After arranging a meeting with Yukino via Momotalk for a few days later, I gave Himari a brief summary of what had happened over the past few days.
"So Sensei came to me because something like this happened, huh. Hmm..."
Himari fell into thought for a moment, then nodded.
"While I haven't verified it myself yet, based on your description, this does sound like Rio's style. And if this matter had nothing to do with her, she would already be rushing to explain herself to you."
That was true. That girl was surprisingly concerned about how others saw her, especially how I saw her.
Still, even so, when faced with a decision, no matter how she might be perceived, Rio would unhesitatingly choose what she believed to be the correct course of action.
"I have to admit, it's a rather crude method, but also a very effective one."
As someone who was both friend and rival to Rio, and deeply familiar with her nature, Himari assessed her calmly.
"Given Rio's personality of wanting to keep everything under control, and her ability to match that ambition, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the Seminar is practically her one-man domain. If all the evidence is made to disappear, even if you suspect her, there's nothing you can do, and you can't trace the use of funds either. And I think Rio might also be showing you her stance on the matter in her own way."
"I can hear her voice," I muttered.
"This isn't something you should interfere with. Please do not try to get involved any further."
If this were truly her own matter, or if she were willing to speak to me directly face to face, even without explaining the reason, I wouldn't pursue it further.
But she had placed all the blame on Koyuki, caused God-knows-how-many problems for Yuuka, and was still avoiding me.
I couldn't just ignore it anymore.
That was exactly why I had come here to ask for help.
"Himari," I said, looking into the eyes of the only person in Millennium who could stand on equal footing with the Seminar president, "what exactly is Rio doing? Do you have any guesses?"
What reassured me was that the white-haired girl smiled as if she had already expected the question.
"Hehe, Sensei, you've asked the right person. I do have some information."
Then Himari proceeded, as always, to elevate herself while diminishing others.
"As you already know, unlike me, pure and immaculate like the untouched snow atop a mountain peak, that BIG SISTER is like stagnant wastewater fermenting deep in a dark underground sewer. Because of her gloomy and obsessive personality, she suffers from severe insecurity, and has long believed that one day, a catastrophe capable of destroying all of Kivotos will occur."
I ignored her somewhat disgusting metaphor and thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement with the latter part.
Himari continued.
"So, in simpler terms, you could say she's a 'doomsday survivalist.'"
"You mean..."
"Yes. The funds she misappropriated were probably all used for that," Himari said. "Manufacturing weapons for the apocalypse, building an army to maintain order, constructing shelters to survive disasters... all things that require massive resources, and which she wouldn't trust anyone else to know the details of."
I fell silent for a while.
"So that's how it is..."
Even though it was only Himari's speculation, it felt like this was close to the truth.
Feeling relieved, I let out a small breath, though my dissatisfaction toward Rio for not telling me anything didn't really fade.
"Hehe, Sensei," Himari said, seemingly noticing my mood. "This is my exclusive resting space, and it's your first time visiting. In such a relaxed place, at such a memorable moment, wouldn't it be boring to talk about such dull topics?"
"Sorry, I ruined the mood." I noticed something in her wording and asked, a little amused, "By the way, this is your secret base, right? Is it really okay to just tell me that so casually?"
Even though I already knew the answer, I still couldn't help asking.
It felt like Himari and Rio, both of whom clearly had feelings for me, treated me in completely opposite ways.
"Ah."
Himari's cheeks turned slightly red.
"It's fine. I was actually planning to tell you at some suitable time anyway. If I didn't, I'd feel more troubled instead."
I teased her a little.
"Why is that?"
"Hehe, as you know, someone like me always attracts attention. Like a flower blooming above the clouds."
She was as confident as ever. That description still felt mismatched for her, though it oddly fit me better in comparison.
"Though I'm often called—'standing like a peony, sitting like a rose... sighing like a lily, the genius beautiful girl...'"
"Wait," I interrupted. "Who called you that?"
Himari froze for a moment, then smiled confidently.
"I believe that's the general consensus of Kivotos."
In other words, she made it up herself.
"Please continue."
"Ahem. In any case, because of that, I cannot allow others to see my flaws. However... even an impeccable, perfect beautiful girl cannot remain alert at all times."
She coughed lightly, unusually hesitant.
"So sometimes, I also want... how should I put it... a time to relax? If there were someone I could trust, someone who would stay by my side without expecting anything in return..."
And then she finally revealed her intention in a roundabout way.
"Since I've already prepared this hidden place, it would be lonely to be here alone. If it's Sensei, then... not just online, but someone I can talk to face to face... though this is just me being selfish... if Sensei would occasionally come here..."
She glanced at me cautiously.
Seeing her shy expression, I smiled gently.
"If you want me to keep you company, as long as I'm free, I can come anytime."
