Arisu came to find me, but it wasn't because she wanted to do anything strange.
At least, not entirely.
In any case, before I could even respond, she said, "Even if Sensei says it's inconvenient, Arisu will still borrow your time, hmph," and then added to Yuuka, "Make sure to take good care of Momoi and Midori," before grabbing my hand and running out of the clubroom.
Only after Momoi and Midori's voices faded behind us did the android girl slow down, smiling as she said to me.
"Sensei, today please form a party with Arisu and go on an adventure together!"
Huh? In this weather? Seriously?
I glanced out the window. The light was so bright that even through special glass, it felt like it carried heat, making me squint.
It was a summer afternoon. Although the sun had already passed its peak, the heat was still intense.
Not long after we stepped outside, both Arisu and I started sweating a little.
Even though she's an android, Arisu is extremely lifelike in every aspect, including human-like secretions.
However, the high temperature didn't dampen Arisu's enthusiasm, and for me it was still within a tolerable range.
But for some others, this kind of heat was undoubtedly torture.
In Millennium, where most students are science-oriented and have somewhat weaker physical stamina, there weren't many people walking around. Even those who were out were mostly sticking to the shade, looking either rushed or lethargic.
Unexpectedly, however, when those students noticed Arisu walking by, quite a few of them smiled as if they had seen something adorable. Some even stopped avoiding the sun just to come over and greet her.
And when they talked with Arisu, the familiarity in their tone showed that they weren't all just trying to approach me while pretending otherwise.
Although, some definitely were.
Well, it couldn't be helped. After all, I'm this handsome. It's only natural that students in their youth would want to approach me, just like it's natural for them to hurry back indoors to air conditioning and shade. If anything, the former is even more reasonable.
After saying goodbye to yet another group of students I had just met, I smiled and said to the android girl who seemed pleased from all the encouragement.
"Arisu, you seem really popular with everyone."
"Eh?" she suddenly looked panicked. "Sensei, are you jealous? If Sensei doesn't allow Arisu to talk to others…"
"Stop, stop."
I quickly interrupted her, then sighed after a moment of speechlessness.
"Where did you even learn that kind of thing…"
Arisu simply blinked and tilted her head at me innocently.
Giving up on that line of questioning, I asked instead.
"Anyway, what I mean is, Arisu, you get along pretty well with other students in Millennium, right?"
"Yes," Arisu said with a bright smile. "Because Arisu is a trainee hero, she needs to level up, so she often goes on adventures around the school, takes sudden quests, and earns experience points. At the same time, the favorability of quest givers also increases."
So in other words, she helps people in need, right?
However, what she said next surprised me.
"Arisu has also become good friends with Rio!"
"…Rio?"
I frowned slightly.
"Have you met her again since then?"
Even for me, our last meeting with Rio was months ago, when I brought Arisu to see her.
Since she was the root of the conflict between us, if she really had been rebuilding her relationship with Arisu, did that mean she was finally willing to reconcile with me?
Arisu nodded.
"Yes! A few days ago, when Arisu went to Himari-senpai's place for a medical checkup, Rio came to visit Arisu specially! Even though she was talking with Himari-senpai the whole time, Arisu could tell. That was what they call tsundere."
A few days ago…
If I think about the timing, could it have been when Rio went to Himari to discuss funding for the Special Phenomena Task Force?
I also came to Millennium today partly for that reason. According to Himari and Eimi, the requested budget was so large that approving it might destabilize the entire research society's finances. Rio even personally showed up and argued fiercely with Himari.
In the end, both sides compromised, reaching a rare agreement.
Basically, some overly expensive equipment that Rio considered unnecessary would only be approved if accompanied by a detailed justification.
I didn't expect Arisu to have been there. Himari didn't mention it either. Did she think it wasn't necessary, or was she just embarrassed?
But that aside.
Why did Arisu think Rio had come specifically to see her?
I couldn't help but wonder if her sense of self-awareness had become a little too inflated lately…
After a moment of hesitation, I patted her head and praised her, ignoring my conscience.
"Well done, Arisu."
"Ehehe~ Sensei is amazing too!"
Arisu smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Even though Arisu's usual adventures go smoothly, being in a party with Sensei today feels like I can gain even more experience points!"
"Is that so?" I responded. "Then that really is impressive. I'm glad I can help you."
"Yes!" Arisu nodded. "Although Sensei can't fight normally, your equipment conflicts with Arisu's weapons, and your stamina is only about 1 point…"
Wait a second, is she praising me or insulting me?!
I almost interrupted her, but I stayed quiet, curious how her "but" would turn out.
"But even so, it's fine."
Arisu said happily.
"Because Sensei is someone who doesn't need to fight directly, but can still support Arisu as a companion."
I nodded thoughtfully.
"So in other words, I'm a support character who puts all points into charisma."
"No, Sensei is a mascot. The kind that boosts morale just by being in the party."
…That description still feels kind of strange.
Trying to find a better role for myself, I asked.
"Arisu, didn't you say before that I'm a 'king' to you?"
"Yes, but that's a special combo that only happens after a specific job change! In simple terms, it's a kind of roleplay."
Then, Arisu asked excitedly.
"Does Sensei want Arisu to stop the adventure and change job into being Sensei's possession right now?"
After some careful consideration, I refused.
"Let's wait until the adventure today is over before you change."
"Okay! Then Arisu will speed up. Please keep up with me, Sensei!"
Watching her bright smile, I could only hope that when she came to Schale for duty later, she would still be able to say such things with that same expression.