Volume 1 Chapter 14 "Incident at the Festival"

"Alright, can you show me what to do?"

"Y-yes..."

Kimi placed a seal and a map on the table.

"Look, you need to go through the submitted applications, cross-check them with the vendors' data, and verify their stall locations on the map. If everything matches, approve them."

"Most of them are related to stalls positioned on the festival's main streets."

"The stalls themselves have already been inspected by security. Our job is just to sign the official permits."

"That's all?"

"I think so."

"I'll be handling the other tasks."

"O-okay."

We started working.

"Akusa's House"

"Is it alright if I drop by?"

"No, Akusa doesn't mind. Even if he did, it wouldn't matter because I also contribute to the payment of this house."

"I... I see," Shiari replied.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll make it now."

"Kimi's Office"

An hour later

"Akusa, would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please make some," I replied, yawning.

"Kimi, who were these robbers most often attacking?"

"Tadoki said they usually targeted girls who were alone, without any escort."

"I see."

"Why are you interested?"

"Just wondering..."

If they show up this year, I think I have a way to catch them. I just need to confirm a few details.

Kimi brought the tea, and we relaxed for a bit, chatted, then continued working.

A few hours later

It seems like I fell asleep... I was lying with my face buried in my hands on the table, and Kimi was lying across from me. The sun had started to set. I should move the remaining papers to her desk. I got up and carefully moved them.

"Akusa?.." Kimi spoke in a sleepy voice as she woke up.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, no."

"We should head home, tomorrow's a holiday after all."

"L-let me walk you home!"

We left Kimi's office and went down to the first floor. Kimi stepped closer to me and kissed me on the cheek.

"This is my way of thanking you for today."

"A-ah, I see…" I replied, slightly surprised.

"W-well then, Akusa, you should get going!" Kimi said shyly, gently pushing me toward the exit.

"Y-yeah… Good night, Kimichka."

"?..." Kimi blushed.

I teleported home.

"Oh, Akusa, you're back?"

"As you can see."

Tasu, Kifuru, and Shiari were sitting at the table.

"You look tired."

"Just a bit. I'm going to my room."

I slowly made my way to my room and lay down on the bed. Tomorrow would be a tough day, and I needed to think about the plan to catch the robbers, even though the teacher had forbidden it.

"The Next Day"

The alarm clock rang on the table. I slowly got up and went downstairs. Shiari and Kifuru were sitting at the table.

"Good morning," I said, yawning.

"Hi."

"Morning."

"Where's Tasu?"

"In the shower."

"I see."

"Shiari, did you stay over?"

It seems I fell asleep quickly and didn't notice...

"Yes, Tasu allowed it. Should I not have stayed?"

"No, no, I don't mind. Just curious."

We had breakfast and left for school.

"Isn't Kifuru coming with us?"

"She'll come later, closer to the festival."

We arrived in class, where the teacher was waiting for us.

"Thanks for coming! Let's get straight to the point. The festival starts at noon, and the main event will be at six in the evening."

"Why did we come so early?" Tasu asked.

"Listen to the end. You need to check for suspicious people an hour before the festival starts."

"After the start, you can do whatever you want, as long as you're available to assist with security if necessary."

"And that's it?"

"Yes, you don't need to do anything else."

"Why don't we just catch them?"

"Do you really want to catch them?"

"Yes, I don't see anything difficult about it."

"Only if you don't get hurt."

"And this will be entirely on you, since Kimi didn't give that order."

"Then... can we start?" Tasu asked.

"Yes, you can proceed. Here, take this."

The teacher handed us special shield-shaped badges for our outfits. We casually made our way to the festival.

"Akusa, how do you plan to catch the robbers?"

"It's simple, but first..."

"Shiari, would you mind helping us a little?"

"Help? With what?"

"We need you to change into regular festival clothes and just act like everything's normal."

"So you want me to be bait?"

"Exactly. Kimi said the robbers usually targeted girls who were alone and completely robbed them."

"I understand. I don't mind..." Shiari replied quietly.

"Don't worry, Tasu and I will be nearby. As soon as we notice someone is following you or trying to attack, we'll intervene immediately."

"Better before the attack..."

"Well... we'll try," Tasu answered with a grin.

"A Few Hours Later"

"It's the peak of the festival..." I said to myself, floating in the air and watching Shiari.

At the start of the festival, Kimi greeted everyone. There hadn't been any incidents so far. Shiari wore a light green yukata.

"Hey, Akusa, catch," Tasu shouted to me, flying toward me.

"What's this?"

"Takoyaki, I think."

I took a few, and they were really delicious.

"Hey, Akusa, look!"

I looked down and noticed a man, fully dressed in black, following Shiari.

We had agreed with Shiari that she would head to a secluded place if she felt someone was following her.

"I'm going!" Tasu shouted.

"Wait!" I stopped him, grabbing his uniform.

"What's up?"

"Wait a bit longer."

"Ah..?"

Shiari entered a small alley, and the man followed her.

"I think he might be one of the robbers."

"Tasu, can you handle this yourself?"

"Um... Yes... Aren't you going?"

"Trust me, this isn't the whole thing."

"I think I get what you mean."

At that moment, Tasu teleported. Apparently, he had already learned the spell. He appeared behind the robber.

"How can such a girl walk around alone?"

"Would you like to have some fun?"

"What do you want?"

"Give me all your valuables, and I'll let you go," the robber said, slowly cornering Shiari against the wall.

"Excuse me, but isn't it a bit rude to treat a girl like that?"

"Huh? And who are you?"

"For you, I am the law," Tasu replied with a smirk.