Chunks of rubble fell like rain, smoke and dust spreading through the room.
With an explosion loud enough to make Kotama put on her headphones, the ceiling above my head was blasted open, leaving a gaping hole.
Then, from the breach in the ceiling, a girl dressed in a maid outfit leapt down. After landing lightly, she performed an elegant and respectful bow, her expression solemn.
"May I ask if you are my master?"
The other student on duty today made such an unconventional entrance that I could not help falling silent.
"…Akane?"
"Yes. We meet again, Sensei… no, Master." Akane adjusted her glasses and put on a proper smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Murokasa Akane of C&C has come to serve her master."
I even began to doubt whether last night really had been my first meeting with Akane, and whether our interaction back then had really been so brief.
How had I inexplicably become her master again after just one night?
First Asuna, now Akane.
Do all of you maid agents in C&C like to decide on your own to acknowledge me as your master?
While I did have a certain awareness of my own charm, and believed myself to be the ideal choice for maids who had yet to find a worthy master, this level of enthusiasm was still a bit much.
Could this be some Kivotos custom I did not know about?
Then why has Neru still not changed how she addresses me? Is that some kind of push and pull?
And there is also Toki.
At that moment, Akane greeted the third person present. "Kotama senpai, good day. It has been quite a while. Are you also participating in today's mission?"
"…Yes, I am. Good day to you as well."
Kotama merely nodded lightly, using polite language and giving the briefest possible affirmative reply.
However, I noticed that her expression seemed somewhat strange, and her gaze wavered back and forth between Akane and me.
I quickly asked, "Akane, you are here on duty as well, right? Thank you for your hard work. By the way, why did you suddenly start calling me master when this is only our second meeting?"
"Oh my, it seems I have caused you some confusion. That is my failure as a maid, please allow me to offer you my sincere apologies."
Akane bent forward in a deep bow. "In that case, let me take responsibility and explain everything from the beginning. I heard that this mission would be directed by Schale, so I came to pay a visit.
"As you know, C&C is composed of Millennium's… no, of Kivotos's finest agents, responsible for 'cleaning up' delinquent groups around Millennium,
"And through 'friendly negotiations,' making black hearted company owners who exploit students hand over all unpaid wages along with bonuses, then sending those owners back to their hometowns…
"Such forms of 'service,' among others."
…Can those really be called service?
"It seems Schale does similar work. So calling over one of the strongest agents, myself… must be for the purpose of performing 'service' for all students of Kivotos, correct?"
When has Schale ever done that? At most, we repelled the Helmet Gang in Abydos, defeated a whole horde of monsters during the Hyakkiyako incident, and had a few clashes with the black hearted Kaiser Corporation… wait, that actually does sound like we did.
From a rational standpoint, perhaps it really was time to have Schale's students on duty switch to maid outfits.
As for the latter half of Akane's statement, it was obvious. Given my noble virtue of devoting myself entirely to the students of Kivotos, serving me naturally meant serving all of Kivotos's students, so calling me master was perfectly reasonable.
With that in mind, I smiled. "That is roughly how it is."
"A very wise judgment. I am Code Name 03, Murokasa Akane. Allow me to greet you again, Master."
Then Akane asked, "So, what is today's mission? Eliminate an important figure? Underground operations? Protecting classified information? Destroying an organization? Corporate espionage?"
After listing a whole array of C&C's routine tasks, Akane glanced at the silent blonde girl beside her. "Since Kotama senpai from the Veritas Department is involved, it must be related to surveillance, right?"
Kotama widened her eyes. "H-how can you slander me out of nowhere?"
"Oh my, did I misunderstand something? But if I remember correctly, Kotama senpai is best at that kind of work."
"Guh… I cannot refute that."
So Kotama really was an expert in the field of eavesdropping?
Thinking again of the Veritas Department head who had somehow appeared in my Momotalk friend list, I suddenly became a little worried about whether my personal privacy might already be compromised.
Maybe I should give more thought to reducing Arona's daily dessert supply.
