OST: Blue Archive OST 4. Lovely Picnic
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—Outside the back door of the Shiba Seki Ramen—
I leaned against the wall, phone in one hand, typing a message.
Me: So far, all safe.
Kirino: Good.
Kirino: Sensei, if anything happens, I'll rush in for the rescue right away!
Me: So reliable, I'm starting to look forward to an accident.
Kirino: Eh?
Me: Because I want to see Kirino in action.
At that moment, the back door opened, and from the soft glow of light stepped Serika, now dressed in her school uniform.
Since Abydos's layout was too complex to explain in a few words, I had no choice but to wait until Serika finished work and have her guide me to Abydos High School.
"Let's go, Sensei. I've already contacted the other members of the Foreclosure Task Force, they'll be gathering at the school."
Her practiced customer-service smile vanished, replaced by her usual self, looking a bit fierce.
She snapped at me again, her tone sharp. "Sensei, don't forget, we only 'happened' to meet on my way home, got it? If anyone finds out I'm working part-time, I won't let you off easy!"
For some reason, Serika really didn't want her classmates knowing she had a job. I was curious about why, but it would be far too impolite to ask someone I'd only just met.
So I smiled and nodded. "Next time I come to Shiba Seki Ramen, recommend me your favorite dish. That'll be my hush money."
"U-uh… i-if you behave, then maybe… Anyway! Let's go already, don't keep everyone waiting!"
With her head down, she marched ahead. I followed close behind.
We walked for twenty to thirty minutes before her steps finally slowed at a crossroads.
I thought we had arrived, but then she turned, her face lighting up as she waved. "Shiroko! Over here!"
A gray-haired girl with wolf ears came pedaling quickly toward us on a bicycle.
She dismounted gracefully, hands still on the handlebars.
"Good evening, Serika. Mm… you must be Sensei from Schale. A pleasure, I'm Sunaookami Shiroko, second year at Abydos High."
Perhaps because her expression barely changed, Shiroko's face gave off a cool impression.
She wore a reverse-cross hairpin, and though it wasn't winter, she had a scarf wrapped around her neck. Looking closer, I noticed her eyes seemed mismatched one black, one white.
"Were you out cycling, Shiroko?"
"Yes. As soon as I got the message, I hurried back."
Shiroko pushed her bike along, walking beside me, speaking with Serika across me, then turned her gaze to me.
"Sensei, the school isn't far ahead. Did you come all the way on foot?"
"Yes."
"You must be tired… It's hard to get a taxi here, buses stopped running years ago, and there's no gas station either. Transportation is quite inconvenient. If you don't mind, I can lend you my spare bicycle."
That really did sound like a good idea.
But since I'd only be here a few days, just dealing with a few punks, there wasn't much need.
A little while later, I finally arrived at the long-sought Abydos High School.
The ground was scattered with yellow sand that hadn't been swept away, even at the front gate. The buildings inside, while tidy enough, looked worn and old.
Led by Serika and Shiroko, we entered the school, climbed the stairs, walked down the corridor, and finally pushed open the door to a clubroom.
Inside were already three others, just as Serika had described earlier:
Short black hair, red-framed glasses, pointed ears, a neat and gentle face but looking nervous, Okusora Ayane.
Long flaxen hair, ample chest, gentle and serene, offering her lap as a pillow to another, Izayoi Nonomi.
And lastly, lying on those soft thighs, eyes closed in bliss, a petite pink-haired girl, Takanashi Hoshino.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back, Shiroko-Senpai, Serika." Ayane stood quickly, looking at me, her excitement and anxiety barely contained. "You must be…?"
"Hello everyone. I'm the Sensei from Schale of the Independent Federal Investigation Club."
Ayane exhaled in deep relief.
Nonomi smiled. "Wow, so our request for support really was accepted. That's wonderful, right, Hoshino-chan?"
"Uheeeee~"
The pink-haired girl yawned, then finally opened her eyes, revealing heterochromatic pupils, one gold and one blue. With a drowsy voice, she murmured,
"Yeah… thanks Papa for coming back, Mama can finally get a proper sleep…"
"Hey, hey! Don't make weird jokes like that! You're going to confuse Sensei! And Hoshino, you always sleep whenever you feel like it anyway!" Serika snapped.
In short, the Foreclosure Task Force gave me a warm welcome, introducing themselves and their roles. We had made our first acquaintance.
And from there, the real matter of the request began.
"As for the ammunition resupply, it'll be delivered by helicopter shortly."
I sent Kaiser Industries the delivery coordinates, then showed the others the supply list on my phone. "Since I didn't know exactly how much or what you needed, I only ordered this much for the first batch. Take a look and see if anything else is required."
Ayane grew excited again. "This much? Sensei, thank you so much for your support! With these supplies, we can hold out for months!"
"A few months from now, the Helmet Gang won't have the patience to keep attacking us. That's such a relief."
"Truly fortunate. All thanks to Sensei."
"Ahaha, Sensei, we really appreciate it."
Their gratitude filled me with quiet satisfaction, though outwardly I only replied humbly that I was simply fulfilling my duty as an adult, hardly worth mentioning.
The girls then launched into an animated discussion, their voices bright with dreams of a future free from bullying. The atmosphere rose in hope.
And then, as the buzz of helicopter rotors grew clearer, excitement took hold of everyone. Three or four small hands clutched mine or tugged at my sleeve, and together we hurried downstairs.
The transport helicopter descended slowly onto the Abydos schoolyard, its prop wash kicking up yellow sand.
Before our eager eyes, the hatch opened.
A dozen black muzzles pointed our way.
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OST: Blue Archive OST 5. Colorful Mess
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Students in steel helmets, rifles raised, aiming at us.
The next instant, the triggers pulled, bullets flying for it only to slam into a square shield.
Hoshino, as if expecting it all along, had dashed forward in a flash, deploying her collapsible ballistic shield to block the first barrage.
Her voice was languid as ever, but carried command.
"Everyone, counterattack."
At once, Shiroko, Serika, and Nonomi raised their guns and moved forward, while Ayane retreated to provide support.
Only Hoshino stayed in place, shaking her head with weary resignation.
"My, my… to think it would turn out like this… Hmm, how should I put it…"
She turned, pointing her gun at me.
Her eyes no longer drowsy, but ice cold.
"Not going to explain?" Hoshino asked calmly. "Sen~sei~?"
The delightful collapse-opening was achieved!
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P.S: Lemme know if the song rec is getting annoying.