บท 176: Animal Caretaker

The atmosphere screamed "out of place," but Akaya spotted a few familiar faces among the gathering. There were the ever-popular Handsome Trio, along with senior members of the "Order to Protect the Silver Saintess," including the esteemed Munetaka-senpai, the enigmatic Bakudou-senpai, and the ever-dapper Kody-senpai. While these faces provided a shred of familiarity, the majority of the assembled students were strangers.

Around twenty students without the distinctive armbands of the Disciplinary Committee had gathered—a number that far outstripped the committee's own.

"Akaya-kun! Looks like Osmond-sensei's got you running errands again!" The cheerful voice belonged to Hinatori Uchiha-senpai, her pink side ponytail bouncing with her laughter. She carried a rifle slung across her back, adding an odd juxtaposition to her cheerful demeanor.

"I'm starting to feel like his personal handyman," Akaya replied dryly.