph, of course it does. After all, it's our signature at Momoyo Hall."
After her self-praise, Shizuko looked at someone slumped over the table, her nose slightly wrinkled.
"Pina, did you stay up watching movies again? Are you okay? If not, I can give you a day off today."
"It's fine, Chairman…" Pina, who had just pulled an all-nighter, replied listlessly. "I've just burned out, turning into white ashes… I'll be able to burn again soon…"
[At the end of five hundred years, the tail wavers and burns itself. Three days later, it rises again, destined to bloom as such]
Messy, unrhymed. I give zero points.
[From the ashes emerges a bug]
…Is this from the Madman's rambling, or is she scolding me?
I thought carefully for a moment and realized. It must be referring to Pina. Clearly, it had nothing to do with me.
Incidentally, Izuna, who had also stayed up, had originally intended to train her ninja discipline. Namely, participate fully in club activities without sleep.
But after my persuasion, she switched to ninja-specific sleeping techniques via giving up her planned outing and sleeping soundly in bed.
No matter how excited she was to be near the one she admired, she still needed sufficient sleep afterward.
Next to Pina, Tsubaki, also lying on the table, murmured a few indistinct words as if dreaming.
If the scene were more suitable, I'd really like to see what kind of dream Tsubaki was having.
"Hmph, well, if that's the case, then it's up to you. Now then…"
Momoyo Hall's mascot girl took a deep breath, switched to a radiant smile, and performed a practiced heart-hand gesture: "Come on, Sensei! To make the food you ordered even more∼ delicious, let the adorable Shizuko cast her magic! Become delicious—"
"Ah, let's skip that part." Kaede, drooling slightly, suddenly became wary. "Isn't this just one of those services the store adds secretly to raise the price?"
"Eh, eh, eh!?"
"I've heard of this before! As a mature lady, I won't fall for such tricks!"
Mimori intervened: "Kaede, Kaede-chan! How can you speak so rudely to Shizuko-san…"
Startled, Shizuko quickly regained her composure: "Exactly! That's way too harsh! Our family isn't the kind—"
"But I have heard," I suddenly said, "there really are stores that secretly do this to raise prices."
"Sensei!? You too!?"
Under Shizuko's incredulous gaze, I slowly added, "But Kaede, I trust Shizuko wouldn't do that."
After the emotional rollercoaster, Shizuko breathed a sigh of relief. Her affection for me must have grown even more.
"Hehe," Mimori smiled. "Sensei, you're not wrong."
…Her hair color filled me with awe.
I dared not let my thoughts wander further. I enjoyed Momoyo Hall's specialty teas and sweets, feeling that it was truly a leisurely day.
Unfortunately, I still had work at Schale to finish. Nothing urgent required my attention here, so after a while, I would have to leave.
Just as I was enjoying this stolen moment, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
The message came from a student I had contacted yesterday but hadn't helped due to a performance.
Chise: Sensei, are you still at Hyakkiyako today?
Waraku Chise from the Yin-Yang Club was practically an idol at Hyakkiyako. She gave me the impression of a strange, somewhat scatterbrained, yet cute child who often shared the haiku she wrote.
Though I didn't always understand them, I could feel the emotions behind them.
It was just her horns and eye color that caught my attention a little.
Me: I'm still here. What's up, Chise?
Chise: Today, there are many beautiful clouds.
After reading that, I instinctively looked out the window. In the clear sky floated clouds like rolled-up waves.
Me: It's true. Today, the sky looks like the sea.
Chise: Mm.
Chise: So maybe, today, I might be able to find it.
Chise: That's what I think.
Chise: Sensei, let's go look together.
Me: Chise, what are you looking for?
Chise: Clouds.
Me: Clouds?
Chise: I'll be waiting for you at the shopping street, sensei.
I tried sending another message, but received no reply.
After thinking it over, even though Chise had decided to meet on her own, I couldn't just leave her outside alone.
So, after saying a brief goodbye to the other girls, I headed alone to Hyakkiyako's shopping street. I immediately spotted a blue-haired girl wandering around, holding a grenade launcher, staring blankly at the sky.
"Chise," I called as I approached. "Good afternoon."
"Ah, sensei, you're here."
"What are you doing…?"
"Well…" Chise hesitated. "I'm chasing clouds."
I looked up at the sky, murmuring, "Chasing clouds…?"
"Ah, it moved again." The slightly eccentric blue-haired girl's voice floated like a cloud. "Let's catch up, sensei."
To follow the flowing clouds, she slowly walked in the direction she was gazing.
"Ah, Chise, wait for me."
I hurried after her, beginning this odd but somehow fitting cloud-chasing journey to the west, led by Chise herself.