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"Problem Solver 68" - that is an illegal enterprise operating across the academy city Kivotos, where students enjoy their youth under the names of discipline, freedom, and violence. Destruction, kidnapping, robbery... even if it's a crime, it doesn't matter. Depending on the reward, they are a "jack-of-all-trades" that carries out any request.
Merciless, cruel, cold-blooded. Before them, even major figures in the underworld are no match. If one were to defy them, they would be crushed by superior intellect, overwhelming destruction, terrifying madness, and the absolute charisma that leads them. They are a small elite team boasting some of the finest capabilities in Kivotos, and are notorious wanted criminals. That is them, Problem Solver 68.
◇◇◇
"Wha, wha-wha-wha... How did it come to thiiis!!?"
In the storm of chaos and brutality where children lay unconscious from gunfire, windows were shattered, buildings collapsed, and instructions and screams, roars were literally blown away by the violent force of gunfire and explosions, the crimson-haired maiden's shriek echoed.
It was a tremendous volume, as if filled with the intent to gather and condemn all the world's good, all the world's evil, all the world's injustices.
Her name is Rikuhachima Aru. A girl who yearns to be a villainess, serving as the president of Problem Solver 68.
Huh? It doesn't match the impression from the previous description? Well, no lies were told, so it's safe.
"President, this is bad. Everywhere is full of Prefect Team members and delinquents. Breaking through alone might be possible, but the Head Prefect will definitely come."
"Th-that's bad! If it were just these guys, fine, but with our current equipment, we can't handle the Head Prefect!! Section Chief, don't you have some kind of plan!?"
The crimson-haired girl called President, while flustered, asks a girl with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
The one referred to as Section Chief is Onikata Kayoko. She is the brains of Problem Solver 68.
"Ahaha! Then, let's just blow this whole area away!! Enemies and buildings alike!!"
"Blow it away? Understood. Blow it away blow it away blow it away blow it away blow it away ——————"
"Stop! Stooop!! No good. Director Mutsuki, Haruka! There are civilians in this area too. Recklessly involving unrelated ordinary people is not just third-rate for outlaws, it's disqualifying!!"
At Aru's restraint, which felt more like something someone on the side of order would say, Director Asagi Mutsuki puffed out her cheeks, and the general employee Haruka, who had a glint of madness in her eyes, timidly lowered her face and each of them temporarily lowered their weapons.
Just why did they get involved in such trouble in the first place? It was an unfortunate event fitting to be described as 'danced with misfortune'. Originally, today was supposed to be a peaceful day. This request was a simple one: escort the client from the bank to the destination building. The journey was smooth, and the request was successfully completed.
Thinking their pockets were now warmer, they headed out into the city to get souvenirs or something—that was their undoing. While they successfully obtained the desired item, the Gourmet Research Society and the Hot Springs Department (Kivotos's two biggest terrorists) each caused problems with Problem Solver sandwiched in between, plunging the whole city into a chaotic battle. Naturally, even Problem Solver got caught up in the situation.
If not for the voice of the operator waiting back at the office, they would undoubtedly have been in a state where even handling the situation was difficult.
"I want to do something, but the situation is too chaotic... First, we need to grasp the battle situation."
Kayoko furrowed her brow as she pulled the trigger towards the delinquents who, provoked, came attacking.
Even if she wanted to formulate a strategy, they lacked a bird's-eye view of the information. Moving carelessly risked worsening the situation. However, if things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before the Head Prefect, one of Kivotos's foremost powerhouses, would make an appearance. Sooner or later, they would have to pull the trigger.
As Problem Solver was steadily cornered, and reckless thoughts of each sacrificing themselves as decoys flitted through their minds —
『Sorry to keep you all waiting』
As if to negate those thoughts, a calm voice, yet giving a gallant impression, reached everyone's ears from the installed comms.
"Ha... Hakuno, Subsection Chief!!"
"Hakunon, you're slooow! I was waiting♪"
"Ha, Hakuno-san!!"
Aru's voice was emotionally charged, Mutsuki wore an expression as joyful as when a new prank gadget arrived, and Haruka, who had been looking down, sharply raised her face.
And the next moment, as Mutsuki laid a smoke screen with a smoke grenade, blocking the view of the Prefect Team and delinquents, the four of them escaped into the shadow of a building.
While everyone's spirits rose at the long-awaited reinforcements, Kayoko, the most calm among these four, spoke up.
"Hakuno, sorry for the immediate request, but I need a map. Even a rough one, with the positions of the various forces."
