Finally, the path to divine order has been found.
Ah... my path, [completed through honor].
My alias is [Glory Through Splendor]…
My name is HOD.
I am the eighth prophet, appointed by the sacred tenfold cross to witness and foretell miracles…
…Why?
An error occurred... why? Why? Why?
Ah... ! I remember! I remember it all!
It's all because of you....
[Antichrist]!!!
…
Himari: These are the words left by "HOD" after Habu was hacked.
Himari: The sacred tenfold cross… that must be the Decagrammaton.
The format of this alias is also somewhat similar to Bina's, so it's likely correct.
But more than that, there's another point that caught my attention.
Me: What does this Antichrist mean?
Judging by the pronunciation, it seems similar to what Bina once called me…
Himari: Well… sensei, do you know Christmas?
Himari: The "mas" in Christmas means festival.
Himari: And "Anti" means opposition.
Himari: There may be some deeper allusions, but literally…
Himari: [Opponent of the Divine], the enemy of the Decagrammaton... let's just understand it that way for now.
Even though I've lost memory, what grudge could I, a newcomer to Kivotos, have against the Decagrammaton?
I strongly suspect it's another mess left behind by that unseen GSC President.
Himari: In any case, HOD, who was repairing the underground cables, damaged the nearby communications network and then disappeared.
Himari: Chisato and I are currently recovering the lost data.
Himari: BIG SISTER is also rushing to repair the network.
Me: Thank you for your hard work.
Himari: Hehe∼ For the Millennium's super-genius, delicate, sickly hacker girl, this is nothing.
Himari: Certain narrow-minded people, who claim they don't care but are secretly furious, like the Tsukatsuki family's daughter, might need comforting more.
Himari: But given Rio's personality, she wouldn't tell you about this yet. And you wouldn't betray me, right?
She's basically calling me out by name.
Me: Of course not. Kivotos' super-reliable, strong, handsome sensei's character isn't something to worry about.
Himari: …Hehe.
Himari: I'll get back to work. Talk later.
What does that mean? She can say things like that, but if I do, she acts like this? So annoying!
Just as I was fuming, Himari sent another message, asking if I wanted her to check the access logs for some important encrypted files on my computer.
Realizing the implications, I glanced at Koyuki diligently working, thought for a moment, and decided to politely decline.
"Koyuki, finally finished confirming with senior Yuuka?" Noticing I'd put my phone away, she grinned triumphantly. "See, I didn't cause trouble this time, right?"
"Yeah, I misjudged you."
"Hehe∼ It's fine∼ I forgive you, so be grateful∼"
Seeing her so high-spirited, I decided it's better not to tell her how Rio reacted to her disappearance.
After that, Koyuki and I continued Schale's office work. Her serious attitude gradually changed my impression of her.
Could it be that Koyuki is naturally a well-behaved child, and the seminar's work is just what made her mischievous?
Or maybe she only behaves that way in front of me.
It's natural to try to show your best side in front of someone you secretly like.
Time passed until late at night.
"Yawn…"
The pink-haired girl rubbed her eyes and pouted: "I'm getting a little tired of Schale's work… Hey, sensei, is there anything else I can help with? Even if it's cracking a password or two, it's fine∼"
"There aren't any passwords here for you to crack. Actually, besides the login password, don't disable anything else."
Koyuki tilted her head, stared at me for a while, then suddenly grinned:
"…Why not?"
"Why not what?"
"Could it be… something you don't want me to see?"
Isn't that obvious? If anyone could freely view it, why even have passwords?
Curiosity piqued, Koyuki persisted: "Sensei, just tell me! At least give me a hint?"
I tried a gentle warning: "Koyuki, what would happen if you just looked at the encrypted files at the seminar?"
At this, Koyuki shivered, a sad expression crossing her face: "So that's why seniors won't let me leave the seminar…"
Also why she wasn't sent to the Correction Bureau.
Then the pink-haired girl suddenly thought of something, reverting to a cute, mischievous smile, her star-shaped pupils sparkling:
"So that means, if I look at Schale's encrypted files, sensei won't let me go back, right!"
What an ingenious deduction!?
"Nihahaha! Then I'll just sneak a peek…"
"Koyuki." I quickly leaned over, pressing her hand on the mouse, and said coldly, "Don't do that."
"Eh? Se-sensei… why do you suddenly look so serious…"
Looking at the genuine worry on her face, still not understanding why she can't do it, I suddenly realized she might really be a genius....
Because her decryption abilities are beyond what normal people can imagine, essentially like a superpower, her mindset about this is completely different.
Trying to reason with her probably wouldn't work.
I took a deep breath and said sincerely: "Koyuki, Schale's secrets aren't just mine. Please. This is very important for everyone."
"…Se-sensei?"
Koyuki looked conflicted: "Even if you… say it so seriously… ugh…"
I waited patiently, hoping for a response equally sincere.
Finally, she sighed: "…Okay. I understand. Since sensei said so, there's no helping it. I don't want to make sensei angry… I'll give up trying to uncover Schale's secrets."
I exhaled and released her hand.
The girl instinctively rubbed the back of her hands: "I'm not curious enough to make sensei really dislike me, just… a little curious∼ That's all."
While saying this, Koyuki stood up, leaving the computer to show she really let go or perhaps…
"But," she revealed another mischievous smile, "if 'something very important for everyone' can't be seen, then that means… if it's 'sensei's personal stuff,' it's completely fine, right!"
"…Wait a minute?"
"Then, I'll go first! Nihahahaha∼!"
Before I could stop her, Koyuki opened her arms like a sly rabbit and bolted out the door under my stunned gaze.