An Adult's Responsibility Chapter 13

Chapter 13:

She leant back, the railing of the sand-swept overpass supporting her back as she did so, head tilted to face the sky as she closed her eyes. Soaking up the sun, she basked in the warmth while also appreciating the cool breeze that was wafting down the street. Her eyes opened as Nonomi leant next to her, the railing only coming up to her waist, something that sent a familiar pang of jealousy through her, that was ignored with long familiarity.

“So, Senpai. What are your thoughts on Sensei getting another team together?” The blonde asked her, causing her to sigh.

“Does it matter? He was right when he pointed out that he needs some people to handle things elsewhere.” She responded, causing her underclassman to smile.

“Very practical, Hoshino-chan. But what do you feel about it, hmm?” this was accompanied by a nudge, slightly jostling her.

She sighed, knowing that Nonomi wouldn’t drop it unless she answered, “I don’t really care. I just hope that they will be able to help us with this.”

“Hmm.” Nonomi hummed, “If you say so.”

Hoshino rolled her eyes at the disbelieving tone. Honestly, if anything, she was glad for the development. Her girls had been far too swayed by Sensei, becoming almost reliant on him. Sure, she didn’t really believe that he was out to hurt them, but it was obvious that he wasn’t giving them the full story either.

With another team helping him out, it would allow her to wean the others off of him, making it easier for them to handle when the other shoe eventually dropped.

Still, she couldn’t deny that she was somewhat intrigued. Just who was Sensei planning to recruit to SCHALE? It couldn’t be an established club from another school, they would have heard about something that big. So that left either a group that wasn’t a part of any Academy, or one that belonged to an Academy that shut down.

She somehow didn’t think he was hiring a criminal group, but she was at a loss as to any groups from defunct Academies that were still active, hadn’t become part of another school or turned into a gang.

Either way, her questions would be answered shortly, seeing as Sensei went through this little effort to get the two teams to meet each other an hour out from the operation. That’s why Nonomi and the rest of the FTF were waiting with her at this overpass, they were expecting Sensei to lead the other team here to make some introductions.

She could understand the rationale behind it, once they leave the bank it would likely turn into a chaotic retreat. Having everyone aware of what they looked like would help prevent friendly fire or unintended interceptions.

A few short moments later, she saw a familiar figure walking down the road towards them, flanked on either side by four other figures, who she recognised from their ears and equipment.

“Oho?” She murmured, getting the attention of the rest of the FTF, Shiroko and Serika pausing their game of tic-tac-toe to look over where she was staring, “It appears that Sensei struck gold.”

“Do you know who they are, Hoshino-senpai?” Ayane asked, coming to stand on her other side.

“I do.” She answered, eyes not leaving the brown-haired figure to Sensei’s right, “That’s SRT FOX squad. Valkyrie’s big guns. They took out Wakamo the first time.”

“Wow, I remember reading about that. Wonder why they are helping us like this then, if they are some sort of big-shots with the GSC?” Serika questioned.

“Nn. We shouldn’t ask them about that.” Shiroko opined, causing Hoshino to nod.

She spoke to her girls quickly before moving to greet the other group, “Shiroko’s right. Just like how you wouldn’t want to talk about the debt, whatever their situation is, it’s private.”

Getting nods from the others, she nodded back and walked up to Sensei and the fox girls he was leading. Seeing her, Sensei smiled and waved, before turning and talking to the clear leader, who was staring at her with wide, red eyes.

As she came into earshot, she was greeted by Albrecht-Sensei’s voice, “Girls, let me introduce you. Hoshino, this is Yukino, Niko, Otogi and Kurumi. This is Hoshino-”

The brown-haired leader cut off his introductions, seeming to be unable to help herself, “The Takanashi Hoshino?!”

Sensei raised an eyebrow at her, causing her to seemingly cringe at her own outburst, while at the same time the blonde member of their group piped up, “Wait, Takanashi, from the briefings? That one?”

Hoshino heard Ayane’s voice from behind her, “What briefings? Is Hoshino-senpai famous?”

“Uhe…” She scratched her cheek, unsure about what they were talking about, “You’re going to make me blush, y’know?”

“I apologise for our reactions.” Niko, the pink one, bowed at the waist, “It’s just not often we react to anyone on the DNE list.”

“What’s the DNE list?” Nonomi questioned, eyes lighting up in interest.

Sensei was the one who answered her, “It’s a list kept by SRT about students who are dangerous or well connected. It stands for ‘Do Not Engage’.”

