When Shiroko and I arrived at school, there was still some time before dusk, yet the entire campus was silent.
After all, Abydos had only five students in total. Compared to a large school in Kivotos, it naturally felt deserted.
"Hoshino-senpai is probably still hiding somewhere for her nap, Nonomi is most likely doing cleaning, Ayane might be in the library reading, and Serika has probably gone to work again."
All those statements sounded so uncertain, though?
I couldn't help but ask, "Is Serika really okay like that?"
"Yes, don't worry. Ever since she collapsed from exhaustion last time, we've been limiting her working hours."
"Part-time work is also one of Serika's hobbies," I remarked meaningfully.
Just like Shiroko's interest in robbing banks.
It's good to have hobbies, of course, but if there's a potential for harm, restrictions are necessary.
"Hmm…"
Shiroko seemed to understand, pursing her cherry-pink lips and nodding.
Watching her, I suddenly recalled the games we used to play when I first arrived in Abydos. Fortunately, the others weren't around right now…
Thankfully, I still had important business to attend to. My will and reason were strong enough to suppress my desires.
At most, I might check tonight whether Shiroko's bed could fit multiple people.
Pulling my gaze away from the grove where we shared so many memories, Shiroko and I entered the school building and picked an empty classroom far from the Foreclosure Task Force's activity room.
Shiroko obediently sat on a desk. Perhaps due to how she sat, one side of her jacket slid down from her shoulder to her elbow.
This gray-haired, blue-eyed girl with heterochromatic pupils tilted her head, her usual calm expression softening slightly as her eyes looked at me, brimming with affection.
"Sensei," she called, "what are we doing here, behind everyone's backs?"
"…Don't say weird things."
"Oh…" Her wolf ears drooped weakly.
"It's still daytime."
"Oh!" Her ears perked up again, but she tilted her head in confusion. "But… daytime has happened before too, hasn't it?"
I couldn't help but reach out and rub her ears, which reflected her emotions even more clearly than her face. "Before is before, now is now. And you were thinking about robbing a bank, which I haven't explained to you yet."
Her eyes brightened even more. "So, sensei, are you going to punish me? Like last time?"
Why does her mind always wander to things like that?
As the saying goes, bad habits come from the top. Pure-hearted Shiroko became like this because of poor guidance.
In other words… it's all Hoshino's fault!
Silently blaming the pink-haired trait of Abydos, I tapped Shiroko's head, scolding. "Be serious. I'm really going to get angry, you know?"
Even after that warning, Shiroko's lips curved into a faint smile.
If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging wildly.
"Wait." I hesitated. "You… actually feel kind of happy about this?"
"I don't want to make sensei angry."
Shiroko shook her head, but then her tone shifted. "But I can feel your concern for me. So, if you think I've done something wrong and get mad at me, I would… actually feel a little happy."
…This lady is definitely a little off.
I tried to take it as a sign of being touched, yet an inexplicable feeling kept brewing in my chest.
Using the same method I used with Ako… maybe Shiroko would also take it willingly?
Wolves are, after all, canines…
"In any case, I'm sorry. Although this is your hobby, the idea of robbing a bank has to stop. Not because it's illegal, but because it's really dangerous. I don't want you to put yourself in harm's way."
Putting aside inappropriate experimental thoughts, I spoke sincerely. "If there's any difficulty, I'll help as much as I can. As for whether to inform the Foreclosure Task Force and have them help supervise… for now, let's see what you think."
If Shiroko really couldn't restrain herself, I would have to discuss it with others.
The wolf-eared girl thought for a moment, then apologized. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I'll remember what you said. But simulating how to efficiently rob a bank has become a kind of habit for me… I can only promise to try my best to restrain myself."
"Hmm. I believe you."
Our eyes met.
"Actually," she suddenly said, "sometimes I completely don't think about robbing banks."
"Why is that?"
Shiroko didn't answer. She quietly stood, taking off her jacket entirely.
I immediately understood her meaning.
A wolf whose appetite can never be fully satisfied!
Just as she prepared to undo her scarf, there was a sudden BAM!!! as the classroom door was forcefully opened.
Outside stood the rest of the Foreclosure Task Force, all of them had arrived.
"Uhee∼" The pink-haired girl at the front smiled warmly. "So Shiroko-chan and sensei are here∼ Made it easy to find, huh?"
Shiroko frowned. "Hoshino-senpai? Everyone? What are you—"
Impatient Serika stepped forward. "Shiroko-senpai, I'll ask directly! You're not thinking about robbing a bank again, are you?"
At that, Shiroko looked pitifully at me.
Nonomi explained. "It's because sensei suddenly asked about Shiroko's recent whereabouts."
Glasses Ayane added. "So we investigated and found that wherever Shiroko-senpai went, there were always heavily guarded shops or banks nearby. Given Shiroko-senpai's personality…"
"Well∼ that's about it. Finding you was hard work, I never expected Shiroko-chan to be secretly meeting with sensei. Quite the shock∼"
Hoshino concluded with a slight eyebrow raise. "We didn't come at the wrong time and disturb your conversation with sensei, right?"
Shiroko's cold gaze swept across her companions' faces.
Finally, she shook her head. "No."
"Ehehe∼ That's good." Hoshino smiled. "After all, no one in Abydos is allowed to sneak off."
With that blunt statement of intent, the air felt charged, as if filled with gunpowder.
The girls' expressions varied, but not one of them spoke up.
Perhaps this was the very embodiment of the Foreclosure Task Force's unbreakable bond.