Abydos School Building
"Sorry about all the sand, Hifumi-chan," Hoshino said, scratching her head. "We clean and clean, but it sneaks in from somewhere. Feel free to keep your shoes on!"
"It's fine…" Hifumi replied nervously. "This might be my first time stepping into another school."
"It's our first time formally welcoming a guest from another school too," Ayane said warmly, stepping forward. "I'm glad to meet you in person, Hifumi-san."
"Thanks…" Hifumi hesitated, then turned to Mash. "Um, Sensei?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you… put me down? This position's a bit embarrassing."
"Oh, sorry," Mash said, gently setting her down. He whipped off his cream puff mask and, with lightning speed, changed back into his work clothes.
"Nonomi-san, you left your bag," Hifumi noted, handing it over.
"Thanks!" Nonomi chirped.
"Alright, let's check those documents," Hoshino said. "Hifumi-chan, you good with this stuff?"
"Yes, I can help," Hifumi nodded.
"Awesome, 'cause there's a ton," Hoshino grinned. "Thanks!"
As they sifted through the papers, their expressions grew grim. Mash spoke up, reading aloud: "Repayer: Abydos High School. Collection of 7,883,250 yen confirmed… Support: Kata-Kata Helmet Gang. Task assistance grant of 5 million yen provided… Support? We didn't give the Helmet Gang any money, right?"
"Of course not!" Serika snapped.
"So… our money was used to fund the guys attacking our school?" Ayane murmured, stunned.
"Does that mean the Helmet Gang are Kaiser Loans' lackeys?" Shiroko asked.
"I don't get it!" Hifumi exclaimed. "If a school goes bankrupt, they can't recover their loans! Why would they do this!?"
Serika and Ayane stood frozen, struggling to process. Nonomi's point was undeniable: banks profit by lending and collecting interest. Sabotaging a debtor's ability to pay was like choking their own revenue stream. Unless… destroying that ability was the goal.
"This isn't just the bank," Hoshino said, her face serious. "Kaiser Corporation's got to be behind it."
"Should we just crush them?" Mash suggested.
"No, we need solid proof first," Hoshino countered.
"…Got it," Mash nodded.
The group's mood darkened as the conspiracy deepened.
"Thanks for everything, everyone," Hifumi said as the sun began to set.
"No, we're sorry for dragging you into this mess," Ayane apologized.
"Haha… it's fine. I chose to join," Hifumi said with a shy smile.
They'd kept Hifumi from the Black Market's guards through a whirlwind of chaos—mostly Mash's fault, to be honest.
"Thanks, Shu-chan," Mash said, waving. "Let's do it again."
"Absolutely not!" Hifumi shot back.
"Wow, so quick to shut it down…" Mash muttered.
"But… can I keep this?" Hifumi asked, holding the Shu-chan mask.
"Sure," Mash said.
"Thank you!" Hifumi beamed, then bolted off.
And so, Hifumi's wild day with Abydos came to a close.
"Speaking of… is Aru-chan's crew okay?" Hoshino mused. "We went pretty hard on them last time, and they seemed down yesterday. Alright, I've got an idea."
The Next Day: Problem Solver 68's Office
Aru sat with her head in her hands, despair creeping in.
She'd vowed to push forward, but they'd failed to secure funds. Mutsuki and Haruka had plenty of explosives in stock, but hiring mercenaries for a job was out of the question. They'd have to face Abydos with just the four of them. Fighting at the school felt like holding it hostage, so Aru planned to set bombs elsewhere to lure them out, but…
"Even if we beat the Abydos students, there's still Sensei," Aru groaned.
Mash, the guy who caught bullets and batted back grenades, was their final hurdle. She'd wanted mercenaries to buy time, but with no money…
"Why the long face, Aru-chan?" Mutsuki teased. "Regretting not taking that advance payment?"
"No way!" Aru snapped. "That'd let the client control everything. We handle the job from start to finish, then collect the reward. That's the rule."
"That's the hard-boiled outlaw way, right, President?" Kayoko said.
"Exactly!" Aru beamed, her grin lighting up as she met Kayoko's gaze.
