An Adult's Responsibility Chapter 9:

Chapter 9:

“Then we found Serika and went to go help you all.” Nonomi finished her report, the rest of the FTF filling the other chairs around the table.

Albrecht-sensei was not present, having left to go back to SCHALE to see if he could find a trail on the money that Problem Solver had used to pay the mercenaries. They had decided to stay at the school against his advice, despite it being late evening, to discuss the battle amongst themselves.

“What were you doing in that classroom alone together so late anyway?” Serika asked, eyes narrowed, Shiroko staring at Nonomi intensely at the question as well, “That’s really suspicious.”

Rather than be put off by their glares, Nonomi laughed instead, winking towards Shiroko, “Oh my, my cute juniors have such dirty minds! They grow up so fast. Anyway, Sensei and I were there because he slept with me.”

There was silence after that statement, so total that they could have heard a pin drop.

“WHAT!?” Serika shouted, slamming the table and staring aghast at the blond.

“Nn. Shameless. Unacceptable.” Shiroko growled out, her eyes glaring daggers at Nonomi.

“Awawawa.” Ayane’s eyes were spinning, face completely red, “Nonomi-senpai, that’s no good… We need to report this… You should have been careful!”

Hoshino merely tapped her hands on the table in front of her, smiling at their overblown reactions.

“Hmm?” Nonomi tilted her head, “But Hoshino does it all the time though?”

“You what?!” Serika reeled back as if struck.

“Oh!” The blond bounced, clapping her hands together, “Don’t worry Hoshino-chan, this was just an emergency. If you want, we can all do it together if it happens again.”

Ayane’s face was covered by her hands as she sank to the floor, moaning, “I-I’m surrounded by perverts. How did I never notice before?”

“Guys.” Hoshino sighed, smiling, “She’s kidding. She meant that he slept with her, as in actual sleeping.”

“You do this with Nonomi-senpai too?” Shiroko questioned, getting a nod from Hoshino.

“Her thighs are really soft and squishy. I’m jealous that Sensei got to experience them too.” She chuckled at the end of her statement, scratching her cheek.

“Oh, I see?” Serika took a breath, her tone questioning, “Is that what you meant Nonomi?”

“Of course!” She giggled, “You guys have really dirty minds, you know?”

“That’s still no good Nonomi-Senpai! Sensei is a man! Being alone with him in a room is very immoral!” Ayane shouted, surging to her feet, finger pointed at Nonomi.

Serika perked up at that, also joining in on the chiding, “Exactly, Senpai! He’s really sketchy you know, we don’t know that much about him! Especially not enough to… to be doing that with him!”

Nonomi smiled, waving her hands calmingly, “Come on now, I just wanted to help him because he was so tired. Don’t get so worked up about it like that.”

“They are right, Nonomi.” Came support from a surprising source, Hoshino narrowing her eyes in though, “We really don’t know enough about of him. He’s way too good at fighting and what kind of teacher knows how to do a sleep hold like that?”

“Sensei would probably say a good one.” Shiroko quietly remarked, getting a few short laughs.

“You have a point, Hoshino-senpai.” Ayane spoke, her tone thoughtful, fingers adjusting her glasses from her sudden movements and calming down, “He’s better in tactical situations than our textbooks. I looked up the recommended actions after our battles, his were always either by the book or better for the situation.”

“That is really odd, but more importantly, don’t you think he was too calm?” Serika spoke, getting questioning looks in return that caused her to blush, hands gripping the chair tightly, “I mean I was too! It’s just… He doesn’t have a halo right? Yet he didn’t panic even when he was getting shot at.”

“Exactly.” Hoshino nodded, “There’s something really off about the guy. Even more importantly, we have no idea what he wants.”

“We do, though.” Shiroko spoke, surprising the others while she fiddled with her phone, “Here. He was interviewed.”

On the screen, being displayed on the news channel of the DU Journalist school, was Albrecht-sensei, looking a bit caught off guard. The peppy reporter bounded forward, putting a microphone directly infront of his mouth, her question coming through loud and clear.

“As the new Sensei of SCHALE, do you have any goals? What do you plan to do in Kivotos with your new position?” She asked, flashing a grin at him as she did so.

“Uh, well, I guess I just want to do my job.” He laughed, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

“How would you define that job, sir?” She pressed, not letting him get away with the dodge.

“Well, I was only given one directive by the GSC and that is to assist with maintaining order in around the academies. However, the job of a teacher is more than that.” He seemed to gain confidence, raising a finger as he spoke, “My job is to help my students. All of them, no matter who they are. So please, if you have any troubles at all, know that SCHALE is always available.”

“Oh my, I hope you know what you are getting into saying something like that-” Shiroko paused the video, closing the app and putting down her phone.

“Of course that’s what he would say.” Hoshino sighed.