『Yeah. I know. Is everyone wearing their goggles? I'm projecting a map hacked from the satellite now. Also, Haruka, I need you to restart my drone.』
"Eh? But, Hakuno-san's drone... the charge only has 5 minutes lef ——————"
『No problem. Three minutes is enough.』
As if sharply cutting off Haruka's worry, the girl called Hakuno asserted. Encouraged by her reliability, Haruka's body moved faster than her thoughts, and she took the drone out from her backpack and activated it.
"My goggles are on, Hakuno. Now, please project the map."
『Roger. President.』
A map of the surroundings, along with numerous dots, was displayed on the goggles of Aru and the other three.
"......We're completely surrounded. Even though we just got caught up in this, this persistence... It's definitely Ako's doing."
On Kayoko's goggles, dots moving in a uniform pattern surrounded the four members of Problem Solver.
"Agaain, the Administrator? Targeting us instead of dealing with the Gourmet Club and the Hot Springs folks... she's really letting her personal feelings get involved."
Beside Aru, Mutsuki muttered this with a mischievous, imp-like smile.
"This is no laughing matter. If we don't retreat before Hina comes, it's game over at that point."
"Th-that means... j-just... kill everyone? Is that good? I-I-I-I-I ————"
"Stay! Stay, Haruka. ...So, Kayoko, Hakuno. Have you decided on a plan?"
Aru asked the two while stroking the head of Haruka, who was on the verge of rampage. Haruka, perhaps weakened by Aru's sudden head pats, had a melting expression and her finger, which was on the pin of a grenade, slipped off.
『I've secured an escape route. There's a manhole 300 meters ahead in this alley. Let's escape through there.』
"A manhole... huh. Then, if we take this route and manage to make the Prefect Team and the other delinquents clash, we might be able to use that opening to go down the manhole and escape."
『I see. Then, I'll hack their operator at the best timing. Let's escape during the confusion.』
"Okay. Then we can escape almost certainly."
"『What do you say, President?』"
"Uh, eh? Wha, me...!?"
Aru couldn't keep up with the exchange between the two high-level intellects.
Though flustered by the sudden pass from the two, as the leader, she thought she must make a decision.
"A manhole... A manhole, huh............"
At this moment, what was on Aru's mind wasn't whether it would definitely succeed or not. She didn't harbor any doubts about the strategy from the two foremost brains of Problem Solver from the start.
The problem was whether this plan met Aru's standards as an outlaw. For Aru, the romance of being an outlaw was the most important thing.
『President. In spy action works, escaping via manhole is a standard tactic.』
"Yeah. Elegantly evading the majority of pursuers, and escaping through the manhole right in front of them with a loud declaration. Truly outlaw-like."
"Ah, Aru-sama. I'll do anything that Aru-sama decides..."
"Mutsuki-chan thinks it sounds fun too, so it's totally fine♪"
Hakuno and Kayoko's words struck a chord with Aru, and Haruka and Mutsuki's agreement solidified her resolve.
"Decided! We'll adopt Kayoko and Hakuno's plan. Haruka, repel the enemies on the front line. Mutsuki, cause disruption. Me and Kayoko will support Haruka. And Hakuno, please handle navigation and support!"
She assigned roles one after another. This leadership after making a resolution is Aru's strong point.
"Alright! Let's escape this predicament like true outlaws, everyone!"
Aru raised her hand high and declared.
The other four nodded at Aru's decision.
"Found you! Surrender, fugitives!"
『They're here.』
Amidst this, the Prefect Team members spotted Aru and the others. It seemed other Prefect Team members were gathering one after another, perhaps having received reports.
To shake off the pursuers. For their comrades. The inorganic eyes of Hakuno's drone turned towards the Prefect Team members about to attack.
『―――― Set Up 』
What she imagines is an electronic circuit and a single button. The moment it's pressed, a mystical energy, like an electric current, flows through the entire circuit. What this signifies is the activation of Hakuno's own unique supernatural ability, possessed by her and no one else. A single one. Just one program reproduces a supernatural phenomenon in this world, declaring the commencement of the escape drama.
『hack_skl(16) 』
A mechanical voice from the drone confirmed the reproduction of an invisible supernatural phenomenon. It was shot from the drone's eye towards one of the Prefect Team members.
"Nnnnguuuhhh!!?"
It hit the lead Prefect Team member directly. Then, as if she convulsed for just a moment, she collapsed on the spot.
"Huh? Wha-!?"
