Vol. 1 Ch. 1 Ep. 17: The Gathering Storm

Good morning!

*yawn* Good morning...

Whoa, you okay, Aru? Did you stay up all night?

N-No. I slept...technically speaking.

What's eating at you this time, Boss?

The planning is all done, right? We hire double the muscle, then we lure the Abydos kids somewhere we'll have the upper hand.

And Haruka left this morning to go plant the explosives. The plan is to pick off those Abydos kids one-by-one in the kill zone, isn't it?

I'm back.

Hi, Back. So...? How did it go?

I finished planting the bombs at key junctions. Now, all I have to do is press this button, and...

Nice! Just make sure to remember where they're all placed.

Of course. Say the word and they'll be blown to smithereens...

Tch...

What's wrong now? The money? If this was gonna put us out so much, then why didn't we get an advance from the client and use that for our plans?

No upfront payments, company policy. You know that.

Because accepting payment in advance would give the client too much say in how we operate, or something like that?

Exactly. We get paid only when the job is done. That's how it has to be. And I never compromise.

Really? Since when?

Since always! We're hard-boiled outlaws untethered to rules or laws! That's always been the guiding vision for Problem Solver 68!

Huh, was it? I guess it does sound a little familiar.

Contracts are no different. There's always a chance it might turn into a trap. We don't want to be forced into doing something we don't want to do.

And that's why we only accept payment once the job is done.

...

You know, Boss...if this is getting to be too much pressure, we could all just throw in the towel and go back to Gehenna.

What?!

Wh-Who said anything about it being too much pressure?! I'm just...a little...

Heh... That might not be a good idea. The Prefect Team would never let her off the hook.

That's a good point.

The Prefect Team must see us as nothing but a thorn in their sides. Still, it's not as though we came out here to run away either.

And don't forget: The only reason the Prefect Team is considered to be the most feared organization in all of Kivotos...

...is because of Head Prefect Hina.

Most of their firepower comes from the head prefect alone. She's a veritable one-woman army.

In other words...

...the rest of the Prefect Team is anything but invincible.

We have a puncher's chance of winning if we play our cards right.

Is that so? I didn't realize you were thinking so far ahead, Kayoko.

We'll have to fight them sooner or later. We could use the same resources we're utilizing against Abydos to fight the Prefect Team without Hina.

That's how strong I think the Abydos girls are. Their only real weakness is that they lack numbers.

Huh. You don't say...

...

No. Going back is out of the question.

But I wish it wasn't...

Would you make up your mind, already?

Fine. Let's give this boring conversation a break and get something to eat. I'm starving.

How does ramen sound? Shiba Seki, anyone?

That place?

Worried about that part-timer? She only works in the afternoon. We just have to make sure we don't run into her.

I guess... I'll admit their food was pretty good. Plus, the boss could use a little pick-me-up.

All right! Let's go! ♪

Oi. Good morning, Sensei.

You're here early. Good to see you.

Look comfortable, don't I? Heh. Nonomi's lap is super soft and perfect for taking a nap. It's like my very own pillow.

There's room for you too, Sensei! Make yourself comfortable! ☆

Nope! I have dibs on this lap, so why don't you back off and take one of those uncomfortable chairs over there, Sensei?

No one said you could call dibs, but okay...

(Why don't you come back later when no one else is around, Sensei?)

*stretch*

*yawn* How is everyone already so busy this morning?

It's the first breather we've had in a while... So I guess everyone is trying to check some stuff off their lists.

Shiroko is probably working out and Ayane is most likely studying at the library.

Wow. And you came to school early to tidy up the club room, Nonomi? You're all such hard workers.

As for me? Heh. I was just here taking it easy!

Maybe you'd like to do something productive for a change, Hoshino? Like a part-time job or going to the gym?

Nope. I've already got way too much on my plate. Plus, I'm just a wrinkly old coot who can barely endure outdoor activities.

But we're practically the same age.

Anyway, the others should be arriving soon now that Sensei is here. I'm gonna go kill some time.

Huh? Hey, where are you going?

Today's my day off! I'll be out for the day, so call me if anything comes up.

Hoshino... I bet she's gonna go take another nap.

I guess that's okay. Ayane will make sure the meeting runs smoothly anyway.

Haha... Still, Hoshino's changed a lot since I first met her.

Hmm? What was she like before?

Well, she might come across as a lazy sleepyhead now, but there was never a moment when Hoshino didn't seem frazzled back then.

What was she frazzled by? I dunno... Everything?

I don't know all the details, but there used to be another student around here before...

Apparently, she was the last student council president Abydos had. From what I heard, she wasn't very reliable or trustworthy. Hoshino had to do everything herself after she disappeared.

That was back when Hoshino was just a first-year. Anyway, like I said, I don't know all the details.

But now we have you, Sensei. And she seems to have no trouble hanging out with students from other academies too...

She never would have done something like that before. I guess you could say she's finally softened up a bit.

And I think it's all thanks to you, Sensei! ☆

...

...

Ah, you're here.

I've been waiting for you, Horus of the Da, ah, pardon me. You go by "Hoshino," was it?

I'm afraid I'm still getting used to how things are done in Kivotos. This way, if you please, Miss Hoshino.

What do you want this time, Black Suit?

To put it simply, circumstances have changed. And as you possess the greatest Mystic in all of Abydos, I'd like you to reconsider my offer.

This again? Would you give it a rest already?! I've already...!

Ah-ah-ah. Let's keep it down, shall we?

...?!

How shall I put this? Ah, let me use this quote from a favorite movie of mine.

I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse.

You'll find it very enticing, I assure you. Won't you hear me out?

Heh heh... Hahaha.