Following the events with the Foreclosure Task Force the previous day, I returned to SCHALE to tackle the unfinished workload.
Sleep eluded me, and I ended up pulling an all-nighter. Before I knew it, daylight was streaming through the window.
"Ah." I shielded my eyes from the sunlight. "Too bright, too bright." Pushing myself up from the chair, I stretched my body. "Hnnggh."
Just then, the Schittm Chest powered up. "Good morning, Sensei!"
"Good morning, Arona."
"Sensei, you've got a new message," Arona chimed in.
I glanced over at Arona as I stretched my fatigued muscles. "Whose message is it?"
"The Head Prefect, Hina Sorasaki."
A hint of intrigue colored my expression as I cleared my throat. "I see..."
But why would she reach out all of a sudden?
The sliding door's soft hiss drew my attention, revealing Hina Sorasaki entering with a folder in her hands.
"Good morning, Sensei."
"Hina, isn't it a bit early for your appearance?"
"...Early? Sensei, it's 7 am..."
"Eh?!"
A hint of a smile graced her lips. "It seems the workload has taken a toll on your sense of time?"
"I-I suppose..."
"Could you use a hand?"
"Yes, please."
Her smile deepened as she nodded. She retrieved some leftover paperwork, settled onto the sofa, and began assisting me with the tasks at hand.
Time flew, and finally, the last piece of paperwork was done. A sense of relief washed over me.
"Ahhh, it's finally over."
"Great job, Sensei."
"Yeah, you too, Hina."
She gracefully rose from her seat, beginning to organize the papers.
"Ah, hold on... Let me handle that. You didn't come here to assist me, did you?"
"That's correct... It's actually an urgent matter."
I turned my full attention to her, curious about her urgent request.
"I want to discuss the inspection of Gehenna's security around the campus... and also seek advice on how to further develop it."
"Getting into business, I see... But why not text me through MomoTalk?"
"I considered that, but since we're delving into business matters, I preferred a face-to-face conversation with you."
"I see..."
Her presence was consistently formidable, a fact I couldn't ignore. Nonetheless, I held profound respect for her unwavering commitment to the school's security.
As expected from the chairwoman of Gehenna's Prefect Team, a figure that rightfully commanded respect and even a touch of fear from every student in the academy.
"Could I take a look at the document you've brought?"
"Of course." She handed me the document, and I promptly opened it, perusing its contents attentively.
As I read through the document outlining the inspection and security plans, I gathered my thoughts.
Hina was looking for my input, and I wanted to provide guidance that would truly benefit the academy.
"Well, Hina, it seems like you've covered a lot of ground here," I began, glancing up from the document. "Your focus on enhancing Gehenna's security is commendable."
She nodded, her gaze attentive.
"I'd suggest considering a multi-layered approach," I continued. "While physical security measures are essential, don't underestimate the power of fostering a strong sense of community and trust within the academy. Encouraging open communication among students and faculty can go a long way in preventing potential security issues."
Her brows furrowed slightly, indicating she was processing the idea.
"Additionally, technology can play a pivotal role, Implementing advanced surveillance systems, smart access control, and utilizing data analytics can help identify patterns and potential threats more efficiently."
Hina's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "Those are valuable insights, Sensei. I appreciate your perspective."
"I honestly feel like you actually covered a lot of the things I said in this document..."
"Of course, I'd find your opinion valuable."
"It's not often I get the unfiltered feedback of someone with experience. That's why we students rely on you, Sensei."
"Thank you, Hina."
She smiled, grabbed the file, and headed out of the door, but then she paused, looking back at me. "Feel free to come visit us, Sensei."
"I will."
With that, she left, and I stretched my limbs as I settled onto the sofa. "A brief nap wouldn't hurt, right?"
I closed my eyes and allowed myself a short rest, taking advantage of the opportunity to recharge.