Even with Hoshino pointing a gun at me, I didn't feel alarmed. On the contrary, I felt almost eager.
Years of CQC skill refined to instinct let me assess the situation instantly. Hoshino's stance carried only intimidation, not intent to shoot, and the distance between us was close enough.
I could try to disarm her.
But judging by the speed she had just displayed, the chances of success were low.
And no matter the outcome, it would only deepen the misunderstanding between us.
With some regret, I suppressed the urge to test the effect of my Infinite Martial Training.
I raised my hands and explained, "I don't know why this happened either. All I did was hire Kaiser Corporation to airlift supplies."
"Is that sooo~? ☆ Uhee, guess I'm just a suspicious old man. Sorry, Sensei."
Hoshino laughed, but she didn't lower her gun.
Clearly, she hadn't lowered her guard against me either.
Fortunately, the fight ended quickly.
---
OST: Blue Archive OST 15. Honey Jam
---
The helmeted delinquents lasted only a short while before being completely routed. Shouting lines like "We'll be back!" straight out of a third-rate villain script, they fled in disgrace.
Serika, still seething, ran off after them. Shiroko glanced back at me, her expression conflicted, then hurried after Serika.
Nonomi climbed aboard the helicopter to check, then returned to Hoshino's side.
"Hoshino-chan, it really is a Kaiser Corporation transport chopper. There are still a few crates of ammo and supplies inside. If we ration carefully, it'll last about two weeks."
"Thanks~"
Hoshino finally lowered her gun and, calm as ever, turned to me. "Sensei~ would you mind helping us carry the heavy stuff~?"
Surprised, I nevertheless agreed.
To make such a simple request right after a standoff caused by misunderstanding, and to do so without a trace of malice, was a clear signal of reconciliation.
Takanashi Hoshino. Small in stature, yet far more mature inside than she appeared. As chairwoman of the Foreclosure Task Force, perhaps her lazy, carefree demeanor was just an act.
I could still clearly recall the cold detachment in her eyes when she had aimed her gun at me.
But before we moved the supplies, there was one thing I needed to confirm.
I snapped photos of the helicopter's interior, then called Kaiser Corporation' customer service, putting it on speaker so the girls could hear.
"I'm terribly sorry, valued customer. Our transport helicopter was hijacked by unknown armed individuals, and we failed to notify you in time…
"However, since you did not purchase cargo insurance, the company is not liable for any damages! We deeply regret the inconvenience, and out of humanitarian goodwill, we'd like to offer you a 1% discount coupon!
"A friendly reminder: the unmanned helicopter will return at the scheduled time. Please unload your cargo as soon as possible. Thank you for choosing Kaiser Corporation! Is there anything else we can help you with today?"
Kaiser Corporation, you are asking for a beating!
This grudge is written down. Rest assured, repayment will come.
I took several deep breaths to calm myself, then told Hoshino, Nonomi, and the newly arrived Ayane:
"I'll have Schale members procure more supplies through other channels and deliver them on our own helicopter. As for these, we'll just have to make do."
Before the chopper lifted off, we managed to unload nearly everything, though it was barely a tenth of what I had originally ordered, and moved it into Abydos's warehouse.
Pressed for time, we did overlook one item.
A timed bomb.
Powerful enough to destroy the helicopter. No doubt rigged by those vile helmet punks, the countdown likely set to detonate just as it reached its hangar.
I trust this little gift will properly convey my heartfelt support for Kaiser Corporation.
When we returned to the clubroom, Shiroko and Serika also came back.
The moment she saw me, Serika bristled like an angry cat. "Sensei! I can't believe you were colluding with the Helmet Gang! I was wrong to trust you!"
Clearly, she hadn't kept up with the situation.
Nonomi quickly held her back. "Serika-chan, you've misunderstood. Sensei was a victim too…"
After Nonomi explained, Shiroko sighed in relief and clutched her chest, convinced of my innocence. Serika, however, still frowned, half in doubt.
"But this is too much of a coincidence. How could the Helmet Gang just happen to hijack the helicopter carrying supplies for our school? Maybe it was the intel you gave them, Sensei?"
And what exactly would I gain from that?
Before I could answer, Ayane spoke up.
"Serika, Sensei came here only because he received our request for help. If he bore us any ill will, he could have just ignored it. We'd soon run out of ammo and food on our own."
Nonomi added, "Besides, there wasn't any outside attack timed with the ambush. Those few Helmet Gang members aren't strong enough to threaten us, even with a sneak attack."
Serika's eyes widened in realization, and she apologized to me.
But then Hoshino offered another angle.
"Buuut~ what if Sensei actually has some grand plan~? Like trying to play the hero and win over my cute kids~ Maybe even this old man here is a target too~? Just the thought is scary~"
Her words froze the room.
And I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. In a way, she wasn't entirely wrong.
Serika's face went red as she glared at me.
Ayane too blushed furiously. "P-please, Hoshino-senpai, don't joke about such things…"
"Haha, sorry, sorry. Sensei bought these supplies before even meeting us, so of course he isn't some creep lusting after young students."
I stared at the ceiling, finding the cobwebs in the corner unusually captivating.
"Wait…"
Serika's eyes widened again, as if struck by another thought. "Sensei, haven't we run into each other somewhere before? Could it be that… no way, don't tell me… wah!"
From behind, Shiroko grabbed Serika's cheeks, mercilessly shutting down her imagination. "No could be."
And so, for the time being, my identity as a possible traitor was cleared.
Serika could be a bit scatterbrained, but the suspicions she raised were valuable, at least from my standpoint as someone who knew he was innocent.
How had the Helmet Gang gotten wind of the shipment, and even managed to hijack the transport helicopter?
We could rule out them having skilled coders.
If not me, then the source of the leak could only be one place...
Kaiser Corporation.
What I had thought was just a simple job against delinquents had spiraled into something involving a major corporation.
It seemed Abydos's problems were far deeper than I had imagined.
After their playful banter, the girls noted how late it was and decided to disband for the night, planning to regroup tomorrow.
"Sensei, there are no hotels left operating in Abydos."
Shiroko looked at me with concern. "The nearest one is two hours away on foot. And since the Helmet Gang saw your face just now, it's dangerous to walk alone at night. So…"
Was she about to offer to escort me? What a kindhearted child.
"Please stay at my house tonight. Ah, I don't mean only tonight. If you don't mind, Sensei, you're welcome to stay for several days."
…Huh?
"Shiroko-senpai?! What are you saying?!"
"My my~ Shiroko-chan, you're bolder than you look~" Nonomi leaned in, eyes sparkling. "But Sensei, my place is an option too. My house is pretty spacious~"
"Not you too, Nonomi-senpai?!"
Serika was dumbstruck. Ayane fell into awkward silence.
I began to question whether my sense of common sense still applied in Kivotos.
In the end, Hoshino stepped in to smooth things over.
"Alright, alright, let's stop with the weird jokes~ Can't you see Sensei's already flustered~?"
Serika snapped, "That's exactly what I told you earlier!"
"Don't sweat the details~ Anyway~"
Hoshino laid a small hand on my shoulder, her laid-back tone carrying a quiet firmness.
"Tonight, Sensei, you'll sleep with this Oji-san~."