“That’s a really shady thing to say. He sounds like someone luring you into a van with candy.” Serika hummed.

“You’re both being very rude, you know? Sensei’s helped us a lot already.” Ayane frowned at the two.

“I know that!” Hoshino retorted, “But you can see how an adult that is that helpful, for seemingly no reason, is suspicious right? He’s almost too helpful. It’s weird.”

“I trust Sensei.” Shiroko spoke, “Besides, we are helping him with the gangs here.”

Hoshino closed her mouth at that, visibly debating responding before slumping, “Ah whatever. This old timer just worries about you all, you know?”

There was a slightly awkward silence after that, no one knowing quite how to respond to that. The silence was broken when Nonomi decided to change the subject.

“By the way, Hoshino, what happened before Sensei and I arrived?” She asked, causing the pink haired girl to shrug.

“Nothing that interesting. Shiroko engaged them first, but I was soon there what with all the gunfire around…” She continued her report, noting the various things she noticed about their enemies, Ayane diligently returning to writing notes.

Shiroko was jostled by Nonomi lightly nudging her. Looking over, she was greeted by her Senpai’s grin.

“Don’t worry Shiroko.” The taller girl whispered to her, “I trust Sensei too.”

Shiroko nodded at that, giving a small smile to her, glad to hear it. She didn’t like them spending time worrying about an obvious ally when they had an active enemy gunning for them. Still, she knew it was only a matter of time before Sensei showed the others the truth of his actions.

After, Shiroko was an excellent judge of character.

---RERERE---

I stretched, groaning as my shoulders popped. Sitting in a chair looking through financial records was wrecking havoc on my back. Maybe I should look into a standing desk? I had the funds for it after all. I doubt Yuuka would get mad at that expense. Still, I was almost finished here. Perhaps I would even get to sleep at a reasonable time.

Looking at the clock, it reflected back the numbers 11:23 PM back at me, dispelling that particular thought. With a wry chuckle, I returned to the screens, only to pause as a ringing sound travelled through the office. Wondering who would be visiting at such an hour, I pressed the button for the intercom, wincing slightly as the movement strained my arm.

“Albrecht-sensei here. Is everything alright?” I asked, getting a confusing response.

“Ah, just who I was looking for! I have your order from FOX Eats here, sir!” A cheerful voice responded.

I don’t remember placing any such order, but I pressed the button to allow the student in anyway. She had gone out of her way to visit me as such a late hour, the least I could do is hear her out.

My mystery visitor was soon revealed as she stepped out of the elevator, taking me in, surrounded as I was by paperwork and open documents on the screens. As she took a moment to take in the scene, I realised I recognised her.

The student was wearing a fairly generic school uniform, with tactical straps and a combat patch on her left arm. What really tipped me off however, was the pink hair and the two long fluffy ears that parted it.

I wonder what Niko, otherwise known as FOX 2 from the reports I’ve seen, wanted with me so late.

She broke the staring match first, holding up a neatly wrapped lunch box, “I brought your order, Albrecht-sensei.”

I put my chin on my palm, looking at her with amusement, “Oh? Please forgive me, I seem to have forgotten ever placing such an order. What exactly did I purchase?”

“We at FOX Eats pride ourselves on knowing our customers’ needs before even they do.” She responded, winking, “That’s why I brought you this tasty inarizushi, some fresh tea and my company!”

“Somehow I feel that your company is the most expensive thing on that list.” I remarked, getting a smile in return.

Putting a hand to her chest, she puffed it out, “Of course! I am very valuable, you know?”

Without even asking, she put down the box on the table next to her and unwrapped it, pulling out a serving tray that had been wrapped inside the bundle and opening up the lunch box. Instantly, a tantalizing aroma emanated from the container, hitting me with all the force of the realisation that I had missed dinner. She put the tray within reach of me and started to pour out some tea from a flask.

“I would feel bad if it’s just me eating.” I said, not touching the tempting dish in front of me, “Even if you are not hungry, a little bite would be fine. Just so I don’t feel like I’m a glutton.”

“Oh!” She seemed surprised, “Then I will serve myself some after I’m done with the tea. I made a lot, after all.”

Nodding at that, I finally picked up the tray, taking the soft pastry in one of my hands and biting down. The warm contents spilled onto my taste buds, lighting them up in a dance of flavours. My eyes widened as I appreciated the dish, mind whirling through my memories as I came to one very surprising conclusion.

“This is the best food I have ever tasted.” I wasn’t lying either.

It really was the most well made dish I had tasted in either world.

“Aha, wow.” She chuckled awkwardly, her own dish set up and cup of tea in front of her as she took a seat, “That’s quite a compliment. But are you sure it’s okay to be so relaxed about this, Sensei?”

“Hmm?” I hummed questioningly through the next mouthful, making to savour it before swallowing, “What do you mean?”

