Inside the moving tank, I sipped the freshly brewed black tea, feeling that the scene had a unique charm of its own.
Don't ask why I could brew tea inside a tank, just accept it as Kivotos Technology and Trinity tradition, using a commemorative Momofriends kettle.
"Sensei, how's the taste? It probably doesn't compare to Nagisa-sama's skills… but I feel like I did exceptionally well this time…!"
"It's really good. I think it's on par with Nagisa in its own way, I like it."
I spoke with a double meaning.
"Ehehe∼ Hearing you praise me like that makes me shy∼"
At the driver's seat, the blonde girl in a simple yet cute swimsuit smiled bashfully, humming a little tune, clearly in high spirits.
Perhaps it was because we were about to reach the ocean, or perhaps she was already looking forward to spending the night at Schale, as planned.
Otherwise, why would she drive a tank wearing only a swimsuit, without bringing a change of clothes?
It seemed… like an intentional act to tease me.
Hifumi's boldness had always been widely acknowledged.
"Ah, sensei," Hifumi suddenly reminded me, "the road up ahead isn't very good, the tank might shake a lot, so please be careful not to spill the tea. Also, some of the handrails have sharp edges, if your clothes get caught it's fine, but if you get hurt it could be dangerous."
I understood, it was a setup for her possibly clumsily tearing her swimsuit, accidentally falling into my arms, and naturally leading to some… intimate incidents inside the tank.
I felt a pang of disbelief, how brazen to plan something like this in a tank used by everyone, to do it to me, whom everyone secretly admired.
After finishing the warm tea in one gulp, I licked my lips and said with concern:
"Hifumi, you have to be careful in that swimsuit!"
"Y-Yes, I know. Normally I wouldn't drive a tank like this… but I heard that near the beach we're going to, there's nowhere to change."
Noticing the loophole in her words, I raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile creeping across my face.
The date location… was chosen by Hifumi herself?
According to her, we were going to a beautiful, little-known beach with no buses or trains nearby, which is why she drove the tank to pick me up.
But there had to be other suitable places for a date, right? Why pick a place with no changing facilities? I wasn't about to ask.
Wait… I frowned again, suddenly realizing that meant I would have no choice but to change into my swimsuit in front of Hifumi.
A brilliant two-birds-with-one-stone strategy! Truly admirable, Faust-sama.
"Most importantly," the blonde girl continued, eyes sparkling with anticipation, "once we get there, I want to jump straight into the ocean."
Wasn't that just another way to get completely soaked?
I didn't expose her transparent little scheme, instead responding casually:
"I see. Well, driving a tank in a swimsuit is impressive in every sense."
"Y-Yeah… being told that by sensei makes me feel a little shy…"
Hifumi scratched her cheek awkwardly: "But from outside the tank, no one can really see… It's only you, sensei… In that case, I might as well… ahhh…"
She couldn't continue speaking.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my own agitation.
If she weren't driving the tank right now, I might already have been unable to resist holding her in my arms.
"Hifumi," I said, "should we go a little faster?"
"Umm… okay…"
After that, the ride was silent. In the modestly sized space, only the roar of the engine surrounded us.
Even without the events I had anticipated, I felt a strange tension quietly building between us.
When we reached the beach, Hifumi leaned out of the tank, gazing at the beautiful sea in the distance, shouting excitedly: "The ocean—!"
I smiled and called out with her: "The ocean—!"
"Ehehe∼" Hifumi's smile was radiant, "When you come to the beach, you really have to shout like this∼"
"Just like last time?"
"Uh, ahahaha…" Hifumi pressed a hand to her chest, "That experience… better not happen a second time. It's better if it's just the two of us, sensei."
If Azusa knew about this, she would surely be deeply moved and gain a broader understanding of the world outside Arius.
Then Hifumi suddenly remembered: "Ah, and Azusa-chan and everyone at the tutoring club…"
But at this point, it might be too late to mention it.
Realizing this, she quickly changed the subject: "A-Anyway, even though I really want to rush into the sea… we should park the Crusader first. Sensei, can you help me set the brakes?"
"Sure, leave it to me."
Following the manual, I set it in no time:
"All done."
"Thank you, sensei. Then I'll… heave…"
But with a sudden unpleasant tearing sound, Hifumi, who was trying to climb out, froze.
Her expression changed drastically, letting out a startled cry as she quickly ducked back inside.
"Hifumi!? Are you okay!?" I hurried back into the tank and saw the blonde girl sitting inside in an awkward posture, face flushed red, looking up at me with teary eyes.
She clutched her side and whispered: "Um, my s-swimsuit…"
I repeated: "Swimsuit…?"
"The handrail caught my swimsuit…" Hifumi was on the verge of tears, "It's torn…"
I understood immediately, what was inevitable had finally happened.
"Ah, that's really unlucky. What should we do?"
"Ugh, now I can't go out… I don't have a change of clothes, and there doesn't seem to be any convenience stores nearby…"
"Don't worry, Hifumi."
I went back into the tank to reassure her: "I'll call in an airdrop, isn't that fine?"
Hifumi's eyes first widened in surprise, then lit up: "Oh, right! We can do that!"
This was a common Kivotos logistics method.
I quickly ordered the same swimsuit via phone, and Hifumi finally relaxed completely.
"Thank you, sensei," she whispered, "but until the airdrop arrives, I still can't go out…"
"…Then, shall we rehearse?"
"Huh? Rehearse what?"
When my hand rested on Hifumi's smooth shoulder, her body stiffened then softened, her temperature rising, her breathing growing faster. Every sign showing she already guessed what was about to happen.
"It's okay," I whispered near her ear, in a sincere tone, "It's just a rehearsal. Is that alright?"
As for the actual meal, naturally, that would wait until nighttime.
Hifumi fell silent.
After a long while, she still didn't speak. Yet, without a word, she reached out and gently embraced me.