"Welcome!"
The child's eyes widened slightly as he spotted me, and his tired, tousled hair seemed to spring back to life, full of that soft, lively sway.
"Hello. Recommend me a menu. I'll eat and go."
"Is this a recommendation? As written? Or…"
"I'd like something sweet today."
"Then… I'll make it for you."
"Your order has arrived…!"
"Hey, I'll make this…!"
Praline—the clerk, whose nametag gleamed softly—whispered quietly to the other clerk nearby, her golden hair swaying gently as she moved.
"The coffee you ordered is here…!"
"Why are you whispering?" I asked.
"You're already popular, so don't you want extra attention?"
Huh… so thoughtful, even for someone so small.
"It's okay. This much is fine," I said.
"Actually, I'll give you a break from shouting so much today."
"That sounds better," I murmured with a grin.
Praline carried a tray of coffee cups and led me to a quiet corner of the café. There was something soothing about her small, careful steps, like a gentle rhythm that I couldn't quite shake off.
"I'll put up a sign outside saying we're cleaning, so no one will come this way. Please rest comfortably and enjoy."
She bowed awkwardly and turned away.
"Wait a moment."
"Yes?"
"The vanguard members say they owe this store a debt of gratitude. Do you know what that means? As the vanguard leader, I can't just ignore it."
"Are you wearing them…?"
Praline tilted her head.
"I did buy coffee for the hardworking members last time and this time, but I don't think it's enough of a favor."
"This time too…? Then I think I'm in the right place."
"Hmm, how should I explain it?"
I took a sip of the coffee. Sweet, smooth, with a playful tang that lingered softly on my tongue.
"Chief Hina, do you work in the leadership department with any special goals?"
"No. I do it because it's what I do best."
Even that had become exhausting lately, and I'd been tempted to quit.
"Me too. I can only do this. I don't have special abilities like others—just my part-time work. I only have the money I earned."
"So, whenever I get the chance, I share. I share my goodness without expecting anything in return. That's my belief!"
Praline straightened, hands on her hips, hair bristling slightly with pride, a small, shy smile hiding behind her fingers.
"I see. I understand."
"Thank you for understanding."
"I won't think of myself as a burden. I don't know what the leaders think, though."
I took another sip of coffee and gazed out the window. Then, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
"But don't you spend more than you earn? It's pretty expensive here."
"It's okay! I'm still working two part-time jobs!"
"So… when is school?"
"Well, in Gehenna, there aren't really kids who go around properly. The few who do are treated strangely."
"Ah… I see. Well, I'm studying with BD."
"And how was the leader?"
"Me? I guess… it was the same for me too, right?"
"Sorry for the inconvenience. Go ahead. I'll be waiting for you."
"Yes!"
Praline bowed again and scurried off, her little figure bouncing lightly with each step.
After finishing my drink, I grabbed another one, savoring a moment of calm. That brief chat with Praline felt like a warm bonus, like a soft spark of sunshine in the middle of all the hustle.
The coffee in my hand was lightly nutty, no sweetness—just that subtle, grounding taste that matched the quiet.
"It's quiet here too…"
Walking back to the leadership office, the hallway was almost empty. Only one or two small clusters of the leadership team murmured quietly to each other.
My body trembled slightly at the unfamiliar silence. Leisure felt strange, almost fragile. I checked my phone, half-expecting some emergency alert or patrol message—but there was nothing. Not even a card charge notification.
…I'm indebted to you for even this, I thought softly, holding the quiet like a small, delicate gift.
At the manager's office, Ako waited, holding a bundle of documents.
"Ako. Go inside. Why are you standing there?"
"I just got here too," Ako muttered.
"Where did you go without saying anything?"
"…I went to Pandemonium," Ako admitted.
"To Pandemonium? Why?"
"There wasn't any punishment… just complaints about the teacher at Schale. I spent a long time listening to such useless talk…"
"Great job."
Ako blinked in surprise.
"Hey, Chief Hina?!"
"Huh?"
"That, that coffee?!"
"Hmm? Should I say I'm indebted to you? Well, it's not really a favor—it's a favor," I said, smiling faintly. The paper coffee cup still carried that faint, comforting scent.
A favor given with nothing expected in return… Praline really believed in that. Perhaps childish thinking, yes, but it was beautiful in its innocence.
"Ako. What do you want to do for the person who helped you?"
Even after a long pause, there was no answer.
