Survive in Azure Files

Anyway, if there is any student who really fails to live up to my trust, I think she will be the one who regrets it in the end.

Anyway, in order to try to convince Nagisa, I plan to meet Shengya again to exchange some information, but not tonight.

Before the training camp began, the Tea Party Club kindly gave us a two-day buffer period. This was because there were procedures to follow for opening the annex, and it was also for me and the students in the cram school to handle some chores.

Of course, it doesn't mean that even I, the consultant, will be subject to personal restrictions during the training period. It's just that the location of the annex is relatively remote, so it's inevitable that there are some inconveniences in travel.

To be on the safe side, I plan to go out and fool around tomorrow... After a whole day of field work, I will go to other places first and take the opportunity to visit Shengya's hiding place.

Then I remembered a previous agreement.

After receiving a reply from the other party that he was free, I submitted another leave application to Rin-chan.

As we all know, Chief Administrative Officer Qi Shenlin is a very reasonable person.

After learning about my situation, she took it very seriously and insisted on helping me solve the problem even if she had to work overtime, no matter how I tried to refuse.

…Then Rin worked overtime and sent Xia Lai's entire week's work all at once.

I looked at the fax machine that was still working and the pile of documents next to it, and I couldn't help but be speechless.

Isn't it a bit cruel to me to do this?

I was originally planning to complain and ask Lin-chan to reduce the salary, but when I saw the photos she sent me, I suddenly felt that I could still try harder.

In order to have time to play freely with the beautiful girls during the training, so as to better contribute to Kivotos and find strong evidence to convince Nagisa, I worked hard until late at night.

The next day, I got up early and got ready. Thinking of the huge amount of unprocessed documents in the office, I couldn't help but wonder whether I should make more efforts first.

But then I thought again, I had clearly already worked hard for today's share last night, so I went out with peace of mind.

Not long after, I got off the tram and wandered around the deserted neighborhood, eventually arriving at a plain building that even looked a bit shabby from the outside.

After confirming the door number, I walked into the door. Just as I walked up a few steps, I heard some rustling sounds.

I frowned slightly and deliberately lowered the sound of my footsteps.

When I went up to the second floor and saw the scene inside through the open door, my frown relaxed and a smile appeared on my face unconsciously.

I saw a plaque with the words "One Bad Deed a Day" hanging on the wall in an office whose overall decoration looked very familiar to me. There was a girl with refreshing white hair, except for her forehead and ponytail which were dyed black. She was wearing her favorite black sweatshirt. She was listening to music with headphones, humming along with the melody, and cleaning with a broom.

"Um……?"

The next moment, she paused and looked at me suddenly. The moment she saw that it was me, her sharp eyes softened.

Kayoko took off her headphones and greeted me:

"Teacher, you came earlier than I expected. If I had known you would come so early, I would have changed the time for cleaning the office to another time..."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you in advance." I looked around and said with emotion, "This is almost exactly the same as the office in Abydos."

Kayoko shrugged: "This is the aesthetic of the convenience store president."

Obviously, A-Lu is a nostalgic person. I think I am the same.

I nodded thoughtfully and looked at the wall again: "Come to think of it, I remember this isn't...?"

A few months ago, due to a car accident caused by driving at night without wearing glasses, and the inaction of those who clearly noticed the clues but wanted to watch the fun, half of the property of Convenience House 68 was burned down.

This also includes calligraphy works that make Alu proud and make her dream of becoming a big shot in the future who dominates the underground world of Kivotos and can be auctioned for a sky-high price.

Kayoko followed my gaze and said, "Yes. Although the original version was burned to ashes, Lu found time to write another one."

Obviously, he learned this kind of unyielding perseverance from me.

"By the way, what about the other members?" I asked. "Aren't they living directly in the office like before?"

"Well, because the area around here has been cleaned up by the Disciplinary Committee, and it's a slum-like place, the housing prices are particularly low recently, so the president rented another apartment nearby. According to her calculations, she will have enough food money left to last until she receives the next commission."

At this point, Kayoko sighed, with a hint of regret in her eyes, and said quietly: "Then, after we pay this month's water and electricity bills, we will eat the cheapest bean sprout bento from the supermarket. Although we don't have to share one among four people."

...As expected of Alu.

I just hope that if she does something stupid out there, she won't blame me for what I taught her.

"By the way, the other members were processing commissions until midnight last night and haven't come to work yet."

Hearing this, my eyes fixed.

Could it be that Kayoko cut down on her sleep time just to be alone with me? Or, even darker, could it be that Kayoko hid the news of my coming and pushed the work onto her companions so that they could be absent?

Did my beauty eventually lead people down the evil path of secret intrigue? Even Kayoko...

Hee, although it may feel boring if you do it too often, if you only do it occasionally, it can be a spice of life!

I cleared my throat and asked with concern, "Kayoko, what about you?"

"…Me? It's okay with me. Because I'm not the type who likes to stay in bed."

Kayoko raised the broom and said, "So when only one person comes to work first, I will clean the office first like this."

She chose today on purpose, she must have wanted me to see the clean and tidy office, which would elicit my polite admiration, and then she would pretend to indicate that she did it all by herself, so that she could show me her hardworking and tidy image, which would make me feel good about her and make her look better than her colleagues!

As expected of Kayoko.

Feeling emotional in my heart, I deliberately asked, "Why do you have to clean alone?"

"That's true..." Kayoko said calmly, "but I think it's too formal to deliberately ask us to clean together... The important thing is that it's troublesome. And Alu and Haruka will occasionally clean up the mess, so there's actually not much to clean."

It was a flawless answer, and very much in Kayoko's style, which almost made me wonder if I was being too sentimental.

