Among all the academies I have seen, Gehenna is without a doubt the most bizarre one.
Setting aside what its ordinary students are like, at the very least, there is no other student council that would personally step onto the field and so brazenly disgust its own law enforcement organization.
Just as Iroha said, she came this time precisely to seize an opportunity to pick faults.
Completely ignoring my presence, Iroha nitpicked relentlessly, docking points from the Prefect Team one after another.
Failing to post the newspaper regularly distributed by the Pandemonium Society on the bulletin board in accordance with the new school regulations issued the month before last, regulations that had not even been fully announced yet, could barely be considered exploiting loopholes in the rules.
But deducting points on the grounds that there was no hot cocoa in the lounge, claiming that the team had failed to prepare proper hospitality for guests, was simply unreasonable.
Most importantly, every single deduction directly affected the redistribution plan for the Prefect Team's tactical training budget.
Depending on the excuse used for the deduction, the funds would either be repurposed or cut outright.
Even when I raised polite objections, Iroha brushed them off with, "I am just an ordinary civil servant. Everything I do is based on Boss Makoto's instructions. If Schale has any opinions regarding Gehenna's internal affairs, please submit a written protest to the Pandemonium Society afterward."
And so, the actions known as "financial audits", which were in truth deliberate fault-finding, continued without pause. The anger of the Prefect Team kept steadily building.
Finally, after wandering around for nearly three hours, we returned to the original conference room.
"In summary," Iroha said as she closed her notebook, "after confirmation from all aspects, ninety five percent of the tactical training budget should be cut or reallocated to other budgets such as environmental maintenance."
"This is way too much!" Iori snapped angrily. "What the hell are we supposed to train with then!"
Chinatsu sighed. "If we really deduct things the way you're suggesting, the next tactical training session will…"
As for Ako, she already looked completely dejected, sulking in silence off to the side.
I really wanted to pat Ako on the head to comfort her, but this was not the right situation.
This time, besides Iroha, who was handling the main business, the Pandemonium Society also sent someone else. Ibuki, who seemed like a child not only physically but mentally as well, was humming to herself and running around everywhere.
I had seen claims online saying that the current student council President of Gehenna, Makoto, was nothing more than a useless puppet, and that Ibuki was actually the true highest authority of the Pandemonium Society.
But looking at Ibuki's innocent and lively demeanor, I truly could not understand how such rumors came to be.
Because of this curiosity, as I kept an eye on Ibuki's movements, I suddenly noticed that there were some scattered items piled up in the direction she was hopping toward.
Ibuki herself did not seem to have noticed at all.
Chinatsu noticed it too. "Ah, Ibuki! Watch where you're going…!"
But the warning came too late. Ibuki really did trip over the clutter.
Though she did not fall completely.
Fortunately, I was close enough and noticed early enough. I reached her in time, supported her under the arms, and lifted her up.
"Uwah… eh…?" Ibuki looked up at me, her smile as dazzling as sunlight. "Thank you, Sensei~"
I could not help but return a warm smile. "It's nothing."
Setting aside the others from the Pandemonium Society, Ibuki really did seem like a polite, good child.
Iroha's expression, which had tensed up in an instant, softened. "…Thank you, Sensei."
However, at that very moment.
Suddenly, the communicator Iroha was carrying activated, projecting a figure accompanied by a strange, shrill laugh.
"Kehehehe, hahaha… ha?"
The white-haired girl in a Pandemonium Society military uniform froze for a moment, then pointed at me furiously.
"Hey! Who are you! What are you doing to our Ibuki! You look pretty handsome but you're actually a pervert or something! Put Ibuki down right now, or I absolutely won't forgive you!"
I froze for a second, then set Ibuki down, silently acknowledging the other party's sense of aesthetics.
Seeing this, Iroha could not help but press a hand to her forehead and sigh.
As expected, Ibuki puffed out her cheeks and protested unhappily. "What are you saying to Sensei, Makoto-senpai! Ibuki almost fell just now, and the Sensei helped me!"
…The President of the Pandemonium Society, Hanuma Makoto?
I examined the girl's figure in the projection.
If she did not speak, her first impression would probably be that of a cool, handsome ice queen.
Unfortunately, her way of thinking completely wasted such a good appearance.
"Hah!? Sensei!?" Makoto stared in shock.
Iroha shook her head. "Sigh… Makoto-senpai, you really didn't look at the Sensei's detailed profile, did you."
"I'm busy with countless affairs every day. How could I possibly pay attention to everything!" Makoto retorted, then asked nervously, "Ibuki, are you okay?"
"That's right. Thanks to the Sensei, Ibuki wasn't hurt at all~!"
Only then did Makoto let out a sigh of relief, then scrutinized me closely. "So, you're Schale's Sensei, right? Kehehe, thank you for protecting Ibuki. I'm liking you more and more. Once we join forces and conquer Kivotos, I'll give you half the land and power!"
Why are you talking as if I already agreed to this ridiculous conquest plan?!
No, when dealing with someone completely immersed in her own world, I had to drag things back onto a track I understood.
"What!?" I exclaimed in shock. "Are you proposing to me the first time we meet!? That's not allowed, we're in a Sensei-student relationship!"
The moment those words left my mouth, the room fell utterly silent.
"Hiss—"
After a brief moment of blankness, Makoto sucked in a sharp breath, then slowly and carefully examined me as she muttered.
"A political marriage… hmm… looks and status considered… kehehehe! Not bad! Very not bad! Isn't this a great proposal!"
…Huh?
This time, it was my turn to be completely confused.
Wasn't this development a little off?
Makoto laughed wildly and extended her hand toward me. "Hahahaha! Oh Sensei of Schale, I hereby grant you the honor of becoming this President's fiancé! That way, once we conquer all of Kivotos, it's perfectly fine to share all authority with you!"
Who would want that!?
I felt an overwhelming sense of frustration, like I had lifted a rock only to smash my own foot.
The President of the Pandemonium Society was truly terrifying.
Still, judging by the timing, it should be about right now…
Suddenly, a loud crash rang out.
Makoto in the projection turned to the side in confusion, then her face went pale as she stumbled backward until her figure disappeared, leaving only her terrified voice behind.
"H-H-H-Hina!? Weren't you on a business trip!?"
"I've already heard everything. Whether it was taking advantage of my absence to send people to harass the Prefect Team, or…"
Another petite white-haired figure appeared in the projection, her expression chillingly cold.
"You just now… seemed to be saying something very interesting, didn't you."