Inside the Justice Task Force headquarters' activity room.
After Hasumi sent Tsurugi away, who had been so excited she'd smashed through the wall using her overly toned body and superhuman strength, the atmosphere became even more tense.
In the deathly silence, my gaze shifted between the two students who not only stole school property but also stubbornly resisted, injuring thirty Justice Task Force members in the process. One of them hung her eyes guiltily, while the other stared at me calmly.
I never imagined that the culprits behind such a heinous act would be people I knew.
Perhaps I had misunderstood Nagisa all along, I should properly comfort her later.
After sighing, I spoke first, breaking the awkward silence.
And making it even more awkward.
"Ah wah wah…" I shook my head, lamenting, "Taking what belongs to everyone for personal desires, and causing so many people to get hurt… it feels really bad…"
At my words, one of the culprits being Hifumi froze as her eyes widening, and her small face instantly flushed crimson.
This was exactly the same phrasing she had used a few days ago on our date when commenting on the exhibition hall destroyed by the Phantom Thief of Benevolence.
Applied to herself now, it was even more fitting.
The one driving the tank recklessly through the complex school grounds was Hifumi.
And the person capable of taking down nearly thirty Justice Task Force members, collaborating in mischief and chaos with her? There was only one choice left.
Shirasu Azusa.
I was in utter despair...
How had she just enrolled at Trinity and already committed such a shocking crime?
Ahhh, how am I supposed to explain this to Lady Nagisa… it might even require sacrificing my own innocence…
But thinking it over, Azusa was a genuinely good kid. She must have been misled by someone wicked, causing her to make a momentary misstep.
The real mastermind of this incident was obvious.
Thus, in my view, the one who failed to properly judge people was actually Nagisa—now there was an opportunity to properly educate her!
"Se-sensei… it's not like that…"
Hifumi tried to argue, "Even though the Crusader tank is shared by everyone, we just borrowed it a little, and we were going to return it afterward…"
From a rational standpoint, in general terms, such behavior counts as theft.
"Sensei, you've misunderstood," said Mashiro, who had just captured both students.
The justice-minded girl's eyes were clear:
"Hifumi wanted to take Azusa to see the sea, so she borrowed the tank."
"No no no! I never thought about stealing it!" Hifumi hurriedly waved her hands in denial.
I pondered for a moment and carefully asked:
"…Was there some causal connection in this?"
After all, this was Kivotos, caution first.
"Of course!" Hifumi's voice trembled, tinged with righteous indignation.
"Sensei, remember we agreed to take Azusa to the sea! It's her first time! Summer break is the perfect timing! Bright sunlight, soft sand under our feet, shimmering waves… if it's like that—"
"If it's like that?" I asked.
Hifumi took a deep breath, her gaze firm:
"We have no choice but to ride the tank!?"
"Absolutely not!?"
I realized what was going on, Hifumi was trying to drag me into this!
How disappointing… she would stoop to such a despicable trick… and it's aimed at someone she likes!
Looks like the cow-pattern swimsuit plan will need to be executed sooner rather than later.
However, Mashiro looked at me curiously:
"Sensei, what are you talking about? Riding a tank to see the sea is… romantic."
…Could it be that the problem was actually me?
The common sense in Kivotos is really strange, utterly incomprehensible.
I felt deeply saddened. If I weren't handsome enough, I'd probably struggle just as much in this academy city.
But I thought to myself:
"So this is still ultimately for your own personal desire, isn't it?"
Mashiro, ever the justice-minded girl, nodded:
"That can't be denied."
Hifumi's confidence plummeted; she shrank back silently.
At least she knew she had done wrong.
I cleared my expression and turned to the white-haired girl who hadn't spoken yet:
"Azusa, do you have anything to say?"
Azusa huffed, stuck her neck out stubbornly:
"I didn't think the Justice Task Force would be so sneaky, tattling to sensei. I didn't want to trouble sensei, so do whatever you want. Kill me or carve me up."
Look at her… so obedient and understanding.
"But," Azusa continued, her gaze unreadable, "I don't think I'm wrong. The Justice Task Force pursued me first, so I fought back. If it weren't for that sniper ambush at the end, with my combat experience and Hifumi's driving skills, we could have taken more people down together."
Hifumi's face went pale:
"Azusa… Azusa-chan…"
I nodded. By this point, the matter could mostly be settled.
I repeated my earlier words:
"Taking what belongs to everyone for personal desires, and causing so many people to get hurt… it feels really bad."
Finally sunk, Hifumi buried her face in shame, while Azusa looked confused, still not fully understanding.
At that moment, Mashiro glanced around with interest, wanting to join the discussion:
"Eh… the sniper you're talking about is me."
The click of high heels on the floor signaled Hasumi's return:
"…Thank you for waiting."
"Eek!?" Hifumi gasped, "P-please let me argue one more time…!"
"What are you talking about?" Hasumi asked in confusion, then explained,
"I already explained the situation to Tsurugi so she went home today. Don't worry. Now, back to business... I have a task to ask of both of you, and sensei as well."
"…I see, a judicial bargain, huh."
Azusa, always with her own insight, guessed:
"You want us to do something dangerous to redeem ourselves?"
Hasumi nodded thoughtfully:
"Hm… it's not exactly safe. To be precise, you'll be doing volunteer work instead of the punishment you would otherwise face."
"Vo-volunteer work…?"
"All expenses covered, and the tank will be formally lent to you."
Offering such unexpectedly generous terms, Hasumi smiled:
"This way, everyone's happy."
Hifumi and Azusa exchanged glances.
I fell into thought.