By the time I received the message that the Gourmet Research Society had been fully apprehended, Fuuka and I were already on our way back.
Our ride was still that battered old pickup truck.
Fuuka was at the wheel. After listening to my account of what happened, she let out a relieved breath, then apologized again with deep guilt.
"Sensei, I'm really sorry. It's all because of me that you got dragged into something so troublesome."
Fuuka truly was a gentle and kind-hearted girl.
I gave her a warm smile. "It's fine. Honestly, getting caught up in incidents like this once in a while is kind of interesting."
"R… really? I don't really understand…"
Thinking back on her own experiences, Fuuka sighed with the weariness of someone far too familiar with chaos. A cloud of worry passed over her face.
Maybe it's because things like this happen to me pretty much every day. Even if I'm not kidnapped by the Gourmet Research Society, there's always someone causing problems in the cafeteria, or sneaking in to start trouble… things like that…
…Even though I already knew that students from Gehenna tended to be unique, wasn't this a bit too much uniqueness?
Fuuka's troubles shocked me, stirring both sympathy and uncertainty about how to comfort her.
But just as I was choosing my words, a soft, chiming laugh came from beside me.
"Hehe. Even though today still didn't turn out to be peaceful, I actually feel pretty happy."
Fuuka's expression softened into something serene and gentle. "Maybe it's because Sensei was with me this time. It feels like… like I finally have someone who understands what I go through. So… thank you, really."
I stared at her then, struck by how vivid and lovely she looked in that moment.
Fuuka soon noticed my gaze and flushed.
"S… Sensei, please don't look at me like that…"
I looked away and let out a dramatic sigh, head tilting in playful disappointment. "Sigh. I didn't expect someone as sweet as you to enjoy my misfortune. I'm kind of hurt."
"Eh? Wait, that's not what I meant…"
Fuuka turned hastily to explain, only to see the mischievous grin on my face.
I reminded her, Fuuka, keep your eyes on the road while driving.
"Uu… I never expected you to tease me like this, Sensei…"
Fuuka turned back to the road in a hurry, grumbling under her breath.
Then, unable to help herself, she smiled again. Her relaxed, cheerful mood was written all over her face.
I glanced discreetly at the little chef beside me, and something became undeniably clear.
I was falling for Fuuka.
"Right, Fuuka." I softened my tone. "Even if we head back now, we won't make it in time for dinner at school, will we?"
"Mm… no. Even if we parked somewhere nearby and took the closest train back, we still wouldn't make it. I can only hope nothing too big happens while I'm gone…"
The moment work came up, Fuuka's anxiety returned. She was probably worrying whether Julie could handle things and keep the cafeteria safe if anything happened.
"In that case, let's go get dinner together."
"Okay." Fuuka hesitated only for a moment before agreeing happily.
For a first date, a high-end restaurant with a night view really was the best choice…
Keeping Aru's advice in mind, I searched for nearby restaurants that matched the criteria and still had openings, only for my expression to darken.
Why is that place the only one left again?
After going back and forth, I finally decided to settle for the restaurant I had already visited twice with different students. But at that moment, my phone rang.
Confused, I picked up.
"Hello? What happened?"
"Well… how do I put this… a little unexpected situation just came up. You probably need to come back now."
I paused, then frowned. "What?"
"It's nothing much." Nero's voice on the other end sounded strange, like she was trying not to laugh. "The Gourmet Research Society pointed at you and that student tied up in the truck and insisted you two were their accomplices."
…Huh?
Utterly blindsided, I froze, and Nero continued.
"You know our mission is to make this look like an accident so your identity as our informant stays hidden, right? Since they said that, and you two were riding around in that nearly scrapyard-quality truck, if we don't pretend to arrest you, they'll definitely get suspicious."
"…I understand."
"Great! See you soon then!"
After hanging up, I clenched my teeth. Any lingering guilt I felt toward the Gourmet Research Society evaporated completely. To think they'd betray me after I betrayed… no, after I sold them out. No, wait. They framed me.
Students like this could no longer be educated through normal means. This calls for strict... correction.
"Sensei, are you alright?"
Fuuka looked at me with concern.
I pressed my fingers to my brow. "Sorry, plans changed. We're being called back by Millennium for questioning."
"I see… stuff like this happens all the time. You get used to it."
Fuuka took it as though it were perfectly routine and even comforted me. I suddenly recalled what Akari had said earlier. I'd thought she was joking.
But Fuuka might actually qualify as an expert in being kidnapped.
Not long after, an armored transport caught up from behind and forced us to stop. A few ordinary Millennium students, not wearing maid uniforms, arrested the two of us.
After a short round of questioning, Fuuka and I were handcuffed and put in the back of the transport, where we reunited with the already captured Gourmet Research Society, basking in their supposed victory.
The door shut behind us. I looked around at the girls raising their heads toward me and accused them with deep sorrow.
"I can't believe you betrayed me."
"…That didn't happen, you know?"
Haruna blinked in confusion, then suddenly understood. "We only told the maid who arrested us that Sensei was invited as our guest. We didn't betray you."
"How is that any different?"
"Wait, what about me?" Fuuka blurted.
"Hehe..."
Instead of responding, Haruna and Akari shared a knowing smile. The meaning was obvious.
"I'm a hostage too! How could you just assume I was part of your group?!"
Ignoring the flustered Fuuka, Haruna gestured to us. "Perfect timing. We were about to start our internal meeting. Come sit."
Holding a meeting without excluding us… they really did see us as part of the group.
Curious, I sat down, and Fuuka reluctantly joined. Six of us in a circle.
Everyone, Haruna said solemnly, lips parting to reveal a shocking declaration, "We have a traitor among us."