Because of my promise with Yukino, I decided to keep my schedule as open as possible over the next few days.
Fortunately, she didn't keep me waiting long. Just two days later, she found an opportunity to temporarily leave SRT and sent me a formal request to meet.
Although it was already rather late, I happened to be at Schale taking care of some other matters. Without much thought, I agreed.
As a result, only a few minutes after I sent my reply, the door opened.
"Excuse me."
The fox-eared girl with black hair, crimson eyes, and a cool, composed expression greeted me politely.
After a brief moment of surprise, I finally spoke.
"...Yukino. It's been a long time."
"Mm... Sensei."
Restricted under strict supervision and unable to meet me for several months, with only the occasional exchange of photos to keep each other updated, Yukino nodded.
Yet instead of showing the joyful smile one might expect after reuniting with someone she liked, her cheeks faintly reddened. She merely pressed her lips together before awkwardly looking away.
Seeing that reaction, my mouth twitched.
"You were sneaking a peek just now, weren't you?"
Yukino's fox ears immediately shot upright.
"I-I wasn't looking!"
"Then maybe knock before coming in next time..."
Lying in the bathtub, I let out a helpless sigh.
This was a little too blatant.
She had even remembered to greet me only after entering the bathroom.
I wanted to tell her:
Yukino, I can understand the admiration. And for a girl your age, subjected to long-term closed military-style management, building up a bit of frustration is perfectly normal.
On top of that, by a fortunate twist of fate, you'd already had the chance to witness my flawless physique before. It's only natural that such an unforgettable image would leave a deep impression on your innocent heart and inspire a certain amount of curiosity.
But please maintain at least the minimum pride and restraint expected of SRT Special Academy's ace operative.
The situation had become awkward.
If I got up, she'd be embarrassed.
If I didn't, she'd probably think I wasn't respecting her.
I was stuck.
"Personally, I don't mind," I said as tactfully as possible. "But how about making two cups of coffee first? We can drink them while we talk."
"Understood."
Yukino answered immediately.
She then turned around and left without the slightest hesitation, making me wonder whether it had genuinely been an accident after all.
However, just as I climbed out of the bathtub and started drying myself with a towel, the fox-eared girl suddenly returned.
Looking straight ahead without the slightest distraction, she asked:
"I'm sorry, Sensei. Where are the coffee machine and the coffee beans?"
After staring at the utterly righteous-looking girl for a moment, I pointed them out.
Then I couldn't help adding:
"If you want to look next time, you can just say so."
"What are you talking about?"
Yukino's expression remained calm, though she glanced off to the side with reddened cheeks.
"It was merely an accident."
It had better have been.
In any case, a little later, both of us properly dressed, Yukino and I sat side by side on the sofa.
"So," I asked, "what exactly is this extremely important matter you wanted to discuss?"
"It concerns Shiranui Kaya."
She named the person I had already expected.
Then she calmly continued:
"She has ordered the FOX Squad to launch an assault on the Sanctum Tower."
"Oh..."
I nodded instinctively before suddenly realizing the severity of what I'd just heard.
"What did you just say? Assault the Sanctum Tower!?"
The headquarters of the General Student Council.
Yukino nodded.
"The exact timing has not yet been determined, but it will likely occur within the next few days. Shiranui Kaya has ordered us to destroy part of the Sanctum Tower's facilities without concealing our identities, and to attack members of the Administrative Committee currently promoting the dissolution of SRT Special Academy, inflicting injuries serious enough to require hospitalization. Once the mission is completed, she will arrange for personnel to help us escape to a safe location."
The shocking revelation made me frown deeply.
I couldn't help recalling what Kaya had said to me during our meeting at Schale's café a few days ago.
If I remembered correctly, she had claimed to belong to the faction that believed the General Student Council President might someday return, and therefore wished for SRT to continue existing.
However, a person's true intentions aren't determined by what they say.
They're determined by what they do.
Shortly after the President's disappearance, when calls to dissolve SRT had only just begun to emerge, Kaya had already started secretly approaching members of FOX Squad.
Later, as Director of Defense, she attempted to interfere in SRT affairs.
And now she was issuing this order to Yukino, who had only pretended to submit to her.
Her true position was clearly different from what she'd claimed.
At the very least, Kaya had to understand exactly what would happen if she specifically demanded that FOX Squad attack the General Student Council without hiding their identities.
The fears surrounding SRT Special Academy, an organization possessing cutting-edge weaponry, extraordinary authority, and little oversight, would become reality.
And once such a concrete example existed, the General Student Council would be forced to make a final decision as quickly as possible.
Public opinion within the government would ensure that SRT's dissolution became inevitable.
Viewed from that perspective, Kaya's visit to me had probably been intended to make me misjudge her true intentions.
While thinking, I absentmindedly reached out and stroked Yukino's stocking-clad leg, feeling the warmth and smoothness beneath my fingertips. My mood quickly calmed.
Then I asked:
"Is she planning to absorb SRT through another method?"
"Most likely."
Even if the proposal to abolish SRT Academy passed, the majority of its highly trained students would likely be transferred to Valkyrie Police Academy after being cleared as harmless, placing them directly under the Defense Office that Kaya controlled.
As for FOX Squad, who would soon become wanted criminals guilty of serious offenses, they would likewise fall under Kaya's control and influence.
In that way, she could legally absorb most of SRT's strength while secretly acquiring one of the most elite special operations teams in all of Kivotos.
I asked another question.
"Do you have any evidence that she ordered you to do this?"
Yukino shook her head regretfully.
"Perhaps because this matter is so important, she has been more cautious than ever before."
"I see..."
"Sensei, what should I do?"
After thinking for a moment, I answered with a question of my own.
"What do you want to do?"
"I am a blade that belongs only to you."
Yukino's crimson eyes met mine as she answered without hesitation.
"A weapon does not need its own thoughts. Your will is the direction in which I advance."
"...Heh."
I smiled faintly.
"Then agree to her proposal."