Since earlier, Tsurugi had been wearing a troubled expression, even neglecting to feel shy while being alone with me, the object of her secret affection.
Clearly, the Justice Task Force president had something on her mind.
Could it be that, like the other committee president, she's feeling exhausted from the increasing workload recently?
Tsurugi paused for a moment, then shook her head at me:
"No… it's nothing. Thank you for your concern… it's just… I've been doing similar work all the time lately…"
She counted off on her fingers:
"Clearing out delinquent girls, armed patrols, protecting the academy's higher-ups… or maybe I've been doing this all along…"
Much like Hina. But compared to Hina, Tsurugi mostly only needs to act as pure combat power. No paperwork, no need to micromanage, so her pressure should be somewhat less.
Still, stress accumulates if there's no way to release it, eventually exceeding a threshold.
My guess was probably correct.
After pondering for a while, I suggested:
"If you feel exhausted because of too much work…"
Before I could finish the rest—
"You could delegate some tasks to juniors, train them, and give yourself a little break," Tsurugi interrupted.
"No, it's not like that."
"Huh?"
What could it be then?
After denying it, her cheeks flushed red, and she stammered:
"I… I, I…"
I waited patiently. Soon, Tsurugi calmed slightly.
She pressed her lips together shyly, her tone tinged with a faint confusion and sadness:
"I'm just wondering… is it really okay to spend my youth like this?"
"…Youth?"
I repeated the word instinctively, feeling a bit dumbfounded, unsure how to respond.
It's not just that I hadn't expected Tsurugi to have such a girl-like worry, it's also that I lack personal experience in this area.
Even if common sense remained, I'd lost my memories from before coming to Kivotos.
In other words, even if I had experienced what's called "youth," the term is still unfamiliar and dazzling to my present self.
Still, based on common sense and Tsurugi's words, I could make a judgment.
Objectively speaking, and though it might sound harsh, Tsurugi and youth don't really seem to go together…
Whether it's her terrifying combat prowess or the bloodstains still on her uniform.
"The sparkling, sweet-and-sour love you see in novels and fashion magazines… that kind of youth doesn't exist in my life at all…"
Her expression was complicated, eyes vacant:
"…For me, instead of sparkling words, there's more of a vivid red… of blood."
Unsure if I should agree, I could only dryly remark:
"Tsurugi… you're a girl with dreams too, huh…"
Immediately, I frowned, wondering if Tsurugi mentioning youthful romance was some kind of subtle hint toward me.
Come to think of it, the only person who could fulfill her dreams seemed to be listening to her now.
At that moment, Tsurugi's pale cheeks turned bright red, and she stammered:
"A-at, at least… with… someone I… l-like… to… go… on… a date… or something like that…"
I suddenly realized!
Tsurugi was subtly asking me out on a date!
Ah, thanks to my dazzling, sun-like presence, I had stirred her longing for sparkling youthful romance.
Judging from her mention of the kind of romance seen in novels and fashion magazines, she had probably always yearned for experiences she hadn't yet had.
"…Ah, s-sorry." The girl, briefly lost in her romantic fantasy, returned to reality. "I said something strange again…"
"Do you have time tonight?"
"…Eh?" Tsurugi blinked. "This is…"
I pulled out my phone smoothly:
"I know a high-class restaurant with a nice atmosphere, perfect for a date, with a view of the night scenery. If it's okay, I can make a reservation right now."
Thank you, cute and innocent Aru-sama! I'll never forget this favor until I can no longer use it!
Tsurugi stood frozen in silence for a moment, then her expression suddenly changed. She let out a piercing scream and sprinted off into the distance.
She hadn't even given me an answer yet. So excited, huh?
Watching her disappear down the road, I scratched my head, feeling I'd gained a deeper understanding of this symbol of Trinity's external martial power.
Thinking that no matter how irrational she got, she'd eventually return to school, I quickened my own pace.
However, just after turning a corner, I nearly collided head-on with the waiting Tsurugi.
Flustered and shy, she looked increasingly cute, the crimson of her eyes deepened with the mist of moisture. Twisting her hands nervously around her uniform hem, she spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito:
"I-I… I'm inexperienced… but tonight, please… take care of me…"
…She's probably just talking about a date, right?
I smiled and nodded:
"Yes, likewise. I'll make the reservation now, then."
Tsurugi pressed her lips together shyly:
"O-okay."
If she could manage her expressions properly, she would be a very elegant beauty.
But along the way, she couldn't suppress her excitement, grinning and letting out occasional creepy laughter, old habits die hard.
On the bright side, this display clearly shows that she genuinely likes me.
Credit Card? Nande?
When Tsurugi and I returned to Trinity, Ichika was already leading some juniors to deal with the aftermath.
From the half-ruined plaza and the school buildings reduced to rubble, one could imagine the intensity of the earlier fight and the ferocity of the tank thieves.
Ichika said that the culprits were still students of our school, just two of them, but had caused such extensive damage.
In a school full of young ladies, it was surprising to have such bold delinquents.
Knowing that the two offenders had already been escorted back to the Justice Task Force headquarters by Hasumi and Mashiro, Tsurugi and I headed there as well.
Due to soundproofing, I could faintly hear their conversation from afar:
"…Friendship, the sea, romance… anyway—"
Already excited and catching keywords, Tsurugi's eyes lit up.
Then she screamed and sprinted off:
"Youth—!!!"