"Hum hum~ Humm humm~♪"
"Sensei, you're in high spirits today. Something good happen?"
"Listen, Arona-chan, remember that auto cream puff maker Schale had?"
"That electricity-hogging device?"
Mash had gotten it from the Engineering Department in exchange for body scans, but its insane power consumption led Yuuka to confiscate it. They later gave him a compact version.
"Yup. And tomorrow, the latest version arrives… in 10 seconds per puff!"
"So that's why you're so happy!"
"Last one took 20 seconds. Now I can eat cream puffs while working! ✨"
(Pure, innocent, honest… good thing no other students are here.)
"Gotta thank the Engineering folks… cream puffs and my body good enough?"
"Sensei, your wording… might cause issues."
"Really?"
Humming happily, Mash saw the new machine as a Christmas gift from Santa—that's how excited he was.
Which is why…
"Delayed…?"
"Sorry, it was supposed to be done today, but…"
The news from Utaha, Engineering Department head, hit hard. Mash sank to his knees, so shaken that Arona shouted, "Sensei!? You okay!?" through the screen.
"W-Why…?"
"It's not Seminar's fault, to start."
"Seminar? Why them?"
"Here's the thing… every club in Millennium's budget got slashed."
"All of them? Isn't Millennium loaded?"
"Normally, yes. Normally."
Sensing something big, Mash switched from kid to serious Sensei mode.
"An incident?"
"Yeah… when it happened, I thought, 'Finally.'"
"Hm?"
"Ever heard of White Rabbit?"
"White Rabbit?"
"About 37 hours ago, a Millennium first-year, codename 'White Rabbit,' Koyuki Kurosaki, escaped the detention room."
"Detention room? We have those?"
"Let's skip that. Koyuki's a problem child."
"How bad?"
"Gehenna terrorist level."
"That bad?"
Mash was stunned. A Gehenna-tier troublemaker like the Gourmet Research Society or Hot Springs Club lurking in Millennium?
"Her past antics would take hours to list, but this time—she issued unauthorized bonds."
"Bonds…?"
"In simple terms, she's been splurging Millennium's money."
"…What." (Shock.)
"The damage is catastrophic. Millennium's on the brink of bankruptcy."
"What!?" (Mega shock.)
"And Koyuki fled to another school, burning through the cash."
"WHAT!?" (Ultra shock.)
Mash was floored by Koyuki's embezzlement. Explosive terrorism or riots seemed tame by comparison.
"But Millennium's got tight… encryption, right?"
"The problem is, Koyuki can instinctively crack any computer system, no matter how complex."
"Talk about misusing talent."
"She's been draining Millennium's vault and splurging. Most clubs are basically shut down now."
"That's a disaster. Can Schale help? I'll talk to Rin-san."
"That'd help. And, Sensei, one request."
"I know, I know."
"Sensei?"
Crack. Mash's grip cracked his durable tablet, a device that could survive a fall from a skyscraper.
"Catch that White Rabbit and toss her in a pot, right?"
"Sensei!?"
Fury consumed him—not just at her stealing for selfish gain, but because it delayed his beloved cream puff machine.
"Where'd Koyuki go?"
"No clue which school, just that she fled."
"Got it."
"But Seminar's Yuuka might know. She handles their finances."
"Right! I'll ask Yuuka-chan. Thanks, Utaha-san."
"No problem… but, uh, go easy?"
"Just a little heel hold."
"Wait, with your strength—!"
"Later."
Click. Mash hung up, exhaled, and calmly called Yuuka.
"Yes, this is Yuuka Hayase, Seminar, Millennium. Sorry, Sensei, I'm swamped—"
"Where'd White Rabbit escape to?"
"How do you know that!? I… know, but—"
"Tell me. I'm going in."
"Going in!? Well… maybe you can…"
"Hm?"
"We hired C&C for this, but they… overdo it, or rather, go rogue…"
"Don't seem like it."
"Anyway! Can you oversee C&C and secure Koyuki?"
"Gladly."
"Thank you!! What a relief."
"Talk later."
"Please take care of her!"
Click. Calmer, Mash sat, plotting how to catch and reform her.
"Choke sleeper… figure-four… nah, heel hold's best."
(He's dead serious about punishment!?)
Not murderous, but Mash was set on a stern lecture.
"C&C will make this easier and boost success. Alright."
He called Asuna, his closest C&C contact.
"Master? It's Asuna~"
"Asuna-san, got something to discuss."
"About Koyuki-chan?"
"Wow, spot on. Impressive."
"Ehe~ Right? Yuuka asked you to watch us, huh?"
"Seriously, how'd you know?"
"Fufu~♪ So happy to work with you! I'll tell the leader!"
"No, I'll—she hung up."
Amazed but grateful for Asuna's help, Mash prepared.
"Time to hunt a rabbit."
Seeing past events become permanent in-game, I'm like, "Is this okay…?" Showing the bunny event to my siblings:
"Blue Archive is wild!! What's this!?"
"That's Blue Archive."
They were hyped. Bunny event's insane… how'd it pass review?