After sharing a tender moment with the love-struck Shiroko in the grove, I headed alone to the clubroom.
I say alone because, first, Shiroko went off to shower, and second, to avoid suspicion.
After all, while Shiroko is pure, virtuous, and chaste. And I am upright, dignified, and never one to indulge in women, I didn't want Hoshino to get the wrong idea.
When I opened the clubroom door, I saw Ayane studying intently, Hoshino snoozing away on Nozomi's lap, while Nozomi gently cleaned her ears with an ear pick.
"Good morning, Sensei~"
"Morning, everyone. Shiroko and Serika aren't here today?"
I asked as I took a seat.
Adjusting her glasses, Ayane answered seriously: "Shiroko-senpai has her morning jog routine, so she should be here soon. As for Serika… she said she wasn't coming today."
Nozomi added, "Yeah, today's a free attendance day, so it's not mandatory. But now that you mention it, Serika's been disappearing a lot lately."
She's probably working part-time, I thought.
But Serika had specifically asked me not to tell the rest of the Foreclosure Task Force about her job.
And I, ever a man of my word, kept silent.
"Sensei, do you know something?"
I nearly jumped, Hoshino had suddenly spoken up. When had she woken up or… had she never really been asleep at all?
"Didn't Sensei say a couple days ago you ran into Serika in town? Maybe you've got a clue?"
"…Actually, Serika's been working part-time."
My integrity crumbled instantly before my overwhelming desire (my desire to get closer to Hoshino).
"Ohh~ I see~" Hoshino smirked mischievously, then pressed, "So, does Sensei know where Serika's working?"
I betrayed poor Serika again. "At… Shiba Seki Ramen, I think."
"Knew it~ Makes sense. Not many places left in Abydos where you could find a part-time gig."
Truth was, Serika's part-time work wasn't limited to Abydos on her days off, she'd sometimes go to other academies for better-paying day jobs.
So whether she was actually working at Shiba Seki today was still uncertain.
Did I betray her? Yes. Yes, I did.
"Oh, you mean that famous Shiba Seki Ramen place?" Nozomi chimed in. "I've never been there before."
"Me neither," Ayane agreed.
Hoshino's eyes lit up. "Well then, that settles it~ How about we all go to Shiba Seki Ramen for lunch today and check in on Serika's job~? All in favor, raise your hand~"
Just then, the door opened again.
Fresh from her shower, Shiroko stepped in and blinked at the sight of everyone voting.
"…Did I miss something?"
—
Noon. At Shiba Seki Ramen.
"Welcome, how many in your party to... huh?"
Serika froze, staring wide-eyed as the Abydos Foreclosure Task Force, led by me, filed into the shop. Her polite, professional smile stiffened instantly.
Then her glare fell on me, brimming with shame and anger. She practically roared:
"You bastard! You sold me out!"
I put on my most remorseful face. "Serika-chan, I was forced to! If I hadn't confessed in time, they would've tortured me for information! You wouldn't want your teacher humiliated on your account, would you?"
"Don't say it like we're close or something! I couldn't care less what happens to you!"
Hoshino chimed in from the side, ever helpful: "Serika, Sensei thought about it for a whole two seconds before telling us where you worked, so maybe forgive him, okay~"
"That's literally immediately! Thisis why people say adults are useless, you're the prime example, Sensei!"
Grinding her teeth, Serika begrudgingly led us to a table under the urging of the shop's owner and chef, Master Shiba.
After some laughter and chatter, everyone but me had placed their orders.
As for me...
"Heh… Didn't you want to try the dish I recommended? I'll choose your order myself, then."
Serika smirked triumphantly, puffed out her chest, and marched off, leaving me uneasy.
To make matters worse, Hoshino gave me a sly look.
"Sensei~ This is a rare chance to fill the bellies of cute girls, you know~ I'm sure you won't let it slip by, right~?"
Such an opportunity? I had no choice but to pay for everyone's meal!
Just as I resigned myself to footing the bill, Nozomi, sitting next to me slipped a credit card into my hand under the table. She whispered softly:
"Sensei, please use this for the check later."
Looking at her gentle, sincere face, an odd feeling stirred in my chest. After these last few days, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe Nozomi also had feelings for me.
She had offered to give me a private lap pillow before, after all.
But maybe that was just her naturally warm personality… I shouldn't let my ego run wild.
So I politely refused her card. After all, a few bowls of ramen were nothing compared to my salary. As long as the girls were happy, that was enough.
---
OST: Blue Archive OST 113. Usagi Flap
---
Soon, five steaming bowls of ramen arrived at the table.
The one set before me stood out instantly as its broth was a blazing shade of red, like fire.
Serika folded her arms proudly. "Heh~ This is my recommendation: Super Spicy Hell Ramen! What's wrong? You look hesitant. Don't tell me you're too scared to eat it~"
But I hadn't touched my chopsticks yet for a different reason.
Under the table, Shiroko's leg brushed against mine, and she gave a tiny nod.
Trusting her, I took a cautious bite. The noodles carried the broth's flavor into my mouth, and immediately, I understood.
Despite its fiery appearance, it was only mildly spicy, with a gentle tang of tomato sweetness.
I see now.
Looking up, I met Master Shiba's gaze from across the kitchen. He gave a subtle nod.
A man of culture.
And Shiroko's nose, sharp as ever.
Keeping a straight face, I polished off the entire bowl.
Watching Serika's expression shift from surprise, to worry, to awe, to suspicion, it was priceless.
After everyone had eaten their fill, I paid with my card.
When we got up to leave, Serika (despite her words) walked us all the way to the door, muttering lines like "Don't come again," "You're disturbing my work," and "You're so annoying, I hate you."
Classic tsundere speak, easy to decipher.
Everyone burst out laughing, and the shop and street alike filled with cheerful air.
I walked with the students partway back toward Abydos, then excused myself, claiming I had other business.
In truth, I looped back toward Shiba Seki Ramen.
I owed Serika an apology.
After all, breaking a promise to her was an undeniable fact.
So, I lingered near Shiba Seki Ramen, waiting for Serika to get off her shift.