I'd heard that recently among Kivotos students, it had become trendy to send messages to yourself via Momotalk as a kind of memo system.
Naturally, as someone well-known, I was set as a "special concern" by most students, and my chat window was pinned to the top. Occasionally, I would receive random messages sent to me by mistake.
But I often suspected that some of those messages weren't genuine mistakes, they were just excuses to start a conversation with me.
On the other hand, a few messages were clearly genuine mis-sends.
How could I tell? They were bizarre enough to demand attention:
"Prepare items: binoculars, surveillance location data, GPS signal jammer. Confirm the route of movement, ensure 360° awareness of surroundings."
What was she planning to do?
When I inquired, I only received vague answers.
Unable to let it go, I discreetly asked her companions about her recent whereabouts and then quietly went to the neighborhood she seemed to frequent, trying to investigate.
Maybe it was luck, or maybe Abydos was just sparsely populated enough, but I soon spotted a flash of familiar blue on the street.
It was the scarf that the wolf-eared girl refused to remove even under the blazing summer sun, a precious gift from her senior.
Though she often quibbled romantically with her senpai, it clearly didn't affect their genuine friendship.
Yet, no matter how deep that friendship was, it didn't prevent her feelings toward me.
Hopefully, Shiroko will wake up soon!
I quickly kept my distance, not wanting my dazzling beauty or any possible scent to draw the wolf girl's attention. I activated the powers granted by Serina and Nodoka, discreetly observing her movements. [+ Enhanced Hearing and Eyesight]
Though my worry turned out somewhat unnecessary.
Shiroko was intently staring at a shop in the distance, muttering to herself:
"1:30 PM, Kaiser 26 convenience store logistics truck arrives. Start loading from the heavy items… If the clerk leaves, the warehouse will have blind spots. Entering from the back door at that time… might need to arrange a vehicle depending on circumstances…"
As long as I didn't get too close, she likely wouldn't notice me.
I paused the powers and pressed on my slightly throbbing temples, thinking that even with divine abilities freed, using two powers simultaneously was still a bit taxing.
Just as I was about to cautiously close the distance and only activate one power, I noticed Shiroko moving in another direction.
From her suspicious mutterings earlier, I already had a rough idea, but just in case, I decided to continue tailing her… no, this was a righteous investigation!
After following the wolf-eared girl for several dozen minutes, she sneakily hid herself and stared at an overpass in the distance.
"2:10 PM… the driver of that Corgi Electric truck always parks under the KV Expressway for a nap at this time. If I can get into the cargo at this time… I can easily access the main company building… Hmm… but this truck will soon go on the outer road for five continuous hours, so I might need to prepare food…"
She was clearly planning something criminal, right?
And to think she'd investigated this thoroughly…
No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
I could just confront her directly. With a slightly firm approach, Shiroko would likely answer honestly, given how docile she was in front of me.
But that would be too boring, wouldn't it?
I'd already walked so far under the sun, was I really going to give up halfway?
Besides, I successfully resisted Iroha's temptations yesterday… Well, only halfway, but I still managed to finish most of Schale's work. I had some free time anyway…
While pondering this, Shiroko began moving again, and I quickly followed.
I had firsthand experience with the boundless energy of athletic girls.
After nearly another hour, we arrived at a new location.
It was the rooftop of a rather ordinary building. The only notable feature was that from here, one could overlook the local bank.
"3:00 PM. Although the security is strict… during guard shift changes, there are blind spots. If we can suppress the main entrance guard during this five-minute change, the path to the vault is clear…"
I couldn't hold back any longer and cleared my throat.
Shiroko's wolf ears twitched, and she quickly turned: "Se-sensei!? When did you—"
Seeing her flustered, I deliberately softened my stern expression, adding a hint of helplessness:
"Robbing a bank is wrong, you know."
"I-I know… but as long as the plan is thorough and unnoticed…!"
"That's still not allowed. Breaking the law is not okay," I paused, "Unless I or Hoshino give permission."
If it were criminals at a black-market bank, or a situation like the masked swimsuit gang debut mission, then I wouldn't be so strict about laws.
Actually, more than legality, I was worried about Shiroko's safety.
"…Okay… sorry, I understand."
Her wolf ears drooped. After a pause, she added hesitantly: "Hmm… I'm not trying to argue. It's not that I really intend to do it… it's more like a hobby or interest…"
Developing such an interest… oh, right, this is Kivotos.
Compared to blowing up a restaurant if a dish doesn't meet expectations, shouting for a hot spring demolition in crowded public areas, or secretly eating three servings of parfait at midnight while claiming to diet…
Shiroko's bank-robbing "interest" seemed comparatively normal.
Suddenly, I noticed a previously overlooked detail: "Wait, when you say you don't really intend to do it, do you mean you're just imagining and planning?"
"Yes, just to be prepared."
That was fine.
However, Shiroko then added: "So I won't actually take the money."
I was silent for a moment: "And the rest of it?"
"Hmm… that…"
From her expression, I already knew the answer.
I sighed quietly: "Anyway, let's head back to school."
"Okay."
Shiroko obediently nodded.