"Ah, sh-she... fell!?"
"「「「「Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!?」」」」"
They tripped over the Prefect Team member lying prone on the ground, collapsing one after another like dominoes. It was probably unfortunate that it was a narrow alley. The Prefect Team members who fell in a chain reaction piled up like a mountain, forming a wall that blocked the alley.
"Now's our chance! Hakuno, please guide the route!"
『Roger. But, before that』
『move_speed();+heal(16);』
Next, it was shot towards Aru and the others.
But, these didn't have a hindering effect like the one before.
"My body feels light. ...My wounds are healed too. I always think this, but Subsection Chief Hakuno's 'Code Cast' is amazing."
Yes, this indeed is the supernatural ability "Code Cast" that only Hakuno possesses in all of vast Kivotos.
An ability that applies buffs and debuffs to targets according to defined programs.
What she applied to Aru and the others now was increased movement speed and wound healing. It was the precise Code Cast for this situation.
『Thank you. But, it's just that... rather than me, it's just that this device's performance is amazing.』
"What are you saying!! There's no doubt it's Hakuno's power that masters its use. That stun earlier was splendid too, wasn't it?"
At Aru's heartfelt praise, the drone's movements slowed slightly. It was as if one could see through to Hakuno's flustered figure on the other side of the screen.
Seeing this, Kayoko let out a sigh and spoke up.
"President. It's fine to be impressed by Hakuno's ability, but if we don't get going quickly, Hina will come."
"Ugh! R-right. Let's move out!!"
And so the escape drama begins.
The waves of attacking delinquents, and the numerous Prefect Team members.
They had reduced the numbers somewhat by making some of the Prefect Team members and delinquents clash with each other, but there were still plenty. However, Problem Solver 68 was not one to yield to that.
"―――die pleasedie pleasedie pleasedie pleasedie pleasedie pleasedie pleasedie pleasedie plea―――"
A curtain of bullets from her beloved shotgun, unleashed by Haruka, whose eyes were filled with madness and cheeks stained red, mowed down the enemies before her ————
"Hai♪ Thanks for the trouble of chasing us~. Now, back to the start you go♡"
After reaching the main street, bombs scattered by Mutsuki mercilessly blew away the Prefect Team members chasing from the rear ————
"Really, there's not even a moment to catch our breath."
The roar from the handgun Kayoko carried made the enemies flinch, creating an opening for Haruka to charge forward.
『I see it. That manhole.』
Advancing for several tens of seconds.
There was a single manhole where the drone's gaze indicated.
"Yes. Confirmed. Mutsuki, prepare the smoke screen ————"
Just as Aru opened her mouth to give the next order, a destructive sound with a crushing weight echoed from the main street.
"Stooop!! Wanted criminals!! This is the end for you lot—! Go—! The more, the better! Blow them away—!!"
Setting aside the retort of 'what do you mean blow them away?', what appeared before Aru and the others was an armored vehicle with a tiger's face mounted directly on the front. Frankly, it was a tank.
"Wh-why are you bringing out a tank against us, who just got caught up in this—!!?"
Faced with this all-out assault from the order side, completely disregarding damage to the city, President Aru couldn't help but mentally roll her eyes.
Although the situation was like a gag, it was clearly bad. The armored vehicle's name wasn't for show; it was appropriately sturdy. If it just charged in and ended up blocking the manhole, the plan itself would collapse.
Moreover, even Haruka, who had the highest attack power, couldn't destroy it with a shotgun. Mutsuki currently had a smoke grenade in hand, so she couldn't deal with the charging tank. Needless to say, Kayoko lacked the firepower. That meant the only one who could act now was Rikuhachima Aru, alone. But, she herself was a sniper. There was no way she had time to hold her long-barreled sniper rifle with both hands and fire ———
"Haa... Can't be helped."
『Set Up』
—or there shouldn't have been.
No trace of the earlier confusion remained in Aru now. What was there was the President, facing the tank with a sigh, and the figure of the drone by her side.
"That much... I can hit even with one hand."
『gain_mgi(16);』
There was no need to hold it with both hands. As if aiming a handgun, she thrust the muzzle of the rifle, held in one hand, towards the tank.
And then, the fired rifle bullet was imbued with Hakuno's power-increasing Code Cast.
"Wh-what, no way—!!?"
As if exposing the Prefect Team members who had been confident it couldn't possibly penetrate, the silver bullet struck the tiger tank. Simultaneously with penetrating somewhat into the interior, the mystery imbued within the bullet itself ran wild. It ruptured, engulfing the tank itself.