“Well, what if the food was poisoned? You didn’t even make me eat it first to check.” She pointed out, causing me to blink and look at the last bite left in my hand.

“Would almost be worth getting poisoned to taste this.” I said, causing her to blush, “But no, the thought never crossed my mind.”

“You’re really naive, aren’t you?” The tone of her voice made it seem like I had failed some sort of test, as she took a nibble of her own serving.

“No, but you are my student, Niko. If I am suspicious of you, I have failed as a teacher. I should always trust in my students.” I finished off the treat as I completed the sentence.

She looked completely taken aback at that, “What if students abuse that trust? You can’t just assume there are no bad apples.”

“Of course there might be. But until they reveal themselves, stereotyping them or treating them differently through what I have not witnessed firsthand is unfair to them.” I explained, taking a sip of the tea, “This is also really good, by the way. Did you make it as well?”

“Yes I did.” She responded reflexively, still obviously thinking about what I said.

“You are very talented, Niko.” I told her, completely honestly, “You would make an amazing cook if you decided to go for that career.”

“Haha, there’s a funny thought. No no, I enjoy working with SRT but I decided to learn how to cook and do chores because…” She trailed off, cheeks reddening before she shook her head, long ears flopping with the motion, “Never mind that! You knew who I was, Sensei?”

“Of course I did.” I replied, “I read up on every SRT student before I sent the GSC my suggestion. I know about Kurumi and Otagi as well. I also read up on RABBIT squad, I can’t wait to meet all of them.”

She stared at me, before slowly taking a sip of her tea and speaking, “Normally when an instructor says that it’s because they have a mission or some special training planned. But you just really want to meet them to get to know them, don’t you?”

“Of course. What sort of teacher or leader would I be if I didn’t connect with those I was responsible for?” I smiled, taking another relaxed bite.

“You’re so certain that we will accept your offer then?” She pressed, causing me to shake my head.

“I would still be responsible for you even if you denied my offer. I am the only active teacher in Kivotos, that means that every student is my responsibility. I hope you do accept, of course, but I won’t force you either way.” I explained, causing her to sigh.

“You are a really strange adult, you know that?”

I laughed in response, “I’ve been hearing that quite often lately. But I would rather be a strange adult than an evil one.”

“I see.” She looked at me as she said that, a discerning look in her eye.

I decided to poke at her a bit, seeing that look, “Did you get the information you wanted, Niko? Was this visit as enlightening as you hoped?”

She shifted at that, obviously not expected to be called out for her rather obvious fishing as blatantly as I did, “Yes Sensei. I have a better sense of who you are now.”

“Did it fix your concerns? If you have any worries about me, I would be happy to hear them.” I didn’t look at her as I said this, looking back at the screens instead and furrowing my brow as something caught my eye.

“You really are a strange adult.” She responded, a smile obvious from her tone, “But I don’t think you are a bad one.”

I turned back to her, the new connection making a disturbing amount of sense in my mind.

I forced a smile on my face, one that was actually genuine from the compliment, “I’m glad to hear it. Now, these inarizushi that you made, did you learn how to make them yourself or did you follow a recipe?”

She paused at the topic change, before she started to speak, a happy look entering her eyes as she did so, “Oh, well there is a funny story about those, actually. You see, Hyakkiyako have this story about a Fox God that eats them, so I thought it would be a funny prank to make some for Yukino and give them to her like a shrine offering…”

We sat there for the next half an hour, trading stories about our hobbies and interests, with her speaking often about her squad mates. She seemed to harbour a deep affection for them, something that likely motivated her to carry out this solo mission, but it still warmed my heart to see one of my students to happy about their friends and activities.

Our discussion came to an end when she looked at her watch and started, “Oh, it’s gotten so late. I need to head back to the dorm.”

She moved to gather up the boxes and trays before being stopped by my voice, “Absolutely not.”

“Sensei?” Her voice was confused.

“I will not allow a young girl to walk home alone so late at night. The Office has an attached bedroom, you can sleep there for the night, then I will walk you home safely in the morning.” I was firm in this something she seemingly realised as she decided not to argue the point.

“Well that’s fine, but then where would you sleep, Sensei?” She asked.

I smiled, “I will take the couch. Don’t worry about it, I’ve done it before.”

She did, in fact, worry about it. After a long argument, I eventually managed to convince her to take the bed, allowing me to sigh in relief as soon as the door to the room closed.

I turned back to the screen that had caught my eye, the coincidence too large to ignore. Written on the glowing rectangle was Arona’s calculation of all the funds that had been routed through different branches and banks before arriving in Problem Solver’s account. The number was familiar to me, but brought disturbing possibilities to mind.

After all, what were the chances that Problem Solver had provided the exact same amount of money that the FTF needed to gather for their interest repayments?

Correlation was not causation, but this coincidence seemed a bit too large to ignore.