Late at night, after finishing my usual work, I was planning to wash up and go to bed early when several messages came in one after another.
I opened my phone and glanced at Nagisa's reply below, which read, "Let us meet and discuss in detail after the evaluation exam results are out." Only then did I shift my gaze to the constantly updating chat above it, the corner of my mouth twitching.
Ako: I didn't expect you to do something like this!
Ako: That's despicable!
Ako: After all the trust I placed in you...
Ako: To think you would stand on the same side as those old b*tches from the Pandemonium Society!
Ako: Have you betrayed me and President Hina!?
To be honest, someone who directly assumes I am a traitor really has the right to talk about trusting me?
And although I had a bad feeling the moment I saw the sender was Ako...
Whether it was the Prefect Team's intelligence department being truly omnipresent, or the Pandemonium Society simply not bothering to hide it, was a question worth considering.
First of all, Iroha would definitely not talk carelessly. That meant the only person who seemed to know about my private meeting with Makoto was...
So this was Makoto's so called secret meeting that only two people knew about?
There were simply too many things to complain about.
Ako: Why are you not replying? Feeling guilty?
Ako: Ugh... an adult like you...!
Me: Calm down first.
Ako: How could I possibly calm down when things have developed to this point!
Ako: Did you really cooperate with them? Why? Is it because my attitude toward you is usually too arrogant?
She actually has that kind of self awareness. That is rare.
In other words, she has been knowingly doing it all along?
But I have never really minded. If anything, I kinda find it really hot.
Still, to keep her from genuinely getting hurt, I should at least explain a little.
Me: Do not worry. Hina knows about this.
Ako: Ah. I see.
Ako: ...Wait, you met with President Hina behind my back!?
Ako: You really do have improper intentions toward the President, do you not!
...I was starting to suspect this girl was deliberately picking a fight.
Me: Yes. Is there a problem?
Ako: Y-You shamelessly admit it?
Ako: Give up! I will never let you succeed!
She says that so firmly, but judging from her actions, not only does she not interfere, she even quietly gives assists.
Perhaps that is just how tsunderes are.
Me: But then it would not count as doing it behind your back, right?
Ako: ...You really are unbelievable!
Me: Anyway, have you been under a lot of stress lately? Want me to make time to come keep you company?
Ako: Hah? Are you implying that I, a model administrator, am incapable of regulating my own stress?
Ako: Care to make a bet? The loser must obey any command from the winner!
Obviously, she had built up quite a bit of stress. Coincidentally, so had I.
Me: Time? Place?
Ako: Hmph, who do you think I am? I have already made thorough preparations.
Ako: I will be at Schale's entrance shortly. Come down and meet me as soon as possible.
Looking at that line of text, I sorted through my thoughts a little. So she suddenly messaged me just to scold me, but in reality she was lonely and wanted an excuse to see me?
So awkward, yet so cute.
I think I like this side of Ako.
I quickly got ready and went downstairs to greet her. At a glance, I saw the long unseen administrator of the Prefect Team waiting at the main entrance, arms crossed over her chest, impatience written all over her face.
"You are too slow!" Ako scolded.
I had reason to suspect she had already arrived before sending those Momotalk messages.
Pretending not to notice, I led the seemingly arrogant Ako into Schale.
As soon as we reached the living area, she stopped me, then directly took out a coin, flipped it, caught it, and said,
"I choose tails."
Immediately after, Ako eagerly revealed it. When she saw the result, tears welled at the corners of her eyes as she gritted her teeth.
"Ugh, why does it always turn out like this? But as an administrator, I must honor my bet... wait, what are you doing!"
Catching her off guard, I reached out and snatched the coin from the back of her hand. After taking a look, I could not help but laugh and teased her,
"Why does this coin have heads on both sides?"
Ako was momentarily speechless, but soon, with her meticulous logic, she found someone to shift the blame onto and shouted angrily, "I understand now! This must be the Pandemonium Society's conspiracy!"
She stepped forward and glared at me fiercely. "In other words, this is all Sensei's fault!"
This can be blamed on me too?
"What is that look? Are you doubting me? You must have been deceived by Makoto, so you do not realize how serious this is!"
"Leaving aside whether I was deceived, even by your logic, how does this all end up being my fault?"
Ako spoke with complete confidence. "If you had asked me to advise you, this would not have happened! And it's right before the Eden Treaty is signed!"
...I feel like that would only have made things worse.
"So what exactly happened?"
"Those people from the Pandemonium Society..." Ako waved her fist. "They suddenly informed us that this year's training volume would be reduced by a full twenty percent! And they specifically said it was thanks to you, Sensei!"
I even had to pause to confirm she did not mean increased. "Is that not... a good thing?"
"But how could they possibly be so kind!? They must be brewing some kind of scheme!"
After that, Ako poured out her grievances to me, blaming every recent frustration on the Pandemonium Society. She was convinced they were using such underhanded methods to hinder her, Hina's most capable right hand, and then somehow traced it all back to me.
I silently accompanied her as she vented, until she finally wore a refreshed expression.
"Feeling better now?" I asked when she stopped talking.
"What are you talking about?" Ako glanced at me strangely, then smiled with confidence. "I would not be defeated by this level of setback. Otherwise, what right would I have to assist President Hina and you, Sensei? Well... I suppose I should thank you, at least."
"That's good."
I smiled slightly as well. Then I took from my pocket the proof of the bond between Ako and me.
At the sight of the familiar ornament, the girl's slender body trembled, and a faint blush colored her pretty face.
"The last round does not count. Let us bet again."
As I spoke, I casually tossed the double sided coin I had confiscated over my shoulder, staring at the girl who suddenly became flustered at the critical moment.
"I choose heads. What about you?"
"...You really are," she murmured in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "truly awful."
Taking the ornament from my hand, Ako let out a soft snort and, seemingly unwilling, put it on.