After returning to Schale, I received a new message from Kazusa on Momotalk.
Kazusa: Sensei, did you make it back safely?
Me: Yeah.
Kazusa: That was a fast reply… Looks like everything's fine then.
Kazusa: I'm already back in my room now, wondering if I should go take a bath.
…Huh? Where did that come from?
Just as I was staring blankly at my screen, Kazusa seemed to realize what she'd just said.
Kazusa: Ah…
Kazusa: Why did I even have to tell you something like that…
Kazusa: Ugh...
Exactly my thoughts. Was she starting to get interested in me? The idea was a little baffling, but I couldn't help grinning at my phone.
Setting aside the "Box of Nonsense" and all that, as long as you don't get yourself into trouble on your first day out, Kivotos is actually a pretty great place to live.
Kazusa: …Forget it, Sensei. Don't mind me. I just thought I should say something, that's all.
Sure, sure. Whatever you say. You might be able to fool the teacher, but don't end up fooling yourself. If you trick me, worst case, I'll just find another student to chat with. But if you end up missing me and regretting it under your blanket, don't say I didn't warn you.
Kazusa: Anyway, thank you so much for today, Sensei!
Me: No need to thank me. It's part of my job. As long as I could help you, Kazusa, I'm satisfied.
Kazusa: …Honestly. You're saying that kind of misleading thing again. If you really end up getting attacked someday, don't say I didn't warn you, okay?
Is there a chance, and I'm just saying a chance that I have already been attacked?
Well, considering I managed to reverse the attack from the ever-scheming Hoshino, I suppose it worked out.
Kazusa: Alright then, see you later.
Compared to Kazusa, the other girls from the Sweets Club sent much more ordinary messages. After replying seriously to all of them, I went back to work.
Voluntarily working overtime until late at night, exhausted and unpaid, was… strangely addictive.
Sure, part of it was because I'd ditched work earlier to go hang out with girls, but still… wasn't the General Student Council partly to blame for giving me this mountain of paperwork in the first place?
Me: Rin-chan, have you ever seen the office at 11 p.m.?
Rin: ?
Rin: Pretty much every night. Why?
Rin: And also, who's "Rin-chan"…?
Ah... sorry for disturbing the queen of overtime herself. I'd almost forgotten who the real workaholic was here.
No matter. That wouldn't stop me from carrying out my plan.
Me: [Image]
Me: Rin-chan, I'm still working right now, you know! I've already done so much!
Rin: You've worked hard. I'm still working too, so let's both keep it up.
Me: Then shouldn't Rin-chan give me a little reward for my hard work?
Rin: …What?
Rin: Hm… What kind of reward are you hoping for? If you're applying for a performance bonus, please submit the appropriate paperwork to Chief Oki.
Me: No, no, that's not it.
Me: I just want a pair of Rin-chan's used stockings.
Rin: ???
Rin: Hold on. Let me just check, was that a typo or are you so tired you've lost your mind? Maybe take a break first?
Me: How rude. I'm perfectly clear-headed right now.
Rin: Clear-headed people don't make that kind of request! Unbelievable! What's going on in that head of yours?! What would you even do with something like that?!
Me: Please, I'm begging you! It's my one lifelong wish!
Rin: Then your life must already be completely hopeless! Forget it! I absolutely refuse!
Me: …I see. Sorry, I was being rude making such an inappropriate request. That was out of line.
A few minutes passed before I got a reply.
Rin: My tone earlier might have been too harsh. I apologize for that. But please reflect on your behavior, Sensei.
We're not in the kind of relationship where requests like that are acceptable.
Looks like Rin had calmed down. Her words still carried a sharp edge, but that was exactly the effect I wanted.
Me: I really am sorry. Work's been so stressful lately… Whenever I feel like I'm about to collapse, I think of you, Rin-chan.
Me: Ever since the GSC President disappeared, you've taken up the acting leader's responsibilities, working tirelessly every day for the people of Kivotos. I genuinely admire that.
Me: It's because I have you as a role model that I can keep pushing myself to help ease your burden, Rin-chan.
Rin: First of all, I don't think what I do is anything extraordinary. I'm simply fulfilling my duties.
I appreciate the compliment, but there's no need for such flattery, I don't particularly enjoy it.
Rin: Secondly… for the record, the workload I assigned to Schale isn't that overwhelming.
And also… what does any of that have to do with you wanting my....
Me: You've heard of the saying "to remember someone through their belongings," right?
Rin: …
Rin:Sigh.
Rin: In any case, my answer's still no.
Me: Then… could you at least send me a photo? Please?
Rin: …
Rin: [Image]
Rin: Look at it and delete it right away. Just this once. Don't expect a next time.
Me: Rin-chan, I love you!
Rin: Don't say such frivolous things. I'm going back to work now. You should rest soon too.
Rin: Also… who the heck is "Rin-chan"?
Another addition to my secret collection!
That, my friends, is the perfect blend of "push-pull psychology" and the "broken window theory."
Of course, the key prerequisite is that there's already some level of goodwill involved.
I'll admit there was some gambling in my approach, but it paid off.
When it comes from a total stranger, this sort of behavior is creepy harassment. But if it's from someone a girl already has a positive impression of, and you back it up with a reasonable-sounding excuse and a few flattering words, it can actually work.
In such cases, even slightly inappropriate or suggestive requests can be interpreted as compliments to her charm. Instead of lowering her affection, it might even increase it.
I added a new keepsake to my collection, Rin relieved some stress, and our bond grew stronger. That's what I call a win-win!
When a beautiful boss dumps too much work on you, this is exactly how you handle it.
After admiring Rin's selfie for a while longer, I happily got back to work.
I'd said I wanted to ease Rin's burden, and I wasn't just saying that, otherwise, it would betray the trust and reward she'd given me, right?
And helping other students was also a way to reduce the Student Council's workload, arguably even more important than my paperwork.
But then, just as I thought the night was over, I got another message, from someone I'd never expected to contact me first.
Mika: …
Mika: Sensei, are you still awake?
It was Mika, the one who usually treated me with the coldest attitude.
Me: I'm still up. What's the matter?
Mika: …
Mika: You owe me a favor, don't you?
Me: Of course. I haven't forgotten.
Mika: Good.
Mika: Then… you'll repay me, right?
Me: Naturally. But… why bring it up now?
Mika: …It's nothing.
Mika: I'll contact you when the time comes.
Mika: Please don't forget your promise.
After that cryptic exchange, she went silent again.
Since I still had unfinished paperwork and an early field assignment the next day, I set aside my curiosity and dove back into my mountain of documents.