After that, I received a new message on MomoTalk from Shizuko, who had just added me as a friend.
First was a picture, a beautifully designed poster for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Then came her explanation.
Shizuko: Since it includes a guide map of the venue, we decided to send you the Cherry Blossom Festival poster.
Shizuko: And also, Shizuko is very, ve∼ry excited that Sensei will be coming!
Shizuko: And Shizuko is not a stalker! Please keep that in mind!
…Why was she still hung up on that?! Just how deeply did it get to her?!
I replied simply and returned to enjoying my time alone with Ayane. After that, we weren't interrupted again. As the sun began to set, the time that belonged only to us came to a natural end.
"Time really flies. Before I knew it, it's already this late… I should head back."
Ayane closed the book reluctantly, removed her glasses, and rubbed her slightly tired eyes. Then she squinted at me, covering her mouth with a soft giggle.
"Hehe∼ Seeing Sensei like this feels kind of strange∼"
I suddenly thought that perhaps the saying about glasses sealing away one's charm had some truth to it.
Without that frame, Ayane's eyes were even clearer and brighter, and her delicate features looked more balanced. The cute charm hidden behind her glasses was fully revealed.
The last time I saw Ayane without glasses… should have been in my bedroom.
Thinking of that scene made my throat feel a little dry.
However, just as I was about to quench my thirst with the sweetest source nearby, Ayane pressed her hand against her chest, closed her eyes, and spoke with a calm, serene expression:
"Sensei, thank you for staying with me for so long today. Thank you. Truly… from the bottom of my heart."
Her sincerity calmed the restless heat in my chest.
"It's only what I should do."
I sipped the now cold coffee, which somehow no longer tasted as bitter as before, and watched the dark liquid swirl gently in the cup as I tilted my wrist.
"Besides, we haven't finished our promise. Isn't it too early to say thank you now?"
Guns, Charm, and Zeal wasn't thick, but it wasn't thin either. At Ayane's reading speed, even after an entire afternoon, she hadn't gotten through a third of it.
I reached toward the book on Ayane's lap and gently held the hand resting on its cover.
"And I think there are many more books in this world you haven't read yet. So next time we have the chance, let's continue our promise."
Ayane froze for a moment. Maybe because she couldn't see clearly, she felt the warmth in our touch more vividly. Even the shyness that should have risen seemed unimportant beneath that warmth.
Then she gathered her courage, clasped my hand in return, her cheeks tinged with a faint flush, and she smiled with pure happiness.
"…Yes!"
I could clearly feel that at this moment, the distance between Ayane's heart and mine was much closer than before.
We didn't say anything more. Hand in hand, we sat quietly for a while, then I accompanied her to the station near Schale. There, we reluctantly parted ways.
After dinner, I received a message from Ayane on MomoTalk.
Ayane: Sensei, I've arrived home safely.
Ayane: Thank you so much for today… I look forward to your guidance in the days to come.
Ayane: Um… there is one more thing…
Ayane: Next time, if there's a chance, I would like to recommend some of my favorite books to you.
Me: Really? That would be great!
Me: I'll be looking forward to it!
Ayane: …You don't have to put it like that.
Ayane: Anyway, thank you again, Sensei. Please rest early.
Ending the conversation, I couldn't help but think that Ayane really was a polite student, always expressing her gratitude.
She didn't need to be that formal with me. But that too was part of her charm.
Laughing helplessly at my screen, I shook my head and returned to my heavy workload.
But not long after, my phone chimed again with a special notification sound, one I had set specifically for a single person.
My brow lifted. Even before checking the message, a smile had already formed.
Hoshino: Long time no see, my de∼ar∼
Hoshino: Uhee∼ Using such a title is a bit embarrassing for Oji-san. Let's not do that!
Hoshino: So, Sensei, what are you doing right now?
Me: Of course I'm working. What's up? Want to come to Schale?
Hoshino: Oh my, what a suggestive way to put it.
Hoshino: But if you're at Schale, then that's fine.
Hoshino: Anyway, that's all for now. Remember to open the door for us later∼
Me: "Us" meaning?
There was no reply. Hoshino either wasn't looking at her phone or wanted to surprise me.
But even if she didn't say it, with her tiny social circle, the possible candidates were very few.
Ayane was already eliminated since she went home.
