They arrived at the Public Security Bureau, where Kaya stormed into the director's office.
Bang!
Without even knocking, Kaya barged straight into the office. She marched up to the desk, her tone sharp and filled with irritation.
"Director Kanna, I need an explanation."
He casually closed the door behind him, cutting off the curious and concerned stares from the officers in the hallway. His eyes took in the appearance of "Director Kanna"—
Slender beast ears stood tall on her head, her long pale-golden hair draped over her right eye, and her pupils shimmered with a clear gray-blue hue. Her drooping eyelids, low-set eyebrows that seemed perpetually furrowed, and a shark-like grin revealing sharp teeth, all combined to give her an inherently intimidating presence.
Still, she was undeniably beautiful.
He had taken a moment during the trip to look her up on his phone. Her name was Ogata Kanna, a student of Valkyrie Police Academy, also known by the nickname [Mad Dog].
Kanna looked past Kaya's slight frame, glanced at him indifferently, then lowered her head and continued scribbling on a document, her voice flat and emotionless.
"Explanation? What explanation? I already made it very clear on Momotalk."
"Tell me—what do you mean by 'absolutely impossible'? Is that how you speak to a superior, Ogata Kanna?"
"Ugh." Kanna sighed and put down her pen, her attitude firm. "This unreasonable order—I wouldn't accept it even if the Head of the Defense Office gave it directly. If my response was too blunt and upset you, I sincerely apologize."
As she spoke, she stood up with both hands on the desk and walked around to face Kaya directly, meeting her gaze without a hint of fear. "But if you still think you can use your rank to force me to bow, then I suggest you give up and crawl back to your ivory tower."
"You—!" Kaya took a step back. Her finger pointed at Kanna, trembling slightly with anger and even a hint of hurt in her voice. "How dare you speak to me like that?"
"Oh, I speak like this to everyone. Sorry. So what now?"
"You people in Public Security have more than enough manpower, don't you? It's just a temporary transfer—how is that unreasonable?"
"Sorry, but we're all extremely busy from top to bottom."
He remembered what he saw upon entering the building. In the main hall, several officers lounged around with donuts in one hand and coffee in the other, chatting animatedly. When they saw visitors, they only talked louder.
…Huh?
Kaya was still arguing her case with Kanna.
"Are you kidding me? You all seem to be slacking off! Standing around the headquarters during work hours, enjoying the AC and snacking—how is that busy?"
Kanna replied coldly, "You don't understand. This is part of the mission."
"You disgrace to Valkyrie!"
"If you say so, then sure."
Kaya's face turned red with frustration at Kanna's obstinate demeanor.
"Every quarter, every single quarter, I allocate so much funding to you people..."
As he watched the argument unfold, he noticed that Kanna's mouth twitched slightly at the mention of funding.
"Am I not giving you enough? You use high-end weapons and enjoy generous benefits, yet you can't even fulfill your basic duties. Letting Kivotos's crime rate rise like this—you clearly don't respect me as Director of the Defense Office, nor do you respect your own responsibilities!"
Kaya's voice grew louder with emotion, her flat chest almost puffing into a curve.
In contrast, Kanna simply stared at her silently, her gaze growing colder.
"You and your subordinates—all of you—"
"Have you finished your tantrum?"
Suddenly, a low growl seeped out from between Kanna's clenched teeth, filled with barely contained anger.
"Eep!"
Startled, Kaya flinched and let out a short yelp. She quickly turned to glance at him. Seeing the appropriately indignant expression on his face, she let out a small sigh of relief and swallowed the rest of her sentence. She threw out a weak threat instead.
"Kanna, you'll regret this!"
"I'm the Public Security Director."
Kaya slammed the door behind her as she left.
He watched the drama unfold with great interest, nodded in acknowledgment to Kanna as she sat back down, then hurried after Kaya.
Outside the Public Security Bureau building, he opened the umbrella for Kaya. She let out an exaggerated sigh and apologized to him.
"Sorry, Sensei. I've let you down. As you saw, I'm just a powerless figurehead, ignored by my subordinates."
…Really? Did she actually think her acting was convincing?
Watching Kaya's regretful expression made him want to laugh. Did she truly believe her scheme was flawless, or did she just think he was an idiot she could manipulate?
Either way, it was hilarious. But he had to keep a straight face.
He turned his head and pinched his thigh discreetly, trying to hold his expression steady. Still, his lips trembled despite his efforts.
But Kaya, in her wisdom, probably assumed he was sympathizing with her and feeling guilty for causing her embarrassment.
"It's okay, Sensei. I'm used to it."
He took a sharp breath to keep from laughing.
He had to keep playing along. He had to see what this cunning little imp was planning—but he couldn't let his guard down.
"I'm sorry."
"Hehe~ I said it's okay~ Sensei, you're really a strange one~"
He thought so too. He actually found this spoiled, clingy Kaya kind of cute.
Far from disliking her antics, he was starting to enjoy them. In fact, his opinion of her was improving—
What a reassuring level of cunning and intelligence.
Halfway back, Kaya spoke up again.
"Sensei, I'll think of something about your situation once I return. For now, can we exchange Momotalk contacts?"
