Survive in Azure Files

"Wait a minute! That's our minister over there! She has the Brittany lobster in her hand too! Go get her if you want to catch it, and please bypass me!"

However, the little maid didn't even turn her head:

"Huh? What Brittany lobster? That kind of thing doesn't matter. Don't run away! Ola Ola Ola!"

"Ah--Minister, save me!"

Haruna took this opportunity and quickly slipped away.

Holding the dark blue lobster, Haruna fled in the direction where the pickup truck was parked, feeling touched that her companions were willing to help her escape at all costs.

"Mingli, Quan, Junko, I will never forget your efforts. Even if it's just me... no, it's just me and the teacher, we will definitely eat all of this precious food with the most devout enthusiasm!"

Haruna thought so and ran as fast as she could, the wind whistling past her ears and making her coat rustle. Soon, the friendly and familiar pickup truck came into view.

It's almost there. It's almost there. As long as we get there...

boom.

A large-caliber bullet fell from the sky, flew through the air, and accurately hit the running Haruna.

On a commanding height not far away, a girl with brown skin and golden eyes in a maid outfit was standing on the rooftop with an anti-material sniper rifle. She took aim calmly and pulled the trigger again at the target who had staggered.

Finally, Haruna fell to the ground only ten meters away from the pickup truck. She struggled to get up and reached out to the dark blue...?

In unspeakable astonishment, Haruna's pupils shrank slightly.

-

"Wait."

I frowned and asked the girl on the other end of the phone, "What do you mean it's okay even if the lobster is lost?"

Because I heard that Haruna escaped with the expensive lobster, I was worried that something might have happened, so I called Yuka. However, Yuka didn't seem to care.

"That's exactly what it means. Even if the exhibit is really damaged or lost, according to my calculations, it's less than one percent of the property loss caused by C&C's brutal action... Oh, really, you just keep causing trouble for me all day long."

Yuuka sighed deeply and complained to me.

I was silent for a moment. “Isn’t that the legendary premium ingredient, Brittany blue lobster?”

"...What?" Yuka was confused. "Isn't that the gimmick of their exhibition? A dyed lobster that looks the same as the Brittany blue lobster."

"...What?" I was also confused. "Dyeing?"

"Yeah. So that's how it is. I was wondering why the Food Research Society would set its sights on such a small exhibition."

Yuka explained: "What the exhibit actually showcased is a new type of waterproof and environmentally friendly bio-based coating."

I was speechless for a moment, and then I asked again after a while: "Then why do you want to apply it on lobsters?"

"To create a stunt."

Ok.

After hanging up the phone, I looked up at the sky and couldn't help falling into deep thought.

So, what on earth is the Food Research Society doing...

At the same time, on the other side, Haruna fell into deep thought when she saw the bright red scratches on the lobster that stood out against the dark blue of its body, as well as the dark blue stains on the ground.

Weak security... glass that was pierced by a single blow... even the few tourists...

Clues intertwined in her mind, and soon Haruna realized the truth. She became so agitated that her head tilted and she lost consciousness.

-

A few blocks away.

Quan finally stopped, bent down, pressed his knees, and panted:

"Huh... I guess it's okay to escape here... Ugh, where is this place? Where is everyone?"

Just when Quan was about to cry, a handkerchief suddenly appeared in his field of vision, along with a hand wearing a long white silk glove that handed it to him.

"Are you okay? Do you want to be wiped?"

"Thanks……"

Quan took the handkerchief gratefully and looked up, only to see a blonde maid staring at her with a smile.

"Well, after you're done, you have to follow me obediently!"

"……Eh?"

At this point, the Food Research Society was completely wiped out.

Chapter 51: A traitor among us

When I received the news that the food seminar had been arrested, Fengxiang and I had already started our journey back home.

The means of transportation is still that old pickup truck.

Fengxiang, who was driving the car, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing what I said, and then apologized to me again with guilt:

"Teacher, I'm really sorry. It's all because of me that I got you involved in this troublesome matter."

Fengxiang is indeed a good child with a gentle nature.

I smiled warmly: "It's okay. I even think it's quite interesting to be involved in such incidents occasionally."

“Is that so? I don’t quite understand…”

Fengxiang recalled her own experiences and couldn't help but sighed with a look of sorrow:

"Maybe it's because I encounter similar things almost every day. Even if I'm not kidnapped by the Gourmet Research Society, there will be students causing trouble in the cafeteria, or sneaking in to cause damage... and so on..."

...Although I have long known that your students in Gehenna are very individual, is this a bit too much?

Fengxiang’s troubles shocked me greatly. While I felt pity for her, I didn’t know how to comfort her.

However, when I was still considering what to say, a clear and gentle laugh came from my side.

"Hehe~ But even though I still couldn't have a peaceful and calm day today, I am still quite happy~"

Fengxiang's expression was peaceful and gentle: "Maybe it's because I have the teacher by my side this time? It feels like I finally have a partner in the same situation~ So, thank you very much."