For now, I pushed those worries aside and glanced at the scattered remains of the ceiling on the floor.
"Anyway, let us clean up first."
"I see, it is an elimination task." Akane smiled confidently, having completely misunderstood. "Or rather, destruction, right? Either way is fine. Please tell me the target…"
"Kotama, put the plush on my seat for now, then help me contact the Engineering Club. Akane, could I trouble you to fetch a broom and dustpan from the storage room?"
Kotama nodded. "Understood."
Just as Kotama hugged the bear plush and walked toward a desk that had not been affected by the explosion, Akane looked at me in shock and asked uncertainly,
"Eh… when you say cleaning, Master… you mean actual cleaning?"
"Of course."
Akane pressed further. "Sweeping, wiping, tidying up, the kind of cleaning that makes the whole space neat and clean?"
"Yes, that is indeed the common definition."
"I cannot believe it…" Akane frowned, irritation creeping into her tone. "Are you treating me like a maid?"
…Huh?
Weren't you the one who called yourself a maid?
I stared at Akane in confusion, and her expression gradually turned awkward as well.
"Ah… I see… phew."
Akane let out a breath. "V-very sorry. I sometimes get confused about my own identity…"
I waved my hand. "It is fine, I understand."
Even though the maid identity served as a surface level cover, C&C was essentially an agent organization representing Millennium's military force. Some cognitive dissonance was hardly surprising.
So I hope Neru will hurry up as well.
"Thank you for your magnanimity. In any case, I understand."
Akane straightened her conspicuously prominent chest. "Please rest assured. As a member of C&C, no matter what kind of task it is, I am confident I can accomplish it perfectly."
On the surface I remained calm, but inwardly I was doubtful, recalling what Yuuka had complained to me about last night.
C&C's usual style, at least in terms of the additional economic damage they caused, could hardly be called perfect.
"Then, updating the mission objective. The location to be cleaned is… this master's office?"
Akane glanced around. "It seems I will need some tools."
"Mm, the storage room is located…"
I stopped mid sentence.
I watched as Akane opened the case she was carrying and took out a suspicious red cylindrical object with a fuse.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, once I grasped the situation, I sucked in a sharp breath and did my utmost to stay calm. "Akane, what are you trying to do?"
Kotama, who was squeezed together with the bear plush on my office chair and had been looking down while sending messages on her phone, raised her head in confusion, then recoiled in shock.
"Please do not worry, Master." Akane's gentle voice stood in stark contrast to the act of pulling out a bomb in the Schale office. "This is the best tool there is, one that can clean everything up in an instant, without leaving a single stain behind. Hehe."
That includes me too, does it not!?
Even knowing that this C&C member in front of me, who looked like a quiet and refined beauty, seemed to lack common sense… seriously, could someone really lack common sense to this degree!?
My heart leapt into my throat as I rapidly thought of countermeasures.
The Shittim Chest was on my desk. At this distance, I could retreat into Arona's protective range before Akane made any dangerous move.
In other words, there was still room to persuade her to change her mind.
"…Just kidding."
Just as I resolved myself to speak, that sudden sentence rendered all my planning useless.
I repeated in disbelief, "Kidding?"
Akane's smile was slightly mischievous, mixed with a hint of shyness. "To be honest, when I was summoned by Master, my heart started pounding nonstop. On top of that, I felt a little embarrassed after being seen in such a flustered state… so I thought I would play a little prank. Please take it as me trying to hide my embarrassment."
My gaze sharpened. So she was another maiden in love who fell for me at first sight? In that case, everything could be understood and forgiven.
Though, as a prank…
"Even if it was a joke, that was going too far, was it not?"
Kotama suddenly stood up and angrily questioned her. "Did you not consider the Sensei's feelings at all?"
Kotama, who usually gave the impression of being reserved and not good with words, was actually raising her voice in agitation.
Not only me, but Akane was also taken aback, then fell into thought.
After a long while, the maid girl pushed her glasses up and spoke slowly.