"Sure, thank you."
After they added each other, she sent him a sticker: a little sheep with "Superman" written on its head.
Curious, he asked, "Do you like Superman?"
Kaya smiled and nodded. "Mm! More accurately, I want to become Superman~"
"Haha, then we're alike."
Hearing this, Kaya opened her usually narrowed eyes wide. After a moment of surprise, a genuine joy radiated from her normally guarded expression.
"Really? Even an adult like you, Sensei, wants to be like the student council president—a Superman?"
…Does the president wear their underwear on the outside too?
Before he could respond, Kaya grabbed his arm, her eyes sparkling as she continued.
"Unlike foolish mortals, they can solve any problem with ease, put aside hatred for their goals, win everyone's trust effortlessly! And, and—"
Ah. Just plain delusional.
And so, he listened as Kaya rambled about her dreams and image of a "Superman." By the time they reached the Tower of Sanctum, she finally let go of his arm.
"Having someone who shares the same dream—it's really wonderful, Sensei~"
Kaya now treated him with noticeably more affection.
Not wanting the trouble of taking the umbrella back to Schale, he handed it to her. "Then I'll give you this umbrella. As a future Superman, you can't get sunburned just because you forgot your umbrella."
"Ehehe~"
Kaya smiled and hugged the umbrella.
"Oh, Sensei~ Before we part, I have one last question! Who do you think, among the current General Student Council, is closest to being a Superman~?"
She puffed her chest with anticipation, clearly hoping for his affirmation.
"I think it's Rin."
Kaya looked as if she had been struck by lightning.
"Eh? Wait, why Rin? Why her? Shouldn't it be me?"
"Well..."
He recalled Rin's mountain of paperwork and exhausted yet determined face, and smiled at Kaya.
"When you figure out why, you'll be closer to becoming a Superman."
With that, he turned and walked away, not bothering to check her reaction.
—
Kaya bit her lip and stared at his back until he vanished down the street.
"Hmph… Just another mortal in the end… What a pity…"
She muttered to herself, barely audible. Looking down, she realized she was still holding the umbrella—that cheap ¥500 department store long-handled umbrella he gave her. Her mood soured.
Compared to her refined folding umbrella still in her shoulder bag, this mass-produced item was beneath her.
This thing... this thing...
She'd throw it in the trash when she got home.
After a few deep breaths, she put on her usual smile and brought the unwanted gift—no, trash—back to her office. For now, she set it on the edge of her large desk.
"Tch. At least I don't have to change the plan midway. I can't believe I actually thought of that idiot as a kindred spirit for a moment."
Kicking off her boots, she flopped onto the soft couch, muttering while opening Momotalk.
Kaya: Nice cooperation~ As promised, the funding proposal will be submitted at the next meeting~
Kanna: Much appreciated.
Kaya: But you know, you were kind of serious back then, weren't you?
Kaya: You even yelled at me.
Kanna: I apologize.
Kaya: Oho~ Not denying it~ No worries, I don't mind at all.
Kaya: That's what being a Superman means—tolerance!
Kaya: Just follow my lead, and Public Security will finally break free from its slump!
Kanna: Understood.
She switched chat windows with a flick of her finger.
Kaya: About my earlier proposal, any thoughts?
Kaya: You still don't trust me, do you?
Kaya: Fine then, I'll send Schale's Sensei your way.
Kaya: Maybe try asking him for help?
Kaya: But if even he can't stop SRT from being shut down...
Kaya: Then come to me, obediently.
Kaya: Just listen to me, and SRT can be saved!
Kaya: Still no reply, huh?
Kaya: I'll take that as a yes~
Kaya: I look forward to the day you work for me, Yukino-chan~
After sending all her messages, Kaya closed her phone and lazily shifted to lie on her side.
"As expected of the Superman that is me~ Even a spontaneous plan ends in perfection!"
"With Schale's status, he can't intervene in school abolishment decisions directly. Once Yukino realizes I'm the only one who can change that, Fox Platoon will be mine~"
---
He returned to Schale, took a shower, and resumed processing documents.
Later that evening, he received a message from Kaya.
The message suggested he try to get into the SRT Special Academy, which reported directly to the missing president. The students there were capable and trustworthy, but also defiant and difficult to manage—he would need to recruit them through his own means.
So this was Kaya's real goal.
But why was she guiding him toward that academy?
He needed more intel.
Ping
As he was deep in thought, he received an anonymous email. Its contents were intriguing:
[To Sensei of Schale:
Kaya Shiranui is not trustworthy. Neither is Public Security.
If you truly need assistance, consider this individual.
She is one of the few in Valkyrie who still believes in justice and actively fights for it.
Though her abilities may be limited, her burning sense of justice is second to none.
See attached file. Please delete after reading.
Attachment: PDF]
After reading the email, he opened the file and reviewed it carefully.
The subject belonged to the Public Security Bureau. Her capabilities were questionable, but she was still worth considering.
Nakatsukasa Kirino.
He made a mental note of the name.
Facing the not-so-anonymous email, he smiled and nodded.
"Thanks for your trust—and your warning, Ogata Kanna."