Serina jogged up to me, tilting her cute, delicate face upward, her eyes filled with gentle affection as she spoke in a voice as soft as water:
"Sensei, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you here."
You'd better be telling the truth about that coincidence!
Facing the angelic purity of Serina's appearance, I couldn't help but feel a little unnerved.
It wasn't that I suddenly found her unattractive, it was that Serina was just a bit too intimidating.
She held the record for the fastest conquest so far, could easily conceal her feelings, and then always appeared at exactly the right moment… and she had pink hair to top it off.
Once could be a coincidence, but two, three, or more times?
I had originally planned to give a few casual greetings and make a quick exit, but as I looked at her pitiful, earnest expression, so clearly genuine in its delight, I softened and changed my mind.
I smoothly drew my gaze away from her perfectly lined white stockings, my Adam's apple moving slightly, and returned her smile with my warmest:
"Yes, it really is quite the coincidence!"
I felt suddenly that fate could sometimes be that random. I shouldn't make baseless assumptions, or let uncertain matters distance me from a valuable student.
Besides, Serina had sent me a selfie... such a considerate, thoughtful child couldn't have any ill intentions.
Serina covered her mouth with a small laugh. "Ehehe∼ it's a little embarrassing∼"
Under the dim yellow light, her slightly flushed cheeks from shyness made my heart flutter.
I thought to myself, I might… hmm… never mind, I'd better just observe for now.
"By the way, Serina, what are you doing out here so late?"
"I was busy at the hospital today. The volunteer activity just ended."
Her explanation was flawless, and she then asked with concern, "Sensei, how about you? Just back from work?"
"Yes."
After infiltrating a vicious criminal organization, gathering intelligence, and reporting them to be taken down, I could answer that without guilt, it really was work.
"Mm, Sensei really works hard. You should also take care of yourself, health is the most important thing!"
Having such a cute girl so earnestly remind me melted my heart. I nodded eagerly in agreement.
Serina smiled, squinting her eyes, then seemed to remember something:
"Then… Sensei hasn't eaten dinner yet, right?"
"Yes, but I'm about to… is there a problem?"
Seeing her hesitate, I asked.
The angelic girl faltered for a moment, as if gathering courage, and then shyly lifted a bag in her hand:
"I-if you don't mind, would you like to try my bento?"
…Ah?
I couldn't help but doubt for a moment and replied gently, "Wouldn't that be a problem? If I eat your bento, what will you eat?"
"Oh, it's fine! I actually made it for two people." Serina explained, "I had originally planned to eat with Hanae, but I didn't expect today to be so busy. We got a message from the president, but I couldn't leave my duties at the hospital, so I let Hanae go home first."
Reasonable and convincing.
"It's late, your school must be close to curfew, right?" I shook my head.
"Unfortunately, yes, but let's save it for another time."
"That's alright. Since we're part of the Remedial Knights, occasionally not following curfew isn't a problem."
As she spoke, Serina suddenly adopted a pitiful expression: "I got up early and spent a long time making this. If Sensei doesn't eat it, the extra will just have to be thrown away… such a waste…"
I studied her closely, searching for any hint of manipulation, but found nothing.
I didn't know whether she was just that skilled, or if I was being paranoid.
But at this point, refusing would hurt her feelings.
I couldn't bear to let something so trivial hurt the heart of a girl the cards had already judged as successfully conquered.
"…Alright."
After some hesitation, I agreed. Serina's face immediately lit up with pure joy, and she followed me closely.
Before long, we returned to the Schale living quarters.
Serina sat demurely, a little reserved, on the sofa, curiously glancing around. I heated the bento in the microwave, then brought two cups of unsweetened oolong tea to her side, handing her one.
"Please forgive my poor hospitality."
"Thank you." Serina politely sipped from the cup.
The more I looked at her, the cuter she seemed.
Soon, the bento was heated. After letting it cool slightly, we sat across from each other at the dining table, sampling her cooking.
Every aspect, from the delicate presentation to the exquisite taste, far surpassed store-bought mass products, and the satisfaction it brought was greater.
After enjoying the meal, I praised her: "Your cooking is exquisite. Serina, you'll surely make an excellent bride someday."
Though I thought, too many future wives skilled in cooking could become quite troublesome for me.
"Ehehe∼ I'm glad you like it, Sensei∼"
Serina cleared away the bento boxes and dishes, taking them to the kitchen sink. Realizing what she intended, I quickly got up. "Let me do it. Since I tasted your cooking, I should handle the cleaning."
"No, it's fine. I'll do it myself. Sensei, you've worked hard all day; please rest now."
As we exchanged polite refusals, the faucet turned on, and a droplet landed precisely on my wrist, yet I didn't feel the cold.
"Ah, sorry."
Serina took a new, equally cute bandage from her pocket and replaced the one Sena had applied, which had gotten wet.
After being gently shooed for being too cautious about water, I sat on the sofa lost in thought. The more I considered it, the more I realized that her care had probably not been accidental.
But such little gestures were endearing, so I chose not to dwell on them.
When the water stopped running, the dishes were done. I thought it was time to get Serina back to school.
Yet suddenly, a pair of soft, delicate hands pressed against my shoulders, catching me completely off guard.
How is she walking silently?
Serina leaned close to my ear, her voice full of concern: "Your muscles are a bit stiff… for your health, let me give you a massage, okay?"
I wanted to sharply refuse, but her technique was so comfortably effective it was hard to resist.
"But… curfew…"
"It's fine. There's still some time before curfew, and it will be finished by then."
At her assurance, I hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, but make sure it ends before curfew."
"Mm, don't worry∼"
I don't know how long passed, but I rested my head on Serina's lap, enjoying the gentle patting of my head while my hand brushed over her warm, soft, pure white thighs, lost in thought.
"…Isn't it curfew yet?"
Serina giggled, leaning close to whisper in my ear, "That kind of thing, Serina doesn't know about∼"
…Well, this isn't bad either.
I stopped thinking, took a deep breath of the sweet air, and closed my eyes.