"Done!"
Iori held up a sheet of paper completely filled with writing, the ink on the last line still wet, and said happily, "With this, it should be enough. No student should be able to do anything more ridiculous than what's written here… You've been a huge help, sensei. Thank you."
I waved my hand modestly. "Don't mention it. I just did a trivial bit of work."
In reality, I had only gone over the things I thought Iori might want to do with me, roughly describing them once.
In other words, the suggestions that appeared to be mine were actually all Iori's own hidden desires, I was just the messenger.
"But… even though it's true that you helped me…"
Iori suddenly furrowed her brows, her tone turning sharp. "I didn't expect sensei to always have such lewd thoughts… Disgusting. From now on, stay at least five meters away from me."
I gasped in horror. "No! Then where will I get my Iori energy from?"
"Who cares about you! And that way of saying it is gross too!"
As I joked and bickered with Iori, there came two light knocks on the door, and a petite silver-haired girl pushed it open.
"Iori… hmm? Sensei is here too?"
"Good morning, Hina," I greeted warmly. "I'm here to help, you know."
Hina responded politely. "Is that so? I'm sorry to trouble you."
I waved it off. "It's nothing, really."
The corner of cute Hina's mouth began to lift, but she suddenly noticed someone else present. Clearing her throat, she composed herself.
"Iori, how's the work coming along?"
Iori, who had already stood holding the paper as Hina entered, replied, "President, it's basically done. This is the provisional set of training camp rules…"
"Oh? Thank you for your hard work. Let me see…"
Taking the sheet that recorded my efforts, Hina's eyes, which had been scanning quickly, suddenly went wide in shock, as if she had seen something unbelievable.
Her pale face flushed deep red, her tone full of disbelief. "Th-this… is way too absurd! Who would do these things on the beach!?"
I turned my gaze away, recalling a certain girl with golden twin tails who seemed so innocent.
Sasuga Faust-sama! Even the usually composed Sorasaki Hina, could be shocked by such mischief.
"Um… I'm sorry," Iori hesitated, seeing her superior's reaction. "Do you want me to redo it?"
"…No. Let's go with this version."
Hina's face still carried a flush, but after a brief glance back at the sheet, she returned it to Iori. Then she composed herself and looked at me.
"Sensei, do you have time this afternoon? I actually have a work-related matter I'd like your help with."
"Of course I do… right?"
I glanced at Iori, and our eyes met briefly.
The silver-haired, gray-skinned girl noticed, waving her hand in apparent annoyance.
Of course, I knew she was pleased that I considered her feelings.
Her admiration for me must have deepened a bit.
"Thank you," Hina said, her mood seemingly bright. "I'll send you the location and specific time via Momotalk later. Please excuse me for now."
With that, the busy Prefect Team President turned and left.
In the office, Iori and I exchanged glances again. She spoke first.
"I'm going on patrol later too. But before that, there's time to have lunch together. Though it'll just be the student cafeteria's big pot meals… Don't read too much into it. It's just a gesture of thanks!"
Her cute, half-denying words made it impossible for me to hide my smile. "Yes, yes, I understand."
She muttered. "What kind of tone is that, talking like a child."
Even though she had just told me to stay out of her five-meter radius, in only a few minutes she seemed to have completely forgotten.
On the way to the cafeteria, Iori and I walked side by side, at most ten to twenty centimeters apart.
If I wanted, I could probably turn that distance negative within a few days.
I often lamented my own restraint around women.
However, our parting came sooner than I expected.
We had only eaten halfway when the cafeteria erupted into chaos over the food's taste.
The familiar Gourmet Research Club rose up again, taking Fuuka as a hostage, and engaged in a long standoff with the Prefect Team, including Iori.
Though I wanted to stay and help, I had an appointment with Hina. After greeting both sides, I left Grhehna Academy alone and headed to the arranged location.
It was a secluded, very quiet beach.
I arrived slightly earlier than planned, and there was no sign of the silver-haired girl yet, so I stood and waited.
Gazing at the shimmering sea in the distance, I felt that perhaps I was a poet buried under the turmoil of the mundane world.
["Do not boast arrogantly, and do not speak presumptuously."]
I couldn't even think about it!?
I couldn't take it anymore, where is the switch for this broken ability? Credit Card?
"…Sensei, sorry to keep you waiting."
Just as I was fuming, a voice I had been hoping for, tinged with shyness, came from behind me.
I had to suppress my irritation, put on a smile, and turn to greet her warmly. "Hina… you came… hmm?"
"What's wrong, sensei? Why that expression?"
Already shy, Hina looked even more uneasy.
I paused, trying to withdraw my gaze from her chest. "Hina, that swimsuit… isn't it—"
SAUCE
"Don't make a fuss. I only changed into it because we're at the beach."
The silver-haired girl said, slightly annoyed. "If I act too strangely and attract attention, it defeats the point of meeting secretly."
However, that wasn't what I wanted to ask.
My hesitation led to Hina's misunderstanding.
She softened her tone. "But, there shouldn't be anyone around who recognizes me. That's why I asked you to come here. It's quiet, almost no Grhehna students are nearby, and students from St. Trinity shouldn't come either."
"Well, leaving aside why you asked me to come to this no-oversight place…"
I finally couldn't help it. "That swimsuit… is it from your elementary school days?"
On the chest of Hina's standard one-piece swimsuit, a name tag clearly read [5-A Hina].
Hearing this, Hina looked puzzled.
"…Yes, is there a problem? It still fits… Is that strange?"
"So you're saying…"
Facing Hina's clear eyes, I hesitated, then shook my head. "No, it's nothing."