With a faint curiosity that wasn't quite expectation or dread, I finished some reports. Then Hoshino messaged again.
Hoshino: Sensei, we're here.
Hoshino: Come down and get us!
Me: …You sure know how to order people around.
Hoshino: How dare you talk to your own possessions like that! You irresponsible owner!
No, that phrasing was completely backward…
Sighing, I headed downstairs. The moment I stepped out the front door, a sweet scent washed over me,
Hoshino threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist and rubbing her head against my chest.
"Uheehee∼ Got you∼"
This girl really did understand what being cute meant.
Then I noticed her jacket was slightly damp, like she had sweated a lot and hadn't fully dried off yet.
The key was that, perhaps due to her natural charm, her scent was surprisingly sweet and tempting. I couldn't help lowering my head and taking a deep breath as I held her.
But just then, the sound of a bicycle chain and wheel approached from behind. Shiroko came into view, riding one bike and pushing another.
My movements froze. Hoshino quickly slipped behind me.
"Ahh! A wild Shiroko has appeared! Sensei save me!"
Shiroko completely ignored Hoshino's antics and nodded politely at me.
"Good evening, Sensei."
From the gentle sway of her wolf ears, Shiroko seemed to be in a good mood. Apparently she wasn't jealous about seeing me and Hoshino that close.
As expected of my gentle, adorable Shiroko.
I noticed she was also sweaty. With the two bicycles, it wasn't hard to guess what they had been doing.
But that guess made my expression turn odd.
"You and Hoshino… went cycling for exercise?"
For Shiroko, that was normal. For Hoshino, very much not.
"That's why I said help me!"
Hoshino clung pitifully to my sleeve, complaining.
"Sensei look! Shiroko's so mean, right? She dragged this middle-aged Oji-san out of bed at this hour and made me suffer like this!"
Even without Shiroko, Hoshino would have been out on patrol by now…
Still, for Shiroko to drag Hoshino into proper physical training… impressive.
"Anyway, what are you two doing here?"
"We just happened to be nearby, so we thought we'd drop by and borrow your bath."
Hoshino smirked. "It's fine for us to come in, right? No girls around at this hour? Like Ayane who was on duty today?"
"What are you saying? Ayane went home already." I stepped aside. "Come in."
Hoshino nodded. "Okay! Sorry to intrude!"
Then Shiroko followed with her usual calm expression. "Sensei, pardon the intrusion. By the way, where should we park Sensei-go and Hoshino's bike?"
I froze for a second before remembering what "Sensei-go" referred to.
And Hoshino immediately yelled, "Ah! Shiroko, you actually gave the bike you ride every day such a name! So sneaky! I want one too! The one you lend me will be Sensei Trike Number Two∼"
Shiroko frowned. "Hoshino-senpai, please behave. Sensei is not yours."
"Ooh∼ Sensei, look at that. My junior is so harsh to me… must be her rebellious phase…"
Caught between the two, I could only quickly move the topic along.
"Just park the bikes inside. Anyway, hurry in."
Escaping to the inside, I didn't notice the exchange of looks behind me,
Hoshino whispered: Shiroko, great acting! You made your annoyance look so real! Sensei definitely won't suspect what we're here for now!
Shiroko: Acting? What acting?
And so, the two scheming girls entered Schale completely unhindered.
Without the slightest suspicion, I told them, "I'll be in the office handling work. You both know where the bath is, so go ahead."
Shiroko had just nodded when Hoshino poked her waist, reminding her she was supposed to "not know."
"Huh… when has Hoshino-senpai been to Schale before?"
"Ah, well…"
"Haha∼ Sensei just misspoke. After all, I'm the only Abydos girl who hasn't stayed over here yet, right?"
Hoshino winked at me.
"Uh… right."
There were definitely better excuses, but since Hoshino had already handed me one, I had no choice but to take it.
Shiroko stared at me quietly, but didn't question it. She seemed to accept it.
I felt a vague sense of wrongness, but couldn't pinpoint why.
After letting the two of them go to the bath, I returned to work. Before long, loud footsteps approached.
I looked up. A pink-haired girl in a bathrobe walked over, waving lazily with a serene smile.
"Oh my, Sensei," Hoshino sat across from me, propping her chin on her hands, her heterochromatic eyes shimmering with an unusual glow. In her usual languid tone, she said:
"You've worked hard∼"