"Ako?"
I turned my head, but she had already disappeared down the hallway. Did something urgent come up? Perhaps…
I didn't pay it much mind. Sliding into the manager's office, I sat down in my usual chair.
I placed the empty coffee cup on the empty desk, its faint aroma lingering. Beside it, I set down the pen I'd lost track of somewhere in the chaos.
The room was quiet. Peaceful. A soft bubble of calm after a storm.
After staring blankly for a moment, I muttered softly,
"…Let's get off work."
But luck wasn't on our side.
"...come in."
Iori placed a neat stack of documents on the desk.
"Chief, please pass this on to Ako," she said calmly.
I pushed the coffee cup aside, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my chest, and picked up the top document.
It was Pandemonium's request—a forced deployment of leaders for some "welcoming ceremony" for the Sensei.
No, this wasn't right. My gut twisted.
"More than that, Manager. Ako is… unusual today."
"What do you mean?" I asked, heart already tightening.
"I wonder what sudden wind blew her to that cafe… to buy coffee."
A creeping sense of unease rolled over me, colder than anything the Gourmet Study Group had ever stirred.
Without a second thought, I grabbed my gun and left the office.
"Are you going out again?"
"Yeah."
"What's the matter this time?"
"Crackdown."
We arrived at the cafe late, and a cold, eerie silence greeted us. Not a single cheerful voice.
Ako stood rigidly at the counter, clutching her student ID.
And Praline… my poor little Praline… she bowed her head, trembling in front of her. Even that single strand of hair that always swayed lightly seemed to have sunk, defeated, into the abyss.
I knew immediately what had happened.
They were targeting her—under the flimsy pretense that she looked like a Trinity student.
Even if she truly were one, this kind of coercion, in public? Absolutely unacceptable.
With the treaty expiring, we should've been preventing conflicts, not igniting them.
"Excuse me…."
Praline's tiny voice quavered, barely audible.
"It's not over yet!" Ako barked, and my chest twisted painfully.
Praline flinched, cowering, tears threatening to spill.
I clenched my jaw, feeling an almost protective rage bubbling up. No one, not anyone, would hurt her on my watch.
"Ha…"
I exhaled, feeling the weight of my own failure pressing down. I hadn't properly controlled my subordinates… and now poor Praline had been caught in the middle.
"Ako."
Praline's wide eyes blinked up at me—so small, so fragile, like a little scared puppy. My instincts screamed to just reach out and stroke that fluffy head, to smooth down the tangled hair… but no, now was definitely not the time.
"Ako. Come on, don't bother Praline."
Ako hesitated, stubborn as ever, gripping the situation.
"Ako."
I forced myself to stay calm. Just hold on a little longer… Let's get through today without anger.
"Don't make me say it again."
Only then did Ako finally turn to me, the tension in her shoulders loosening just slightly.
"Go first."
I let out a shaky breath. I owed Praline an apology—so many apologies—but for now, I had to act.
"Surely there are only two left—" Ako started.
I cut her off firmly.
"Ako. Submit a statement of your account and a letter of reflection regarding the excessive questioning to the director's office within an hour."
The words were sharp, and I felt a pang of guilt immediately… but I had to protect Praline. A perfect day had been shattered. Despite my help and her kindness, a careless word had triggered anger and hurt… and I had to take responsibility for it.
I closed my eyes tightly.
"How should I apologize? What can I say to that poor, hurt child?"
Praline's tiny voice broke through my swirling thoughts.
"I'm sorry. I'll tell you not to come here again."
"No, thank you for your help," she replied softly, almost too mature for her age.
"Haa… I still only see people who are similar to Trinity…"
I realized then: I'd been trying to avoid being hated, to redirect blame… but it wasn't right.
And then… a small hand brushed against my head.
Praline.
Her chin lifted, eyes soft, and she gently stroked my hair.
I reached instinctively to return the gesture—but she was quicker.
Her little hand lingered for a heartbeat, then slowly moved away.
A pang of disappointment hit me… and a flutter of something warmer.
…Me too, little one… what are you thinking?
Her gentle touch said more than words ever could. Even in the middle of chaos, even after anger and mistakes… she still trusted me.
And somehow, that trust made my heart both ache and swell all at once.
I promised I'd come again and left in a hurry.
Today, I got a bit of insight into the relationship between that guy from Pandemonium and Ibuki.
Hmm… maybe I should try scouting the lead team next…?