Survive in Azure Files

"This is probably the main reason."

Iroha shrugged noncommittally. "Besides, no one likes to associate with people who have ulterior motives, right? In other words, instead of making small calculations, it is better to tell the truth--"

I quite agree with this point.

However, thinking back to what happened with Hanako today, I suddenly said:

"Actually, even if you really are hiding something, I don't mind."

As soon as these words came out, Iroha showed an expression of disbelief.

I guess he was moved by my magnanimity and was about to explode with power in the next second, right?

"what are you talking about?"

Iroha frowned. "If someone with ulterior motives approaches you, shouldn't you feel disgusted? Don't you think you're being used? Don't you find this kind of behavior of the Holy Trinity disgusting?"

What is the Act of the Holy Trinity?

I couldn't help laughing.

I suppressed the upward curve of my mouth and said, "I have come across many people like that. I am used to it."

At the same time, I secretly felt that, to be honest, it would be strange if any student in Kivotos did not have the slightest dislike for me.

"Besides, I think if it was Iroha, there should be some plausible reason."

Iroha fell silent again, and then sighed as he had become accustomed to.

"…Although I knew this when I investigated beforehand, I didn't expect the teacher to be such a person."

"It's not a bad thing, right? Otherwise, it would be very tiring."

"Hmm—"

Iroha drew out his nasal tone, looked at me again, and his expression became serious:

"Since the teacher has said so, I don't mind the issue in this regard... Then, I will try to ask you in person again?"

Before I could say anything, she stared at me and said in a deep voice, "Teacher, please lend a helping hand to our Pandemonium. Even if you can't give us your full support, it's okay if you can only help us indirectly. Of course, we will promise you a sufficiently generous reward. You have heard what Makoto-senpai said."

"Which sentence?"

"After we conquer Kivotos together, I will share half of the land and power with you... Well, although this kind of thing can usually only be regarded as an exaggeration, it is not impossible for you to make a marriage contract with Makoto-senpai."

It sounds sincere, but the premise is that you can do it.

What's more, I don't have such a strong desire for power...

In other words, wouldn’t it be more convenient and feasible to make the students who hold power fall in love with me?

"So, what do you think?"

In the face of Iroha's proposal, I can only give one answer:

"Sorry."

Iroha didn't seem surprised by this result and nodded: "I see. I understand."

As I looked on in surprise, the petite girl with fluffy red hair said this and walked towards the sofa.

Then she took off her boots, revealing her feet in black socks, and lay down on the sofa, curling up and twisting on it like a kitten.

"Iroha?"

Seeing her behave like this, I couldn't help but call her.

"Please wait a moment while I look for the best position."

Soon, Iroha stopped moving and smiled contentedly: "...Okay, that's probably how it feels."

Then she opened the book she brought and began to read with relish.

"Wait a mininute!?"

This sudden development made me feel surprised, and at the same time, a wonderful feeling arose in my heart.

"As for the meeting time, please pick any time you like. Makoto-senpai will try his best to make time to meet you. Oh, by the way."

Iroha said lazily, turned the page, and then looked at me as if he suddenly remembered something: "There is coffee in Xialeli, right? I'll have a cup of hot espresso, thank you."

...Isn't this guy a little too good at ordering people around?

But anyway, I had nothing to do and I liked her personality, so I just let her do what she wanted.

So I went to the coffee machine and made a cup of coffee according to Iroha's request. I prepared milk and sugar next to it for her to add herself, and put it on the coffee table next to the sofa.

"Are you really soaking?"

Iroha's tone was unexpected, but there was a smile between his eyebrows. He sat down, picked up the coffee cup and blew away the hot steam with small sips.

I sat next to her.

The girl glanced at me and said, "Hmm? Does this mean I can lie on top of you later?"

"If you're willing, that's fine. But in return for being lazy in Xialai and letting me make coffee for you, could you help me with a question first?"

"...You cunning sir. I feel like I'm the one who's at a disadvantage."

Iroha was shocked: "Well, as long as it's not too much trouble, please go ahead."

"I'll be frank. I met with Makoto this time in the hope of lightening the burden on Hina."

"...Is this something you can tell me?" Iroha complained, then froze for a moment and showed a cute smile, "Hehe, it seems that we are not completely on the same channel."

Maybe it is true.

I couldn't help but laugh too.

"But you seem to have some misunderstanding about Makoto-senpai... well, that's entirely her own fault."

Iroha took a sip of coffee and looked at me with a playful look, and said meaningfully:

"It seems like you and Makoto-senpai might unexpectedly be somewhat compatible."

Hearing this, my eyebrows raised slightly.

Chapter 19: Iroha's Reward

At first, I suspected that Iroha's comment that Makoto and I might get along well was a roundabout way of scolding me.

But on second thought, I felt that it was not necessary. Otherwise, wouldn't she, who claimed that she was on the same wavelength as me, be scolding me as well?

