In the hallway on the first floor of Schale, I held my phone to my ear.
"I see. The training plan got approved pretty quickly, huh."
"You think it's strange too, right?" Ako's voice on the other end was full of alertness. "I was ready for them to nitpick, but it passed without a single revision! Those old foxes at the Pandemonium Society… they must be scheming something again!"
Could it be that Makoto left it all to Iroha, and Iroha, finding it troublesome but tempted by my charm, decided to give me an easy pass?
Of course, Ako, still in Pandemonium Society PTSD mode, obviously wouldn't hear the truth.
"Well, then fight fire with fire and water with earth," I encouraged, following her logic. "There are more important things to deal with right now, right?"
"Phew… you're right. The top priority now is to make sure President Hina gets a proper rest! No matter who tries to interfere, I, Amau Ako, will absolutely not allow it!"
Ako paused, then added. "Sensei, you too! Be reliable when the time comes, and don't hold anyone back, okay?"
What is she even saying? There's no sensei in Kivotos more reliable than me!
Even knowing that Ako is always like this, stubbornly protective of her image, but swinging between gentle and wild in front of someone she likes, I still felt slightly annoyed and replied impatiently.
"Yeah, yeah. I want Hina to rest properly too, and I'll do my best even if you don't tell me."
"…Hmph. That's better."
"Then, if that's all, shall I hang up?"
"W-Wait!" Ako called out hurriedly, stammering for a moment before finally squeezing out, "If you do a good job… I'll give you a reward…"
So that's where the hidden dagger was!
I suddenly understood, but couldn't help doubting. Reward me? Are you sure it's not the other way around?
"In any case, that's it! I'm going to get busy! See you at the training camp in a few days." Without waiting for a reply, Ako hastily hung up.
Staring at my phone, I chuckled. Even though we already knew each other well, the executive officer still had to act so competitive.
But that was also one of the reasons I liked her.
Finishing this sudden communication, I too returned to the urgent matter I had just been interrupted from.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," I said, sliding my chair back. "How did your discussion go?"
Across the table, the sparrow-shaped animal citizen chirped brightly. "Hehe∼ Sensei, you're back! We're just waiting for your final confirmation!"
I turned to my side.
The deep-golden-eyed girl nodded. "The terms are fine, and the sample quality is excellent. It's just the price…"
"Hehe∼ young lady, you know what they say. you get what you pay for∼ But since it's for the famous Schale sensei, we've already given the best price possible!"
"Hmm… that's true…" the girl pressed her lips together.
Hearing that, I had no doubts left and replied cheerfully. "In that case, let's look forward to a successful partnership."
After signing the contract and exchanging a few polite words, the animal citizen took her leave.
"All right," I said to Karin, the only one left with me in the now even emptier café, smiling. "With that, the coffee bean supplier is set. After the renovations are complete in a few days, we can hire staff and officially open."
"Thank you, sensei. You've really worked hard."
"Nonsense. I just provided the space and funding, signed a few papers, and stamped a few seals. Without you, Karin, who knows how long this place would have sat idle? If anyone should be thanked, it's me thanking you."
Indeed, that was the truth.
Almost all of the café preparations had been handled by Karin herself, squeezed in between heavy coursework and C&C duties. Her passion made me, the completely hands-off supervisor, feel a little ashamed.
Karin wanted to argue. "But I asked you first, sensei, if I could work here. Doing all this is really part of my duty…"
"You can't say that. Yes, you gain experience, but Schale is the one earning the revenue. If we tally it up, I still profit more."
Yet, those words made Karin's expression cloud over.
"Speaking of earnings… Sensei, isn't our expenditure a bit too high?"
Normally, for a café destined to struggle because of its remote location, you'd have to carefully balance cost and quality.
But that applies only to ordinary shops.
"Karin, you know what kind of people would go out of their way to drink coffee in such a remote area, right?"
The girl hesitated. "Of course… Schale's duty students."
And fans trying to chance upon me, their admired sensei.
But such students would do anything to become duty students anyway, so Karin's answer was basically correct.
"So, rather than balancing income and expenses, I think the students' experience is more important."
"I see…" Karin nodded thoughtfully, giving a slightly off example, "Like the study seminar?"
"Yeah, something like that."
After all, the café isn't aimed at profit; losing a little money doesn't matter as long as it fulfills its social purpose.
Besides, Schale doesn't have to cover all the costs.
A few days ago, when I went to the General Student Council to submit a report to Aoi and try to get reimbursement (and was flatly rejected), Shiranui Kaya, whom I hadn't seen for a while, also came to the finance office on SRT business, holding a familiar-looking umbrella.
After learning my purpose, Hanaya expressed interest and asked if she could invest personally.
I was going to refuse, but Aoi thought for a moment and had the same intention, though she wasn't sure if it was allowed.
So, she posted the matter to the group chat of all General Student Council directors, asking for their opinions.
Everyone except the already-frustrated Hanaya responded.
As a result, Schale's café, still in the preparation phase, ended up attracting joint investments from all twelve directors.
I suspected they were all secretly in love with me.
Or perhaps it was a herd mentality.
Seeing everyone else "in love" with me, they hurried to join in.
By the way, the supplier I just dealt with was also introduced by Kaya, who is both a coffee expert and eager to show off her uniqueness.
In short, my café venture with the directors, a business practically destined to lose money was about to set sail!
"By the way, sensei, I actually have one more awkward request."
Karin suddenly said, blushing slightly.