I realized that, at its core, Azusa simply wanted to go on a date with me.
"Sensei, aren't you going to make a plan first?" Azusa furrowed her brow, hesitating. "But if we don't, will we be able to complete the adaptation training properly? Well… anyway, it's already decided. Today I'll follow all of sensei's directions. I won't back out on that."
Her feelings were probably still in their early stages, innocent and naïve, and her strictly structured way of thinking prevented her from fully realizing it. That's why even she believed this "training excuse" for spending time alone with me.
However, if I overplanned everything too rigidly, it would ruin the fun of the date.
The disaster fox next door certainly had some experience with that.
In short, I wanted Azusa to feel free, to let out a little of her suppressed nature, and enjoy the time with me. So I left the choice up to her.
"…Desserts."
After a brief pause, Azusa said uncertainly, "Like… a dessert shop or something? Maybe…?"
"Perfect! Then let's go right away!" I took Azusa's hand and strode forward confidently.
"W-wait! Sensei, I only said maybe… I haven't decided yet…!"
"Let's go take a look first. We've got plenty of time!"
She hesitated for a moment, startled but not really resisting, and then said nothing more.
If we talk about Trinity's well-known dessert shops, the must-visit would naturally be Mille-Feuille Café near the school. During the Make-Up Work Club training camp, I had brought their new desserts for everyone to try while they studied hard.
Back then, Azusa's expression went from indifferent to stunned, then to pure happiness, just like Saori's reaction the first time we had dinner at Schale.
When I mentioned this to her midway, she blushed slightly, but the embarrassment was quickly replaced by anticipation, and she became even more cooperative.
Before long, we arrived at our destination and were seated, greeted by the cheerful staff.
Faced with the dazzling menu, Azusa's expression wavered, unsure what to choose.
All those times she had been frugal were exactly for moments like this.
I also trusted that Aoi would understand and allow me to use the school's budget for this!
So I boldly ordered every dessert that looked delicious on the menu. Soon, the table was covered with a variety of sweets.
There was no way Azusa and I could finish it all by ourselves, but none of it would go to waste.
For example, we could pack some to bring to Saori, who could share it with the team. That way, Azusa's friends could also have a sense of participation, a pretty good idea.
"So sweet! So delicious~" Azusa popped a delicate cream cake into her mouth. Her eyes lit up, and a blissful smile spread across her face.
Watching the pure, radiant smile of the girl, I couldn't help but feel motivated to try more desserts myself.
"Though it's a shame… it doesn't look very durable or easy to transport… but the taste is amazing!"
Azusa exclaimed sincerely, "What did they use to make this…? How did they prepare it…?"
Just then, I felt a weight on my shoulder.
"Oh? Getting emotional over desserts, huh? Hehe, how cute… just like milk."
That tone of voice…
I turned my head and saw the pink-haired girl with red eyes, Yotori Natsu, sipping a carton of milk and resting her arm on my shoulder.
"Hey, it's little Natsu!" I exclaimed in surprise, which also calmed Azusa, who had instinctively reached for a gun.
"What an incredible coincidence, sensei," Natsu greeted, then asked, "What are you eating? Can I have some too?"
After all, Mille-Feuille Café was one of the main After-School Sweets Club spots.
Running into her here wasn't really unexpected.
I was about to graciously comply when Natsu suddenly let out a Uwagh and was yanked away by someone holding her collar.
"Not on my watch!" Kazusa scolded, but smiled politely as she greeted me. "Long time no see, sensei. As you can see, this one is being silly again."
Natsu sighed, "Ah… the difference between chocolates is always enormous. Sweet or bitter, hard or soft, even the color…"
Surprisingly, I seemed to catch the drift of what she was saying.
Shortly after, Yoshimi and Airi also appeared.
After greeting me, Airi glanced at Azusa, who was tense from the strangers: "Huh? Isn't that Azusa?"
"Mm?" Yoshimi looked confused. "Do you know each other?"
"That's the new transfer student! We had prayer class together, right?"
"Oh, yeah. That seems to be the case."
