The asphalt road under the hot sun was really hot.
This was what Index, who was hungry and lying on the road, thought.
After the tour was over, the female Anti-Skill member, Yomikawa Aiho, who was removing the 'no access' sign, couldn't take it anymore. She stopped what she was doing and picked Index up. Although it was not going to cool Index down, Yomikawa placed Index on the long bench under the tree. The calico cat followed behind Yomikawa before jumping onto the bench.
Komoe-sensei, whom she had just contacted, finally arrived. This teacher, who was older than Yomikawa-sensei, was wearing a light green sleeveless vest and a short white dress. This get-up probably meant that she wanted to cheer for her students, and it was really scary that this attire was suitable for her even at her age. Deep inside, Yomikawa sighed.
"Hi! Yomikawa-sensei! I got a call saying that someone I know is with you now. WAH!"
Seeing Index like this, Komoe-sensei cried out.
"Sister...Sister-chan!? Why are you as listless as a shrunken vegetable? Don't tell me that you got heatstroke because this Komoe-sensei came late!!"
Hearing her high decibel scream, the calico cat gave a disgusted cry as its fur stood up.
Er...Yomikawa looked at Index, who was lying on the long bench, and thought. It looked like she got heatstroke, and no matter what anyone said, fainting when she was wearing such a thick nun's habit in such hot weather, it was not weird for anyone to think that she got heatstroke.
"Komoe-sensei. SENSEI!! Okay okay, calm down, will ya?"
"How...can I calm down! Although Sister-chan isn't from my class, a teacher should act as the guardian of the children."
"Okay okay, you can talk about what you think an ideal teacher is later! That's the child, she doesn't have heatstroke, she's just hungry."
What? Komoe-sensei tilted her head, puzzled.
She then continued,
"That's...that's why I can't calm down! Malnutrition can be dangerous, you know!!"
"What? Being unflappable in such a situation, Komoe-sensei is really a sempai I respect. However, this child has eaten three packets of rations already."
Hearing Yomikawa's irritated tone, the calico cat seemed to say, "Ya ya. I got some biscuits too," as it gave a comfy cry. There were still some crumbs around its mouth.
"...Then it isn't that she's hungry, but she ate too much! I say, as a teacher, you should manage a person's diet and nutrition...!"
"Then shouldn't you ask this child directly?"
Seeing Yomikawa point with her finger, Komoe-sensei said "Don't point at others like that" as she grabbed Yomikawa's finger and pointed it down. She then inspected Index's face.
The white nun, now all weak and wobbly, spoke in a soft voice,
"I...I'm hungry...is...is Touma not here yet?"
"You're really hungry?"
"Didn't I tell you? Ah, can I hand her over to you?"
Okay, it must be hard on you. Komoe-sensei gave a polite greeting, as Yomikawa walked away, waving her hand behind her. Although this was a bit too sloppy, Yomikawa felt that Komoe-sensei didn't really need to care so much for the girl.
Komoe-sensei re-inspected Index.
Index was lying lifelessly on the bench, trembling as she said,
"The...the smell of sauce...I'll reach my limit if I continue to smell this..."
Komoe-sensei finally let down the burden on her shoulders (Not because she felt helpless, but because she was relieved). Hearing Index mention 'sauce', she started to sniff around.
"Hm? Is it that store?"
She looked around. Opposite the road where Yomikawa Aiho had removed the 'no access' billboard, one could see an entire row of stores set up and manned by students like a carnival.
"Sister-chan, I bought something back."
Seeing Komoe-sensei chose a few types of food at the hawker stores, Index suddenly jumped up from the bed.
"Ooo...Oooo...OOOoooooooooooooo..."
She let out a cry that was like an archaeologist discovering something that wasn't excavated yet. The calico cat in her arms let out a similar cry.
"I bought fried noodles, okonomiyaki, smoked sausages, takoyaki...ah, can Miss foreign nun eat octopus?"
"I'll eat! I'll eat! Even if it's natto or dried salted fish, I'll eat them!"