"「Gwaah!!」"
The tank blew away along with its death throes.
Huh? Didn't the guys inside die—?
Please rest assured. Kivotos people don't die from something like this.
"President, now!"
"Got it!!"
The manhole cover had already been opened by Kayoko, putting them in a state ready to escape at any time.
Aru tucked the drone under her arm, and taking advantage of the blast, she dashingly descended down below the manhole.
◇◇◇
"Administrator, it's no good. Simultaneous with the severe damage to the Tiger Tank, we lost sight of Problem Solver 68."
"Th-they must still be in the vicinity! Please search for them!!"
The perspective shifts from Problem Solver to a completely different location.
In the Prefect Team room, where long desks laden with massive amounts of documents stood haphazardly, a blue-haired girl with a crazy outfit where her chest was spilling out ——— Amau Ako — was desperately giving instructions.
"Display the map of the vicinity! And please detect any responses from things like drones!"
As per Ako's instructions, a map was displayed on the terminal in her hand. Problem Solver, though shabby, should possess a drone. Then, for the brief moment she thought that detecting its response would reveal their whereabouts—
"Ah, wh-what the—!?"
"Did something happen!!?"
Perhaps Ako was also startled by the cry of the Prefect Team member operating the equipment, her eyes wide open.
"Th-the computer screen!! I-It's been taken over by those strange characters again!!"
"Wh-what did you say!!?"
Ako rushed over and looked at the computer screen as if lunging at it.
What reflected in her eyes was:
―――― BB Channel
— characters largely drawn in a cute, pop font, as if modeled after "cherry blossoms" and "little devils".
Lacking audio, it was a screen that felt somewhat lonely, but that was irrelevant now.
The problem was that this was undoubtedly proof that this computer was being interfered with by someone else.
"A-again...? Even though we went to the trouble of getting new, latest-model equipment..."
Looking at the terminal in her hand, it similarly displayed "BB Channel". Feeling an strange, irritating annoyance from those characters, Ako barely managed to restrain herself from slamming it against the floor.
"If this continues, we'll let Problem Solver get away ————"
Even after going so far as to deploy a tank to corner them, this was the pitiful result. If it were the usual Problem Solver, they could at least buy time until the Head Prefect arrived. But, with an operator joining their ranks, everything had changed.
If one were to clearly state the difference between the Prefect Team and Problem Solver 68 (excluding Hina), it would be the presence of an excellent operator. That was one area where the Prefect Team, superior in numbers but inferior in quality, surpassed Problem Solver. However, now even that gap had been filled.
"(Hey... weren't we supposed to be chasing the Gourmet Club and the Hot Springs Dept?)"
"(Right...)"
Ignoring the Prefect Team members whispering while working elsewhere, Ako clenched her own smartphone in frustration, almost to the point of it making cracking sounds and seeming to shatter. Just as it was about to break, the smartphone vibrated purupuru. Of course, it wasn't the smartphone's subtle resistance. Checking the notification, the name of her respected Head Prefect was displayed.
"Ha, wha!? Pre... President, Hina!?"
So shocked that she tossed her smartphone into the air, her hands flailed about three times trying frantically to grab it, she managed to catch it after kicking the phone, which was about to hit the floor, using a lifting technique, and finally answered.
"S-sorry to keep you waiting!!"
『......Ako, I'll be brief.』
The owner of the voice was calm and composed, seemingly in inverse proportion to Ako, who couldn't hide her tension. She was none other than the Prefect Team Chairman, considered the strongest in Gehenna Academy — Sorasaki Hina.
Whether she knew Ako's feelings or not, Hina began reporting succinctly.
『First, both the Hot Springs Club and the Gourmet Research Club have been annihilated. Please dispatch the Medical Emergency Club to my location.』
"Y-yes! As expected of the President!!"
One might say, 'as expected of the strongest woman in Gehenna'.
It seemed she had already resolved the situation. Hearing this, Ako's face turned pale even as she offered praise.
Just as one might think the call would end here... reality wasn't so sweet.
『Now then, Ako. I hear you left the Hot Springs Club and Gourmet Club to chase Problem Solver. And even deployed a tank.』
"Ugh..."
At Hina's pointed remark, Ako's face grew even paler.
"Y-your words, President... Problem Solver are proper wanted crimi————"
『That's true. But, they aren't a problem serious enough to neglect what's currently happening. You understand that, don't you? Your recent achievements have been remarkable, but even so, this time you've acted too much on personal feelings.』
"............Yes. I am terribly sorry."
