Round and round.
So. tired. today.
I shuffled along Shiratori Ward's main street, every step feeling like it was made of lead.
So much happened today.
So much work.
I didn't even expect to get tangled up in the whole "work with Mr. Shibaramen every other day" thing—but apparently, that was the highlight.
And then—oh no!—I got lost on the way out!
"Ugh…."
From there, everything toppled, and I nearly got late for my café shift. Being late on your first day? Big yikes.
"There are too many guests…"
I applied because it was supposed to be a fancy café with just a gentle trickle of customers, but somehow… nope. Everyone came at once.
If the boss hadn't promised to raise my wages, I probably would have run off mid-shift.
I glanced at my reflection in the window.
I had used up every last drop of energy.
Even the little strands of hair that always seemed to have a mind of their own were drooping into my eyes.
"I-I-IK…"
Maybe I was just getting older? Falling asleep mid-thought? If it weren't for the free coffee I could grab anytime, I'd have collapsed ages ago.
Still… there was a harvest today.
"Praline? That's a name I've never seen before in Gehenna."
"The coffee's great! I'll come back next time."
I chatted with Hina, who had those cute little dark circles under her eyes.
"Well… I'll let you go this time…" Haruna drank her coffee obediently and left.
"Huh? Service? Wow!"
And Erika-chan too?
Kirara, who had given me directions to Gehenna Academy, bought a special parfait as thanks.
"Mmmmm…"
These past few days, I felt closer to my students—like a gentle thread weaving us together.
If this keeps up, the whole "two close students destined to be together" keyword might just vanish in a blink.
Plus, I learned the names of a bunch of students I'd only known from illustrations, just by watching how they paid by card.
Although… I didn't show it.
"Ugh… I barely survived."
And then… finally, a customer came along with an actual sense of humor.
It was just past peak season, so the café had finally started to quiet down a little.
The leaders—tall, imposing, way taller than me—approached, tilting their heads like curious cats.
Then… oh wow… a student even taller than the leaders, dressed in the strangest outfit imaginable, walked up.
"Is this it? A café that puts floating clouds in it for Manager Hina, who only drinks my coffee?"
"Hello. Would you like to order by ringing the bell?"
"This is Senior Administrator Ako," the tall one announced.
"Yes? What's your order…" I stammered, nervously peeking at Ako.
Ako's gaze drilled into me, studying me like I was some weird puzzle.
"Hmm… you don't look like a Gehenna student… maybe Trinity…"
"Trinity…?" My voice squeaked.
The other leadership kids all stared at me with the same glare, silently agreeing with Ako.
"I-I'm a student at Gehenna Academy…" I tried, my voice smaller than a whisper.
"Please present your student ID."
I fumbled my wallet and pulled out the card. Lately, it had been in and out so often that the little corner where it rested was now all loose.
I almost just tossed it onto the counter. Or… maybe I could tie it around my neck like some office worker?
Ako's eyes scanned me and the ID back and forth.
"The name is strange, there's no name written on it, the age is near the date of birth, and the last name… I can't even read it?"
"That… that's…" I stammered, unsure how to explain.
"Let me check your student number," Ako said firmly.
Student ID… oh no. I didn't care about it at all, but… what if it said I wasn't a student?
Was this it? The ending where I'd get kicked out… sent back to Trinity? 😨
"Hey…" I reached timidly for my ID, but—bam—my hand was blocked immediately.
If I fought for it, I'd only make things worse.
And… in my frazzled little brain, there was just no idea left.
"Ako."
At that moment, the light of salvation descended.
Hina — the one who'd only bought coffee a few hours ago — was suddenly back.
Why? It didn't matter.
"Ako. Come on, don't bother Praline."
"Hina…"
My savior.
My light.
My precious student came to my rescue herself.
A famous scene from the Treaty of Eden flickered through my mind — Mika, in peril, being told by her teacher…
…except this time, the roles were reversed.
"P-Praline? And Hina? Have you already given up?! What kind of sweet talk are you—"
"Ako. Don't make me say it again."
Hina's voice sank low, like a weight pressing into the air.
"Eek?! Y-Yes, yes!"
"Go first."
"Surely there are only two left—"
"Ako."
And then — a spark of light flashed in Hina's eyes.
"As soon as you return, submit a ten-page statement about this excessive security check and a letter of reflection to the director's office."
"Go."
Ako, completely deflated, dropped my student ID on the counter and slunk away.
Hina hesitated for a moment, then came closer as soon as Ako disappeared.