Yukino took over for him, “If we met a student on the List during an op, our orders were to negotiate and retreat.”

“She’s not just on the list,” Kurumi seemed excited to opine, “She was the youngest ever member.”

“Nn. Hoshino is strong.” Shiroko nodded, not surprised at all.

“Well, whoever made your list is mistaken. I’m not that big a deal.” She interjected, feeling herself blush, “Let me introduce us, this is Nonomi, Shiroko, Serika and Ayane.”

“I look forward to working with you.” Yukino bowed towards them, the rest of her squad following suit, prompting the FTF to do the same.

Hoshino, for her part, was still internally embarrassed. Her past had the annoying ability to resurface at the weirdest moments. She had a suspicion that she knew the exact event that put her on that DNE List. It happened back in her first year, ancient history at this point.

Although, if Sensei knew about the List, did that mean he knew that she was on it and why? If that was the case, why did he never bring it up?

Looking towards the man as her juniors started to speak to FOX in earnest, she caught his eye. Tilting his head, he smiled gently at her, causing her to scoff and look away.

What a weird adult.

---RERERE---

“Those other girls were really cool.” Serika spoke happily, walking towards the back of their little group.

“I’m glad it went well.” I replied, checking my watch as I did, “They will get started in about half an hour, we should be in position at the bank by that point.”

“We know Sensei.” Shiroko spoke from her place to my right, almost vibrating with silent excitement, “Don’t be nervous.”

“Thanks Shiroko.” I smiled at her, causing her to smile softly back.

“Mou!” I felt two soft things pressing into my back as a large weight settled on my shoulders, Nonomi having thrown herself on my back, “Don’t go making me jealous now, Sensei.”

“That wasn’t my intention.” I laughed, stumbling slightly at the sudden movement, “It’s not my fault… Oh?”

Something caught my eye as I was speaking, causing the rest of the FTF to look towards what I was seeing. A single student, holding her duck-shaped backpack close to her chest, being hemmed in and backed into a corner by a gang of thugs surrounding her, acting in a decidedly unfriendly manner. The one being accosted was wearing a Trinity uniform, signalling her out as not at all being from around here.

“Jerks. Where do they get off acting like that?” Serika growled, stalking forward to intervene before being stopped by Shiroko.

“If we make a scene, the Guards will notice.” The wolf girl said seriously,

“So what, are we just going to watch this happen?” The ears on top of Serika’s head went flat in agitation, “If we do that, despite being right here…!”

“We wouldn’t be ourselves, would we, Shiroko-chan?” Nonomi spoke, moving from behind me and towards the scuffle, “Doing nothing just wouldn’t be right.”

Shiroko looked to me, but I stayed silent. I knew what the correct thing to do here was, but it was something that my students should decide for themselves. Something Hoshino soon did, walking after Nonomi.

“If we ignore something like this happening right in front of us, would you be able to sleep at night, Shiroko-chan?” She asked, her gun causing every head in the alleyway to turn towards her as she racked it loudly.

Serika slipped out of Shiroko’s hold and waltzed up to the group, speaking loudly, “What do you punks think you’re doing, huh?”

“What’s it to ya, huh?” Was the abrasive answer, “Little girls shouldn’t stick their noses in where they don’t belong. Actually, come to think of it, you all look like you’ll make decent ransom targets too!”

Shiroko sighed, before she backed up her teammates, growling as she approached, “Get lost.”

“Shiori, Shiori!” The one behind her tugged on her sleeve, panic filling her voice, “Those are those Abydos lunatics!”

“What?!” The one holding the Trinity student yelped, dropping her and backing up rapidly, “I didn’t sign up for messing with them!”

Their leader had a similar reaction, yelling out as she broke into a run, “Scatter!”

The rest followed suit, running as fast as their legs could take them.

There was a brief pause as the FTF and the Trinity student looked after the fleeing gangsters in shock before Nonomi spoke up happily, “Well, I’m glad that they are getting the idea!”

“Are you okay?” Serika asked the Trinity student, who seemed completely lost.

“Ah!” She started, hugging her backpack closer towards herself, “Yes! Thank you so much for helping me!”

As she did, I noticed that it was absolutely covered in stickers and pins, all of them sharing the same cutesy art-style. Her white uniform was stained from where it had been pushed up against the wall, making her look even more out of place for this grimy part of Kivotos. Her blonde hair was tied in pigtails that swung as she shook her head, separating herself from the wall and giving us all a beaming smile.

“Thank you again! My name is Ajitani Hifumi! It is a pleasure to meet you!” She bowed, quickly gaining a peppy attitude.

