The current time was already five days later.
During these five days, Haramura Makoto had been in a state of vacation as he'd said, not reporting to the Leo base.
And during these five days, he certainly hadn't been idle.
Instead, as he'd promised Shokuhou Misaki, he went to Tokiwadai almost every day to take her out for walks.
It's just that sometimes, during these walks, the destination would change direction.
On the first day, he walked Shokuhou Misaki and ended up at a karaoke place.
(Mm, Shokuhou Misaki had quite a nice voice.)
On the second day, he walked Shokuhou Misaki and ended up at an amusement park.
(Uh, Shokuhou Misaki was quite timid, always liking to hide against him.)
On the third day, he walked Shokuhou Misaki and ended up at an aquarium.
(Shokuhou Misaki's courage was even smaller—even though they were just small sharks in the aquarium tanks, she still clung tightly to his arm, not daring to let go.)
On the fourth day, he walked Shokuhou Misaki and ended up at a movie theater...
Just like that, Haramura Makoto had spent such trying days that severely tested his willpower.
Having experienced such trials, he could pat his chest and declare that his willpower had risen another level.
Close to the start of the school term, Shokuhou Misaki had important matters to handle today.
"The clothes should have been delivered by now."
"It's a shame I don't have time today, otherwise I'd want to confirm them in person."
From the other end of the phone came Shokuhou Misaki's clear, bright voice, while Haramura Makoto, following her instructions, kept changing between the several sets of clothes on the bed.
There were formal suits, casual daily wear, and athletic sportswear.
The variety was comprehensive—just this pile delivered was almost enough for Haramura Makoto to wear for a year.
"I'm taking photos for you, aren't I?"
He quickly changed into the only suit, walked to the full-length mirror in the bedroom, and took a photo with a click to send to Shokuhou Misaki.
This was the task Shokuhou Misaki had assigned him—to try on all the clothes and take photos of each one to send to her.
"So troublesome. Why does Academy City, such a high-tech place, develop technology in such strange directions?"
Only on the third outfit change, Haramura Makoto was already getting impatient.
But what he said was indeed true.
This city's development direction was strangely severe—not even including supernatural abilities in the comparison range.
Fully automatic cleaning robots and virtual image materialization—such unreasonable things could be manufactured.
But phones were still flip phones, and furniture was all old-style furniture, not smart furniture.
Not to mention self-driving cars and the like.
Obviously, no matter how you looked at it, fully automatic cleaning robots and virtual image materialization technology should be much harder to develop, but it was just this bizarre.
"Don't complain."
"Besides, there are only ten sets of clothing in total. Hurry up and take the photos."
"If everything looks good, I plan to establish a long-term cooperation with this designer and have him specialize in your clothing."
On the other end of the phone, Shokuhou Misaki's fingers were also moving rapidly.
While talking to Haramura Makoto, she saved every photo from the picture messages and set the photo of him wearing the yellow casual outfit as her phone wallpaper.
Then she struck a very cute pose herself and took a photo with a click, sending it to Haramura Makoto.
"Hm? What did you send me?"
The phone was on the bed and he hadn't looked at it; Haramura Makoto was still changing into new clothes.
"Remember to set that photo as your wallpaper."
Entering into that kind of relationship was still too early, but from now on, she would gradually enter this man's life bit by bit.
This was Shokuhou Misaki's little scheme, and also her strategy.
"Boss, someone wants to see you."
In the small compartment within the office, Komaba Reid's voice was as booming as always from Haramura Makoto's usual rest room.
Even with a room in between, the sound could still carry this well.
"I'll send you the remaining clothes when I have time. There's something I need to handle now."
Komaba Reid's voice was like a divine reprieve for Haramura Makoto. He hurriedly finished speaking and hung up the phone without even waiting for Shokuhou Misaki's response.
On the other end of the phone, Shokuhou Misaki was suddenly stunned, then said with slight dissatisfaction on her face:
"Really, that excuse was way too lame."
The scene shifted back to the Leo base.
Haramura Makoto was already lying lazily on his reclining chair that could be laid flat, with both feet crossed and propped up on the office desk without any regard for image.
"Physically and mentally exhausted."
"More tiring than taking Shokuhou to exercise, and it makes me feel mentally tired too."
He let out a long breath, then picked up the intercom phone on the desk.
"Someone wants to see me—who is it?"
"I don't remember having any appointments scheduled for today."
His office was almost equivalent to nonexistent. Given his current status level, he almost always took the initiative to visit others.
So this was quite a rare occurrence.
"Boss, it's Freyja's sister. She requested to meet with you."
Komaba Reid's voice sounded very low. Although he hadn't said anything else yet, this sister of Freyja's seemed to give him a not-very-good impression or feeling.
"Freyja's sister?"
"The one you mentioned who seems to be deeply involved in Academy City's darkness?"
Haramura Makoto immediately had an impression. Freyja had been brought over by Komaba Reid from the original organization.
For a seven or eight-year-old girl to appear in a powerless gang, he naturally had to ask about the detailed circumstances.
Later he learned that Freyja's parents were both dead, but she still had a sister.
This sister was often nowhere to be seen, always seeming busy with something, but every so often she would meet with Freyja and give Komaba Reid some living expenses for her.
So Komaba Reid had a certain understanding of her.
He had also seen Freyja's sister a few times, while Haramura Makoto, who had never escorted Freyja anywhere, naturally had never met her.
"Yes."
"And according to my guess, her purpose for coming this time may not be with benevolent intentions."
"Boss, if necessary, I can refuse her right now."
"Is she with Freyja right now?"
Stroking his chin, Haramura Makoto didn't agree with Komaba Reid's suggestion and continued asking.
"Yes, because you were busy with something, I asked her to wait in the reception room first, accompanied by Freyja."
"Alright, I'll go over there."