Kayoko looked away, cheeks faintly pink. "A client's orders might not align with our goals. Taking an advance could chain us to bad deals. That's no good."
"Yup, no good!" Mutsuki sang. "Aru-chan's such a Gehenna girl."
"What's that mean, Mutsuki?" Aru huffed.
"But seriously, what now?" Kayoko asked. "I can't see us beating that Sensei."
"We can't just go back to Gehenna…" Aru muttered.
Knock, knock.
"A job request!" Aru perked up.
"Should I get it?" Haruka offered.
"No, waiting here's cooler!" Aru said, striking a pose.
(That's her reason…) Kayoko thought.
"Just in case, I'll prep my gun," Mutsuki said, arming herself. Kayoko quietly did the same, while Aru debated her coolest pose.
Clatter…
"Come in!" Aru called.
Clatter, clatter, clatter…
"Uh, you can come in faster—"
CLATTER, CLATTER, CLATTER!
"Eek!?" Aru yelped.
"That's some serious rattling!" Mutsuki said.
"Doesn't feel like an attack, though," Kayoko noted.
"If it's a job, just come in normally—" Aru started.
CRASH!
"RAAAH!?" the group screamed.
"Enemy!?" Haruka gasped, as they raised their guns.
The door was obliterated, and in walked… Mash, holding the broken door.
"Hey, you're all here. Knew I had the right place," Mash said.
"Sensei!?" Aru gaped.
"Why'd you break the door!?" Kayoko demanded.
"Couldn't tell if it was push or pull," Mash said.
"Then try pushing or pulling!" Aru retorted.
"I did, and this happened," Mash shrugged.
"You broke it!" Kayoko shouted.
"…Sorry, I'll fix it," Mash said glumly, carrying the door to the entrance.
"Wow, he's… kinda honest," Aru muttered.
"Fine, if he's sorry, whatever," Kayoko said.
"Haha, Sensei's hilarious!" Mutsuki laughed.
"Can I help—" Haruka began.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
"RAAAH!?" they screamed again.
Mash slammed the door into the frame, wrong side up. Even cool-headed Kayoko and bubbly Mutsuki scrambled to stop him.
"Sensei, the orientation! It's backward!" Kayoko yelled.
"Huh, it's not fitting…" Mash muttered.
"The orientation!" Aru shouted.
"What's that?" Mash asked.
"Just stop!" Kayoko pleaded.
"Lick my butt?" Mash misheard.
"No one said that!" Aru wailed. "Wait, that's our new door—Noooo!"
CRUNCH!
Mash completely demolished it.
"…Sorry, I'll fix it," he said.
"Uh… yeah, sure," Aru sighed. (No malice, at least.)
(So honest,) Mutsuki thought.
"So, Sensei, why're you here?" Aru asked.
Mash, mid-repair, looked up. "Oh, right. Wanna talk? My treat."
"Talk?" Aru blinked.
"Yup," Mash nodded.
The Problem Solver crew followed Mash to a shop.
Meanwhile, at Abydos
"Morning, Hoshino-senpai," Ayane greeted.
"Yo, Ayane-chan," Hoshino replied. "You're cleaning instead of Nonomi-chan?"
"Nonomi-senpai's helping Shiroko-senpai train," Ayane said.
"Oh? What kind?" Hoshino asked.
"Something like… cat feints? Clapping hands together," Ayane said.
Clap. A weak sound echoed.
"Sounds… off," Hoshino chuckled. "Gunshots would be louder. Like Kayoko-chan's."
"Those were scary…" Ayane shivered. "My chest tightened."
"Serika-chan was terrified," Hoshino grinned. "Where is she?"
"Studying. She's at Shiba Seki this afternoon," Ayane said.
"Everyone's working hard. Makes this old lady proud," Hoshino said. "Guess I'll dip soon."
"Got plans?" Ayane asked.
"Just checking on folks. It's my day off. Sensei's at Shiba Seki talking to someone, so I'll slack off somewhere. Call if you need me!"
"Sure… Another nap, huh?" Ayane smiled.
Hoshino strolled off, her pace quickening as she headed to a specific spot.