“You’re welcome, young lady.” Hoshino grinned at her, “But what is one of Trinity’s delicate flowers doing all the way out here?”

“Ahaha, well, that’s my own fault.” Hifumi laughed, straightening up and scratching her cheek, “The Black Market has merch that you can’t find anywhere else, so when I heard news of a rare piece going on sale, I couldn’t help myself!”

“Oho?” Nonomi giggled, “It appears that Trinity’s refined young ladies are not so pure as they think, if you’re buying weapons all the way out here.”

“Weapons?” Hifumi tilted her head, confused, “Ah! No, no! I was buying limited edition Perero-sama merch, this stationary case!”

She dug into her backpack, pulling out a metal case designed after the same character that her bag was, showing it to us proudly. I shared a look with Serika, who seemed just as confused as I was.

“How did you get into trouble with those punks then?” The catgirl questioned her.

“Oh, they said something about kidnapping me and charging a ransom to Trinity or my family. It was my own fault, I should have watched where I was going better!” She grinned, seemingly not at all worried about the dangerous situation she was just in.

Hoshino laughed at her attitude, “Well, it’s clear that not much gets you down.”

“I got what I was looking for and was rescued, so this was a good trip overall!” She beamed in response, “I think people should focus on the good things that happen more than they do!”

Shiroko tugged my sleeve, pulling my attention away from the little ray of sunshine as she spoke quietly, “Sensei, we need to hurry or we’ll be late.”

Not quietly enough, as everyone else turned towards us as she spoke. Hifumi’s eyes widened as she saw me for the first time, covering her mouth with both hands as she did so.

“Oh my, the Sensei of SCHALE? That means you were doing something important! I’m sorry that you had to stop because of me!” She bowed again, red filling her face.

“Don’t worry about it, we still have time. Plans can be changed, but actions can’t be taken back. Saving you was the right thing to do.” I smiled at her, before casting my eyes over each of the FTF, “Well done, girls.”

Hoshino rolled her eyes, Serika huffed and crossed her arms while looking away, Nonomi tittered into her hand. Shiroko’s ears flattened as she looked down, having been the one to suggest leaving Hifumi to her fate.

I stepped forwards, gently placing my hand on the top of her head, “Sometimes things can blind us to the consequences of our actions, Shiroko. The important thing, no matter what you do, is to do things you can live with afterwards. You did the right thing.”

“I almost didn’t.” She grumbled.

I rubbed her head at that, “Everyone needs help to see the obvious sometimes. Hesitation is perfectly normal, but you overcame it before anything could happen. Be proud of yourself, as I am. Okay?”

She nodded, a smile appearing on her face.

“Wow.” Hifumi spoke, eyes sparkling, “You really are like something out of a storybook!”

I pulled my hand back as if I had been scalded, wondering what she was talking about.

Hoshino laughed, “Oh trust me, he’s pretty odd when you get to know him. Will you be okay from here?”

“Let me help you!” The Trinity student shook her head, denying the implicit goodbye, “If you just leave without me paying you back, I wouldn’t be able to take it! Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all!”

Hoshino frowned, about to reply in the negative before Nonomi stopped her and whispered in her ear. The leader of the FTF tilted her head, before a wide grin overtook her face.

Stepping forwards, she extended her hand to the suddenly unsure-looking blonde, “No take backs, okay? I’m holding you to your word.”

Hifumi shifted her weight from foot to foot, before an expression of determination overtook her features, “I can’t just let my saviours go unrewarded. I’ll help you, no matter what!”

“Good to have you on board!” Hoshino chirped, shaking her hand vigorously.

“Hoshino…” I spoke, the manifest problems of what was happening readily apparent.

“Have some faith, Sensei!” Nonomi bounced to my side, grabbing my arm, “Besides, it’s high time we get moving!”

I briefly resisted before giving up. I trusted the FTF, besides sometimes teachers needed to let their students make their own decisions. Running the hand that wasn’t currently engulfed in Nonomi’s softness over the cylinders on my belt, I reflected that I would be there in case they bit off more than they could chew.

---RERERE---

“FOX 1.” Came the voice from my ear piece, “Task Force, are you in position?”

“This is Task Force Lead. In position and waiting for your signal.” I touched the bead, before asking, “Task Force 0, are you ready for over-watch?”

“Task Force 0.” Ayane’s voice came through clearly, “You were right about how to avoid the anti-drone net. Ready to go.”

“FOX 1 hears and confirms. Operation is a go shortly, will mark time. Signal is ‘engage’. Copy?” Yukino queried.