When I recall what Shengya once said about the Speaker of the Pandemonium, I feel that what Iroha said was probably really from the heart.

In other words, Makoto might not be as bad as I think she is.

But Iroha had said before that it was all Makoto's fault. Putting the two together, I couldn't help but get curious and asked her what she meant.

However, at this moment, Iroha showed a meaningful smile and kept the secret:

"Well, you will know it naturally when you meet her formally."

"Hey, are you deliberately trying to keep me in suspense?"

"Yes." Iroha admitted frankly, looked at me strangely, and said as a matter of course, "Have you forgotten that I came here with a mission?"

Even though I felt like I was being tricked, the attitude she displayed did not allow me to get angry at all. Instead, I admired this somewhat lazy girl even more.

I thought about it and replied, "Well, I can do it in the morning tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

"Oh, okay. I'll tell Makoto-senpai when I get back."

Iroha nodded indifferently, then put down the coffee cup and looked at me sitting next to her: "Well, this is the reward for making coffee for me. If you don't stand up quickly, I will use your legs as a footrest."

I was stunned for a moment, and my eyes unconsciously moved to the girl's fair, slender, and curvy legs. The black socks underneath her legs were in sharp contrast to her skin. After a little thought, I asked hesitantly:

"Is this... a reward for helping you complete the mission?"

Hearing this, Iroha was also stunned.

But soon, she moved aside, covered her lower face with the book in her hands, and looked at me warily:

"So this part of the information is true? To be honest, your habit is a little disgusting."

"Uh, sorry."

I touched my nose awkwardly and was about to get up and leave, but I heard a helpless sigh.

"Please wait a moment." As he spoke, Iroha had already placed his feet gently on my legs, and then curled up on the sofa, moving his feet from time to time, as if he was looking for a comfortable position.

After a moment, she smiled with satisfaction and commented, "It feels pretty good."

Then, Iroha said in a warning tone: "Since you said so, just treat it as a reward. Don't move it, otherwise you will have nothing in the future, do you understand?"

...And later! ?

I suddenly felt my blood boiling and quickly promised that I would never take the opportunity to touch her secretly.

"...Hehe, what? It turns out you have no resistance to this method."

Iroha snickered, seeming to be quite pleased with my reaction.

Sure enough, she was coveting my beauty.

Fortunately, I crave her too!

I righteously retorted: "I'm not like this to everyone, it's just because Iroha is so cute!"

Iroha raised his eyebrows and smiled even more: "Although I think you say this to everyone, but let's just treat it as that this time. Well, I'm going to start reading again. Since you are so leisurely, please come and fish with me."

After saying that, she opened the book she brought with her and continued reading.

I maintained this sitting position, feeling the weight and warmth of the girl. After the excitement faded away, I took a short nap as sleepiness gradually came back.

Until the alarm I set in advance rang.

"You got a job?"

Iroha asked casually, his tone very familiar, as if he was chatting with a friend he had known for a long time.

I nodded regretfully: "Yeah. Looks like that's all we can do today."

"Oh, then you go first."

Iroha retracted his legs, waved his hand as if to drive him away, and returned his gaze to the page of the book, saying lazily:

"I'll go back after I finish reading this book. Whether it's tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I'll tell you tonight on momotalk."

At this time, I remembered that I didn’t have any friends like her, so I quickly added them.

I seriously doubt whether she is hinting at something on purpose, hoping that I will take the initiative to add her.

Thinking back, Iroha might have had a crush on me from the moment the Disciplinary Committee saw me. This time, he might have fought hard to get the opportunity to come to Xialai to perform his duties, but he still pretended to be nonchalant and secretly tried every means to seduce me...

It made me gasp.

At the same time, I hope Iroha will increase his efforts.

By the way, I would like to express my doubts. When will the bug that causes the card to sometimes work and sometimes not work be fixed?

Anyway, after saying a simple goodbye to Iroha, who was still lying on the sofa reading a book, I headed to Trinity.

About ten minutes before school was over, I arrived at the cram school classroom and made final preparations.

Not long after the poem rang as the school bell, the students from the cram school arrived in the classroom one after another.

The first to arrive was Azusa.

She brought many questions that she couldn't answer clearly on momotalk and asked me questions in person. Her learning attitude was very positive and her progress was visible to the naked eye.

It’s a pity that Zi’s foundation is still too weak. The probability of passing the make-up exam on the first try is not high, but he will definitely pass it within three tries.

The next one was Hifumi. Seeing that I was helping Azusa with her homework, she greeted me, then sat down at her seat, took out her textbook and started studying hard.

The next one is Hanako.

She walked into the classroom with a smile on her face, seemed to be in a good mood, winked at me playfully, and didn't say anything teasing.

But when passing by me, Hanako suddenly bent down, and her long hair brushed my nose with a fragrance that I didn't know came from the shampoo or was originally there.

"Hey, I know how to do this question." Hanako said softly, "Azusa-chan, if you don't mind, let me teach you~"

...What a deep mind.