Having no choice but to be sunk by Hina's one-two punch of logical arguments, Ako hung her head and apologized (over the phone).
『A reflection report later.』
"Yes..."
Faced with the punishment imposed upon her, Ako could only nod.
◇◇◇
The location changes again, to the Problem Solver 68 office.
A building on a prime plot in the city center............ no, it's the second floor of a building on the outskirts. That is their base.
Climbing the clanging metal stairs, there is a simple single-handed door there.
One of the four-person group placed her hand on the doorknob with a gachari sound and opened it; as if released from tension, she stretched and spoke loudly.
"I'm home—!"
The owner of that voice was Aru. It spread through the office, as if showcasing a sense of accomplishment after finishing a job.
After that, each said "I'm home" and entered the office.
The one who greeted them was ————
"Welcome back."
— a single girl wearing an apron.
Chestnut-like hair color, brown eyes, somewhat thick, gallant-looking eyebrows. That beautiful hair was styled in long hair with wavy ends.
And in her hand, she held a blue device about the size of a large softball, like a Rubik's cube.
"The food is ready. Today's menu is tofu hamburger steak (60% tofu ratio)."
"Wah—! I'm looking forward to the food♪"
Mutsuki passed through the reception area as if diving in, trying to go inside the partition.
"Hey now, Mutsuki, let's take a shower first."
"That's right, Director Mutsuki. Wash your hands and gargle first."
Mutsuki was restrained by the words of Aru and the girl.
Scolded, she puffed out her cheeks, then said "Haa—i" in a slightly sulky manner and headed towards the washbasin.
Kayoko, watching this, muttered softly, "Two moms."
And it seemed to reach the girl's ears as well.
"Yeah, that's true. Regardless of what I was like before, now I'm like the good wife-type 'mom', huh."
The girl said this expressionlessly, but with a slight snort.
Despite her impassive face, her demeanor clearly showed a proud look, and Kayoko thought, "(Good wife-type mom...?)" feeling somewhat exasperated.
"B-b-but I... I-I didn't really help much at all... c-could I really eat the food? Moreover, taking a shower together with Aru-sama is... t-too awe-inspiring..."
"That's not true, Haruka. That strategy was premised on your breakthrough power. There's no way you weren't helpful."
Aru stroked Haruka's hair, who was becoming gloomy, to encourage her.
"Or is that it? Does Haruka dislike having meals with me or something?"
"N-no!! I want to eat with Aru-sama and the others!!"
When Aru said this, sounding a little lonely, even Haruka, it seemed, didn't want to see Aru looking dejected, and denied it loudly.
"Good. Then it's fine. Let's all eat until we're full."
"Y-yes!!"
Haruka responded loudly to Aru, who was lightly combing through her hair with her fingers.
Afterwards, just as Haruka seemed about to slip back into gloomy mode, Kayoko took her hand.
"Then, I'll take Haruka with me... Oh yeah, show me the drone recording later. I want to check today's events again."
"Understood, Section Chief Kayoko."
When the girl nodded, Kayoko tried to lead Haruka to the washroom. Then, as if remembering something from Kayoko's words, Aru spoke up.
"That's right! I also got cream puffs to celebrate everyone's hard work today ————"
And so, rustling around, what she pulled out from her backpack was a plastic bag containing one box.
Seeing that, Kayoko was seized by a bad premonition.
"President... by any chance, is that already crushed ————"
"Ah—!! The box is all squished—!!?"
It seemed Kayoko's warning was too late; the box of cream puffs Aru was holding was crushed, and, as expected, the contents were also damaged.
"Waaah—!! But I wanted us all to eat them—!!"
Aru had reverted to just being a regular girl, and Kayoko looked at her with exasperation, while the girl gave a small smile.
"It's okay, President. If it's just this much, I can re-fill the cream in the kitchen. I'll brew some tea, and we can have them as a dessert after the meal."
"Really!? Yay! The sweets you make are exquisite too!!"
Haruka made a happy face, matching the delighted President. While Kayoko and the girl watched them with exasperated but fond expressions, Mutsuki peeked her face out from the washroom and called out, "Is everyone still—?"
After that, the four took showers together, ate their meal, and the five of them went to sleep in preparation for the next day's request. And so, a day at Problem Solver 68 passed by.
This is the story of the chaotic daily life of the noisy but happily living Problem Solver 68 and the amnesiac girl ——— the Problem Solver operator "Hakuno".