After finishing my meeting with Himari, I informed Momoi that Eimi would be participating in this operation.
From yesterday's trip to the ruins, I had also gained a clear understanding that even if she was probably still inferior to Neru, Eimi's combat strength absolutely ranked near the top within the entire Millennium.
As the only person personally recruited by Himari into the Super Phenomenon Task Force (SPTF), Eimi was at least capable of fighting C&C members evenly, or even gaining the upper hand.
The only problem was…
"Good morning, Sensei."
Outside the Millennium club building, after greeting me, Eimi naturally started moving, then stopped halfway as if she had just remembered something and asked, "Ah, since it's also very hot today, can I take it off?"
She probably had a special constitution. It was currently spring, with mild and comfortable weather, yet her behavior made it seem as if she were in the scorching summer of the south.
I stared righteously at the area below her neck and sternly stopped her. "Eimi, no matter how hot it is, how can you just take your clothes off at school?"
"Mm, then does Sensei have a better way to lower my body temperature?"
She really asked the right person.
"Have you ever heard of heat conduction?"
Eimi nodded. "Of course, that's why I need to take my clothes off, so the heat can dissipate into the air more easily."
"But doing something like that in public doesn't look good."
I paused, then said earnestly, "It's even worse than clinging to an adult whose body temperature is relatively lower."
Eimi's gaze instantly turned strange.
And naturally, I was completely clear of conscience.
"Hee.. eh...," Eimi stared at me, dragging out her tone, "so that's how it is. So that's what Sensei meant."
I asked in confusion, "What do you mean? Eimi, why can't I understand what you're talking about?"
Eimi buttoned her shirt back up one by one, wrapping the expanse of pale skin back into the blouse.
"Not yet. Let's talk about it later."
Once again confirmed, Eimi was a strange person, in every sense…
If you're not agreeing then just say so. Why put it back on!
Complaining inwardly, I said, "Alright, endure it for now. After the operation is over, I'll treat you to ice cream."
"Ice cream? Eating cold things really can lower body temperature…"
After a bit of thought, the heat fearing girl nodded. "Then it's a deal. But Sensei's portion will be my treat. That way it'll be more efficient, right?"
Very good, she also had a favorable impression of me, just as expected. There was a chance to take her down.
"Alright, let's hurry up and go inside. The sooner we finish, the sooner we eat."
"Mm." Eimi looked quite expectant.
I brought Eimi back to the Veritas Department's club room, briefly introduced her to everyone who did not know her, and simply described her extraordinary combat strength.
By using everyone in the Game Development Department except Arisu as padding.
"Thank you for being willing to help us. Then, Eimi," Hare asked, "there's no time to go into the details of the plan right now. Can you help with receiving Momoi and the others later?"
"OK."
After getting Eimi's response, Hare looked around. "Then, the first phase of the operation begins."
"Oh!!!"
The girls all raised their hands with fighting spirit, cheering themselves on, and I shouted along with them.
It was just a pity that this time, I was not standing on the same side as them.
I felt regretful about betraying everyone's trust. However…
As one of the masterminds behind this operation, actually taking on an important role within the team, aside from a subtle sense of guilt, it was even more thrilling and exciting.
Just like that, the operation to reclaim [Mirror] that was destined to fail officially began.
Millennium Tower, ground floor.
After arriving here with the Game Development Department, who were responsible for the main assault in the first phase, I stayed behind with Eimi, separately handling command and preparing to provide support.
As for the Veritas Department and the Engineer Department, the former stayed in the club room to provide remote support, while the latter worked overtime to produce security systems and anonymously released them into the market that the Seminar preferred when purchasing.
However, to execute the first phase of the plan, the Game Development Department alone was already sufficient.
Through the communicator, Kotama's voice came through. "Sensei, we're counting on you."
"Umu, just leave it to me."
While giving my assurance, I sent a Momotalk message to Eimi beside me.
