Abydos of a Midsummer Night (3) - 7

"So... it wasn't on purpose?"

 

 

 

"That's right~ I got caught up in the atmosphere and didn't mean to."

 

 

Serika, now changed into her part-time work uniform, was scolding Sensei who had pretended to be her...

 

 

"What's the big deal, Serika? I had fun too. I honestly thought you had a twin."

 

 

"Sensei..."

 

 

 

"Anyway, I can't believe the famous Sensei actually has that kind of constitution. Even in this backwater, I've heard rumors about the acting General Student Council President... but this is the first time I've heard this? You must be keeping it a secret?"

 

 

"It's not really a secret, it's just that it's been shared with the major academies. They said it shouldn't be made public until they figure out the cause of the constitution, as it would cause chaos."

 

 

"I suppose so~ It's the first time I've seen something like this. But, I can tell. Your eyes show that you're not someone who would abuse such a constitution. Or maybe... it's just because you're in Serika's form?"

 

 

"Ugh, customer!"

 

 

"Oops~ Right, right."

 

 

 

Serika went to attend to the customer with a blush, and Sensei, now changed back into their school uniform, joined the Abydos students. Sensei sat next to Nonomi.

 

 

"You really looked exactly the same~ I didn't think it was you for a moment."

 

 

"Same here. I thought my glasses were malfunctioning for a second."

 

 

"I recognized you. Your eyes are gentler than Serika's."

 

 

"Oh, my~? Does that mean Serika-chan looks fierce? Well, I guess it's somewhat true~"

 

 

"What!?"

 

 

"Now, now, Serika. Be nice to the customers~"

 

 

"Ugh..."

 

 

The Foreclosure Task Force laughed and chatted, ordering from Serika. Sensei momentarily hesitated between the fried rice and ramen on the menu, but decided to go with the basic Shiba Seki Ramen since everyone else was having ramen.

 

 

Sensei usually tested the quality of a ramen shop by first ordering fried rice and tasting the soup that came with it. If the fried rice was mediocre but the soup was good, it meant the ramen would be decent. If both were good, it was a great restaurant. If both were bad, it was a place to avoid.

 

 

It was a way to find good restaurants like a true working adult. However, this place was a regular spot for the Abydos kids, and the appearance and aroma of the ramen as Serika served it looked delicious enough. Still, Sensei was craving rice today, so there was a tinge of disappointment.

 

 

The ramen arrived shortly. Sensei bowed to Serika. Serika felt complicated watching Sensei, as if she was having an out-of-body experience.

 

 

Sensei first took a sip of the soup and thought, *as expected, it's delicious.* Then, he tried the noodles...

 

 

"Hmm, it's a perfect harmony. A true hidden gem!"

 

 

"Right~? You know your stuff, Sensei~"

 

 

Hoshino watched Sensei smiling brightly while eating ramen, her gaze somewhat affectionate. Nonomi was worried about Hoshino, wondering if she was truly okay... but she thought it was a positive change. Though, it looked strange since Sensei had Serika's appearance.

 

 

After a satisfying meal, Sensei paid the bill. His wallet was getting lighter, but it was worth it.

 

 

Today was a free attendance day, so there was no need to go to school. Serika stayed at the shop to continue her part-time job, and Sensei left with the Foreclosure Task Force.

 

After lunch, during a short break, Serika stepped outside to stretch her shoulders.

 

 

"Break time, huh?"

 

 

"Eek!? S-Sensei!?"

 

 

Sensei was standing by the shop door, leaning against the wall.

 

 

"Were you... waiting for me the whole time?"

 

 

"Not really~ I just wanted to spend time with our Serika today? I was with the others and came here during break time. Master told me when your break was, by the way."

 

 

"Master..."

 

 

Master Shiba was as perceptive as he was skilled in cooking.

 

 

"Want to take a walk?"

 

 

"...Okay."

 

 

Serika, feeling uneasy about leaving Sensei in her form alone, decided to join them. The two walked through the desolate streets of Abydos. Despite being the city center, there weren't many people, making it feel like a rural town.

 

 

"Serika, do you like Abydos?"

 

 

"Of course I do. Why else would I be here?"

 

 

"...Why do you want to save the school?"

 

 

"Huh?"

 

 

"The debt of Abydos is the school's debt, not yours. You could transfer to another school anytime. So, why are you trying to protect it?"

 

 

Sensei asked Serika a question she already knew the answer to. To Serika, it sounded like nasty sarcasm, but Sensei just wanted to hear it from her own mouth.

 

 

"That's obvious! It's the place where I was born and raised. Of course, I want to protect it!"

 

 

"...Hehe, right. Of course~ Everyone wants to protect their hometown."

 

 

"Why did you ask that?"

 

 

Serika asked with a frown, and Sensei grinned.

 

 

"Well, I wanted to hear it from you. Even if the answer is obvious... I wanted to hear it directly from you. The reason why you keep fighting and trying. Is this also part of your youth?"

 

 

"Youth... you sound like an old man."

 

 

Thud!

 

 

"I-I'm still in my twenties... I'm a fresh graduate, do I really look that old?... I'm from the Satori generation, you know."

 

 

Seeing Sensei in her form looking downcast with drooping cat ears, Serika felt strangely moved. It was her appearance, yet not her. It was different from looking in a mirror. It felt like watching her own body being possessed while in an out-of-body state. That's what it felt like.

 

 

"Well... there's no other way to put it but youth, right? I was being harsh."

