At the entrance of a dormitory in Trinity.
"Alright, we'll head back for now," I reminded her. "Make sure to rest well, and remember to heat up your porridge before drinking it."
"I-I know already!" The pink-haired girl's face turned red, clearly embarrassed. "So annoying! I'm not a child! I'm a full-fledged… Justice Task Force member… cough cough cough!"
Before Koharu could finish, she burst into another violent coughing fit.
Judging by her current condition, she wouldn't be able to participate in today's volunteer activity.
Although, as Hasumi had described it to Hifumi and Azusa, two excellent helpers, it was technically called a volunteer activity, but in reality, it was just an ordinary summer holiday.
As mentioned before, the Justice Task Force's workload had been particularly heavy recently.
Hasumi, concerned that Tsurugi had been overworking herself, used this as a pretext to let her and Mashiro take a break.
At the same time, it gave her friend a chance to personally experience the youthful adventures she had longed for.
As for Tsurugi's romantic yearnings, those had already been partially fulfilled by me.
Following our prior arrangement, that evening I took Tsurugi to our usual high-end restaurant overlooking the night view for a date.
Although she remained visibly nervous the entire time, her delight was unmistakable.
The only downside was that the Credit Card hadn't cooperated, dampening the mood slightly.
Koharu, still sick from her lingering cold, pulled her clothes tighter and weakly said:
"You two go ahead, just don't blame me if you catch what I have."
"Don't worry, Koharu," Azusa said as she accompanied me. "I've taken all the necessary precautions for that."
Upon hearing this, Koharu's emotions flared again:
"What do you mean 'all the precautions'? Wearing a gas mask the whole time!?"
Apparently, this wasn't common knowledge.
I breathed a sigh of relief, having only worn a mask.
Koharu yelled at her companion in the remedial class:
"You didn't even pay attention properly! Do you think I'm stupid?!"
"No, nothing like that," Azusa said, pausing for emphasis, a hint of pride in her sincere tone.
"I'm wearing a mask under my mask too."
Slam!
The door slammed shut as Koharu, humiliated, forcefully closed it.
Azusa looked at the door, removed her mask, and asked me bewilderedly:
"Sensei, did I do something wrong?"
I thought for a moment and explained:
"When visiting someone who's sick, acting overly guarded can make them feel hurt."
"I see… there's a rule like that?" Azusa nodded thoughtfully.
"I understand. Once Koharu recovers, I'll apologize to her."
She truly was a well-behaved and kind child, though a bit naïve.
"Let's head out for today."
"Mm."
As Azusa and I took a few steps, we heard a creaking sound behind us.
Then Koharu's shy voice:
"And… make sure to have fun… for my share too."
Azusa turned back, touched:
"Don't worry, Koharu. I'll take good care of sensei."
Upon hearing that, Koharu, seemingly more flustered, slammed the door again.
After leaving the dorm, Azusa suddenly asked:
"Sensei, you actually make porridge too?"
I nodded, then shook my head:
"It's my first time trying it, so I'm not sure if Koharu will like it."
With technical guidance from Kaede and a recipe from Neru, it would surely make Koharu jump for joy.
Azusa asked again:
"How about Hanako?"
"She said she would have been free, but this morning the nuns asked her to help organize some documents. She probably won't have time for the next few days," I shrugged.
"After all, we couldn't refuse the favor we owed her last time."
"I see… then it's just Hifumi and me for this mission. Thank you for helping, sensei."
"It's no trouble at all," I said sincerely.
"I've long wanted to see Azusa in a swimsuit."
"I don't understand… I've seen it many times already… Sensei doesn't remember?"
Azusa seemed a bit displeased.
I immediately clarified:
"School swimsuits are different."
After thinking for a while, Azusa commented:
"Sensei really is a strange person. But…"
Her voice dropped slightly, as if shy:
"If sensei really wants to see it… could you help me choose one?"
Here we go again, a few days ago it was Hifumi, yesterday it was Mashiro, and today it's Azusa.
As for Tsurugi…
She had secretly prepared her swimsuit back in first year, eagerly awaiting the day it could be used.
However, apart from trying it on when she bought it, she had never actually worn it.
Truly a sad story.
Pulling myself together, I nodded happily:
"Of course, it would be my pleasure."
Azusa smiled brightly:
"Then today I'll follow all of sensei's directions."
She actually intended to monopolize all my free time today with such a reasonable attitude?
It was only because I was kindhearted, unwilling to refuse a beautiful girl's request, that she had such an opportunity.
Meanwhile, more earnest and obedient girls were left in the lurch.
For some reason, maybe Hifumi was out buying supplies, maybe she had told Azusa she'd already bought her swimsuit this morning, or perhaps they just shared some unspoken understanding…
In any case, in Azusa's invitation, she left no room for her momofriends.
Just as she had done herself.
Still at the shopping center in Shiba Town, Azusa quickly chose a swimsuit.
It wasn't just stylish, the colors were bright and layered, just like Azusa herself, making her already cute appearance even more enchanting.
Under my repeated praise, she seemed to float on air and immediately decided on it. She also bought a few trendy, flashy accessories to accentuate the look, her excitement evident at the thought of her first trip to the beach.
Even after finishing shopping, Azusa seemed a little reluctant to stop.
"There's still plenty of time," she mused, suddenly remembering someone she had forgotten.
"Tomorrow's the day of the mission… I wonder how Hifumi is preparing."
Having just said that, she shook her head lightly:
"I think with Hifumi's reliability, she'll manage just fine herself."
At least she mentioned it afterward by comparison, Azusa was already being quite considerate.
"Then, sensei, do you have time later?"
Azusa asked:
"I want to use this chance to continue training to get used to living here. Since sensei's been involved, I feel a little guilty. I don't want to trouble you, so I think this training is necessary."
Wow… she really knows how to find an excuse.
Has she been learning from Hifumi?
Amused, I smiled and nodded:
"Of course I have time. So, where do you want to go next?"