Seeing the food that the students had cooked packed into transparent plastic containers, although they didn't look very tasty, Index's eyes were glowing brightly as she eyed them greedily. The calico cat in her hands slightly trembled. Maybe its animal instincts could sense that Index had a strong attachment to eating.
Komoe-sensei bitterly smiled,
"Ah...ah ha haha. Then let's use this opportunity to learn how to use chopsticks. One shouldn't use a fist to hold chopsticks...ahhh!!"
Before Komoe-sensei could even explain, Index had already bit into her target, gobbling down the food in large mouthfuls. The food that was as tall as a mountain vanished in an instant. The calico cat followed suit, but its critical weakness was that its tongue couldn't take scalding stuff.
Komoe-sensei dropped her shoulders dejectedly.
"Uu...uuuuu. I wanted to...use this opportunity, to let Sister-chan experience a bit of the Japanese culture."
"(Chewing) Eh? Komoe, what did you say?"
After stuffing the last piece of okonomiyaki into her mouth, Index blinked her eyes. The pile of food was now reduced to nothing.
Komoe-sensei, who was passionate about teaching, had a weakness. It was that she'd feel extremely dejected once she lost the opportunity to teach others. But Index, who was too full and satisfied, didn't know this.
Komoe-sensei's shoulders trembled as she said,
"Nothing! Sensei does not regret it! I won't cry because of something like this."
"??? Ah, I haven't thanked you yet. I'm full now; thanks for your hospitality. Eh, weird? Why do you look like you're about to cry?"
Index tilted her head slightly.
"...Come to think of it, where did Touma go? It's almost lunch."
"...About that, speaking of lunch, you just...?"
But Index did not hear Komoe-sensei's words at all.
"Where did Touma go...? I've been feeling that Touma's been separated from me quite often today..."
VRROOM!! Komoe-sensei's passion for teaching was reignited again.
The nun in front of Komoe-sensei didn't seem to belong to any school (That should be the case). In other words, it was hard to go out with Kamijou during Daihaseisai. Although the visitors could take part in competitions, they were 'only for visitors', and thus not allowed to compete with the 'students'. The girl in front of Komoe-sensei was unable to attain her dream of taking part in the competition together with Kamijou.
Komoe-sensei felt that she could understand what Index was thinking.
Being abandoned alone in such a large-scale activity, although one couldn't see it, the emotional damage done to her should be rather big. On the other hand, if there was some way for her to take part in some event, she should be able to feel a sense of satisfaction. Why couldn't Kamijou understand this? To abandon this child like this? Komoe-sensei was disappointed in her useless student, and wondered whether there was a solution.
Not a compromise, but a solution.
"No problem, there's an event which Sister-chan is able to take part in as well."
The answer emerged. If she was unable to help this child who looked so helpless, then she had no right to be a teacher, yes? Thinking about this, Komoe-sensei giggled before letting out fits of laughter.
"Eh? What did you say?"
"I'm saying, that there's a way for you to enjoy Daihaseisai with Kamijou! Sister-chan won't be abandoned and be all alone now!"
Hearing this cheerful voice, Index was initially stunned, before calming down, even forgetting her hunger. The calico cat did not care as it gave a yawn.
"Wha...what? What must I do?"
"It's this, this!"
Komoe-sensei smiled as she gently pulled her sleeveless vest.
She was wearing a cheerleader uniform.
"He...hehe. Although you can't take part in the competition, there's no problem if you're a cheerleader. Of course, we still have this option. I feel that you're suited for this! You may find this embarrassing if you do this alone. Don't worry, Komoe-sensei will accompany you!"
Komoe-sensei continued to smile. Her capability as an educator was radiating outwards, her face shining brightly like never before.
Seeing Komoe-sensei like this, Index was naturally wary of what was to come.
"Wh...why is Komoe-san so happy?"
"Don't ask that kind of trivial question. Although it's an unexpected find, this sensei will still be very satisfied at being able to teach Sister-chan. Hehe, I'm not thinking about repaying that debt from being unable to teach how to use chopsticks!"
Komoe-sensei disregarded the fact that Index was an acquaintance, and pulled Index, who was all stiff now, to some place.