Me: That's the plan. Any other questions?
Eimi: Sensei, you really are something. You can say such nice words to the Veritas Department seniors while secretly discussing with me how to betray them efficiently and discreetly.
For a moment, many strange associations surfaced in my mind.
Calling, deceiving, distraction, betrayal, concealment…
But wasn't my position a bit strange?!
Me: Don't overthink it.
Eimi: Eh? That doesn't count, does it…
Eimi: Anyway, I completely understand now.
Eimi: Once I receive the order, I'll immediately begin executing the mission.
Putting away my phone, I looked toward the Game Development Department, who had already reached the elevator doors.
Moments later, light so dense it felt tangible surged forth. With precisely calculated output, it perfectly destroyed the door equipped with the highest level security system. Immediately after, the members of the Game Development Department filed through the breach, boarded the still functional elevator, and headed straight for the top floor where the Seminar was located.
"—"
"I call upon the light! Energy Overload. Release!"
Arisu chanted lines like those from an RPG game, easily knocking down more than a dozen robots in the straight corridor.
Some were completely destroyed, others temporarily incapacitated, followed closely by a grenade from Yuzu.
However, even with the combination of light cannon and grenade, the attack range was still limited.
The lucky survivors that slipped through took advantage of the moment when Arisu's weapon overheated and could not fire again, charging forward.
But what greeted them were several 7.62 mm rifle bullets, precisely striking their core components.
Finally, a figure flashed in front of Arisu.
"I'll handle the cover. I won't let you succeed!"
Momoi said this while spraying bullets at the robots that had already lost all ability to resist, successfully claiming the highest number of kills in this encounter.
"Onee-chan, don't waste ammo. Remember to finish it quickly!"
"Tch, they got off easy."
Momoi said bitterly, who had originally wanted to keep shooting.
They had already broken through several gates. Once they passed through this corridor, the Seminar's combat command center lay ahead.
"There will definitely be C&C people guarding the front," Midori reminded them. "Everything proceeds according to plan. Arisu, thank you for your hard work."
"Arisu will seriously complete the mission!"
"Mm, I believe in you."
Just as the girls finished preparing themselves and were about to enter the endpoint of the first phase.
A noisy transmission mixed with chaotic static came through.
"Run… hurry and run, no, hide…" Hare's voice was intermittent. "Ahead of schedule… Sensei and Eimi are rushing over… hold on!"
Faced with this sudden situation, everyone in the Game Development Department became alert.
Momoi was confused. "Is Hare telling us to run or hide? Why? We're already this far!"
Yuzu frowned. "She also mentioned ahead of schedule… and said we need Sensei and Eimi to rush over, and told us to hold on. Could it be…?"
"Senior Hare, who's always so calm, did something happen?" Midori said. "In any case, the situation is very wrong right now. Let's quickly find a room to hide in first."
Momoi and Yuzu both agreed with Midori's suggestion and were about to move immediately.
Only Arisu did not.
"Arisu, hurry up," Momoi urged.
"…Someone is coming this way. Judging by the footsteps, there should only be one person."
Hearing Arisu's words, Momoi became alert. "Could it be an enemy? We can't be seen before we successfully hide. If it's just one person, let's force our way through."
As she said this, Momoi's lips curved upward. "Looks like it's finally my time to shine. None of you move, just wait and witness my superb marksmanship!"
"Target confirmed approaching. Searching Millennium student roster… identity of target acquired."
Momoi raised her gun, preparing to engage.
"Height 146 centimeters, dual wielding submachine guns," Arisu said. "A maid outfit with a dragon patterned silk scarf worn outside."
In an instant, the smile on Momoi's face froze.
"Could it be! Hide, quickly!" Midori shouted in panic.
But it was already too late.
"…Oh? You dare raise a gun at me?"
Mikamo Neru stepped out from around the corner, looking at the trembling Momoi. She raised an eyebrow and revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You've got guts, you."