"I am confident that what Kotama senpai worries about would not happen. But Kotama senpai is right. This was my negligence as a maid. I will correct this in the future, and I ask that you forgive me, Master."
"It is fine, I did not take it to heart. And Kotama, thank you for your concern."
After soothing both of them for the moment, I smoothly changed the topic. "Then, let us begin cleaning properly."
"As you wish." Akane once again showed a confident smile. "When it comes to cleaning and cooking, I am quite skilled. Especially cleaning, it would not be an exaggeration to call it my specialty. Please allow me to show you what it is like to have an excellent maid by your side."
The way you say cleaning… is it really proper cleaning?
I had my doubts.
"…Question. Should we still call the Engineering Club over?" Kotama raised her hand, indicating the screen of her phone. "After telling Wakamo that an explosion happened at Schale, she said she would immediately drop what she was doing and rush over with Hibiki and Kotori."
So enthusiastic? Does she like me, or is she eager for funding, or both?
I looked at Akane in front of me, and Akane replied, "As a perfect maid, repairing something as trivial as a ceiling is naturally no problem at all."
Then there was no need to trouble the Engineering Club to make a special trip.
"Utaha also said she wants to apologize to the Sensei."
Just as I was about to have Kotama pass that along, she looked at a new message on her phone and added, "She said that since too many bombs were placed before, it is normal for some to be missed, and under normal circumstances they would not be easily triggered…"
Doesn't that sound cool? It fits my stereotype of the Engineering Club perfectly.
I quickly walked to my desk and took the Shittim Chest with me before finally feeling at ease.
Then I let out a cold laugh. "Then let them hurry over."
"Eh? Master, do you not trust my cleaning skills?" Akane's expression turned dejected.
"Of course not. I am calling the Engineering Club over for another matter. Let us get started with the cleaning."
"Message sent." Kotama put down her phone. "Sensei, I will help too."
Having an extra pair of hands was naturally welcome. "Mm, thanks. I will take you to the storage room to get the tools."
The two girls nodded in unison.
The next hour or so was spent cleaning the room. During that time, the Engineering Club also arrived at Schale. They stared at the hole in the ceiling, then exchanged looks that roughly conveyed, "Who placed another bomb here? None of you? Could it have been me?"
Akane, who was cleaning, said nothing, quietly hiding her achievements.
As a result, the Engineering Club unanimously fell into doubt about themselves and their companions.
Then, without me needing to say anything, the three of them proactively went to conduct a second inspection.
To some extent, I even felt that Akane's absurd entrance had turned misfortune into a blessing for me.
While the Engineering Club carried out proper after sales service, the office that had been blown up was already completely renewed through the combined efforts of Akane, Kotama, and me.
I handed an energy drink to Kotama, who seemed tired and was slumped over my desk.
Then I thanked Akane, who had gone to the storage room to put away the cleaning tools and returned with slightly flushed cheeks, probably from the heat after working, and asked her what kind of drink she wanted.
"Thank you for your concern, but I am not thirsty at the moment."
Akane looked around the now tidy office. "Hm hm, what do you think?"
"It is amazing," I praised her sincerely. "I never imagined it could be cleaned this thoroughly. Working in an environment like this, even my mood feels much better."
"I am glad you are satisfied."
Akane then muttered to herself, "Schale's office is bigger than I imagined, it is very much worth cleaning."
At that point, she paused, and a strange hint of color surfaced on her face. "E, even the room I inferred to be the Sensei's was investigated… no, cleaned as well."
Catching the key words, Kotama lifted her head alertly, lost in thought.
And as I realized that Akane had used the magnetic card I lent her to open the storage room to enter my bedroom without permission, I also became aware of another, far worse problem.
If Akane had carefully inspected my room…
Including the drawers where I stored a large number of holsters and props…
"To ensure cleanliness and hygiene, you cannot just look at the surface…"
Akane averted her gaze, her words carrying implication. "Maintaining health and character is also necessary. Master, please be sure to pay attention to that."