Because she was a transfer student, Azusa took some first-year classes.
Airi eagerly spoke: "Azusa, do you like desserts too?"
"Uhh…" Azusa hesitated, "I… think I do? At least, I'm interested."
"That's great! We have the same taste!"
"Same taste…"
Azusa mulled over the word, perhaps thinking of Hifumi far away.
The atmosphere felt good, and with so many desserts on the table, I casually invited the After-School Sweets Club to join us.
Azusa didn't object, though her tense posture and expression showed she was still wary of strangers and potential rivals.
However, she soon warmed up, chatting about desserts with these similarly aged, knowledgeable, and gentle classmates.
"Are the desserts really that amazing?" Azusa swallowed nervously.
Kazusa nodded: "Yes. Because they're limited, they sell out every day. We're planning to queue early sometime. Azusa, want to come with us?"
Azusa resolutely said: "I have no choice. Make sure I get one. Even if it costs my life, I'll get that dessert!"
"Whoa, that passion… is really like toffee," Natsu remarked. "Want to join us in discovering the romance hidden in desserts?"
Yoshimi scolded: "Don't invite people so suddenly! Our club's purpose is just to gather after school to eat desserts, that's it!"
Azusa shook her head: "Sorry, I already joined a club."
But once the next major exam results came out, they would all graduate from the Make-Up Work Club, right?
I thought the After-School Sweets Club was still a nice choice, though it was up to Azusa.
Natsu sipped her milk: "Well, even if you don't join the club, you can still come out to eat desserts with us anytime."
Airi also smiled: "Yes! We'll always welcome you, Azusa!"
"Really…" Azusa nodded thoughtfully and smiled. "Thank you, I understand."
It seemed she had made some good friends, just like the girls in the After-School Sweets Club.
I took in this harmonious scene with a small smile, then glanced to the other side.
"So, sensei… you've been distracted since earlier?"
Yoshimi noticed my odd behavior. Being secretly in love with me, she couldn't help but ask: "Is there something outside the shop? Or are you waiting for someone else?"
I shook my head: "No… well, not exactly… I just had a small hunch about something that seems to follow a certain pattern."
Because I was vague, the girls exchanged puzzled looks, but I couldn't explain further.
Then, in the next moment…
The shop door opened, and a sleek black figure strode in, heading straight for the counter.
"Four of the newest drinks, iced, plus one… two extra-large parfaits, all to go. Charge three drinks to this card, the rest to that one."
The girl placed four student IDs on the counter.
Seeing those iconic black wings, I exhaled in relief and felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
Sure enough, it was a spawn point.
"Huh?" Yoshimi blinked. "Hasumi-senpai?"
The vice-chair of the Justice Task Force was startled, turning her head: "Azusa, the After-School Sweets Club members, and… sensei…?"
Realizing the situation, Hasumi, who had sworn to diet and asked me to supervise, hurriedly explained: "These are for Tsurugi, Hifumi, Mashiro, and I. We just finished a nearby mission."
I understood. One drink each, plus two parfaits secretly for herself. From the payment method and Hasumi personally running errands, it was easy to figure out.
Hasumi awkwardly scratched her cheek and changed the subject: "By the way, what are you two doing?"
"Azusa and I just visited Koharu, then prepared for tomorrow, and ran into them."
"We're doing club activities."
"I see. Well, carry on then, I won't disturb you."
Hasumi remained silent. Once all the ordered items were packed, she scurried off.
Yoshimi, however, gazed at Hasumi's departing figure with admiration: "Hasumi-senpai really is the epitome of a mature lady."
"I heard that Hasumi-senpai wanted to join the After-School Sweets Club in first year too."
"Eh? Really!?"
Natsu shrugged: "Just a rumor. But if she had become our senpai, some people here would have been made to look small in comparison."
Yoshimi got furious: "Die, you!"
After some playful teasing, everyone shared the desserts and chatted a bit before naturally dispersing.
After waving goodbye to the girls we met, I looked at Azusa beside me:
"So, where to next?"
"Uhh…" Azusa paused to think.