OST: Blue Archive OST 21. Midnight Trip
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"Actually, I… I guess I'm a bad kid, aren't I…"
The moment our eyes met, Shiroko averted hers with guilt and began tracing at the sand on the ground.
I was a little confused, unsure why she had suddenly fallen into such a downcast mood. Reaching out, I ruffled her sweat-damp gray hair and spoke softly.
"How could Shiroko be a bad kid? Only a good kid would say something so silly."
Normally, when I patted her head, Shiroko would just look content. But this time, she resisted.
"Sensei, I sweated a lot… I'm dirty…"
My eyes flashed with understanding. For a purehearted girl with such low self-esteem, the only cure was a heavy strike of reassurance!
So instead, I slipped an arm around her shoulder, leaned close, breathed in lightly, and said honestly:
"Shiroko, you smell nice. How could that ever be dirty?"
Confusion, shyness, unease... all sorts of feelings flickered across her face. At last, her voice was as soft as a whisper.
"…Fine then. Do as you like."
Satisfied, I smiled and stroked her small, soft head again. "That's better. So then, what's bothering you?"
"…I did something very wrong to Sensei."
Her voice was full of guilt.
"I should've noticed much earlier that you weren't doing well. But… even something as obvious as you not bringing water, I overlooked. Maybe I even ignored it on purpose…
"When Sensei said you wanted to use the bike I gave you to carry Hoshino-senpai… I don't know why, but I felt a strange tightness in my chest…
"I got upset for such a silly reason, selfishly made Sensei keep me company, without caring about your condition at all. Even after you've helped us so much, I just caused more trouble for you… How could someone like me be a good kid…"
Looking at her depressed expression, a heat flared in my chest. My heart pounded violently.
I had just downed half a bottle of energy drink, yet my mouth was dry again.
I realized then, I had probably fallen for Shiroko.
And with that realization came another, my resistance to beauty was much weaker than I had thought.
But still!
What normal man could remain unmoved, seeing a purehearted girl overcome with budding emotions, wearing such a fragile, endearing expression?
The fact that I hadn't kissed her on the spot was already an act of restraint!
After finding every excuse to justify myself, I took a deep breath and tried to guide Shiroko to her own answer.
"Shiroko, how do you see me?"
"Sensei is a good person."
…?
Even though I knew she didn't mean it that way, suddenly being handed a "good person card" caught me off guard. I coughed to cover my slip.
"Cough, cough! Don't be so vague. Say something more specific."
Shiroko thought for a moment, then began speaking awkwardly.
"Sensei is the first adult who's ever listened to our troubles and tried to help us… Ever since my senpais found me, out of all the adults I've met, you're the only one who's different…"
Found her?
I narrowed my eyes. That sounded like a very interesting piece of information. I didn't press her for details, but I kept it in mind.
Reason one: a care she had never felt before.
Shiroko kept going.
"Among adults, Sensei must be one of the amazing ones. Problems that nearly suffocated us, Sensei can see through and handle so easily… It feels like, as long as you're here, there's no problem too scary to face…"
We haven't even started solving your problems yet… Do you really trust my methods that much? Even I'm not confident they'll work.
Reason two: admiration born of being helped.
"Sensei is also the best-looking adult I've ever met. Your voice is so nice, your tone is always gentle, and you carry a scent that's so pleasant… Just being beside you feels comforting…"
…Now I was beginning to wonder. Do others see me this way too?
Was the effect of [Beauty of the Fox Demon] really that strong?
By rights, I was supposed to be the active one here, the one doing the pursuing, the one greedy for affection.
And yet...
"Whenever I look at Sensei, or talk with you, strange feelings just keep overflowing inside me, tumbling out of control… Eh?"
Even Shiroko, slow as she was, finally realized it. Her voice trembled in uncertainty.
"Could this… be love?"
At that moment, the pocket carrying my cards pulsed with heat.
I said nothing. I simply pulled Shiroko into my arms, gently stroking her soft wolf ears.
Her delicate body stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed.
Then, two slender arms hesitantly circled around my waist.
In the empty streets, we held each other close, lost in a time that belonged only to us.
I don't know how long we stayed like that.
At last, Shiroko reluctantly let go and met my eyes. Her usually clear gaze now burned with emotion.
"Sensei, what are we now?"
Ah, here it was. The fatal question.
Thankfully, I had rehearsed my answer.
I cupped her face, looking at her firmly yet tenderly.
"For now, we're still only teacher and student."
"For now… I see. I understand, Sensei."
Shiroko murmured softly. Whatever meaning she took from it, she smiled serenely.
Phew… That should do, for now.
I wiped the sweat from my brow in secret.
One day, I would take responsibility.... for Shiroko, and for everyone. That much I had decided. So I wasn't a scumbag, nor was I lying. At least, that's how I justified it.
Finding an excuse to send the increasingly docile Shiroko on her way, I hurried to pull out my cards and confirm the new power I'd gained.
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Armed Authority: [Road Bike that Opens the Way]
Description: Allows designation of a [Road Bicycle]-type vehicle as a vessel.
Grants [Wear Resistance], [Terrain Tolerance], [Enhanced Handling], [Movement Speed Increase], [Reduced Stamina Consumption]. Vessel may be replaced through ritual.
Source: Successfully completed Shiroko Sunaookami's route.
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A new type.
Unlike the powers I'd gained before, this one didn't apply to me directly but to a specific kind of object.
Without hesitation, I designated Shiroko's gift [The White Wolf] as its vessel.
A shimmer of light passed over it, though the bike's appearance didn't change.
But after a quick test, the strength it revealed was more than enough to thrill me.
"Shiroko! Let's ride back together!"
"Eh? Sensei, are you really all right now?"
"Don't worry!" Gripping the White Wolf's handlebars, I declared boldly, "As long as I have Shiroko's love, I can ride it anywhere!"
"Sensei!"
And it was true. With Shiroko's love behind me, the return trip was effortless.
We parted reluctantly once we reached the residential district.
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Forgetful and pure of heart, Shiroko was without doubt the easiest in Abydos to win over.