 

 

"Right!? It's definitely youth!"

 

 

Sensei's eyes lit up again, his ears perking up. Serika felt embarrassed seeing this. *Was I always this cute...?* She seemed to be undergoing some self-reflection.

 

 

The two continued walking and talking. Sensei spotted a takoyaki stand and suggested getting some as a snack. Serika sighed at Sensei's enthusiasm, but somehow, it felt like she had gained a sister, so it wasn't so bad.

 

 

"Here, Serika, let's eat together! It smells good, right?"

 

 

 

 

 

"...Yeah, it does smell good."

 

 

Taking the takoyaki from Sensei, Serika thought that regardless of his intentions, he seemed like a good person.

 

 

After a few more minutes of walking, Serika returned to the shop. Sensei decided to explore Abydos a bit more, thinking about picking Serika up when her shift ended.

 

 

Time passed... and it became evening.

 

 

After finishing their exploration, Sensei went to pick up Serika. However...

 

 

In the eerie evening stillness of the deserted street, the Helmet Gang appeared around Sensei.

 

 

"You're... the Helmet Gang? What do you—"

 

 

{Sensei!}

 

 

A shell flew from afar.

 

 

Boom!!!

 

 

Protected by Arona, Sensei was unharmed by the shell. However, the impact of the explosion knocked them down. The Helmet Gang swarmed Sensei, and a sleeping gas grenade exploded right in front of his face.

 

 

"Th-This is... ugh..."

 

 

{Oh no, we weren't prepared for this...! Sensei! Wake up! Sensei!}

 

 

With that, Sensei collapsed and was kidnapped by the Helmet Gang.

 

 

Of course... they had come to kidnap Serika, having obtained information about her part-time job, planning to threaten Abydos or reduce their fighting force. No one knew they had kidnapped Sensei instead of Serika.

 

 

Arona quickly sent a rescue request... but sending it to SRT or the General Student Council would escalate the situation too much, so she sent it to the Foreclosure Task Force. At least... Hoshino alone would be incredibly reliable.

 

 

{Sensei...}

 

Sensei was locked in a container. The truck carrying the container sped through the desert. Sensei was still unconscious.

 

Time continued to pass, and given the vastness of Abydos, the Helmet Gang wouldn't escape until around noon tomorrow at the earliest. Arona anxiously waited for the Foreclosure Task Force to arrive...

 

"Sensei was...?"

 

"Yeah, let's hurry, Serika."

 

Hoshino put on her bulletproof vest from her first year and tied her hair, preparing for battle. Everyone assembled at night to rescue Sensei. Serika's eyes widened in shock at the news of Sensei's kidnapping.

 

The only outsider who knew Sensei was in Serika's form was Master Shiba. And it was unlikely he would tell anyone or kidnap them. This meant the kidnapping was clearly aimed at Serika.

 

"They were targeting me...?"

 

"Calm down, Serika-chan. For now, Sensei was kidnapped from Abydos city. And the location sent by Sensei's Shittim Chest is gradually moving away. Judging by the direction, they're probably trying to leave Abydos."

 

"They must have found out Serika was working alone. The message saying Sensei was kidnapped by the Helmet Gang, it's probably revenge against us."

 

"Kidnapped... If they're left in the Abydos desert..."

 

"So let's hurry. Before it's too late..."

 

Hoshino's eyes were filled with a serious, almost murderous intent as she quickly got into the vehicle. Ayane, the operator, took the wheel and started driving rapidly. Serika felt anxious, blaming herself for Sensei's kidnapping.

 

Nonomi checked Arona's messages in the Foreclosure Task Force's group chat, confirming that Sensei was still safe for now. She was relieved, at least for the moment, but Hoshino bit her nails anxiously.

 

They hadn't known Sensei for long... but the situation seemed eerily similar to Yume's final moments, making Hoshino extremely nervous. Shiroko loaded her magazines, preparing for combat... and the Foreclosure Task Force's vehicle sped across the desert.

 

Both sides were moving, so the distance wasn't closing quickly... The Helmet Gang stopped at an abandoned train station, a container depot, to refuel.

 

They started filling up with oil they had bought with money from Kaiser, storing it for their own use.

 

"How much more are we getting paid for this job?"

 

"I forgot... Doesn't the boss know?"

 

"Anyway, even the advance payment is a profit. Why bother going all the way out of Abydos? How about just burying her in the middle of the desert?"

 

"Hey, hey, killing them is a bit much..."

 

"If we fail this job, we'll be discarded. Don't you know who we're dealing with? We have to do what we have to do to survive."

 

"Killing is a bit much... let's just sell her to an organization in Gehenna."

 

"Hmm, should we? At least she won't be able to escape, right?"

 

The Helmet Gang, still undecided on what to do with Serika (Sensei), considered selling her to a criminal organization in Gehenna...

 

In the desert dawn, the sun slowly began to rise.

 

Boom!!!!!

 

"W-What was that!?"

 

"Ambush!?"

 

"That explosion... no, it wasn't an explosion! Look there!"

 

"A hole in the container!?"

 

The wall of the container was smashed. A girl emerged from the broken wall.

 

It was clearly not Serika. But since she looked like an enemy, they pointed their guns at her...

 

"Hey."

 

Creepy!

 

A massive killing intent emanated from her cold, red eyes. The Helmet Gang was overwhelmed by her presence. Then, she... Sensei, spoke.

 

"Your... hideout, where...?"