Entering the hotel room, I sized up the silver-haired girl before me and was slightly surprised.
"Hina, why are you already in a swimsuit?"
The Prefect Team President, wearing her standard elementary school swimsuit, replied.
"Well, it's training, but since we're at the beach, I thought I'd change into this."
She paused, then added.
"When I was changing just now, I'm not sure why Ako said something like 'Since we're finally at the beach' and slipped me a new swimsuit. I could have worn it… but I refused."
Setting aside the double standards of a certain administrator, and whether a strange swimsuit had been prepared, what concerned me more was.
"Why did you refuse?"
"Hm?" Hina looked puzzled. "I thought I told you I can still fit into this one, right?"
But I wanted to see Hina in another swimsuit!
Even if it had been a secret meeting, fine, but now, at the official summer camp, with alternatives available, she still chose her old swimsuit.
Could it be that she deliberately wants to be mistaken for an elementary schooler, so I'll stay glued to her side?
The more I thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Ugh... forcing the usually serious Hina into such a submissive, coquettish posture…
I totally deserve this!
After much thought, I concluded there was only one thing I could do. use my own charms to sway some of Gehenna's delinquent girls, easing Hina's burden, and thereby relieving a bit of my guilt…
"By the way, sensei," Hina asked, slightly worried.
"Is something unusual happening outside? It's been noisy for a while."
And it's not just been a while, even now, faint sounds of gunfire and commotion could be heard from afar.
That was Iori and Chinatsu, leading the Prefect Team members on the beach to quell the conflict between the Helmet Gang and unidentified delinquent girls.
The hotel manager had been right. In fact, news that a major battle was about to erupt on Alaba Beach had already become a trending topic on Gehenna social media.
The final showdown was indeed scheduled for four hours later, but small-scale skirmishes were already breaking out.
And that wasn't the only unexpected development.
Perhaps due to an error or deliberate meddling, Ako had been called back to Gehenna by the Pandemonium Society over a procedural issue.
Before leaving, she instructed me repeatedly to reassure Hina that nothing would happen and to make sure she rested well, not stepping out of her room.
So essentially, this room is now nearly inescapable!
Even if a single photo can't fully convey my charm, plastering the walls with them could achieve 30–40% of my real effect, more than enough to handle Hina.
Although it was disappointing that my perfect plan couldn't be implemented, being alone with Hina in person more than made up for it.
Feigning nonchalance, I glanced at the time and calmly said.
"The tactical training has started, so a bit of noise is normal, right?"
"…Is that so?" Hina half-closed one eye, seemingly accepting it.
"If that's the case, it's fine."
"So, what are you doing now?" I asked.
"Eh, nothing special… According to the schedule, I'm on standby until the afternoon walking training. There are still nearly four hours, so I should conserve my energy. But time feels a bit long, so I tried contacting Ako just now…"
"I see…" I paused thoughtfully, then suggested.
"Want to do something together?"
Four hours of idle waiting is indeed long, but if you're doing something enjoyable, four hours would feel too short.
"Eh? Is that okay?"
Hina blinked in surprise. Just as a smile was about to appear, she hesitated.
"Sensei, you must have your own work to do. I'm already grateful that you're here accompanying us at the summer camp. Taking up more of your precious time… I feel a bit guilty."
Hearing that, I remembered that Schale had updated work on time this morning, but I hadn't touched a thing yet, freezing my smile.
I quickly switched to a sad expression.
"Sorry… I'm actually idle and doing nothing. I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression."
"Eh? Really? Hehe∼ Then right now, sensei and I are the same∼"
After a brief surprise, Hina smiled cheerfully.
"Well, you know, I've been busy lately, and suddenly being told to stay on standby leaves me unsure what to do, unable to settle down. If sensei is willing to chat with me for a bit, I'd be extremely grateful."
I was taken aback.
"Shouldn't I be the one to thank you?"
"Hehe∼ you really are… well, it doesn't matter. So, what shall we talk about?"
Might as well start by talking about what kind of swimsuit Ako prepared.
Just as I was about to open my mouth, an urgent notification sounded from my pocket, interrupting the pleasant mood.
Hina, momentarily distracted, asked curiously.
"Hm? Is that sensei's phone?"
"Sorry, I'll take this quickly and be right back."
Glancing at the caller ID, I left the room and pressed the answer button in the hallway, lowering my voice deliberately.
"Hello? Has the situation been resolved…?"
From the chaotic sounds of gunfire and shouting in the background, my question was probably pointless.
"Ah! Sensei! Are you okay over there?" Iori had to yell.
"The people at the beach are more troublesome than we expected. Can you come over right now!?"
"Right now!?"
Then Chinatsu's voice came over the phone.
"Cough… sensei, please take command for us without the President noticing!"
After hanging up, I paused for a moment, then took out the Shittim Chest and tentatively asked.
"Arona, can you take command for me?"
On the screen, Arona (Awakened) beamed a cute but slightly silly smile of delight.
"Wow! Sensei, you finally remembered me! No problem, leave everything to me! I'll do my best not to mess up or betray your trust in my abilities!"
"…Forget it, never mind."
Ignoring Arona's cute pouting protests, I turned off the screen and returned to the room.
"Um…"
"You have work to do, right?"
Before I could think of an excuse, Hina said calmly.
"Well, that happens often. Anyway, sensei, go handle it. I'll wait for you here."
"…Mm." I nodded firmly.
"I'll definitely be back as soon as possible."