In an abandoned building, an operational elevator carried her upward.
At the top, it waited.
"We've been expecting you, Dawn's Hor… Apologies, Takanotsume Hoshino-san," a figure in a black suit said. "I'm still adjusting to Kivotos. This way, please."
"What's it this time, Black Suit?" Hoshino asked, her tone sharp.
Back in Time: Shiba Seki Ramen
"Thanks for the meal!" the Problem Solver crew said, finishing their ramen—Mash's promised treat.
"Cream puffs are great, but ramen's solid too," Mash said.
"Thanks, Sensei," Aru said. "I owe you one."
"Haven't eaten since yesterday. I'm stuffed!" Mutsuki grinned.
"The other flavors were nice too. Thanks, Sensei," Kayoko said.
"No big deal. I invited you," Mash said.
"So, what's the talk about?" Aru asked.
Mash wiped his face and turned to her. "Just checking if the injuries from last time are okay."
"Those? We're fine. Kivotos folks are tough," Aru said.
"But pain's still pain, right?" Mash pressed.
"Well… yeah," Aru chuckled. "You're sweet, Sensei."
"Am I?" Mash asked.
"Yup," Aru said. "When we attacked, most would've gotten mad, but you threw a cream puff party. That was fun."
"Totally!" Mutsuki agreed. "Why'd you do that, Sensei?"
Normally, attackers would face retaliation, but Mash hosted a party. It puzzled them.
"No reason, just wanted a cream puff party," Mash said.
"That's it?" Kayoko asked.
"Yup. I wanna be friends with people. Getting all hostile there felt wrong," Mash said.
"So honest," Aru said.
"It's my best trait," Mash grinned.
"We attacked you guys," Kayoko said. "Why go this far to connect?"
Mash clapped his hands, said, "Thanks for the meal," and paid. Then he turned to Aru.
"'Cause I'm a teacher."
"…!" Aru froze.
"Teachers get involved with any student, right? Wanting to be friends is normal," Mash said.
"Even bad guys?" Aru asked.
"Doesn't matter. As long as I'm here, every student in Kivotos is my student. If they're in trouble, I'll help. If they need saving, I'll save them. That's my rule."
Aru laughed softly. "Heh… That's you, huh?"
"Huh?" Mash tilted his head.
"Thanks, Sensei… I mean, Mash-kun," Aru said, stepping outside. She handed him a business card. "Call me if you need anything. Work's always welcome."
"Really? Awesome!" Mash beamed.
"So… we're friends now?" Haruka asked.
"Seems like it," Kayoko said. "Got a connection with Sensei."
"Nice one, Aru-chan!" Mutsuki cheered. "So, Sensei, if we need you later…?"
Then, they all noticed something. Looking up—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dozens of cannon shells rained down. In the distance, a disciplined group marched forward like an army.
"What the!?" Aru yelped.
"Fifty-millimeter mortars… The Disciplinary Committee's targeting us!" Kayoko said.
"Are they nuts!? They'll destroy the shop!" Aru shouted.
"They probably don't care," Kayoko said. "Haruka, take Sensei and—huh?"
Mash stepped in front of them, facing the barrage. He grabbed nearby cars and trucks, setting them aside.
"No one's wrecking the boss's ramen shop," Mash declared.
"Sensei, even you can't—" Aru started, then gasped. "Are those…?"
"Found some good ones," Mash said.
"Those are cars and trucks!?" Aru shrieked.
Mash hoisted them effortlessly. "Hmph!"
"He's throwing cars and trucks like balls!?" they screamed.
Mash hurled vehicle after vehicle at the shells, intercepting them mid-air. Explosions lit up the sky, neutralizing every shot. Then he locked onto the attackers.
"Return fire," Mash said, lobbing a truck.
BOOM!
It exploded right in front of the army. Aru and her crew stared, dumbfounded.
"No way we're beating him," they agreed.
Afterword
The Disciplinary Committee didn't see the ramen shop and just went, "Problem Solver! Fire!" They got shot down, though. And Black Suit (Gematria's first victim?) appeared—what's next!? Please rate, comment, and share activity report ideas! Typo reports are super appreciated!