"Instead of asking others for help, it's easier to do this kind of troublesome thing by yourself."

It’s a pity that she is still here after all, revealing her flaws!

As an adult, how could I feel comfortable sitting there and watching my students busy themselves?

Kayoko said this deliberately, definitely hinting at me to offer to help clean with her.

Now that I've noticed Kayoko's reserved and awkward girlish heart, how can I not respond to her expectations?

"If you don't mind, let me help you."

I said sincerely.

Kayoko sighed as if she was speechless, then raised her eyebrows, looked ferocious, and said coldly:

"...Teacher, aren't you listening to me? And this is a matter of our convenience store, and has nothing to do with you. Or do you want me to keep owing you a favor and causing you trouble?"

At a time like this, I would like to say sincerely, yes.

How could he not think about it when he could make Kayoko, who always appears to be cold but is actually so cute, look troubled?

But I'm afraid that if I really admit it, Kayoko will glare at me fiercely, or even make her angry.

After all, I know that Kayoko's heart is not like the first impression she gave me. She doesn't really care about anything. She also has her own little emotions and thoughts.

So I gave him a warm smile and said, "Only if you finish cleaning up quickly can you be free to entertain me, right?"

"But, wouldn't that be..." Kayoko hesitated for a moment, then suddenly sighed, "No, it's ridiculous to argue over such a trivial matter."

I smiled and said, "Yes, so don't refuse anymore."

Kayoko nodded and said softly, "Although I don't like getting entangled with others, if someone reaches out to me first, I won't deliberately avoid it. Just like the work of this convenience store, hehe."

After that, she smiled and seemed to be in a good mood, and moved closer: "Then, the job of moving heavy objects will be left to the teacher."

"...How about we switch?"

I recalled that yesterday, just the handshake during prayer caused Hinata's Shiting Box to lose several bars of power, and he had a deeper understanding of his position in Kivotos.

"Hmm? I don't mind. Let's get started."

Then, with the efforts of Kayoko and I, we quickly made the not-so-big office look brand new.

Just when we were free and listening to music together on the sofa.

Several hurried footsteps were heard coming from the direction of the stairs.

Chapter 34: Stop being jealous of me!

"Good morning~"

Mutsuki, wearing her usual side ponytail and a gothic dress, and with a devilish smile on her face almost all the time, skipped into the office.

However, when she saw Kayoko and I sitting at the two ends of the sofa, she showed obvious surprise on her face, then narrowed her glittering, animal-like pink-purple eyes and smiled even more brilliantly:

"Eh? Teacher~ How come you have time today to visit our convenience store? Really! You didn't even tell us first~"

She deliberately raised her voice, her tone so sweet that it was a little creepy, and at the same time she trotted over to the sofa, sat naturally between Kayoko and me, and hugged my arm.

Kayoko was stunned for a moment, her expression slightly unfriendly, she put away the earphones that she had not had time to put away completely due to the urgent situation, and stood up:

"I'll go prepare tea for the teacher."

"Hoohoo~ Thank you for your help~"

Mutsuki answered for me. Kayoko, who had already turned her back, did not say anything.

At this time, Alu and Haruka, who was following closely behind her, also appeared at the door.

Ah Lu blinked, opened her mouth, and said in surprise: "Teacher! It's really you!"

Seeing her after not seeing her for a long time, I actually missed her quite a bit——

Ah Lu is still the best. I don't have to spend too much effort to get along with her. Look at her smile, so silly... so adorable!

"Teacher." Haruka, who was so shy and timid that it made people feel distressed, also gave me a timid smile, "Hello."

"Alu, Haruka, good morning. Long time no see."

I raised my free hand to greet them, but felt a tightness in my other arm.

"Really? Teacher, you haven't spoken to me yet. Aren't you a little biased?"

Mutsuki complained to me in dissatisfaction.

But is it really necessary to be polite to someone who jumps on you as soon as he comes in?

I don't think so.

“Mutsuki! What are you doing!” Seeing Mutsuki getting even closer to me, Alu panicked and hurried over to pull her up, “You can’t be so close to the teacher… This, this… Yes, this will damage the image of our Convenience House 68!”

"Fufu~ Alu-chan is such a bummer, don't you think the teacher is happy~"

“That’s clearly an expression of distress, right!?”

Anyway, Alu was able to pull Mutsuki away from me quite smoothly even though she didn't really protest.

Then, the president of Convenience House 68 put on a smile that she thought suited her, full of majesty and aura:

"Hehe... Teacher, welcome to our new office in the convenience store. This is your first time..."

But Alu was only halfway through her words when she was interrupted by a plain remark:

"Here, teacher, some tea. Be careful it's hot."

Kayoko put the teacup, which was still steaming with hot water, down on the coffee table in front of me.

I replied subconsciously: "Ah, thank you."

"Wait, wait, Kayoko--" Alu panicked again, "I'm talking to the teacher!"

"Yeah, I know, but tea should be drunk while it's hot."

Kayoko put her hands in her pockets, expression calm: "I can't lose my manners in front of the guests."

In fact, I feel that when these girls, who are usually as close as sisters and can share weal and woe, begin to confront each other around me, there is no etiquette at all.

Stop it! Stop being jealous over me! This won't bring happiness to everyone!

However, after that, Kayoko really just stood there, as did Mutsuki and Haruka.

...You really don't want to fight anymore?

Without interrupting, A-Lu cleared her throat and continued, "So, you came to visit our Convenience House 68 today. Could it be that you have some request?"

"No," I said frankly, "I just have some free time today, so I came to see you guys."

"Really?"

At this moment, Alu smiled innocently again, but soon she noticed and controlled herself:

"Ahem... I see. Haha~ Thank you for your concern. As you can see, we've been doing pretty well lately."