I stared at the girl beside me, who looked particularly gentle and lively at this moment, and couldn't help but be lost in thought.

Until Fengxiang noticed my gaze, she became a little embarrassed.

"Um, um, teacher, please don't look at me like that..."

I looked away, shook my head and sighed, "Ah, I never thought that Fengxiang would gloat over other people's misfortunes like this. I'm a little sad."

"Eh? Wait a minute, that's not what I meant..."

Fengxiang turned her head hurriedly to explain, but what she saw was the undisguised mischief on my face.

I reminded her, "Fengxiang, please pay attention to the road when driving."

"Wow... I never thought you would be so mean and play tricks on me..."

Fengxiang hurriedly looked straight ahead at the road ahead and muttered angrily.

Then, he couldn't help but put on a smile, and his relaxed and happy mood was evident in his words.

I looked at the cook girl secretly, and one thing was already clear in my heart.

I think I may have fallen in love with Liquidambar.

"By the way, Fengxiang," I said softly, "if we go back now, we won't be able to catch the school dinner time."

"Well... there's nothing I can do. Even if I park my car nearby and take the nearest train back to school, it's already too late. I can only hope that nothing serious will happen while I'm away..."

As soon as work was mentioned, Fengxiang suddenly became uneasy again. I think she was worried about whether Julie could handle it and protect the student cafeteria when some students made trouble.

"In that case, let's go have dinner together."

"Yeah." Fengxiang hesitated for a moment and then agreed readily.

For a first date, it is better to choose a high-end restaurant overlooking the night view...

Keeping Alu's teachings in mind, I searched on my phone for nearby restaurants that met my requirements and had vacancies, and then my face darkened slightly.

How come that family is the only one left?

Just as I was thinking it over and was about to choose the restaurant that I had been to twice with different students, the phone rang.

I answered the call somewhat confused:

"Hello? What's wrong?"

"Hmm...how should I put it...some unexpected situations have occurred. You may have to come back now."

I was slightly startled, then frowned: "What?"

"It's nothing, actually." Nero on the other end of the phone had a strange tone, as if he was trying to hold back a laugh. "Those guys from the Gourmet Research Society just pointed out that you and the student tied up in the car were their accomplices."

……ah?

Under the impact of this unexpected situation, I was completely stunned, and Nero continued to speak:

"Well, isn't the mission to disguise it as an accident and conceal the fact that you are the source of intelligence? They said so, and the transportation you used was an antique that was on the verge of being scrapped. If we don't pretend to bring you back, they will definitely be suspicious."

"……I see."

"Oh! See you later then!"

After hanging up the phone, I gritted my teeth, and all the guilt I had towards the Food Research Society disappeared - they actually dared to betray me after being betrayed by me... No, they framed me!

Bad students like this cannot be corrected by ordinary educational methods, they must be dealt with severely.

"Teacher, are you okay?"

Fengxiang asked with concern.

I pressed my forehead and said, "Sorry, the situation has changed. We will be called by the Millennium people to assist in the investigation."

"I see... This kind of situation happens all the time, you'll get used to it."

Fengxiang acted like she was used to it and even comforted me. I couldn't help but think of what Mingli said earlier, which I thought was just a teasing joke.

Why do I feel that Fengxiang might really be considered an expert in kidnapping?

Anyway, not long after, a security vehicle caught up with us from behind and stopped Fengxiang and I. Then, a few ordinary millennial students who were not wearing maid costumes arrested Fengxiang and me.

After a brief interrogation, we were both handcuffed and locked in the escort vehicle, where we met up with Victory from the Food Research Society who had already been inside.

The door of the carriage closed behind me. I looked around at the girls who looked up at me and condemned them bitterly:

"You actually betrayed me."

“…There’s no such thing, huh?”

Haruna blinked in confusion at first, then suddenly realized and explained to me: "We just told the maid who arrested us that you were invited as our guest, but we didn't betray you."

Is this different from selling out?

"Wait, what about me?" Fengxiang couldn't help but ask.

"Haha~"

Haruna did not give a direct reply, but she and Akari smiled meaningfully at the same time, and everything was said without saying a word.

"I am a hostage too! Do you really think I am your accomplice?"

Ignoring the angry Fengxiang, Haruna invited, "You've come just in time. We're preparing for an internal meeting. Come and sit down."

They didn't even avoid us during the internal meeting. Do they really treat us as their own people?

Full of curiosity, I and the reluctant Fengxiang joined them anyway, and a total of six people sat in a circle.

"Excuse me, everyone," Haruna said solemnly, and as she opened her red lips, she said something shocking, "There is a traitor among us."

Chapter 52 You all have unique skills

"Perhaps there is a traitor among us."

When I heard this, I was very surprised. Could it be that I was exposed now?