Early the next morning, just as I was preparing to set out for the Pandemonium Society, I received a new friend request.
After I accepted it, the other side sent a message almost instantly.
Makoto: The time has come.
Me: What?
Makoto: Heh heh heh, there is no need to be so alarmed.
Makoto: I am merely here to inform you that my perfect plan has been completed.
Makoto: At last, I, Makoto-sama's…
Makoto: No, our grand chapter is about to begin!
Although her wording was somewhat strange, I figured she was probably reminding me not to be late for our meeting.
At least, that was what I thought before setting out.
But when I arrived outside the Pandemonium Society headquarters and saw the scene in the plaza with my own eyes, I immediately understood the true meaning behind Makoto's message.
And why, after telling me the meeting time, Iroha had also asked me to come as early as possible and to notify her when I was about to arrive.
The plaza looked like a construction site. A large number of Pandemonium Society members were bustling about, yet in the midst of the chaos there was order. Each of them looked focused, and not even the appearance of someone as devastatingly handsome as me managed to distract them in the slightest.
I even heard what seemed to be a mob of the Pandemonium Society loudly instructing her subordinates.
"The guest we are about to welcome holds an extremely important status. No mistakes can be tolerated. The task entrusted to us is to ensure that everything is foolproof and to demonstrate President Makoto's authority. Today is the day we show the strength of the Pandemonium Society!"
"Yes!" The response came like a roaring tide, and the neatly lined up girls, standing tall and proud, quickly returned to their respective posts.
Why did it feel like Makoto's prestige within the Pandemonium Society was incredibly high?
And the guest they were referring to could only be me, right?
Was there really a need to make such a grand display…
Although I could feel how much Makoto valued this meeting with me, in every way it made me feel rather uncomfortable.
At that moment, the mob noticed me, frowned slightly, and walked over, polite yet firm.
"May I ask who you are? The Pandemonium Society has important matters to attend to shortly. If you are not involved, please refrain from lingering nearby."
"I…"
I had just opened my mouth when a calm voice cut in from the side.
"This is the Sensei from Schale. He is the one President Makoto specifically requested to meet."
Iroha appeared at the right moment and explained.
The mob suddenly understood and immediately adopted a respectful attitude toward me. "I see. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Then I will take the Sensei from here."
After greeting her, Iroha shot me a look and led me into the Pandemonium Society headquarters.
Once we reached a corridor where only the two of us remained, she let out a light laugh.
"You made it just in time. That way, the additional workload is still within an acceptable range."
I had already had a suspicion, but once it was confirmed, I still could not help saying, "So you really asked me to come early just for this."
Iroha gave me a strange look. "What else?"
Her matter-of-fact tone made me pause instead, and I began to wonder whether I had been too diligent and inflexible in my daily work.
Suddenly, Iroha stopped and pointed at an ancient and ornate door ahead.
"Alright, I will see you off here. Makoto-senpai is in the office just ahead."
I thanked her and was about to walk past her when I suddenly remembered something that needed to be said at this moment. I stopped and turned back.
Looking solemnly at the red-haired girl, who now seemed puzzled, I asked an important question.
"Does this count as me helping you this time?"
Hearing that, Iroha immediately understood. She frowned slightly and looked at me with helpless eyes.
"You really are something… why are you always thinking about that? The intel was not wrong at all. Sigh. Listen carefully. This time it is mutually beneficial, so there is no reward."
I understood. She was embarrassed. Unfortunately, it seemed I would not be able to close the distance any further for the time being.
Still, slower progress had its own kind of enjoyment.
Seeing me nod in understanding, Iroha narrowed her eyes. "I have a feeling you are thinking about something irritating."
"That must be your imagination."
"Whatever. I am heading off then."
After watching her figure disappear into the distance, I turned and walked toward Makoto's office.
When I reached the door, I realized it was not fully closed but slightly ajar.
Out of courtesy, I knocked twice on the door and raised my voice.
"Excuse me."
"Not right!" However, before my words had even finished, an extremely anxious voice came from inside. "That is not it either!"
I recognized it as Makoto's voice, but I was not sure whether those seemingly unrelated words meant I was allowed to enter.
After hesitating briefly, I decided to go in and see what was happening.
The moment I stepped inside, my gaze was drawn to the other end of the office, where a girl was pacing back and forth, head lowered, her face full of anguish.
"Mmm… not like this… that will not work either…"
As if completely unaware of my arrival, she muttered to herself, "There is hardly any time left… and I still have not come up with a good idea…!"
I suddenly wondered whether I had arrived at a bad time. Should I quietly step back out and knock again?
"Whoa!?" The gray-white-haired girl suddenly let out a strange cry and abruptly raised her head. "When did it get this late!?"
Still not looking at me, she visibly agonized. "Grrr… what should I do… is there any good method…"
I could not help feeling curious about what pressing matter Makoto was worrying over at the very moment she was about to meet me.
And in the very next second, my question was answered.
The President of the Pandemonium Society twisted her cool and beautiful face, spread her hands upward like claws, leaned back, and let out a wail.
"When the Sensei from Schale enters the room… what expression and pose should I use to greet him!? How can I display the authority of Hanuma Makoto-sama…!"
To be honest.
There was probably no longer any need to struggle over that question.
I coughed awkwardly twice, finally drawing Makoto's attention to my presence.
However, her pupils shrank, her face filled with panic, and she let out a cry as she stumbled backward, bumping her head against the wall.
…Was she here to perform comedy?
Under my gaze, Makoto hurriedly turned her back to me, took a deep breath, and when she faced me again, she had already switched to a calm and wicked smile.
"Ah, it is the Sensei. Hmm, I was nearly tired of waiting for you."
To be fair, I did not feel any authority from it whatsoever.
But at the very least, Makoto had certainly left me with an impression that was more than deep enough.