"I'm sorry. I'll tell them not to come here again."
"No, thank you for your help."
"Haa… I still only ever see people who look like they're from Trinity…"
The Eden Treaty from my dream flickered again. Perhaps Hina was the one who proposed it. Along with that suspicious demon.
Hina. You've been through a lot lately. Keep up the good work. I'll help you too.
"Huh?"
Oh.
I realized I was stroking Hina's head without thinking.
…I was going to be the one to pat first.
"Yes?"
"No, nothing. I'll come back tomorrow, just in case."
Was it an illusion that Hina's dark circles looked a little lighter as she left the café?
"Um, sorry. You were the one who bought me coffee last time, right?"
"Is it her?"
"That's right. Sorry about just now."
A few of the pioneers who hadn't followed Ako belatedly apologized to me.
It was… kind of fun.
I'll only buy you three more.
Except today.
Iori and Chinatsu had gathered in the leadership office for some reason. I handed Chinatsu the completed documents and continued speaking.
"The teacher from Schale was at Trinity yesterday?"
"So they say. Chaos at Manmajeon. They were going wild, asking why we went to Trinity before Gehenna."
"Why did the teacher go to Trinity?"
"Isn't it just a simple exchange? I don't think the teacher knows much about our relationship."
Iori shrugged lazily.
"Anyway, I gave it a shot at Manmajeon."
My first impression of the teacher at Schale wasn't bad. Teacher… what kind of person is this?
Hee… Chief Hina laughed softly.
"I stabbed myself," he muttered, covering the corners of his mouth with one hand that rested lightly on the desk.
"Iori is right. The teacher said he went to Abydos today."
"It will come to us soon."
"Teacher, when we come to Gehenna, should we come here first? Or go that way? Or somewhere else entirely…? That would be embarrassing."
The sun was beginning its descent.
"Um. Sure."
I signed the last document and stacked it neatly, then thrust my pen toward Iori, who was grinning like a mischievous cat.
"Iori, about that incident last time… when are you going to write the report?"
"Huh? Well… we haven't interviewed the witness yet?"
"If you're a witness, that child?"
"Huh?"
"The leading members were present from beginning to end. Why would there be a need for additional witness testimony?"
Iori flinched at my remark. My expression softened, and I set the pen down carefully on the desk.
"Iori. I'll let you off today. Get it done by tomorrow."
"Huh? Oh… yeah!"
"Chinatsu. Take it easy today. Tell Ako, who's coming in later, to do the same."
"Yes."
The two of them left the manager's office. Quiet returned, and I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes.
"Me too… should I rest a bit?"
Squinting lazily, I looked out the window at the cloudless blue sky. A rare moment of leisure, finally. While Manmajeon was tending to the teacher and Trinity of the Schale, no annoying documents or nagging would disturb me.
…Though thinking of the Gourmet Research Society, escaping prison yet again, made me uneasy.
When I left the manager's office, Iori lingered in the hallway.
"Manager? Where are you going?"
"Patrol for a moment."
"Have a nice trip," he replied.
Stepping outside the leadership building, I relaxed into the afternoon sun.
I strolled down the street, glancing at a restaurant recently renovated by the Gourmet Research Group, ducked into an alley to tidy it up, and gave a quick look at the collapsed store that hadn't submitted its application…
Then my gaze landed on a large café, students lining up outside, chattering like excited little birds.
"Line…?"
Had there ever been a café this popular?
It was already three o'clock—well past lunchtime—but an unusually large crowd of students had gathered outside. Even members of the leadership team were in line, buzzing with anticipation.
"Bu… boss?"
"Don't worry about it. More importantly, why are so many people lining up here?"
"Well… you'll know once you go in. I owed you a favor."
I hesitated for a moment—should I leave out the little tease about finding out inside? But curiosity won. I peeked through the café window.
Inside, behind the counter, was the boy Iori had mentioned. His yellow hair bounced lightly above the rows of coffee machines, catching the sunlight.
When he received an order, his eyes widened in concentration, and his hair briefly stuck out in every direction. He sipped from the cup on the counter with both hands, squinting slightly and frowning in focus. Almost instantly, his hair settled back into its soft, lively sway, as if nothing had happened.
Had I been observing for too long?
Before I knew it, the eyes of the leaders—waiting just outside to buy coffee—were on me.
"…Hmm, how does it taste?"
"Okay… a little pricey, though."
"Okay."
No one had to wait in line; everything seemed to flow smoothly.
After one more round of patrol, I finally stepped inside.