Tatsuya was walking through the city on a whim when a familiar voice called out from behind him. It was a matter of pure coincidence, but Tatsuya couldn't help but feel a twinge of misfortune. He had finally cleared his plate of several troublesome matters, and yet, here she was.
"Finally... I found you."
"Did you require something from me?" Tatsuya asked, turning to face her.
"It's about that Pixie unit you purchased," Haruka said, catching her breath. "I was wondering if you'd let us... take a look at it."
"By 'us,' do you mean the school's counseling department? Or the Public Safety Department?"
Haruka winced. "…You're asking because you already know. It's Public Safety."
Haruka Ono, a member of First High's counseling staff, had been hunting for Tatsuya because her superiors in the police force were breathing down her neck regarding the Parasite incident.
"I don't particularly mind," Tatsuya replied, "but I cannot guarantee that Pixie herself will find the experience agreeable."
"Can't you just ask the Robotics Club to run a diagnostic? That should be enough for a probe."
"The unit isn't in a 'normal' state. Even if the club grants you access rights, your investigators won't be able to penetrate the internal systems."
The members of the Robotics Club didn't actually realize that Pixie was being possessed by a Parasite. To them, she was simply a P-94 unit that suffered from occasional "glitches" but otherwise performed as well as—if not better than—any other model.
"Then what am I supposed to do!?" Haruka cried, her professional mask slipping. "My boss told me to get that data immediately!"
"How long do you intend to keep investigating a case that has already been resolved?"
"Resolved!? The Parasite incident is still listed as an ongoing investigation!"
"With the exception of a single unit, the Parasites have been either sealed or neutralized. I'd say that constitutes a resolution."
Tatsuya's tone—devoid of any comforting nuance and strictly focused on the facts—seemed to double Haruka's exhaustion instantly.
"What do you mean, 'neutralized'...? They told me the investigation was continuing because of a lack of detailed data, and now you're telling me it's over?"
"It was finished before the graduation ceremony. It seems Public Safety's intelligence network isn't quite what it's cracked up to be."
"Wait a second! How do you even know that, Shiba-kun?"
"How?" Tatsuya tilted his head slightly. "Because I was the one who performed the sealing and neutralization."
Technically, he'd had help from Mikihiko, but Tatsuya decided that detail wasn't relevant to Haruka's current predicament, so he left it out.
"It really was you... Just who are you, anyway? You're a Course 2 student, and yet you seem to be at the center of every major incident."
"I only act when I am caught in the crossfire," Tatsuya said. "I don't go looking for trouble for the sake of it."
"But Blanche, the No-Head Dragon, and now this Parasite business... those aren't the kind of things a 'normal' student gets caught in."
"The Blanche matter affected the entire school, and the No-Head Dragon was simply a nuisance that needed to be pruned because they interfered with me. As for this incident—if Leo hadn't been attacked, I wouldn't have bothered getting involved at all."
In truth, Tatsuya would have been perfectly happy just knowing what was happening from the sidelines. But as often happened, he had been pulled into the very heart of the storm. He certainly hadn't acted out of some noble sense of justice.
"I envy that skill of yours," Haruka sighed. "To just... find your way to the truth like that. From my perspective, it's nothing short of miraculous."
"I'd gladly trade it. I would have much preferred to possess 'normal' magical power instead."
"Normal, huh...? Is your power really that 'abnormal'?"
"It is certainly far from the standard definition."
Tatsuya had no intention of revealing everything. Keeping his and Miyuki's connection to the Yotsuba a secret was his highest priority, a line he would never cross.
"I see... Does this have anything to do with you being an acquaintance of the 'Electron Sorceress'?"
"You don't need to use her moniker. Calling her 'Fujibayashi-san' is perfectly fine."
"…Fine. But is there a connection?"
Haruka didn't know Kyoko's true affiliation—she only knew the public-facing identity. Tatsuya decided to tread carefully nonetheless.
"There is a relationship, but whether it's 'directly' related to this matter is something even I don't know for certain."
"Hmm... Well, my work is technically done now, so I suppose it doesn't matter."
"Done? Just like that?"
Even though she had been ordered to investigate Pixie, Haruka seemed to have decided that Tatsuya's word was enough to close the book in her own mind.
"Since I'm officially off the clock, Shiba-kun, let's go get something to eat. And of course, you're paying."
"…I believe there are rules against a teacher extorting a student for lunch."
"You've put me through enough stress lately; the least you can do is show a little gratitude."
"I seem to recall being the one forced to persuade Kanata Hirakawa on your behalf, a task I never officially accepted. I've yet to receive my compensation for that, by the way."
Losing the battle of wits, Haruka looked away, trying to feign ignorance.
"W-well, let's not get bogged down in the details! Let's just go eat. I haven't had a bite all day and I'm starving."
"I'd say those details are rather significant... but if you must eat, please do so alone. I've already eaten at home."
"Don't be like that! It's lonely eating by yourself, and it's awkward walking into those places alone!"
Haruka grabbed Tatsuya's arm and practically dragged him toward a nearby restaurant. Since they were both in civilian clothes, not a single person passing by would have guessed that the mature-looking young man was actually a high school student.
"Welcome. A table for two?" the host asked.
"Yes," Haruka replied brightly.
"Right this way."
Realizing escape was now impossible, Tatsuya resigned himself to his fate, sipping coffee while he watched Haruka work her way through her meal.
Once the bill was settled (at Tatsuya's expense, naturally) and they stepped back outside, Haruka pulled him along once more, leading him to a quiet spot with fewer pedestrians.
"Is there something else?" Tatsuya asked.
"Yeah... well... I know this isn't exactly the kind of thing a teacher should say to a student..."
"I don't recall doing anything to earn your resentment."
"You have a lot of nerve! ...But no, I don't resent you."
"Then what is it?"
"Um... here. It's a bit late, but... these are Valentine's chocolates."
"I see."
Tatsuya recalled that Haruka hadn't been at school on the actual day. He accepted the gift with his usual stoic detachment.
"What's with that reaction? I'll have you know I worked up quite a bit of courage to give those to you!"
"Is that so? Then, thank you."
"That's not what I mean! Ugh, fine! I'll just say it! I like you, Tatsuya-kun!"
Tatsuya paused, looking at her. "You're right. That is definitely not an emotion a teacher should harbor for a student... but I suppose I am happy to hear it."
Haruka was stunned. It wasn't a rejection, but it wasn't exactly a standard romantic response either. However, after that confession, she found herself able to talk to Tatsuya much more frequently. For a woman living a life of shadows and secrets, perhaps that was the greatest progress she could have hoped for.
(Author's Note: It's not incredibly sweet, but I hope this helps fuel your imagination!)
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