“Copy, go on signal, ‘engage’.” I confirmed, so did Ayane.

I looked across the Bank from my spot in the seats lining the atrium. Thankfully, this being a bank for criminals and other suspicious characters, face coverings were more than permitted in the area, instead being almost a part of the formal dress code. The heavy hooded coat I was wearing made me look no different from the rest of the clientele waiting to be seen to, despite being the only fully human male in the room.

The rest were either bipedal animals or robots. Supposedly this world had hit the singularity some time ago, with everyone uploading themselves to mechanical chassis. I don’t know why the students still looked as human as they did, but it was something I was looking into.

More importantly, I could see the FTF spread out to different corners of the bank, all keyed into the same channel I was. They had smoke grenades ready to go on the signal, covered by heavy coats the same as I was. Even Hifumi, fidgeting next to me, was similarly dressed.

“I wasn’t expecting to be asked to rob a bank…” She whispered to me, causing me to smile despite myself.

“This bank funds gangs and other illegal organisations. Consider it part of denying people like the ones trying to kidnap you their funding.” She didn’t look wholly convinced, but seemed slightly more at ease with the whole deal.

As I turned my attention back to the floor, I noticed several guards suddenly start moving out of the building, attempting to mask their movements to not cause a panic. It seemed that FOX had started.

“Vans leaving the Bank.” Ayane spoke into the link, causing Hifumi to tense up beside me.

“Confirmed.” Came the clipped response from Yukino, gunfire coming through her feed, “FOX 4?”

Otogi spoke, calm and confident, “I see them. Like kicking up a bees’ nest, they are swarming.”

“Hear that Task Force? Engage!” Yukino called out.

I pulled the pin on my smoke grenade and dropped it, before kicking it nonchalantly into the line at the teller I was queuing for.

At the same time, other metallic clinks and the sound of things rolling on tiles sounded out from every direction. There was a brief pause before with a bang, the whole room filled with impenetrable smoke. There was shouting and scuffling before the doors were flung open, revealing the sight of the panicking customers and the new arrivals from amongst them.

Brandishing weapons and covering their faces with differently coloured ski masks, the FTF were all business.

“Put your hands behind your heads and kneel down!” Hoshino in her pink mask called out, “This is a robbery!”

The sole remaining guard raised his gun, but was knocked out by a burst of fire from the red-masked Serika, “Oh no you don’t!”

The green-masked Nonomi shot a burst of gunfire into the roof, gleefully calling out, “Now, don’t make this any more difficult than it needs to be!”

The people slowly complied as the blue-masked Shiroko started to hand bags to the tellers, one of whom shouted as he took money from the till and filled up the receptacle.

“You must be insane to do this, the Guards will have your asses! Who are you punks, anyway?” He seemed completely fine with their actions, not at all worried.

“Us? We are the Masked Swimsuit Gang!” Hoshino called out, “And we’re led by the most fearsome criminal in all of Kivotos, Faust!”

She pointed to where I was sitting, where Hifumi was now standing, shivering like a leaf with a paper bag over her head, scrawled with the number 5 where her forehead would be.

“That’s right!” She called out, eyes wide, “Don’t resist! I would hate to see anyone get hurt!”

I stifled a laugh from where I was working on picking the door, everyone’s attention taken up by the ridiculous spectacle in front of them. Hifumi didn’t know just how menacing her words sounded in this context, her saying them completely genuinely. However, instead of an earnest plea, it made her come off as a complete psychopath.

“What are you talking about?” The teller called back, “None of you are wearing swimsuits?”

Shiroko was about to reply before with a bang, a squad of heavily armed robotic guards burst into the room, weapons levelled at the Masked Swimsuit Gang.

“Freeze! On the ground!” The grumbling voice sounded out, as the teller relaxed, ceasing to move his hands entirely.

“About time you got here.” He grumbled, before a barrel was pressed to his head.

“I didn’t say stop.” Shiroko spoke, voice low.

“You must be insa-” The objection was cut off by one of the guards tumbling through the air, slamming into the wall behind him.

Hoshino had engaged during that time, making quick work of the squad with the help of Serika and Nonomi while Hifumi fretted anxiously, outwardly looking like she was energetically watching her underlings fight.

With that being my last sight of the atrium, the door clicked as it popped open, allowing me to slip into the employees-only area with my own bag slung over my shoulder. Drawing my gun, I started clearing corners and moving towards where the plans said the office was.

I was going to fill my duffel with something much more valuable than money.