"Why did you set up a casino on campus?"
There was a hint of disappointment in Yuuka's voice. "Didn't you say you would devote yourselves to club activities and produce results solid enough for even me to accept?"
More than anyone, I understood how the girl who handled the disbursement of club funds always acted like the villain at Millennium, yet was in truth gentle, kind, and always in a worry.
Even though she was naturally tsundere and bad at expressing herself, she must have cared about and held hopes for the Game Development Club deep inside.
Otherwise, with how bleak the club's current state was, in a school that believed every study could become the foundation for solving the Seven Great Mysteries and therefore showed extreme tolerance toward researchers, any club with no results and not even a proper number of members should have been abolished long ago.
Momoi pouted miserably in frustration. "Uu… we were just trying to produce club results. Even though we failed…"
"This is clearly just causing trouble. And before occupying school resources on your own, you didn't even report it to the Seminar."
Yuuka's eyes gleamed with probing intent as she looked at the two who, unlike Momoi, were not protesting nonstop but instead hung their heads while being scolded.
"Even if Momoi is an idiot, Midori! Yuzu! You two should have been aware of what you were doing, right?"
Indeed, judging from their reactions earlier.
The idea was probably Momoi's. The other two knew it was wrong, yet instead of stopping her, they helped her.
Yuuka must have already guessed this, she only wanted them to admit it themselves.
…Why does she sound more and more like a mom?
"Who are you calling an idiot!"
Ignoring Momoi's protest, Yuuka quietly fixed her gaze on the other two members of the Game Development Club.
"It's fine, say it. Don't worry," I said, sensing that Yuuka's pressure might be too much, so I played the good cop. "Since she asked me to come, it means she isn't planning to push this too far, right?"
"…Hmph, that depends on whether they are genuinely reflecting."
Although Yuuka's tone was tsundere and awkward as usual, Midori and Yuzu still relaxed a little.
Sometimes silence after doing something wrong is nothing more than fear of an unknown punishment.
After exchanging a glance, Midori whispered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's.
"We… wanted to raise some funds for game development…"
Exactly what I expected.
Yuuka sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead, clearly thinking the same. "Honestly. Even with you three being like this, the Seminar didn't cut your activity budget this quarter, right?"
Momoi muttered, "That small budget's not enough for anything."
Yuuka raised an eyebrow. "And whose fault is it that you have no club results?"
"If the budget is that small, how can we produce results?"
"If you produce no results, how am I supposed to give you more budget?"
Cutting off Momoi's pointless loop, Yuuka finally snapped. "Millennium has always judged by results. And even if your funds were insufficient, does that give you the right to violate school rules? If Asuna-senpai hadn't happened to walk by and won all your chips the moment your casino opened, you would have been suspended!"
Wait, what did she just say about a gambling prodigy?
I wondered if I had misheard something.
Momoi hesitated, then said weakly, "But Asuna-senpai still turned around and reported us to you…"
Yuuka let out a furious laugh. "What else should she have done? Wait until you make a second batch of chips and blow the whole thing up? Don't make me laugh. If you're short on money, then go get a part time job. Use your energy in the right direction, like other clubs facing the same budget problems."
Momoi looked like she wanted to argue, but someone beat her to it.
"I'm-I'm sorry!"
Everyone turned toward the trembling voice.
Yuzu stood pale faced, teary eyed, gasping softly as she stumbled over her apology.
"I'm sorry… everyone only did this to take care of me… I'm really sorry… as-as the club president, I allowed this to happen… I convinced myself it wasn't a big deal… I enjoyed everyone helping me… I…"
"Hey, Yuzu, don't get so worked up."
Yuuka tried to calm her in a fluster.
But after a quick breath, Yuzu shut her eyes tight. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her trembling voice suddenly rose.
"It's all… all my fault alone. So please, just blame me. It has nothing to do with Momoi or Midori. Even if, even if it means suspension, I…"
Clatter.
Two buckets tipped over on the floor, spilling clear water everywhere.
It was Momoi, letting go of them and grabbing Yuzu's shoulders. "What are you talking about? I was the one who came up with it, and I pushed ahead even when you objected. If anyone should be punished, it's me!"
"B-but… everyone… I…" Yuzu could hardly speak through her sobs.
Seeing this scene, Yuuka's expression twisted a little, awkward and hesitant, as if she wanted to explain something.
Clatter again.
This time Midori stepped forward, imitating her sister as she took Yuzu's hand. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't sincerely try to stop my sister, and I knew your personality would make you go along with us. I should be the one punished… please forgive my foolish sister and timid Yuzu."
As she spoke, Midori too began sniffling softly.
Yuzu opened her tear blurred eyes, moved. "Everyone… uu… thank you… thank you… but this is the president's responsibility…"
Seeing both of them crying, Momoi, who had not cried yet, froze for a moment, then her eyes reddened and she burst into tears.
"I am not dumb! I'm not dumb!"
You're crying over the wrong thing.
I had been touched by the genuine friendship among the girls of the Game Development Club, yet thanks to Momoi's outburst, I nearly laughed in this touching moment.
Still, looking at the three huddled together crying and recalling their words, I gained a new understanding.
That they tried to raise money in such a reckless way, especially the twins, certainly stemmed from immaturity, but it also held a bit of their desire to help a friend.