"...Ah."
Himari froze for a moment, then quickly regained her composure.
"Hmph. Just as I expected. With my brilliant intellect, I calculated that outcome in less than a second. Today is my victory."
"When did this become a competition?"
Besides, if anything, it should be my victory.
In the end, when someone treats "occasionally meeting Sensei in her secret base" as if she herself has gained something, it becomes obvious who is the one initiating things out of weakness.
In other words, the self-proclaimed unparalleled beauty Himari had subconsciously admitted that my charm was above hers.
On the surface, she seemed to have achieved her goal, but zooming out, in the broader war of attrition, I was the real winner.
In other words, this was Himari's defeat.
So, come on, just let it kick in already.
However, Himari simply said proudly:
"Don't worry about such small details. As long as you said you'd keep me company, that's enough. Our relationship can't be undone anyway."
"I won't go back on a win-win agreement like this," I replied.
"Hehe." She smiled happily. "Then, Sensei, I look forward to spending today with you."
Just as I was about to reply, I suddenly frowned.
Since when did this become a full day I was going to spend with Himari?
...Was I being led into a trap?
While I was thinking this, planning to visit Yuuka after meeting Himari, she continued speaking on her own.
"At times like this, if everything goes smoothly and I get to spend time alone with Sensei, normally I'd probably show my 'victorious genius beautiful girl face'... but unfortunately, there is one thing that didn't go as planned."
Was this her attempt to quickly close the distance between us because she couldn't think of a better topic?
I asked for details, and Himari said:
"As you know, Millennium broadcasts requested songs through the school radio every noon."
"Really? I didn't know that," I said. After thinking back, I vaguely remembered hearing music during lunch break. "Is it because of today's chaos that it was canceled?"
"No. Even if the Seminar's ledger being destroyed counts as a serious incident, it's still normal for Millennium."
Himari said casually.
"And it's not something ordinary students or the broadcasting station need to worry about, so it doesn't affect anything. What I'm actually troubled by is that although anyone can request songs freely..."
Her expression became serious, and her tone turned indignant.
"For some reason, no one ever chooses the songs I submit!"
"...Is that really something worth being troubled about?"
"I've submitted requests again and again. Why is that? Sensei, what do you think?"
Before I could answer, she sighed dramatically.
"It must be because my sensibility is too advanced, creating a gap others cannot understand. Before I knew it, I became a tragic heroine..."
For some reason, I thought of the club sign by the door: No Ventilation • Pi Recitation Club, and replied tactfully:
"I don't think that's the reason."
"I just want to share wonderful music with everyone in Millennium..." she murmured, then suddenly opened a holographic display. "But as of yesterday, I had been feeling disappointed about this... but today, I will let it go."
Given the timing, after meeting Kaya for coffee, I had rushed straight here. It was now around lunchtime, when students would be on break.
A bad feeling rose in me.
"Wait, what are you planning to do?"
Himari only smiled mysteriously.
"Hehe. Today is a special day for me and Sensei, to commemorate our hidden place... let's do something a little special."
Why had this become our hidden place?
Just as I was about to stop her, the campus speakers suddenly came to life.
"Good afternoon to all students listening to Millennium's campus radio! It's lunchtime again! Let's begin the song requests! First up, a request from user 'Millennium's Best Pure-Type Beautiful Girl'..."
A faint mutter came from the broadcaster.
"Ah, not this person again...?"
They even recognized her at this point...
Compared to Rio, I almost forgot Himari was also a completely self-willed troublemaker.
"Eh, we're really playing this...?" the broadcaster sounded troubled. "There should be plenty of other requests... wait, the data suddenly disappeared!?"
"...Heh."
Himari smiled more brightly while manipulating the hologram.
"No matter what, this is a bit... hey, wait, what's happening?! Someone stop the system... it won't stop?! Why?!"
Naturally, this was Himari's doing.
Amid the chaos, a long, melancholic melody began to play over the speakers... an enka song filled with deep sorrow.
I fell silent, then looked at the girl swaying gently to the rhythm.
"So this is your idea of wonderful music?"
"Yes," Himari replied. "It was recommended by the Engineering Department president."
The Engineering Department's taste, seriously...
No, come to think of it, it had always been like that...
"Hmph. Spending a relaxing time in our hidden place, sharing music I like with Sensei..."
She coughed, almost slipping up, then asked:
"So? Sensei, do you feel its charm?"
Whether I did or not was one thing.
From the radio, muffled by music but still faintly audible, the broadcasting staff were definitely not enjoying it.
Meeting her expectant gaze, I hesitated, then said:
"It does have a unique charm."
"Hehe, right? Sensei really understands."
And so, Himari and I spent the rest of the day listening to her favorite music and chatting leisurely, until night fell.