"…I understand."
She really did find out.
Next, was she going to use this as leverage to threaten me into doing things straight out of thin books with her, otherwise she would spread it everywhere?
That is way too humiliating… no, too outrageous.
I subconsciously wiped the corner of my mouth, making sure no tears of regret were flowing out.
"Please take a look, Master." Akane swiftly moved past the topic. "This is an office so clean that even germaphobes would cheer."
"Mm, thank you."
I calmed myself and thanked her sincerely. Although Akane was the one who had made an explosive entrance in the literal sense and turned my office into a mess, there was no denying that thanks to her, the office had become this clean.
Both Kotama and I had merely acted as assistants during the cleaning, doing odd jobs under Akane.
Suddenly, Akane's expression turned to surprise, then grew serious.
For a moment I even wondered if I had said something wrong.
"Ah… pardon me."
Akane regained her smile, though tinged with complex emotions, and murmured, "It has been a long time since I heard the word 'thank you.' Usually it is things like 'Uwaa!', 'D-damn maid!', or 'I-I am done for!'"
I somehow felt this was entirely a problem with C&C's line of work.
Besides, among teammates, they should still be thanking each other fairly often, right?
"Sensei, no," Akane's expression softened further. "Master really is someone worth serving."
After all that, it still came down to expressing goodwill toward me.
"Then, today's mission ends here. If you need me to serve you again next time… please call for me."
Akane bowed slightly. "I will serve you with all my heart."
I smiled and replied, "Mm, then I will look forward to it."
Only after Akane had gone far away did I realize a problem.
Was she not supposed to be here as a student on duty, assisting me with work?
Why did she just break the ceiling, fix it, and then leave as if it were only natural?
I fell into deep thought.
"Sensei, Sensei."
Kotama jogged up in front of me and looked up. "The troublesome person is gone, can we continue the topic from earlier?"
Calling someone that behind their back might not be very nice.
Thinking that to myself, I motioned for Kotama to lean in.
She hesitated for a moment, then obediently did so.
At a distance where my mouth was almost pressed to her ear, I whispered,
"Actually, I am very timid."
"Eh?"
"When Akane pulled out that bomb earlier, I was really scared to death. It was just because of adult pride that I pretended to stay calm."
I spoke seriously. "And I am not so magnanimous that I would feel nothing after being subjected to that kind of prank… so, thank you for speaking up for me, Kotama."
Then I moved away from her ear and stepped back a few paces, admiring the girl's face flushed red from the slightly intimate act.
Kotama closed her eyes, looking thoughtful. "I-is that so… the Sensei is timid…"
After pondering for a while, Kotama suddenly let out a small laugh.
I widened my eyes in dissatisfaction. "Wait a second, what are you laughing at?"
"Hehe, although it is a bit rude, it just feels very funny."
…Should I not have told her the truth?
If that were the case, I could still laugh along with her now.
I scratched my head and said gloomily, "Tsk. Laugh all you want."
Kotama's laughter gradually subsided, but there was still a rare smile on her face as she nodded in contentment.
"And also a bit vain, and a bit narcissistic…"
"I have something to say about the narcissistic part." I frowned. "My evaluation of myself has always been objective, fair, and even on the low side. Do you not think I am Kivotos's pride, an exceptionally handsome, gentle, reliable young Sensei? This is a fact even your department head tacitly acknowledges."
"…Pfft. No wonder, so it's Himari."
Kotama could not hold it in again, this time nearly laughing to the point of tears.
I decided to stop arguing with her.
"Mm. The seemingly perfect Sensei really does have unexpected weaknesses after all… but because of that, I feel like I understand the Sensei better than before. Thank you, Sensei."
"I already regret it."
"Sorry."
Kotama smiled brightly once more. "Then I will head back for today. I have already retrieved the listening device from the bear plush, so please treasure it properly, just like you promised before."
"…Mm."
I did not try to keep Kotama. After she left, I took out the heat source from my breast pocket and raised an eyebrow.