Only now did I sense that Yuzu's social anxiety might be far worse than I thought, maybe even born from some past trauma.
I didn't know the details since I rarely interacted with her, but Yuuka probably knew more.
"Wait a minute!"
Helpless, Yuuka shouted. "I told you I'm not planning to come down hard on you. Stop crying like I'm about to torment you."
But the girls only cried louder.
With them sobbing so fiercely, intervening forcefully would be awkward, so Yuuka let out a bitter sigh and grumbled to me, "I'm used to being the villain, but this is the first time I've seen something like this. I must look ridiculous to you."
I shook my head with a smile. "It's because you're a good girl, Yuuka."
"W-what are you saying?!"
Just a simple compliment was enough to make the Committee's accountant blush to her ears.
But Yuuka's embarrassment did not mean I had to stay out of this.
I was also a member of the Game Development Club, after all.
So, right in front of Yuuka, I stepped forward and placed both hands on the twins' heads, rubbing gently.
"You three, calm down first. Listen to what Yuuka wants to say."
"Uu… Sensei…!"
Catching me off guard, Momoi lunged into my chest, rubbing tears and snot all over my clothes.
My clothes. Momoi. Every time I try to show you affection, you do something like this.
Look at your sister Midori, she would never…
Then Midori noticed her sister's behavior. Her crying stopped at once. She blinked, thought for a moment, then came over as well. She grabbed my clothes and rested her forehead against me, continuing to cry.
…Fine, at least she's better than Momoi.
I lowered my expectations silently.
I looked toward Yuzu, who had stopped crying and still held two buckets without spilling a drop. Our eyes met, her pale violet gaze clear and earnest.
But only for a moment. Like a startled fawn, Yuzu looked away shyly, glanced up, then averted her gaze again, torn between wanting and fearing to meet my eyes.
"Hey. Let go of Sensei already."
Unable to take it anymore, Yuuka grabbed Momoi by the collar. "Can't you see how troubled he looks?"
From the twins' angle, they probably really couldn't.
And from Yuuka's angle, was my expression troubled, not pleased?
"Uu… fine then!" Dragged off me, Momoi's face hardened like she was heading for execution. "O merciless master of arithmetic, do what you will. No matter the punishment, Saiba Momoi will bear it alone!"
Honestly, she looked kind of cool for a second. Must be my imagination.
Yuuka sighed. "Why are you all misunderstanding everything?"
"Eh?" Midori's eyes brightened with hope. "Do you really not plan to punish us?"
"Well, not exactly."
Perhaps showing a little mischievous side, Yuuka smiled lightly at the three nervous girls whose faces were still streaked with tears. "You did something wrong, so of course there must be consequences. Reward and punishment have always been Millennium's rule, I'm sure you understand."
Yuzu swallowed hard. "S-so, then, since I'm the president…"
Midori quickly added, "I had the ability to stop it and didn't. I'm the true culprit."
Momoi protested, "Hey. I'm the mastermind. Don't talk like I'm some idiot being used by Midori."
Whether you were used or not, I don't know, but idiot seems accurate.
Though that really is part of Momoi's charm.
I stared down at the mess on my clothes and comforted myself not to take it out on her.
"Stop arguing," Yuuka interrupted. "Since the Game Development Club is so united, you'll share the punishment."
"Guh. You devil!"
"Hehe, call me whatever you like."
Now that the mood had shifted enough, Yuuka finally delivered the verdict in an offhand tone.
"Each of you will write a three thousand word reflection, do three days of community service, and clean up the pile of construction waste you left around campus."
The girls exchanged glances, disbelief written across their faces.
See, Yuuka really was gentle.
From the beginning she had intended to forgive them, as long as they understood their mistakes.
"Remember this is only because you didn't have time to cause real trouble. Next time I won't be lenient. Understood?"
She kept up her stubborn tsundere front, refusing to admit her kindness.
But the club members surely understood.
"I can't believe it!" Momoi exclaimed. "That Yuuka is being so kind. Is it because the Sensei is here?"
…Momoi was truly fearless.
Yuuka inhaled deeply and smiled sweetly. "Mm hmm. I changed my mind. Momoi, you said earlier you would take full responsibility, right?"
"Eh?" Momoi blinked. Something felt wrong.
"Midori and Yuzu can skip their reflections. In exchange…"
Yuuka narrowed her eyes pleasantly. "Momoi, you will hand in ten thousand words."
"Why!"
Momoi panicked.
Yuuka shot her a sidelong look, chuckling coldly. "What's wrong? Are you taking back your words already?"
"Of course not!" Momoi waved her arms furiously. "Three people's reflections are nine thousand words. Why is it ten thousand? You don't think I can multiply three by three thousand? No, wait, this is your calculation error!"
Yuuka shook her head. "My calculation is flawless. The extra thousand is a reward for your courage. Any complaints?"
"Uu. This is unfair. You cruel devil!"
I handed wet wipes to Yuzu and Midori as I watched Yuuka and Momoi bicker, smiling quietly.
At that moment the door suddenly opened.
A black haired, red eyed beauty stepped in. Seeing the water pooled on the floor, she frowned slightly, then scanned the room. Her gaze landed on Yuuka.
"What is going on here?"
The president of the Seminar, Tsukatsuki Rio, asked with a blank expression.